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The Spanish Prisoner
$30.67
Hot Factor: 7
(I have a thing for Campbell Scott. I just find him sexy.)
Joe Ross: Campbell Scott
Susan Ricci: Rebecca Pidgeon
Jimmy Dell: Steve Martin
Klein: Ben Gazzara
George Lang: Ricky Jay
Written and directed by David Mamet. Running time: 112 minutes. Rated PG (for thematics including tension, some violent images and brief language).
This is one of those movies that is more entertaining to watch the second time than it is to watch the first time. On the first viewing, you have to pay attention to every conversation and everything that happens or else you'll lose the plot and become confused. Now, the acting is very good. Steve Martin does very well in his only dramatic role I know of. All of the other performances are superb.
Basically, the plot revolves around "the Process" that Joe Ross (Campbell Scott....cutie) develops for his company. It will earn so much money for the company that he has to write the amount on a blackboard for a group of executives to see; the audience is not allowed to see it. Of course, the Process must be kept hidden from everyone and above all, the company cannot allow it to "go to the Japanese."
A meeting in the Caribbean is set-up to discuss the Process with Joe Ross's boss, Mr. Klein (Ben Gazzara) a company lawyer (Ricky Jay) and Rebecca (Susan Ricci) who develops a little crush for Joe. (My favorite line in this movie is hers: "If you ever need someone to cook you dinner...and breakfast, come to my apartment.") On his trip, Joe Ross meets Jimmy Dell (Steve Martin) who asks him to deliver a package to his sister in New York when he gets home. Nothing else from the story can be revealed without ruining the movie, but I urge you to go rent it. What makes this an exemplary mystery movie is that it leads you in various directions, making you think you have it all figured out, but it turns out that you were looking at it all in the wrong way.
I can't say why it's so much fun to watch this movie for the second time, but I'll leave you with this quote:
"No one notices Japanese tourists."
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