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THE DUKES
will be released in theaters on November 14, in New York city and will enjoy a broad release including Los Angeles, November 21, 2008
VARIETY REVEIW
The Dukes A Doo Wop Prods. production in association with Sun Lion Films. Produced by Don Dunn, James Cypherd, Robert Davi. Executive producer, Frank A. Visco. Co-executive producers, John Paul DeJoria, Herbert F. Boeckmann II, James Hawse, Bob Byers Jr., R. Rex Parris, Walter Wang. Co-producers, Chazz Palminteri, James Andronica, Eric Weston. Directed by Robert Davi. Screenplay, Davi, James Andronica. George Zucco - Chazz Palminteri Danny DePasquale - Robert Davi Lou Fiola - Peter Bogdanovich Armond Kaputo - Frank D'Amico Murph - Elya Baskin Ant Vee - Miriam Margolyes Diane - Melora Hardin Toulio - Bruce Weitz Zorro - Joe Campanella By JOE LEYDON Vet character actor Robert Davi neatly balances humor and heart while smoothly moving to a doo-wop beat in "The Dukes," his engaging debut effort as a feature helmer. Pic is a low-key charmer about members of a '50s vocal group who, nearly five decades after their fleeting heyday, contemplate crime to fund a long-sought comeback. With Davi and Chazz Palminteri fronting a first-rate ensemble cast, and a tasty soundtrack of golden oldies, this unpretentious indie dramedy has much to recommend. But it will require inventive and resourceful hyping to reach the presumptive target aud of older ticket-buyers and homevid viewers. Although George (Palminteri) and Danny (Davi) occasionally join their fellow Dukes for a gig on the nostalgia circuit -- where, due to Danny's temperamental demands, their bookings are becoming increasingly rare -- the two middle-aged cousins rely on steady jobs as cooks in an Italian restaurant run by their Aunt Vee (Miriam Margolyes). George thinks it would be a nifty idea to buy a shuttered nitery and turn it into a Doo Wop Club where the Dukes would headline. Unfortunately, neither he nor his fellow crooners -- including the over-eating Armond (Frank D'Amico) and the easily excitable Murph (Elya Baskin) -- have enough money to finance such a scheme. Their longtime agent (a well-cast Peter Bogdanovich) tries to help his hapless clients recycle their few big hits in an oldies compilation. During the pic's funniest sequence, a TV commercial requires the Dukes to dress up as large tomatoes to hawk salsa. But when those plans come to naught, even the initially reluctant Danny is forced to reconsider George's dicey plan to burglarize a dental clinic. Working from a script he co-wrote with James Andronica, Davi proves gracefully adept at shifting tones and varying moods, sometimes within a single scene. (Take note of the way he merges knowing satire and affecting pathos while Danny and his fellow Dukes humiliate themselves for a TV commercial director). There's a nicely respectful hint of "Big Deal on Madonna Street" throughout the scenes in which the amateur criminals plan and execute their latenight break-in to swipe gold used for dental fillings. Crime doesn't pay, of course. But it does provide at least one good laugh (for Danny, at least) in a modestly clever plot twist. Best known for playing intimidating badasses in films ranging from "The Goonies" to "License to Kill," Davi gives himself ample opportunity here to appear tender as well as tough, so that Danny remains sympathetically vulnerable as his desperation mounts. The actor is at his best in a quiet scene where Danny's son asks him why he no longer sings. "Daddy's time passed," he wistfully replies. "And now it's tough for him to do that." Palminteri is richly amusing as he plays George as a robust rogue with a hearty appetite (especially when it comes to size-plus women). And like Davi, he makes such a winning impression that it's easy to suspend disbelief and ignore the obvious: Both actors are at least a decade too young for their roles. Among the supporting players, standouts include Bogdanovich, Margolyes and Bruce Weitz (as an underworld type who longs to relive his own glory days). Tech values suggest a small budget was spent wisely. A soundtrack CD featuring "Sh-Boom," "So in Love" and other golden oldies heard in the pic could be a great marketing tool. Camera (Deluxe color), Michael Goi; editor, James Cypherd; music, Nic Ten Broek; music supervisors, Butch Barbella, Morris I. Diamond; production designer, Derek Hughes; sound (Dolby Digital), Neil Spritz; associate producers, Larry Logsdon, Christopher J. Corabi, Pat Reale, Frank D'Amico; casting, Valerie McCaffrey. Reviewed on DVD, Houston, April 28, 2007. (In WorldFest Houston.) Running time: 96 MIN. Read the full article at: http://www.variety.com/story.asp?
CINEMA RETRO REVIEW
Celebrating Films of the 1960s & 1970s ROBERT DAVI REAPS INTERNATIONAL PRAISE & AWARDS WITH HIS DIRECTORIAL DEBUT ON "THE DUKES"
By Lee Pfeiffer
Sometimes nice guys do finish first. Such is the case with actor Robert Davi, who has been a fixture in popular movies since his screen debut opposite Frank Sinatra in the 1970's TV movie Contract on Cherry Street. Over the decades, Davi- like any working actor - has enjoyed great successes as well as appearing in artistic misfires. I first met him last November when I interviewed him at his alma mater, Hofstra University, in Long Island. It was part of a James Bond event, and I was interested in meeting Davi because I had long admired his work onscreen and considered his performance as the villain Sanchez in the James Bond film Licence to Kill to be one of the best of the entire series. I was impressed by his complete lack of ego and his genuine respect for his fans. Davi spent a good deal of time mingling with people in the audience, signing countless autographs and talking with students about his days at Hofstra. Davi was at that time putting the finishing touches on The Dukes, a light-hearted, comedic crime movie that he was starring in as well as making his directorial debut with. Several months ago, I got to see the film, which, over the last year, has been making the rounds at international film festivals and picking up widespread critical praise as well as prizes. (Variety gave the film a rare unqualified rave without a single negative word.) Suddenly, the first-time director found his film being shown alongside those of Francis Ford Coppola, Robert Redford and Sydney Lumet. The Dukes is a moving and often very funny film that eschews car chases, violence and filthy language to concentrate on establishing strong characters. (Remember when most films took pains to do the same?). Davi and his pals are washed-up ex-Doo Wop singers who had a brief stint at the top of the charts in the 1960s but who have now fallen on hard times, working in menial jobs while desperately trying to find another gig on the nightclub circuit. When the financial burdens prove to be overwhelming, Davi and his partners decide to plan a heist that is as amusing as it is suspenseful. I won't make this a formal review of the film, because the version I saw has since been modified. Thus, I'll wait until I see the finished product. However, I do feel I can say that while Davi's performance is a real gem, it's his skill as director that has been responsible for the praise he has been reaping. He's an actor's director and willingly makes himself an ensemble player among an inspired and highly talented cast that includes Peter Bogdanovich, Chazz Palminteri, Frank D'Amico, Miriam Margolyes and even veteran actor Joe Campenella. The performances are all terrific, as is the oldies soundtrack that will have you tapping your feet throughout as you cheer on the loveable losers onscreen. (Davi should make every effort to get a soundtrack CD out on the film.) Devoid of major marketing dollars, Davi has been launching a "guerilla" campaign relying on visiting neighborhoods and getting the word out among every day people. (Though, to date he has thankfully avoided using the suddenly ubiquitous Joe the Plumber as a pitchman for the movie!) Against all odds, he's secured a major nationwide release for the movie, which opens on November 14 in New York, then rolls out in other areas on November 21. In an age of dumbed-down, CGI-filled movies, it's a joy to see a movie with great heart, great performances and great direction. Davi emerges as a major talent both in front of the camera, and behind it as well. I'm already looking forward to his next film. To read the Hollywood Reporter interview with Davi click here Visit The Dukes official web site and view trailer by clicking here Posted by Cinema Retro in Movie News on Thursday, October 23. 2008
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