Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2001: Paul Bettany & Mark Addy in A Knight's Tale

Paul Bettany did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Geoffrey Chaucer nor did Mark Addy for portraying Roland in A Knight's Tale.

To A Knight's Tale benefit beyond Heath Ledger's charismatic leading turn, is having a wonderful ragtag crew to tag along the way. One of these being Mark Addy's Roland who is loyal to helping Ledger's William Thatcher take him, and his crew to the top in the jousting circuit. The underrated Mark Addy really is here to do some right proper character actor work, and make the most out of whatever he can bring. This in part just giving such a winning and charming turn. This with this natural warmth within his performance that brings such an appropriately assumed friendship within the group. Addy delivers just the right earnest quality in this even in the moments of disagreement, which he portrays with just this genuine concern and care. This also though with the right enthusiasm within seeing his "boy" succeed or at least attempt to do so. This is with at time almost being the sort of "coach" character to Thatcher advising him towards his jousting career. Addy is an expert at really the  digestible type of exposition, where every line no matter how obvious it may be to setting of scene, is given a bit more color thanks to Addy's always spirited delivery. He never just says anything, but adds a nice bit of character in Roland. Of course this is with the needed bit of just the approach of enough cynicism within that as a friend who isn't exactly 100 percent assured of his friend's plan.  This making it so he can underline any given a moment with a bit more than there would be otherwise by offering either a bit in Roland's concern whether it be in a loving way, or more of a friendly bit of doubt.

Paul Bettany is eventually part of the ragtag group as well, but with a bit more "prestige" playing the eventually famous Geoffrey Chaucer evidently in a less successful time as he is initially found nude trudging a foreign country side. This role seems ideal for Bettany as he appears here in really what is just a fun film, for an actor who, for this brief period, would be best known for his more prestigious work. This sort of dynamic one can perhaps be seen at all from Chaucer's clothes, or lack thereof, even as speaks of a man of the highest academic class. Bettany makes it rather abundantly clear from the outset he will be a wonderful delight in his manner as he walks with a seeming purpose, and dictates every line as though he is speaking words towards which will be eventually cherished by all of mankind. This of course while obviously being a man without a single piece of gold to his name. Bettany though brandishes himself with this style of the great writer nonetheless, and is effortlessly entertaining as he ingratiates himself in the crew, for his own financial well being, or at least a decent pair of clothes. This though is partially a front as we see as despite helping Thatcher get into a tourney he also in turn runs up a debt almost immediately. Here though Bettany though is effective in portraying the desperate modesty of the man. This he portrays particularly well with this timidness of a man who hates himself to be in this state of weakness.

Chaucer off course prefers to be a man in his element, and it is most enjoyable to have Bettany in his in portraying Chaucer as a grand orator to "sell" the greatness of William. This being an arc in itself as Chaucer essentially builds up his showmanship throughout the film. An early example in the fighting pits that Bettany delivers with a bit rougher manner, but still a proper sale. Though Addy must be given credit for stealing the moment in his delivery out the side of his mouth the "yeah" to get the crowd going. A moment that apparently was needed during filming to get the non-English speaking crowd of extras going, though the particulars are vague, either way Addy's delivery is nonetheless hilarious no matter the precise context. Before the joust though we get a bit grander bit from Bettany, as Chaucer rallies the commoners rather than the royalty to cheer for royalty. Bettany is terrific in his precise "rabble rousing" delivery as he explains the great "deeds" of William. Bettany is fantastic as a proper storyteller in his moment of raising the spirit of the crowd, but also going quiet to bring them in. Bettany sells the scene magnificently in a combination of a historical recitation and a professional wrestling promo. One shouldn't forget though Addy's reactions in the scene of partial befuddlement and exasperation at Chaucer's way with the "truth".

A lot of what makes this film work as an entertainment though is just being with the characters with Chaucer and Roland being two particularly delightful ones. Bettany often in his more bombastic redirection fitting to Chaucer as he tries to make William into a proper knight, and Addy consistently offering a bit more of a common and modest touch. A enjoyable example of this being his so sincere shyness when attempting to communicate with William's love interest's lady-in-waiting communicating a message. Addy though throughout doesn't waste a reaction shot, or a short line in just making Roland stand out as a funny yet loyal sidekick. Bettany on the other hand is very much there to "steal the show" as the showman that is Chaucer. This eventually climaxing in Chaucer's introduction for William in the final tournament, technically as a time diversion. Bettany lives up to the finale in his grandiose approach where he is soaking up every word both in his overjoyed exuberance at his own confidence but also with such a supreme passion for the man he's calling out. Of course I would be remiss if I didn't mention Bettany's best scene that was left on the cutting room floor initially though restored in the director's cut. This where Chaucer defends William having been placed in the stockade for falsely claiming his status as nobility.  This is truly the highlight of Bettany's work as it is finally Chaucer without any pomp and circumstance to his speech. Bettany delivers it more quietly and with an even greater conviction. This with nearly an emotional breakdown in the moment as Bettany shows the man not selling something, but rather stating without exception an essential truth. It's a powerful moment, that should've been in the original cut. This is as it takes Bettany's work beyond that of just one of the best hype men you could ask for, and reveals this hope for the acceptance of the commoner. Both performances that I mention here are well worth praising with Addy making most of a fairly meager part, and Bettany not wasting a bit of the juicy role that is Geoffrey Chaucer.

(For Addy)

(For Bettany)