A Knight's Tale (2001)

After I saw A Knight's Tale on the big screen with an English professor friend, I decided to own my own copy so I could watch it at will. I've introduced my youngest son to the movie and he loves it too. It served as my introduction to Heath Ledger, who plays William Thatcher, a knight's apprentice who finds himself unemployed -- so he decides to begin a "free lance" career of his own on the jousting circuits. His knight-errant companions, the Sancho-Panza-esque Roland (Marki Addy) and quirky Wat (Alan Tudyk), remind him that "only landed gentry with patents of nobility may compete" but Will tells them, "I won't remain nothing. A man can change his stars." Along comes the irascible if not-yet-famous Geoffrey Chaucer (Paul Bettany) -- fairly comfortable in his own skin, as you might say -- and the four enterprising young men have a team. Much of the movie's entertainment comes from the anachronistic blending of music by Queen and David Bowie in a medieval setting. It's just a hoot to see peasants reveling at a jousting tourney like so many Green Bay Packer fans to the tune of "We Will Rock You" as Geoff introduces Will like a wrestling promoter: "I give to you, the seeker of serenity, the protector of Italian virginity, the enforcer of our Lord God, the one, the only, Sir Ul-l-lrich von Lichtenstein!" Will also spies and gives his heart to a beautiful lady (Shannyn Sossamon), who doesn't make things easy for him. Their romance is endearing and hilarious. Nor should we forget Prince Adhemar (Rufus Sewell), Will's daunting (and denting) nemesis on and off the jousting fields. A double-twist and soaringly satisfactory ending wrap up this thoroughly entertaining romp. 5 stars.