The Duke 2020 by AverageMansReviews

The Duke 2020 by AverageMansReviews

Review Time

Warning: there is flashing effects/colourful effects/racism.

The Duke of Wellington portrait by Francisco Goya: this portrait is central to this film; our backdrop to begin with is Newcastle in the early 1960s, we meet Kempton Bunton [Jim Broadbent] and his long-suffering wife Dorothy Bunton [Helen Mirren] and their family, the pacing is generally speaking something like this; first section is good, middle section, it goes through this lull and in the third and final section it is good again.

Kempton is not a bad guy but he stands up for what he believes in be it the elderly paying their TV licence or standing up for his fellow worker, so trouble or prison time is always not too far away from Kempton. Dorothy is a no-nonsense, she is a straight talking woman/wife and mother, because she is a matter of fact person she doesn't want to talk about the tragic death of their daughter Mariarrm Bunton [apologies if I have spelt her name incorrectly] that is a cleaner for Mrs Gowling [Anna Maxwell Martin.] This is a cast performance being all good, but they are being led by this excellent partnership of Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren with individually or together has this good comedy flavour in this project when it pops up or makes itself known; which they are both up for at least an award each as things stand; AARP Movies for Grownups Awards 2022; Movies for Grownups Award; Nominee; Best Actress Helen Mirren [same award event/ceremony] Best Actor Jim Broadbent and individually they should win both of these, because that is how excellent they are in my opinion, you see without them and yes this is just speculation on my part, but however this film would have potentially really struggled without them, that is how much of a driving force/impact they have on this project.

This film receives: 6/10, this film is good: now minus the pacing after everything is said and done it is a pleasant little film, in total it is up for 4 Nominees, but as I have already referenced 2 in this review I will leave things here.