Homicide (1991)David Mamet
- United States / 101 Minutes / 1.85:1 / English
- 1 Disc Release with Commentary, Featurette, Gag Reel
- Fans of Mamet know what to expect when viewing his films. The dialog is too smart, too fast, and too witty to be as realistic as it's intended to be. The characters are played to perfection by a group of actors that seem to pop up in nearly every one of his films. The plot is always a clever twist on an otherwise conventional story, zigging when you expect it to zag and often leading to intense debate and discussion.
- Homicide, Mamet's third directorial effort, is no exception. Featuring Joe Mantegna as detective Bobby Gold, William H. Macy as his partner Tim Sullivan, Rebecca Pidgeon as Miss Klein, and Ving Rhames as Randolph, it starts off as a regular late 80s/early 90s cop movie. Complete with racial tensions, a bunch of witty banter, and detectives who clearly lack social lives, Homicide seems like it could be an episode of Law & Order. But as the film hits the halfway mark, Mamet throws a series of twists and turns that make the viewer realize they're in for something special.
- To go into detail regarding these twists and turns would put a damper on the viewing pleasure that accompanies a movie such as this, so let's keep it vague: Bobby Gold, on his way to catch the bad guy that would get him the promotion he's always wanted, stops at a crime scene to help some fellow rookie officers get out of a jam. Upon doing so, he stumbles on a murder scene, and despite his best efforts to pawn the case off on another detective, he gets stuck holding the bag and has to take the case. At first, he doesn't take the assignment seriously and makes it extremely clear he'd rather be working on the case that would have advanced his career. But as he begins investigating and interviewing witnesses, he realizes that there's a lot more going on than meets the eye. Delving deeper causes Bobby to begin questioning not only his morality, but his heritage and his loyalty.
- It's been said that Homicide is a film about belonging. However, it can best be described as a film about not belonging. Bobby Gold is a conflicted individual, and during the course of the film, it becomes clear that he's been repressing some serious emotion throughout the course of his life. He thinks he knows who he is and what he wants, but over time those thoughts and feelings get railroaded by the things he discovers about himself, and he becomes caught in a web that he can't seem to get himself out of. All of these trials and tribulations come to a head during the climax of the film, leaving the audience stunned and confused.
- Mamet throws in some very David Lynch-like interactions between the characters, as well as some confusing "did this actually happen?" events. While these are a few of the main reasons that the film is so effective and distinguished, it's bound to spark debate and have viewers immediately flocking toward Google and looking up editorials and explanations regarding the film's subtle shockers. In the end, whether or not you love Homicide depends on how you feel about Mamet's style in general: typically, if you're an average movie-goer who tends to go for the real over the surreal, you'll probably find fault in this film. However, if you find yourself enjoying more intelligent and thought-provoking material, this will end up being a film you turn to again and again. It's something you'll constantly bring up in discussion and recommend to your friends.
- Movie Rating: **** (4/5)
- [Excellent dialog, great acting, brilliant editing, thought-provoking storyline]
- DVD Rating: ****+ (4.5/5)
- [Great presentation, interesting commentary, excellent booklet, bonus documentary]
No comments:
Post a Comment