THE DO-DECA PENTATHLON

US, 2012, 76 minutes, Colour.
Steve Zissis, Mark Kelly.
Directed by Jay Duplass and Mark Duplass.

You don’t often get that kind of title for a movie. But, that is what it is about, except that the competition is between two brothers, who invented it when they were young and who have been haunted by its outcome every since – and they are now in their forties. As you can guess, it is mainly about sibling rivalry rather than any sports prowess, though we do see some table tennis and other activities.

Film buffs will recognize the names of the Duplass Brothers. Their films in the past have been small, independent pieces, focusing on eccentric characters and with lots of dialogue. Same here. This kind of film does not have immediate commercial appeal but is designed for those who want something different in their stories, with a touch of the amusing and the odd.

It should be said that Mark Duplass has been featured in quite a number of films recently, gaining more recognition as an actor (Your Sister’s Sister, Safety Not Guaranteed, People Like Us).

The film runs only an hour and a quarter and centres on Mark (Steve Zissis), a bit fat and foodbound at this age, but who can be provoked instantly concerning his losing the old pentathlon. He lives with his caring wife, his son who is a bit critical of dad, and his kind, peace-fostering mother.

Then Jeremy (Mark Kelly), the winning brother who puts a lot into his sports (and his card-playing) decides to visit the family, taunting his brother who becomes even more heated and competitive. Mother wrings her hands. Wife threatens to leave him. Son hero-worships his uncle. What are they to do? Re-live their pentathlon.

This is a brief character study of the five central characters but dramatizes very well the brothers, their tensions, their vanity, their being bent on winning – and their ultimate sibling bonds.

Since the film is written and directed by the Duplass brothers, there is always the temptation to be wondering how much they draw on their own younger days.

1. The work of the Duplass brothers? Their reputation? Small films? Independent? Eccentric characters? Situations? Interactions? A film about brothers – perhaps drawing on their own younger experience?

2. The setting of the film, the ordinary American town, home? The home of Mark? With his wife and son? With his mother? The ordinariness of the house? The contrast with Jeremy, his being on the road, with his poker-playing friends? The authentic feel? The musical score, songs?

3. The title? The explanation? The two boys and their past, setting up the twenty-five events, rivalry, being equal? Mark being taken out of the swimming pool before time, the rules, his being defeated?

4. Mark, his age, his size? His relationship with Stephanie? Their love? With Hunter? At home with his mother? The work background, the family and their happiness together? The intrusion of Jeremy?

5. Jeremy, his age, appearance, playing cards, his friends? His aims in life? Idle?

6. Jeremy and his coming to the family? Their all participating in the marathon? His running, overtaking Mark, their running together, trying to win? Stephanie and her being in the marathon, Hunter and his interest in his uncle?

7. The character of the mother, her bringing up her children, love for them both, upset about their rivalry? Cooking, trying to change the subject? Supporting her sons?

8. Stephanie, the years of being married to Mark, the discussions about his weight and size? Her loving him, working together with him? Hunter, his age, his attitude towards his father, critical? His own life, school, friends?

9. Jeremy in the house, his setting up the rivalry, Mark falling for being taunted? Their discussions, their memories of the past? Their beginning to do the pentathlon sports, the table tennis and other sports?

10. Mark, getting up in the night, encountering Jeremy, the decision to do the pentathlon again? His getting into bed, Stephanie’s puzzle? His lying to her about doing the pentathlon?

11. His final declarations, his enthusiasm when he was exercising, doing the competition? His need to do something in the future? Stephanie, her being lied to, her reaction, threatening to leave?

12. Mark, being with Hunter, the danger of alienating Hunter’s affections from his father?

13. Jeremy, his deciding to leave – the competition, equals, the reconciliation with his brother, love for his brother?

14. A pleasant ending, facing the realities of sibling rivalry – but acknowledging that they can be resolved?