Jim Broadbent delights as an irrepressible dreamer who fought tirelessly for the rights of the common man… to watch free television. The Duke is a heartwarming true story of a hilarious British art heist. The film deftly tackles difficult themes of classism, coming to terms with grief, and the indignity of racial slights. A brilliant supporting ensemble, led by the fantastic Helen Mirren, plays a dedicated and frustrated family. Supporting their patriarch’s noble yet incredibly foolish intentions. The Duke is a ray of cinematic light. Everyone will walk out of the theater beaming.
In 1961 Newcastle, England, Kempton Bunton (Broadbent) refuses to pay a TV license to receive the BBC. An honest man who believed the poor were getting fleeced, Bunton went on a public crusade to stop this injustice. He even removed the BBC tube to prevent reception. Kempton’s antics deeply frustrate his stern and hardworking wife, Dorothy (Mirren). She feeds the family as a housemaid while Kempton struggles to stay employed. Both grieve for the tragic loss of their teenage daughter in different ways. Their youngest son, Jackie (Fionn Whitehead), feels his mother is too harsh. He is a willing accomplice to his father’s righteous causes.
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Kempton takes umbrage at the British government’s £140,000 payment for a portrait of The Duke of Wellington by the artist Francisco Goya. Lonely pensioners who served in the war couldn’t even afford to watch TV. Kempton tells Dorothy he’s going to London to try and sell his writing. He decides to stop by the National Portrait Gallery. The painting’s theft is headline news. The police are convinced a sophisticated gang of Italian art thieves are the culprit. They ignore anonymous letters demanding public charity for the painting’s return. They change their tune when another letter arrives with evidence as proof. Meanwhile, at the Bunton household, Dorothy wonders why Kempton and Jackie are always wearing gloves in the spare room.
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Courtroom Testimony is Comedic Gold
Kempton Bunton is an easy man to root for. His kind demeanor and thoughtfulness went hand in hand with laughable idiosyncrasies. The film opens with Kempton’s trial and then flashes back to the events leading up to court. His barrister, Jeremy Hutchinson (Matthew Good), is taken by Kempton’s personality. But has a serious problem defending him from a lengthy prison sentence. Kempton’s courtroom testimony had me rolling. Broadbent’s straightforward delivery of Kempton’s reasoning is comedic gold.
The familial subplots add a dramatic tinge to the great humor. Dorothy stood by Kempton. They unequivocally love each other. But she doesn’t want any reminders of her departed daughter. Kempton desperately wants to discuss their loss. He writes plays as an outlet for his sorrow. Their remaining children, Jackie and Kenny (Jack Bandiero), the oldest son with a shady girlfriend (Charlotte Spencer), are also affected by Dorothy’s intransigence. The family’s bond is strong. They are working-class people used to hard times. Dorothy’s lack of communication creates dissonance that’s amplified during the trial.
Director Roger Michell (Notting Hill, Venus) crafts a beautiful film. The Duke is an extraordinary story of family above all. It’s told in a light, airy manner that still manages to be poignant. Michell’s use of split-screen editing, muted colors, and classic footage supports the highly affecting performances. Standing up for what’s right is never easy. Taking ownership of your wrongs, faults, and failures is even more admirable. The world needs men like Kempton Bunton.
The Duke is a production of Pathé, Neon Films, Ingenious Media, and Screen Yorkshire. It will have a North American theatrical release on April 22nd from Sony Pictures Classics.
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Julian Roman
(1509 Articles Published)
Julian Roman has been with Movieweb for nearly twenty years. An avid film buff, he feels lucky to have interviewed and written extensively about Hollywood’s greatest talents. In his spare time he plays guitar, treasures good company, and always seeks new adventures.
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