| The less one knows about the plot of The Spanish Prisoner, the more one will enjoy the movie. Like Presumed Innocent, a hint of the outcome will crumble all the set up. Suffice it to say that it's a modern corporate espionage type thriller and it's cool. It's got a smart pedigree and a tiny budget and big big ideas. |
| As it is, however, author/director David Mamet's script is surprisingly transparent - but only to a point. If you're not familiar with Mamet's oeuvre of written work, you would think the script is interesting but a little predictable. Not totally, though. If you do know Mamet, you have to see it just to see how the all-time greatest proponent of the F word managed to crank out a PG 13 movie. |
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With stars like Campbell Scott (co-author and director of Big Night) and Steve Martin (also author of LA Story and Picasso at the Lapin Agile), you know this is going to be one literary piece of film. But don't let that dissuade you! Surprisingly, while smart and quick and snappish, the staginess of the dialogue defeats the excellent acting on the part of the male leads. Mamet directs his men with ease, but, as in Speed the Plow, he doesn't seem to know what to do with women. |
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Rebecca Pidgeon plays the new assistant to Scott, and her delivery of this deadpan testosteroni is sadly wooden. In the complicated weave of Mamet's script, her contribution sticks out like a splinter and doesn't serve the otherwise smooth work of Scott and Martin.
It's still fascinating and mind-bending, and eminently entertaining. Carter Burwell (of Coen Brothers movies scores) delivers a very yummy score as always. |
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It helps fill the gaps in Pidgeon's sadly robotic performance. I don't know just what her deal is in this movie, whether the had contracted testosterone poisoning from the director or if she was just directed contrary to everything her character needs to be. But don't let it keep you away - it's a cool movie. I wish I could say more about it.
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