Chevalier

The competitive nature of man gets lampooned—nay, harpooned—in Greek director Athina Rachel Tsangari’s third film. A group of friends are left to their own devices on an expensive yacht in the middle of the Aegean Sea, where they decide to participate in the Olympics of machismo to see which of the six is the “best overall.” Taking into account all aspects of their lives—from their fishing prowess, to clothing choices, to sleeping methods—the men compete against each other, grade each other, and scheme with each other, with the winner getting the titular pinky ring. Yes, a pinky ring. As a poster for CHEVALIER claims, this is a “buddy movie without buddies,” and there is something ingenious about a woman’s hand directing a film wherein accomplished men on expensive boats behave with the most basic of instincts as if they’ve evolved little since the days of living in caves. One can’t help but think of the men as Ancient Greek polytheists competing for the love of the gods with the servants of the boat acting as Mount Olympus, betting on the games and overseeing each man’s attempt towards perfection. A winning depiction of man’s mix of inherent rivalry and overinflated hubris, CHEVALIER is a hysterical film that you’ll want to see way more times than the other guy. (In Greek with subtitles) –T.W.