The old-fashioned story is aided by surprisingly smooth direction, as well as likable performances from Davi himself, Chazz Palmintieri, and a perfectly cast Peter Bogdanovich.
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11/18/08
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The Dukes (2008)
58
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:24
Fresh:14
Rotten:10
Average Rating:6/10
Consensus: Despite the charming principal performances, The Dukes remains little more than an unambitious pet project.
Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating]
Genre: Comedies
Theatrical Release:Nov 14, 2008 Limited
Synopsis: In this heist comedy, a pair of doo-wop singers called the Dukes (Chazz Palminteri and Robert Davi) have seen better days. They can no longer support themselves on just their music, so they take a... [More]
Starring: Chazz Palminteri, Robert Davi, Peter Bogdanovich, Frank D'Amico
Director: Robert Davi
Reviews for The Dukes
Between the performances and the nice visual style, the whole feels greater than the sum of its plot points.
11/20/08
A lot of love was clearly poured into this project; too bad the results were only so-so.
11/21/08
The Dukes sings in a low-key harmony that's hard to resist.
11/02/08
Essentially a vanity project, a budget Ocean's 11 for Davi and his pals to sing some doo-wop tunes and ham it up.
11/14/08
The Dukes may be hard to find on the big screen, but it's worth keeping an eye out for once it reaches DVD.
11/21/08
Top CriticWith Davi and Chazz Palminteri fronting a first-rate ensemble cast, and a tasty soundtrack of golden oldies, this unpretentious indie dramedy has much to recommend.
10/18/08
Top Critic[It's] about the kinds of showbiz hangers-on seen in the background of a Scorsese movie, and it feels like those guys decided they were the real stars.
11/14/08
A heist comedy with showbiz savvy oozing from its pores.
11/13/08
A meager, low-key dramedy.
11/26/08
As light as a feather and about as memorable, The Dukes is a pet project all the way, just a lark for Davi and his buddies to star in and screen for one another like a home movie.
11/26/08
Jokes about a matron at an Italian restaurant and a guy with a thing for fat chicks only take you so far.
11/14/08
Top CriticUnforced camaraderie and some effective slapstick save this low-aspiration vehicle from its budgetary shortcomings.
11/12/08
Davi, who has the kind of handsomely weathered face that has spent a lot of time gazing into the sun, clearly poured his heart into this movie, and it shows.
12/11/08
The Dukes could use more music and less sap, but it's refreshing to see a film about the problems of working-class men on the far side of middle age, struggling just to get by.
11/13/08
How, though, to resent a work of such deliberate inconsequence?
11/12/08
Crafted with considerably more heart than skill.
11/09/08
Here's the little movie that could, a potent directing debut for actor Robert Davi.
11/19/08
Top CriticThe sweetness grows cloying by the end, but perhaps that's fitting for a film that's so clearly a labor of love.
11/21/08
It’s an enjoyable way to pass 90 minutes. But to call it an important movie with big ideas is like saying Miley Cyrus sings like Ella Fitzgerald.
11/12/08
Top CriticLatest News for The Dukes
November 20, 2008:
Robert Davi Gets Funny with The Dukes 
He's paid his dues with scores of bad guy/tough guy roles, and now Robert Davi is branching out into writing and directing -- with a commedia all'italiana-inspired comedy titled... More...
November 03, 2008:
Trailer & Poster review
More...
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