State and Main

State and Main is a 2000 comedy film written and directed by David Mamet and starring William H. Macy, Sarah Jessica Parker, Alec Baldwin, Julia Stiles, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rebecca Pidgeon, David Paymer, Patti LuPone, Clark Gregg, and Charles Durning.

State and Main
Promotional poster for State and Main.
Directed byDavid Mamet
Produced bySarah Green
Written byDavid Mamet
StarringWilliam H. Macy
Sarah Jessica Parker
Alec Baldwin
Julia Stiles
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Rebecca Pidgeon
David Paymer
Charles Durning
Patti LuPone
Clark Gregg
Music byTheodore Shapiro
CinematographyOliver Stapleton
Edited byBarbara Tulliver
Production
company
Filmtown Entertainment
Green/Renzi
El Dorado Pictures
Distributed byFine Line Features
Release date
  • August 26, 2000 (2000-08-26) (Canada)
  • December 22, 2000 (2000-12-22) (United States)
Running time
105 min.
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$6,944,471[1] (US)
$9,206,279[1] (Worldwide)

The plot involves the on-location production in Waterford, Vermont, of a film called The Old Mill. The actual film was shot in Massachusetts in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Beverly, Dedham and Waltham.

State and Main received favorable reviews from critics.

Plot

Havoc is wrought on the inhabitants of a small New England town by a troubled film production. After the leading man's penchant for underage girls gets them banished from their New Hampshire location, the crew relocates to the small town of Waterford, Vermont, to finish shooting The Old Mill.

As its title suggests, the film depends on the presence of a genuine mill, something the town is reported to possess. Unfortunately, with only days before principal photography begins, it becomes apparent that the mill in fact burned down decades ago.

Unfazed, the film's director, Walt Price (William H. Macy), places his faith in the ability of first-time screenwriter Joseph Turner White (Philip Seymour Hoffman) to alter the script. What he doesn't count on is White's apparently bottomless reserve of angst-fueled writer's block. A local bookseller, Annie Black (Rebecca Pidgeon), tries to provide White with inspiration.

The film's leading lady (Sarah Jessica Parker) refuses to do her contracted nude scene unless she's paid an additional $800,000, while the foreign cinematographer offends the locals by messing with a historic firehouse. Meanwhile, the leading man, Bob Barrenger (Alec Baldwin), dallies with Carla (Julia Stiles), a crafty local teen.

Everything comes to a head after Barrenger and Carla are injured in a car accident, which leads White (the only witness) to another emotional quandary and into the arms of Annie. Meanwhile, a powerful movie producer (David Paymer) comes to town to help Price with the ensuing mess.

Cast

Production
Part of a series on
Dedham, Massachusetts
History
People
  • Selectmen
  • Town Clerks
  • Businesspeople
  • Clergy
  • Military
  • Sportspeople
  • Writers
Places
Organizations
Businesses
Education

Several scenes were filmed at the Endicott Estate in Dedham, Massachusetts.[2]

Reception

Critical reception

As of December 2017, State and Main holds an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.[3]

Awards

Notes
  1. "State and Main (2000) - Box Office Mojo". boxofficemojo.com. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  2. Coleman, Sandy (2005-05-12). "Historic mansion opens doors in gala celebration of 100 years". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2006-12-26.
  3. "State and Main". rottentomatoes.com.
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