In Benjamin Caron’s “Sharper,” now in limited theatrical release and streaming on Apple TV+ next week, one can’t help but imagine the potential of Julianne Moore and John Lithgow in an ’80s David Mamet screenplay like “House of Games” or “The Spanish Prisoner.” It unfolds as a narrative jigsaw puzzle, transitioning from a theatrical feature to a mid-’10s streaming series, providing a satisfying experience as it navigates through various cons until the final revelation. However, capturing Mamet’s tough-talking puzzle movie essence proves challenging, with writers Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka lacking the requisite gift of dialogue to elevate this thriller beyond its foundational appeal. “Sharper” aspires to emulate Mamet’s aesthetic, yet the dialogue falls short of creating the intense, revealing dynamics that characterized Mamet’s best films. Visit Afdah TV for more!
Sharper 2023
Sharper
| February 17, 2023 (United States)
Director: Benjamin CaronWriter: Brian Gatewood, Alessandro TanakaStars: Julianne Moore, Sebastian Stan, Justice Smith
Summary: Motivations are suspect, and expectations are turned chaos, as a con artist takes on Manhattan billionaires.
Countries: United StatesLanguages: English