STATE AND MAIN

2000

A film (written and directed by David Mamet, and starring an ensemble cast of fine actors,) about an eccentric movie crew descending on a quaint New England town, to make a movie, should have been a guaranteed success. With stars like Alec Baldwin, Sarah Jessica Parker, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Charles Durning, William H. Macy, Patti Lupone, and Julia Stiles, they could have chosen to remake anything from "Annie Get Your Gun" to "Schindler's List!" Instead they made THIS film, which falls flat on its face with a boring thud. With the exception of a few funny lines and situations, this one is definitely bottom-drawer Mamet.

1 Star

NJB