Benjamin Caron’s “Sharper,” currently in limited theatrical release and streaming on Apple TV+ next week, invites us to envision Julianne Moore and John Lithgow tackling an ’80s David Mamet screenplay, akin to “House of Games” or “The Spanish Prisoner.” It unfolds like a narrative jigsaw puzzle, transitioning seamlessly from a theatrical feature to a mid-’10s streaming series, offering a delightful experience as it weaves through various cons until the final revelation. However, the challenge lies in emulating Mamet’s tough-talking puzzle movie style, a feat the writers, Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka, fall short of achieving. “Sharper” aspires to replicate the Mamet aesthetic, but the dialogue lacks the sharpness needed to elevate this thriller beyond mere entertainment. Visit afdah tv for more!
