Customer Reviews

Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz [VHS]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

...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.

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.

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!

Mordecai Richler's great novel about Duddy Kravitz and his drive to fulfill his grandfather's "mantra-a man without land is nothing"-is brilliantly brought to life by Richard Dreyfuss- at his best- as Duddy.The supporting cast is brilliant as well(I think Joe Silver steals the film with his portrayal of the scrapman Mr. Farber).My only regret is that Richler didn't write a sequel;he would later write 'Oh Canada,Oh Quebec',which I think is still the premier book about Quebec vs. the rest of Canada. I would've liked to see whether Duddy patched things up with Virgil the epileptic,played by Randy Quaid and Yvette,played beautifully by Micheline Langtot-and how things progressed in 'Kravitzville',which Duddy planned to name his resort-which he acquired by hook-and crook-and whether he made up with his 'Zaydeh' played by Zvi Schooler.In any case,this is one terrific-and honest-film.

I loved the film and I would like to see the DVD produced with tons of special features. please.

I agree with the first reviewer - This is an excellent movie. Duddy Kravitz (played by Richard Dreyfuss) fits the bill as a typical entrepreneur. Set in Montreal in 1948, Duddy Kravitz knows that he is going to be successful, just not at what. However, a chance opportunity during a picnic with his girlfriend Yvette (played by the beautiful Micheline Lanctot) gave him is dream and set in motion a series of events and necessities that allowed him to achieve his dream, but with some costs. This is a must see movie for (1) the budding entrepreneur, (2) the entrepreneur currently suffering some setbacks and in need of some inspiration, and (3) those who want to see a slice of life from Montreal back in the late 1940's (it was, still is and will always be, a great city to live in).

Recently saw and then read Barney's -saw it was by Mordechai Richler, started to talk with my wife about this book/ movie, she'd never seen it.
We got it(pristine copy, reasonably priced) and greatly enjoyed seeing a lot of YOUNG actors-I loved it, but the other 3 people watching repeatedly called it"dated" and "slow". I thought it was excellent, and got both Richler(Pulitzer Prize winner) books.

I loved the movie ... Richler successfully adapted his book by the same name to the big screen. Unfortunately, the DVD version is about 15 minutes shorter than the VHS version and, in many places, the color is washed out. The movie is great so get the VHS version, sit back and enjoy the story and see what life was like in the late 1940's in Montreal.

Crappy over-acting. You'd be better served by trying to eat razor blades.