The Duel Review – Strong Character-Driven Performances Carry this Lackluster Effort

Details

Category: Film

Published on Monday, 29 July 2024 15:56

Written by Janet Walker

The Duel, from Lionsgate Films, presents a comedic drama of modern romance and betrayal, as two friends in love with the same girl, are hurled by anger, rage, and hurt, toward the point of no return.

The film opens with an elderly man slowly, patiently, methodically, with care sanding a surfboard, making sure the wood is smooth, and without any flaws, and then the camera pans to the words engraved into the board, "You make me proud."

The Last Breath Review – Intense, A Riveting Underwater Diving Drama

Then the scene cuts to the nighttime beach, where a surfboard board is in flames and Woody, played by Callan McAuliffe, is standing beside the all-consuming fire filming.

Then we move immediately to a tiki bar, where Sam, played by Denny Love is enjoying his night and suddenly Colin, played by Dylan Sprouse, drops into the booth and begins to explain he has been having an affair with Woody's girlfriend. At the same time, Woody is explaining to Kevin, played by Hart Denton, that Colin has been having an affair with Abbie, played by Rachel Matthews.

As the four of them were once a happy-go-lucky group of guys, they have suddenly been split into two pairs, and then we find out Woody has challenged Colin to a duel. Both Kevin and Sam are trying to defuse the quickly escalating situation to no avail. They try to reason with each of them. But once the challenge of a duel has been issued, both seem intent on following through. So, through Google, they find the only duel master is in San Diego, and for some reason, common sense has yet to kick in and they are on their way to meet the duel master, Christof, played by Patrick Warburton.

Clear Cut Review – Drug Syndicate Drama Delivers Heightened Suspense

Once we meet Christof, we become schooled in the art of the gentlemanly duel, an ancient tradition invoked by men of the upper class to settle any differences. Of course, a duel traditionally ends in the death of one of the two men in the challenge.  Of course, we also discover through Christof, the two friends, are responsible for finding a suitable place where this duel can commence, without police interference.

So, Kevin and Sam, are now in San Diego when they are approached by Joey, played by Christian McGaffney, who explains his boss, Rudolpho, played by Ronald Guttman, has a huge manor, perfect for the fight to the death. However, it is in Mexico. So, they explain, that they don't have their passports, and he explains, no worries, we have a special system we use to travel between the estate in Mexico and San Diego.

One quick phone call and everyone is headed to Mexico through an underground drug smuggler's tunnel. Once they arrive, the estate is magnificent, and of course, as it is the home of a cartel leader, it is exquisite, filled with all the pleasures of the luxury lifestyle. Suddenly the young men, accustomed to board shorts and flip-flops, are required to dress for dinner in tuxedos which are provided by their generous host.

Twisters Review – Entertaining Sequel Delivers Fast Action, Big Thrills

As the time for the duel approaches, Abbie arrives, and when they ask her how she knew, she explains she was kidnapped and brought here, to Mexico, for a day of pampering before the big event. She desperately pleads with Woody to stop this madness and come to his senses, she apologizes, and cries and her words fall on deaf ears.

This is when we discover that Woody and Colin had been lifelong friends since grade school, and this betrayal is unimaginable, and for Woody, no modern form of revenge could ever satisfy him.  

The Duel, an attention-grabbing film, resonates for all the wrong reasons. An over-the-top comedic drama, filled with the bizarre and kooky, the ensemble cast delivers strong character-driven performances. 

At face value, the film plays into the violent rage culture that is prevalent in modern society. Without conflict resolution or anger management skills, two former friends believe that murdering the other or destroying items of personal value is a suitable option, which sends the wrong message even when it is dressed up and presented as an art among the affluent.  

The Duel opens exclusively in theaters on July 31, 2024.

Sorry/Not Sorry Review – Doc Unpacks The Shocking Fall of Louis C.K.

Country: U.S.

Language: English.

Runtime: 99 minutes.

Release Date: July 31, 2024.

Director: Justin Matthews, Luke Spencer Roberts.

Executive Produced by: Dylan Sprouse.

Produced by:  Zachary Spicer, Gordon Strain, Joe Matthews, Justin Matthews.

Writer: Justin Matthews, Luke Spencer Roberts.

Cast: Dylan Sprouse, Callan Mcauliffe, Denny Love, Hart Denton, María Gabriela De Faría, Rachel Matthews, Christian Mcgaffney, Ronald Guttman, Patrick Warburton.