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American Buffalo Reviews

1996

50
from 296 members

A plot to steal a potentially valuable buffalo-head nickel binds together two mistrusting, disaffected schlubs and their young, would-be accomplice. David Mamet adapted the screenplay from his hard-biting 1975 stage play. Read more

Starring	Dennis Franz, Dustin Hoffman, Sean Nelson
Director	Michael Corrente
Genres	Drama

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Critic's review of American Buffalo
View all critics' reviews (5)
- A conversation piece that shows its theatrical origins, but survives the transition to the screen thanks to Mamet's demotic dialogue and the expert performances it receives.
- 32123
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:42
Write your own review »
Most helpful member's review of American Buffalo
View all members' reviews (6)
- - 4
  - 1
  Y-a-w-n
  
  I originally saw this film in a small, empty cinema in a small empty town in Canada while the snow fell heavily outside. Being half drunk at the time and in ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 9178
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Kaz
  - London
  - 07 Jul 2004 at 10:13
Most recent members' reviews of American Buffalo
View all members' reviews (6)
- - 0
  - 0
  Good Drama
  
  This was a good play transposed into a film. Dustin Hoffman is obviously a very fine actor and to a certain extent repeats his role of Ratso Rizzo in '... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 662594
- - a customer
  - Lydbury North
  - 21 Nov 2008 at 21:41
- - 1
  - 1
  A lack of understanding
  
  A powerful stage piece becomes ludicrous and unengaging on the screen once again.
  
  The lack of understanding demonstrated by the director and ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 347109
- - bgjim
  - 16 reviews
  - Newcastle upon Tyne
  - 30 Oct 2005 at 07:12
- - 1
  - 1
  Wot a stinka
  
  This is a stinka of a movie. Hoffman overacts grossly and has no idea what it is to be a petty criminal. I managed to watch half an hour before he became so ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 345081
- - tonyboyo
  - Dorset
  - 29 Aug 2005 at 19:13
- - 0
  - 0
  A filmed play - hard work to watch
  
  This is basically a filmed version of a 3-character play. All the action is in the dialogue and it takes place within a single room, a pawn shop owned by one of... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 142367
- - BroLucius
  - 13 reviews
  - Chandlers Ford
  - 21 Aug 2005 at 11:02
- - 0
  - 2
  Superb drama from the pen of David Mamet
  
  Mamet is probably the finest living American dramatist at work today. His seminal piece "American Buffalo" is a force to be reckoned with. Starring ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 323249
- - skiffcat
  - 6 reviews
  - Dover
  - 15 Feb 2005 at 21:36
- - 4
  - 1
  Y-a-w-n
  
  I originally saw this film in a small, empty cinema in a small empty town in Canada while the snow fell heavily outside. Being half drunk at the time and in ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 9178
- - Kaz
  - London
  - 07 Jul 2004 at 10:13
View all members' reviews (6)

- - 4
  - 1
  Y-a-w-n
  
  I originally saw this film in a small, empty cinema in a small empty town in Canada while the snow fell heavily outside. Being half drunk at the time and in ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 9178
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Kaz
  - London
  - 07 Jul 2004 at 10:13
- - 0
  - 0
  A filmed play - hard work to watch
  
  This is basically a filmed version of a 3-character play. All the action is in the dialogue and it takes place within a single room, a pawn shop owned by one of... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 142367
- - BroLucius
  - 13 reviews
  - Chandlers Ford
  - 21 Aug 2005 at 11:02
- - 1
  - 1
  Wot a stinka
  
  This is a stinka of a movie. Hoffman overacts grossly and has no idea what it is to be a petty criminal. I managed to watch half an hour before he became so ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 345081
- - tonyboyo
  - Dorset
  - 29 Aug 2005 at 19:13
- - 1
  - 1
  A lack of understanding
  
  A powerful stage piece becomes ludicrous and unengaging on the screen once again.
  
  The lack of understanding demonstrated by the director and ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 347109
- - bgjim
  - 16 reviews
  - Newcastle upon Tyne
  - 30 Oct 2005 at 07:12
- - 0
  - 0
  Good Drama
  
  This was a good play transposed into a film. Dustin Hoffman is obviously a very fine actor and to a certain extent repeats his role of Ratso Rizzo in '... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 662594
- - a customer
  - Lydbury North
  - 21 Nov 2008 at 21:41
- - 0
  - 2
  Superb drama from the pen of David Mamet
  
  Mamet is probably the finest living American dramatist at work today. His seminal piece "American Buffalo" is a force to be reckoned with. Starring ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 323249
- - skiffcat
  - 6 reviews
  - Dover
  - 15 Feb 2005 at 21:36

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Critics' reviews
- A conversation piece that shows its theatrical origins, but survives the transition to the screen thanks to Mamet's demotic dialogue and the expert performances it receives.
- 32123
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:42
- "...A finely etched character study....Franz brings to the part both a lowlife grittiness and the sense of an inner core of integrity..."
- 11007
- - Variety
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:59
- 'Action talks and bullshit walks,' Don (Franz) tells his errand boy Bobby (Nelson) at the start of David Mamet's... read more on Time Out
- 45414
- - Time Out
  - 04 Nov 2008 at 00:15
- "...Hoffman and Franz act their tushies off.." -- Rating: B
- 11005
- - Entertainment Weekly
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:59
- "...[Franz is] remarkable..."
- 11006
- - Sight and Sound
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:59

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Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- American Buffalo
  
  A plot to steal a potentially valuable buffalo-head nickel binds together two mistrusting, disaffected schlubs and their young, would-be accomplice. David Mamet adapted the screenplay from his hard-biting 1975 stage play....