Things Change

While I am not a huge fan of David Mamet I liked most of the movies he directed that I saw and since he directed often one of my favourite actors, I knew that I had to see THINGS CHANGE.

Gino (Don Ameche) is an old Chicago shoe-shiner that one day is approached by mob boss Don Green for taking the blame for a murder committed by another gangster. Gino agrees on the condition that he can have a fishing boat with the money he'll receive after a three year sentence. While preparing for the confession Gino is approached by Jerry (Joe Mantegna), a gangster in trouble because he failed to execute orders properly, and they spend a week of thinking in lake Tahoe. At the casino, Gino is mistaken for a powerful mafia boss by a Sicilian who happened to be there and they are mistaken for vips. After the confession fails Gino risks his death but will be saved by Jerry who then joins him in his shoe-shine store.

The plot looked a bit confusing (and it took me long for understanding it) but the acting was good by all (including Mamet's frequent co-stars) and there were some funny moments. Not exactly a masterpiece but still a decent time passer if you are stuck at home.

Mamet is not an unalloyed mastermind in my book. He hits and misses.

Here, he (and Shel Silverstein) crafted a story that explores a few clever plot concepts, such as the vaguely "Inspector General"-style false-identity gimmick. No spoiler, there: It kicks in pretty early on and dominates things for most of the flick. Most of the comedy/tension of the flick revolves about that idea.

The truly touching stuff involves the ensemble work, and it's worth taking the flick in of an evening just for that.

Other than that, the structure/storyline of the flick is about 80% good, but about 20% sprinkled with confusing side-events that don't quite seem to mesh.

Mamet and Silverstein tried to engineer a truly compelling denouement, but it doesn't feel quite whole and organic and... compelling, to me. It's merely adequate, in my book.

But if you want to see truly inspired acting, driven by adequate direction, check it out.

"Things Changes" is a light-hearted look at what happens to an old Italian shoe shiner (Ameche) who's a naive patsy for the mob when a mafia flunky (Mantegna) takes them two of them to Tahoe for a last blast. This Mamet film has a lot of pluses not the least of which is Mantegna and Ameche together in one of Ameche's last films. The story is a cute comedy with a kind of sentimental "feel" to it. The kind of movie that's hard not to like.

An elderly man who makes money shining shoes has been summoned to a meeting with a mob boss. It seems that the elderly guy (Don Ameche) bears a close resemblance to a mobster being held for murder. So, they want the old guy to take the rap...and they, in turn, will pay him well for the time he spends in prison for the killing he actually didn't commit. Gino agrees to the arrangement...and as a way of rewarding him, one of the lower level mobsters, Jerry (Joe Montegna), takes him for a great weekend in Reno...after which Gino is supposed to turn himself in to the law for the murder.

When the pair arrive in Reno, they are mistaken for VERY big fish. Suddenly, the resort casino offers them the best room, the best service....anything they want. It's obvious they have mistaken the pair for some other folks...well-placed mobsters who must be treated with the best of care.

The day after their arrival, two messengers of a local mobster arrive. They want Gino and Jerry to accompany them for a meeting with their boss, Don Giuseppe. Despite Gino being a simple man, he and Giuseppe (Robert Prosky) hit it off very well...and soon Gino is asked to stay for a meeting with the boss' friends....who are all VERY high-ranking mobsters from across the country. Gino agrees...but Jerry is losing his mind at this point! He just wants to end their weekend and go home. What's next? See the film.

The best thing about this film is Don Ameche's gentle and understated performance. It's really lovely to watch...especially if you are a fan of classic Hollywood, as he was quite the matinee idol in the 1930s-40s. It also didn't hurt that the film was written by David Mamet AND, Shel Silverstein, of all people! Overall, a very nice slice of life film...one that is pleasant and sweet.

I loved this picture. Mantegna and Ameche are so opposite and I really can't share the view of other people that Ameche is performing a "Being There." Ameche is much smarter, he realizes from the start something is wrong. First he declines the offer but he knows perfectly well these people will shoot him (remember the scene with the smoking lady). Then, the movie starts, and he's in charge, and he keeps in charge, he accepts a luncheon with a Don in LA., he finds money to get back to Chicago, he uses his coin to call the Las Vegas mob.

Nice, entertaining, two and a half stars. I laughed quite a bit. Must be my Italian roots.