Sir Ledger saves ‘Knight’s Tale’

Don’t let “A Knight’s Tale” fool you. Yes, an Academy Award winner is the director (Brian Helgeland, screenwriter for “L.A. Confidential”). It’s true that up-and-coming Aussie actor Heath Ledger (“The Patriot,” “10 Things I Hate About You”) stars in the film. And the supporting cast (Rufus Sewell, “Dark City;” Mark Addy, “The Full Monty”) is incredibly talented indeed. And period-piece lovers should dig it, since it’s set in Medieval times, right? Not quite.

“A Knight’s Tale” is the (generic) story of a young squire, William Thatcher (Heath Ledger), who illegally disguises himself as a knight in order to earn money and also because of his true love for the sport of jousting. Supported by a trio of friends (Addy; Paul Tudyk, “Wonder Boys;” Laura Fraser, “Titus”), and writer Geoffrey Chaucer in the early phase of his career (Paul Bettany, “Bent”), William fights his way to the top. He runs into a few obstacles, however, including his dark rival Count Adhemar (the always stellar Sewell), his need to disclose his true identity and a woman who serves as quite a distraction (Shannyn Sossamon, a Los Angeles DJ making her film debut).

The film is just one of those that doesn’t work. First of all, director Helgeland sets the film to a 1970s classic rock soundtrack, and we get the feeling we are in the midst of a soccer or hockey game instead of a medieval jousting matches. During a scene at a banquet in which the actors begin dancing to traditional medieval songs, the music segues into David Bowie’s “Golden Years.” It is always appreciated when a director tries to mix and match in order produce an innovative work, but Helgeland does not make the cut. He explains his out-of the-ordinary premise for using such a soundtrack.

“When I’m writing, I try to play music that has something to do with what I’m working on. With the ideas [of the film] in mind — youth identity and freedom — that’s about rock and roll, basically,” the director said at a recent interview in Los Angeles. “I gravitated toward the songs that I started listening to when I was that age.”

“It’s odd when you are looking through the script and you read ‘rhythmic stamping and clapping and the voice of Freddie Mercury,’” Addy joked.

The film’s inconsistency is not its only fault; an ordinary script, predictable plot, and too-long running time do not make “A Knight’s Tale” easy to sit through. However, it may be an enjoyable watch for 12 and 13-year olds that will find the jousting exciting, the puerile humor funny and Ledger incredibly good-looking.

“We definitely made the film for the youth of America,” said producer Todd Black.

Despite the film’s shortcomings, its cast is extremely impressive and fun to watch. The rapport between the actors is one that cannot be found in many films, and many of the friendships that developed on the set were due to several nights of hanging out at the pub while filming in Prague, according to the cast.

“One thing about alcohol is that you bond quickly even with furniture,” Bettany said. “We’d just really have a giggle, which was lovely.”

Speaking of Paul Bettany, where did this guy come from? He is a witty and quirky character and easily the most fun actor in the film to watch. After his comic performance in “A Knight’s Tale,” we should keep an eye out for him in “A Beautiful Mind,” which just started filming in March. The film stars the likes of Russell Crowe, Ed Harris and Jennifer Connelly.

And so we come to Ledger. Although we have not seen him in any films aside from “The Patriot” and “10 Things I Hate About You,” “A Knight’s Tale” is destined to make him a full-fledged Hollywood celebrity. Actors love to work with Ledger because of his professionalism and charisma, and we love to watch him for his sincerity, charm and true talent.

“He’s got so many qualities as an actor,” praised Ledger’s costar Addy. “There’s times when he’s a little kid and he’s jumping around, and sometimes he has these stiller moments where there’s a man there. I don’t know whether it’s a child in a man’s body or if it’s the other way around. He’s very unique and there aren’t many actors his age that have the ability to play that way.”

“He’s 21 year-old and has a $50 million movie on his shoulders — and he’s all relaxed. He’s really delightful. He kind of wants to make you believe in old souls,” said Bettany of Ledger.

When asked about his selectivity of roles on the silver screen, Ledger answered that after “10 Things I Hate About You,” he did not want to fall into the teen movie trap.

“I’m not happy unless I’m doing something that I love. That reflects in the work that I pick, the movies that I choose,” Ledger said. “As an actor, I have to be worried going into it. I don’t like it to be just too easy. I like to set hurdles in front of myself to jump. It keeps it exciting.”

And just how will he receive the overwhelming fame that will most likely spawn from his performance in “A Knight’s Tale?”

“I don’t know how you prepare for that. I don’t think about it,” said the modest and down-to earth Ledger. “Basically, when you’re in this position, your yins and your yangs are both heightened. But you still need a balance — just a different level of balance.”