The Uprising Review: Paul Greengrass's Film Explores The Complications Within A Revolution

The Uprising, directed by Paul Greengrass, offers a compelling look at the complexities within a revolution. Based on the 1381 Peasants’ Revolt, the film follows a grieving farmer portrayed by Andrew Garfield as he navigates a society plagued by taxation, inequality, and official indifference. Unlike the conventional hero archetype, Garfield’s Ploughman is a wounded man whose private anger gradually transforms into a public cause.

The narrative excels when it refrains from presenting rebellion as a tidy affair. Instead, it showcases competing ambitions, personal resentments, and ideological fractures that emerge as the uprising gains momentum. While the film adeptly captures the struggle to overthrow an unjust order, it occasionally struggles to define what should succeed it. Greengrass also explores the darker side of popular fury, depicting how violence can spill over to scapegoat immigrants, adding a gritty layer to the uprising’s narrative.

However, the film's portrayal of the ruling establishment is sometimes oversimplified, appearing almost caricatural, while the rebels receive more nuanced development. The director's signature kinetic style brings intensity to battle scenes, though it can become overwhelming at times. Despite this, the film's exploration of rebellion, divided loyalties, and righteous anger remains a significant contribution.

Garfield delivers a standout performance, shifting convincingly between grief, fury, and reluctant leadership. Jamie Bell and Cosmo Jarvis offer contrasting energetic portrayals of John Ball and Wat Tyler, respectively. Thomasin McKenzie brings warmth and purpose to the character of Alyce, while Woody Norman's portrayal of the young King Richard II adds a layer of complexity, balancing vulnerability with a calculating streak.

Katherine Waterston and Sky Yang also deliver noteworthy performances, with Waterston embodying Joan of Kent and Yang's character providing depth to the evolving narrative. Volker Bertelmann’s score complements the medieval setting, blending modern unease with traditional tonalities, and the period's visual details enhance Greengrass's stylistic choices.

While the film occasionally becomes as relentless as the uprising, it ultimately serves as a somber reminder that righteous anger can acquire a life of its own, potentially leading even a just cause astray.