The Dukes

What a great film - it was evocative of the sixties - stylish - and the feel was one that grabbed you from the first frames - there's a wonderful story and secondary stories that are hilarious - saw it last night at the Newport Beach Film Festival - what a cast - Hollywood stalwarts Robert Davi and Chaz Palmenteiri star as over the hill Doo Wop stars who are running out of money and work, but they earn their kudos up against Joe Campanella and Peter Bogdonavich - and the music, a Doo Wop background set with a crazy crime caper - it will hook you and give you two hours of pure pleasure. Pure enjoyment, this is so classy and well done! I didn't know that Robert Davi had directed this, but what a debut - the style of the cinematographer was evocative of the glossy old school, which was the heart of the story, and all effects worked to push the story and the mood. This is sure to be a surprise winner of the Festival that also birthed the premieres of "Crash" and "The Illusionist."

"The Dukes" is as warm-hearted -- and big-hearted -- as a movie can be.

The Dukes, a doo-wop vocal group, had a couple of hits just before the Beatles tsunami swept a great many pop groups somewhere beyond the sea.

these days there are teeth that need fixing, other health emergencies, an ex-wife and an elderly aunt who are as tired of overwork as they are of men who won't grow up, legal bills, and an expired liquor license. there's no money to pay for any of it -- and oldies are now free on the internet.

should The Dukes swallow their pride and do tacky TV commercials? or, cast aside their core values and commit a burglary? or, maybe a little of both?

in one of this film's many fine performances, Danny (producer/director/co-writer Robert Davi, whose own voice sings the lead in the final acappella number) wrestles with his conscience while arguing with his cousin George (Chazz "A Bronx Tale" Palminteri) about whether to pull off a heist.

at a backyard party hosted by the very successful new man in his ex-wife's life (and thus his young son's life as well), Danny deals with his jumble of emotions as subtly and as movingly as any work i've seen.

"The Dukes" has its share of sentimentality (it's a nostalgia movie, after all). and, like the vast majority of movies, a little less might have been a little more. but, it also has plenty of thrills and spills, ups and downs, and some gritty realism thrown in for spice.

so, what's not to like about this movie? well, to read The New York Times's mean-spirited review, you'd think that seeing "The Dukes" might expose the viewer to salmonella poisoning.

sample: "... it tastes like pasta sauce that has sat on the shelf long after the expiration date on the can."

the group's manager, Lou, is described as "{a} miscast Peter Bogdanovich". miscast? Bogdanovich is himself a former supernova director who soon became just another journeyman. it's perfect casting.

about Danny and George's salt-of-the-earth Aunt Vee: "... Miriam Margolyes, wildly overacting..." uh, this part did not call for Judy Dench; Margolyes was excellent just the way she was.

regarding several supporting actresses who have very ripe figures (as in HOT), there's this misogynistic bit of nastiness: "...grotesque, Fellini-size women..."

sad.

but, there's no need for the reader to be sad -- see this movie!

As a reward for productivity, our company set up an outing, for all staff and their families, to a screening of 'The Dukes' last week. We're a mixed bunch from 6 years to 65 and as ethnically diverse as any L.A. work-force. Would the movie appeal to such a wide range of backgrounds? Yes!, 'The Dukes' was a great mix of comedy and schmaltz to make for a true family movie. Interesting to see the two key characters, Robert Davi and Chazz Palminteri in a comedy role, pulling out all the stops to vamp up their aunt's Italian restaurant and put their lives back on track. Plenty laugh out loud moments including a 'screwed-up' gold heist where the loot ends up being a bag of gold filling amalgam for teeth! Great 50's 'doo-wop' sound-track and, since the cast sing their own numbers in the film, our 'beef' was there was not enough footage of them singing! I would have no qualms about taking the kids and the grandparents along to see 'The Dukes' and, if they are Italian, so much the better….

"The Dukes" written and directed by Robert Davi was a nice slice of life movie in which I admire in European films. The characters were well defined with all the defects that make us all human. I was touched by their friendship and how they bumbled through life much like most of us. Davi approached the female characters with a surprised sensitivity. The tone of the film would seem very predictable, but I was surprised at how unpredictable it was. The film left me with a nice feeling about what is really important in life. If there was anything missing in this film, it would be there was not enough of the Dukes singing. I applaud Robert Davi writing and for his achievement in his directorial debut.

I saw THE DUKES at the french International Comedy Film Festival located in a famous ski resort called Alpe d'Huez. The movie was great with a very nostalgic atmosphere. The audience loved it and it was great to see the actor/director Robert DAVI getting an award for his movie. There was a standing ovation and that guy was really cool ! Everybody knew him from DIE HARD or GOONIES or PROFILER. He was acclaimed by french stars called José GARCIA, Fabrice LUCHINI. The soundtrack is great. We hope the movie will be released soon. The screening was held in the main theater of the festival and the crowd was huge for the final night. This festival is the most important in France for Comedy films. THE DUKES had this nostalgic touch which made the audience happy. It was a great film selected with JUNO. Otherwise most of the films were french.