It’s fitting that 18th Century French-Caribbean violinist and composer, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, was nicknamed “Black Mozart.” The trailer for the upcoming biopic Chevalier very much suggests a biopic in the mold of the 1984 classic Mozart drama Amadeus. Director Stephen Williams’ film posits Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1745-1799), to tell the story of the rise to fame of the first recorded Black classical music composer. He had to endure racism and a complicated and heavily scrutinized love life at a time when the age of enlightenment and the age of slavery clashed greatly in French society.
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Regarding Kelvin Harrison Jr.’s casting, Williams stated in an interview with The Wrap:
The trailer immediately introduces us to the aspiring composer as a boy arriving by coach at La Boëssière, a master of arms, with an unknown voice exclaiming, “Welcome to Paris, Joseph!” Cut to a schoolmaster stating that “this may not be a kind place for such a boy” to the young, skeptical-looking lad, his talents are acknowledged. We see the pre-adolescent prodigy tear into a violin solo to the astonishment of everyone in the room and rooms as time spins forward and he morphs into actor Harrison Jr.
The Rise of a Classical Prodigy
“I realized that the more I excelled, the more I was alone,” the now-grown Bologne tells a young corseted brunette, as shots of him furiously fencing are kinetically cut in. The lady, played by Samara Weaving, asks, “Are you always so competitive?” The trailer lets a violin duel with Mozart (Joseph Prowen) answer that question as we see Bologne wipe the floor with the master leaving stunned looks on his and the audience’s faces. “Who the hell is that?” an embarrassed Mozart angrily questions right before a capitalized white-on-black title card tells us that this is “Inspired by the untold true story.”
We then hear the voice of Lucy Boynton as Marie Antoinette saying, “You’re quite a remarkable man,” and introducing herself as the Queen of France. She anoints him “Chevalier” to the clapping of the elite, assembled patrons. We see our titular lead ascend in the ranks of the bourgeoisie, but not without pushback as one stuffed shirt tells him, “In any other country, a man of your color would not be wearing such fine clothes." This doesn’t deter Chevalier as he passionately states, “One day, the whole world will know me.” With a knowing smile, he adds, “And, of course, the music will be spectacular – bold!”
A swift, popping montage follows with Minnie Driver as Opera singer, La Guimard, saying, “You don’t belong here” to Chevalier, concluding, “You’re a party trick!” as lush imagery containing conflicted, strained people’s expressions flash by. But our budding genius gets right up in La Guimard’s face and responds, “You know I am the best,” in an intense whisper as the swelling music stops to punctuate the moment.
Times Get Tough for the Budding Composer in Upper French Society
Searchlight Pictures
More warnings – “You are playing a dangerous game, friend,” and “Don’t forget your place, boy” – are stressed, and we see violence come upon Chevalier. Flashbacks to his enslaved mother shine a light on his dark background as he hears her say, “This world is painful for us, my son, but there is always the choice to fight.”
“I’m putting on a concert to fund the revolution,” Chevalier announces as we see posters going up to set the scene for what looks to be the film’s big finale. “We can’t afford to make any more enemies,” Weaving tensely tells him as we see shots of Chevalier writing musical notes, beating a drum, marching with torch wielders through shadowy streets, and viciously attacking his violin in a posh palace. At the same time, the words “Prodigy,” “Lover,” and finally, the Searchlight Pictures title card “Chevalier: The Untold True Story” hit the screen.
In a season that looks like it’s going to be overflowing with Oscar bait, Chevalier looks particularly packaged to be an awards season contender.
Chevalier may not be another Amadeus, but, judging from this two-minute and 20-second trailer, it looks to have potential as a crowd-pleaser and could score some award action as well. It may also serve as a deserving star-making turn for Harrison Jr., but as biopics about classical composers can be hard sells, that will be remained to be seen when the film releases wide next year.
