Review by Marty Mapes

Spartan is the first outstanding movie of 2004, although Spartan may disappoint the unprepared. It is an emotionally distant movie that aims to engage your brain, but not your heart. The entire plot is never spelled out for you, and the characters often behave coldly.

Mamet shows but doesn't tell. None of the characters is an audience surrogate; nobody gets briefed on events, thus filling us in on the plot. The movie starts in media res, and even the sharpest audience won't know what's going on until several minutes into the film. People talk in code and in shorthand (this is the Secret Service after all), and until we are immersed in their world, we are a little lost. Mamet shows his characters going about their business, but they don't stop to explain anything to us. It's our job to keep up with them.

Spartan is a brilliantly structured movie that doesn't get boring after the first 40 minutes, assuming you appreciate Mamet's approach. If you're looking for an easy bit of entertainment, try something else. Spartan demands you participate.

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