American Buffalo (1996)

David Mamet scripted this film adaptation of his three character play, in which three unfortunate inner city souls get involved in the plot to rip off a coin collector. Don (Dennis Franz) is a pawn shop owner going through the motions of trying to better himself, while the volatile Walt a.k.a. "Teach" (Dustin Hoffman) stubbornly refuses to accept his lot in life. Bob (Sean Nelson of the 1994 film "Fresh") is Dons' teen aged protégé, the only one of the three who's not necessarily destined to be a loser.While you never do forget the fact that you're watching a filmed version of a play, the story is still pretty riveting. Mamet sure does have a way with dialogue (and profanity); his "Mametspeak" flows quite naturally from the lips of old pros like Franz and especially Hoffman. Franz does an admirable job of being grounded, and reacting to the outbursts of Teach, who is admittedly the more colorful character. Hoffman just commands the screen whenever he's speaking. But young Nelson is quite good himself (why didn't he become more of a star?), believably portraying a kid with some naivety but some streetwise savvy as well. Mamets' script is also interesting in the way that it ruminates on the ideas of friendship, loyalty, and free enterprise.Director Michael Corrente never calls attention to himself by being overly stylish, instead placing full trust in his actors and the material. And the music by Thomas Newman adds plenty of flavor.This is definitely one to see if you're a fan of the cast.Eight out of 10.

I have seen "American Buffalo" in Romanian, during a theater festival this summer. It was amazing, the two hours seemed like 20 minutes. I personally don't like when plays try to be catchy through swearing, but this one took my breath away. The anxiety was crazy, even though I knew there were only three actors playing I still expected another character to appear. I believe this is a masterpiece, but not for anyone. You have to understand the typologies created in order to enjoy them truly. I agree that it is better played on stage rather than in a movie. However, even in the hall me and my friends seemed to be the only one enjoying it. Nobody else was laughing, many thought of it to be boring and very obscene. That was when I realized that not everybody knows how to see the greatness in the really incredible things. So kudos to whoever knew how to enjoy this movie/play! To the others: is your loss! 10 out of 10!

From the 1975 play, "common" people spout philosophy and psychology in street slang. By attributing middle-class "hang-ups" like greed, paranoia and vanity to "losers," Mamet dramatizes "our" similarity to "them" (we all have our investment "bubbles") and vice versa. Luckily for the audience, this is done within the context of a deceptively simple (if we can piece it together from the fragmented conversations) crime story (touches of O. Henry) and some uniquely funny dialog and situations. Good acting, esp Nelson. In a recent interview, Arthur Miller had decried how difficult it had become to be a "serious" Broadway playwright. Apparently Mamet saw the "writing" on the wall and turned to screenplays, and has managed to appeal to a sufficiently wide audience. Many writers have been less successful at that transition, as satirized in "Barton Fink."

American Buffalo is an example of David Mamet's ear for dialogue and his way with the gritty underbelly of society. Perhaps no other movie has so deftly demonstrated Mamet's unique sense of rhythm in spoken language. The movie is engrossing and entertaining, all the while using only one location and three characters. Dustin Hoffman is revoltingly slimy as Teach, and Dennis Franz perfects the conflicted role of Don that he originated on stage many years ago. A must see for any fan of Mamet or student of the human condition.