Still, one can't cover such an inept direction with a smart ending.
"A Simple Plan" also had a original ending (somewhat similar to this, but I won't tell you if you haven't seen it), however, it was a much better film throughout. Same goes for the highly underrated "Sphere".
I like original endings, it's bad films that I hate.
Prog.
how was the direction inept? please be more specific. seemed fine to me.
shareSphere? Really? This is one of Mamet's best movies and his direction here (actors, camera, pacing, atmosphere, intrigue) is really top notch. The movie may not deliver in the expected traditional way but it's resolutions are logical and realistic. I know some people are dismayed that it doesn't turn into a full-blow conspiracy flick with secret societies and whatnot, but I personally love the fact that the mysterious Jewish organization Gold stumbles onto is never really explained or even followed up on, existing as a series of red herrings. But that aspect of it wasn't what the movie was about plot-wise. HOMICIDE was far from inept, but that's a criticism I see leveled at challenging movies all the time so there you go.
shareHomicide to me is a genius film, it's brilliant.
Sphere is on my all time worst list.
Different strokes I guess........
Homocide really shows great direction, let alone the superb dailogue Mamet is known for. For example note the opening sequence which is played out in almost total silence until the door is blown. Stuff involving Tactical police always catches my attention and Mamet's comes off as authentic. Even if I were not aware he was responsible for Spartan and The Unit, on the basis of this scene alone I wish he had written and directed that "S.W.A.T" movie!
shareVery true, the opening scenes are excellent. I wish there were a lot of drama/police films like Homicide around to watch. If anyone knows of films that are similar or share something then I'd love to hear about them so that I can search them out! Thanks.
shareThe police and detective genres lend themselves to action and pulp style films more readily, so those probably outnumber drama based films like Homicide. A handful that do come to mind include Kurosawa's detective film "Stray Dog", 3 excellent made for TV films (Death in Paradise, Sea Change, Night Passage) featuring the character Jesse Stone as portrayed by Tom Selleck, a film made before Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce were widely known "L.A.Confidential", "Year of the Dragon" is good though weighed down by the love triangle aspect (in my humble opinion), and lastly though not a police or detective film, not even technically a private investigator film, but I'll throw it in there as it's still entertaining nonetheless "Devil In a Blue Dress" with Denzel Washington and Don Cheadle.
shareWow thanks for these recommendations, I have some knowledge of them but will have to search them out. Thanks for your help!
shareopening up your question a bit... the following movies came to mind:
the conversation by coppolla
little odessa, the yards, we own the night by gray
rampage by friedkin
le cercle rouge, le samourai and others by melville
This is actually the only Mamet film to have direction. Afterwards he wrote a book on directing where he changed his philosophy on film completely, stripping everything out and removing anything that draws attention away from his "words".
"Rape is no laughing matter. Unless you're raping a clown."
I can see how he went in that direction after homicide –films like "Heist" and "State & Main" lack the cinematographic dimensionality of "Homicide" –which I'd say is one of the better shot films I've seen– it's as if he intentionally aimed to make his films more "stagey" afterwards.
However, I consider "Redbelt" a return to form for Mamet. It's as if he's come full circle and perhaps better appreciates the visual elements that were so deftly displayed in "Homicide."
Look, I don't want to address Sphere. I will say that the dialogue in Homicide came off as clunky in places and didn't ring true. Also the timing between some of the actors seemed odd at times. I'm not saying it was bad. The directing was good! The dialogue in the other Mamet movies I've seen was good. I like his style! That said, there were a few instances in which the cops were acting like children. The dialogue sounded like something a high school kid would write. Didn't anyone else notice this? I can't believe Criterion selected this film. It doesn't stand out to me.
shareI've never seen Sphere (just the trailer), but it's mention does make me chuckle.
I couldn't disagree more about the dialog, some of Mamet's best. Any of the exchanges between the detectives for example, with lines like "garner some of them kudos and all that they got" and "The FBI don't put you on their 10 most wanted list until they know where you are, and how long your going to be there". As part of Chicago's theater community many of the actors had worked together for years prior to making the film, so I don't think there was a timing issue, just the opposite. When you say the cops were acting like kids, I assume you mean the characters acted in an immature manner, where and how exactly? Relatively speaking, this is about as authentic a cop film as is likely to be made. Especially next to typical Hollywood fare, Righteous Kill for example. Which are the other Mamet films that you have enjoyed?
I believe Criterion recieved heavy petition to release Homicide after their successful release of Mamet's House of Games dvd, so I suppose fans of the film share in any blame.
I think maybe statements like "I'm not going to invite you to my birthday party" by Macy could come off as childish, but that is the intent. If you've ever spent time around cops or military members you'll recognize that as a common phrase type. Its an authentic type of banter.
shareI know many cops, and they all have a very black sense of humor, it helps you get through the day. I thought (and those I know that have seen it) Macy's dialogue was spot on the entire movie. Either way, people who accuse Mamet of writing unrealistic dialogue need a serious reality check.
I absolutely loved the first half of the film, probably until he stumbled upon the group that wanted the list of names. From there it became pretty convoluted (to me at least)
not as clever as it thinks it is. some good lines. 'i don't need you to wax my car. i need you to go out & do what you are paid to do!'
Season's Greetings!
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