State and Main



""Everybody makes their own fun. If you don't make it yourself, it isn't fun. It's entertainment.""

- Ann Black

A rare David Mamet Romantic Comedy, wrapped up in a meta movie about the Horrible Hollywood filmmakers who descend on a hapless town in New England and wreak havoc.

"Only 2 animals were harmed during the filming of this motion picture. A complete list of this film's associate producers is available upon written request. Actually, American Humane Association was on set to monitor the animal action... no animal was harmed in the making of this film."
 * Credits Gag: Several:

"Marty: Either she follows her contract, or I'm gonna rip out your heart and piss on your lungs through the hole in your chest. ... And my best to Marion and the kids."
 * During the closing credits, after the end of the song, "The Song of the Old Mill," a fictional interviewer speaks to Howie Gold (played by Jonathan Katz) about the song. Gold says the song can no longer be called "The Song of the Old Mill," since the movie's title has been changed from "The Old Mill" to "The Fires of Home."
 * At the very end of the closing credits, immediately following a brief jazzy instrumental, a voice (David Mamet) says, "Once more, and can you try to play the notes this time."
 * Cut His Heart Out with a Spoon:

"Claire: I love Jewish men. Joe: Uh, why? Claire: You know."
 * Greek Chorus: The two farmers who wander the streets giving meta commentary.
 * Hey, It's That Guy!: An all-star cast, including Carrie Bradshaw, Jack Donaghy, Brandt, Kat Stratford, Richard Campbell, Sam Donovan, Eva Peron, Tommy's Dad, Norman Litkey, and an uncredited Jim Halpert.
 * Horrible Hollywood: Pretty much the entire plot description.
 * Intercourse with You: The closing credits Award Bait Song, performed by Patti Lupone, includes the line, "The life was a sweet, old-fashioned dream and the memory lingers yet. / And I think of our hour by the old mill stream and I find that I'm still wet..."
 * Mamet Speak: A lot of it, and yet surprisingly light on his signature ClusterFBombs.
 * Matzo Fever: Claire confesses this to Joe when she finds a box of matzo crackers in his room:

"Joe: Wait, you believe that? Ann: I do if you do. Joe: But it's insane! Ann: So's our electoral system but we still vote."
 * Meet Cute: Bookseller Ann meets Joe, the film's writer, when he comes to her shop to buy a typewriter and she recognizes a play that he wrote. Shortly afterward, she unceremoniously dumps her local politician fiance.
 * Not What It Looks Like: At first Joe goes to some length to keep Ann from finding out that a nude Claire is in his room (against his will), thinking that the trope will play out. Then when she suddenly walks back in and catches Claire, Joe immediately explains what's going on, and Ann believes him.


 * Product Placement: The film within the film is an 1870s Oscar Bait historical drama, yet the website Bazoomer.com goes to great lengths to try to get product placement. In the end, they do.
 * The Ending Changes Everything: Joe White perjures himself in court and instantly regrets it. It turns out that the whole court scene was just a play designed by Ann to give him a chance to rethink his choice before the real court case begins.
 * Written in Infirmity: Bob Barrenger, the star of the film-within-a-film, slices up his forehead in a car crash. It's worked in quite naturally as his character starts the film having returned from putting out a large fire.