It’s always the quiet ones…Kempton Bunton (Jim Broadbent) is an unassuming fellow, the kind of man you could stand at a bus-stop with and never notice. He lives in Newcastle, is married to Dorothy (Helen Mirren) and the big passion of his life seems to be outsmarting the BBC licence detectors, who are keen to see him purchase a licence for his television. Bunton can afford a licence, but objects out of principle; why should the government spend £140,000 on a painting to hang in a London art gallery when the same money could pay for licences for WWII veterans?
The year is 1961, and director Roger Mitchell’s final film is based on a true story; facts may be exaggerated, but Richard Bean and Clive Coleman’s script makes a virtue of referencing courtroom proceedings. Bunton’s desire to publicise his cause leads him to hold the painting in question, Goya’s The Duke, as a hostage, and his stand provokes the authorities to launch a manhunt that causes Dorothy no end of social anxiety. Bunton has a tragedy in his past, creating a burden that he and Dorothy have not had the opportunity to excise; will the lovable eccentric Bunton, his wife and son Jackie (Fionn Whitehead) be made to feel the full force of the law?
The Duke is a comedy, but a comedy with some heart; there’s no real villains here, and even Bunton’s snooty lawyer Jeremy Hutchinson (Matthew Goode) gains in understanding and empathy for the unlikely ransom demander. While the story is slight, Bunton’s home-spun, individualistic philosophy has its day in court, and once articulated, can’t be forgotten. This all plays nicely into Broadbent’s unparalleled skill in playing downtrodden characters, and Mirren is always a welcome presence, with a care-worn, housekeeper’s persona that hides a steely reserve and family loyalty.
The Duke is a clever film that revolves around the narrative sleight of hand that you might notice even from the trailer, but won’t fully understand until the courtroom finale. It’s a spry and entertainingly simple British film that deserves an audience; the grey pound should embrace it even without awards attention, but there’s something refreshing about a small film like this that, against the odds, makes a salient point, much like Bunton himself.
In UK cinemas from Feb 22nd 2022. Thanks to Pathe for advance access.
A good example of the small film with a big engine. Superb performance especially from Helen Mirren. Bit of sleight of hand as you said in order to make Broadbent a less vivid character originally but few films can have been as transformed by a court scene as this and the character’s philosophy could have fuelled a hundred feel-good pictures. I did feel, however, it was a film of two halves and was beginning to get a tad bored before Broadbent went stand up comedian in court.
Agreed. The courtroom stuff lifted it a notch or two. Shades of Tony Hancock.
Spot on.
Simply British puts me off a little. I like Broadbent, but it looks almost indulgent in stereotypes and pastimes. I’ll be taking a miss.
Your loss, Bunty.
Got this down for next week though it will have to make way for the reissue of The Godfather.
I’m not at all familiar with the true story, and I’m eager to learn more. This one is a yes for me.
This was news to me, but an interesting true story that probably resonates as much now as then. And two great leads to boot.
Not to be a downer, but in today’s social climate, he’d be labeled a domestic terrorist, called unspeakable things on twitter by 20somethings and then when the tanks rolled in and the swat teams shot him dead, the media would rejoice and tell us how much safer we are now.
Thank goodness this is a comedy then….
You are probably right. So things are worse now than in the 60’s…thanks to unfettered technology!
Well, I don’t blame technology. People make choices and we’re living in a world were we are living out the consequences of the choices of the 60’s.
But the world is there for us to change and make better!
Are you a member of the grey pound set?
I am a man in my prime, thank you.
Yet another movie of Newcastle but filmed anywhere but. Sigh. No matter, will get to see this eventually, when it streams.
I am annoyed on your behalf; they fooled me.
There’s a street scene at 2.16 on the trailer where they’ve attempted to incorporate the Tyne Bridge at the end of the road,which is completely impossible. Sigh.
I am now outraged on your behalf. Why couldn’t they film in Newcastle?
Screen Yorkshire is a private investment company that give film companies funds so they film there, I’m sure I remember you doing another recently that was set here but filmed in Yorkshire. The problem is Newcastle has very distinctive architecture, nothing like Bradford or Leeds where The Duke is filmed. Newcastle isn’t even in Yorkshire.