HCA Gradebook: “Chevalier”

Movie: Chevalier
Plot: Inspired by the incredible true story of composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. The illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, Bologne (Kelvin Harrison Jr. in a tour de force performance) rises to improbable heights in French society as a celebrated violinist-composer and fencer, complete with an ill-fated love affair and a falling out with Marie Antoinette (Lucy Boynton) and her court.
Cast: Kelvin Harrison Jr., Samara Weaving, Lucy Boynton, Marton Csokas, Alex Fitzalan, and Minnie Driver.
Director: Stephen Williams
Release Date: April 21, 2023
Studio: Searchlight Pictures
Number of Graders: 23
Overall Grade: B+

Nikki Fowler says, “Kelvin Harrison Jr.’s performance is stellar in Chevalier. He’s mystifying on screen and gives a wonderful performance as the genius that was Saint Georges, who struggles with finding his connection to his French father, African mother, and his Senegal roots, which are beautifully interpreted on screen. Samara Weaving was also fantastic, portraying his lover and lead singer for his intended Paris Opera production. The two had incredible chemistry as the film explored how Saint-Georges was searching for acceptance and thinking in his greatness that he would be acknowledged and honored; it doesn’t usually end that way, even in today’s modern times. The costumes were beautiful and were vibrant like candy, with pastels bouncing off of the screen, thanks to costume designer Oliver García. Loved that the score, which was the real-life music of Saint Georges that he composed from 1745-1799, was reimagined by Michael Abels and Kris Bowers. In addition to the hair and makeup (Roo Maurice) and production (Karen Murphy) for Chevalier, which is simply gorgeous, the story is wildly entertaining and passionate. While some may question how much of the film is real vs. fiction, only a modern mindset will be able to see that the film is most likely not far off from the talented, charismatic, and handsome genius Saint Georges was, who had the wit, skillset, and charm to run in circles that back then were unheard of. Saint Georges’ story echoes those of other greats like the polymath Paul Robeson, as well as Little Richard, whose work at times went unrewarded.”
Grade: A+

Sara Clements says, “Chevalier is fantastic. One of the year’s best films so far, but also has the rare issue of being too short. There’s so much to explore in this composer’s incredible (and forgotten) story that I didn’t want it to end. The editing/cuts between scenes moved so flawless like a dance. The film’s sound work, costumes and production design also stand out. There are so many things to praise, but especially the virtuosos performance by Kelvin Harrison Jr. You should see Chevalier for the EPIC introductory sequence alone. Don’t miss this one.”
Grade: A

Shadan Larki says, “Kelvin Harrison Jr.’s performance in Chevalier is electrifying. Charismatic and commanding, Harrison Jr. lights up a vibrant, if at times by-the-numbers, biopic of a forgotten musical master.”
Grade: A

Patrick Stoner says, “Beautifully executed & sparkling with glamor & sparkling with sex appeal. It would work as an unlikely but clever fictional story but its grounding in unfamiliar reality gives it more appeal.”
Grade: A-

Joel D. Amos says, “Chevalier‘s greatness begins and ends with who was charged with tackling the titular character–Kelvin Harrison, Jr. The actor turns in the performance of a lifetime with his portrayal of this real life soul and gives the man behind the legend the spotlight he so richly deserves. Director Steven Williams employs perfect pacing and knows to get out of the way of his star and let him shine. Too many directors can micro-manage a performance. Thankfully, Williams was wise enough to know that Harrison, Jr. would take Chevalier to heights higher than he could dream.”
Grade: A-

Matt Neglia says, “Chevalier is a thoroughly engaging story about an erased & forgotten artist given renewed life by Stephen Williams’ virtuoso filmmaking & Kelvin Harrison Jr.’s tremendous performance. The score’s grandiosity & brooding vitality is utterly gripping. A full-blown lavish knockout.”
Grade: B+

Erik Anderson says, “I never knew I needed a Chevalier/Mozart Verzuz battle but Stephen Williams’ Chevalier gave that and more. Kelvin Harrison Jr. is perfect in the title role, Emma Boynton as Marie Antoinette is delicious. A ravishing and lushly staged drama, loved every minute of it.”
Grade: B+

Kay-B says, “Kelvin Harrison Jr. gives an exceptional performance (per usual) in/as Chevalier. His character is deeply layered, complex and nuanced in so many ways.”
Grade: B+

Maggie Lovitt says, “Chevalier will linger with its audience, hopefully long enough to bring Bologne’s contributions to music back into academic conversations.”
Grade: B+

Alex Billington says, “I am always down for a good revolution movie! Though this film ends up leaning more into the biopic side than the revolutionary side, but it’s still an engaging and exciting story. I am still shocked most of us have never heard of the story of Joseph Bologne before! Then again, that’s exactly what this film explains – and shows us, reminding us that racism is such a brutally powerful force and it has left its disgusting mark on humanity (and history) for far too long. At least we all know his story now. The tremendous lead performance from Kelvin Harrison Jr., along with all the sumptuous classic music, makes this film worth of watch even if it is a bit of standard biopic aside from all of that.”
Grade: B+

Nicole Ackman says, “Biopics are at their past when they shed light on someone whose legacy has been swept away and there’s no better subject than the amazing Joseph Bologne. From Kelvin Harrison Jr.’s nuanced performance to the sumptuous costuming, hair, and makeup to Steffani Robinson’s well-researched and imaginative script, Chevalier is one of the best biopics in years.”
Grade: B+

Tom O’Brien says, “After a banger of an opening sequence in which upstart Bologne challenges none other than Mozart to a violin-shredding duel, the film settles into the familiar tropes of the biopic, a slight disappointment given the provocative subject matter. But Kelvin Harrison Jr. is phenomenal in the title role, masterfully revealing surprising layers of this extremely complex man. It’s a performance that we will likely be discussing all year.”
Grade: B+

Nestor Bentancor says, “Kelvin Harrison Jr. shines once again, now as the titular character of an important, well-tuned film inspired by real-life events.”
Grade: B+

Monica Gleberman says, “Chevalier is a movie that had the potential to be a fantastic biopic but spent too much time lingering on conversations and not enough time on background details. We go from the main character being a child to an adult within a few minutes, and much information is left out. However, the mix between excellent performances and musical numbers keeps this movie from falling down the cracks of the violin. It is worth noting the entire film is worth the watch for the musical performances alone, especially that opening scene that will blow you away. Overall it is solid and keeps you entertained — It just finds itself a little out of tune at times.”
Grade: B+

David Bax says, “You simply can’t have a cool movie if the people on screen don’t look the part. The costume design (by Oliver Garcia) and tailoring aim not just for historical verisimilitude (I’m no expert there) but for making everyone look great in these clothes, visually elevating them to the societal positions they either hold or aspire to. Chevalier is a visual treat as well as a narrative and auditory one.”
Grade: B+

Ema Sasic says, “As someone who played the violin for 10 years, I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t know of Joseph Bologne or his story prior to watching Chevalier. But I’m glad it’s being told through such an exciting and engaging story. I wish there was more of a focus on his actual life and not necessarily the love story here, but Kelvin Harrison Jr. does a fantastic job leading this film. He’s as cool and as suave as his character, but also finds a way to emotionally battle the hatred he faces from others.”
Grade: B

Tessa Smith says, “Chevalier has one of the best opening scenes of a film we have seen in a while. It rounds itself out with a near-perfect ending as well. The issue lies in the middle of the movie, which finds itself trying frantically to keep the audience’s attention, and mostly failing. When the movie is a love story, it is a touching one. But when it tries to focus on the start of the French Revolution, many missteps cause it to feel, quite frankly, a bit boring. That said, the final scene is powerful, rounding it out in a way that makes it worth watching.”
Grade: B

Daniel Loria says, “What this film lacks in historical accuracy, it more than makes up for in entertainment. A compelling period piece that never takes itself too seriously, Chevalier renounces the trappings of a period piece, instead opting for an engaging reimagining of a fascinating life story without being bogged down by the formulaic structure of a Wikipedia entry.”
Grade: B

Scott Menzel says, “Chevalier is a film that should be seen simply for Kelvin Harrison Jr’s incredible performance. Like many previous projects, Harrison Jr. steals the show as Joseph Bologne and elevates the material in every way. You can tell Harrison Jr. is so dedicated to his craft and is committed to selling the character and his story. The film, as a whole, doesn’t quite match his magnificent performance, but it’s a unique story and a period piece that we hadn’t seen before and deserved to be told. My main issues with the film stem from the runtime and the love story aspect, which made the film feel much more cliched than it should be. It is also the type of film many will claim to be slow or dull. While I hate to admit it, I would be lying if I disagreed with that sentiment—still, Kelvin Harrison Jr’s talent needs to be seen and should be more than enough reason to seek this one out, even if it’s only at a matinee.

Grade: B

Peggy Marie says, “The life of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges is definitely one that needs to be told. This story is based on erased history being brought back with beautiful costumes & music and a performance by Kelvin Harrison Jr. one will not soon forget. It has its up and downs, but the actors take it and make it the compelling story that it is.”
Grade: C+

Nate Adams says, “You’d be forgiven if the name Joseph Bologne didn’t mean anything to you, but in the historical context of his musical contributions in and around the French Revolution, he was prolific. Finally getting his due in the conventional, and occasionally energetic biopic Chevalier the title anointed to him by the Queen of France, Marie Antoinette, after winning a prestigious dueling match, the former slave turned violinist later dubbed by many to be “the Black Mozart” is a fascinating character study diluted by routine biopic troupes. His rags-to-riches story, born to a married plantation owner in the French colony of Guadeloupe before wowing the world with his impeccable operatic works, is brought to life by Kelvin Harrison Jr., one of the finest young actors working today, who brings the screen presence of a confident rock star. As evident during the sizzling opening sequence where he challenges Wolfgang Mozart to a violin stand-off that plays like a rap battle.”
Grade: C

James White says, “Chevalier was, for me, sadly a wasted opportunity. When you have a real-life figure as accomplished and fascinating as Joseph Bologne, you owe it to him to craft something fulfilling about his life, never mind the challenges of a history that was largely buried after his death. Coming off more like a student rushing a term paper and drawing from Wikipedia, the melodramatic elements don’t work, the script stumbles and it’s really only worth seeing for some solid performances by Kelvin Harrison Jr. A real shame, since both director Stephen Williams and writer Stefani Robinson have both been part of impressive TV series.”
Grade: C

Rachel Wagner says, “Despite the best efforts of star Kelvin Harrison Jr Chevalier is sunk by a mediocre script that can’t decide whether to be campy fun or serious melodrama and it ends up choosing tedium instead.”
Grade: C-