'The Grift Has a Gentle Touch'... or Maybe Not?

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

This article analyses the character of the confidence man in David Mamet's work, especially in his films. These films can be considered as forming a subgenre of crime film, the confidence game thriller. I also try to show how Mamet's con men belong to a wider American archetype, the trickster figure. Nevertheless, Mamet's con artists should be distinguished from their more glamorous Hollywood counterparts. Indeed, Mamet's confidence men clearly reveal to have a darker, often more violent and often subversive character, when they push to the limit the rules of the capitalist game.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCrossings. David Mamet's Work in Different Genres and Media
EditorsJohan Callens
PublisherCambridge Scholars Publishing
Pages19-31
Number of pages12
ISBN (Print)1-4438-1355-9
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2009

Bibliographical note

Callens, Johan

Keywords

  • David Mamet
  • film studies

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