inkblot11 Review of Duane Hopwood

Duane Hopwood (2005)

Touching, bittersweet film, with an excellent performance by Schwimmer

[7/10 · 1 April 2008]

Duane Hopwood (David Schwimmer) is distraught over his recent divorce and turns to the bottle for comfort. It is probable that his drinking problem contributed to his split from his wife, Linda (Janeane Garofalo). He maintains his job in an Atlantic City casino but, after hours, he is acting irresponsibly. One night, he is pulled over by a police officer, on suspicion of driving under the influence. It is all too apparent that Duane is, indeed, drunk, but complicating the matter is the fact that he has one of his young daughters in the back seat. Linda is fit to be tied and wants the court to decide if Duane's contact with the girls should be severed. This drives Duane into a further depression, for he is a good father when he is sober. Then, too, Linda has a new man in her life and Duane is upset over that, also, for he still loves his former wife dearly. How can Duane keep himself together? This is a touching film about alcoholism and its deep impact on those in its grasp. As Duane, Schwimmer gives an outstanding, heartfelt performance that clearly shows that a man under the influence can stand to lose it all, even though he is not a "bad" human being. A blonde and glamorized Garofalo, too, gives a strong turn as a woman who has reached the end of her patience with a topsy-turvy home situation. The rest of the cast is quite fine as well, including the two lovely little girls. As for the settings, costumes, and photography, they perfectly realize the Jersey shore and its mixed bag of poverty and affluence. In truth, Duane's descent into misery seems a bit harsh, as he demonstrates time and again that he is a good dad and that his DUI was his first criminal offense. Yet, where children are involved, their ultimate protection is the main determining factor, of course. In this light, Hopwood is a potent cautionary tale for those who like their drink a bit too much, for it can ruin lives. Yet, the film is not without hope and could serve as an inspiration for those who are in the grip of any addiction. All viewers who like Schwimmer, too, will find this a good watch, as his performance is very, very strong.