Review of The Spanish Prisoner (1997) by Ravi P — 28 Mar 2011

In the sub-genre of "sleight of hand" thrillers--dramas that slowly reveal the deception at work in clever reveals and plot twists--there is but one master, and his name is David Mamet. A writer whose work has shown a knack for intricate plotting and a delight in being playful with the spoken word, Mamet is most at home in confidence games laced with memorable dialogue and surprising twists.

As a director his skills have only evolved behind the camera. This thriller has Mamet riffing on Alfred Hitchcock's old formula--introduce us to a main character, beginning with seemingly mundane details, then introduce the "McGuffin," the arbitrary device or item that drives the plot and everyone is after, even if it doesn't matter what the item really is.

We know what Mamet's game is and it puts us on edge instantly, on the lookout for those telling details that will return to greater effect later on, and making us seemingly mistrustful of everyone and everything that happens since we forsee double or even triple-crosses by the time the credits.

There are two ways to view this brand of foreshadowing: predictably laughable or delightfully satisfying. With Mamet I usually find it the latter, and in this film as events become more convoluted and true motives and loyalties revealed the effect leaves a grin on your face.

We sit back and rub our hands in glee as we await our hero to catch up with us and the rest of the plot. It's delicious. Campbell Scott is an under-used actor who suggests a testy resignation when called upon.

Rebecca Pidgeon, Mamet's wife, does a sturdy job here. Steve Martin is cast against type and plays it straight, delivering a quietly slippery performance. The climax, while entertaining, doesn't quite payoff as much as you might like.

The final reveal doesn't pack the wallop that other Mamet films have. Still, this superior corporate thriller teases and toys with our protagonist, and us, in a way that doesn't make you feel cheated, and keeps us involved and quite entertained.