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Edmond

Gordon serves up both kitsch and gore

By TOM MEEK | August 30, 2006

3.0 Stars

EDMOND: William H. Macy is at his passive-aggressive best.

If the notion of Stuart Gordon, who made the cult hit Re-Animator, directing David Mamet material sounds odd, bear in mind that Gordon cut his teeth with Mamet in the Chicago theater. Their reconnect is classic Mamet (adapted by the playwright from his 1983 one-act) infused with circuitous banter, hot-button issues, and swagger. Long-time Mamet alter ego William H. Macy is at his passive-aggressive best as the title middle-aged businessman fed up with life. An epiphanic tarot-card reading empowers Edmond to tell off his shrew wife (Mamet’s wife, Rebecca Pidgeon). Later, as he wanders through the night, he takes counsel from an amiable bigot (Joe Mantegna) and then descends into the strip clubs and bordellos, ever quibbling over price and service. (Ling Bai, Denise Richards, and Julia Stiles play the desirables.) Eventually things take a bloody turn, and Gordon serves that up with both kitsch and gore. Think of it as a mean-spirited After Hours that’s provocative throughout.

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Edmond's official Web site: http://www.edmondthefilm.com/

Related: Love and politics, Cracking the wise, Mars vs. Venus, More

Topics: Reviews , Entertainment, Performing Arts, David Mamet, More

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[ 02/16 ] Third Annual Providence Children's Film Festival @ Cable Car Cinema

[ 02/16 ] "Dana Levin: A Classical Realist In the 21st Century," an exhibit of paintings @ Bert Gallery

[ 02/16 ] Mary Poppins @ Providence Performing Arts Center

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Watch the trailer for Edmond (QuickTime)

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