Spartan (2004)
I'm sorry but Val Kilmer's name
seems to be the kiss of death on a film these days
and "Spartan" is no exception. Of course, Kilmer's
working in one of David Mamet's worst scripts in a
while. While his "Heist" seemed to be an interesting
plot without too much of the trademark Mametian dialogue
(which was sorely missed), "Spartan" seems to be playing
in the opposite arena. Filled with wonderful Mametian
dialogue, which even Kilmer eventually gets, the film's
story is so full of holes that it could make a pair
of my underwear feel good about itself.
Kilmer plays one of the most elite
Marine fighting machines on the planet. He starts
the film in a contrived training mission that allows
us to easily assume that the young recruits he is
hassling will soon be helping him on his next mission.
We are not lead astray by this assumption. Kilmer
soon find himself headed to Washington DC in order
to help find the president's missing daughter.
Through a series of impossible lucky
and forced coincidences, Kilmer tracks down the girl
only to find a hundred other things standing between
him and getting his mission completed, including the
Secret Service and the president himself. None of
this is particularly believable.
While there is a lot of "Yeah, right"
moments in the film, the fast pace and the appearance
of Ed O'Neill and William H. Macy in minor roles help
to keep the film interesting. Still, it would be nice
if Mamet could bring something of the caliber of his
stunning original work like "Glengarry Glen Ross"
or "Homicide" to the screen.
Note:
Also with Stephen Culp.
The nepotism factor: Tony Mamet
and Clara Mamet both play small roles.
Filmed primarily in Massachusetts
and California. The last scene in set in Picadilly
Circus in London.
Viewed in Austin on the last day
of March 2004.
