The Duke

A good story which is told well and has some great acting performances. It wasn't as funny as I was expecting with a fair bit of focus on a tragedy and everyday life, but it was still pretty humorous and enjoyable throughout. The setting and style felt authentic and the seamless use of stock footage complemented this.

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 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.

This movie put a smile on my face. It was nice to watch something so uplifting and entertaining. Great cast and good characters. I gave it an 8 because the court scenes were so great, the rest of the film is probably a 6.5/7.

A tonic for these sombre times, this sweet natured light and easy comedy tells the tale of how in 1961 an eccentric man from Newcastle stole a valuable Goya portrait from London's national gallery. It's a wonderfully old fashioned film which echoes well the flavour humour and style of the Ealing comedies, mixing split screen archive film with superbly grimy re-creations of old Newcastle and London, and just a little bit if social comment too. Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren revel in it all, as do rest of the cast, and the whole things cruises along and raises a many a smile - a tonic indeed. It's also a true story. Highly recommended.