Royal treatment

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Towards the end of The King, Henry V’s wife Catherine tells him: “All of monarchy is illegitimate. You yourself are the son of a usurper.” These words stay with you long after you have finished watching Netflix’s spin on Shakespeare’s Henry V. Although the first half of the film drags slightly, it gains momentum once the young Hal—as Henry is called by his right-hand man William—ascends the throne after his father’s death. Timothee Chalamet plays Henry with flair. It is a treat to watch him transform from a young king who despises war to one who relies on it to unite England and bring peace to the land.

Like most historical films, The King moves at a slow pace. The self-important mannerisms of Robert Pattinson as the Dauphin add colour to an otherwise sombre narrative. After his austere portrayal of Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and Edward Cullen in Twilight, his turn as the haughty French prince in The King is a welcome change.

The background score by Nicholas Britell beautifully captures the story of a king coming into his own. Other notable performances include those of Sean Harris as William and Lily-Rose Depp as Catherine. There are many historical inaccuracies in the film. Henry, for example, was never a wild child who loved women and alcohol before he became king. He spent his teens fighting his father’s battles. Despite the artistic licence the makers have taken, or maybe because of it, the film is a captivating watch.

The King

Available on Netflix

Rating: 3/5

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