Things Change Reviews

THINGS CHANGE is a surprisingly light, upbeat follow-up to David Mamet's dark directorial debut, HOUSE OF GAMES. One of the most powerful Mafia dons in the country, Mr. Greene (Mike Nussbaum), has murdered someone. An elderly Sicilian bootblack, Gino (Don Ameche), who bears more than a passing resemblance to the don, agrees to take the fall and is turned over to the custody of Jerry (Joe Mantegna), a mob goon who is "on probation." Jerry feels sorry for the old guy and impulsively decides to take him to Lake Tahoe for a final fling before jail. Because of Jerry's reticence, the staff of the mob-owned hotel treats the mysterious old man as if he were an important Mafia don. After some suspenseful moments, Jerry takes Gino back to Chicago to find things have changed in an unexpected way. In an era in which most American comedies rely on big gags, blunt jokes, or elaborate slapstick for laughs, Mamet has taken audience expectations and played upon them brilliantly, without ever delivering the anticipated payoff. Much of the charm of THINGS CHANGE lies in the characters. Mamet's dialogue is crisp, the wit dry, and there are plenty of great lines in the film, most of which are delivered flawlessly.