Ugly, decaying and rough, but a thoughtful psychological observation of a lonely man loosing control in a personal quest where the cards go on to tell the story in this independently made, stuffy-dark thriller. I see this get labeled as black
blackest of dark humor. I don't know about that, as sure it really does pick on our main protagonist and turn his once well respected life upside down (chewed up and spat out) in one night, simply longing for a change with some truth to it than the boring one his living now. Never did I find anything remotely humorous, but more so it had me cringing
and that's where I feel director Stuart Gordon and writer David Mamet were aiming. Should we be looking for something we don't understand, or should we be happy with what we got. Should we fear of what will become of those desirable dreams and inner feelings when lived out? David Mamet's philosophical screenplay is experimentally exhaustive in its personal exploration by ramming down a verbose range of dialogues and largely mind-thoughts that's perfectly handled by William H. Macy's torn-down performance (starting off in a deaden state to only erupt with reflective energy) beams shades of Jekyll and Hyde. It's quite an interesting performance, but this whole angle becomes less convincing, where he begins to question life's many hurdles began to grate (with its boundless ramblings) and the forced conclusion only cements that we only ended up with more questions than when we first started. Looking for something, but in the end still not quite sure in what. Gordon's somberly starch direction is illustratively atmospheric capturing the ominously lurid and harsh urban backdrop of New York City with the guidance of the camera venturing through the seedy dark streets of the night. What occurs on the nocturnal journey is impulsive, startling and unforeseeable with many edgily morbid strokes by Gordon
namely the violence. Bobby Johnston's emotionally tuneful jazz score and Denis Maloney's subjective photography add a lot to its intimate style. The cast features some fine additional support (Rebecca Pidgeon) and in bit parts, but important to the story's progression is Joe Mantegna, Frances Bay, Julia Stiles, Mena Suvari (looking stunning then ever), Denise Richards, George Wendt and Bail Ling.
Review of Edmond
