State and Main

An exhausted Hollywood crew descends on a sleepy Vermont town, turning a quiet weekend into a comic upheaval as cameras roll and egos collide. The production, led by Alec Baldwin as Bob Berrenger, a marquee star, sends the town into a whirlwind of scheduling skirmishes, on set drama, and unexpected visitor traffic. Local residents ranging from a wary mayor to shopkeepers and townspeople find themselves swept into a high pressure spectacle that clashes with their routines and pride. The project brings to life familiar Hollywood personalities, including the demanding star and the sharp witted executives, and sparks humorous clashes over policy, funding and authenticity. Through banter and improvisation, the town shows resilience, reveals hidden loyalties, and reminds everyone that art and commerce can collide with surprisingly human results.

Directed by David Mamet, State and Main released in 2000 as an original screenplay project rather than an adaptation, delivering Mamet's trademark sharp, rapid dialogue and a standout ensemble featuring Baldwin, Hoffman, Durning, Gregg, and LuPone.

The movie grossed about 9.2 million dollars at the box office, a modest return for a dialogue heavy ensemble comedy released in the year 2000, with most earnings concentrated in North America and typical later exposure on home video.

The movie is remembered for its brisk, dialogue driven humor that skewers Hollywood vanity while showing warmth in the town's responses. Characters like the calculating star and the principled mayor, along with pragmatic locals, give the comedy staying power beyond the credits and a sense of real stakes.

Critics generally praised the performances, noting Mamet's exacting approach to dialogue and timing, while some found sentiment tempered by wit. The film examines the clash between commerce and community, the performative side of cinema, and the ethical questions that arise when art collides with life. Audience reaction highlighted the film's balancing act between corporate satire and community warmth, making State and Main feel like a pointed, entertaining snapshot of film production in small town America.