STATE AND MAIN (2000)

 

Written & Directed By: David Mamet Cinematography: Oliver Stapleton  Editor: Barbara Tulliver 

Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Alec Baldwin, William H. Macy, Sarah Jessica Parker, Clark Gregg, Julia Stiles, Patti LuPone, Charles Durning, Rebecca Pidgeon, Ricky Jay, David Paymer, Jonathan Katz, Matt Malloy, Laura Silverman 

Having left New Hampshire over excessive demands by the locals, the cast and crew of "The Old Mill" move their movie shoot to a small town in Vermont. However, they soon discover that The Old Mill burned down in 1960, the star can't keep his pants zipped, the starlet won't take her top off, and the locals aren't quite as easily conned as they appear.

A movie about the behind-the-scenes world of movie making and how it wreaks havoc on a small town and how the town gets seduced to a certain degree. While also throwing in a kind of love story in the middle.

The film's heart really relies on Philip Seymour Hoffman's Character a writer. Who is constantly having to change the script due to the whims of the actors, Star, or producer, and when controversy happens he has to decide to do the moral thing or be dishonest but help the production proceed. 

It offers commentary on movie stars and Hollywood at that time. While showing how easy it is to be corrupted and lead astray. How easily tot can get caught up in something you know is wrong for the supposed greater good. 

Yet very few characters seem to have actual emotions and just deliver one-liners at the ready. Especially his love interest played by Rebecca Pidgeon. Making it seem more stage or sitcom ready. Even as it tries to be a morality play but comes off as false. 

While a satire instead of coming across as biting, clever, or even cynical. It instead comes across at times as smug. As half of the humor comes across as an inside joke rather than inclusive. Showing who they prefer their audience to actually be for the film. 

It’s set in a small town yet nothing feels down to earth about it. 

Though when it does work it is on fire. As it works best when it is more of an ensemble. As it is entertaining with sharp dialogue. 

The film has a great cast. It just feels like a bitter pill too much at times, but funny a lot of times. It ends up feeling too theatrical to be natural. 

Though it seems like everyone tries to come off as cool and all-knowing. So it never comes off as exactly identifiable as it seems so practices and knowledgeable 

GRADE: B-