THINGS CHANGE is a very enjoyable film, both funny and entertaining without ever resorting to obvious gags or slapstick. I really didn't expect much from this movie, and I was surprised at how soon I was drawn in to the story. Both of the lead actors are amazing, giving subtle, nuanced performances. The supporting cast is impressive too, with such talent as Robert Prosky, J.T. Walsh, and William H. Macy (sporting an impressive hairdo!). The dialog (like most of Mamet's work) is very crisp and well-written. Although there are a few missteps in the final act, this film is definitely worth watching.

The Picture:
This is a very good transfer (although not in the same league as some of Columbia/Tri-Star's best transfers). In general, the picture is sharp and detailed throughout and the print is very clean, free from any scratches or debris. Colors are solid and fully saturated, and I noticed no graininess or noise. The movie is presented in both widescreen (1.85:1, anamorphically-enhanced) and full-screen versions.

The Sound:
The 2.0 mono soundtrack is about as good as you can expect. Obviously the soundstage is limited (as there is no audio directionality or activity in the surrounds), but the sound and frequency range is fine and appropriate for this type of movie. A dialog-driven film like THINGS CHANGE does not require active surrounds or a wide soundstage, so the crisp mono sound suits the film well. A Spanish-dubbed soundtrack is also provided.

Special Features:
There are no extras on this release, aside from the usual cast/crew biographies and a couple of trailers from other David Mamet films -- THE WINSLOW BOY and THE SPANISH PRISONER (but, oddly, no trailer for this film). Both English and Spanish subtitles are available.

Final Thoughts:
I'm sure there are many people who have not seen (or heard of) THINGS CHANGE. That's really too bad, and probably reflects the studio's inability to properly market the movie. I really enjoyed this sleeper film, much more than I thought I would. It's the sort of movie that you start watching casually, but find that before you know it, you care about the characters and want to see how everything turns out. It is definitely worth a rental or an inexpensive purchase, when you are in the mood for a light comedy/drama.