This line encapsulates the essence of the film. A somber retelling of Henry V, loosely based on Shakespeare's play, The King is a slow-burn tale following a reluctant Henry V as he navigates the deceitful royal court to establish his rule.
It is a non-action serious drama, with no pretension to be historically accurate, that relies on cinematography, acting, and brass-heavy music to create a brooding atmosphere, establishing Henry's isolation as he stands atop the lonely peak of royalty, devoid of trust. The film's bleakness, gripping the audience throughout its two-hour runtime, reminds me of Robert Eggers' The Viking, although with much less arthouse touch and much less visceral intensity; serving a calmer ambiance reflective of the peace Henry longs for. As Henry softly implores his wife to speak only the truth in the film's ending, the climax deliver a decent twist, leaving us wondering if Henry is willingly plunging himself into another pit of deceit.
The performances by Chalamet (Henry), Sean Harris (William), Edgerton (Falstaff), and Pattinson (Dauphin of France) are outstanding, even if Pattinson's portrayal leans a bit too heavily into goofiness.
Shout by Pradipa PRBlockedParent2023-06-25T11:49:52Z
"A king has no friends. Only followers, and foe."
This line encapsulates the essence of the film. A somber retelling of Henry V, loosely based on Shakespeare's play, The King is a slow-burn tale following a reluctant Henry V as he navigates the deceitful royal court to establish his rule.
It is a non-action serious drama, with no pretension to be historically accurate, that relies on cinematography, acting, and brass-heavy music to create a brooding atmosphere, establishing Henry's isolation as he stands atop the lonely peak of royalty, devoid of trust. The film's bleakness, gripping the audience throughout its two-hour runtime, reminds me of Robert Eggers' The Viking, although with much less arthouse touch and much less visceral intensity; serving a calmer ambiance reflective of the peace Henry longs for. As Henry softly implores his wife to speak only the truth in the film's ending, the climax deliver a decent twist, leaving us wondering if Henry is willingly plunging himself into another pit of deceit.
The performances by Chalamet (Henry), Sean Harris (William), Edgerton (Falstaff), and Pattinson (Dauphin of France) are outstanding, even if Pattinson's portrayal leans a bit too heavily into goofiness.