"Chevalier" is a Must-See

“Chevalier” is a 2022 American biographical drama film directed by Stephen Williams and written by Stefani Robinson.

The movie is based on the life of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a French-Caribbean musician. Kelvin Harrison Jr. plays the titular role of Joseph Bol

ogne. The film also stars Samara Weaving, Lucy Boynton, Marton Csokas, Alex Fitzalan, Minnie Driver, and Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo.

The movie is set in the late 1770s and follows the life of Joseph Bologne, a man born in Guadeloupe to Georges de Bologne and Nanon, a young woman of African descent on Bologne’s plantation.

As a child, Joseph is taken to a boarding school in Paris after his father notices his skills in music, dancing, and fencing. Joseph is harassed by many of his peers and teachers but excels at his studies in violin playing and composition.

At the French court, Marie Antoinette is impressed by him after seeing him fence, and she knights him Chevalier (French for “knight”) de Saint-Georges. Saint-Georges becomes a favored companion of the Queen and is a popular member of the court. Saint-Georges also attracts the attention of many female suitors, particularly Marie-Madeleine Guimard, but he himself is attracted to Marie-Joséphine.

The movie is a tale of music, love, and insurmountable adversity. It portrays the life of a man who rose to improbable heights in French society as a celebrated violinist-composer and fencer, complete with a love affair and falling out with Marie Antoinette. The film also highlights the racial discrimination that Joseph faced throughout his life. Despite his immense talent and accomplishments, he was never fully accepted by the French aristocracy due to his race.

The movie is a poignant reminder of the struggles that people of color have faced throughout history. “Chevalier” had its world premiere at the 47th Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, 2022, and was released in the United States by Searchlight Pictures on April 21, 2023. The film received generally favorable reviews from critics. The film’s cinematography by Jess Hall and music by Kris Bowers were particularly praised.