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In Reply to: What do you think of David Mamet? posted by Dmitry on September 15, 2002 at 23:40:13:
I think Mamet is a clever writer, but that really isn't saying much, is it? IMO, the best thing he has done by far is Glengary Glenross (sp?). I think that's a minor masterpiece. Funny you brought this up, I just watched Heist tonight. As is the norm with Mamet, there is some snappy, clever dialogue, but something left to be desired in the storytelling. Just not memorable, I guess. Maybe a little too clever for his own good. Another remarkable performance by Gene Hackman, though, who has got to be the greatest actor in the world.
Follow Ups:
I agree with much of what you said, David.
I think the biggest downside to films of Mamet-the director is that he bends the stick too much, and sometimes it snaps into viewers faces, so to speak. There's no middle ground; it's either all black or...all black. That's why his films at times look overly surreal and many times over less believable in the otherwise believable settings. Cases in point - THE SPANISH PRISONER and HEIST[how many double-crosses can a 90 minute film have?:)]
GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS is one wonderful film, you're right. I'm not even sure who's the best actor in it. Jack Lemmon, perhaps?
Mamet scripted the HANNIBAL and WE'RE NO ANGELS; I'm sure not something he'd like to be remembered for.
On the other hand, he also scripted THE VERDICT, one of the great films of Paul Newman, in large part due to Mamet's script.
Most people are not aware that he wrote the script to MALCOLM X.I wish he started using the services of William H. Macy and Joe Mantegna again.
Have you seen THE WATER ENGINE ?
Interesting! I had forgotten about Malcom X, not a bad film. I think Spike Lee is at his best with the documentary 4 Little Girls. I like The Verdict a lot, and have seen it several times. I will check out The Water Engine. Thanks.
For my taste, a writer should be "silent", and their personality, shouldn't be elevated above the work. That is, if you "know" who wrote it is, the writer didn't do their job of just being a writer.For some reason, today, writers and other film technicians want to be Stars and Personalities. Joe Ester-"whatever his last name is" is a good case in point, of how absurd this film culture is in our society. Who cares about him, really ? He's just a hack writer, right ? It indicates to me, that this person is mediocre and trying too hard, to make his work meaningful to EVERYONE...when it really doesn't merit it.
Mamet is one of the most distinctive writers of this generation, because he is Talented.
That in itself, is a commendable accomplishment, and it sadly illustrates, just how bad the situation is with writers, in general, these days, and how we are being sunk, with mostly Junk. He doesn't hit the mark all of the time, but he in there swinging, and not just using a shotgun to find out what garbage sticks on the wall !
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