This is a hard film to evaluate because it doesn't treat itself like film at all. It doesn't even try to be appealing for the audience, and it also fails as an "arthouse" film because it is, for the most part, aesthetically bland. In terms of its figurations and themes, The Knight is equally underplayed--all traces of plot or moral/thematic development seem to simply fizzle out, leaving the film largely unresolved and inconclusive. The boundary between the world of the film and world of the viewer is constantly violated by characters who stare into the camera--sometimes appearing to directly address the audience. Artifice is made intentionally obvious throughout. However, the film left a lasting impression on me. Because the film plays by its own rules, perhaps it is unfair to judge it based on preconceived cinematic notions. I feel like The Knight reiterated tired themes of futility and imprisonment in the search for happiness/meaning in a new (albeit strange) way. Really, I don't know what to say about it other than it is difficult but ultimately worthwhile.
And there are actually some interesting technical aspects as well, such as the use of silence, voice over, symmetry, and a camera that remains static throughout the entire movie (no joke- totally stationary the WHOLE time). The still camera creates this interesting tableau effect--like you're looking at medieval paintings. Weird, but good.
