Review of American Buffalo (1996) by Benjamin G — 24 Jan 2010
David Mamet's 3 character play gets filmed, with Hoffman dominating in the role of Teach, a low-life thief with delusions of grandeur, a kind of variation on his Ratso Rizzo. At times he's so intense he nearly approaches incoherence.
He plays off of Dennis Franz nicely - the two have a great back and forth repartee together. Listening to the rhythms and cadences in the dialogue, it approaches something like improvisational jazz. The play explores themes of loyalty and greed with a keenly observing eye, and almost manages to imbue within these wretched characters a perverse sense of respectability.
This review of American Buffalo (1996) was written by Benjamin G on 24 Jan 2010.
American Buffalo has generally received positive reviews.
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