Tuesday, January 1, 2013

The Do-Deca-Pentathlon

Mark and Jeremy (Steve Zissis and Mark Kelly) are two middle-aged brothers with a wounded relationship stemming from an Olympic style 25 event contest they created and participated in as teenagers. Brought together for a gathering at their childhood home, the siblings again take part in the epic challenge to determine once and for all who is the greatest brother. "The Do-Deca-Pentathlon" is another ultra low-budget (at least it feels that way) and keenly observant film from Mark and Jay Duplass who take a break from working with big name stars and again film with a relatively unknown cast. The film is small but not slight, capturing the essence of brotherhood and making many smart and funny observations during its duration. I watched this movie with a smile on my face, as I do during most of The Duplass' films, and actually pictured my own brothers behind the camera waiting for filming to stop and eager to take up the latest fight to the death table tennis match.