Chevalier can be a bit uneven at times, not knowing if it's a biopic or a drama, but delivers some strong performances and impressive set designs, with an untold history story that both teaches and entertains. This one is streaming only and can be purchased or viewed now.
“Based on factual story of composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, the illegitimate son of an African enslaved and a French plantation owner, who rises to heights in French society as a composer before an ill-fated love affair.”
While there are quite a few unknowns when it comes to the life of Joseph Bologne, researching the person after viewing the film there actually is quite a lot of information that is readily available about the composer. Although his music and story aren’t as widely known as some of the brilliant composers of this time, the facts of his life certainly make for an inspirational tale as one of the first prominent composers of color in history.
The film takes quite a few artistic liberties when it comes to the story. His childhood in relation to his interest in music and the violin is entirely unknown, but we’re introduced to him, the son of a plantation owner and a slave, being brought to France for his education by his father, Georges Bologne de Saint-Georges. With an interest in music and fencing, he quickly excelled at everything he put his mind to, despite the admonishment of some of his peers. In adulthood, his ambition quickly grew, gaining notoriety in social circles with his wonderful musical performances and impressive displays of swordplay. While it’s highly doubtful he barged in on a concert by Mozart to challenge him to a musical duel in front of an entire audience, history shows that the two composers lived next to one another for a time, so some kind of interaction is assured. Despite this, it’s an entertaining scene that displays the brilliance of Joseph Bologne, and highlights the differences in styles in which his seems the more non-traditional and improved.
The issue with making an historical film about a person whose exploits have been lost to history is that there are a lot of gaps to fill, ones that need to be created in order to create conflict, tension, and a good and entertaining story. While I enjoyed the film overall, a lot of these moments did in fact feel a bit forced into thrusting the character into a different path. This is where the film feels a bit uneven, as it in part feels like a biopic, yet also a drama designed to inspire and enrage at the mistreatment of Joseph Bologne because of race. We follow him from a child to an adult, but the film seems to abruptly end without much resolution. The man himself lived to be 53 years old, but nothing is shown of his later years.
Chevalier really does have some great moments. The music is spectacular, as is the set designs, costumes, and overall tone of the film. There are also some incredibly heart-wrenching moments that, whether they were manufactured for the film or not, deliver strong performances from the cast and invoke strong audience reactions. The purpose of the film is for us to learn forgotten history of an inspirational man overcoming racial and societal barriers to accomplish incredible feats. Just by the fact that I wanted to learn more about Joseph Bologne after the film ended proves that they accomplished their goal, and delivered an emotional story at that.
We were given a digital code to review this film, which is currently available only for streaming and to purchase digitally. As of now, there is no release date for any physical copies of this film, so for now, you’ll have to stick with digital.