Hey, everyone. ”Moriarty” here. Appropriately enough, we’ve got a showdown here. First up, a guy who really, really, really didn’t like Mamet’s new film at all:
Harry, Just saw a sneak of David Mamet's jujitsu flick REDBELT at the Aero in Santa Monica last nite (with Mamet and Ricky Jay in person doing a Q&A afterwards). As a fan of Mamet's work, here are my thoughts on the film: It sucked really, really hard. Mamet let down his great cast with the laziest, stupidest script ever. It was stunningly inept, one of the worst things I've ever seen of his (and yeah, I saw SPARTAN). The first 2/3 are actually pretty good in a mechanistic way, even though they are a total ripoff (self-homage?) to SPANISH PRISONER and HOUSE OF GAMES. But the final 1/3 is the most pathetic, awkwardly staged martial arts tournament ever. Mamet cannot stage a big fight scene. The movie just falls apart as Mamet throws logic into the trash can in favor of ludicrous coincidences, pathetic action sequences, and implausible twists (if they can even be called that). Honestly, at least trash like NEVER BACK DOWN has hot chicks to look at! And Elswit's cinematography was really perfunctory here--hard to believe it's the same person who shot THERE WILL BE BLOOD. By the end of the movie, REDBELT is just dead on the screen, a big boring lumpen mess from the Mamet factory. This guy's talent has seriously decayed over the years and he's become a self parody (who knows, maybe Lindsay Crouse wrote all his early plays for him?) The only good thing in this movie is Chiwetel Ejiofor, whose performance in the end is completely undercut by Mamet's lazy script. Just leaving a bunch of random loose ends and encouraging the audience to "guess" at the meaning, like a David Lynch film, doesn't really work in a densely plotted, noir like this one that is solely dependent on dialogue and character. And it's best that I don't even mention Tim Allen's stab at a performance (Tim Allen's immobilized face looks like a Botoxed sponge). Mamet was cool enough at the Q&A, although he seemed mighty pleased with himself, and his substandard work. But someone should cast him in a movie as Henry Rollins's dad (or older bro). They look so similar!!! if you use this, credit me as OblivionRoad
Okay, then. Not a fan. Longtime AICN spy Uncapie saw the same screening, apparently, and has a different take on the film:
"There's always a way out. You just have to find it." David Mamet is a gifted writer who can tell a story with great dialogue and tone, but what he's known for is his twists and turns in a plot. In "Redbelt," the audience will not be disappointed. Mamet writes and directs another of his trademark intricate plots about a Brazilian jujitsu instructor, Mike Terry(Brilliantly portrayed by Chiweitel Ejiofor.) as the owner of a martial arts school who gets involved with people that may or may not be what they seem, luring him into a mixed martial arts competition match. But, is it winner take all or take all from the winner? Mamet unravels the story from the beginning as an onion being peeled. Lots of layers underneath and listening to what the actors say adds a double-entendre to the film's story. Mamet favorites Ricky Jay(Who gets some of the best lines in the film.) and Joe Mantegna(Who also owns the restaurant "Taste Chicago" in North Hollywood, California. There are some great eats to be had there!) show up as well as real-life, professional fighters like Danny Inosanto and Ray "Boom-Boom" Mancini are excellent. Mamet, who is also a black belt in the martial arts, wrote and created some visually entertaining fight scenes that add a no-holds barred realistic approach to the film. Like you've just suited up and stepped into the ring yourself. You feel the punches and the hits with the characters while trying to figure out who's on your side. Its cerebral and physical at the same time. Impressive, in a serious role, was Tim Allen portraying a washed up action-star filming a desert war movie that pulls in Mike Terry into a world of double and triple crosses. With the people that cross paths with Terry; are they friends or foes? Who is using who? Just when you think you know the answers; Mamet changes the questions and that's what makes this movie fun and entertaining. Its well worth your time. Uncapie
