Review of Redbelt (2008) by Justin G — 18 Jan 2009

Mamet's films are distinctive, consistent in their characteristic dialogue, plot twists, deceptions, casting (Rebecca Pidgeon, Joe Mantegna, national treasure Ricky Jay) and personality-types. As a result, I suspect people tend to like or dislike them all, regardless of the individual strengths and weaknesses of particular films.

I didn't like this as much as "House of Games" and "The Spanish Prisoner" (not sure where it stands vis-a-vis "State and Main" or "Heist") and found the ending wildly implausible, but I still enjoyed the film.

I expected the ending to dramatize Terry's teaching that "there is no situation you could not escape from" by using your intelligence and turning the violence of your opponent against him.

Instead, he seems ti triumph by winning a big fight at the end. Oh well, still an enjoyable viewing experience.