STATE AND MAIN
Released: January 12, 2001
David Mamet is often lauded as a great playright but directorially he is not exactly prolific. It was definitely interesting to see his new movie which is a light and bouncy comedy, though because it's Mamet at the helm it has its heart and soul in the right places. In the trailers it appears like a movie about a director trying to make a movie but it soon reveals itself to be a smart, witty love story where lies and loyalty are key. William H. Macy plays the director of "The Old Mill", a movie he's trying to finish before getting kicked out of his new location in small town New England. His crew was kicked out of the last New England town because his main actor played by Alec Baldwin walks into trouble everywhere he goes. Early on it's clear this plot is one of many that populate this quirky movie. The other dominant story involves the movie's screenwriter played by Philip Seymour Hoffman and his blossoming love for town resident Rebecca Pidgeon. Pidgeon shines in this role. She is sweet and pure which is no doubt why director Mamet married her. Check out her musical offerings as the leader of Ruby Blue from the late 80s and her current solo works for her truly amazing voice. Other actors in this movie turn in fine performances such as Julia Stiles, David Paymer, Sarah Jessica Parker and Charles Durning.
106 Minutes
New Line/Warner Bros.