American Buffalo (1996)

77% of critics liked it
(26 reviews)
44% of users liked it
(2,435 ratings)

David Mamet's play about three losers planning a robbery is brought to the screen in an admirably simple, straightforward manner. Don (Dennis Franz) is the owner of an "antique store" (read: junk shop) who discovers that the buffalo head nickel he recently sold to a coin collector was a lot more… More David Mamet's play about three losers planning a robbery is brought to the screen in an admirably simple, straightforward manner. Don (Dennis Franz) is the owner of an "antique store" (read: junk shop) who discovers that the buffalo head nickel he recently sold to a coin collector was a lot more valuable than he imagined. Don hatches a scheme in which he and Bobby (Sean Nelson), a teenage kid who works at the shop, will steal the nickel back and sell it for a much higher price. Teach (Dustin Hoffman), Don's down-on-his-luck buddy, insists on coming in on the job, but Don isn't sure he wants Teach's help -- or that the robbery is a good idea at all. While director Michael Corrente occasionally moves the action out of the shop (unlike the original play), American Buffalo maintains nearly all the dialogue of the original play and its three-man cast. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 28 min.
Directed By: Michael Corrente
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Sep 13, 1996 Wide
On DVD: Jan 23, 2001
Studio: Hallmark Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Daniel M. Kimmel, Variety
A three-character, one-set chamber piece, pic lacks the bravura moments of the film version of the playwright's Glengarry Glen Ross
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Dustin Hoffman channels his Ratso Rizzo character from the 1969 Midnight Cowboy.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
Mesmerized by the trademark Mamet gutter poetry, Corrente directs unobtrusively and respectfully.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
In this overly theatrical version, Hoffman gives a mediocre performance in a role that Al Pacino excelled with on stage. Failing to open up Mamet's play, confined to one locale--a junk store--the film is claustropobhic and dull, lacking emotional payoff
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
A colossal letdown that ends up running in place.
Willie Waffle, WaffleMovies.com
My example of a great Back Shelf Beauty
Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com
There is little sense of tension, nor any dramatically sound resolution. American Buffalo seems to end rather abruptly - but not a moment too soon
Michael Szymanski, Zap2it.com
Powerful and overlooked,lost in the shuffle.

Read all 8 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Michael G

A great movie version of a great play.
matt s

What are we talking about? We're talking business!
Anthony V

Although the play was better, performances from Hoffman and Franz maintain interest.
Christopher B

One of those films I loved at the time I saw it, and barely thought of it since. I really should watch this again, I remember that it was based on a play and I enjoyed how the director never tried to hide the fact that it was. Also, the script and performances were great.