Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Mini-Review: "Duck Season"














Review by Fat Jack

4.5 stars out of 5


Now in Theatres
-- Very Limited Release
Rated R
Directed by:
Fernando Eimbcke
Starring: Enrique Arreola, Diego Catano, Daniel Miranda, and Danny Perea.

Rotten Tomatoes: 89% fresh
Netflix: 3.8 stars out of 5
IMDb: 7.6 stars out of 10
Roger Ebert: 3 stars out of 4


Two boys, 14-year-old compadres, are home alone on yet one more Sunday, left to their own devices behind a locked door in an apartment complex. Video games, chips, comics and pizza are their hideaway vices until the power goes out. Seemingly out of nowhere, the 16-year-old girl down the hall comes knocking, needing to use the oven and the pizza delivery guy just won’t go away.

The ridiculously boring meanderings of the adolescent are a means to tell a deeper, powerful story about our human existence and the power of love, pain and understanding. This is by no means a depressing, sick, disturbing or dark movie. I do love my dark comedies and movies filled with punches to the gut and face. You won’t find that with Duck Season.

This is a story about nothing. No, that’s not right. It’s a story about life and pain and understanding told in a strangely comedic-nothing sort of way. This movie is important in the way the subjects are portrayed, the framing of the actors, and the music and sounds used to define the story. Yet, it is artful without being pretentious. Pay attention to what is happening when nothing is going on, and you will discover the poetic and universal truths found in this wonderful gem. (view trailer) (official site)

MOKO: “I give a fuck, too.”

ULISES: “Let me talk to your Mom, kid.”
FLAMA: “First of all, my Mom isn’t here, and second of all, don’t call me a kid!”

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