The reason the film prompts laughter, and finally elation, is not because it's jolly or has any feel-good words to live by. It's because of the utterly demonic skill with which these foulmouthed characters carve one another up in futile attempts to stave off disaster.
The pleasure of this unique film comes in watching superb actors dine on Mamet's pungent language like the feast it is.
100
Dallas ObserverLuke Y. Thompson
Dallas ObserverLuke Y. Thompson
The directing's a bit obtrusive, but the script and the acting gets to the heart of Mamet's glorious obsession with macho B.S.
100
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
Entertainment WeeklyOwen Gleiberman
The movie version, directed with unobtrusive precision by James Foley, stays amazingly true to the play's feisty spirit.
90
The A.V. ClubNoel Murray
The A.V. ClubNoel Murray
Gets most of its legs from the acting and the dialogue, which has such a rhythmic grace that scenes from the movie can be played and replayed with no loss of thump.
But it doesn't quite all come together here as it did onstage, and relentless scabrousness, heavy claustrophobia and a vaguely dated feel are among the elements that will keep mainstream audiences away.
60
The New YorkerMichael Sragow
The New YorkerMichael Sragow
Hammers away at the plot so relentlessly that you can feel the nails entering the back of your skull.