Edmond (2005)

A fortune-teller's teasing rumination sends Edmond Burke lurching into New York City's hellish underworld.

Director:

Stuart Gordon

Writers:

David Mamet (screenplay), David Mamet (play)

Stars:

William H. Macy, Julia Stiles, Joe Mantegna

3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
William H. Macy	...	Edmond
Frances Bay	...	Fortune Teller
Rebecca Pidgeon	...	Wife
Joe Mantegna	...	Man in Bar
Denise Richards	...	B-Girl
Wendy Thompson	...	Cocktail Waitress
Vincent Guastaferro	...	Club Manager
Bai Ling	...	Peep Show Girl
Matt Landers	...	Bystander
Dulé Hill	...	Sharper
Russell Hornsby	...	Shill
Aldis Hodge	...	Leafletter
Debi Mazar	...	Matron
Mena Suvari	...	Whore
Jeffrey Combs	...	Desk Clerk

Storyline

A man in a suit at a Manhattan firm leaves work on Friday; he looks unhappy. He stops at a fortune teller's for a Tarot reading: "You are not where you belong," she tells him. That evening he quits his marriage and walks the streets of New York, passing from a classy bar to a gentleman's club, then to a high-class bordello, a mugging, a pawnshop, and a diner where someone does listen. He shares his insights with her and later with others. Violence, disappointment, and musings entwine as Edmond loses his moorings while believing he's found them. Where does he belong?

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Plot Keywords:

bipolar disorder | prostitute | oral sex | violence | marriage | 

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Taglines:

A heart-pounding thriller!

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, strong language, and sexual content including nudity and dialogue

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of about a dozen film collaborations of David Mamet and actor Jack Wallace. The titles are: 'Redbelt' (2008), 'Edmond' (2005), 'Homicide' (1991), 'Lakeboat' (2000), 'Things Change' (1988), 'State and Main' (2000), 'House of Games' (1987), 'Phil Spector' (2013) (TV), 'The Spanish Prisoner' (1997), 'Lost Masterpieces of Pornography' (2010), 'Invent Nothing, Deny Nothing: Five Guys from Mamet's Homicide' (2009), and the 'Dedication' episode of 'The Unit' (2006-2009) television series.

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Goofs

The shots of the basketball game in the bar keep showing the same segment even after many minutes pass during the conversation. You see the same scramble for the ball and the same drive to the basket at least twice.

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Quotes

Man in Bar: [while watching a basketball game at a bar] I'll tell you who's got it easy.
Edmond: Who?
Man in Bar: [Gestures to basketball game on TV] The niggers. Sometimes I wish I was a nigger.
Edmond: Sometimes I wish I was too.
Man in Bar: I'd rob a store. I don't blame 'em, I swear to God. Because I want to tell ya, we're bred to do the things that we do.
Edmond: Yes.
Man in Bar: Northern race, one thing, southern race... something else.
[Gestures to basketball game on TV again and starts to light up a cigarette]
Man in Bar: And what they want to do is sit under the tree and watch ...

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Connections

References Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

User Reviews

"Falling Down" for the thinker

This movie is similar to "Falling Down" in its plot, and "Crash' in the way it deals with lives spinning our of control because of racism and other intolerance, but I thought it was far more believable and had a more satisfying end than both. I have watched "Edmond" three times over the last two days (it only goes for 74 minutes) and I was very happy to have hired the DVD rather than to have seen it at the Cinema as I was able to go back and watch the scenes that did not sink in as profoundly the first time round. The first time I watched it alone and found I missed a lot of important dialog and imagery that was crucial to the story because I was thinking about the previous scene...so when the end hit me, I found my head was spinning and I couldn't believe what I was seeing and thought I must have missed something. Wasn't this man a homophobic, racist, bigoted, atheist?...So i watched it again and saw that I had (my fault not the films)in fact missed some crucial but minute facts. So, the second time I was able to fully get my teeth into it and because I knew the outcome I could concentrate on the brilliant, realistic performances of the actors and direction without thinking about what had just happened or worrying about what would happen next. No one could fail to notice the extreme brilliance of William Macy. I knew he was an amazing actor but I think this is better than some of the best academy winning performances that I have ever seen and I cant believe it was overlooked by the academy! Also Julia Stiles performance was fascinating...Even though Stiles role is only short it is the turning point of the film. Macy goes from a mild mannered, suburban business man, in what he feels is suddenly a monotonous, loveless, one sided marriage, living a very white, middle-classed existence to a manic, explosive, violent, bigoted, homophobic, 'grass must be greener on the other side', racist before you know whats hit you. Even when he smiles it is in the most inappropriate places. Also, watching Stiles the second time I realized that she wasn't just a silly, wanna be actress trying to be cool and politically incorrect, but a person who was deeply struggling with the fact that the stranger she has stupidly and casually brought home with her may well end her life...So, what does she do? Go against him or agree with him? Does she say what he wants to hear or stay true to herself? You will not be able to take you eyes of the rawness and brutality of this scene for one second. The third time I watched it with my husband, who was as blown away with it as I was, but I found myself pointing out stuff to him so he wouldn't have to watch it twice to get it as I did...although, I realized everyone gets something different out of a film, so I was wrong to do so, and so I wont do that here either or it may spoil your own experience. Watch this film with an open mind. I know this parallel, seedy, underbelly of life does exist, so far removed from my sheltered, secure, tolerant, safe world, made up of the downtrodden, abused, rejected, masses who don't know how else to act as they have never known love, safety or security (and sadly, probably never will). As well as the actors performances themselves, I take my hat off to the brilliant direction and music of this wonderful film adaption of an equally wonderful play. It is like a book you cant put down...you just have to watch it to the end without distraction. I believe these are the roles actors wait for all of their lives and will happily do for nothing.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 November 2006 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Edmond

Filming Locations:

Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$19,253, 16 July 2006

Gross USA:

$131,719

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$243,524

Company Credits

Production Co:

120dB Films, Catfish Productions, Code Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min 82 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1