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William H. Macy, once again representing white middle-class America, plays Edmond the businessman run off his rails and clumsily plunging into a life of self-induced turmoil. Edmond leaves his wife (Rebecca Pidgeon) and heads out on the town, looking for some action. Unaccustomed in the ways of the underworld, Edmond continues to find his situation worsening, getting beaten and robbed. Fed up, he hits back hard with poor aim and finds himself in more trouble.

The warning ���Contains scenes that may offend some viewers��� is true enough. Some of a more sensitive disposition filed out of the theatre, probably not foreseeing in the innocently titled Edmond the sex, violence and racism to come. For all the darkness and hatred, the laughs are continuous, due in large part to the absurdity of Macy���s character and the situations he puts himself in. Despite all Edmond goes through, it���s his own fault and he doesn���t elicit much sympathy, if any.

With savage beatings, murder, prostitution, sodomy and bigotry, this film could be bit of a downer, but comedy is a great mood alleviant. Watching this otherwise harrowing film, you can only laugh or else be outraged.

As you would expect from David Mamet���s adaptation of his own stage play, Edmond is dialogue heavy. The writing is clever and acerbic with ladles full of awkwardness and tension. Director Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator) has created a straightforward film, one with style and character, managing to wring the most humour out of a situation without it becoming a farce. The whole cast is great: from Macy as Edmond, to Julia Stiles as the waitress and aspiring actress. Even Denise Richards is good.

Reminiscent of the Coen brothers��� Fargo, last year���s French black comedy The Ax and with even a small touch of American Psycho, Edmond will have you laughing and stunned in equal proportions.