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It's Summertime! Yes, the kids might still be in school and last week's 80s have given way to this week's 50s, but, for the Hollywood studios, the first week of May means that people have switched off their brains and are ready for a dose of spectacular eye candy. Roll out the vat-size tub of popcorn, turn up the theater's speakers to 11, and hope that everyone will shell out $9 for something they've already seen before.

To kick off our annual season of simplistic heroes and one-dimensional villains, Columbia Studios has been kind enough to offer A Knight's Tale. Why see it? The better question is, why review it? I'm sure that most folk in America have already decided whether they're going to see this film or not. If you think Heath Ledger is good looking or you're in the mood for a tale of a poor commoner rising up to be a knightly jouster, then this film is for you. On the other hand, if you look for a little more depth in your movies, then you've lined up other entertainment options.

So, let me take a step backwards and ask a couple larger questions: why are summer movies so devoid of intelligence, and why do audiences put up with it? An elitist's answer is that, as last week's Onion cleverly put it, the lowest common denominator is falling even lower. We have basically become a nation of people who don't want to think and, indeed, avoid any entertainment which forces us to do so. A pragmatist's answer is that we go to movies to be awed and thrilled, and we don't care to mix those pleasures with interesting dialogue or anything else that stretches the gray matter. A cynic's answer is that the yahoos running Hollywood only know how to market the mindless blockbuster and wouldn't recognize an intelligent film unless it dissolved in their bank accounts.

There might be truth in each of those responses, but none are particularly helpful. But instead of railing against the tides, let me encourage you to be a little more critical about the movies you see. Yeah, there'll be lots of movies this summer with enormous marketing budgets, enough that you'll feel like you're being dragged to the theater against your will. But you don't have to see crap.

Sure, you might not be the toast of the water cooler on Monday with your witty repartee about the latest $100-million opus, but you'll have made a small but important statement that big budgets and bigger effects alone won't separate you from your hard-earned money. You'll start thinking critically about the films Hollywood is trying to force down your throat. You'll avoid the rushing trend toward inanity and, instead, seek out films that have been carefully made. I'm not saying your diet has to subsist of heavy dramas or political statements, but let's avoid movies that are designed from a trailer and tagline. Rather, let's support films that feature a commitment to good acting, well-written dialogue, and thoughtful direction. Movies that reflect some point of view or idea beyond merely making money. Movies that stretch the boundaries of film rather than those re-treading very tiresome cliches. The big studios would like you to believe it can't be any different, but it can.

Having said all that, I should point out that A Knight's Tale isn't terrible. Yes, the story is simple and somewhat ragged from overuse. A young and unreasonably handsome peasant (Heath Ledger, The Patriot) dreams of being a famous knight who gains glory on the jousting field. Trouble is, you can't joust if you're not of noble birth. That's no trouble for William who merely puts on a helmet and an old coat of armor and becomes the Michael Jordan of his day.

It doesn't hurt that William has Geoffrey Chaucer acting as his publicity agent. Yes, that Chaucer (here, played with flair by Paul Bettany). Also along for moral support are William's old companions Roland (Mark Addy, The Full Monty) and Wat (Alan Tudyk, 28 Days). As William travels from tournament to tournament, he woos a beautiful maiden named Jocelyn (newcomer Shannyn Sossamon), all the while keeping his true identity a secret.

This being a summertime film, all of the world's evil and injustice must be embodied in one man. I give you Count Adhemar (the slithery Rufus Sewell, Hamlet) who, when he's taking a break from raping and pillaging, enjoys scoffing at his opponents and leering at beautiful women. At first, William is unable to defeat Count Adhemar. Later, the fiendish Count withdraws to protect his honor. And, in the last battle, just as William is about to show the Count how to really scoff at your opponent, Adhemar turns the tables and reveals William's lowly origins, thereby disqualifying William from the joust and preventing him from marrying the beautiful Jocelyn.

Oh, woe! Our fairy tale is over. Or is it?

Twenty-five years ago Rocky, one of the most successful sports movies ever made, was released. What most people forget about Rocky, though, is that Rocky didn't win his last fight. Remember? He gets pummeled by Apollo Creed, and his victory is just being able to stand when the final bell goes off. It's hard to imagine a contemporary sports movie in which the hero doesn't emerge victorious.

A Knight's Tale is contemporary in other ways as well. It's full of sports anthems like "Takin Care of Business" and "The Boys Are Back in Town." There's even a scene when the 14th-century crowd sings along with Queen's "We Will Rock You." Yes, it's as bizarre as it sounds.

Nonetheless, the film isn't that bad. Heath Ledger is more than just a pretty face; he's got charm, and he works well with his co-stars. Mark Addy and Alan Tudyk perform the role of trusty sidekick with gusto. And Shannyn Sossamon, despite looking and acting more like a Duran Duran groupie than a lady of nobility, is fine as the romantic interest.

I expected A Knight's Tale to be wretched. It was merely mediocre. Compared to last summer and possibly what's to come this season, that's above the mean. But that's no reason we should be happy about it. 

J. Robert Parks 5/18/2001