Watch Duke

Duke is a drama film that delves into the complicated world of family and addiction. The movie stars Carmine Giovinazzo as Duke Evans, a once-successful New York City businessman who has fallen on hard times due to his struggles with alcoholism. Hank Harris and Anthony Gaudioso also star as Duke's estranged sons, Max and Jack, who return to their father's life in an attempt to reconnect and find closure.

The story begins with Duke living in a small apartment in Brooklyn, struggling to make ends meet while drowning in a sea of empty bottles. Max, a successful businessman living in California, gets wind of his father's dire situation and decides to fly to New York to see him. Max is initially hesitant to reach out to his father given their troubled past but ultimately decides to give him another chance.

During their first interaction in years, Max learns that Duke's younger son, Jack, is living on the streets and addicted to drugs. Max decides to track down his brother and bring him to Duke's apartment in an attempt to reconnect the family. However, Max soon realizes that helping Jack is easier said than done, and his struggles with addiction prove to be a constant obstacle.

As the story unfolds, we see the family dynamics play out as Duke, Max, and Jack try to navigate their complicated relationships with one another. We're also given a glimpse into Duke's past, including his struggles with alcoholism and the rift it caused in his relationships with his sons. Throughout the film, we see him try to make amends and rebuild the connections that were lost due to his addiction.

The performances in Duke are strong across the board, with Carmine Giovinazzo delivering a standout performance as the titular character. He expertly conveys the anguish and desperation of a man grappling with addiction, and his portrayal of Duke is both raw and nuanced. Hank Harris and Anthony Gaudioso are also excellent as Max and Jack, respectively. They bring depth and complexity to their characters and deftly convey the emotional weight of their family's complicated history.

The film is directed by first-time director Anthony Gaudioso, who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Carmine Giovinazzo. While the film's pacing is occasionally slow, its focus on character development is a strong point, and it allows the viewer to become invested in the characters and their struggles. The film also features beautiful cinematography, with the city of New York serving as a backdrop for the story.

In conclusion, Duke is a powerful drama that explores the complexity of addiction and its impact on family relationships. The film's strong performances and focus on character development make for an engaging viewing experience, and its themes are sure to resonate with viewers. It's a poignant reminder of the importance of family and the lengths we'll go to to try and repair what's been broken.

Duke is a 2019 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2.