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The
Spanish Prisoner (1997)
David Mamet continues his career as a director with
a verbose and intricate mystery drama that has as many
twist and turns as a trip down Snake Alley. However
the script and film by Mamet have a couple of problems.
He tips his hand too often and we are not surprised
when the dramatic moments comes. When we are left in
the cold as to what will happen, it often comes across
as a "yeah right."
But the film is worthy nonetheless. If Mamet's wonderful
direction and script aren't enough for you, then the
acting will be. Not only does Mamet have a great cast
lead by Campbell Scott, he also has Steve Martin in
a rare dramatic role. Martin has been known to be a
serious actor in the past on rare occasion and he does
a great job here. Unfortunately, since he is cast against
type, it is impossible to stop thinking that it's Martin
up there. Maybe a lesser known actor would have added
a deeper dimension to the film.
The star is really Campbell Scott and he also does
quite well here. Scott is a man trapped in a Kafka-esque
nightmare where no one and nothing is as it seems. Imagine
"After Hours" meets "The Firm" and you have a bit of
the idea here. Scott is the "inventor" of an important
formula that is worth millions to the company he works
for (wisely, Mamet never explains even the basic idea
of the formula - we don't even have a basic idea of
what kind of company he works for). Scott is a nice
guy but he's afraid he's not going to get a share of
the profits. His superior, played by Ben Gazzara, is
very vague about this and Scott becomes more and more
paranoid as the film continues. Scott is great here
as the eternal boy scout, a nice guy caught up in the
world of corporate pitfalls and espionage.
Mamet has a very small budget but that just makes
the film even more interesting to look at. His colors
when the film begins at a tropical isle look like a
50's picture postcard. When the film returns to the
city, the settings become sort of stripped-down corporate
Nouveau. As the main character's paranoia begins to
seep into the plot, the film takes on the look of decay
with the bare spots and cracks showing, a device Mamet
used in his earlier film, "Homicide." When the whole
plot explodes, it moves to the outdoors.
"The Spanish Prisoner" is an interesting film even
if it takes Mamet a little while to get us going here.
There is a great body of work throughout most of this
film. It is really only the ending that is a bit unsatisfactory.
But the majority of what we get here makes that letdown
seem less disappointing.
Note: Also with Rebecca Pidgeon. The film features
a small appearance by Ed O'Neil.
The Nepotism Factor: Tony Mamet appears as an FBI
Agent.
Music by Carter Burwell. Photography by Gabriel Beristain
Filmed in Boston, New York and Florida.
Review written in 1998
Report
Card
Script:
A-
Acting: A+
Cinematography\Lighting: A-
Special Effects\Make Up: A
Music: A+
Final
Grade: A
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