Spartan (2004)
Dir: David Mamet
IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0360009/
This certainly must be one of the most underrated films of last year.
David Mamet is an excellent writer, and here he creates a realistic, interesting thriller that is full of characters that feel like the real deal. They are cold and calculating, Val Kilmer's character in particular, because this is their job. It feels like a behind the scenes look at the secret service. The people that do this work are brutal and relentless, because they need to carry out their orders, and they will get things done by any means neccesary.
The dialogue in the film was great, and seemed to fit the tone of the movie perfectly, which is especially nice because while Mamet's dialogue is usually brilliant, it doesn't always fit the genre. Here it works and it works well. The film was incredibly well-paced as well, it never felt like it dragged or had uneccesary scenes. This is a film that moves.
This also has what certainly must be Val Kilmers best role in at least 10 years. The man shows that he can, in fact, act fairly well. I wish he would show this side more often. On the other hand, William H. Macy was criminally underused, especially since he shared some of the highest billing.
IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0360009/
This certainly must be one of the most underrated films of last year.
David Mamet is an excellent writer, and here he creates a realistic, interesting thriller that is full of characters that feel like the real deal. They are cold and calculating, Val Kilmer's character in particular, because this is their job. It feels like a behind the scenes look at the secret service. The people that do this work are brutal and relentless, because they need to carry out their orders, and they will get things done by any means neccesary.
The dialogue in the film was great, and seemed to fit the tone of the movie perfectly, which is especially nice because while Mamet's dialogue is usually brilliant, it doesn't always fit the genre. Here it works and it works well. The film was incredibly well-paced as well, it never felt like it dragged or had uneccesary scenes. This is a film that moves.
This also has what certainly must be Val Kilmers best role in at least 10 years. The man shows that he can, in fact, act fairly well. I wish he would show this side more often. On the other hand, William H. Macy was criminally underused, especially since he shared some of the highest billing.
posted by will at
8:47 PM
