Mamet.

From "Looking at Fifty":

I have a list of challenges-for-cause through which I choose the films I watch.

Any film containing any of the disqualificatory elements listed below loses, at the point the enormity makes itself apparent, any further claim on me:

Any use of Handel's Messiah, or The Four Seasons, or Pachelbel's Canon; any slow-motion sequence of lovers out of doors; any rack-focus from grass, wheat, or other vegetables to a distant object; a list of seven or more persons whose title contains the word "producer" in any form; any shot of the protagonist twirling slowly with arms spread; a title card reading, "based on a true story"; and that, to me, unfailing diagnostic tool, a present participle in the title.

Now, why this sudden rush of wings? My theory is this: the present participle denotes an ongoing process. The dramatic form demands a process with a distinct beginning and end.

In the getting, looking at, going to films we are brought into a process of long duration, a "state," in effect, which will alter, if at all, only marginally by the end of the film.

Yes, we are uncaring, but we can be a little less uncaring; yes, we have difficulty "communicating," but perhaps there is some hope; yes, men and women are different, but, perhaps, in our very differences, et cetera. I'd rather watch birds molt.

And yes, grossièreté maudite, I have headlined this bumf "Looking at Fifty."

My excuse is that I am looking at fifty.

The last few days I've been reading from Mamet's extraordinary collection of essays, Jafsie and John Henry. I'm considering donating it to the jcb/MRhé dyad, on the grounds that the essay "Six Hours of Perfect Poker" will have a certain appeal. But you see, I don't actually want to give the book away. Mayhaps tomorrow I'll type the whole thing in to this here whaddayacallit blog. I hope that Mr. Mamet, bless the bastard's soul, is more relaxed about the sharing of copyrighted materials than his colleague Mr. Ellison.

Mamet, for the record, in case you didn't know already, is a goddamn master.

Comments

[asarwate]

I'm almost certain that Mamet is pretty anal about everything. He's also a complete bastard, master or no. I've heard many-an-anecdote from people in acting classes he visited, book signings, etc.

At some point I'll get around to writing about his latest play.