13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Daringly takes our "audience-identification figure"..., October 9, 2003
This review is from: Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz [VHS] (VHS Tape)
...and pulls him out from under us.
The back of the "Duddy Kravitz" VHS box alleges that Duddy "uses the girl who loves him, forges checks, and lies but somehow still manages to work his way into our hearts." To describe the film this way misses its uniqueness by inverting its point. Richard Dreyfuss' charismatic, touching, and wildly comic performance (the key performance of his career, and little-seen), effortlessly and immediately batters its way into our hearts. The process by which Duddy squanders those affections and the affections of those around him (perhaps most tragically Yvette's and Virgil's) is incremental, painful, and, we have no reason to suppose otherwise, irreversible. Only gradually does it become clear that he draws no distinction between people and objects - both are merely means to an end. The VHS blurb suggests a redemption, a feel-good experience that's nowhere to be found in this film. Duddy not only betrays other characters; he betrays the audience, truly and distressingly. Despite his energy and intelligence and charm, this punk manages to work his way out of our hearts.
At what point does the viewer cut him dead? Or does Duddy continue (see review below) to seem "inspiring"? The film doesn't insist, to its credit, on any one answer to those questions. Along with the enormous amount of physical energy at his disposal, Duddy possesses a prodigious, caustic wit which he frequently unloads on those who would directly challenge him. The brilliance of the film is that these harangues are so sympathetically written and masterfully performed that viewers may not know what to make of them, other than to mistake them for ringing endorsements of Duddy's behavior.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Funny and sad and very human, September 18, 2005
This review is from: Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz [VHS] (VHS Tape)
A very engaging movie about a young Jewish man (played by Richard Dreyfuss) who will do anything to make a buck, which is the only way he thinks he can be somebody. Dreyfuss, who is constantly on the verge of jumping out of his skin, is both funny and sad - and vulnerable. The movie has been accused of being anti-Semitic by some, but it's Duddy's single-minded brashness that is the focus here, not his religion. Drefuss is a joy to watch.
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11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's an EXCELLENT MOVIE!, April 1, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz [VHS] (VHS Tape)
An excellent movie! A 10! Dreyfuss gives an excellent performance as the young Jewish kid struggling to make ends meet.Dreyfuss should have at least been nominated for Best Actor.I highly recommend this movie.The highlight of this movie is also the beautiful cinematography of Montreal, Canada.Once you see it, you'll be swept away! I urge you, if you haven't seen this movie, go and see it and buy it later! Very realistic and true to life. The Apprentice of Duddy Kravitz is a winner! It'll make you very happy! A must-see!
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