Oleanna

The film version retains the play's unity of place as well as its cast of two, but these limitations produce a claustrophobia that suits the subject matter perfectly. The plot is set in motion by a simple student-teacher conference between student Carol (Debra Eisenstadt) and John (William H. Macy), her professor. The two talk, interrupt, move around, see something of each other's private life, and then the conference ends; but soon the details of this meeting are under the closest scrutiny. In its aftermath, Mamet shows that sexual harassment is a complicated affair, hinging on different perspectives, motivations, and desires. His rapid-fire, compact dialogue is a natural for a story in which language is so much at issue. Ultimately, OLEANNA never gives an easy answer--no wonder it had theatergoers and moviegoers arguing in the aisles.