MovieChat Forums > The Water Engine (1992) Discussion > If You Want to See This Movie...

If You Want to See This Movie...

posted 14 years ago by Schmoozette
7 replies | jump to latest

I hope this will still be there for everyone, but I actually found the movie on YouTube. I feel very lucky, in that when it was shown on TV years ago it was on a certain channel (before I had cable) that didn't have good reception in my home, and I had to give up on it. I never thought I'd get the opportunity to see it.

Well, I'm glad I did. I thought it was beautifully acted, genuinely suspenseful, and very poignant. Got a kick out of seeing Felicity Huffman acting alongside her husband, William H. Macy.

The subtitle is "An American Fable," and it really works on that level.

The one thing I'm not sure about is the conversation that Mamet's character has with the other guy on the bus. I'm not clear as to what that was about, even as a "side conversation" that had nothing to do with the main action.

Nonetheless, I feel very lucky to finally have been able to see it!

[–] whosit 14 years ago

Just tried searching YouTube for both "The Water Engine" and "An American Fable" but couldn't find the movie...YouTube's search engine is horrible! Do you have a direct link that you could post please? Thanks!

[–] Schmoozette 14 years ago

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLhaol2j9Uk

Try the above link; also, if you type Water Engine Mamet into the search field of You Tube, you should get to the page where you'll see The Water Engine #01 of 10.avi

I hope that helps, and hope you get to see it!

[–] whosit 14 years ago

[–] Schmoozette 14 years ago

You're welcome. If you've watched it by now, I'd like to know if you liked it as much as I did. Glad you could find it!

[–] whosit 14 years ago

** SPOILER ALERTS!! **
Don't read unless you've seen the movie! You have been warned!!

Overall I thought it was extremely well done although terribly depressing. As usual, Macy was superb! Joe Mantegna ate up the scenery in a most menacing way and John Mahoney was very good as well. Patti LuPone was excellent and reminded me somewhat of Marina Sirtis from Star Trek (at least facially).

As I said, the story was quite sad and depressing. I understand Macy's motivation to protect his invention but frankly what good did it do him? It cost him everything to keep the engine out of the hands of "them" If his goal was to give this device to the world then he still failed even without selling out. Should've just taken the money and ran. Having then gotten the money, he could've tried to patent or produce the engine and then he could legally protect it...WITH THEIR MONEY LOL!! For such a smart guy he was quite a dummy.

Couple of things that struck me as odd and were probably due to editing (possibly because of time constraints)...some characters and story lines seemed to go nowhere or weren't fully developed. Charles Durning and Treat Williams's scenes seem kinda superfluous and give the impression of the above or even as padding to fill for time. Expand upon them or delete them altogether. No, I'm not an editor nor do I play one on TV but I majored in film and do have an eye for these things. There's no need for the reporter backstory other than the chain letter, and the visit to the fair could've been accomplished without Durning's character. The only thing of any import of Macy and Durning's interaction is the speech at the end of their final meeting and Macy showing him the blueprints. What good was that? Durning is never heard of or from again and Macy you know what Macy did with the blueprints at the end.

The other thing that I noticed was the cheesey music, sounds like a Canadian after school special from the 70's...just bad. This was the only production value that comes across as them having scrimped on. Although this was set in 1934 (they mention the second season of the Chicago World Fair 33-34) there are a few cars newer than that, but I understand the how and why these things happen so I'm not being critical, just noticing it is all.

Overall a callous covered thumbs up from this critic.

[–] decemed 13 years ago

I believe the editorial scenes were quite essential. You saw the people "preaching" on streets one after another. They had things to say, they were depicted as the citizen, while the editorial was just blabbermouthing to get paid, thus depicted as media.

It's presenting our society, how media tends to be full of *beep* and those who got things to say, are kept away from the spotlight.

[–] loki242 8 years ago

Funny how this was pulled off youtube.

You hate Congress but every election you re-elect YOUR "guy" and wonder why things never change!