In Benjamin Caron’s “Sharper,” now in limited theatrical release and set to stream on Apple TV+ next week, one can’t help but ponder the potential of Julianne Moore and John Lithgow in an ’80s David Mamet screenplay like “House of Games” or “The Spanish Prisoner.” The film unfolds as a narrative jigsaw puzzle, transitioning seamlessly from a theatrical feature to a mid-’10s streaming series, providing a satisfying experience as it weaves 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 my flixer for more!
