The Do-Deca-Pentathlon (2012)

the reviewers loved this one roving camera "The Do-Deca Pentathalon" is a movie that some of the professional reviewers adored. I remember Leonard Maltin in particular talking about how great this indie film was, so I thought I should give it a try.

The film was written and directed by the Duplass brothers--though, uncharacteristically, Mark Duplass does not act in the film (like he frequently does in their films). Instead, Mark Kelly and Steve Zissis star in this movie about competitiveness between brothers gone awry. It seems that Jeremy and Mark have not gotten along for years. Much of it is because they are just too competitive between each other--and Jeremy is pushing his brother to compete with him in a so-called 'do-deca pentathlon'--a series of 20 events to determine who is the best once and for all. However, Mark's wife is 100% against this competition because it brings out the worst in them, so when they finally agree, they must do these stupid little sporting events on the sly. What happens next? See the film.

Like many indie films, the picture was shot with an unsteady cam. Why filmmakers think a jerky picture is good is beyond me--or why an indie MUST be shot this way is REALLY beyond me. All I know is that it made me feel motion sick after a while and was distracting. As far as the content goes, I assumed (incorrectly) that this was some sort of comedy. Instead, it's a rather simple film about people--and on that level it was quite enjoyable. Did I see it as a 'hidden gem' like some? Nah. But it's enjoyable and worth seeing. If only it didn't have that $^%& roving camera!