...a fairly generic biopic that never quite becomes as compelling or spellbinding as its subject matter might’ve indicated...

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Dec 30, 2023

It is more accomplished than Bernard Rose’s Immortal Beloved (1994), but at the same time no one should expect anything approaching Miloš Forman’s Amadeus (1984).

Full Review | Original Score: 6/10 | Oct 5, 2023

Although there is currently a huge effort underway to unearth, perform and record Bologne’s music, it would take all the forces of militant wokeness to put him on the same plane as Gluck.

Full Review | Sep 17, 2023

Chevalier spends a great deal of time showing the composer’s struggle with dual identities, leaving the final act rushed and barely shows him reconnecting with his roots.

Full Review | Sep 8, 2023

It's based on a true story of a man who, sadly, has been forgotten by history. Kelvin Harrison, Jr's charisma really comes through and you can understand why Joseph Bologne took over, for a time, French society.

Full Review | Original Score: 8/10 | Sep 8, 2023

I really wanted to love this ... but it's just really pat ... Lucy Boynton is cataclysmic as Marie Antonette... a middling biopic.

Full Review | Sep 6, 2023

What stands to be Bologne’s tragic flaw for most of the film is the belief that his accomplishments, accolades, and celebrity-like status in society are enough to overpower the systemic racism that surrounds him.

Full Review | Aug 30, 2023

Chevalier is filled with rich performances and anchored by an enthralling performance by Calvin Harrison Jr. Building upon his breakout performance in Waves, Harrison Jr. delivers his best work yet with undeniable charisma.

Full Review | Aug 29, 2023

Despite some really powerful moments, the slow pacing really hurt the impact of this film especially since it still a lot of gaps in Chevalier's story that we didn't learn about.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 25, 2023

Kelvin Harrison Jr.'s performance and the costume design help this movie rise above the traditional biopic. However it's story isn't as focused as I would have liked...

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 25, 2023

Jamaican-Canadian director Stephen Williams uses dynamic camerawork, seamlessly edited transitions and time-lapse scenes to navigate high-life socializing (opulent costume and set designs galore) and explore gray, squalid streets.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Aug 16, 2023

This was a compelling period of French history and the narrative composed for the film makes the most of the volatile backdrop.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 14, 2023

In all fairness the filmmakers crammed as much as they could into 107 minutes of screen time, but there was so much more to tell. A couple of epilogue title cards attempt to wrap everything up, yet their mere inclusion only invites more questions.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Aug 12, 2023

While it's the tale, reclamation and portrayals that shine brightest — even if detailing significant parts of Bologne's later story in the text-on-screen post-script is a curious move — reaching ample high notes comes easily.

Full Review | Aug 9, 2023

A solid historical drama with fine performances throughout...The film’s overriding purpose is to shed light on an important figure who was deemed by Napoleon as being unworthy of a legacy due to the colour of his skin. On that score the film does its job.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 4, 2023

Both Robinson and Williams share a particular interest in this unfairly neglected episode in black history, but they never allow polemics to overwhelm the narrative.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 3, 2023

While the movie as a whole sometimes lacks a clear perspective on its lead character, the fact this is a largely unknown story that thoroughly deserves to be told carries this production a long way.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Aug 3, 2023

Even if it does skew a little towards TV miniseries broadness, Chevalier is rousing in all the right places, and at the very least serves as a welcome introduction to a forgotten musical legend.

Full Review | Aug 2, 2023

Chevalier is actually a bit of a romp, with duels, concerts and all the dash and derring-do we hope for from our historical epics.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 2, 2023

While some of Chevalier’s filmmaking choices seem to misjudge what makes its subject so interesting, the key facts of his life... still get enough exposure here to make it an enlightening watch.

Full Review | Original Score: 62/100 | Jul 26, 2023