MovieChat Forums > Citizen Duane (2010) Discussion > My review of 'Citizen Duane'

My review of 'Citizen Duane'

posted 18 years ago by larry-411
12 replies | jump to latest

Here is my review, which I posted under "User Comments"

===================

I attended the world premiere of "Citizen Duane" at the Toronto International Film Festival. It was nothing like I'd imagined. Even the Festival Guide doesn't do it justice -- "Duane's family has a history of tilting at windmills..." Yes, it's a coming-of-age story. Yes, it has an endearing protagonist in Duane Balfour (Douglas Smith). Comic relief is ably provided by Devon Bostick as Duane's little brother Maurie, in a film that's already riotously funny, which is quite a task in itself. It also has a political message, and morals abound. But mostly it's real -- it's funny, it's poignant, it's meaningful on so many levels -- and isn't that what life is all about? This is a film that refuses to allow itself to be pigeonholed, and that is a triumph of Michael Mabbott, directing a script and story co-penned by Robert DeLeskie and Jonathan Sobol.

It was also intensely personal for me. Duane has a huge record collection (yes, vinyl), as did (do) I. I was deeply involved in politics growing up, which is central to the story. I even have a degree in geology, which plays a role as well (trust me, it all makes sense). "Needle drop" is a term used by filmmakers to describe songs placed on the soundtrack from other artists. In this film, the term is used literally -- we see the needle drop on a record, Canadian artists, and that surprisingly includes classics like Barry McGuire's 1968 political anthem "Eve of Destruction." That one gave me goosebumps. "You tell me over and over and over again, my friend...ah, you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction..."

The film carries its weight largely on the shoulders of young Douglas Smith, known mostly to US audiences from "Sleepover" and HBO's "Big Love." He's stunning, sharp, and witty as a teen perhaps too big for his britches, on a mission to save his small town from its own ignorance. But this is no conventional Hollywood dramatic comedy. No, this film has more twists and turns than just about any film of the 30 I'd seen in Toronto. It is a thoughtful film, sometimes hilarious, sometimes sad, and one which I believe will expose the talented Douglas Smith to a wider theatrical audience. He has a bright future on the big screen, and his tackling of this complex role is nothing less than a show of pure talent.

Please do not let this little gem slip off your radar. Watch for it, and be prepared to set your expectations of a "typical teen comedy" to rest. "Citizen Duane" is different, and it will stay with you long after you leave the theatre.

----------------------
A unique sandwich is like a rite of passage. One day you may have one to claim for your own.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] larry-411 18 years ago

Because:

1) Nobody can comment on anyone's User Comments. They can do that here.

2) People like to respond to posts on message boards. At times I have posted reviews that have gotten dozens of posts from people appreciative of the reviews.

3) Many people see the User Comments who never see the message boards. In fact, statistically they know how many people are registered and see User Comments, and how many use the boards, and the overwhelming majority of people who read the User Comments don't go to the boards, and many don't even know they exist.

4) Many people see the message boards but don't go to the User Comments. Many people who post on the boards don't even know that they have User Comments.

5) User Comments are measured scientifically and are used to track the popularity and ratings of films. Message boards are generally not counted.

6) People who like a film and/or its stars like to see that nice things are said about it in as many places as people to reach as many people as possible.

7) If I see a film and like it, I want as many people to know (or else why post it at all) and by posting under User Comments and on the boards you can make that possible.

8) If I have press credentials and attend a screening, it is my obligation to post my review in as many places as possible.

That's a few reasons.

------------------------------
A unique sandwich is like a rite of passage. One day you may have one to claim for your own.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] larry-411 18 years ago

You obviously paid no attention to what I said. Or you only read the last two points. I'll tell you what. Go back to all the other threads here and tell people they have no right to reply to anyone's posts. Because that is what you are saying. Or tell people they have no right to post User Comments.

Tell people that they only can do one and not both. That you are NOT allowed to post a User Comment and also have a discussion about a film. If you want to have a discussion about a film you can ONLY post your comments here.

That makes a lot of sense.

---------------------------
A unique sandwich is like a rite of passage. One day you may have one to claim for your own.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] larry-411 18 years ago

You're absolutely correct that people can do that. Unfortunately, in all the time I've been posting here, and all the posts and comments I've put up, I've never gotten one single PM from someone who wanted to comment on a User Comment. Like I said, most people don't even know you can do that.

So while you say what "people can do," who is instructing them to do it? That's like if you and I said, "if people want a good deal on DVDs, they can go to Pricegrabber." That's all well and good, but you and I telling each other that doesn't make it happen. It has NEVER happened, ever. Telling me what people "can do" doesn't make it happen. I can't place instructions in all my User Comments explaining how to PM me.

I also agree that people should become educated about the main site. But again, you telling me that makes no difference. And I'm not in any position to teach people how to use the site.

Anyway, I agree 100%. IMDb should have a function whereby writing a comment would appear on the boards too. But until they do, I will also post on the boards. You just hit the nail on the head. That is EXACTLY why I posted here also.

So we are on the same page now.

By the way, I believe that anybody can read User Comments on IMDb but only registered members can post and send PMs here. That's one reason why only about 1% of the people who come to IMDb are actually registered. That means 99 out of 100 people who can read User Comments cannot post at the boards or send PMs.

----------------------------------
A unique sandwich is like a rite of passage. One day you may have one to claim for your own.

[–] larry-411 18 years ago

By the way, when you post a User Comment here, IMDb RECOMMENDS that you ALSO come to the boards and start a discussion. So your beef is with them, not me.

-------------------------------
A unique sandwich is like a rite of passage. One day you may have one to claim for your own.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] RDJarden 18 years ago

I read the review. I was interested. Thank you.

[–] larry-411 18 years ago

Thank you RDJarden. I appreciate that.

-----------------------------
A unique sandwich is like a rite of passage. One day you may have one to claim for your own.

[–] geekwad 16 years ago

I support your x-posting and agree that it is a deficiency of imdb that reviews do not have comment threads.

[–] mTopoMax_deleted 16 years ago

As do I...Geekwad. The reviews should have comment threads! It is a 'deficiency' here on IMDb that can sometimes give one the illusion the first "review" is always objective(??)

Directed to user-TheKillingMoons:

By the way, people who do not respond "pronto" to user comments are NOT necessarily non-existent they probably, simply, aren't obsessive/compulsive multi-threaders.
Who are you "mooner kid" to talk about user board spamming? IMDb is democratic. YOU certainly will not turn this into a "pseudo intellectual dictatorship.":->
Certainly not over a rather harmless-yet good film like "Citizen Duane."

"Ahh...very interesting person." -Tilda Swinton