Citizen Duane (2006)

Director:

Michael Mabbott

Writers:

Robert DeLeskie (writer)
Jonathan Sobol (screenplay)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

CITIZEN DUANE is a comedy/drama about Duane Balfour a teen-aged Don Quixote born into a family of spectacular failure...

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Douglas Smith	...	Duane Balfour
Devon Bostick	...	Maurie Balfour
Vivica A. Fox	...	Miss Houston
Donal Logue	...	Bingo
Alberta Watson	...	Bonnie Balfour
Jane McGregor	...	Molly Buckley
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Nicholas Carella	...	Chad Milton
Andrew Corry	...	Cosmo
Rosemary Dunsmore	...	Mayor Kelly Milton
Jessica Holmes	...	Kim Vegas
Tyler Hynes	...	Rebel Stoner
Sam Jouppi	...	Nils VanDerBeer
Kevin Jubinville	...	Mort McQuillan
Daveed Louza	...	Techie
Christopher B. MacCabe	...	Cecil Balfour
Robert Mauriell	...	Greasy Slickster
Lisa Ng	...	Julie the Intern
Joe Pingue	...	Vince Vaserelli
Peter Stebbings	...	Minister
Richard Waugh	...	Jim Clapperton
Eric Weinthal	...	City Clerk
Scott Wickware	...	Mr. McNeil
Alex Woods	...	Todd Rico

Runtime:

Canada:90 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Filming Locations:

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Accent Entertainment Corporation

Real on so many levels -- a wonderful surprise

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.