American Buffalo is what you think a stage play adaptation would be with singular locations, though a more open world in the beginning, and all the Mamet-isms you expect from his dialogue. The acting though is good from both Dustin Hoffman and Denis Franz so even though it is a slow film, it might be worth checking out especially if you can’t see the real thing.
American Buffalo
(1996)
REVIEW NAVIGATION
The Movie | Special Features | Video Quality | Audio Quality | Overall
Genre(s): Drama, Comedy
Twilight Time | R – 87 min. – $29.95 | May 12, 2015
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MOVIE INFO: Directed by: Michael Corrente Writer(s): David Mamet (play) (screenplay) Cast: Dustin Hoffman, Dennis Franz, Sean Nelson DISC INFO: Audio: English (DTS-HD MA 2.0) |
** Click Here to Purchase American Buffalo on Blu-ray from Screen Archives **
THE MOVIE
Dustin Hoffman, Dennis Franz, and Sean Nelson star in the film version of David Mamet’s acclaimed play about a small-time heist revealing the all-American characters of its trio of losers. A kind of stylized riff on film noir, this darkly comic film reveals some profound truths about “free enterprise” even as it gives is a look at three resonant sad-sacks uneasily adrift in “the land of opportunity.”
SPECIAL FEATURES – 1.5/5
This release is a bit light. Along with the usual 6-page essay booklet, we get an Audio Commentary with Film Historians Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman, a track which is academic yet still informative and interesting, and the Original Theatrical Trailer (1:50; SD).
VIDEO – 3.5/5
American Buffalo chats its way onto Blu-ray courtesy of Twilight Time. The movie, presented in its original 1.85 widescreen aspect ratio has been given a 1080p high-definition transfer and all in all, it’s not bad looking but some of the more distant shots appear to have received some edge enhancement while close-ups are a bit sharper without having the tell-tale halo around the edges.
AUDIO – 4.0/5
The movie has been given a 2 channel DTS-HD Master Audio track and for the most part sounds especially when you consider this is a strictly dialogue driven movie with only three characters. Even with its limited channels, it still provides OK depth while ambient noises are basic with only rain downpour at the end giving more of a sense for this lossless track.
OVERALL – 3.0/5
Overall, American Buffalo is what you think a stage play adaptation would be with singular locations, though a more open world in the beginning, and all the Mamet-isms you expect from his dialogue. The acting though is good from both Dustin Hoffman and Denis Franz so even though it is a slow film, it might be worth checking out especially if you can’t see the real thing.
Published: 05/14/2015
Check out some more screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.
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