There are many variations of the time honored buddy flick. You know the ones; two men, two women, father and son and even mother and daughter. You most likely have even seen a buddy flick of a boy and his dog. What I have never seen before after watching literally hundreds of movies in the genre is one about a man and his duck. I really can’t remember a lot of mallard oriented films in the past. Of course there was ‘Howard the Duck’ but the less said about the one, the better. Water fowl has never been the focus of stories with the possible exception of a family dinner. The 2005 film ‘Duck’ by Nicole Bettauer is now available on DVD through Westlake Media. It is an odd duck of a movie, pun intended. At its heart is an unorthodox buddy movie but there are strong overtones of a dystopian glimpse into the very near future. While the slightly future society depicted has some science fiction elements to it this is just the setting. The film is a strong character study albeit with an aquatic avian opposite the leading man. The movie gives a good try but is riddled with missteps along the way. It sways between the overly melodramatic and comical keeping the audience wondering just what kind of flick they are watching. This is one of those films that has potential but never quite gets there. Still, this is what independent film is all about; taking chances. There is no way that a major studio would have entertained the idea of a man and duck movie. It is also refreshing that Bettauer took the high road with this film instead of doing what so many of her male counterparts have done; the quick and cheap horror flick. Even if the film is not as good as it could be you have to give credit to the cast and crew for trying something novel. There is precious little originality in the film industry and this movie is worth watching just because it is different.

The film was written and directed by Nicole Bettauer. This is here first screenplay and it does get an ‘A’ for effort. Previously she has directed a short and a romantic comedy so it is good that her talents are being focus in a way to broaden her artistic horizon. Not only is this a twist on the classic buddy flick but it takes the road trip flick and turns it on its head. Buddy movies and road trips have gone together since the thirties with Hope and Crosby. Usually they are played for laughs but Bettauer tries to instill a more serious side to the proceedings. Most dystopian movies are set far enough in the future to allow for a back story of how the world came to terrible shape depicted. She sets the tale in 2009, only four years from the 2005 release year. Most of what she shows going wrong in society is already manifesting and are making current headlines. There is the collapse of Social Security and the bankruptcy of pension plans as well as the overwhelming cost of health care. This may be part of why a lot of people have less than a stellar view of this film; it hits too close to home. The one great thing about a road trip format is how it is conducive to a vignette oriented approach to the story telling. Rather than have the situations come to the main characters they go to them. This opens up the film to a series of short stories to highlight the main themes. This allows for a mixture of humor with the darker plot device of a country in collapse. It does manage to take a serious set of problems that we face as a society and humanize it through the eyes of a lonely man and his duck. This down turn in the government’s responsibilities to its citizens is contrasted with how people in such a situation manage to survive; they refocus their priorities and life in general. For Arthur (Philip Baker Hall) he is at the end of his wits when a duck (Joey) imprints on him. Arthur has out lived his wife and son as well as all his friends. His government has let him down and he is about to commit suicide when the duck comes along. Just having this innocent life dependant on him gives him a new and unexpected reason to life. He tries to take to duck to his apartment but he is in arrears for the rent and they don’t allow pets of any species. The unlikely pair are homeless and set out to find a place that will suit them both so they can be happy. The script can get sappy at times but this is Bettauer’s first script and it is certain her talent in this arena will only grow as she moves forward. This screen play may fall short of what it could have been but it is fresh and original and that matters a lot.

Bettauer does very well in the direction of this film. She sets up the story rapidly with great economy getting right into the quirky story. She is a very visual director letting the often bleak settings show the plight of the country and its citizens. The sheer absurdity of a man and his duck plays against the dismal world of the near future. Thankfully we do seem off track from her vision in 2005. For one thing Jeb Bush will not be president although a quick look at the newspaper’s headline will tell you we are on track for the government cut backs on social programs and the general fall of the economy. She is stretching things a bit even with a short running time of about ninety minutes. The episodic nature of the movie does help out though. The story does seem to be stretched out more than possible but overall the film works as a heartwarming movie; a great way to take on such grave social issues. With all the misery around him Arthur has found a unique way to go on with life. Many facing retirement have concerns that after a lifetime of hard work there is nothing left to the time remaining than poverty. This film shows one man finding a way to not only survive but in his own way, thrive.

Hall is one of those actors who turn up in the most unlikely films. This is most likely due to the range that this man has. He has played broken men as he did in ‘Hard Eight’ to more flamboyant roles as in ‘Magnolia’. He has even made is mark as the Joe Friday like library cop in an episode of Seinfeld. While this is not the best use of his abilities he brings something special to the role. He imbibes it with a sense of humanity that helps to carry the film. Joey the duck does well but then again all he has to do is quack and waddle.

The DVD is released by Westlake Media and as always they do a great job. The film is well mastered and the disc contains plenty of extras including a commentary track that is fascinating. This is an odd flick but one that shows incredible promise for the director and will peak your interest.