Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		3.5

Things Change Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov April 7, 2021

David Mamet's "Things Change" (1988) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the disc include new programs with the director and Joe Mantegna; new program with composer Alaric Rokko Jans; vintage promotional materials; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

New pals

Mr. Green (Mike Nussbaum), who happens to be one of Chicago’s biggest crime bosses, has an offer for Gino (Don Ameche), an aging shoeshine man. Mr. Green is prepared to pay Gino a good chunk of money if he agrees to take the rap for a very, very special ‘friend’. This special ‘friend’ did a job that ended when a former ‘friend’ died and now Mr. Green wants to take care of him so that he does not spend time in jail. Gino can help Mr. Green because he looks almost exactly like his special ‘friend’. If Gino agrees to take his spot, he will receive a check from Mr. Green and in a couple of years he will be able to purchase his dream boat. Oh, by the way, while in jail Gino will be looked after by other ‘friends’ of Mr. Green.

At first, Gino politely rejects Mr. Green’s offer, but then changes his mind. His dream boat in exchange for a couple of years in jail? At Gino’s age, it is actually a pretty good deal, perhaps even a great one.

Immediately after Mr. Green and Gino shake hands, two-bit gangster Jerry (Joe Mantegna) is given a chance to prove that he is worthy of the former’s friendship as well. Jerry is asked to be Gino’s bodyguard and make sure that nothing happens to him until it is time for his ‘confession’ before the authorities. It could be a couple of days, but most likely about a week. But instead of freezing their butts in Chicago, Jerry and Gino head to Lake Tahoe. The sun, the women, the service, it’s a different world out there. It would be good for Gino to get a taste of it before he goes to jail. Of course, it has to be done the right way, while keeping a low-profile. However, at the local airport Jerry bumps into Billy (William H. Macy), another two-bit gangster trying to move up the ladder, whose instincts instantly convince him that the unusually quiet Gino is a man of exceptional importance. A few hours later, after they get the best room in the best hotel in town, Gino is invited to meet the most important man in town, Don Giuseppe (Robert Prosky).

The relaxed atmosphere and slow pacing of David Mamet’s second film, Things Change, are somewhat misleading because there is a substantial amount of serious deconstructive work in it. For example, from the moment Gino appears before Mr. Green the film begins to profile the different players in the hierarchical model that used to define organized crime. Now, this type of profiling has been done in various earlier films as well, so what is different here is the emphasis on the vulnerability of the code that is supposed to keep the players where they belong. This is where all the subtle humor in the film emerges from -- the misunderstandings between all kinds of different characters that come to know Gino are actually proper reactions; Gino simply isn’t the man they assume he is. The film does a fair bit of mocking as well, mostly while exposing the hypocrisy behind the honor system, but not at the expense of authenticity. This is a classic Mamet touch.

Ameche and Mantegna are very good together, but there are wonderful contributions from the supporting actors as well. Prosky in particular is fantastic as the aging Don who discovers a true friend in a man that knows nothing the ‘business’. J. J. Johnston’s transformation is outstanding as well. Despite the odd hair color, Macy is also in good form. (Sadly, Ricky Jay and J.T. Walsh are not given enough time before the camera to make a good impression).

Mamet and his team apparently had a very difficult time locating the right mansion in the Lake Tahoe area. However, it is hard to tell because the footage that ended up in the film is absolutely astonishing. It sells Lake Tahoe better than most real estate and tourist agencies could.

Things Change Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Things Change arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.

The release is sourced from an older and regrettably not very convincing master that was supplied by Sony Pictures. There are a couple of notable issues on it, but the most distracting one is the mild to moderate edge-enhancement that pops up throughout the film. Darker footage tends to hide most of it pretty well, but elsewhere its presence is impossible to ignore (see screencapture #2 and 6). Grain exposure isn't convincing either. Indeed, quite often the grain can actually appear somewhat smeary, which is one of the main reasons why delineation and depth are not optimal either. Now, there is still a decent amount of detail, but if you have a larger screen you will know right away that the film can look better and healthier. The colors tend to look dated as well, though I still think that the overall balance is mostly decent. Image stability is very good. All in all, the age of the existing master definitely shows, and on top of this there are a few issues that make the film look somewhat harsh. My score is 3.25/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Things Change Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 1.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The lossless track is solid. I had the volume on my system turned up quite a bit and did not detect any age-related imperfections to report in our review. The audio was clear, sharp, stable, and nicely rounded. There were no balance issues either. Dynamic intensity is quite good for a film from the '80s as well, though there really aren't any notable action sequences that can impress.

Things Change Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - vintage trailer for Things Change. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Joe Mantegna: Things Happen - in this exclusive new video interview, Joe Mantegna discusses his background and connection to Chicago, the evolution of his career, his relationship with David Mamet and some of the films they made together. Mantegna also shares a number of very interesting and quite hilarious stories, including one about the casting of Don Ameche and another about an award he received from Italy. In English, not subtitled. (30 min).

• David Mamet: Engineering Things - in this exclusive new video interview, David Mamet discusses his creative process and working methods, some of the people he has worked over the years, the conception and shooting of Things Change, as well as some of the key differences between 'old' and 'new' films. In English, not subtitled. (21 min).

• Alaric Rokko Jans: Melodies for Mamet - in this exclusive new video interview, Alaric Rokko Jans recalls how music became an inseparable part of his life and his numerous collaborations with David Mamet, including on Things Change. In English, not subtitled. (18 min).

• Rob Deering: Life As It Could Be - in this new program, comedian and writer Rob Deering discusses Things Change and explains why it ought to be considered a "hidden gem". In English, not subtitled. (10 min).

• Image Gallery - a collection of original promotional materials for Things Change. (1080p).

• Booklet - 32-page limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Ellen Cheshire, an archival production report, extracts from interviews with David Mamet and Don Ameche, an overview of contemporary critical responses and film credits.

Things Change Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

David Mamet's second film, Things Change, offers plenty of evidence that in the world of organized crime things actually do not change that much. Outside of it, it is pretty much the same story. What is the old truth that emerges from his film? Everyone has a price, and once it is named, gangsters and ordinary folks begin to look alike. Obviously, they can play each other for a lot of different reasons, which is precisely what happens in the film, but they share the same dreams. This recent release from Indicator/Powerhouse Films is sourced from an old and rather shaky master that was supplied by Sony Pictures, but has a wonderful selection of bonus features. The new programs with Joe Mantegna and Mamet cover their entire careers and are fantastic. RECOMMENDED.