Homicide

Playwright David Mamet's third effort as writer-director (his first two films were House of Games and Things Change) once again stars Mamet favorite Joe Mantegna. This time out, Mamet tackles the thriller genre and, as usual, there's a twist... Mantegna plays homicide detective Bobby Gold, a hard-working cop who, together with his partner Tim Sullivan (W.H. Macy), is about to make a major bust on a murderous drug dealer wanted by the F.B.I. named Randolph (Ving Rhames), when he accidentally becomes involved in another case. The second case concerns an elderly Jewish woman who was killed in her grocery store in a predominantly black neighborhood. Gold, who is Jewish, at first resents being stuck with the "grandmother" case after having worked so long on the Randolph chase. But suddenly Gold begins to hear and see things that he has subconsciously ignored for years...he begins to wonder why he's always the first person through the door during a bust (and reasons that since he's Jewish, he's expendable); and the other detectives on the force, including his partner, chide him for spending so much time on the "kike" case. The plot really takes a spin when Gold stumbles on evidence pointing to a contemporary Nazi conspiracy, and the case takes on the stature of a quest for his own personal identity. The problem with Homicide is the same problem that has plagued Mamet's other films--occasionally awkward dialogue which sounds like it comes from the stage not the street. This quibble aside, however, Homicide is a bold film that looks at racial discrimination and the meaning of one's "roots" from many different angles. Thriller fans who check out Homicide looking for action will get action...and a whole lot more. Recommended. (R. Pitman) [DVD Review—Sept. 15, 2009—Criterion, 101 min., R, $39.98—Making its first appearance on DVD, 1991's Homicide sports an excellent transfer and Dolby Digital Surround sound. DVD extras include audio commentary by writer/director David Mamet and costar William H. Macy, an 'Invent Nothing, Deny Nothing' featurette with interviews of costars Steven Goldstein, Ricky Jay, J.J. Johnston, Joe Mantegna, and Jack Wallace (22 min.), a gag reel (6 min.), TV spots, and a booklet featuring an essay by critic Stuart Klawans. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a winning film.]