The Duel (2016)

This is a good movie, but it is not a western. It takes place in the west and is a stylistic tale of a mystery thriller. Woody Harrelson is absolutely perfect as the head of a religious cult. Liam Hemsworth is fine as the somewhat amoral protagonist and his wife Alice Bragga does a fine job though either of the two could have been replaced by someone else but they are not bad. The story depends on atmosphere and they do a good job on that from beginning to end. The problem is if you go into it expecting a shoot em up tale of good and evil you will be disappointed. If you want to see a weird tale with strange twists that no one would have in 1950 this is your movie. More for those who like the twilight zone than John Wayne. I watched it twice, could see it again.

'THE DUEL': Four Stars (Out of Five)A western starring Woody Harrelson and Liam Hemsworth; 'THE HUNGER GAMES' costars, and vegan buddies (Harrelson, a vegan of 30-years, convinced Hemsworth to adapt the important philosophy)! It tells the story of a Texas Ranger, in the 1880s, that's sent to a frontier town in order to investigate some local murders there, and missing people. The movie also costars Alice Braga and Emory Cohen. It was directed by actor, turned director, Kieran Darcy-Smith, and it was scripted by Matt Cook; who also co-wrote 2016's 'PATRIOT'S DAY' and 'TRIPLE 9' (also costarring Harrelson). The film has received mostly negative reviews from critics, and it was only released in indie theaters at the Box Office (It also got a video on demand release). I enjoyed it.Several people have gone missing, and several have turned up dead as well, near the border in the 1880s. A Texas Ranger, named David Kingston (Hemsworth), is sent to an old frontier town to investigate. His wife, Marisol (Braga), accompanies him. Once there, the couple meets a mysterious preacher, named Abraham Brant (Harrelson). Brant, and his ruthless son Isaac (Cohen), seem to be controlling all of the people in the town there (somehow). It's of course up to Kingston to stop them. The movie is really dark, bizarre, and brutally violent; all good things in a western! Harrelson and Hemsworth are both good in their roles (and I don't always like Hemsworth), and the story is pretty interesting. The film does begin a little slow-paced, but it definitely picks up towards the ending. I definitely enjoyed it.Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M9osPwjfbM

I'm not sure what director Kieran Darcy-Smith was going for when he made 2016's The Duel (my latest review). Muddled yet scenic, draggy yet periodically violent, "Duel" is one unclear Western.At a running time of 110 minutes, "Duel" sure does feel like three long hours. It takes place oh about 100-plus years ago with vague, plot elements from Gang of New York and bearings straight from 1978's Days of Heaven. Star Woody Harrelson plays a creepy preacher and talks with a Southern drawl for the millionth time. Co-star Liam Hemsworth plays a pretty Texas Ranger and has a bland disposition in the acting department. Finally, Alice Braga plays Hemsworth's character's wife, a non-outlaw who becomes mysteriously ill and feels downtrodden. Oh yeah, there's another Days of Heaven reference I forgot to mention. Braga looks a little like Brooke Adams. Adams was Terrence Malick's cutesy muse from back in the day.Anyway, the story is as follows: David Kingston (Liam Hemsworth) has been tapped to investigate some murders and disappearances in a small, Old West frontier town. He also has been sent to keep an eye on the town's chief officer, Abraham Brant (Woody Harrelson). Brant looking kinda similar to Harrelson's own Mickey Knox, killed Kingston's father over twenty years ago. Is Kingston bent on revenge towards Brant? Is Kingston just doing his job as a responsible Ranger? Is Brant gonna have another sermon with snakes being passed around in his congregation? Is this movie ever gonna lead somewhere? Oops, I'm going off on a tangent. Sorry.In conclusion, The Duel is slow-burning and almost devoid of conflict. And whenever said conflict does exist, well it is artificially forced upon us, the audience. There's the occasional stabbing, a final gunfight amidst rock formations, a couple of killings by way of game-like shooting, and a dark, saloon standoff between good and evil. If you don't fall asleep during "Duel", you'll occasionally catch these moments (only briefly though). If you do fall asleep during The Duel, well you aren't breaking any laws. Do yourself a favor, rent something from Clint Eastwood or George Stevens instead. Rating: 1 and a half stars.

Good cast,nice and interesting script but something's missing I don't know what exactly. Bad rating from the majority of the subscribers but I wasn't feel right the 2..4 or phrases like"waste of time" No it wasn't so bad ...but i agree that it's not a film for all.(I've read some reviews).A pleasant western film with quite fascinating plot.I'm not so much into the western films but I've enjoyed this one ...it wasn't captivating or something like that ,but not boring either.Everything was in place,every piece of the puzzle,the plot was there,the actors was there ,the action was there but something was missing.The whole movie was good though(6.7/10) even if I wanted,basically I needed a different ending .So,as a conclusion i want to say that the movie is worth seeing and enjoyable.Both Hemsworth and Harrelson were great and made the movie better .