Hosts a promising premise and some pretty interesting dialogue in spurts. But as the tail waddles across Los Angeles the originally agile storytelling suffers some bumps.
Comment
05/16/07
Rate this Movie 
Duck (2007)
47
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work
Reviews Counted:17
Fresh:8
Rotten:9
Average Rating:5.2/10
Theatrical Release:May 11, 2007 Limited
Synopsis: Set in Los Angeles in the near distant future, DUCK is a somber comedy about a lost man (Philip Baker Hall) and the duck who latches onto him, both looking for direction after the last of the... [More]
Starring: Philip Baker Hall, Amy Hill, Larry Cedar, French Stewart
Director: Nic Bettauer
Reviews for Duck
1 - 19 (sorted by critic A-Z)
...a thoughtful look at who we might be and what we can be, with just a little tenderness that remains embedded in the heart for a long time after.
05/18/07
Much of the journey becomes redundant, and the film likely would have been more effective as a 20-minute short.
05/11/07
Top CriticWriter-director Nic Bettauer can't decide whether to play Duck for tears or laughs.
08/24/07
Top CriticThe strangest movie to reach theaters in many moons, at least the strangest since Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters.
05/10/07
Whimsical, quirky, strangely endearing road movie - and certainly unique!
05/13/07
Possessed of one of the most hangdog faces in Hollywood, Hall meshes expertly with the movie's hopeful sadness. That we watch him toting a live duck around without once losing his dignity -- or breaking out in laughter -- has to count for something.
05/11/07
The movie is about as interesting as a duck would be as a pet.
05/12/07
A series of stagy vignettes that never builds to a point.
05/14/07
Buried somewhere in this messy, strange and occasionally affecting film is an interesting idea -- perhaps even a good one. But what's on screen in DUCK also veers into territory that is precious and even boring.
05/10/07
Feature debut by scripter-helmer Nic Bettauer is a small, affecting road movie peopled with sharp vignettes.
05/09/07
Top CriticThere are precedents for this kind of old-coot-and-adorable-pet cinema, but the director, a USC film grad, demonstrates little in the way of keenness or even sentimentality.
05/10/07
We weren't particularly affected by Arthur's encounters with various strangers along the way. We think we know why: For the most part, we found ourselves watching a grown actor pretend to have a special connection. With a duck.
08/30/07
Top CriticThere isn't much to it, but this odd little road movie from writer-director Nic Bettauer does boast a sincere charm, and fine performances from its two leading actors.
05/11/07
Top CriticPhilip Baker Hall throws himself into the role ever so convincingly opposite his anthropomorphized companion in a manner reminiscent of Jimmy Stewart with his imaginary 6-foot tall rabbit in Harvey, and Tom Hanks with Wilson the volleyball in Cast Away.
05/11/07
The filmmaker is good with actors, and in Hall, she has a lead with such innate authority that you can’t take your eyes off him, even when he’s manhandling flapping waterfowl.
05/10/07
Click to read the article
06/23/07
Top CriticNo review available.
05/14/07
Top CriticClick to read the article
06/14/07
Top Critic1 - 19 (sorted by critic A-Z)
Latest News for Duck
July 21, 2008:
Senior citizen bonds with duck in unlikely-buddy drama. 
More...
What’s Hot On RT
Fresh Links
Featured
Wes Anderson on Fox
The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox
Animated Oscar?
Hollywood.com ponders whether or not an animated film could win Best Picture.
TIME's Holiday Movie Preview
Richard Corliss previews the season's best offerings and hottest tickets.
Scenic Routes
The AV Club's Mike D'Angelo airs his beefs with Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men.
Promos
Follow RT on Twitter
Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!
IGN RSS Feeds