Not to be confused with "Glen or Glenda". This is a filmed stage play so know that going in. There are reviews here complaining about how "stagey" it is. In my opinion, it's more fluid than Mamet's own filmed versions of his work- James Foley opens...
- 30.September.2010
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- by: ColumboFan
- ColumboFan rated this movie
 0/10
Not to be confused with "Glen or Glenda". This is a filmed stage play so know that going in. There are reviews here complaining about how "stagey" it is. In my opinion, it's more fluid than Mamet's own filmed versions of his work- James Foley opens it up a little- but it IS stagey, it is a filmed play after all, and it is MEANT to be that way. Pauline Kael wrote a long essay years ago trying to explain why Americans like filmed versions of stage plays like "A Streetcar Named Desire" or "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf". I can't remember what her conclusions were, but it was very wordy and aesthetically complicated and I just think she overthunk it. The main reason we watch them is because most of us don't live in New York or Chicago. The only plays that come around our parts are touring versions of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and "Cats". I suppose the high school does "Our Town" every four years but the only way we'll see any version of "Glengarry Glenross" or "American Buffalo" is if they film it. I like when films to stick close to the original material. Jack Lemmon and Alec Baldwin standout among this stellar cast. Al Pacino shows up, screams his head off as always, but it's not nearly as annoying as usual, it fits his role. Mamet pens some great hardboiled dialogue here that twists in on itself like a pretzel. It is not realistic dialogue, and it shoudn't be judged that way, it's more like a dark extended Abbott and Costello routine. It hits on some uncomfortable truths about work, family and the American Dream. I like this BETTER than "Death of a Salesman". It's a dog-eat-dog world out there. 5 stars.
- 30.September.2010
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- by: ColumboFan
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I previously thought this movie was 190 minutes, because there was a stain on the back of the box I rented. If it was, this would have been, to the the greatest ensemble character driven film of the 90s, hands down. Every character was casted...
- 20.September.2010
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- by: Patrick
- Patrick rated this movie0/10
I previously thought this movie was 190 minutes, because there was a stain on the back of the box I rented. If it was, this would have been, to the the greatest ensemble character driven film of the 90s, hands down. Every character was casted expertly, every part was played truthfully and every nuance and phrase was released with such strength in character that this movie had me caught on it from 10 min in on. My mistake was that I thought it was a full 90 min longer than it was. This film is incredible in its meaning and its acting. It is truly a heartfelt film for everyone, but just as the climax is nearing, it fades to black. No falling action, no denouement and no true resolution. It was almost depressing and foreshadowed that I would watch it the day after the Sopranos finale. Two hits to the heart in two days. I think for the rest of the week I won't watch anything, play it safe and read some Dr. Seuss.
Rent this movie and love the actors, the acting and sharp, strong and almost necessary cursing. They don't call him Dammit Mamet for nothing. But realize that this film as about the journey, not the final destination.
- 20.September.2010
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- by: Patrick
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A beautifully acted film, with amazing dialogue and a killer scene by Alec Baldwin. The only reason it's not five stars is the film never steers you close enough to what it's trying to say; it is so lazer-focused on how great it's characters are...
- 20.March.2009
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- by: sethdellinger
- sethdellinger rated this movie0/10
A beautifully acted film, with amazing dialogue and a killer scene by Alec Baldwin. The only reason it's not five stars is the film never steers you close enough to what it's trying to say; it is so lazer-focused on how great it's characters are that a holisitc statement of purpose is never made.
- 20.March.2009
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- by: sethdellinger
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