The Spanish Prisoner

Shown: 3 April 2000

USA 1997
Directed by David Mamet
Leading players - Campbell Scott, Rebecca Pidgeon and Steve Martin

Synopsis

This is the story of a confidence trick - but who is tricking whom? Campbell Scott plays Joe, a young scientist who, having invented an immensely valuable new process, suspects his employers are planning to rob him of his just reward. Jimmy (Steve Martin in a non-comic role) offers to help him. Secretary Susan (Rebecca Pidgeon a.k.a.. Mrs David Mamet) is infatuated with Joe and warns him against Jimmy. "Who in the world is what they seem?", asks Susan. Viewer, be warned.

The way a confidence trick works, Jimmy explains, is to find a victim, make them believe an opportunity exists and offer them a lure they cannot resist, a lure big enough to make them lose their ability to question what they are being told.

Suspenseful, cunningly plotted and well-served by some excellent acting, this is a slyly funny film but the reviewer is hard put to indicate the story line without giving the game away. Just remember, nothing is what it seems...

This is Mamet's fifth film as writer/director and, while it provides intelligent mainstream entertainment, it is certainly very cleverly put together, being reminiscent of The Usual Suspects with its plot twists and turns. When asked about his writing technique, Mamet points out that if the plot doesn't surprise the writer, it is hardly going to surprise the viewer!

As several of his films illustrate, Mamet is fascinated by the conman's ability to lead his victim's attention off in one direction while, operating for himself in another. Of course, writing drama employs the same skills. Even the humblest TV whodunit depends upon the audience believing one character is to blame, only for a twist in the plot to reveal it was someone else altogether.