Let's go back two weekends ago, it was my second night at The World Film Festival of Montreal and it's the World Premiere of State and Main. I get to the screening early and I have a good seat. No sign of action on the red carpet. They waited a while and then the president of the festival introduced David Mamet. He gave a short speech in French (That surprised me). He talked about Expo 67, his new film shooting in Montreal, The Heist, and finally State and Main. He thanked a few people and then sat down. Delroy Lindo (Get Shorty) was in attendance, since he's working with Mamet on The Heist. After the film, I tried to thank Mr. Mamet but was unable thanks to the large crowd. Later, in the lobby, I was right next to him but he was introducing someone to his two young daughters, so I didn't want to disturb him. Here's my review of his film:
My Review of 'State and Main'
The best comedy of 2000. No kidding. Well of course, there are a few more comedies to come out, but I doubt any of them will come close to this one. It's that damn good.
After getting kicked out of a small New-Hampshire town, director Walt Price (William H. Macy) and his movie project 'The Old Mill' lands in Waterford, Vermont. Waterford is the kind of town where the town doctor knows everyone and the mayor is the only member of the city council. The town goes into a frenzy over the production, which includes movie stars Bob Barrenger (Alec Baldwin) and Claire Wellesley (Sarah Jessica Parker). The story follows screenwriter Joseph Turner White (Philip Seymour Hoffman) who is trying to rewrite the script to accommodate certain problems like Claire's refusal to do a nude scene and the discovery that the town's old mill was burned down 40 years ago.
David Mamet is a genius. Of course we already know that. His plays (Glengarry Glen Ross, American Buffalo etc...) are part of the 20th Century American Culture. His movies are another story. I really liked The Spanish Prisoner and that's about it. This film reminded me of Wag The Dog, which he wrote, but only funnier. Another great satire of Hollywood, except this time it's done for a really more mainstream audience. My friend Sebastien, who saw the movie with me, really liked the film. He was already talking about 100 million dollars gross and Oscars nominations. That's coming from the man who adored Big Momma's House and M:I 2. This film really works on two levels, a straight out comedy and second as a satire of the movie making business. Mamet's script is an accomplishment of laughs. In the current cinematographic landscape, intelligent comedies are hard to make. Look at the crap fest of vulgar, let's out gross the last hit comedy-type films. (Road Trip, Scary Movie, Nutty 2 etc...) Kudos to Mamet on a spectacular script. His direction is flawless and right on the money. Sebastien might be right, Mamet could be in for a few Oscars nominations next February.
The cast is outstanding. Philip Seymour Hoffman is becoming one of today's greatest actors. His performance is fantastic and fascinating. Mamet's wife Rebecca Pidgeon is wonderful as the innocent town girl who falls for Hoffman. The rest of the cast are award-winning thespians showcasing why they're that incredible. William H. Macy is the highlight. If he doesn't get a nomination for this, I don't know what will. He commands the screen every time he appears. Like every award winning supporting performance, we can't wait for him to show up again on the screen. He says one of the best lines in the movie: "Lying is only a gift for fiction". David Paymer gives another remarkable turn as no-nonsense producer Marty Rossen. He's funny as hell, when his character's tries to buy his way out of every problems. Sarah Jessica Parker and Alec Baldwin play hilarious dumb movie stars who cause mayhem on the project. Finally, Clark Gregg gives a fine performance as the voice of conscience of the small town.
The only fault this film seems to have is the cheesiness of the romance between Hoffman and Pidgeon. Then again, maybe that too was supposed to be a satire.
Almost everybody will have to wait till January to see this incredible film. Believe me this picture will be worth the long wait.
'How The Grinch Stole Christmas' Script Review
Guess Who's back? (Get it?) I'm proud to introduce 'Agent Payne' into my new column. He's an avid script reader and his opinion is always compelling. To begin his new stint, he decided to review the script to Dr. Seuss's How The Grinch Stole Christmas:
"The crew at www.scriptforum.com hooked me up with this script. The Grinch... Right... Never heard of him. I have never read or seen the classic Dr. Seuss tale of How The Grinch Stole Christmas. With that in mind, I decided to pick up a copy of this script once my favorite comedian decided to do this project.
Up on Mt. Crumpit, just north of Who-Ville, lives a creature with the heart two sizes too small. He's The Grinch (Jim Carrey), who hates Christmas more then anything. Who-Ville's Post Master Lou Lou-Who (Bill Irwin)'s five-year-old daughter Cindy Lou-Who (Taylor Mumsen) is out to prove that The Grinch is not such a bad person after all. The results creates chaos and comedic mayhem onto Who-Ville's peaceful Christmas.
The script is pretty uproarious. Here are a few highlights (MINOR SPOILERS):
- The opening has The Grinch wreaking havoc pulling pranks on just about every Who in downtown Who-Ville. He tweaks the metronome of a group of holiday carolers.
- The comedic competition between Betty Lou-Who (Molly Shannon) and Martha May Who-Vier (Christine Baranski) for the Christmas lighting contest. Betty uses Chandeliers, refrigerators light bulbs and Hospital Emergency Entrance, Exit Only and All Who, All Nude signs.
- The flashback sequences that explain The Grinch's origin and his hatred for Christmas are amusing. The young Grinch shaves his face, becomes a motorcycle delinquent and finally tries his hand at stand-up comedy. "Hey, what's the deal with egg nogg? You only see it around Christmas. What are those guys making the rest of the year?"
- During that flashback sequence, an old Biddy gets confused and talks about her love affair with a Who named Whoticus Finch. That story is truly hilarious and is followed-up through out the script. "Yes, Whoticus was a strong man, but gentle. He had a tattoo of --"
The Grinch role is pure comedic Jim Carrey material. I'm sure he's going to deliver with this entertaining performance. Molly Shannon should also shine in her role. She's one of my favorite SNL members and she should steal the show with her insane lighting competition. Bill Irwin and Jeffrey Tambor also have good roles. Tambor is The Mayor of Who-Ville and the adversary of The Grinch through out most of the script. This project is going to be the blockbuster hit of the Thanksgiving Season. I cannot wait to see it."
(Review Provided by ' This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ', with an assist by www.scriptforum.com)
'Dr. T and The Women' Review
Here's 'Q-Brick' thoughts on next month's Robert Altman film Dr. T and The Women:
"When Hollywood comes to Texas the results can sometimes be unwatchable. Case in point, television fans of Walker Texas Ranger are viewing a product shot right here in Dallas-Ft.Worth but what they see on-screen never reflects any of the local flavor. They might as well shoot it in Canada.
Robert Altman's Dr. T & The Women is a comedy that enjoys the rare distinction of both being shot in Dallas and set in Dallas. Maybe that's why I liked more than I should have. I mention this because our area often doubles for a completely different locale. Robocop, Born On The 4th Of July and Boys Don't Cry are vivid examples.
In the thinnest of story lines, Richard Gere is a wealthy successful Dallas Ob-Gyn whose genuine respect for the opposite sex fills his office. It overflows with that special breed known as the Highland Park Woman. A female friend of mine once told me that you can recognize these Dallas women anywhere in the world, 'because she's the one who looks like she's wearing everything in her closet.' Altman and his wonderful cast actually manage to evoke that trait and all its attendant attributes. Some of the film's funniest scenes are full of these creatures swarming around Dr. T's waiting room.
The good doctor's wonderful life begins to come apart because of the madness surrounding an upcoming wedding and the real insanity of his wife (Farrah Fawcett) who decides to frolic nude in a fountain at North Park Mall. Other complications are supplied by his three daughters, one of them, played by Laura Dern is a boozing fashion plate and Kate Hudson is a Cowboys Cheerleader wannabe, while the third is a jealous schemer played by Tara Reid (last seen in American Pie). The mix is further complicated by the sudden romantic interest of Helen Hunt as the new Golf Pro.
For those who enjoy films that are purely character driven, Dr. T & The Women is a real joy. The talent in this film really did their homework, especially Laura Dern and Kate Hudson. Also worth mentioning are Shelly Long as Gere's long-suffering office manager and Andy Richter (former of Conan O'Brian) who plays one of the doc's hunting buddies. Rarely have I seen the aforementioned local female of the species portrayed so accurately and amusingly. For the Doctor, Altman casts Gere against type as the caring physician who views each women as unique and special. Gere is genuinely warm and funny in the role. This is all familiar terrain for screenwriter Ann Rappe (Cookie's Fortune) but the dense plotting of her previous collaboration is missing. I suspect the director may be the culprit. He may have tampered with the script because the look and feel of Dr. T & The Women is pure, uncut Altman.."
(Review provided by 'Q-Brick'.)
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That's all folks...
DeadPool
