No. 89 (2021) THE DUKE. Opening Night of British FF Perth W.A. Nov. 3rd.

 

Film No. 89 (2021)  November 3rd.  6:30 PM  PALACE Cinema 6,  Raine Square,  Perth City. 

"We are convinced that The Goya has been stolen by a highly professional, international criminal gang."(The words of The Commander of police operations during a press conference announcing a major art heist in London).

What ever you do, that is if you don't know the name Kempton Bunton and you're keen to see THE DUKE, don't research Mr K Bunton of Newcastle U.K. The subtle twists to his story will lessen the endearment you'll have for this crowd pleaser of a film. I walked away with "buckets" (in-joke) of love for THE DUKE.

Roger Michell (NOTTING HILL, MY COUSIN RACHEL) is always looking to create interesting, generally amusing films. NOTTING HILL will stand as a classic, when it could easily have been ridiculous, pat and wet. In THE DUKE he has presented Jim Broadbent with a character and script which, too, could easily have missed the mark. It does not. So much so it could well be a best-ever for both Michell and Broadbent. Considering their resumes, I may be going too far, but not from my POV. 

Kempton (Broadbent) is a loveable eccentric. A man of the people and while he can talk, he acts on his talk. But it is not lost on us that he would be difficult to live with. Wife Dorothy (Helen Mirren) is at her wits end, what with his theories on bureaucracy (owning of a T.V. licence here), but it's more the fact he can't hold down a job as he's always preoccupied with fighting a good fight. And all this is played out as a 60's Ealing Comedy full of minor slapstick movement, split screens and one-liners. Don't be put off by this. The style is Ealing, the delivery is agelessly whip-smart.

Mirren has none of the lines Broadbent has, so while the poster would suggest they share the billing, make no mistake, Mirren is along for the ride here. Broadbent is the centrepiece. So if you are coming, just to see H.M. shine, then you'll be disappointed. 

THE DUKE is about a man and his family, a family to warm one's heart. The Australian classic THE CASTLE came to mind as the titles rolled. THE CASTLE was pure fiction with a lovable patriarch, Darryl Kerrigan. Kempton was real. His story is no less far fetched and just as amusing.  11GUMS.