Edmond

This review is for the 2017 edition, identical to the 2021 edition, despite the product description(s).At once riotously funny, tragically bizarre, and ridiculously revolting, “Edmond” will surely have some viewers fidgeting in their seats. Few films have the power to annoy and disgust, while also generating enough curiosity to stick with the journey just to see what could possibly happen next. Perhaps this is the weight of such a collaboration as director Stuart Gordon (“Re-Animator,” “From Beyond” and "Stuck") and playwright David Mamet (“The Verdict,” “The Untouchables” and "Glengary Glen Ross"). Gordon and Mamet are no strangers: Gordon directed debut "Sexual Perversions in Chicago." in the early 70s. It was later adapted to the screen as "About Last Night." A welcome reunion!One day after work, Edmond Burke (William H. Macy, Fargo) happens upon a fortune teller who tells him he is “not where he belongs.” Taking the advice to heart and reevaluating his life, Edmond returns home to tell his wife (Rebecca Pidgeon, The Spanish Prisoner) that he no longer loves her (and had in fact grown tired of her long ago) and will be leaving and never coming back. Aghast, she promptly throws him out. Edmond then embarks upon a treacherous journey of self-discovery through New York City’s seedy underworld, encountering prostitutes, pimps, strippers, murderers, thieves, and aspiring actresses, which slowly wear away at his sanity, sending him into a downward spiral of self-destruction and violence that will drastically alter the course of his life – and possibly lead him to the answers he’s been looking for.“Edmond” is essentially a character study, with the title character undergoing an awkward and brutal quest toward acknowledging identity and uncovering the meaning of human existence. In the process, William H. Macy creates a persona unlike any other, brimming with energy and psychosis, liberated through his own unbalanced, overwrought thoughts. At first confined by society’s requirements, he learns to let go and act without fear of consequences – a revelation as rewarding as it is dangerous. Macy releases countless frantic emotions through Edmond, further validating his diverse and impressive acting talents – and also evoking compassionate concern for the bumbling antihero’s imminently catastrophic future.An equally impressive supporting cast brings Mamet’s play-turned-script to life, most notably led by Julia Stiles as Edmond’s first real love interest, a waitress and wishful actress whose fickle instability mirrors Edmond’s own schizophrenic indecisiveness. And Denise Richards (Wild Things), Bai Ling, and Mena Suvari (American Beauty) all humorously portray prostitutes whose earnest intentions perfectly parallel Edmond’s severe sincerity. And even Gordon regular Jeffrey Combs makes an appearance as a desk clerk. Also, look for Debi Mazur (Trees Lounge, Goodfellas) as a brothel hostess.Though intelligently scripted throughout, many of the events in “Edmond” are might be far too uncomfortable and bleak for many moviegoers. The first half of the film is an exercise in perfecting pitch black comedy and wry social commentary, but unexpected violence midway through throws this speeding train of bottled emotions and pent-up rage off course enough that viewers will certainly feel the derailment. The exceptional acting and smart dialogue never falter, but the sudden deviation in tone and imagery is impossible to recover from for many viewers. Despite such a promising start, the markedly deranged conclusion will feel anything but satisfactory for most (even if Edmond believes he has found the sort of peace he’s been looking for) and, like a literal train wreck, it’s the kind of thing that is difficult to turn away from.Two separate commentary tracks:One with Gordon and crew members and one with Mamet.

People compare this to Falling Down, but I don't think they are very similar. Falling Down as I recall was sort of about a man who represented the moral compass of America in the 50s personifying the frustration with the decline of American society over subsequent decades, unable to shift and cope with the change where instead of being the respected breadwinner of a loving family unit with a doting wife and kids in the home, he's an unemployed divorcee.His "journey" in the movie is essentially involuntary. However, Edmond is about a guy who is fed up with his own personal "rat race" and intentionally seeks change, which is more like Kevin Spacey in American Beauty or Edward Norton in Fight Club. Not that Edmond is like either of those movies, but the similarity to Falling Down just seems superficial to me.The movie has a dark comedy feel where things just keep getting worse, like Very Bad Things. Except the comedy in Edmond is subtle to the point of being almost non-existent. Also, I felt Very Bad Things went so over-the-top with "how bad can things get" it became just shocking for the sake of shocking with no depth. Edmond goes to dark places, but I never thought it got pointlessly grotesque or tried to just shock the audience just for the sake of shocking them. It is an intelligent movie, In tone, it is is not overtly humorous, but there's a bit of humor just in the character interactions similar to, say, Fargo.It was not perfect, some acting was wooden, some dialogue seemed a bit incestuous, but overall I thought it was very strong. It makes you think about deep stuff, human nature, racial attitudes, etc.I actually felt there was some odd choices with the racism of the main character. When the main character (Macy) gets infuriated with a black mugger and winds up calling him the n-word and other racist slurs, it felt like the writer is suggesting the typical white man in a suit harbors a racist within him ready to scream to lynch the n-word as soon as he feels threatened by a black man, and I do not think that is accurate. But it is provocative and makes you think, even if it's not "typical" attitudes (like American Psycho makes you think). And when he tells a young white woman about his encounter and she jumps on the "Let's be honest and admit we are scared of black people" bandwagon, that seemed again to be unrealistic, as I don't think every white woman (particularly younger) harbors an inner truth of being fearful of black people. The fact that earlier in the movie some white guy, a stranger in a bar, started a conversation with Macy that was pretty damn racist, about black people being bred to have different attitudes in life, and there was a LOT of implied commentary about race relations in the movie, and that is probably what I found weakest and most contrived in the movie. You could take race completely out of the movie and what's left would still work as a provocative story about human nature as reflected by one troubled man's travails, and might even be stronger.Anyway, don't see this movie expecting to laugh, but it had a strong sense of irony throughout it that kept it having a humorous vibe. In the end, I thought it was very good and interesting, and definitely NOT just throwing out stuff for shock value.

Disturbing due to its reality, and then, its insanity, and then, its acceptance of circumstance. Excellent acting and directing with a storyline that should bother you.I remember long ago seeing a scene from a movie and complaining to a roommate about it. I told him it was disturbing and didn't belong in what was otherwise a comedic movie. His response was that art is sometimes meant to disturb and not always to be enjoyed.So here we are. A movie that will disturb and (somewhat perhaps) enlighten the viewers, but I would find it difficult to believe that many people would actually enjoy this film. But it is indeed worthwhile as a lesson to what life is, how it can change in a day, and how once we give in, we are doomed.

Great acting

This was an outrageous story about a man so self absorbed he cannot understand why people do not want to constantly listen to his boring philosophies of life, death, or whatever!!!! He becomes so angry that he becomes violent!! Come on....life is too short to worry about philosophizing to entire strangers and expecting positive results!! Also, I think Edmond had very poor choices of "associates" after he leaves his wife! I do love William H. Macy and he plays these confused characters very well, ala "Fargo"!! But, all is not lost. After many years in prison, this story has a happy ending because after many years, Edmond has found love and companionship and a captive audience with his understanding cellmate. Ain't love grand!