Summary
Zosia Mamet is an excellent comedic actress who has lent her skills to both TV shows and movies. Thoughshe’s most recognizable for her stint on the seminal HBO comedy seriesGirls,she’s flexed her dramatic muscles many times throughout her career. While not all her projects have seen her in the leading role, Mamet never fails to steal the scene and capture the audience’s attention. Recently, she’s made waves with her latest series,The Decameron, which has turned heads thanks to Mamet’s hilarious work as Pampinea, one of the central characters.
One element remains consistent throughout almost all of Mamet’s career: she seeks out interesting characters and works with creatives who give her plenty to work with.
Netflix’sThe Decameronis based on the bookof the same name, and the series marks one of Mamet’s first leading roles sinceGirlsended in 2017. However, for those who know where to look, there have been plenty of places to watch Mamet deliver a variety of performances. One element remains consistent throughout almost all of Mamet’s career: she seeks out interesting characters and works with creatives who give her plenty to work with. Though she’s a recognizable figure,it doesn’t take long for audiences to forget they’re watching an actress and become immersed in her characters.
Zosia Mamet’s The Decameron Is A Reminder To Watch Her In Another Hilarious Period Comedy
Zosia Mamet’s laugh-out-loud performance in The Decameron is a reminder to watch the actor in another hilarious period comedy from Apple TV+.
Zoe is a reminder to her grandmother of the long life she’s lived and the pain and joy that accompany each phase of existence.
Mamet makes a brief but memorable appearance inWiener-Dogduring the last installment of the multipart film that encompasses the life of a dachshund. Her character, Zoe, is the granddaughter of an ailing older woman who comes to own the wiener dog near the end of her life. Zoe is a reminder to her grandmother of the long life she’s lived and the pain and joy that accompany each phase of existence.Wiener-Dogis quite a high-minded philosophical messagefor a film with a name that sparks laughter.
Wiener-Dogis also one ofKieran Culkin’s best movies, though he and Mamet have their scenes at opposing ends of the movie. The ensemble cast is one of the strongest elements of the film and makes it stand out from the other melancholy and artistically critical works in its oeuvre. Even in her short scene,Mamet makes an impact with her emotional vulnerabilityand helps bring the story home with a strong appeal to the audience in the final moments of the narrative.
Under the Silver Lake
Cast
Written and directed by David Robert Mitchell, Under the Silver Lake is a mystery comedy-drama released in 2018. A thirty-something conspiracy theorist’s life experiences a shake-up when his new neighbor becomes a brief love interest, only to disappear, leaving behind a mystery that dives deeply into a dangerous conspiracy.
Under the Silver Lakeis led by Andrew Garfield and struck a polarizing tone with audiencesand critics alike. As much about the toxic culture of Hollywood as it is about nostalgia for Old Hollywood movies, the film takes many unexpected turns, but this is a factor that drew in many viewers. Garfield’s Sam goes on an odyssey through Los Angeles in search of a young woman he’s become obsessed with, and along the way, he meets many interesting people.
One of these characters is Troy, played by Mamet, and Sam follows her across some of the most famous locations in L.A., trying to get to the heart of the mysterious conspiracy she’s a part of. Of all the neo-Noir films set in Los Angeles,Under the Silver Lakeisn’t the strongest, butit’s an enjoyable thrill ride, especially for viewers who have spent time in L.A.If anything, it’s easy to wish for more scenes that feature Troy and her counterparts, as they’re interesting but underdeveloped aspects of the film.
Molli and Max in the Future
Molli and Max in the Future is a romantic sci-fi comedy by writer-director Michael Lukk Litwak. Set a billion years in the future, Molli and Max are two hybrid beings whose paths intersect over twelve years via strange, ever-escalating incidents.
ThoughMolli and Max in the Futuremay not have the overwhelming budget of other sci-fi films, it doesn’t matter, as the heart and soul of the movie are the story and performances.
IfMolli and Max in the Futureindicates anything about the future of Mamet’s career, it’s that she should be starring in more romantic comedies.This film is a classic send-up of rom-coms with a futuristic twist,as the doldrums and anxieties of the lovable main characters are set in the far future, where it seems finding love hasn’t become any easier. Mamet costars alongside Aristotle Athari, who plays Max, and the two futuristic lovers just can’t seem to stop running into each other.
ThoughMolli and Max in the Futuremay not have the overwhelming budget of other sci-fi films, it doesn’t matter, as the heart and soul of the movie are the story and performances. By setting its narrative so far into the future,the movie can take many of the emerging topics of identity and sexuality in its stridewhile creating a tale that’s uniquely universal and human. While watchingMolli and Max in the Future, it’s hard to believe that Mamer could belong in any other era than the glittering space age.
Tales of the Citywas the last in the sequence of miniseries' that were based on Armistead Maupin’s novelsof the same name that chronicled the lives of a group of people in San Francisco throughout the latter half of the 20th century. Both the TV shows and the books were highlighted for their dedication to bringing the stories and voices of LGBTQ+ individuals into the mainstream. Mamet is an emotionally compelling part of the show as Claire, the love interest of Mary Ann’s (Laura Linney) daughter.
The 2019 version ofTales of the Citywas an updated and more inclusive take on the material,but it was no less full of heart and emotion than any of the other works. Claire’s relationship with Shawna (Elliot Page) is part of the new generation of LGBTQ+ love that’s shown onscreen, that’s different from the past but is still informed by the history of the LGBTQ+ movement in San Francisco. Page and Mamet make compelling partners, and their relationship is an interesting aspect of the story when juxtaposed with Mary Ann’s memories of her younger self.
Dickinson
Dickinson is a comedy series starring Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld. Dickinson audaciously explores the constraints of society, gender, and family from the perspective of the rebellious young poet Emily Dickinson, all while putting a modern spin on the period piece era’s tone. The show takes liberties with this retelling of the Author’s life while attempting to stay faithful to her history.
Dickinsonis not only concerned with the plight of great artists but also with making its audience laugh.
As anachronistic and contemporary as the story and themes ofDickinsonare, its characters are all based on real people, and Mamet’s portrayal of Louisa May Alcott is no exception.The series follows the dramatized life of the brilliant poet Emily Dickinson,played by Hailee Steinfeld, and in the course of her life, she comes across the many famous writers and figures who were her contemporaries. One of these people is Louisa May Alcott, the author ofLittle Women, who Mamet embodies hilariously.
Alcott becomes someone wonderfully eccentric and uniquein the way the writers ofDickinsonchose to portray her and how Mamet plays her. Though Louisa is only a guest character inDickinson, she’s an important addition. Her approach to writing and art is vastly different from Emily’s. However,Dickinsonis not only concerned with the plight of great artists but also with making its audience laugh. It makes sense that Mamet would take on the character of Alcott, as she has her wit and intensity in spades.
5The Boy Downstairs (2017)
As Diana
Unsurprisingly,Mamet had a heyday as an indie darling in small, offbeat filmsthat were quiet but nuanced portraits of everyday life.The Boy Downstairswas written and directed by Sophie Brooks, and the tone and style of the movie make it feel semi-autobiographical in its intimacy. Diana is a disaffected young woman who accidentally moves into the apartment above her ex-boyfriend when she returns to New York. It’s a familiar setting and conflict for Mamet, who faced plenty of relationship troubles with New York in the background inGirls.
Like many independent films,The Boy Downstairshad a limited release and short run, so few fans of Mamet have sought out the project. However, it’s enjoyable to see her in a starring role and carrying the weight of the story on her shoulders. WhileThe Boy Downstairsdoesn’t tread any new ground in its explorations of feeling lost in young adulthood and running from a relationship out of fear, that doesn’t make the narrative any less universal. Additionally,Mamet’s comedic timing balances the tougher dramatic thrustsof the story.
Mad Men
Mad Men is a drama series set in 1960s New York, focusing on the lives of competitive men and women working in Madison Avenue’s advertising industry. The show explores the social mores and cultural dynamics of the era while delving into the personal and professional challenges faced by its characters.
In playing Joyce, Mamet is Peggy’s (Elisabeth Olsen) entrée into the socially progressive side of New York City in the 1960s.
Playing Joyce is quite a departure for Mamet, who was not typically cast as the cool character, as her earlier projects saw her typecast as a more innocent and naive individual. However, in playing Joyce, Mamet is Peggy’s (Elisabeth Olsen) entrée into the socially progressive side of New York City in the 1960s. This is an interesting shift, as Peggy has only been exposed to the conservative and corporate side through her work in advertising.The introduction of Joyce and her friends was part of a shift in tone and direction forMad Menas a whole.
Of all of Mamet’s work,Mad Menmight be the most critically lauded and acclaimed, but she’s only in a few episodes, and Joyce doesn’t have a big enough impact for the series to rank higher in her filmography. Despite this,it can’t be overlooked how being onMad Menshowed audiences that Mamet was a serious actresswho could work with powerhouses like the performers on the show. Additionally, Joyce is one of the few openly LGBTQ+ characters in the series, which allowedMad Mento explore new sides of the 1960s counterculture.
The Decameron
In 1348 Italy, a group of nobles and their servants seek refuge in a grand villa from the bubonic plague. As they attempt to wait out the pandemic, their interactions reveal class tensions and personal secrets. The show blends dark comedy with historical drama, examining survival and societal divides in a crisis.
Giovanni Boccaccio created perhaps the most famous and influential work of Italian literature when he wroteThe Decameronin the 14th Century. Its cultural impact can be seen to this day, asNetflix’s recent adaptation of the series features some of the biggest names in comedy, and its stories are just as relevant today.Mamet plays Pampinea, a noblewoman and one of the central figures in the tale. Playing Pampinea is a testament to how Mamet is unafraid to make a fool of herself and play the villain when the role calls for it.
The past few years have seen an increase in some of thebest period TV shows of the 2020s, andThe Decameronwas released at the perfect time to capitalize on this audience interest.It’s more raunchy and rowdy than some of its more demure counterparts,but this is a welcome change to some of the social niceties that bog down the characters in period TV series. It remains to be seen ifThe Decameronwill get a second season, but in the meantime, it’s enjoyable to see Mamet getting to play the fool.
Why Misia Is Really So Devoted To Pampinea In The Decameron
Misia, Pampinea’s handmaiden, is one of The Decameron’s most complex characters. Her devotion to her lady was both frustrating and puzzling at times.
The Flight Attendant
The Flight Attendant is a comedy-mystery television series that follows the story of flight attendant Cassie Bowden, who wakes up in the wrong hotel, in the wrong bed, with a dead man – and has no idea what happened. The dark comedic thriller is based on the novel of the same name by New York Times bestselling author Chris Bohjalian. Cassie will now have to deal with the FBI and other unknown variables as she tries to piece together the night that got out of hand.
Despite only running for two seasons,The Flight Attendantmade its mark and is recognized as an effective blend of comedy and mystery elements that few shows can achieve.
Though most audiences more readily remember Kaley Cuoco as the defining actress inThe Flight Attendant, her chemistry with Mamet is one of the most fun parts of the series. Despite only running for two seasons,The Flight Attendantmade its mark and is recognized as an effective blend of comedy and mystery elements that few shows can achieve.Mamet’s character, Annie, is the best friend of Cassie (Cuoco)and serves as an analytical and levelheaded foil to the easily overwhelmed Cassie.
As the series progresses, Annie continues to develop into a separate entity from Cassie and has her own side plots and relationships that make her just as compelling. It’s a shame that there aren’t more seasons ofThe Flight Attendant, as Mamet gets to explore new facets of her acting abilities in the role. However, in the episodes that do exist,Mamet’s presence is a breath of fresh air and often anchors the more unrealistic aspects of the show.
Girls
Created by Lena Dunham, Girls is a coming-of-age comedy-drama series that follows a group of four twentysomething-year-old girls now discovering that they’re on their own and must find their way through life. Central to the show is Hannah Horvath, who, after graduating college, is cut-off financially from her family. Hannah will soon discover trying to make it as a writer in Brooklyn is far more challenging than she thinks.
Moving on from playing a character like Shosanna would be tough for any actor. For Mamet,playing Shosh inGirlswas inarguably her best project and character work.It’s a career-defining project, but this can also have its drawbacks. For many viewers, all they see when they look at Mamet is her character inGirls, and this is something she’s worked hard to separate herself from in the years since the show ended. However, it’s also an incredible part of her work as an actress to look back on and recognize as a series that changed lives and cultural conversations.
One of the best parts ofGirlsis the fact that each of the four central female characters is complexand goes through significant development throughout the series. It’s exciting to see female characters that are fully fleshed out, and the show is unapologetic in making them unlikable and sympathetic in equal measure. Mamet couldn’t have asked for a better lead role than the role she landed inGirls, but, if anything, it shows how much more she still has to give to new projects and how she can’t be pigeonholed into one role.
