 | State and Main Starring: Alec Baldwin, William Macy, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Sarah Jessica Parker, David Paymer, Rebecca Pigeon, Charles Durning |
David Mamet is considered to be one of America's leading playwrights. His films can be a mixed bag. "State and Main" is no exception. Mamet is such a stylised writer that many find his rhythmic dialogue too stagy and downright irritating. I have discovered that Mamet's effectiveness is entirely dependent on the actor's interpretation. His best film, "Glengarry Glen Ross," is a striking example of ensemble acting at it's best. Each actor approached his dialogue with a creative individuality that worked like a charm. It was a powerful film and it contained some of Mamet's best work. "State and Main," unlike Mamet's "Homicide" and "The Spanish Prisoner," is a comedy, a supposedly screwball farce about a Hollywood film company invading a small town in Vermont to film a romantic melodrama. The wacky characters and situations that appear in this film should have created a classic satire on Hollywood. Mamet blows endless opportunities to let this film soar. William Macy, a Mamet veteran, plays Walt Price, the edgy director who attempts to deal with growing production problems with a calm demeanour. Macy has more than proved his comic abilities yet with Mamet's words he falls flat. He has his moments but his approach lacks the stuff of real comedy. Macy seems to play the same role in all of Mamet's films. Rebecca Pidgeon, another Mamet veteran (also his wife), fares better. This interesting actress seems to add a subtle change in character with each of Mamet's films yet retains the integrity and style of his words. Sara Jessica Parker (who openly admitted that she was afraid to do a "Mamet") makes it look easy, as does Charles Durning. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is a brilliant actor and handles Mamet with ease. David Paymer as Marty Rosen, the tough producer who enters the disaster to straighten things out once and for all, brings this film to life. It becomes a true comedy when Paymer is on screen. Unfortunately, Paymer's strong performance can't carry the entire film. Alec Baldwin adds some fine touches as the heart-throb star, Bob Berenger, who has a penchant for 14-year-old girls. I shouldn't be too hard on "State and Main" because it can, at times, be quite entertaining. Certainly a cast like this can't be too bad and this comedy can be outright funny at times. Perhaps the disappointment lies in what this movie could have been. A good cast, crisp writing, missed opportunities. This could have been a memorable party! Instead, we have to settle for a mildly enjoyable open house. |