The Dukes

"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!

"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.

The Dukes is a story about former Italian American Doo Wop stars (Davi and Palminteri) who have devolved into a dead end existence working in a family Italian restaurant as short order cooks, under the close supervision of their strong willed aunt. Their wish to revive their career seems self evidently hopeless as their droll and equally devolved manager (Bogdanovich) gets them one ridiculously funny--and absurdly degrading--opportunity after another--only to have the group fail in getting any work.

Due to both desperation and a series of very amusing coincidences, Davi and Palmintieri conceive of a ludicrous plan to heist a large shipment of gold. Here, the plot twists begin to take over and command the audience. A combination of Murphy's law, misguided trust,and an hilarious botched implementation bring the group back down to earth. And back to an even more seemingly hopeless devolved state than where they began.

Through a series of tragicomic realizations the group learns what they already knew--hard work, self pride, and real focus is their only hope. But the writer/director Davi could not let them off that easy. They need to be comically punished again, and again....until he finally lets them of the hook in a terrifically funny and satisfying ending.

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."

I saw the The Dukes movie last night at the Wildwood Film Festival and liked it very much. I am surprised to see it listed as a drama because I didn't see it in that light. I thought it was a good light-hearted comedy that I would recommend as a good family movie. It has a nice story about being down on your luck while trying to hold on to your dreams. I've not seen a movie with Chaz Palmenteri in a comedic performance and found him to be very funny. The movie has some really funny scenes between Robert Davi and Chazz Palminteri playing well off of each other. The music was really good too. I thought there was a nice selection of Doo Wop songs and I especially liked the music by the group, The Emeralds. It was nice to see a local acapella group featured in a really good movie. If the movie comes your way, go see it - you won't be disappointed.