'The Encore of Tony Duran'
(Gene Pietragallo, Cody Kasch, Nikki Ziering, William Katt, Elliott Gould, et al / DVD / NR / (2011) 2015 / Cinedigm)
Overview: 'The Encore of Tony Duran' chronicles the day Tony finally hits bottom and his inspiring rebound from the brink. I mean, even a has-been, who never really was, can come back from somewhere!
DVD Verdict: I have to fully admit, going into this movie, that I had no idea what was going to unfold before me! I like it that way, sometimes, but here I was, well, a little worried my time might be better spent watching paint dry, or the kettle boil, etc.
Well, I couldn't have been more wrong as 'The Encore of Tony Duran' is much more than the sum of its parts - or, at least those captured within the back cover rundown and photo stills provided. A movie with more than one life lesson to behold, it also contains depth, honest belief's rooted in reality, and an overall welcoming aspect that makes you root for Tony Duran (nearly) from the off!
And therein lies the greatest aspect to this film: the lead actor who plays Duran nailed it! NAILED IT! Gene Pietragallo ('Hill Street Blues') made Duran into a real, rootable guy. Sure he has shadings of someone that has had a rough time in life, someone who hasn't always done right by everyone that he's ever met, but it's that all of us - one way or another? Come the end, he proves to everyone he is much more than just an overweight, sweaty, and (basically) messed up guy - he's one of us! This is a Widescreen Presentation (1:85.1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Features of:
Director's Video Commentary
Inside Look Interviews
Movie Promo
DVD Purchase Link
www.Cinedigm.com