Oleanna (1994)

56% of critics liked it
(16 reviews)
58% of users liked it
(1,529 ratings)

David Mamet directed this screen version of his controversial two-character stage drama. John (William H. Macy) is a self-centered college professor preoccupied with his bid for tenure and negotiations for a house that he and his wife want to buy. Mary (Debra Eisenstadt), one of his students, comes… More David Mamet directed this screen version of his controversial two-character stage drama. John (William H. Macy) is a self-centered college professor preoccupied with his bid for tenure and negotiations for a house that he and his wife want to buy. Mary (Debra Eisenstadt), one of his students, comes by John's office after class; she's failing his course and is obviously confused by the material. Not really paying attention to her, John discusses his philosophies about education in an abstract manner rather than offering concrete suggestions on how to improve her grades. The discussion becomes confrontational and eventually Mary leaves. Several days later, Mary returns, announcing that on the advice of her "group" that she is filing sexual harassment charges against John based on a broad interpretation of his statements. If Mary's suit is successful, it could cost John his job -- and the house he's always wanted. Mamet's wife, actress and musician Rebecca Pidgeon, composed the film's musical score. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: David Mamet
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Nov 4, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Sep 16, 2003
Studio: Hallmark Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Overly schematic and the least effective screen adaptation of a David Mamet play.
Mark Bourne, DVDJournal.com
...feels like it was made in a rush, on the cheap, and to fulfill a contractual obligation.... a disappointment compared to his House of Games or Heist, which at least possessed the fall-back position of being intermittently entertaining.
Mark Bourne, DVDJournal.com
MGM's DVD edition of Oleanna presents a good clean print and transfer (1.66:1, non-anamorphic), but is otherwise wholly unremarkable.... MGM's disc lacks the featurette, stills gallery, and bios/filmographies found on the earlier Seville edition.
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World
Mamet's most frustrating movie
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
As to be expected, the Mamet-speak is sharp, witty and masterful.
David Bezanson, Filmcritic.com
the film tried a little too hard to make the audience squirm -- but it also forced me to think.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Zeroes in on the lust for power that lies behind the confrontations waged in the name of gender, class, age, and political correctness.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
Stale and stagy.

Read all 8 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Pierluigi P

A compelling, elocuent, dialogue-driven, unpretentious, well made two characters drama. Mamet's prose really works.
Leo L

An interesting movie.
Kit X

A tad dry on screen. would have been interesting to see how a different director would have handled it - maybe emphasised the sensual experiences. Read the play. Good performance fom William H. Macy