Word: oleanna
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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After an uncharacteristic side trip into social drama with 1992's Oleanna, Mamet is back in territory he walks confidently. His new work is an elliptical, fragmented 75-minute conversation among three characters who use words, words, words to disguise (and maybe salve) their spiritual isolation. The boy's father, this very night, has left with another woman, and his wife is shocked to learn that the gay friend helped hide the affair. Mamet is venturing into family drama here, but so indirectly that you would hardly know...
With "the cryptogram" Mamet is presenting his audience with a new kind of puzzle. While the play lacks the compelling intensity of his earlier works such as "Glengary, Glenross" or the amazing "Oleanna," the intellectual challenge of sifting through the dialogue to try to hear what Mamet has to say is exciting. The actors, after some initial stumbling, carry off the piece with energy and subtlety. Presumably, since Mamet is directing, they are fulfilling whatever vision he had for the piece...
...With "Oleanna," writer and director David Mamet attempts to tackle the issue of sexual harassment. Choosing a college campus as his setting. Mamet only fans the fires of controversy. A film such as this must tread a difficult path to acceptance...
Everyone who sees "Oleanna" will have something to say about it. Indeed, it is one of the most engaging and thought-provoking films of the past year. Unfortunately, no one succeeds merely by taking risks, although in this film Mamet comes close. He should be praised for presenting a lucid, interesting piece on sexual harassment, but the praise should end there...
...second act, she is different. The woman who pressed charges against John is not the same as the one who crept into his office sheepishly hoping to straighten out her grade. Apparently, women who press sexual harassment charges are chameleons constantly changing color. The second half of "Oleanna" is a non sequitur. It is impossible to comprehend how the first act resulted in the second...