Review of The Dukes

"THE DUKES" is the excellent directorial debut by multi-talented artist American (of Italian origins) Robert Davi; I was very delighted and positively struck by this very nice "jewel", a fully enjoyable (dark) comedy about love, friendship, duty, loyalty and comradeship set in contemporary U.S.A.: to me a, a true positive cinema - exploit made onto same inspired way, mood and "Style" of our best Italian Comedies of end 50ties - 60ties. I saw it on past late October 2007, during the 2nd Edition of "RomeFilmFest", where I fully enjoyed it along with the sold out heterogeneous audience that cheered and applauded it at the ending credits into the huge Santa Cecilia's Theatre; it showed up exactly at "Première Section" - which represents the "RomeFilmFest" 's "Red Carpet" -, the non-competitive section for the major international premieres coming from all over the world. The true warm evening event at Renzo Piano's Auditorium gave the better exclusiveness of Mr. Davi's film: with that fine and happy glamour of all the stars and guests attending (all main cast - except for Chazz Palminteri -), it has gone brilliantly. "THE DUKES" really distinguished itself in a wide showcase made of 11 films: Sean Penn's Into the Wild; Elizabeth: The Golden Age, directed by Shekar Kapur; Youth Without Youth, by Francis Ford Coppola, Across the Universe by Julie Taymor, Giorni e Nuvole by Silvio Soldini, La Terza madre by Dario Argento, Rendition by Gavin Hood, Noise by Henry Bean, Silk by Francois Girard, Things we lost in the fire by Susanne Bier. All most important and famous journalists wrote, aired and published plenty of good, excited and positive reviews ! New York-born Davi, one of most recognizable Hollywood's "tough guy" (on both big and small Interntl screens), hits the mark with his first experience "behind the camera" with a movie that entertained and touched me a lot, gifting also a truly lovable characterization which is completely different from those I used seeing (and loving) him in quite all past occasions; the movie's motto "The Music was then. The Time is Now" perfectly resumes the plot which focus and rows, with several twists, on the exploration of the problematic (but, sometimes, necessary) re-defining yourself, dealing with lost fame, and holding tight on Your true-self in life's daily hard times. Since the very first shots, there is true magic especially between Davi and his co-star Palminteri, embodying two Italian - American singers who were at the "Top" during the 60's (the "Doo Wop" era), now actually sharing and living "hard times" in too long-lasting "post-fame" days. Music is the thread, so we hear a lot of nice famous songs and some original pieces, clear tributes to Nino Rota. In fact, several hits by Paolo Conte, Luciano Pavarotti and Sergio Bruni are perfectly and intelligently placed all over (as touches of elegance and easy - remembrances of Italian "classic" atmosphere), as rhythmical and measured background, along with Nic tenBroek fellinesque's compositions made for the evocative and classy score. Davi and all his "DUKES" 's gang give us globally very pleasant performances: it's an entertaining, amusing and very clean movie, made with a homage - look "all'italiana" towards the masterpiece Mario Monicelli's "I Soliti Ignoti". "THE DUKES" is undoubtedly the perfect occasion for assembling whole family to see a nice and light film suitable and surely entertaining for all ages and audiences. An excellent and honest work by Davi, who – by the way – sings and fascinates also with his incredible voice (hear at "So Much in Love", made "a-cappella"), into this great screen - job made with an ensemble cast (also starring famed director/actor Peter Bogdanovich, the beauty Eloise DeJoria - they were both on the roman Fest's "Carpet" -, the believable Miriam Margolyes, the funny and goofy Elya Baskin and Frank D'Amico). As an avid movie-goer, let me say that all the Italian-American characters and traditions hereby portrayed (everything is realistically so-near to our "true" heritage) are mixed and balanced in a very nice and delicate way. It's a wonderful movie, very heart-warming and touching: don't miss it! The chemistry among all the actors gives a lot of funny and hilarious moments into a very appealing film. Everybody will leave theatre with a good feeling into heart and soul. I look forward to more films directed (also written and produced, like this one) by Actor Studio's member Davi: he made a very good quality show (can't wait to see your next one!): BRAVO BRAVISSIMO!! "THE DUKES" is a terrific must - see and feel-good film. I would love to see it again asap hereby, in Italy. Ciao !