Duchess – REVIEW

As a seasoned action movie enthusiast who’s seen her fair share of female-led films, I must say that ‘Duchess‘ is a refreshing addition to the genre. The opening scene, reminiscent of a modern-day Princess Leia moment, immediately grabbed my attention and left me eagerly anticipating what was to come.

The latest film in the ‘woman-dominated world’ genre, similar to James Cameron’s ‘Aliens’, is titled ‘Duchess’. Written by Charlotte Kirk who stars in it, this movie sets a violent tone from the beginning with Kirk portrayed in lingerie in a neon-lit room, confronting a menacing Eastern European character. In a scene reminiscent of Prince Harry’s wedding, he meets an unexpected end when Kirk fires a shotgun at his groin. The action continues, escalating as Kirk, now armed with a pump-action shotgun, pursues him through the hotel. This powerful and provocative image introduces Kirk as the titular Duchess. This scene might leave many 14-year-old boys equally awestruck and alarmed, causing them to hold their own pump-action (a reference to the weapon used in the film).

As a seasoned movie enthusiast, I must say that the opening scene sets an intriguing tone for this film. It reminds me of the gritty, fast-paced movies from the ’70s and ’80s, which I grew up watching. The character of Duchess, played by Scarlett Monaghan, is reminiscent of those strong, independent women who navigated the criminal underworld with aplomb.

In a unique blend of “Footsoldier,” Guy Ritchie, and Luc Besson’s female assassin films, “Duchess” offers something fresh, departing from Neil Marshall’s typical horror-themed filmmaking. As the third collaboration between Marshall, Kirk, writer, director, producer, and star, it deviates significantly from their previous works like the medieval horror “The Reckoning” and sci-fi horror “The Lair.” Unlike Ritchie’s best films or Besson’s female-led action series such as La Femme Nikita, Kiss of the Dragon, Angel A, Columbiana, Lucy, Duchess lacks the gleefully twisted narrative and over-the-top showdowns with hordes of adversaries. The film could have benefited from incorporating such elements to enhance its pace and action sequences. While it includes some intense, violent scenes (though the music score can be distractingly upbeat in certain action sequences), it runs for two hours, which might feel a bit slow-paced at times. There are references to “Driller Killer” and the use of a hot iron that may make male viewers flinch, but overall, it falls short of the gleefully absurd confrontations found in its predecessors.

The Duchess character embodies the essence of weekend pizza and beer movies, suggesting that she could spawn a series. Her transformation into a profane, fierce queen offers a possibility for a female equivalent to the Footsoldier film franchise.

We chat with Charlotte Kirk about the making of, ‘Duchess’…..

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Here’s the Duchess trailer……

2024-08-09 02:23

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