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"State
and Main"
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By Mira Harber
David
Mamet wrote and directed this very funny movie about a film company that
arrives in a small Vermont town to complete a 'work in progress' that was
abruptly halted when the stars' (Alec Baldwin) penchant for underage girls
got him into trouble. Baldwin, the cast and crew of the film, were booted
out of town due to his indiscretions, and arrive in Waterford, Vermont
to begin filming "The Old Mill."
William
H. Macy (Fargo, Boogie Nights) plays the director of this film within a
film. He is not only the director but also confessor, confidant, mother,
tyrant - whatever is needed to get the movie made. He isn't a liar, but
rather has "a gift for fiction."
Another
excellent ensemble cast has been assembled for State and Main. The
always-excellent Philip Seymour Hoffman plays the gentle and somewhat befuddled
screenwriter who falls in love with Rebecca Pidgeon, owner of the local
bookstore. She's engaged to a local lawyer, but falls in love with the
screenwriter when he asks her for advice, and she actually forgets her
fiancé’s name when she attempts to introduce the two men.
Charles
Durning and Patti LuPone play the town mayor and his wife, who plan a dinner
for the visiting dignitaries. Of course, things never happen as they 'should'
and comedy ensues.
Sarah
Jessica Parker plays the female lead who has found God and suddenly refuses
to bear her breasts for the film (well, maybe for an additional $800,000)
and Julia Stiles is an underage nymphet who wreaks havoc when her dalliance
with Alec Baldwin is discovered.
In typical Mamet fashion,
there are lots of cynical one-liners to be found throughout this movie,
but somehow, by the end of the movie, we feel we've seen a smiling, kind
vision of movie making and movie folks.
A messy
car crash, attempted extortion, the "Old Mill" of the title of the film
- well, ok the old mill was actually destroyed in 1960. How about an "Old
Fire Station" instead, including its’ priceless stained glass window? Any
room for product placement? Cynical, funny and true.
Vanity,
pettiness, kindness, goodness and love all find their places in
State
and Main. If you want to smile during these dark winter months, check
out State and Main. |
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