The Duel - Gentlemen's Rules

The Duel, starring Dylan Sprouse and Patrick Warburton, poses an interesting question, namely, can or should modern problems be solved with historic solutions. Specifically, was the antebellum tradition of dueling a bonafide, or even an honorable way for real men to settle serious personal disputes? While this may seem outrageous on its face to modern audiences, the film goes to great lengths to explain, after a fashion, the philosophical basis for a practice that presumably spanned many centuries. Of course, the idea that SoCal beach bums would readily adopt the Code Duello may strain the credulity of the viewer. Undoubtedly inspired, to some degree or another, by the success and notoriety of Hamilton on Broadway, The Duel posits an improbable question in a very engaging and watchable package. Patrick Warburton as the dueling expert is reason enough to watch this!

I thought based on the trailer that this movie was going to be terrible. Like I actually watched it because I thought hey, this is gonna be a really terrible movie and sometimes that's what I want to see. But unfortunately (fortunately), I was actually surprised by how much I loved this. It's pretending to be a dumb stoner comedy, but it's actually smarter than most movies claiming to be smart, and funnier than most films claiming to be a comedy. The deeper themes shined through especially at the end, and I couldn't have enjoyed more how they stuck the landing. Despite the fun I had watching, I'm not giving it ten stars because this movie is objectively a 7/10, although the experience was, for a low budget dark comedy, exceptional.

I was lucky enough to attend the premier in Indy. Knowing little about the plot, I was surprised by how much humor and heart was in this dark comedy. Warburton is fantastic in everything, and he shines alongside the younger cast members. The leads bring a lot of gravity to some of the more surreal plot lines, and there's a lot of tongue in cheek moments that play well to anyone who lives in Indiana and knows the landmarks where this was filmed. I highly recommend this film to anyone who enjoys indie films. It's smart, fun and you leave it feeling like you've had a great time with your crazy friends.

This is a comedy basically making fun of toxic masculinity culture and buddies too invested in the idea of being men to remember they are buddies or able to ever just walk away or talk about it.

While there is some interest, I presume the many 9 and 10 reviews were posted by the makers? There really is no action till the end (when the duel finally comes round). The story is built on a premise of being interesting because an old world duel is happening once again in the modern vibe. Trouble is they literally committed to the idea that its this entirely awesome idea, and nobody would ever wonder why? I think the audience might have done better if one or both of the characters WERENT unquestionably locked in this weird illegal unbelievable idea that this is how they should settle this here in modern times? OIf they had shown one of them trying to escape, or both trying to escape, or their friends being the sadistic driving forces or some sort of side twist the audience could see as a reasonable reason maybe? But it just never really felt normal?

Still it had a few moments. But it mostly dragged on with no real believable ideals driving it forward.

You learned to disrespect toxic masculinity, men in general for being this level of stupid, and women who are painted as in no way worth what they drive men to do. None of it was really working well. It was a better idea than the finished product.

It's a wonderful movie, but unfortunately I don't understand the ending and what the director, or rather the directors, wanted to say. That a human life is not worth a duel, or is it just a mockery of those times? The script and the characters in the movie are great, not just cardboard characters, but real characters who think about life and just live. I liked the acting of all the actors, especially Dylan Sprouse, I adore him, and I watched this movie for him. The movie also has intrigue, because every 15-20 minutes something new is revealed that helps you to understand each character, and a great mixture of humor and drama. And finally, the movie has a great atmosphere and soundtrack.