State and Main (2000) User Reviews

Brilliantly acted and refreshingly original!

[mattymatt4ever · 7/10 · 29 June 2001]

I haven't been thoroughly following David Mamet's career, but just watching this film, "American Buffalo" and "Glengarry Glen Ross" I already get a feel of his unique style of writing. It's very witty, very original and he has certain trademarks, like quick exchanges of dialogue between actors and repeating of the same sentence of dialogue in a group of lines. Well, his uniqueness is quite evident in watching this movie and it works quite well.

First I'll mention the vast array of talented actors. I don't think the casting could've been any better. Character actor William H. Macy is brilliant as the almost unscrupulous director, who will do ANYTHING--and I'm not exaggerating the least bit--to get his picture done. Fellow character actor/fellow PT Anderson regular Philip Seymour-Hoffman turns in another brilliant, yet subtle performance as the shy but appealing and wildly creative screenwriter who is the fuel of this cinematic project. As I said, he's made a significant--and extremely impressive--transition from playing the airhead jerk in "Scent of a Woman" and "Twister" to playing deep character roles like this. He ranks among the top in my list of Best Underrated Actors (along with Macy) and I hope one of these days he'll become a household name. David Peymer, I think, delivers the best performance of his career as the fast-talking, sniveling producer. I've always known he was a good actor, but he truly flaunts his knack for acting and taking risks in this role. It figures that playwright Mamet would assemble a group of fine character actors, instead of simply casting people who "look good on camera." That's one of the advantages of having a playwright as a director.

The script is wildly original and kept me laughing. There are many interesting, memorable quotes. And this is just a fine adult comedy (Thank God!!). With the explosion of teen gross-out comedies, I'm sure audiences will cherish a comedy like this. It works in all aspects. Not only is it well-performed, but it's well-written (lots of comedies only contain one of those factors). And it's all done in good taste. So those of you expecting cheap sex jokes and low-brow gags involving bodily functions--sorry to disappoint you! There are no cliches. This movie is an explosion of Mamet's gift for creativity. Take for example, the relationship between Hoffman and the beautiful Rebecca Pidgeon. They don't have a sex scene. Most of their screen time is spent talking and getting to know each other, sharing their thoughts on writing, researching the town's history, finding out how much they have in common. Do we still see that in the movies? Character development in romance? In the scene where Hoffman is in the hotel room with Sarah Jessica Parker lying on the bed naked, and Pidgeon knocks on his door to greet him with a bouquet of flowers, there's no predictability. You would assume she would take one look at Parker's naked body and punch him in face. I'm not going to give away what happens, but that moment stuck in my mind, because it is the first film I've seen to go a different route with the whole "girlfriend catches you in bed with another girl" premise.

"State and Main" is pleasant, light-hearted, funny, original comedy and it's one I'd definitely recommend. If you want to see great performances and laugh at good, tasteful humor--you can't go wrong!

My score: 7 (out of 10)

David Mamet takes a change of pace

[Quinoa1984 · 7/10 · 23 December 2000]

If you know Mamet's film history, you'll realize often, he writes about lowlifes and depressing (though good) subject matter such as the Untouchables, Glengarry Glen Ross and The Winslow Boy. But now, Mamet turns to light comedy and succeeds, even if as times it's a little too light.

The film is mainly supported (besides a clever script) by it's cast including William H. Macy delivering some good laughs as a director who comes off like he did in Fargo, only more like you would see a director. Phillip Seymour Hoffman makes good as a writer, Alec Baldwin brings some sly humor as a big movie star who can't get away from 14 year old girls (though Julia Stiles doesn't look 14), Sarah Jessica Parker is actually sexy here, and David Paymer is stunningly funny as a go for broke producer. At points, one could compare this movie to the brilliant Bowfinger from last year and they might be right, but Mamet also adds in stuff about small towns as well. Enjoyable to say the least. B+

Goodhearted, light fun

[rcraig62 · 7/10 · 23 June 2004]

In the pantheon of David Mamet's films, I'd say State and Main ranks somewhere in the middle, but it's a good middle. The rhythm and pace is more like a sitcom than a feature film, sharply edited and light on its feet and with a sort of whitebread jazz motif loitering in the background, but the cast is certainly above average, and Mamet's screenplay is very charming punctuated with some funny sub-plots and a few very good (maybe even great) one-liners.

The story concerns a film production crew, running out of money, who blows into the quaint provincial town of Waterford, Vermont on a location shoot after getting run out of New Hampshire (for reasons that are very hush-hush). The wellspring of much of the humor is in the byplay between the corruptness of the film people and the "purity" of the locals, who turn out to be as rotten as some of the Hollywood crowd. There are also some hilarious insides on the world of show-biz and film-making (i.e. the associate producer's credit, the product placement for a dot.com in a movie set in the 1800's, the cinematographer who can't get the shot he wants, Sarah Jessica Parker's character who finds religion and won't show her breasts in the film - unless the producers pay her an additional 800 grand).

Mamet is not quite in the Woody Allen class of gagwriting, but he proves to be assured and witty without being too self-consciously clever (as he is in "Heist"). Some favorite lines: "I remember my lines. I just don't remember which order they come in."; "You don't like children, do you?" "Never saw the point of 'em."; and, of course "Whatever happened to 1975?"

William H. Macy gives a good funny performance as the wheeler-dealer director (as good as his work in "Fargo" or "The Cooler"), and Philip Seymour Hoffman and Rebecca Pidgeon are wonderful as the would-be lovers. This is a not great, but a good middlebrow satire of different worlds, very pleasant and expertly written, though just not savage enough to be brutally memorable. 3 *** out of 4

Rebecca's Valentine

[tedg · 22 January 2001]

Spoilers herein.

Mamet is the best writer in the business, and here is another of his films about films. There are dozens this year already by others (and about writing too) and this is an incredibly tight and multilayered edition, but the layers are different than usual.

Once again, we get relatively deep ruminations on the nature of art. Here, the mirror of film and film-within is reflected in Hollywood and a `real' town. Lots of smaller reflections too -- for instance in the external film, breasts are shown to the lead but not the audience, while this same issue is manipulated in the internal film. Lots of plot turns, including some unconsummated starts: who burned stuff down? why did it inspire the Huskies? what happened to 1975? Some truly great acting on the part of Hoffman and Macy. And the whole thing is funny as hell.

But what's truly fascinating is how Mamet layered the meanings and how he placed his wife in the center. His past few films -- the ones he directed plus `Vanya' -- were incredibly multilayered. He creates parallel worlds which the actors jump among, sometimes chasing, or annotating, or fighting. Very rich, very jazz. But in the last two films Rebecca has been lost as an actress. She's really quite accomplished, but as a straight ahead sort of actor. Hoffman can play several roles at once -- Pidgeon only one.

One can see that Mamet loves his levels -- it's the core of his achievement. But he loves his wife more. So here he has flattened his levels of abstraction so that they are not indirectly referenced but intrinsic in the story. That way, his wife can work with her role without being swamped. He even builds the entire creation of both films around her (she writes them both). And he adds a half-film of sorts where she creates her own, by mobilizing townspeople to fool Hoffman's character.

More. With Hoffman as his surrogate he even makes the story about this bending of the story for her, about sacrificing artifice for love. What a valentine! How enobling a love! I'll bet his next writing/directing effort (`The Heist,' now in production) is similarly built on her.

My only complaint continues to be his use of the camera, which is strictly mundane. His films are plays, all about the writing and acting, not at all about the filming in the filming. What will happen when Mamet's writing is seen through Ridley Scott's eye? We'll soon see.

Slight but colorful

[moonspinner55 · 6/10 · 18 January 2004]

The filmmakers who invade Vermont are patronizing, condescending and pig-headed...to the locals and to each other. Writer-director David Mamet gets in some good acerbic digs at show business and isn't afraid to make anyone and everyone look the fool. After all, it's only "just a movie" to us--to them, it's brain surgery at a cost. The cast seems to be having a great time, Alec Baldwin in particular. Philip Seymour Hoffman has never been so benign--and thats a good thing (what a nice change to see him relaxed, romantic and clean-cut). The picture isn't a barn-burner, it never crackles or builds comedic momentum like, say, "Tootsie", but it's a flip, funny, unfettered throwaway. **1/2 from ****

Simple movie, complicated story

[valadas · 7/10 · 3 October 2005]

Like a voice off says in the end while the generic list scrolls down, this movie is about a lot of things. As a matter of fact although this story is told in a very simple way without any kind of sensational images, it has to do with such complicated things like corruption, love, honesty, sex, integrity and conscience, money and last but not least all the difficulties and problems that arise when you are making a movie. A film crew arrives at a small provincial town in Vermont, U.S.A, to make a movie there and all the troubles begin because of the clash of mentalities between locals and members of the crew and the seduction induced on the former by the latter's presence. The character of the screen-play writer is fundamental here with his belief in the second chance that must always be given to any man to correct a mistake or a wrongdoing and his anguish and hesitations in choosing the right moral way himself as a witness in court. A second chance will be indeed be given to him though it will show itself unnecessary after all which by its awkwardness represents maybe the weakest point of the movie. Purity is the main theme of the movie that is being made in that small town. But in the real world outside will it win in the end? To find the answer you must go and see this movie.

PLEASE PAY ATTENTION BEFORE POSTING

[Dave-330 · 10/10 · 18 September 2002]

The reviews of this film seem to be mixed and I am confused on how that can be? This is one of my favorite movies ever and may be the best (not slapstick, Chris Farley-esque comedy, but smart) comedy. You must pay attention to this movie to get the jokes, because most of them are running (as in recurring) jokes that pick up on items that may have been just mentioned once ("Go you Huskies!") and again and again and again and then are explained later as a tag-on in the dialogue. This basic comedy technique works on an early Mel Brooks type level and makes for a movie that should be watched many times in order to pick up everything, but is still (maybe even more) enjoyable after each viewing.

The writing is unquestionably the best comedy screenplay since those early Brooks films. It's just funny, but you have to pay attention. If you aren't listening to every line of dialogue, you will miss jokes, it is that simple. Each line is crucial to the script either as a story/plot building device or as a joke building device or both. There is not one wasted word in the script.

The cast is classic. Rebecca Pidgeon, Mamet's wife, plays the matter-of-fact-talking girl perfectly. She is the heart of the film and deserves praise for being able to perform that well. The other person that deserves high praise is William H. Macy. His performance is on par with his Fargo performance. He emits this sense of control as everything falls apart around him and delivers some excellent lines.

Baldwin gives a better than average performance, as does Durning and Hoffman and the rest of the cast is quite good.

The direction is great. The movie seems to last 15 minutes because it is that interesting and fast paced. The perceived fast pace is created by the actors saying their lines so quickly and crisply. This can only occur with a director that knows the script but since the script was written by the director, the point becomes moot. Everything else also flows so well and the credit for that has to be given to Mamet's directing and writing ability.

I really like this film. I like the way "The Old Mill" mirrors the actions of the actual film and how deep the film goes. This is like one of those classic novels that can be dissected in every way for symbolism and thought, which is quite rare in today's cinema. The film may be too smart for it's own good and may have overshot the general movie audience, but makes for a gem of a movie to watch. Mamet pulls no punches making fun of Hollywood by comparing it to small town America or more importantly Hollywood "values" to small town American values. Watch this movie if you want to think and be entertained, and if that doesn't sound appealing, please go find another movie to watch.

filming in a small town, Mamet style

[blanche-2 · 7/10 · 6 February 2013]

William H. Macy, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Alec Baldwin, Sarah Jessica Parker, David Paymer, Charles Durning, Julia Stiles, and Rebecca Pidgeon star in "State and Main," a 2000 film written and directed b David Mamet.

Macy is the director, Walt Price, of a film shooting on location. For reasons not disclosed, they've been run out of one small town and now are in another one in Vermont. With him are his writer, Joseph Turner White,(Hoffman), heretofore a playwright, his stars (Baldwin & Parker), and various other assistants, cameramen, etc.

The name of the film is "The Old Mill" and the exciting thing about this town is that it actually has one. Well, it had one - they find out it burned down. This is actually the least of their problems. The female star refuses to bare her breasts, though someone comments that most of America can draw them from memory; then she holds them up for $800,000. The male lead likes underage girls and gets in a car accident with one in the car. Unfortunately, the writer is a witness, and due to the influence of a townswoman, Ann, he has fallen for (Pidgeon) he wants to maintain his integrity.

The Mayor (Durning) is willing to turn over the whole town to them seemingly for free until someone finds out it would cost $6 million to build a set of the town, so all the playing up to the Mayor seems to be for nothing. And an attorney, ex-fiancé of Ann's, is ready to extract revenge on the company by legal means.

Meanwhile, the wife of someone on the crew is having a baby, White can't type because he caught his finger in a fish hook, and the Price keeps asking for the scene where the horse dies. When White says, "You know you can't kill a horse," the director's angry answer is "f--- me." I'm sure some of this is very true to life, especially the director being hounded from all sides constantly and having to put out a million fires. Also the cover-up of the accident I'm sure has happened. The movie captures the awe that townspeople have when Hollywood types come in to make a film, as well as the self-indulgence of the actors.

Most of the time, the film was pretty funny. It's not Mamet's best by any means. It's a light story with some very good performances, particularly by Macy, who plays a determined director who pretends to be nice to perfection, and Hoffman, who walks around in a dream world on his first film. Baldwin nonchalantly gives us the narcissistic essence of his character, and Parker is a riot acting as if she's being asked to commit murder instead of something she's done a million times.

The end shouldn't come as any surprise. I would say this is atypical Mamet that, had it not been for the stars, could have been a TV movie.

One Of Mamet's Best

[jhclues · 10/10 · 24 January 2001]

It's difficult to write an objective review about a film that I'm so enthusiastic about, but there's no getting around it-- I haven't been this excited about a movie in a long time, so I'll just forge ahead. The film is `State and Main,' written and directed by David Mamet, and arguably his best effort since 1987's `House Of Games.' When a movie company invades the sleepy hamlet of Waterford, Vermont, for a location shoot, complete with big name stars Bob Barrenger (Alec Baldwin) and Claire Wellesley (Sarah Jessica Parker) in tow, it creates quite a stir; and before it's over many of the townsfolk, as well as a few of those connected with the film, have learned some things about themselves-- and others-- they never knew before. Things about honesty, purity and the moral flexibility inherent in many of those who reside here on planet Earth. As a setting for the making of the film within the film-- which is about purity and second chances-- Mamet takes a page right out of Americana, complete with a Main Street, an historic firehouse, a quaint hostelry and even-- `maybe'-- an old mill on a stream. And in making a film about making a film about purity and second chances, he's made a film about purity and, well, second chances; a terrific character study that is forthright and sincere, and which rings with truth from beginning to end. It's as honest as it is real, and so accessible that it makes an instant connection with the audience. There are characters and situations here with which everyone will be able to identify in one way or another, all presented refreshingly and quite unpredictably. Just when you think you see something coming from a mile away, you're treated to one of those famous Mamet `twists' that take you exactly where you didn't think you were going. And Mamet does it so well that it's not only highly entertaining, but invigorating as well. The cast he put together for this film is superlative, beginning with William H. Macy as Walt Price, the director of the movie. A Mamet regular, Macy creates a character infused with that magic Mamet realism that helps establish the credibility of the film from the outset. Baldwin is perfectly cast as the `star' with certain insatiable appetites and recreational needs, as is Parker, as the actress with a sudden case of `issues' regarding her contractual obligations. And David Paymer does a solid turn as Marty Rossen, the producer of the film. But the two actors who really make this movie tick are the charismatic Rebecca Pidgeon, and the versatile, multi-talented Philip Seymour Hoffman. Pidgeon is absolutely captivating as Ann Black, the local who runs the book shop and directs the town's drama group (which includes just about everybody in Waterford, it seems). She's winsome and charming, with a directness and vigor that is stunning; and she captures the very essence of Ann-- the intelligence and the compassion-- and conveys it convincingly to the audience. It's a memorable performance, and one of the strengths (among many) of the movie. The real star of the show, however, is Hoffman, as Joseph Turner White, the writer of the movie. He gives an introspective performance filled with nuance and subtlety that is so real-- so pure-- that he single-handedly takes the film to a whole new level. Like Meryl Streep, Hoffman has that chameleon-like ability that enables him to be anyone and everyone, yet always unique; it's a quality with which few actors are endowed, and he uses his gift to full advantage here, with his memorable portrayal of White. Simply put, it's a great performance by a great actor, and one that should earn him an Oscar nomination. The supporting cast includes Charles Durning (Mayor George Bailey), Clark Gregg (Doug), Patti LuPone (Sherry Bailey), Julia Stiles (Carla) and Ricky Jay (Jack). Mamet has a style that make his films uniquely his own, and `State and Main' is one of his best. Exceptionally well done and delivered, it's intelligent, funny and entertaining; an honest and succinct examination of human nature with an integrity at it's core that makes it a truly great film. This is a prime example of what the magic of the movies is all about; a film that absolutely should not be missed. I rate this one 10/10.

Great script and watch the background

[pontifikator · 7/10 · 18 January 2012]

This is a very funny movie written and directed by David Mamet. His script requires some close attention, though, as the jokes are subtle and come at you out of left field.

The cast is excellent: Clark Gregg, Charles Durning, Christopher Kaldor, William H. Macy, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Alec Baldwin, David Paymer, and Rebecca Pidgeon, to name too few. The plot is tight, the dialogue is fast-paced, and the actors deliver with great precision and aplomb.

Macy plays the director of a movie that has had to leave its earlier location for a reason that leaks out of the dialogue without ever being stated. And we watch as history repeats itself with the inevitability of history itself. Macy's character, Walt Price, is a lying, conniving, manipulative, unfeeling jerk that Macy keeps from being unlikeable by showing us that Walt _needs_ to be all those things to get the film in the can.

Walt Price and his crew are trying to shoot a film in a small town in Vermont, where the residents are wowed by the attention. Mamet's script is a silent riot, as we see the rubes go from reading the local paper to Variety, all in the background, so if you're not paying attention to the background, you're missing a substantial part of the humor and foreshadowing of what's going to happen. Everything that can go wrong, does go wrong, so lawyers are brought in, cash is brought in, and love is brought in. Rebecca Pidgeon is great as the straight-faced, straight-talking love interest for Hoffman, and Hoffman delivers a great performance as Mamet -- the writer of art who gets the full Hollywood treatment and who must decide between love/art and seduction/corruption. As Hoffman's character keeps saying, it's all about purity.

This is a very funny movie, and I wouldn't want to be an associate producer. (Oh, and be sure to watch through the credits and read them. Only 2 animals were harmed during the production of this movie!)

Well... it has a nice personality...

[Enchorde · 5/10 · 25 January 2009]

Recap: A film team practically invades a small rural town in Vermont after being kicked out of their last intended shooting location. Short on cash, short on time and with a lot of people talented in finding trouble they must convince the townsfolk to let the shoot their movie, and use their building. Problem is, the building they want to use burned downed in 1960.

Comments: A movie about all the small things that complicate your life as a movie producer or director. Never mind that you're short on cash and time, but when your lead star has an improper taste for (too) young girls, your shooting location burnt down a few decades ago and a town council member really hates you, then you almost appreciate the small troubles of life.

This intention to make the movie a hectic, intense and funny project that finds trouble everywhere it goes is also it biggest problem. There are so many small sub-plots that none of them are given much time to grow and evolve. The result is that there are a lot of small "ha-ha"s but you never got a joke that really is given time to build up and make you roll on the floor laughing.

It is nice, not hilarious. But it does redeem itself a little at the end, where it actually connects a lot of these sub-plots in one scene. And it also got a good cast with a few actually making a little something with the scarce screen time they get with so many plots to go around. I think especially of Macy, Stiles and Hoffman.

But I had expected more. A laugh or two maybe. Something to get the movie going. Something extra. Unfortunately I got a little disappointed.

5/10

State and Main, , The Old Water Mill or Without Title

[lakipappy · 9/10 · 22 March 2005]

This gem of a movie was probably not a blockbuster when released. The storyline is thin and almost non-existent, it could be summed up as, "everyone gets the chance to screw up a second time". Nevertheless, there are enough twists and turns to make what story there is interesting. This must be the sort of movie that every good actor and actress would love to have a role in as the screenplay has been written by an accomplished playwright. It is a farcical melodrama rather than a comedy but nonetheless highly enjoyable.

A film-making team, hard up on critical funds, has just been thrown out of a small town in New Hampshire. Their movie's plot necessitates the choice of a small town New England locale and a water mill (one reason why they are short of funds is that they had to build an old water mill replica in the New Hampshire town). As the movie begins The Director and his crew find themselves in a small town in Vermont (actually most of the scenes are shot in Connecticut or Massachusetts). The beauty of the location is well-captured by excellent photography. The makers of State and Main did not fall into the trap of shooting the film during the Fall. New England fall colors would be a major distraction although Alfred Hitchcock's black comedy, "The Trouble With Harry", succeeded despite being shot in Vermont at the peak of the fall leaf color season, but then Hitchcock was an exceptional genius.

The small town has being going on in its leisurely way until the film crew arrive. The obvious star of "State and Main" is Philip Seymour Hoffman a previously little known Hollywood actor whose first appeared on the screen as the spoiled rich daddy-supported George Willis Jr. In that memorable Al Pacino film, "Scent of a Woman". Hoffman's key role in State and Main is as the author and screen play writer for the movie within the movie. The better known Hollywood star Alec Baldwin plays the lesser role of the film-in making's male star. He is portrayed as a lustful male whose sexual preference is of under age nubile girls.

The Director is played by William H. Macy, who is completely unflappable no matter what. The producer arrives after the crew has settled in. The role is played by droopy-eyed David Paymer, who is completely obsessed with money and will bribe anyone to get things moving. The male star lead is almost fatally distracted by a young teenager (Julia Stiles). The female lead and siren, Sarah Jessica Parker, demands substantial extra money for appearing naked in a scene claiming that she has found religion. Hoffman is smitten in the heart by an attractive young woman (Rebecca Pigeon) in the town who is engaged or semi-engaged to the local bad man and town councilor.

I will leave it to the reader's imagination to find out if the film crew gets the second chance to screw up again. The movie is directed by David Mamet, a leading American playwright. Mamet wrote the screen plays for well-known movies such as "The Postman Always Rings Twice", "The Untouchables"" , and had a minor role as a performer in the 1986 thriller "Black Widow". He has directed several movies aside from this one in the past 17 years.

It is evident that Mamet , who also wrote the screen play for this charming melodrama, was at a loss for a suitable title for the film, just like the director in the play, who wanted to call his movie The Old Mill, only to find out, upon arrival in the Vermont town, that the much advertised Old Mill had burnt down in 1960. Mamet settled on the uninspiring title "State and Main" from the intersection where the town's brand new traffic lights still stand at the start of the movie. Interestingly enough the title for the DVD version of "State and Main" circulating in Greece is translated as "Without Title". I am fairly confident that this little known 102 minute melodrama will become a cine buff's classic one day

State(the people from Hollywood) and Main(the people of Waterford,Vermont) - two worlds meet each other

[chat_tegen_jaimy · 7/10 · 25 August 2003]

State(the people from Hollywood) and Main(the people of Waterford,Vermont) - Two whole different worlds meet each other. The move was enjoyable. It wasn't really a comdey nor a romance, or wathever it must have been. I couldn't really laugh and the romance between Joe and Ann was poor. But it's worth time seeing it. You could see the chemistry between the actors. It has something, normally in such movies, movies as these never made it to the movie theatres, so there's the problem, why these movies don't get much attention, etc. Enough of my boring words, the choice is up to you : Do I want to see this movie or not ? That's the question.

State and Main: Mainly a Big Disappointment

[rebecca-grafer · 1/10 · 30 September 2002]

I saw this movie Friday night based on a friend's recommendation with high hopes because of the great cast. I wondered why I had never heard of it when it was at the theater-- how did I miss it? The answer came quickly as I began watching this slow-moving, corny, dim-witted piece of junk. The plot was insipid and the acting was very weak. I was too lethargic to turn it off, so I sat through the entire debacle... Today I found out that the friend who recommended and loaned it to me hadn't even seen it himself!!! Some friend!!! ;)

Enjoyable viewing experience

[Eric-1226 · 1 January 2003]

(This review refers to the DVD version of the film...)

I enjoyed this film immensely. I like Mamet's work: I've seen "House of Games" many times, and have seen "The Spanish Prisoner" twice. I like the multilayered, complex, odd, and offbeat nature of these stories. "State and Main" is similar, only different.

The whole concept of the movie seems kind of like, well, like taking a picture of yourself in a mirror, where you are taking a picture of yourself taking a picture of yourself. Only doing it without the slightest hesitation or twinge of self-consciousness. The actors in this film pull it off admirably, with an occasional ever-so-subtle twinkle in their eye to make it a truly fun movie.

This film is only the third film I've seen on DVD (the first two were "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (2001), and "Beat the Devil" (1954)). I am still amazed at the beautiful picture quality that DVD's are able to deliver. I just purchased a new DVD player, however, screen-wise, I don't have anything more than a very nice 13 year-old 26" Mitsubishi television... I'm not even using component video hookups. The picture quality is reminiscent of a box of glowing precious gems. I can't wait until I someday get an enhanced widescreen (plasma or LCD) television set. I predict that when that happens, you'll never pry me out of my recliner chair in front of the TV.

I also like the Special Features that you typically get with DVD's nowadays. With "State and Main", there is a lengthy commentary track where several of the actors make interesting running commentary about the film, while pertinent segments of the film itself are replayed in the background. Long, but worth watching.

Going by the generally good reviews of this film, plus my aforementioned admiration of Mamet's work, I took a chance and decided to buy this DVD instead of renting it. And I'm glad I did. It's a film very worthy of any serious movie collector's collection. I can imagine myself watching this occasionally, when I'm in a thoughtful and somewhat playful mood.

Funny

[moviesleuth2 · 6/10 · 28 December 2009]

There aren't many literary geniuses with wide recognition these days. Most film scripts rely on special effects and actors to make them memorable. It's rare that you'll find a movie where the "star" is the dialogue, and not a thespian or CGI explosion. But with David Mamet, that's what you get.

In general, I'm not a David Mamet fan. Although his films are always well-written, and his trademark stylization of speaking dialogue in his movies is always fun to listen to (although it's restrained here), they are not my cup of tea. I didn't like "Glengarry Glen Ross," and I found "Spartan" interesting but poorly paced. I did, however, like his hysterical play, "November," and after hearing good things about "State and Main" from critics and word of mouth, I decided to check it out. It's consistently amusing, but not as funny as it wants to be.

"State and Main" is an ensemble comedy. It's about a desperate film crew who finally finds a place to shoot their movie, but they are all about to have a disastrous run-in with Murphy's Law. The big-star, Bob Beringer (Alec Baldwin) can't keep himself from his hobby (young girls like Carla, played by Julia Stiles). The director, Walt Price (Mamet regular William H. Macy) suddenly realizes that his newfound shooting spot doesn't have an old mill anymore (the film they're shooting is called "The Old Mill"). The ditsy female star, Claire Wellesley (Sarah Jessica Parker) is having second thoughts about taking her shirt off on camera. And the screenwriter, Joeseph Turner White (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is having to constantly rewrite his script to deal with the crises, all while falling for his newfound muse, the local bookstore owner Ana (Rebecca Pigeon, aka Mrs. David Mamet).

The best thing about this movie (other than the brilliant script) is the fact that Mamet never takes the easy way out. He eschews the easy targets (movie stars with huge egos and/or no brains, greedy lawyers, etc.). To be sure, they make an appearance, but they aren't a huge source of the film's comedy. This is all but to be expected; Mamet has been on the film scene for the last two decades, and is widely recognized as one of the best script doctors. He knows how making a movie REALLY works, and attacks it with a his scythe of satire.

Unfortunately, while this opens up the potential for new and funny jokes, plot twists and gags (and Mamet actually exploits it), it's just not as funny as he intended it to be. It's clear that this is supposed to be 105 minutes of madcap insanity, which it is, but it's just not a laugh a minute riot (as was the intention).

The acting is great, and the actors poke fun at their reputations (like Baldwin and Parker). And we actually begin to care about Joesph and Ana. And although it's not as funny as it is meant to be, there are some great one liners.

It's worth a rental, especially for Mamet fans, movie lovers, and intelligent viewers.

Easygoing Mamet Comedy.

[rmax304823 · 7/10 · 10 June 2007]

It's not hilarious but it's consistent in its good-natured cynicism, from which most of its amusement quotient is derived. Mamet takes us to a small town in Vermont where Bill Macy is trying to set up locations for a film he is directing, (Some problems there with the old watermill, the centerpiece of the story, which doesn't exist anymore.)

Alec Baldwin is a little careless about his attraction to young girls and this adds to the difficulties when he's put upon by the authorities. He has the best line though -- the last in the film -- when he shuffles off to the set and mutters, "It beats working." Philip Seymour Hoffman has a strange face, indeed a strange presence, and brings a good deal of talent to the role of a screenwriter with principle, probably the closest thing to a protagonist the movie offers us. He quits his job at one point before having an epiphany and returning to work.

And he has a romance with the attractive, perceptive, flatly matter-of-fact Rebecca Pigeon, who projects an extraordinary intelligence and sexiness despite her ski boots and overgrown running shoes, which any normal viewer would love to pluck off and turn into soup. As their romance is nudged forward by events, she asks Hoffman, "How do you feel about children?" He stares back open mouthed, his mind whirling, before he replies, "I never could see the point."

I just claimed his mind was whirling but he gives no evidence of it in his behavior. He simply stands there agog and hesitates for some seconds before speaking. But a viewer KNOWS his brain is clicking, even though it's moving in an unanticipated direction.

That's acting talent, and pretty good writing too. Some clever lines are sprinkled over the script. Macy examines the wardrobe sketches and remarks, "Who designed these costumes? It looks like Edith Head puked and the puke designed the costumes." Well, I'm not sure that's "clever" but it's funny.

It will probably leave you smiling, so go ahead and watch it if you can.

I guess that Hollywood and small-town America just don't mix!

[lee_eisenberg · 10/10 · 22 July 2005]

When Hollywood (with all its ruthlessness, immorality, and other R-rated-or-are-they characteristics) comes to an idealistic small town (with its farms, mom-and-pop stores, and other G-rated-or-are-they characteristics), what could possibly go wrong? The answer is, of course, everything. Director Walt Price (William H. Macy) is uptight, while star Bob Barrenger (Alec Baldwin) can't keep his zipper shut in the presence of local teenager Carla (Julia Stiles). Meanwhile, everyone in town wants a piece of the movie's action, and they won't easily be discouraged from getting it.

"State and Main" just might be David Mamet's funniest movie ever. Poking fun at both Tinseltown and the "ideal small town", he creates a story that's as biting as it is zany.

I have a question, though. Charles Durning plays Mayor George Bailey. Was that name a reference to Jimmy Stewart's character in "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Down home cinema

[dfranzen70 · 7/10 · 12 October 2001]

David Mamet is known for writing and/or directing movies that contain, shall we say, mighty salty language. He's not known for his soft side. In his movies, the "f word" is used as all of the eight main parts of speech. Don't get me wrong, though, his scripts are among the best in the business (although sometimes you get the feeling that a movie he's written was intended for the stage, as the actors seem talky to a fault).

In State and Main, a band of moviemakers descends upon a quiet town in Vermont to film a movie called "The Old Mill". (The group was kicked out of a similar New Hampshire town during filming; they had to build an old mill, but when they were kicked out, the town held the mill for ransom.) Waterford, VT is the perfect little town, and the company quickly begins to work. Director Walt Price (William H. Macy) buddies up with the mayor, a corpulent man, who is understandably happy to have his town in a movie. Chaos invades the town, which alternately meets the challenge with bemusement and an eye for opportunity.

Price has a lot of problems on the set. His leading lady (Sarah Jessica Parker) has recently discovered religion and refuses to bare her breasts, as stipulated in her contract. His leading man (Alec Baldwin) has a bad habit of hooking up with underage girls ("Hey, everyone's gotta have a hobby," he's fond of saying). His timid but honest screenwriter (Philip Seymour Hoffman) can't write, since the company's lost his trusty old typewriter.

And to top it all off, the town has no old mill. None. It had one, yes, but it burned down in the 1960s during a spate of mysterious fires. So to fix the problem, Price demands that Joe the screenwriter rewrite the movie to reflect the lack of a mill, which of course means changing the title.

Mamet does a wonderful job lampooning his own industry, and from some of the performances you get the idea that these folks aren't acting as much as being themselves. Baldwin, for example, has long had the reputation of being a bit self-centered on the set, and the machinations of Price and his producer, Marty (David Paymer), are fun to watch.

This is a lively film. There's plenty going on, although a lot does center on the problems and issues of Joe (who's hardly ever called that in the movie; he's usually just referred to as "the screenwriter"), who falls for the pretty and talented Ann (Rebecca Pidgeon), the organizer and main impetus for the town's stage troupe. Hoffman's portrayal is sincere and believeable, and his interaction with Pidgeon is a real treat. Mamet's known for using the same actors in his movies, and Pidgeon and Macy are both regulars of his stock company. Some of the best directors employ this tactic, as it build loyalty among a group of actors. If you're comfortable working with someone, then you might want to keep working with them, and if the smoothness of this movie is any indication, Mamet worked pretty well with his excellent cast.

Light but intelligent

[ddelamaide · 8/10 · 3 August 2009]

Rebecca Pidgeon (Mamet's wife) has never been so winsome, nor Philip Seymour Hoffman so innocent. It is light fare, but the dialogue, thanks to Mamet's talent, nonetheless has an edge and intelligence missing from most romantic comedies.

The Hollywood crew, post-Entourage, seems almost dated, though David Paymer does a good job of seeming tough while remaining surprisingly vulnerable. Clark Gregg, on the town side, does an under-appreciated job of playing the jilted fiancé and future corrupt politician.

Contrasting this 10-year-old film with nonsense like (500) Days of Summer, you can see the difference between good light comedy and bad light comedy. Pidgeon and Hoffman at least hint at complexities of character that make their relationship an interesting prospect.

How a cinema crew can change your life...

[silviopellerani · 7/10 · 19 July 2002]

This film was called in Italy "Hollywood Vermont", normally Italian do not translate properly foreign films but I think in this case, the non original title is better than the original one: The State and Main.

A Hollywood crew go to Vermont (a small American town) in order to shot a film about an "old mill" which was supposed to be there but they realised that is completely ruined. This changes dramatically the original shot scheduling and obliges everyone to spend much more time in town and to modify the story accordingly. Modifying the story time passes and people town lives are modified as well by the "giant-state" represented by Hollywood and its array. A film in a film, starting from Francois Truffaut up to know, this is a very brilliant film with characters exchanging their life and giving a "breathe" and a reason to live to the "nothing happens" town: Vermont. Different stories link to each other in a perfect and funny puzzle, as some Robert Altman's films. At the end the lesson is quite simple but realistic: is something has to happen will certainly happens, film will be shot and all obstacles will be overcome and at the end there is a real "happy ending".

Rating: 7/10

state and crap is more like it

[merkabamusic · 5/10 · 20 November 2002]

Another over-stylized wash. Can you say "trying too hard"? Mamet, please, lighten up, slow down, and tell a story. And let your talented actors utilize their talents. This film feels like one long trailer, much in the same way that "The Royal Tennenbaums" felt. In fact, they both have alot in common; great talent, mediocre script, horrible pacing, and stilted/forced acting. This is a superficial, trite movie with little redeeming value. I expect far more with a cast so strong. Shame on you Mamet.

The best since

[Diego-77 · 9/10 · 15 January 2001]

This is the best film about a film since Day for Night. Mr. Mammet does it again. Sharp witty writing performed brilliantly by the cast. Rebecca Pidgeon plays a muse to the writer in the story played by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Could this be art imitating life? She is wonderful.I laughed constantly because the humour is first rate. See this movie!!!!

DROLL SATIRE ON FILM MAKING IN A SMALL TOWN

[flimbuff · 7/10 · 2 July 2001]

A Hollywood cast and crew cynically invade a small New England town and leave some changes behind. A well done smooth flowing film which satirizes the impressionable citizens and will give most viewers some laughs about how easily some people can be impressed by the Hollywood experience. Very good performances all around led by William Macy and a noteworthy verbal tour de force by David Paymer.

Well worth watching.

***-Three Stars

Just the worst piece of self-indulgence!

[inframan · 1/10 · 17 December 2001]

I guess this is supposed to be a satire on Hollywood making a film in a small town, but it's more of a self-satire on Mamet's own very tired & overdone one-note schtick. This movie is so uneven, goes all over the place from moment to moment, scene to scene. The acting (what there is of it, because as in most Mamet productions, there's a lot of postured readings instead of acting) is like something from a school play rehearsal. Poor Alec Baldwin is supposed to be a star but looks like a baggy villain out of a Chaplin movie. If this movie is supposed to be a put-down of the Hollywood system, it fails miserably. I makes one yearn for blockbuster special-effects. Should be rated Zero.