Review: Durant's Never Closes (2015)

[Mark Leeper]

DURANT'S NEVER CLOSES
(a film review by Mark R. Leeper)

CAPSULE: Spend some time with Jack Durant, the Phoenix
steakhouse owner who is anything but restrained. Durant
is funny, violent, and foul-mouthed, and probably has
ties to the Mafia. DURANT'S NEVER CLOSES introduces
Phoenix restaurateur Durant, one of the more legendary
personalities of the Phoenix area. Rather than having
a plot, the film takes the form of a collection of
vignettes and short stories--not all believable--woven
into a minimalist account. Rating: +1 (-4 to +4) or 6/10

Jack Durant (played by Tom Sizemore) was a real person, a least as
real as he allowed himself be. Tough guy Durant owned a bar and
restaurant in Phoenix called, appropriately enough "Durant's." [Or
"Durant's Steakhouse."] There were all kinds of stories about him
and no one knows which ones are true. In DRUANT'S NEVER CLOSES the
viewer can spend some time in the restaurant and see the man in
action, telling stories, getting in fights, making bets, and
swearing a red streak, and letting everybody know who is boss.
Durant knew the shiny side and the underside of Phoenix.

DURANT'S NEVER CLOSES recreates one of the more notorious figures
of 20th century Arizona. Mabel Leo wrote the book THE SAGA OF JACK
DURANT; Terry Earp turned it into a stage play; Travis Mills
adapted the play for the film and then directed the film.

The film is a little claustrophobic, having most of the action take
place in the restaurant. The production design is simple. When we
are in the restaurant, which we are through most of the film, most
everything in front of the camera is bright red. We have scarlet
furniture, scarlet wallpaper, and scarlet lighting turning people's
flesh to the same oppressive bright red. These are some of the
reddist scenery since MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH.

If the background turns white we are either in Durant's head or
having a flashback, or both. Durant thinks about his past and
talks about it. The stories come thick and fast, though after an
hour they seem less thick than fast. There are implications that
Durant suggested the value of Los Vegas to Bugsy Siegel and also
vaguely that he has something to do with Siegel's death. But
that's Durant's version of the story. All this we get through a
drowsy jazz score by Tyler Parkinson. There is some classical
music when need be to bring things to a higher plane.

If your thing is watching tough guys get drunk and pick fights,
browbeat the staff and even the customers, there is plenty of that
sort of action. If not, the film is a little more problematic.

The viewer cannot know if Tom Sizemore's impression of Durant is
accurate, but it is the film's strong suit. I rate DURAND'S NEVER
CLOSES a +1 on the -4 to +4 scale or 6/10. This film is not for
everyone or for anyone allergic to the color bright red.

Film Credits:
<http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3717088/combined>

What other people are saying
<http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/durants_never_closes/>

Background information on Jack Durant:
<http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/you-dont-know-jack-6397031>


Mark R. Leeper
Copyright 2016 Mark R. Leeper