State and Main

( 4 )

Overview

The best reason to appreciate the DVD of State and Main is the commentary track, which features several members of the film's acting ensemble: William H. Macy, David Paymer, Clark Gregg, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Patti LuPone. Since they are all, to varying degrees, experts on the film's subject matter and its near-legendary writer/director, David Mamet, they are able to provide many insights into both subjects. Conspicuous in his absence is Mamet himself, but the lightheartedness of the proceedings both onscreen...
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DVD (Pan & Scan / Wide Screen / Dolby 5.1 / Stereo)
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More About This Product

Overview

The best reason to appreciate the DVD of State and Main is the commentary track, which features several members of the film's acting ensemble: William H. Macy, David Paymer, Clark Gregg, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Patti LuPone. Since they are all, to varying degrees, experts on the film's subject matter and its near-legendary writer/director, David Mamet, they are able to provide many insights into both subjects. Conspicuous in his absence is Mamet himself, but the lightheartedness of the proceedings both onscreen and in voice-over make it difficult to miss his often serious personality. The rest of the package is fairly standard: a fine theatrical trailer, comprehensive filmographies for Mamet and nine cast members, and chapter selection. The DVD can be displayed in either 2.35:1 widescreen or 1.33:1 pan-and-scan; both options provide a clear image, which actually contributes to a subtle visual joke in the look of the final sequence. As always, Mamet's famous dialogue is a big draw, and it's clearly and faithfully reproduced here in Dolby Digital Surround.
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Special Features

Widescreen and fullscreen versions of the film; feature-length commentary by actors Sarah Jessica Parker, William H. Macy, Clark Gregg, David Paymer, and Patti LuPone; DVD-ROM features: script-to-screen screenplay comparison and original theatrical website
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Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - Ed Hulse
In this dark comedy, distinguished playwright-cum-filmmaker David Mamet trains his satiric guns on Hollywood hypocrites and lets 'em have it with both barrels. State and Main chronicles the misadventures of major-studio moviemakers who descend upon a picturesque New England village and turn it upside down prior to shooting their opus. Mamet's exemplary ensemble includes William H. Macy, playing a brusque director coping with egomaniacal stars and incompetent underlings; Philip Seymour Hoffman, as a sensitive screenwriter whose "baby" undergoes drastic revision; and Rebecca Pidgeon Mamet's real-life wife, as an artistically inclined shopkeeper who befriends him. Joining them are Alec Baldwin, who portrays an aging Lothario with a penchant for underage girls; Julia Stiles, as an obliging local nymphet; and David Paymer in the requisite role of a foul-mouthed producer and willing extortionist. These colorful characters spout Mamet's sharp dialogue and give voice to his disdain for the pervasively amoral, exploitive tactics routinely employed by callous Hollywood filmmakers. He also slyly notes the corrupting effect they have on a movie-struck populace willing to sacrifice almost anything, including its integrity, for even the most casual contact with this glamorous industry. Deliciously tart and often hysterically funny, State and Main represents Mamet at his acidic best. He discusses his methods in a commentary for the DVD, which also offers DVD-ROM content, including a script-to-screen comparison.
All Movie Guide - Jason Clark
A rare screen comedy from David Mamet, State and Main effectively skewers the Hollywood elite in this breezy Tinseltown satire that will probably play best to the inside denizens it is spoofing. Mamet's directorial style still needs some polish (many scenes hang on well after their peak has been reached), and the film is eventually done in by its own cleverness, but his instincts as a writer remain sharp as ever. The screenplay has a wondrous attention to detail, and the power-talk employed by many of the characters is stinging and observant. The cast is also perfectly appointed, with Alec Baldwin and David Paymer particularly funny and Philip Seymour Hoffman finally getting to play a romantic lead, something he pulls off with charming ease. The film lacks the bite of something like Robert Altman's The Player -- which was truly haunting beneath its savage humor -- but provides much entertainment value, particularly for those fascinated by the politics of the film biz. State and Main premiered at the 2000 Toronto Film Festival to very enthusiastic notices, prompting many to compare Mamet's work to legendary director Preston Sturges.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 6/19/2001
  • UPC: 794043525322
  • Original Release: 2000

    • Rating:

  • Source: New Line Home Video
  • Region Code: 1
  • Aspect Ratio: Pre-1954 Standard (1.33.1), Cinemascope (2.35:1)
  • Presentation: Pan & Scan / Wide Screen / Dolby 5.1 / Stereo
  • Sound: Dolby Digital, stereo
  • Language: English
  • Time: 1:46:00
  • Format: DVD

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Alec Baldwin Bob Barrenger
Charles Durning Mayor George Bailey
Philip Seymour Hoffman Joseph Turner White
Patti LuPone Sherry Bailey
William H. Macy Walt Price
Rebecca Pidgeon Ann Black
Sarah Jessica Parker Claire Wellesley
David Paymer Marty Rossen
Julia Stiles
Ricky Jay
Jim Frangione
Clark Gregg
Linda Kimbrough
Michael Higgins
Lonnie Smith
Alan Soule
Chris Kaldor
Laura Silverman
Jack Wallace
J.J. Johnston
Lionel Mark Smith
Technical Credits
David Mamet Director, Screenwriter
Alec Baldwin Executive Producer
Jon Cornick Executive Producer
Cas Donovan Asst. Director
Sarah Green Producer
Rachel Horovitz Co-producer
Gemma Jackson Production Designer
Susan Lyall Costumes/Costume Designer
Alan Mruvka Co-producer
Mark Ordesky Co-producer
Theodore Shapiro Score Composer
Oliver Stapleton Cinematographer
Barbara Tulliver Editor
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Scene Index

Side #1
0. Scene Selections
1. Main Titles [5:14]
2. Checking In [7:40]
3. A Star's Entrance [3:33]
4. Gift For Words [10:08]
5. Change The Title [6:07]
6. Breaking Contract [4:47]
7. Childish Behavior [7:49]
8. Set Affairs [6:56]
9. It's About Purity [8:45]
10. A Few Questions [7:35]
11. The Storm [5:02]
12. Conspiracy [6:55]
13. Dinner With The Mayor [5:09]
14. False Witness [5:21]
15. Howie's Arrival [6:19]
16. This Is Picture [4:47]
17. End Credits [3:15]
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Menu

Side #1
   Play Movie
      Widescreen
      Fullscreen
   Audio Options
   Special Features
      Commentary With Sarah Jessica Parker, William H. Macy, Clark Gregg, David Paymer
      Theatrical Trailer
      Cast And Crew
         Alec Baldwin
         Charles Durning
         Clark Gregg
         Philip Seymour Hoffman
         Patti Lupone
         William H. Macy
         Sarah Jessica Parker
         David Paymer
         Rebecca Pidgeon
         Julia Stiles
         David Mamet
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 4 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(3)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(1)

1 Star

(0)

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Sort by: Showing all of 4 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    What a great ride

    I saw this for the first time yesterday and immediately rewound it and watched it again to catch all the little extra bits that went by too fast the first time. The movie has a wonderful surreal quality that makes even the most absurd of situations seem plausible. The acting is wonderful across the board with Rebecca Pidgeon and William H. Macy being the highlight. A great introduction to Mamet's rather odd view of the world and a delightful look at the bizarre ways that people behave when confronted with the famous as well as the lengths to which the famous will go to protect themselves from the consequences of their actions.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    LOVED IT!!

    This film was GREAT! The writing, the acting, everything was so well done! This film is a perfect introduction to Mamet's work! If you are intelligent enough to understand the undertone, you will love it!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    One of the Best Films I've seen in a long time

    This is one of the funniest, best written and intelligent movies I've seen in a long time. It's easily Mamet's most accessible (i.e. mainstream) work and anyone with an attention span of more than five minutes will definitely enjoy it! Of course this rules out quite a few people these days! <grin>

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    what a mess!!!

    This movie is really boring. I watched it yesterday and while watching it I went to do the dishes because doing the dishes was more fun believe me!!! The only reason I gave it 2 satars was because famous actors such as Alec Baldwin is in it!!!!!!!!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Sort by: Showing all of 4 Customer Reviews