The Dukes (2007)

The Dukes, a Doo Wop group, were on top of the world at 17, and struggle for survival in 2008. Their manager is desperately trying to get them work but is met with failure at every turn. ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Davi

Writers:

James Andronica, Robert Davi

Stars:

Chazz Palminteri, Robert Davi, Peter Bogdanovich

8 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chazz Palminteri	...	George
Robert Davi	...	Danny
Peter Bogdanovich	...	Lou
Frank D'Amico	...	Armond
Elya Baskin	...	Murph
Miriam Margolyes	...	Aunt Vee
Melora Hardin	...	Diane
Bruce Weitz	...	Toulio
Eloise DeJoria	...	Katherine
Joseph Campanella	...	Giovanni Zorro
Dominic Scott Kay	...	Brion
Elaine Hendrix	...	Stephanie
Alphonse Mouzon	...	Ray
Joyce Westergaard	...	Suzette
John Prosky	...	Brad

Storyline

The Dukes, a Doo Wop group, were on top of the world at 17, and struggle for survival in 2008. Their manager is desperately trying to get them work but is met with failure at every turn. Finally pushed to the extreme , they pull a heist only a fool would attempt, which leaves them even more desperate. When all seems lost, they find themselves. Underneath the laughter, the film explores the intricacies of redefining yourself; not dealing only with lost fame, but for anyone who's found themselves at the bottom of the mountain looking up to where they once were; and how, in changing times, to hold on to your true self.

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Plot Keywords:

doo wop | singer | music group | gambling | fight | 

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Taglines:

The music was then , the time is now

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief sexuality and drug references

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 November 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ütött-kopott hírnév

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,067, 16 November 2008

Gross USA:

$26,875

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$26,875

Company Credits

Production Co:

Doo Wop Productions, Sun Lion Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Robert Davi wrote the first draft of the script in 1986. He was inspired to write it after working with 1960s rock star Jay Black in Contract on Cherry Street (1977).

User Reviews

Creative Absurdist Comedy

The Dukes is a story about former Italian American Doo Wop stars (Davi and Palminteri) who have devolved into a dead end existence working in a family Italian restaurant as short order cooks, under the close supervision of their strong willed aunt. Their wish to revive their career seems self evidently hopeless as their droll and equally devolved manager (Bogdanovich) gets them one ridiculously funny--and absurdly degrading--opportunity after another--only to have the group fail in getting any work.

Due to both desperation and a series of very amusing coincidences, Davi and Palmintieri conceive of a ludicrous plan to heist a large shipment of gold. Here, the plot twists begin to take over and command the audience. A combination of Murphy's law, misguided trust,and an hilarious botched implementation bring the group back down to earth. And back to an even more seemingly hopeless devolved state than where they began.

Through a series of tragicomic realizations the group learns what they already knew--hard work, self pride, and real focus is their only hope. But the writer/director Davi could not let them off that easy. They need to be comically punished again, and again....until he finally lets them of the hook in a terrifically funny and satisfying ending.