James Mangold, director of Loganwas charged with a heavy responsibility: that of closing the adventures of Indiana Jones with the Dial of Destiny, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Harrison Ford puts on the adventurer’s hat for the last time. Phoebe Waller-Bridge (creator of the series flea bag) and the young Frenchman Ethann Isidore are there to support him and Mads Mikkelsen to put a spoke in his wheels. And we fall in love, especially if we are already a fan of the saga. But also if we are not so much the whole is well put together.
“Steven Spielberg, director of the first four films, fully supported me for this fifth and final part while allowing great freedom of movement”, explains James Mangold to 20 minutes. This is felt when the director sends Indy in search of the famous Dial of Destiny, which would have the power to change the face of the world and the outcome of the Second World War. The tradition of Indiana Jones is shaken just enough to surprise and seduce a young audience and not just the fans of the first hour.
A passionate and talented heir
“We chose to return to the origins: namely an archaeological quest in the fall of Indy’s life, at the end of the 1960s”, insists Harrison Ford. Which makes his hero a divorced and rather embittered old man who will find a new youth by leaving, constrained and forced, on an adventure. “He knew that the subject his age could not be avoided because it was a matter of common sense. He is an iconic comedian but he is above all an actor ready to invest himself in his roles, ”insists James Mangold. Indiana Jones is very moving in the guise of an 80-year-old man who shows himself bare-chested, does not hide his shortness of breath but retains a devastating sense of humor and a childlike wonder at certain discoveries.
new adventurers
“Indy also learns a new way of looking at women which has nothing to do with seduction but which is more based on respect and complicity. He engages in a different type of relationship with the new characters,” says Harrison Ford. His paternal relationship with a dynamic and erudite young archaeologist is as convincing as his relationship with a resourceful street urchin, the amazing Ethann Isidore, who is predicted to have a fine career.
The actor is moved when he meets old acquaintances like Salah alias John Rhys-Davies, talks about his friendship for an archaeologist played by Toby Jones or meets an old sea dog played by Antonio Banderas. He still has some under the hat to show what wood he is warming up to a former Nazi whom Mads Mikkelsen makes terrifying. We believe it when Indy takes part in the action, especially during an incredible touk-tuk chase scene. “He had to retire in style,” insists Harrison Ford. So no, he doesn’t die at the end (phew!). He even reconnects with life in a very pretty way while the spectator wipes away a small tear when leaving him for good.