Things Change (1988) [HD]

A Reflective Ballad
In the year 1979 a little film called Being There came out. Now an acknowledged masterpiece, that film chronicled how a mentally retarded gardner, through a bizzare series of coincidences was mistaken for a political kingmaker, a caring friend and a potential lover. The synopsis of Things Change does not sound all that dis-similar; A simple Italian shoemaker(Don Ameche) agrees to confess to a murder commited by a Mobster in exchange for a boat in his native Sicily when he gets out of prison. Jerry(Joe Mantegna), a low ranking mafioso assigned to watch him for the weekend and coach him on his confession, feels sorry for him and decides to take him to Lake Tahoe for one last fling. There, through a series of coincidences, the shoemaker is mistaken for a mafia don, and recieves the royal treatment from the hotal at which they are staying, and more dangerously from the head of the Vegas mob, Joseph Vincent(Robert Prosky). Yes the synopses are similar, but Being There and...

The greatest "Don" - Don Ameche in subtle mob masterpiece!
Don Ameche has always been a great actor who has portrayed in role after role something most actors never achieve: Elegance. In this role of Gino, a humble cobbler, Mr. Ameche achieves something even more sublime: Quiet elegance, coupled with gracious charm that defeats even the worst intentions of all those who would want to harm this truly GENTLE man. Joe Mantegna, as Gino's "foil", is equally wonderful as a basically ignorant man with a great heart who is obviously in the wrong profession. Mamet's (and Shel Silverstein, of all people!) screenplay and direction are flawless: his story is filled with suspenseful and humorous moments piled up one after another, and all are surprising - to us as well as to Gino! Nothing is as it seems, and the finale is truly inspired! Before this film I was not impressed with Mamet's work, neither on film nor on stage. I may still not care for Mamet's work. But, "Things Change" changed my view of what he can do with a good...

My favorite David Mamet film of the 80's.
Things Change (1988) During the late 1980's, actor Don Ameche continued his remarkable comeback in David Mamet's story of a naive shoeshiner who is roped by the mob into posing as one of their own. Joe Mantegna steals the film for me as Ameche's reluctant minder. Glengarry Glen Ross gets better reviews but this remains my favorite of Mamet's works. The chemistry between Ameche and Mantegna is terrific and you'll be rooting for both men as their journey leads them towards a tense, yet inevitable resolution. Robert Prosky appears in a pivotal role and the future husband & wife team of William H. Macy and Felicity Huffman have brief roles as well. Don't miss this gem of a film, it will stay in your heart once you watch it.

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