THINGS CHANGE

US, 1988, 100 minutes, Colour.
Don Ameche, Joe Mantegna, Robert Prosky, J.T.Walsh.
Directed by David Mamet.

Things Change is a comedy drama with the background of the Mafia. It is a star vehicle for Don Ameche, who emerged as a popular star with his Oscar-winning role in Cocoon in 1985. Until his death in the early '90s, he made quite a comeback in a number of films. This is one of his best star roles. He is matched with Joe Mantegna, star also of many films, playing character roles. Mantegna has been a collaborator with playwright David Mamet. Mamet wrote and directed this film as he did with House of Games and with Homicide.

Mamet was responsible for a number of screenplays including The Verdict, We're No Angels as well as the translation of Chekhov for Vanya on 42nd Street. He also directed a film version of his play Oleanna and The Spanish Prisoner.

1.The work of David Mamet, theatre, film? Comedy drama? Focus on characters? Focus on talk and dialogue?

2.The Chicago locations, Lake Tahoe? Colour photography? Light and shadow? Mood and the colour commenting on characters and events? The editing, the musical score?

3.The title, the way it is used - with reference to Gino, Jerry, Frankie? A truism and the mood of the plot?

4.The cast, their work for Mamet?

5.The drama, suspense, comedy style, farcical touches? Well integrated?

6.The introduction to Gino, Don Ameche and his screen presence, the shoes? His being chosen for a particular role? The Mafia observing him? Style, accent? Chicago with the Sicilian background? The nature of the bribe, the meeting? His dream, his refusal? The phone calls? The change of heart?

7.The set-up, Mr Green and Mr Silva, the plan, style, promises, threats? The word and the coin? Later appearances? The breaking of the word? Frank? The family, the boss, henchmen and probation?

8.Jerry and his role in the set-up? On probation? The hotel, rehearsing, the idea? With Gino? Going to Lake Tahoe, the hopes? The situations, the friends, style? The pseudonym of Mr Johnson? The attention of the staff, the room, the management? Gambling and winning? The number 12, 35,000 and losing? The anxiety? The show and Jackie Shore? The girls, the spa, fishing? The morning worry, dinner and watching Gino? The meeting, the farce and the quick thinking? Petrol and the money, the return? Urging him to go? The walk, the death, attacking Frankie? The end with the shoes? The portrait of a character and his change?

9.Gino, the rehearsal, the word given about Tahoe? His personal dignity and style? The man of his word, the room, the clothes? The toilet, the attendance of the staff? The gambling, the number 12, the wheel of fortune? Losing? The show and the spotlight, the girls? The note and his going fishing? Teaching how to clean boots? Going to visit the Don, his reception, passing as a Mafia Don? The dinner, the exchanging of the coin, the beach, the talk? Anxiety, leaving, the petrol and the money, not escaping, walking the beach? Ringing Giuseppe? The court and the end? The transformation of a character?

10.Tahoe and glamour, the wealth, the management, service, power? The lavish room, the gambling? The show, sex? The Mafia family?

11.The Don and his henchmen, power and suspicion, fencing with Gino, liking him, the symbolism of the coin, the gift of the number, the code? His help?

12.The ending, satisfying resolution of the case?

13.A portrait of people, American style? The use of power, influence, Mafia codes and integrity?