Synopsis
U.S. government agent Scott is assigned to rescue the daughter of a high-ranking government official. As willing as he is to bend the rules to get things done, though, Scott is shocked to find that others are willing to go even further to protect a political career.
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Cast
- Val KilmerScott
- Derek LukeCurtis
- William H. MacyStoddard
- Tia TexadaJackie Black
- Ed O'NeillBurch
- Kristen BellLaura Newton
- Johnny MessnerGrace
- Clark GreggMiller
- Lionel Mark SmithColonel Blane
- Aaron StanfordMichael Blake
Recommendations
- 100
Christian Science Monitor
When he's good, Mr. Mamet is very good indeed, and Spartan stands with the best work he's done. It's fast-moving, unpredictable, and as tautly, tightly wound as thrillers get. - 75
Chicago Tribune
Mamet being Mamet, the story has far greater repercussions than whether the kidnap victim will be returned to safety. This is a tale of grand conspiracies, formidable forces, shadow warfare; the more that is revealed, the higher the stakes become. - 75
Philadelphia Inquirer
An entertaining foray into a world of spy guys, stakeouts and secret government machinations, Spartan teems with the kind of terse crypto-speak that is the playwright and filmmaker's stock-in-trade. - 60
Variety
A work that continually seems on the verge of genuine excitement but sabotages itself at every turn...results will intrigue only those interested in the nooks and crannies of Mamet's career. - 60
New York Magazine (Vulture)
Spartan is a character study embedded in an action-hero scenario. Neither aspect ever really breaks loose. - 60
Dallas Observer
The problem with Spartan isn't so much that it's mediocre, but that it could be a whole lot better. - 58
Entertainment Weekly
Just cryptic enough to keep you guessing, and for some viewers that may qualify as a night out. But Mamet's gamesmanship was more fun when it was less eager to look important. - 50
Village Voice
David Mamet takes on the digi-tech, hard-Clancy-core intel thriller most often inflated by Tony Scott and like-minded plodders, and typically he elevates it, botches it, and exploits it for searing political comment.
