I just want to follow a couple of threads here--one being Dawn and her motivations. What does *she* really want? Buddy--she's been there, been done by that--she wants her script produced, of course, but she also wouldn't mind getting a bit of her own back on Buddy--is she using Guy in part to get back at Buddy, pumping her script at the same time? What is she expecting when she turns up at Buddy's at midnight?
And what is Guy expecting when she turns up at midnight? Remember, he knew all along she would be coming...he had a clearly marked window of time to work on Buddy before her arrival. He tells himself he wants an apology, he wants to make Buddy feel powerless the way he's accepted feeling powerless in Buddy's presence (and displaced in Buddy's absence to treating others the same way), and to some extent he succeeds: Buddy admits that 'whatever it is you're planning to do, I don't want you to do it', experiences surprise, pain, fear, and the revelation of a history of emotional loss. But in a larger sense, on some level Buddy is working Guy the whole time. He goads, prods, eggs him on, and after Dawn's arrival, he blatantly pushes towards a catharsis which could (and seemingly should) result in his own death--for what?
I found the ending to be ambiguous but not unbelievable, as some others seem to have found it. What does Guy want? He feels betrayed by Dawn, and an odd kinship with Buddy after the tumultuous evening they've been through together. I don't see Buddy's complicity as unlikely at all--what better way to hold Guy? The power which Guy has placed in his hands is almost irresistible! At the end, as Guy takes over the new office, clearly about to find someone to treat as Buddy treated him, he is lord of all he surveys...until Buddy lifts an eyebrow and he falls into line. What sort of Christmas presents will they be wrapping? I'd love to know!
Whaley plays the part ofGuy to a perfect t as the puppy-eyed, naive go-for (gopher ?)for BuddyAckerman played convincingly,and with zest,by Kevin Spacey. Co-writtenor directed by Spacey you can see his natural flair and finesse forbeing quite comedic and sarcastic when his characters' antics areanything but for poor Guy.Spacey's facial expressions are pricelessand genuine (we know we've all seen that sarcastic look from someonein our personal and professional lives)...Dawn Lockhart, played byMichele Forbes, is another interesting subject for characterstudy.What does she really want other than to see her project go tofruition without strings attached from Buddy ? Is she really into theyoung,naive,sometimes dim-witted intern ?.Look for a great performanceby a young Benicio DelToro (Traffic,Snatch) as Rex, the"seasoned" intern/copy/coffee boy who shows Guy the ropes inthe office and how to put up with Buddy (..."next time,anticipate and bring Buddy a Sweet & Low and an Equal."Also,"Serve his needs and protect his interests.").The onlynon-screen mystery character was Stella,another Keystone keyplayerexec often mentioned but never heard of or seen (even over thephone).Curious as to what actress would have played her and to whateffect...
For the compressing or visual artifacts seen on this dvd Igive it only 3 stars. The transfer is muddled by a lot of obviousdigital "blocking" or incoherent shading and"stiff" digitized unnatural action movement by thecharacters/actors and objects when in motion.This is all quite evidentwhen seen on a 27" t.v. or huge direct view wide screent.v. (I've compared the two and saw enough flaws on the dvd transferthat should put the distributor or company to shame). Example; thereis a scene of a close-up of Buddy Ackerman's office orange wall motifwhere the bright orange color and shading values look mosaic ortiled. As for the sound quality, well, you gotta remember it's adialogue movie mostly. Don't expect the glorious Dolby Digital 5-7surround channels to envelope you with thunderous, ear shatteringresults...
Still, for the film's dark and sadistic comic streak andominous twist ending it's still a great feat to take in...
