“Get Duked!” shouts the film, and get duked we do, right into a gloriously silly, often hilarious romp through the Scottish Highlands. Imagine, if you will, a gaggle of misfit teens – the kind who make you nostalgic for your own awkward adolescence – thrust into a bizarre wilderness survival challenge. Now, add a dash of Edgar Wright-esque humor (think B+ grade, perfectly serviceable), a pinch of social commentary, and a modest helping of Jonathan Aris being brilliantly Jonathan Aris, and you’ve got yourself the first act of this wild ride.
The film is at its best when it revels in the absurdity of its premise. The landscape, vast and hauntingly beautiful, becomes a character itself, a playground for both the hapless teens and the film’s more sinister elements. The central quartet of lads are a study in contrasts, their fumbling attempts at survival a constant source of amusement, especially when juxtaposed against Ian, the hilariously earnest “good” boy. And oh, the police incompetence—a trope, sure, but one deployed here with such gusto that it’s hard not to crack a smile. Kate Dickie, bless her, is in her element, chewing the scenery with the relish of a Highland cow on fresh grass.
But the real highlight, the moment the film truly sings, is the “Get Duked” musical number. Picture this: our lads, high as kites on, shall we say, “enhanced” rabbit droppings, busting out into a full-blown rave anthem, complete with psychedelic visuals and a thumping beat courtesy of the enigmatic DJ Beatroot. It’s bonkers, it’s brilliant, it’s pure joy.
Sadly, like a hiker losing a foot on a steep descent, “Get Duked!” stumbles in its final act. The filmmakers abandon the playful metaphor and opt for clunky exposition and ideological monologues. The performances remain strong, but the magic dissipates, leaving us with a slightly sour aftertaste.
That said, there’s a final, deliciously British twist in the tail, a last-minute gag that had me laughing out loud. It’s a reminder that at its heart, “Get Duked!” is a comedy, and when it remembers that, it soars.
★★★★☆🧡