Review of Duane Hopwood (2005) by Sean F — 02 Jul 2008

A singular SUV creeps along the highway, swerving every once in awhile, just a little bit, just enough to be noticed. The cop car doesn't take long to pull it over. In the driver's seat is a man crushing a beer can, with a two-day growth of beard. "Hey, Duane," says the officer, "I get off in two hours, why don't you come with me, we'll have your car towed home." Duane agrees, and starts following the officer. He stops to open the back door of his vehicle.

"What else ya got in there?" asks the officer.

"My daughter.".

So begins Duane Hopwood, a story about drinking and families that will break your heart in just about every scene. The opening scene, all by itself, is a masterpiece, and makes the movie worth seeing.

Duane, played by David Schwimmer, gets his liscense taken away by a very generous judge. He's forced to ride his bike to work every night at the casino in Atlantic City. He fears that he will lose his kids. He is still in love with his ex-wife, Linda (Janeane Garofalo). He loses his job because of an unlucky situation involving a little old lady. He can't imagine why any of this could happen to him, a nice guy and a good father.

Like so many alcoholics, the answer is right in front of Duane's face, but he can't see it, because it couldn't be that. Of course not, you see, he's not a drunk. He just drinks every once in awhile, just for fun, after work, every so often. Not a problem. Nope. His life is slipping away and he's lost the means to figure out how or why.

For David Schwimmer, Duane Hopwood as a home run as both a character and as a film. Too long has he been stuck in whiny nebbish roles like his character on "Friends." Schwimmer shows here that he can play a wide range of emotions and characters, and Duane Hopwood points the way to a very fruitful film career.

The film is not just about him, however, but is surrounded by interesting and well-written characters. Judah Friedlander (from TV's 30 Rock) plays Anthony, Duane's best friend, and has some funny and true moments, especially when they move in together. Janeane Garofalo gives the snarky smart girl shtick a rest as Duane's ex-wife, and John Krasinski (of The Office) plays her new boyfriend. All the characters are interesting and well-rounded, and their dialogue is interesting without sounding too forcibly so.

Movies like Duane Hopwood are the reasons I watch movies, and particularly independent films. When you see them, you feel like you're discovering something secret and wonderful, and you're excited to share it with friends. Duane Hopwood has the extra advantage of being useful to alcoholics, since it shows the behavior that gets them where they go. The characters in a movie like Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Leaving Las Vegas have no doubt existed in various capacities. But if you've ever known a drunk, I mean really known one, there's a good chance you've known a Duane.