Spanish Prisoner, The MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +3 Content: +2

Do you like puzzles, intrigue and mystery? Then you might enjoy The Spanish Prisoner which is all of the above. A bright young man, Joe Ross, (Scott Campbell) has developed a very complex formula for a top secret new product for the New York company he works for. He's invited by the CEO (Ben Gazzara) to attend a secret meeting with a few major stockholders in the Caribbean. Joe receives plenty of praise for his brilliant work, but while the company and its stockholders will reap spectacular financial benefits from it, no bonus is promised Joe. Meanwhile, Jimmy Dell (Steve Martin), a very wealthy New York business man staying at the same resort, befriends Joe. He suggests Joe contact a lawyer to help him confront the company for fair compensation. Susan (Rebecca Pidgeon), a friendly, perky secretary (Rebecca Pidgeon) develops a crush on Joe, but he has too many problems to respond. He finds himself the victim of a swarm of con artists who ultimately frame him for murder, but why? The tangled web of deceit and betrayal spun around the trapped Joe will keep viewers guessing in this intelligent, clever adult movie written and directed by David Mamet.

Viewers will be so engrossed in the story they won't miss being bombarded by scenes filled with the usual sex, mindless violence or filthy language. Now that's real creative writing. Joe discovers the body of his best friend with Joe's own Boy Scout knife plunged into his chest. The body is covered with blood, as well as Joe's hands after he tries to remove the knife. No other violence takes place, except for a U.S. Marshal shooting a suspect with a stun gun and Joe threatened once with a gun. One profanity, a few mild crudities and one slang term for sex are the dialogue's only foul language. The flirtatious Susan seems to be on the verge of seducing Joe in one scene, but a telephone call interrupts and nothing develops between them except for a few kisses. No sex is implied in this PG rated film. THE SPANISH PRISONER is presently being shown in select theaters, but it would be most encouraging to see it expand to a wide number of screens because of public demand. Watch for it in your town.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classic, 1888 Century Park East, Los Angeles CA 90067