'Chevalier' astounding look into musician's life

Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, was a French violinist, conductor and composer. A biracial Creole free man of color, he is considered the first classical composer of African descent to receive widespread critical acclaim.

He composed string quartets, sonatas, violin concertos, symphonies and much more. Saint-Georges was also known as a champion fencer, good athlete, and fine dancer.

During the Summer Film Festival, you can catch the film that is based on his life.

The illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, Bologne 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 and her court.

‘Chevalier’ delivers incredibly beautiful music, a stand out performance by lead actor Kelvin Harrison Jr. and a look at one of the most renowned composers ever.

The film primarily focuses on Joseph Bologne’s life of being a violinist-composer and briefly touches upon a few other aspects of his life. ‘Chevalier’ also does a remarkable job showing how Bologne created some amazing music amidst the racial and political pressures of pre-revolutionary France.

The film’s dramatic story is truly engaging and endearing, even though some of the film isn’t fully historically accurate. In the film’s opening, there is a little violin battle between Bologne and a popular composer you may have heard of named Mozart that possibly didn’t happen in real life. Yet, it’s actually a great way to start this film.

‘Chevalier’ can also be slightly emotional at times, especially during the moments later in the film where things aren’t looking so good for the violinist and when we learn more about his family history. The period drama also dives a little bit into the history of pre-revolutionary France, which some can find rather interesting.

Overall, ‘Chevalier’ is a great period drama about a talented musician who ended up being one of the most renowned composers in history. If you enjoy historical period dramas and films about past musicians, then I suggest you check out ‘Chevalier’ during the Summer Film Festival.

The cast: Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Joseph; Samara Weaving as Marie-Josephine; Lucy Boynton as Marie Antoinette; Ronke Adekoluejo as Nanon; Alex Fitzalan as Philippe; Henry Lloyd-Hughes as Christoph Gluck, Minnie Driver as La Guimand and Marton Csokas as Marquis De Montalembert.

‘Chevalier’ is written by Stefani Robinson (various episodes of FX’s Atlanta and What We Do in the Shadows) and directed by Stephen Williams (feature film debut).

‘Chevalier’ is rated PG-13 for thematic content, some strong language, suggestive material and violence and has a running time of 108 minutes.

There’s plenty of time to check out ‘Chevalier’ during the Summer Film Festival. The remaining show dates/times are as follows: Thursday, July 20, at noon; Tuesday, July 25, at noon; Friday, July 28, at 4:30 p.m.; Monday, July 31, at 7:30 p.m.; and Wednesday, Aug. 2, at 5 p.m.

Let me know on my Wyoming County Press Examiner reviews Facebook page which film festival selections you are either planning on seeing or have already seen. Also, keep checking my page for my thoughts on a few other film festival selections that I’m planning on checking out over the next couple weeks.