Spartan (2004)
Spartan, a David Mamet film starring Val Kilmer, was #52 in my 2007 movie challenge. It was a pick of G. Grod’s, who went on a VK kick while the boys and I were out of town visiting family. Spartan is an exhilarating, if sometimes bizarre and uneven mix of Mamet’s rapid-fire, erudite dialogue and a conventional thriller. A college girl goes missing, and a capable, ethical military man is hired to find her. It bucks several expected plot turns. Kilmer gives a great performance, and Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars) is the missing girl. This was a solid, engaging film, well worth the rental. Recommended.