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Duplex

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Duplex (2003)

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Reviews Counted:105

Fresh:39

Rotten:66

Average Rating:5/10

Consensus: It was funnier when it was called Throw Momma From the Train.

Runtime: 1 hr 37 mins

Genre: Comedies

Synopsis: Danny DeVito directs Ben Stiller and Drew Barrymore in this devilish black comedy reminiscent of DeVito's THROW MOMMA FROM THE TRAIN and THE WAR OF THE ROSES. Alex Rose (Stiller) and Nancy... Danny DeVito directs Ben Stiller and Drew Barrymore in this devilish black comedy reminiscent of DeVito's THROW MOMMA FROM THE TRAIN and THE WAR OF THE ROSES. Alex Rose (Stiller) and Nancy Kendricks (Barrymore) are a young, professional, New York couple in search of their dream home. When they finally find the perfect Brooklyn brownstone they are giddy with anticipation. The duplex is a dream come true, complete with multiple fireplaces, except for one thing: Mrs. Connelly (Eileen Essel), the cranky old lady who lives on the rent-controlled top floor. Assuming she is elderly and ill, they take the apartment but their hopes are quickly dashed when they realize that Mrs. Connelly is an energetic senior who enjoys watching her television at top volume day in and day out and rehearsing in a brass band. A writer, Alex, is attempting to finish his novel against a looming deadline. However, each day as he begins to write, he is interrupted by Mrs. Connelly's numerous demands and requests and what begins as a nuisance quickly escalates into an all-out war. When Nancy loses her job and the pair are trapped at home together with Mrs. Connelly, their rage turns to homicidal fantasy as they plot ways to get rid of their no-good neighbor. Ben Stiller and Drew Barrymore are pitch perfect as a good-natured couple who, like most DeVito characters, are driven by rage to do very bad things. [More]

Starring: Drew Barrymore, Ben Stiller, Eileen Essell, Harvey Fierstein

Starring: Drew Barrymore, Ben Stiller, Eileen Essell, Harvey Fierstein, Justin Theroux, Robert Wisdom, James Remar

Director: Danny DeVito

Director: Danny DeVito
Screenwriter: Larry Doyle, John Hamburg
Producer: Stuart Cornfeld, Nancy Juvonen, Drew Barrymore, Ben Stiller
Studio: Miramax Films

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Reviews for Duplex

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1 - 20 (sorted by source; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
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Barrymore wanders through scenes as if she has trouble remembering what day it is.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
04/13/04
Stella Papamichael
Stella Papamichael
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Despite confident direction and performances, it rarely lifts itself above the ordinary.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
08/12/08
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

There's a nice dark comedy in this script that's flattened by DeVito's direction, which continually opts for manic goofiness and cruel vulgarity.

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
02/12/04
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

The material is capably handled by director DeVito and lifted by Stiller, a dab hand at physical comedy who also exhibits some onscreen chemistry with Barrymore.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
01/26/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
01/07/09
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

Duplex has its finger on something many of us can relate to, and it milks enough laughs of recognition to earn a moderate recommendation.

Full Review Source: Aisle Seat | comment Comment
09/29/03
Mike McGranaghan
Mike McGranaghan
Aisle Seat

Eileen Essel is the real find here, as she manages to play the sweetest but most overbearing old woman you can imagine.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
09/24/03
Brian Webster
Brian Webster
Apollo Guide

Duplex puts its viewers in a painful suplex.

comment Comment
03/08/04
Phil Villarreal
Phil Villarreal
Arizona Daily Star

Stiller is the only thing Duplex has going for it, but often he's enough.

Full Review Source: Arizona Republic | comment Comment
09/25/03
Bill Muller
Bill Muller
Arizona Republic

Trying to kill a little old lady never looked so difficult -- or so much fun.

Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution | comment Comment
09/25/03
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Call it a fixer-upper with potential.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
10/01/03
Marrit Ingman
Marrit Ingman
Austin Chronicle

A controlled farce that finds its cast mining several big laughs while DeVito, the cynic, deepens the dysfunction with a final surprise twist.

Full Review Source: Bangor Daily News (Maine) | comment Comment
10/09/03
Christopher Smith
Christopher Smith
Bangor Daily News (Maine)

A toothless real-estate farce.

Full Review Source: Boston Globe | comment Comment
09/26/03
Wesley Morris
Wesley Morris
Boston Globe

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Boston Herald | comment Comment
07/16/05
Paul Sherman
Paul Sherman
Boston Herald
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
09/28/03
Boston Phoenix
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Duplex has enough to keep you seated for its manageable 90 minutes. But then, chances are, you'll be ready to move out.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
09/28/03
Dan DiClerico
Dan DiClerico
Boxoffice Magazine

A wickedly funny and audacious movie.

Full Review Source: Charlotte Observer | comment Comment
09/26/03
Lawrence Toppman
Lawrence Toppman
Charlotte Observer

Too much contrivance and not enough plausibility.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
09/26/03
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

This movie doesn't know its own limits. It's stylish, it's sort of smart, it's full of misplaced talent. But it's not funny enough, and maybe, in a way, not dark enough either.

Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
09/25/03
Michael Wilmington
Michael Wilmington
Chicago Tribune

This is not the tribute to The Ladykillers it wants to be, but the leads are likable -- and try hard.

Full Review Source: Christian Science Monitor | comment Comment
09/26/03
Christian Science Monitor
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by source; UK critics are listed first)
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