The
Duo (2001)
Among them are the people responsible for three of
the best Austin indie films to emerge in the past few
years... "Sweet
Thing," "Attack of the Bat Monster" and "What
I like About You." They are Ryan Wickerham, Mark
David, Michael Dalmon, Marie Black, Tony Hewett. These
are some of the most important and most talented people
making indie films in Austin today. All of them, this
talented group, are involved in the new film, "The Duo."
"The Duo" looks gorgeous. Mark David's cinematography
is crisp and clean. The camera work, sound design, and
graphic art is all top-notch. This film is slick, professional
and near perfect. Hewett, who directs here, uses cool
graphic techniques and tricks to propel the story, oft
times emulating action oriented comics and their televised
spawns to create a comic vision for the story.
The acting here, again, near perfect. Wickerham, who
also wrote and co-produced here, may go too far over
the top at times, but he's delightful. This guy has
more charm and charisma than the most vibrant high school
pom-pom squad. Wickerham, whose character permeates
the film, is always easy to relate to and enjoy. It's
just too easy to like him. Likewise Michael Dalmon,
who takes a smaller role here yet also works behind-the-scenes
on the film, proves himself to be one of the most comfortable
and competent actors Austin has to offer. Dalmon's scenes,
which pepper the film, have a real quaint sense of verisimilitude.
Again, this is an actor that is easy to enjoy. One wishes
Dalmon had a bigger role in the film. Marie Black, who
was so perfect opposite Wickerham in "What I Like About
You," does a fine job as well. It's great to see her
opposite her former cinematic romantic interest, Wickerham,
once again.
Yes, there is a whole lot to like in "The Duo..."
What is wrong with "The Duo" is, sadly, the script
and idea behind the film. As a superhero spoof, "The
Duo" is essentially a one joke film. There might be
enough humor and material here for a 20 minute short,
but elongated to 80 minute feature length, the piece
has almost nowhere to go. And much of what it does,
we've seen before in similar misguided outings.
Worse yet in "The Duo" is a sort-of convoluted sub-plot
which has Black's telejournalist acquiring some sort
of "visionary" sight that allows her to see thing, well,
weirdly. She sees things as the appear to the people
involved, not as reality. Or something like that. This
leads to some really confusing scenes in the film where
the characters move from one set of circumstances to
another with no real reason. For example, the "Duo"
move from a cheap car to a limo early in the film. Then
there's a scene where they are working out in their
living room then inexplicably they are on a luxurious
mansion's rooftop. In the end, we kinda understand that
this has something to do with Black's condition but
it doesn't make much sense at any point in the film.
And it certainly doesn't add any humor either.
Hewett has worked wonders as a producer in the past
but helming here, he seems out of his element, somewhat.
The man wisely surrounds himself with the best talent
in Austin, but he doesn't seem capable of hemming them
in. Wickerham, to a certain degree, runs wild here.
He needs someone to say "no" to him occassionally.
"The Duo" isn't a bad film, in fact, it's quite good.
it's just the story and characters that don't work in
the feature form. You have to admire Hewett for attempting
the material, and for being involved in some of the
most courageous and important indie film work in Austin
as of late. But here, the gang makes a sidestep. There's
got to be better ideas for films out there. I have no
doubt, Hewett, Wickerham, Dalmon, David and Black will
be involved in future efforts that will one day elevate
them to the level of Linklater, Rodriguez, Bullock and
Maconughey.
Finally, on a somewhat personal note, "The Duo" includes
one of the last filmed appearances of my friend, the
late John Christensen. The tall, photogenic actor has
a cameo as a "Gothic Stoner" in the film and appears
for about 30 seconds. David makes him look wonderful,
as he does all the subjects in the film. And Christensen
is amusing and cute. Finally, at the end of the film,
Hewett and his cohorts dedicated the film to Christensen,
a lasting tribute to a small local actor on the verge
of becoming something much more.
Christensen, like David, Dalmon, Hewett, Wickerham
and Black, represent the best of what Austin has to
offer. Young and talented people working together to
create entertaining and quality products for the third
coast marketplace. It's time for people to take note
of that.
Note:
David, with William Tabanou, also creates and performs
the soundtrack for the piece. He appears, in cameo,
as the cameraman in the film within a film here.
Also with Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr., and Austin alumni
Bill Wise, J.C. Shakespeare, Ev Lunning, Victor Salinas,
Brian Thornton, Mark Spacek, Tim Curry, and Derek Hunter.
This Film Reviewed
from the 2001 Austin Film festival!
|
Report
Card
Script:
C
Acting: A+
Cinematography\Lighting: A+
Special Effects\Make Up: A+
Music: A-
Final
Grade: B-
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