The Uprising Review: Harrowing, Heartbreaking, And A Great Modern Epic

Paul Greengrass fits naturally into the epic mold with a massive film that never loses sight of the humanity at the heart of massive conflicts.

Historical epics are a unique genre within the history of cinema. The early examples highlighted the natural scope afforded by the art form that no other could truly match. The genre has gone through plenty of resurgences and collapses over the years, with every generation getting its own take on the concept.

Today's audiences are getting a couple of good entries into that canon this year, with The Odyssey being a great example of how filmmakers can craft massive worlds that don't lose sight of the humans at the heart of the story. The same can be said for The Uprising, Paul Greengrass' reimagining of the Peasants' Revolt in 14th century England.

Taking inspiration from the conflict and reimagining it through a modern political lens, Greengrass tells a timely tale of complex humanity that succeeds both as a cinematic epic and as a heartbreaking story about how humanity's best and worst qualities shape society and history on a fundamental level. Anchored by a terrific Andrew Garfield, The Uprising is a terrific example of the historical epic, with strong central performances elevating it beyond the handful of underdeveloped elements that would otherwise hold it back.

The Uprising Is The Epic Gladiator II Wanted To Be

Set against the backdrop of an English countryside still reeling from the aftermath of the plague, the film begins as the wealthy and powerful increase taxes on the public to avoid giving too much power to the merchants. This sparks rebellion among the populace, set off by a nominally average farmer known only as Ploughman. Played with a soulful sadness and fierce fury by Andrew Garfield, Ploughman is a widower who buried his whole family, and now finds himself with no patience for the soldiers and taxmen abusing him and the other farmers.

A minor act of resistance soon sparks a larger rebellion, with former soldiers and religious leaders quickly joining Ploughman's march on London to demand justice from the king. Along the way, however, the group's lingering frustrations and personal grievances complicate a good fight and sow seeds of discord that could undo all of their noble efforts.

Greengrass acquaints himself well with the period setting, a far cry from the grounded stories the director usually helms. His shaky-camera action impulses are reserved for real moments of chaos, underscoring the stakes and tension of the story. He otherwise knows when to pull back for scope, or to move inwards to focus on specific people and their experiences.

Garfield is the highlight of the cast, although Jamie Bell, Cosmo Jarvis, and especially Thomasin McKenzie do great work fleshing out the rest of the rebellion as painfully human, morally complicated figures. The royals are just as compelling, especially Katherine Waterston's Joan of Kent amid her efforts to convince her son, Woody Norman's Richard II, to be a just ruler.

The Uprising Might Be Set In 1381, But It's Painfully Modern

While the film plays some of the ruling class as cartoonishly cruel powerbrokers with little genuine personality, there's enough thematic weight to the rebellion and the power structures they are fighting against to make The Uprising a blast. The movie is deeply rooted in the class conflict that brews between the factions, and how personal drives can create fractures in unified groups.

This feels especially relevant to modern audiences when the story introduces complications, like a riot that breaks out late in the film. Despite the genuine effort to inspire change in the world, furious masses use the chaos as an excuse to lash out at immigrants they blamed for taking their jobs. It's keyed into modern politics without losing sight of the era and its influences.

The Uprising is not a subtle movie, but it's never really trying to be. It wears its political influence on its sleeve, showcasing how the fervor of some figures, like the persecuted religious fellows who follow Bell's John Ball, leaves openings for strife that the powerful can use to their own advantage. The action is well constructed and the drama effective, delivering a compelling epic.

In an era when class disparity has only grown more pronounced, and the public grows more frustrated with governments that do little to help them compared to the wealthy, The Uprising speaks to a raw rage that feels especially timely. The movie only really stumbles in the broad strokes of the powerful – when it keeps focus on the grievances of the public and their efforts to enact change, The Uprising becomes stirring, tragic, and ultimately riveting. It's one of Greengrass' most audacious films, with a firm view on the struggles of the modern world, despite the period setting – especially as it builds to a brutally effective ending.

The Uprising releases in theaters on Friday, September 11.