The Uprising film review: a muddled
A review of Paul Greengrass's historical film 'The Uprising', starring Andrew Garfield, finds it a disjointed slog that fails to connect its 1381 Peasants'
Paul Greengrass's historical epic 'The Uprising' is a box office disappointment and a critical misfire. The film stars Andrew Garfield as a grieving ploughman who sparks the Peasants' Revolt of 1381.
According to a review in The Guardian, the movie should work on paper. It pairs a respected director known for the Bourne trilogy with a nuanced lead actor and a historical setting that echoes modern political tensions. In reality, the reviewer calls the film a disjointed slog with the emotional depth of a basic television rerun.
A Wretched Setting and an Unconvincing Hero
Greengrass depicts 14th-century England as a miserable place of grey skies, scratchy clothing, and poor hygiene. A despotic king imposes heavy taxes on the people. Garfield's character, known only as Ploughman, mourns his family lost to plague. His rage boils over when he swipes clean a tax collector's table, sparking a riot. The reviewer finds Ploughman an unconvincing everyman hero, lacking magnetism. He is soon joined by more defined historical figures: the priest John Ball and rebel leader Wat Tyler, played by Jamie Bell and Cosmo Jarvis.
A Hectic March to London
The rebel band, including a character named Alyce played by Thomasin McKenzie, marches on London to confront the king. The film races from one location to another, from Maidstone to Canterbury Cathedral and finally to Blackheath. The reviewer criticizes Greengrass's signature handheld camerawork, stating it has gone stale and induces nausea during fight scenes. Brief high points include Katherine Waterston's performance as the king's mother and a gruesome moment in the third act.
Missed Modern Parallels and Marketing Confusion
The review argues the film fails to effectively draw parallels to today's political landscape, despite the obvious theme of downtrodden people versus powerful rulers. Greengrass's frantic pacing does not allow the audience to reflect on these connections. Before release, the U.S. Distributor Focus Features briefly retitled the film 'The Uprising: The Rise of Robin Hood' to suggest it inspired the legend, despite the Peasants' Revolt occurring nearly 200 years after the Robin Hood tales. The film itself makes no mention of the folk hero, a move the reviewer sees as a desperate marketing ploy for a joyless movie.
The film is scheduled for release in the US on 11 September, the UK on 9 October, and Australia on 22 October.
