Through a Glass, Darkly

"You know how much of our lives we’re alive, you and me? Nothing. Two minutes out of the year. When we meet someone new, when we get married, when, when, when, when we’re in difficulties... once in our life at the death of someone that we love. That’s it - in a car crash... and that’s it. You know, you know, we’re sheltered...."

Nancy's the best, isn't she?

My beloved wife got us tickets for the West Coast premiere of Edmond at Cinequest this almost-snowy weekend. Edmond is the latest David Mamet film... and we all know how I feel about David Mamet, right? I think it's safe to say I have an unhealthy interest in his work. In his work, I mean. I mean, his work? I have an unhealthy interest in it, yes. I mean... I dunno... he's really the Jackson Pollock of film, isn't he? He just... splashes words onto his canvas.

So... Edmond. What can I tell you? I can tell you that I think SuperMamet wrote a classic play about the dark dangerous impulses that exist in all of us, and that his adaptation of his play for the screen is nothing short of astounding.

As far as the plot goes... really, the play's the thing, but... okay. Edmond Burke (the ever-beleagured William H. Macy) visits a fortune teller who advises him, "You are not where you belong.... We all like to believe we are special. In your case this is true." This simple, cryptic statement sends Edmond down a dark, terrifying and sometimes hilarious rabbit hole. Carnal desire seems to be at the root of much of Edmond's dissatisfaction so he spends half of the film looking for love –okay, sex– in all the wrong places. Edmond's lusty quest leads him to street hustlers (No, Charlie! No!), whores and one very unfortunate pimp. Edmond is stultifyingly wary of being ripped-off or humiliated. Of course before the sun rises both befall him.

Edmond's racism erupts after a violent encounter with a pimp; this savage attack, however, makes Edmond feel more alive and powerful than ever. After failing to get lucky with any prostitutes (and losing most of his money), Edmond meets waitress/actress Glenna. She's won over by his philosophizing and agrees to take him back to her apartment. Glenna, it turns out, isn't offended by Edmond's bigotry; instead she finds the situation comfortable enough to air her own views. Eventually, and not surprisingly, Edmond commits murder and... well, I don't want to give it all away.... I can tell you this: he ultimately seeks redemption from a god he's not even sure exisits....

Edmond Burke, once an Everyman, ends up a convicted killer, thanks to his inner demons and the corruption of this modern urban life. If Arthur Miller had written Taxi Driver, it might have turned out like Edmond.

You know, David Mamet once said that his work is basically religious. I don't think I really bought that 'till we saw Edmond. Watch Edmond careen through the streets of Gotham, and gape as he searches for love, understanding and that sense of identity and belonging that the fortune teller invokes at the film’s opening... and finally cry, because for him, and for so many of us, they remain just out of reach.

"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then I shall know even as I am known." ~I Corinthians 13:11-12