Watch The True Don Quixote

The True Don Quixote is a 2019 independent film that offers an updated retelling of the classic novel "Don Quixote". The film, directed by Chris Poche, features Tim Blake Nelson in the lead role, alongside Jacob Batalon and Ann Mahoney. The plot revolves around Tim Blake Nelson, who plays an unassuming professor of literature, Sam DuChamp, who finds himself drawn into the world of Miguel de Cervantes' famous novel "Don Quixote". As DuChamp struggles with writer's block, he begins to lose touch with reality and his own identity, instead imagining himself as a modern-day Don Quixote, a knight-errant on a quest to save the world.

DuChamp's journey takes him from his own mundane world in Mississippi to the streets of New Orleans, where he meets a full cast of quirky characters who serve as his "Sanchos" - companions on his journey. These include Batalon's character, a young music producer, and Mahoney's character, a struggling actress.

The True Don Quixote is a film that embraces the absurdity of the source material, while also updating it for a modern audience. At its core, the film is about the power of imagination and the ways in which storytelling can shape our understanding of the world around us. Nelson's performance as DuChamp is nuanced, and he brings a sense of pathos to the character that makes his delusions all the more heartbreaking.

The film also features some beautiful cinematography, particularly in its depictions of New Orleans. The city itself becomes a character in the film, with its vibrant music scene and colorful architecture serving as a backdrop for DuChamp's adventures.

One of the most interesting aspects of The True Don Quixote is the way it grapples with the idea of authorship. The film explores the tension between the original author's intentions and the ways in which readers and artists can reinterpret and even subvert those intentions. DuChamp's own journey as a writer mirrors this tension, and the film ultimately suggests that there is no one "correct" interpretation of a work of art.

Overall, The True Don Quixote is a charming and whimsical film that offers a fresh take on a classic story. Its blend of adventure, humor, and heart makes it a film that will appeal to both fans of the novel and newcomers alike.

The True Don Quixote is a 2019 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3.