Watch American Buffalo

American Buffalo is a 1996 movie directed by Michael Corrente and based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by David Mamet. It stars Dustin Hoffman, Dennis Franz, and Sean Nelson in the lead roles. The movie revolves around three individuals, Donny Dubrow (Dennis Franz), Teach (Dustin Hoffman), and Bobby (Sean Nelson), who are involved in the world of small-time crime. Donny owns a junk shop where he and his young errand boy Bobby try to make money by selling stolen goods. Teach is Donny's friend who has just been released from prison and is eager to get back into action. He feels threatened by Bobby's presence and tries to convince Donny to exclude him from their next job.

Donny plans to steal a coin collection from a wealthy man who lives in the neighborhood. Teach wants in on the job, and Donny reluctantly agrees. However, things get complicated when Bobby learns of the plan and insists on being a part of it. Teach feels betrayed by Donny's decision to include Bobby, and tension rises between the three men.

The rest of the movie follows the trio's preparations for the robbery and its aftermath. They argue, deceive, and threaten one another as they grapple with their conflicting interests and shifting alliances. Donny's desire for loyalty and trust competes with Teach's greed and aggression, while Bobby tries to navigate their murky world and find his place in it.

The movie explores themes of masculinity, loyalty, betrayal, and the American Dream. It portrays these men as victims of a system that has left them behind and forced them to resort to crime to survive. They believe that stealing from the rich is a way of balancing the scales and achieving some measure of dignity and respect.

However, the movie also shows the darker side of this world, the violence, the fear, the cynicism, and the hopelessness. It portrays these men as flawed, desperate, and lonely individuals who have lost touch with what is truly valuable in life.

The acting in the movie is superb, particularly by Dustin Hoffman, who delivers a gripping performance as Teach. He portrays his character's complex mixture of bravado, vulnerability, and resentment with great subtlety and nuance. Dennis Franz brings a quiet intensity to his role, while Sean Nelson captures the innocence and confusion of his young character.

The movie has a moody, atmospheric tone, enhanced by the excellent cinematography and score. The setting, a run-down neighborhood in the early 70s, adds to the movie's sense of nostalgia and longing. The dialogue, which is typical of David Mamet's work, is sharp, witty, and profane.

Overall, American Buffalo is a powerful and affecting movie that offers a bleak and uncompromising look at the world of small-time crime. It's a movie for mature audiences who appreciate strong performances, complex characters, and a well-crafted story.

American Buffalo is a 1996 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.