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 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!!!

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.

All the Actors have been outstanding, the script is intriguing as much as funny, never the less, idealism and family strings are the best part of the plot. A very good acting can still go through the screen and show true history and lives experiences!

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.

The more I think about this film the less I rate it. If you bother to watch it, your heart string might be twanged a couple of times but, other than that, it will leave you cold. Or, as happened in the cinema I attended, a group of very disgruntled people (at least a dozen) will leave, noisily, half way through. There is just a scintilla of truth to the story, i.e. Goya's portrait was taken from the gallery & Kempton Bunton was associated with the story. Everything else. Rubbish. For your information, if you are not old enough to know, streets in England were very very clean in the 1960's, there were even spittoons as it was illegal to spit on the pavement. Metal dustbins contained ashes (from coal fires) were collected by very efficient and cleanliness aware dustmen from the back alleys of the terraced houses. The fronts of the houses were kept very neat and clean, women scrubbing and polishing their front step was a common sight. Paper was valued as a it had multiple uses. Rags were collected by rag and bone men for the purpose of making brown paper (also much valued). Foods - ie fruit and veg were not wrapped. Take out food was fish and chips in yesterday's newspaper. There is much more that is misrepresented in this presentation. I cant be bothered telling you any more.

The Duke I loved it! This movie had its heart on its sleeve from the outset and what an emotional rollercoaster it turned out to be. If was a simple story of one man's misplaced principled stand against the state following the death of a loved one. Whilst the issues were serious and sad this movie examined the human condition with a lightness of touch that produced a far more profound reaction in the viewer than any issue led movie. It was deeply affecting. Helen Mirren turned out an Oscar winning turn employing the most brutal and convincing Yorkshire accent. I know I shouldn't make the comparison but it was far better that Judi Dench in Belfast where her accent wandered around the 4 counties. Jim Broadbent was very much a foil to Mirren's brilliance in his comprehensive characterisation. The whole ensemble was brilliant. This was a wonderful movie where all the artistic forces were focused on telling a story in a most moving way. For me this is a 9 outta 10 meaning total escapist viewing that will not disappoint and very much in the same genre as Dream Horse. When you compared the slow mannered nostalgia of Belfast and then this glorious story which is more deserving of an Oscar.

The Duke is a pretty witty movie with interesting characters and a smooth progress, especially when one considers that it is based on a true story, which usually end up boring and too close to a documentary. The performances were also pretty great and the twist in the end brilliant.