Robert Duvall Special

Another great has has passed away. Robert Duvall started on TV in many guest starring episodes with one of my favourites being the shy man who falls for a doll in a doll house in a famous Twilight Zone episode. He was very memorable as Boo Radley in the great film, “To Kill A Mockingbird”, he was the reliable accountant in the Godfather films, was super in the small but memorable role as nut lieutenant Colonel who loves the smell of Napalm in the morning in “Apocalypse Now” and he won the Oscar as a down on his luck country singer in “Tender Mercies”. I still need to see this last film and I will this year! He worked with some of the greats like John Wayne( they didn’t really get along…acting styles clashed) and Marlon Brando and must have made Kevin Costner, Robert Downey Jr., and Tom Cruiseso happy to work this legend. He is known for his rough and tumble roles and was a natural as a cowboy like in “Lonesome Dove”. Did you know that he loved the Argentine Tango and built his own dance studio on his property!? I would have loved to have seen him perform this in a film. It was hard to choose 3 films, so I just thought of 3 movies where he is more the star or star equal and that popped into my head right away.

1. SECONDHAND LIONS-2003

This is, what I refer to, as a quiet film that did not get much fanfare but is a real gem. It stars Duvall, Michael Caine and Haley Joel Osment as 2 old great Uncles who must care for the boy when his mom leaves him with them so she can go find another husband. The boy and the 2 old guys don’t really see eye to eye but this changes with the boy learning about loving life and reawakening his Great Uncles’ love for life. Their stories about their life is fun to listen to and far fetched but inspires the boy to be more than he thought he could be. Most people probably have not seen this gem, but it should be seen by many because the acting is perfect and Michael Caine and Robert Duvall have great chemistry. It’s a film for all ages.

2. OPEN RANGE-2003

This is a classic Western that stars Kevin Costner and Robert Duvall as roaming cowboys with cattle who come up to a nearby town. They have 2 other men who work with them and send the young guy to get some supplies from the town. When he doesn’t come back, they realize something bad has happened. Their friend and co-worker has been severely beaten and is being treated by the town doctor’s sister, played by Annette Bening. There is an immediate attraction between Costner and Bening but that is put on the back burner when they meet the town’s head, played evily( is that a word?) by Michael Gambon. When their camp is attacked and their other friend and the dog are killed, they decide to stand up to the thugs in this town. I love Westerns and this is a great western that just gets better and better the more I watch it. Michael Jeter( look him up, you know this character actor) plays the local blacksmith and this was his final film before he died from an epileptic seizure which was a sad loss for Hollywood.

3. THE JUDGE-2014

Robert Duvall plays the title role and was Oscar nominated for Best Supporting Actor in this film that stars Robert Downey Jr. as a successful, but shady, lawyer who comes home to deal with his estranged dad who is dying from cancer, after his mom died. Duvall is the epitome of what is the best and true so it becomes huge surprise to everyone when he is the key suspect in a hit and run fatality. The judge objects when his son wants to defend him. This film has a nice weaving of drama with some comedic bits that just helps the film along. It is not only a courtroom drama but a character study between the  stubborn old coot and the wayward son. It shows some excellent acting chops by Duvall and Robert Downey between his roles as Sherlock and Iron Man. I wonder how many people have seen this film which is another gem.

What are your favourite Duvall Films?