David Mamet and Male Friendship : Buddy Plays and Buddy Films

## List of Figures ix very book is a challenge, and challenges are best met with the help of friends. This book was difficult-life is filled with unexpected turns-and I want to thank everyone who made it possible for me to finish. I am indebted to Don B. Wilmeth for his sage advice over the long haul. I am also grateful to Robyn Curtis at Palgrave for her intelligence and patience. Ever since I was a student, Robert Brustein has been both mentor and friend, and I do not know how to repay him for his support. It is also a pleasure to thank my other colleagues at the American Repertory Theater, who have helped in countless ways: Diane Paulus, artistic director; Diane Borger, producer; Using insights from psychology, sociology, anthropology, and the history of sexuality, Holmberg explores the ambiguity that drives male bonding. Personal interviews with Mamet and with the actors who have interpreted his major roles shed light on how and why men bond with each other and complement close analysis of Mamet's texts. Throughout most of history, deep male bonds anchored a man's life. Why, then, are male friendships so impoverished in America today? Mamet's plays and films dramatize the conflicts, contradictions, and covert affection between men. No other American playwright has explored the war zone we call male friendship with as sharp a scalpel as Mamet's. His work shows both the necessity of and the difficulty in male friendships. Using insights from psychology, sociology, anthropology, and the history of sexuality, Holmberg explores the ambiguity that drives male bonding. Personal interviews with Mamet and with the actors who have interpreted his major roles shed new light on how and why men bond with each other and complement - in an unexpected and unique way - Holmberg's close analysis of Mamet's texts "Title"--"Copyright"--"Dedication" -- "Contents" -- "List of Figures" -- "Acknowledgments" -- "Introduction" -- "1. Buddy Plays and Buddy Films: Speed-the-Plow ." -- "2. Buddy Cops: Homicide ." -- "3. Honor among Thieves? American Buffalo ." -- "4. The Cycle of Friendship: A Life in the Theatre ." -- "5. Comrades in Competition: Glengarry Glen Ross ." -- "6. Friends without Benefits: Sexual Perversity in Chicago ." -- "7. Is It Legal? Romance ." -- "8. The Dialog of Life: The Duck Variations ." -- "9. Climbing Platoâ#x80;#x99;s Ladder: Edmond ." -- "Notes" -- "Bibliography." Front Matter....Pages i-xii Introduction....Pages 1-4 Buddy Plays and Buddy Films....Pages 5-15 Buddy Cops....Pages 17-33 Honor among Thieves?....Pages 35-55 The Cycle of Friendship....Pages 57-73 Comrades in Competition....Pages 75-119 Friends without Benefits....Pages 121-148 Is It Legal?....Pages 149-177 The Dialog of Life....Pages 179-188 Climbing Plato’s Ladder....Pages 189-203 Back Matter....Pages 205-260