Duck

PG-13

Released May 11, 2007

1 hr. 38 min.

Drama

List

50%

18 Reviews

Tomatometer

46%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

An aging widower (Philip Baker Hall) and a duck that thinks of him as its mother encounter helpful and hostile characters as they search for a place and a reason to live.

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bri m

It's the type of charming movie where it's made for specific people to keep in there hearts, but not exactly for everybody to love, understand, or remember for years to come.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/24

Full Review

Audience Member

To the first reviewer who didn't understand why the duck was named "Joe" after Arthur's speech about Kilroy: Enlisted men are sometimes referred to as "GI Joes. " I think Arthur might have even called them "Joes" in his Kilroy monologue. There was also a lot of symbolism there: Lower-ranking enlisted men are the "last in line, " the last to arrive. The duck was also the last in line, and because of it he lived. The movie moved very slowly, but I stuck with it and basically really liked it. The scene on the bridge when Arthur tells Joe he loves him is just beautiful. I am glad the movie has a happy ending of sorts. I kept waiting for something horrible to happen to either Arthur or Joe. Glad they made it to their destination safely. If you're looking for something fast paced and thrilling, this movie obviously isn't for you. If you are looking, as one reviewer seemed to be, for some political statement moral, this isn't for you. But pick a night when you have nothing else going on and give this movie a little chance. Watch it with an open mind.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This seemed like a quirky enough premise to perhaps be worthwhile. It was not. It gets a full star because of the duck. Otherwise, why are these humans in this movie? Many of them seem to have successful lives as actors or dermatologists. What were they thinking? This movie tries to be a great many things and fails terribly at all of them. A commentary on aging in America? Scratch. A commentary on homelessness? Scratch. A commentary on the artificiality of social milieus and the possibility of transcending them if one can just give up attachment or recognition of them? Scratch. Arthur makes repeated references to WWII, leading one to believe that he was there - except that he was born in 1933, and I doubt he was there at the age of 11. A man who appears to have lived a normal life by the world's standards - albeit one lined with tragedy - transitions to being the homeless guardian and friend of a duck with little or no apparent angst, bitterness, or even self-awareness. The story relies on trite stereotypes but doesn't even bother to do anything with them. There are plenty of moments where it's clear we're supposed to just be gasping with sudden insight and appreciation - the film does everything except flash a blinking "GASP APPRECIATIVELY!" or "CHUCKLE SYMPATHETICALLY" sign in the corner of the screen. I sort of wish it had - it would have provided something better to watch. This film has no point, no resolution, and no characters that we can truly empathize or connect with in any way. Except perhaps the duck. And I felt *bad* for him that he didn't have a better agent.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great concept, but incredibly boring. The script isn't good, although Philip Baker Hall does great with a horrible role. The duck is a pretty good actor. There is no reason for so much of the movie to be in red. It isn't often when you can point out bad editing, but here the editing is really off.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great movie about the relationships people can have with there pets, and how pets can give so much to humans. The strong bond between Arthur and his duck Joe was touching and real.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Good idea, sweet, fun parts, but it just seemed to drag on and on and on; and it was only 90 minutes. Good movie to see, thoughtful and thought provoking, just the the greatest if you're looking for something exciting.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

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Nic Bettauer

Director

Philip Baker Hall

Arthur Pratt

Bill Brochtrup

Leopold

Amy Hill

Linh

Larry Cedar

Mr. Janney

French Stewart

Jeffrey

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Desson Thomson

Washington Post

We weren't particularly affected by Arthur's encounters with various strangers along the way. We think we know why: For the most part, we found ourselves watching a grown actor pretend to have a special connection. With a duck.

Aug 30, 2007

Full Review

Mark Feeney

Boston Globe

Writer-director Nic Bettauer can't decide whether to play Duck for tears or laughs.

Rated: 2/4

Aug 24, 2007

Full Review

Kevin Crust

Los Angeles Times

Much of the journey becomes redundant, and the film likely would have been more effective as a 20-minute short.

Rated: 2/5

May 11, 2007

Full Review

Reel.com

Rated: 1.5/4

Jun 23, 2007

Full Review

Rory L. Aronsky

Film Threat

...a thoughtful look at who we might be and what we can be, with just a little tenderness that remains embedded in the heart for a long time after.

Rated: 4/5

May 18, 2007

Full Review

Ross Anthony

Hollywood Report Card

Hosts a promising premise and some pretty interesting dialogue in spurts. But as the tail waddles across Los Angeles the originally agile storytelling suffers some bumps.

Rated: 1.5/4

May 16, 2007

Full Review

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Synopsis

An aging widower (Philip Baker Hall) and a duck that thinks of him as its mother encounter helpful and hostile characters as they search for a place and a reason to live.

Director: Nic Bettauer
Screenwriter: Nic Bettauer
Production Co: 5 Aces Productions, Nics Pics
Rating: PG-13 (Brief Strong Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 11, 2007, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 2, 2016
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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