Review: Speed-The-Plow by David Mamet

The Old Vic: Speed-The-Plow by David Mamet Director: Matthew Warchus Bobby Gould: Jeff Goldblum Charlie Fox: Kevin Spacey Karen: Laura Michelle Kelly Speed-The-Plow is a fast-paced, hard-hitting show about the nature of Hollywood screen writers in the usual David Mamet take-no-prisoners style. To be honest, despite the big names (Kevin Spacey and Jeff Goldblum) this is probably one of my least favorite shows that I have seen this year. Although hearing a piece in my own American accent was comforting, the pace of the dialogue was so fast that there was hardly any time to reflect on what was being said. Now, I suppose, that was a directorial choice made to reflect Hollywood’s fast, punchy, no-time-for-anyone-or-anything lifestyle, which it certainly did, and it gave the piece an air of desperation and a complete disregard to what the characters mind or body might be telling them. As for the actors, there was an incredible range of believability. Kevin Spacey, once the initial Oh-my-god-I-am-in-the-same-room-as-Kevin-Spacey wore off (Yes, I as all the way back in the Dress Circle…), not once did I not believe him in terms of his character. He is possibly one of the most relaxed and truthful actors I have ever seen, and also one of the hardest working. After the show it was obvious that he was exhausted, he had squeezed every inch of life out of his character, and it was very impressive. Jeff Goldblum, who, I just have to say, is massively tall (which gives me hope), was excellently cast and quite well matched against Kevin Spacey. The two made a very comical pair. However I felt at times that Jeff’s downfall was the third member of the cast. Laura Michelle Kelly was by far the weakest and most uninteresting to watch. Between the two energetical powerhouses, she seemed like a black hole that sucked the life out of the show, and while Spacey was able to resist her pull, there were moments where Goldblum seemed discouraged by her lack of reaction. She seemed, not only weak, but unsympathetic and more a caricature than a person. Supposedly the touch stone of the story, she was what was supposed to keep the audience from disassociating from the characters and make them invest in the play, but instead of presenting an empathetic character, which would have made the ending twist all the more devastating, her character felt false and plastic, just when it wasn’t supposed to be. To be honest, when I read or watch a Mamet play, I tend to get quite irritated. I think it is because he tends to present a problem, rub it in your face, and then not offer any form of solution. I like to feel good after a show, like progress is being made. Call it optimism or naiveté, but I am uncomfortable when I am so confronted. But, don’t get me wrong, I do appreciate and see the value of such in-your-face antics. The show really does make you think about the nature of the film industry, about our standards as producers and consumers, and what we give up for money and status. So, I think that the play its self achieved its objective.