Durant's Never Closes (2016) Reviews

• Durant's Never Opens

  redbaron-155402016-01-26

  Travis Mills' 2016 drama chronicling the life of famous local restaurant owner Jack Durant ultimately has its moments - but they are few, far between, and overshadowed by scene after scene of rambling dialogue with often no purpose to the greater story. That isn't to say the film makers did nothing right. A few good things that stick out in my mind: good looking interior shots, Tom Sizemore's acting (though rambling, which much obviously improvised, it held the film together), and a fair amount of potential talent in writer/director Travis Mills. However, the film overall does not hold up. Not as a true biopic (it's short, and doesn't go into much detail), not as a drama (the danger doesn't feel real, the conversations feel fake, and the music lends to a sappy vibe often), and certainly not as a comedy (though it has its moment(s)). It seems the writer abandoned all sense of 3-act storytelling and instead wrote a series of often drawn-out filler scenes, occasionally one with some importance, that don't flow together smoothly into an engaging story, but instead feel like a jumbled rambling of partially coherent memories, often more art-house-esque than a film of this stature warrants. Several scenes ended with me thinking, "Was that really needed?" Including one in which Durant sees an eye doctor. Another scene in particular involves Durant struggling to dial a phone with his hands tied behind his back with a belt. Between the belt coming undone and the actor pretending it didn't, Sizemore's increasingly obnoxious improvised "fuck"-heavy lines, and the length of the shot (about twice as long as needed), the scene is laughably bad. A later scene in which a man is executed behind the restaurant was moderately cheesy, and it's significance was never explained or addressed throughout the remainder of the movie. Who was the guy? Who executed him? Why? And what happened afterwords (i.e. Were police involved or no?). Many such scenes left me shaking my head, and I don't I was alone in this. The best thing about the film is the character of Durant himself, and even this has issues. For one thing he's a weak character. He talks a very heavy talk, but no less than three times do we see he is really just an angry old man who can't back up what he says. He initiates a bar fight with two men, only to get hit in the stomach and call for his buddy to take care of them for him. Later, he attempts to throw a rude patron from his restaurant, but needs a gun to back him up. And when confronted by some robbers threatening his life, he weeps and begs like a little girl. Realistic, maybe, but still weak. This wouldn't be a problem, except that there is absolutely no character change over the course of the film, an essential element of storytelling for thousands of years. He's a yelling, cussing, scrapper of a guy at the start, and the same as the end (clearly cemented by his last line: "Go f#ck yourself"). Maybe this is true to the real Durant, but it doesn't make for great storytelling, or much at all. Ultimately, the film is worth a see if you're a local patron of the real Durant's, or if you're interested in the independent work of local Arizona director Travis Mills, of Running Wild Films, who has potential for quality work in the future. However, if you favor more than just a sliver of substance in your stories, this is one meal you'd be better off skipping. Now get the f#ck out of my restaurant.

• Tom Sizemore & Travis Mills team up for a great Indie Film!!

  wadedienert2016-07-20

  I promise to keep my review short for you the reader. I am not writing this as an audition for a film critic position or to somehow show off my writing skills. I am writing this to let the audience know that I enjoyed "Durant's Never Closes," an Independent film starring Tom Sizemore shot by Travis Mills & Running Wild Films. Yes, I am a Tom Sizemore fan, and if you are as well, you will not be disappointed. I have also seen other projects of Mr. Mills, and as usual, he always does great work. The film takes you into a part of Jack Durant's life as owner of the famous Phoenix restaurant Durant's. And while you cannot fit everything into a feature film, this film does a great job of bringing the human quality to Jack Durant, letting you not only see his tough guy bravado, but his weaknesses as well. I would highly recommend this film to film fans. Hats off to Tom Sizemore, Travis Mills & the whole Running Wild Films team!!

• The creativity applied for entertaining story telling, incorporated with documentary style information, is fantastic.

  zoiestar-781862016-07-21

  I like how Durant's Never Closes weaves story-telling, metaphorical imagery, and documentary style real-life interviews together to open a window into the intriguing lifestyle and character of 1970s successful Phoenix restaurateur, Jack Durant, an arrogant, self-made business man who had relations with Hollywood celebrities and with the mob, including Bugsy Siegel. I like how Travis Mills and the Running Wild Film crew incorporate scene transition techniques that convey the complexity of Jack Durant and mimic the kaleidoscope of invading thoughts, worries and confused dreams I have an appreciation for the cinematography techniques, particularly the manner of camera panning, slow motion, depth of field, and the manner of scene transitions emphasize the dreamlike state of Jack Durant's flashbacks as well as exemplify the jumbled mindset of an irritated, demanding, troubled man who is frustrated by the state of his control as he views his life events in confusion. The complex character of Jack Durant is portrayed expertly by Tom Sizemore's skillful use of subtle expressions and body language. It demonstrates Sizemore's true ability to empathize with the character of Jack Durant and bring him back to life. Travis Mills, the screenwriter, director and producer of this film, showcases his ability to visualize the entire picture from the start with supportive stories that add drama, comedy, historical information, and empathy for the characters. Travis Mills, in his ability to accomplish the entirety of screen writing, directing and producing a feature film, demonstrates his strong potential for more greatness in the future. Durant's Never Closes is an applauded example of how it is possible, within a limited independent film budget, to construct amazing scenery, to incorporate that talents and skills of local talented actors, artisans, to attract the dedication of expert sound & lighting technicians, to provide opportunities for rising local talent to blend with seasoned actors and mutually benefit from the experience, and to make the most of available resources in order to develop entertaining stories.

• Disjointed and a disservice

  techlite17-12019-05-17

  This film does a great disservice to the legacy of Jack Durant but also the restaurant that bears his name to this day. The story is convoluted and uses flashbacks and dream sequences too much making the main story disjointed. The IMDB reviews praising this film are mostly from Travis Mills, the director or people he's conned into thinking he's some great filmmaker. If not for relentless self aggrandizing promotion this would be relegated to the scrap heap of failures. The restaurant and estate of Jack Durant wanted nothing to do with this film and the critics who've seen it think it misses badly. In the end you are better off avoiding this since at the end you'll probably wonder what you just saw, and not in a good way.

• Unconventional biopic a breakout picture for director Travis Mills

  Prufrock-72016-07-20

  DURANT'S NEVER CLOSES is an ambitious step forward for prolific director Travis Mills. The film is wholly unapologetic about its nonlinear narrative and doesn't hold its viewers hand through difficult terrain. It is no small feat that (despite a few amateur performances and at least one extended take that tries the viewer's patience something fierce) I have found the film more rewarding through each subsequent viewing. I'm often skeptical of films we're told demand revisitation. Experience has shown me they often are bloated with self-importance, tout style over substance, and try to be the smartest kid in the room. Despite its unconventional biopic, DURANT'S NEVER CLOSES is never guilty of these sins. It is a psychologically character- driven piece reminiscent of the classical Hollywood style both technically and visually (part of the reason, I'd like to imagine, Peter Bogdanovich chose to be involved). If its narrative feels opaque at times, it is a product of a young director's overreach—one who admirably errs on the side of concision rather than artifice. It's a delight to watch trainwreck and all-around pain-in-the-ass Tom Sizemore chew the scenery here. He dominates nearly every shot of the picture with largely-improvised, curse-laden rants which help establish the film's tight pace. Michelle Stafford delivers a performance of effecting gravitas in the film's best sequence and Jon Gries's melancholic humor makes the most of his limited screen time. DURANT'S NEVER CLOSES personifies Mills's auteur thesis of creating Arizona-based films by an Arizona-based company. The Hollywood talent elevates the product, but the vision is unsullied. Mills may just be the Joseph H. Lewis of Phoenix and DURANT'S NEVER CLOSES boosts his brand.