The Duke

The Duke: A true crime film. Jim Broadbent plays 60 year old Kempton Bunton who in 1961 stole Goya's Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery, Helen Mirren is his wife, Dorothy. Mirren has to put with a lot, Bunton finds it hard to keep a job, is an aspiring playwright and campaigns for free tv licenses for OAPs and war veterans. His high jinks gets him into constant trouble with the authorities. Some great comical scenes but the best are the courtroom antics. An enjoyable comedy drama with impressive performances by Broadbent and Mirren alongside a strong supporting cast. A few interesting plot twists. Directed by Roger Michell from a screenplay by Richard Bean and Clive Coleman. 8/10.

I really, really liked this film. The acting is brilliant, Dame Helen Mirren plays an amazing bitter old woman. Even though the film is advertised as a comedy, it is just as much a drama about a family just trying to have their voices heard. The court scene at the end is brilliantly written and definitely hits you in the feels, hard. It was bold, but then again so is the true story behind the film. I commend that man for standing up for what is right and fair, in the face of adversity. I recommend this to any British film lovers, or if you just need a good dramedy in your life for a minute. 4 stolen paintings out of 5.

I admit, I am a huge fan of Jim Broadbent. I've always enjoyed everything I've seen him. Almost always, he portrays someone slightly eccentric, which I suppose I relate to.

The Duke, is once again, a gentle British comedy, of which he excels in. Dame Helen Mirren as his long suffering partner gives a well deserved performance but to me, Jim Broadbent steals the show.

If your lucky enough to have lived in the 1960s, or even interested in the period, you will love this slow, gentle comedy, as I did.

I only hope that Jim Broadbent is awarded the critical acclaim for which he is long overdue in receiving. He is an absolute icon of British Cinema and and a National Treasure.

This is an absolute Gem!!!

I must admit I went into this film not expecting much but I was pleasantly surprised at how much fun it was. I'm sure many non-UK viewers will probably only recognize Helen Mirren's name out of the cast but to me Jim Broadbent, a superb actor who mysteriously never really became an international star, (despite having won an Oscar) totally steals it with a charming excellent central performance and a twinkle in his eye.

The whole cast to be fair are excellent all round and the script has lots of witty humour, some of which is particularly British and may be lost on foreign audiences (such as the joke he tells in court which plays on the Newcastle/Sunderland rivalry). Both Broadbent and Mirren pull off very credible North East accents and the films relatively low budget gives the film an 'intimate' feel that, as another reviewer pointed out, makes this film feel a little like an Ealing black comedy.

The film does have some occasional fruity language and a sex scene so it may not be entirely suitable for children or prudish viewers but if that doesn't bother you and you like the kind of big hearted, low key British crime capers with a twist in the tale from yesteryear such as 'The Lavender Hill Mob' or 'Kind Hearts and Coronets' then you may well enjoy this tale.

I really wasn't expecting to enjoy 'The Duke' as much as I did, but found myself enthralled and charmed by the lighthearted screenplay that also carries a heartwarming message.

The performances from Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren (occasionally dodgy accents aside) are great. Broadbent in particular shines in his role as the lovable rogue Kempton Bunton.

The story is very enjoyable. Lots of effective comedy, some strong messages around social justice that feel very pertinent today, and a central conceit that you won't believe is based on real events!

At only 90 minutes long, the film has a great pace to it, keeping things moving and not getting bogged down in any unnecessary detail. There's nothing particularly flashy in the film making, but it is all very effective.

A brilliant British film and much better than I would have thought.