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[bryant]

[That was odd. Sorry about that.]

I rarely have many objections to Mamet, or for that matter to Val Kilmer. Keep that in mind. Still and all, Spartan measured up. Twice I saw the wires on which the god was lowered from the machine, but the tense taut moments more than carried me through. And who knew Mamet could direct an action movie? It is an action movie. It’s also a spy movie.

Hollywood doesn’t make that many spy movies. It should, if they’re going to be this good.

Comments

[jeregenest.livejournal.com]

How good? Give me some comparisons here. We talking SpyGames? The Quiet American?

[bryant]

Better than Spy Game, not as good as the Quiet American. The first 45 minutes or so are a top-notch race against time scenario. Mamet assumes the audience is intelligent and doesn't stop to explain things, which I appreciate a lot.

[jeffwik.livejournal.com]

I may just be bitter on account of it didn't have Rebecca Pidgeon in it, but I think you give the movie a little too much credit. The first half is indeed very cool (although maybe since I got all excited from thinking hey! I've been there! at all the Cambridge locations I'm biased) but the second half much less so.

The forces arrayed against Kilmer's character do a couple of very stupid things, which is all the more jarring since (as you point out) the film mostly assumes you have half a brain.

[ronebofh.livejournal.com]

A Mamet movie without Mrs. Mamet? Inconceivable!

[jeffwik.livejournal.com]

Yes, when I hear lines like "You went through the looking glass. Was it more fun than miniature golf?" and I don't get to see Rebecca Pidgeon, the tears well up from deep inside.