A Knight's Tale (2001)

When it's over, one of the most creative approaches to telling a story in the middle ages. It didn't have the grand display as big-budget period films, but it had originality, making this film timeless. A young peasant squire (Heath Ledger) impersonates a knight in order to fulfill his dream of jousting in tournaments. Told through a select roster of music and unique costumes, A Knight's Tale seemed strange at first, but quickly wins you over. The soundtrack played a huge role in the film's overall appeal. I mean, it was hard to dismiss such songs like David Bowie's "Golden Years," or Queen's "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions," and AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long." These songs, combined with jousting and plenty of anachronisms, made the film feel like a rock and roll fable. Ledger embodied all the characteristics his character demanded - innocence, courage, passion, and ambition.  I would consider this his breakout role, establishing his marketability in Hollywood. His early death was unfortunate, but he leaves behind a legacy of memorable performances, including Joker, Ennis Del Mar (Brokeback Mountain - 2005), Gabriel Martin (The Patriot - 2000), and Sonny Grotowski (Monster's Ball - 2001).

My rating: 4 out of 5