User reviews

This film does a great disservice to the legacy of Jack Durant but also the restaurant that bears his name to this day. The story is convoluted and uses flashbacks and dream sequences too much making the main story disjointed. The IMDB reviews praising this film are mostly from Travis Mills, the director or people he's conned into thinking he's some great filmmaker. If not for relentless self aggrandizing promotion this would be relegated to the scrap heap of failures. The restaurant and estate of Jack Durant wanted nothing to do with this film and the critics who've seen it think it misses badly. In the end you are better off avoiding this since at the end you'll probably wonder what you just saw, and not in a good way.

I like how Durant's Never Closes weaves story-telling, metaphorical imagery, and documentary style real-life interviews together to open a window into the intriguing lifestyle and character of 1970s successful Phoenix restaurateur, Jack Durant, an arrogant, self-made business man who had relations with Hollywood celebrities and with the mob, including Bugsy Siegel. I like how Travis Mills and the Running Wild Film crew incorporate scene transition techniques that convey the complexity of Jack Durant and mimic the kaleidoscope of invading thoughts, worries and confused dreams I have an appreciation for the cinematography techniques, particularly the manner of camera panning, slow motion, depth of field, and the manner of scene transitions emphasize the dreamlike state of Jack Durant's flashbacks as well as exemplify the jumbled mindset of an irritated, demanding, troubled man who is frustrated by the state of his control as he views his life events in confusion. The complex character of Jack Durant is portrayed expertly by Tom Sizemore's skillful use of subtle expressions and body language. It demonstrates Sizemore's true ability to empathize with the character of Jack Durant and bring him back to life. Travis Mills, the screenwriter, director and producer of this film, showcases his ability to visualize the entire picture from the start with supportive stories that add drama, comedy, historical information, and empathy for the characters. Travis Mills, in his ability to accomplish the entirety of screen writing, directing and producing a feature film, demonstrates his strong potential for more greatness in the future. Durant's Never Closes is an applauded example of how it is possible, within a limited independent film budget, to construct amazing scenery, to incorporate that talents and skills of local talented actors, artisans, to attract the dedication of expert sound & lighting technicians, to provide opportunities for rising local talent to blend with seasoned actors and mutually benefit from the experience, and to make the most of available resources in order to develop entertaining stories.

I promise to keep my review short for you the reader. I am not writing this as an audition for a film critic position or to somehow show off my writing skills. I am writing this to let the audience know that I enjoyed "Durant's Never Closes," an Independent film starring Tom Sizemore shot by Travis Mills & Running Wild Films.

Yes, I am a Tom Sizemore fan, and if you are as well, you will not be disappointed. I have also seen other projects of Mr. Mills, and as usual, he always does great work.

The film takes you into a part of Jack Durant's life as owner of the famous Phoenix restaurant Durant's. And while you cannot fit everything into a feature film, this film does a great job of bringing the human quality to Jack Durant, letting you not only see his tough guy bravado, but his weaknesses as well.

I would highly recommend this film to film fans. Hats off to Tom Sizemore, Travis Mills & the whole Running Wild Films team!!

Durant's takes a complicated man and makes an adventure of a film. A prolific graduate of Arizona State University's film school, Travis Mills has brought a piece of Arizona history to the screen with daring independent filmmaking. It's not always easy to tell where/when we are, but the film manages to find pivotal scenes of this man's life. It turns out that Jack Durant was an Arizona legend for good reason. As we move from moment to moment around his life, Tom Sizemore shows us the good, the bad and the ugly of Jack Durant, a figure bigger than life, but Michelle Stafford's performance is the one to watch. Peter Bogdonavich also makes an appearance. Definitely worth a look!

This movie is a combination of a good theatre 🎭 + cinema 🎥. The director has combined both in one.

DURANT'S NEVER CLOSES is an ambitious step forward for prolific director Travis Mills. The film is wholly unapologetic about its nonlinear narrative and doesn't hold its viewers hand through difficult terrain. It is no small feat that (despite a few amateur performances and at least one extended take that tries the viewer's patience something fierce) I have found the film more rewarding through each subsequent viewing.

I'm often skeptical of films we're told demand revisitation. Experience has shown me they often are bloated with self-importance, tout style over substance, and try to be the smartest kid in the room. Despite its unconventional biopic, DURANT'S NEVER CLOSES is never guilty of these sins. It is a psychologically character- driven piece reminiscent of the classical Hollywood style both technically and visually (part of the reason, I'd like to imagine, Peter Bogdanovich chose to be involved). If its narrative feels opaque at times, it is a product of a young director's overreach—one who admirably errs on the side of concision rather than artifice.

It's a delight to watch trainwreck and all-around pain-in-the-ass Tom Sizemore chew the scenery here. He dominates nearly every shot of the picture with largely-improvised, curse-laden rants which help establish the film's tight pace. Michelle Stafford delivers a performance of effecting gravitas in the film's best sequence and Jon Gries's melancholic humor makes the most of his limited screen time.

DURANT'S NEVER CLOSES personifies Mills's auteur thesis of creating Arizona-based films by an Arizona-based company. The Hollywood talent elevates the product, but the vision is unsullied. Mills may just be the Joseph H. Lewis of Phoenix and DURANT'S NEVER CLOSES boosts his brand.

Director Travis Mills built a strong story around the infamous Jack Durant, owner/operator of his famous eatery in Phoenix, Arizona––Durant's.The restaurant has continued after Durant's passing and leaving it to his dog in his will. Durant's explosive nature was legendary. His public and personal relationships existed daily at the end of Durant's short fuse. Most believed he had ties to organized crime. The essence of Jack Durant was superbly captured and performed by Tom Sizemore and was drawn out and captured on film by director Mills. Durant's Never Closes is an Indie film, made by Indie filmmakers who put their hearts and souls into giving you a great, entertaining film. Highly recommended.

Yes, I like Tom Sizemore, that being said I thought this film showed his prowess as an actor. It is a slice of America, a story that is complex and yet simple. Was Durant a bad man, maybe, was he a good man, maybe, just as we all are viewed as such. Travis put together a good cast to make this story work and interesting. I drove from Indy to Detroit to see this film and visit with friends, worth my time and money. There are moments you are waiting for some answers to questions and yet more questions are asked you didn't even know needed asked. Then you are let into a person who was real and Sizemore made you want to know the man.. yes see this film

Based on the life story of the founder of Phoenix's most iconic restaurant, the viewer is given glimpses of the complex and multi-dimensional personality of an enigmatic character who three decades after his death, still remains shrouded in mystery. The film will entertain viewers and perhaps leave them with more questions than answers... Philip L.

This film tells the story of Phoenix restaurateur and man of mystery, Jack Durant. He was believed to have mob ties and many of the city's business elite would dine and conduct business at Durant's. It is said that the 1976 assassination of Arizona Republic reporter, Don Bolles, was planned over a meal in its dining room. Bolles' murder remains unsolved in the minds of many. Durant's restaurant, founded in 1950, still stands today and remains one of the most popular dining spots in town.

Tom Sizemore brilliantly captures the larger than life character of Jack Durant, one of Phoenix's most controversial figures. We follow Durant through a day in his restaurant. After this day, things will never be the same. The supporting cast helps paint a beautiful portrait of a time gone by and the events that changed Arizona forever.

Travis Mills did an amazing job directing this film. He is talented and insightful. Tom Sizemore plays a legendary restaurater, ladies man with ties to the mafia. He seems to easily fit easily into the era. His rough around the edges character does not tend to be likable. Yet, you feel for him in his scene with his ex-wife, even though he causes his own downfall. A great performance. The cinematography by Nicholas Fornwalt is outstanding!

I was waiting for this one. And it didn't disappoint. Growing up in Phoenix in later part of the 70's and early 80's. It felt right. You can really feel this moment in time. Some will find it confusing. If you are just a summer block buster type. More of thought provoking tear jerker. 9 out of 10. More studio crispness and it would be a honest 10!

How do you the complexities of a man? A difficult enough thing to do with an ordinary man but it is a truly herculean task with a man like Jack Durant with his larger than life persona. Restaurant owner. Womanizer. Connected Mafioso?

It would be easy to go with a one dimensional character study but Director Travis Mills refused to take the easy road. He teamed with Tom Sizemore to paint a balanced picture of a man trying to live up to his reputation. He did an excellent job of it.

For me, watching films like this is like trying to solve a mystery. I know each scene is important to the director and/or writer and I try to divine their meaning before I get to the end. Some people may not like it for the very same reason. But that's ok.

A wise man once told me that people are like gemstones. Each new viewpoint reveals a different facet. People are multi-faceted and complicated... especially people like Jack Durant.

In the the end he wasn't a terribly bad man but he wasn't a good man either. And I like that about him and this film. Its well worth the watch.

And if you don't agree... well.... Jack Durant's parting words apply.