Written by: Stefani Robinson
Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., Samara Weaving, Lucy Boynton, Marton Csokas, Alex Fitzalan
Rating: [3.5/5]
Prominent figures in history often get remembered when those writing the history books intentionally include them. It then will come as no surprise that even through they undoubtedly existed, Black musical geniuses and composers did not receive the same attention as Beethoven or Mozart. Ultimately, it’s what makes films like Chevalier an education to take in, as it highlights the life of someone very involved in history but did not receive the proper limelight because of the color of his skin.
Born from the rape of his mother by a white French slaveholder, Joseph Bologne (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) gets presented to a musical academy because of his exceptional skill in music. Through the years he builds quite the reputation for his talents, growing his name and impressing the likes of Marie Antoinette (Lucy Boynton) but he must contend with not receiving all the accolades she should because of the color of his skin.
Opening this film with Joseph Bologne walking into a concert challenging the conductor up onstage, outdueling the man, and then revealing him to be Mozart may be one of the coldest starts to a film I have seen. It communicates the bravura of the protagonist we will follow throughout the film and displays how other feel about him because of the color of his skin. However, it does not deter this man, and it sets the stage for everything we will see in what Bologne must contend with in his pursuit to reach the very zenith of his profession.
Chevalier serves as not only the opportunity to examine the life of someone in history who did not nearly receive the recognition he deserves, but also explore how his identity shaped the way he carried himself during a time when racism certainly existed. One would not be too surprised to hear 1770s France had people looking down on Black individuals, especially with slavery still quite prevalent. Despite all of these obstacles, Bologne still overcomes it to make his mark but perhaps he sets his sights too high even with having the friendship of Marie Antoinette in his back pocket. Where the film truly get interesting comes from the relationship he has with other Black individuals who enter the fray during this film. Through his power and riches he acquired because of his talent, he brings his mother over to live with him and seeing the dynamic between himself, white society in France, and then those of the Black freed individuals makes him juggle what makes sense for how he presents himself. There come moments where he feels outside both circles because of how he must navigate each, which certainly does not help when he already has so much in his way towards the path of success.
Additionally, we have other brewing plots making themselves prevalent throughout the feature, which includes a scandalous relationship Bologne has with a married woman that he continues to pursue even when obviously he should stop. This plot point comes with some hefty consequences, but the other one brewing in the background stems from French Revolution beginning to kindle and where Bologne sits between the aristocratic world with his friendship to Marie Antoinette but socially having more of a connection to the people trying to make their voices heard when the monarchy refuses. All of these plot lines further indicates what a juggling act this narrative needs to handle and while all of them do not necessarily receive the full attention they deserve they still all culminate in the picture we can paint of Joseph Bologne and the impact he had during this critical juncture of this nation.
Quite lively and incredibly entertaining, Chevalier brings us another impressive performance by Kelvin Harrison Jr. who simply refuses to turn in bad work. He continues to stand out as one of the brightest starts of this generation of actors, and he continues to elect to take on some intriguing roles, just like this one. Here we get an energetic tale that sheds light on so much about this man along with the internal politics of the music industry of this time and how much Bologne became this undeniable force that did not get his due during his nor did he in the history books until very recently. Joseph Bologne received the film he deserved in shedding light on the wide breadth of his accomplishments.
Films with Josh 
