Review of Spartan (2004) by Nick C — 04 Apr 2004

David Mamet vs The Camera.

Now, this is a touchy one, cuz our buddie David is one of the great writers of our time, but like Neil LaBute of "Bash" playwrite fame and LaBute's "Your Friends and Neighbors" which was a direct assault on the eye, Mamet has turned his hat around, setting the pen down, type writer off to forge a new career as Director. And, Dave, I don't think it's working.

Surely there are Directors in Hollywood that are far worse than our SuperMan of The Word, but, my god, David, The Spanish Prisoner, that was pain, unbearable pain. Even thinking about it I have to run to the med cabinet and down a couple of PILLS. Okay---.

Mamet's Moments.

Glenn Gary.

Sexual Perversity In Chicago.

American Buffalo.

I'm not denying that Mamet, master of the spoken word, is not worthy of directing, but the visual world seems to keep Mamet in check. And The Heist, WHOOO HOLD THE FILMMAKING, pen man, that flick was not a good one, but, it had a few moments and they where for the most part biodegradable ones.

State And Main, Mamet writing and directing about Hollywood had the film kids laughing and Alec B.'s part was a pure gem, but this one is better served for the stage, EH? The Stage? Well, Well, Well, the stage as in: PlayWrite.

Anyway, moving on to D. Mamet and the train of events in the evolution of a great writer wheeling himself as a 2nd hand store bought watered down director, we hit pay dirt with Spartan. Cuz now, Mamet has wrote and directed a full blown Hollywood CIA Flick which he now, with Spartan under his belt, can climb aboard the fast moving train that carries a list of Spy Movies that are heading, yes u guessed it, the final destination is your local video store, where it will lay next to Salton Sea and the john holmes flick starring What Ever Happened To Val "The Doors" - "I'll be your Huckleberry" Kilmer.

The plot in Spartan - GET THE KID BACK.

Mamet trusts us to catch up and keep up on the plotline which is far fetched and, if I'm not mistaken, I think I saw this story-line on, what was it? Umm, Law & Order, or was it With Out A Trace, or maybe 24, anyway, this is a for sure rental, don't pay your hard earned money on a outstanding playwrite/screenwriter dressed up as a director.

ROMA.

Listen to me, the statute, it's for.

Your protection. I have no.

Complaints with that, in fact, I.

Was a member of the board when we.

Drafted it, so quite the opposite.

It says that you can change your.

Mind three working days from the.

Time the deal is closed.

And maybe Mamet should change his mind about directing and stick to the pen, cuz, the mother can write!!!