The Spanish Prisoner (1998)

THE SPANISH PRISONER is as cannily crafted a con job as we've seen 
since, well, THE GAME.  David Mamet, who wrote and directed, keeps 
us guessing to the end and even the foreknowledge of that fact-- 
that nothing's supposed to be what it seems-- doesn't provide much 
of an edge.  You'll still get goosed.  That relentlessly terse (and 
f-word free!) dialogue takes some time to settle into, tho...  With
Campbell Scott, Steve Martin, Ben Gazzara, Ricky Jay, Ed O'Neill in
one scene (!), and Mrs. Mamet herself, Rebecca Pidgeon.  (Rated "PG"/
110 min.)

Grade: B+

Copyright 1998 Michael J. Legeros
Movie Hell is a trademark of Michael J. Legeros

Originally posted to triangle.movies as MOVIE HELL: May 10, 1998