Release date Sept. 8, 2009. More information here.This is my favorite film that Mamet has ever directed, and that's saying something. It's a fascinating, strange, gripping thriller, with an ending that is both hard to swallow, and dead-on perfect, which is a pretty neat trick. It's never been on DVD before, so if you haven't seen it, your chance is fast approaching. I can't wait.
Count me a Homicide fan, too, with its vague Jewishness that really resonates with me.
ReplyDeleteVague? I'm curious why you would use that word. Personally, I think the film's Jewishness is pretty up front and full-force, and it signalled that as an aspect of Mamet's work for years to come.
ReplyDeleteI like this one a lot, it was one of the grittier cop dramas of the time. Looking forward to seeing it again.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I see that could be interpreted two ways. I meant the character's vague sense of Jewishness, which I can relate to, though I don't think I'm as out of touch with my roots as he was.
ReplyDeleteAh, okay. This is just me speculating, but I think Mamet used to be like Gold is in the film, and his return to his faith was one of the things that spurred this film along.
ReplyDeleteI think there's no question that this is a personal film for Mamet.
ReplyDeleteSo freaking there.
ReplyDeleteWord verification: coment
How fitting!
They misspelled it.
ReplyDeleteBill like you I am a HUGE fan of this particular Mamet film. This is great news. And Criterion's art department does it again: they've created a cover box so alluring that even though I may not have the 40 bucks I'll buy it anyway because it's just so damn beautiful to look at. Great cover art for this one.
ReplyDeleteI'm a pretty big Mamet fan, but have never seen this one. It's going to be sweet.
ReplyDeleteWord verification: coidsook, but they misspelled that too.
Kevin - I love the cover. I've known this was in the pipeline for a while, and I wondered what they'd do for the cover. This isn't what I was expecting, but they done good.
ReplyDeleteRick - It IS going to be sweet, Rick. You just wait.
And how the hell hard is it to spell "coidsouck"? Morons.
That cover is purty. Well, the cat is finally out of the bag! I'm looking forward to seeing the crisp DVD image on this one. And, Bill, I just finished Spartan, and I have to say, you were right about that one too. What the hell is this? Three Mamet movies for which I have very few reservations? Is this a change of heart I see before me? Well, I still hate House of Games and Heist, and I'm no great admirer of The Spanish Prisoner, so I don't suppose I'm a convert yet. But there's plenty left to see, including two I'm particularly intrigued by, State and Main and The Winslow Boy.
ReplyDeleteUntil then, there's Homicide the Criterion way...
Dennis, that's great news about Spartan! Now will you just get around to writing about one of these? If people don't check your marquee, they won't know! Not unless you write about it! THE WORLD MUST KNOW!!
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, I think Winslow Boy is pretty terrific, and better than State and Main, which has some great moments, but doesn't hold together all that well. Not for me, at least. But it IS funny, so...
How's this? I will try to work something up between now and September on Homicide and Spartan. They are both fascinating exercises in paranoia and identity crisis (among many other things), and Spartan actually made me jump out of my seat a couple of times, because of shock/surprise and a couple of times because the damn thing was so stunningly composed. And in the meantime, I'm off to rent those other two pictures!
ReplyDeleteThey are both fascinating exercises in paranoia and identity crisis (among many other things), and Spartan actually made me jump out of my seat a couple of times, because of shock/surprise and a couple of times because the damn thing was so stunningly composed...
ReplyDeleteYeah, I jumped at Spartan, too. There's that big moment that got me, and everyone else in the theater, except for my wife, who claimed she saw it coming (though she really likes the film, too). Whatever, lady.
And the film is put together pretty goddamn well, too, isn't it? Plus, boy howdy, do I love Val Kilmer in that thing. Maybe I'll watch it again, tonight...
Oh, and I don't mean to pressure you into writing about anything. Honestly, I don't. It's just that you and I have been going around about Mamet for a long time now, it seems, and I just love that you've been won over...at least by three of his films, anyway.
ReplyDeleteWas it Freddie Mercury who sang "Pressure/Pressing down on me/Pushing down on me/No man ask for..."?
ReplyDeleteNah, I need a kick in the ass every once in a while, believe me, Bill, and you're just the man to do it.
So your wife was not seduced into relaxation by the atmospheric passing of a fishing boat on a lyrical cape-side seascape? Whatever, lady! :)
Bill -
ReplyDeleteNever seen this one, but I will take your recommendation and take a look at it.
Sorry I've been largely absent from your comments threads and those of other frequent commenters here. I was out of town for a funeral last week, travelling for business this week, and just finding precious little time to be online for fun.
No problem at all, Pat. I'm worse than most people about keeping up on the various blogs in our little circle. I'm glad you're back, though, and I'm sorry for your loss.
ReplyDelete