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A review by greg_talbot
American Buffalo by David Mamet
3.0
Skeletal, gritty, laconic, spacious, crusty, threatening, violent, whiplash, unclear...
Having missed a showing of American Buffalo earlier this year, I sought out the play to get an idea of what I may have missed. Similarly to reading Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot", I feel like there is a visual and pace aspect to the story that requires physical attendance. The two plays similarities with their absurdity, narration over action, and the sense of existential bleakness are here.
There is one piece of this story that really intrigued me. Mamet's writing is often praised for capturing multiple meanings behind simple prose. But there is this idea that worn on me the second half of the play about the economic value men put on their treasures. Whether it be Don's junk shop setting, or a nickel that sold for $90, or the way the men evaluate each other as friends or business partners; there is this ongoing sense that social bonds are mediated by profits. The characters lack of self-awareness, and lack of intelligence make the exploration of the theme limited --which might be a worth theme in itself.
There are things about American Buffalo I like a lot. I appreciate how vulgar and insensitive the play can be, and imagine these dialogues are much more riveting when performed. The play feels sure of itself...but there is so little to grab on to.
Having missed a showing of American Buffalo earlier this year, I sought out the play to get an idea of what I may have missed. Similarly to reading Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot", I feel like there is a visual and pace aspect to the story that requires physical attendance. The two plays similarities with their absurdity, narration over action, and the sense of existential bleakness are here.
There is one piece of this story that really intrigued me. Mamet's writing is often praised for capturing multiple meanings behind simple prose. But there is this idea that worn on me the second half of the play about the economic value men put on their treasures. Whether it be Don's junk shop setting, or a nickel that sold for $90, or the way the men evaluate each other as friends or business partners; there is this ongoing sense that social bonds are mediated by profits. The characters lack of self-awareness, and lack of intelligence make the exploration of the theme limited --which might be a worth theme in itself.
There are things about American Buffalo I like a lot. I appreciate how vulgar and insensitive the play can be, and imagine these dialogues are much more riveting when performed. The play feels sure of itself...but there is so little to grab on to.