“Sharper,” directed by Benjamin Caron and currently in limited theatrical release while also set to stream on Apple TV+ next week, prompts speculation about the potential of Julianne Moore and John Lithgow in an ’80s David Mamet screenplay like “House of Games” or “The Spanish Prisoner.” The film unfolds as a narrative jigsaw puzzle, transitioning from a theatrical feature to a mid-’10s streaming series, offering a captivating experience as it maneuvers through various cons until the final revelation. However, the challenge lies in capturing Mamet’s tough-talking puzzle movie style, and writers Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka fall short of delivering the sharp, revealing dialogue necessary to elevate this thriller beyond its foundational allure. “Sharper” aspires to channel Mamet’s aesthetic, but the dialogue lacks the precision to create the weaponized conversations that defined Mamet’s best films. Visit afdah tv for more!
