--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: David Mamet's writing is pretty…" description: "\"David Mamet's writing is pretty spectacular, obviously. I like the honesty of it; I like how funny it is and how sad it is.\" — T. R. Knight" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/182/t-r-knight-42281_david_david-mamet-s-writing-is-pretty-spectacu_1625575.png" --- # David Mamet's writing is pretty spectacular, obviously. I… ![“David Mamet's writing is pretty spectacular, obviously. I like the honesty of it; I like how funny it is and how sad it is.” quote by T. R. Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/182/t-r-knight-42281_david_david-mamet-s-writing-is-pretty-spectacu_1625575.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/182/t-r-knight-42281_david_david-mamet-s-writing-is-pretty-spectacu_1625575.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/182/t-r-knight-42281_david_david-mamet-s-writing-is-pretty-spectacu_1625575.png) > “David Mamet's writing is pretty spectacular, obviously. I like the honesty of it; I like how funny it is and how sad it is.” [T. R. Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-r-knight/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author praises Mamet's work for its vivid honesty, humor, and emotional depth, highlighting its compelling blend of comedy and tragedy. **In simple terms:** Mamet's writing is honest, funny, and sad. Key Takeaway Appreciate complex storytelling. Themes literature drama emotion Mood reflective appreciative Type literary critical When to use this quote - theater productions - screenwriting workshops - book clubs Key Concepts narrative structure authenticity Questions to Reflect On - What makes a story both funny and sad? - How does honesty affect audience connection? A Different Perspective Humor may mask serious issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/david/) [David Mamet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/david-mamet-330353/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Funny Sad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny-sad-330355/) [Honesty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honesty/) [How](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/how/) [Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like/) [Mamet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mamet-330354/) [Mamet Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mamet-writing-330352/) [Obviously](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obviously/) [Pretty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pretty/) [Sad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sad/) [Spectacular](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spectacular/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [ David Mamet, Tim Kazurinsky, and Denise DeClue, who adapted \[ About Last Night\]. Between the three of them... I mean, it's always down to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-lowe/david-mamet-tim-kazurinsky-and-denise-declue-who-adapted-about-last/) [Rob Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-lowe/) > [David Mamet was great to work with. He was everything that I thought he would be as a director. He's incredibly articulate, an easy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chiwetel-ejiofor/david-mamet-was-great-to-work-with-he-was-everything-that-i-thought/) [Chiwetel Ejiofor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chiwetel-ejiofor/) > [When I was growing up in the '80s and working in the theater, David Mamet exploded with a whole new reworking of what dialogue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-mccarten/when-i-was-growing-up-in-the-80s-and-working-in-the-theater-david/) [Anthony McCarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-mccarten/) > [I learned a long time ago from David Mamet to wipe your feet at the door, get it out on stage and then go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-lupone/i-learned-a-long-time-ago-from-david-mamet-to-wipe-your-feet-at-the/) [Patti LuPone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-lupone/) > [I would probably do anything with David Mamet. He's so great. I just love his writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-kilmer/i-would-probably-do-anything-with-david-mamet-he-s-so-great-i-just/) [Val Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-kilmer/) > [Any time you get to do a David Mamet play, it's a great opportunity. His writing is such that I think it's a big…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-priestley/any-time-you-get-to-do-a-david-mamet-play-it-s-a-great-opportunity/) [Jason Priestley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-priestley/) > [David Mamet gives me great heart. When I ask myself, 'I don't know if I can do this again,' Mamet would say, 'Oh yes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-ripley/david-mamet-gives-me-great-heart-when-i-ask-myself-i-don-t-know-if-i/) [Alice Ripley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-ripley/) > [You've never seen anything until you've seen David Mamet be an Edwardian lady. He always conveys what he means, but he's so... masculine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-steenburgen/you-ve-never-seen-anything-until-you-ve-seen-david-mamet-be-an/) [Mary Steenburgen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-steenburgen/) > [For an actor, a Mamet play is definitely on the list of things you hope to be a part of before it's time to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-r-knight/for-an-actor-a-mamet-play-is-definitely-on-the-list-of-things-you/) [T. R. Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-r-knight/) > [I studied acting in NYU's graduate program, in which we covered everything from Ibsen and Chekov to August Wilson and David Mamet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-holland/i-studied-acting-in-nyu-s-graduate-program-in-which-we-covered/) [Andre Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-holland/) > [Some actors are brilliant in David Mamet, but they would crash and burn in my plays and visa-versa. You either have my music in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-patrick-shanley/some-actors-are-brilliant-in-david-mamet-but-they-would-crash-and/) [John Patrick Shanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-patrick-shanley/) > [There are directors you never, ever want to get close to. Lubitsch was one. Outside of the work, I don't think I ever said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-ameche/there-are-directors-you-never-ever-want-to-get-close-to-lubitsch-was/) [Don Ameche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-ameche/) > [I loved being in the room with Mamet as a director - he is the most generous, funny, delightful person to work for every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-thomas/i-loved-being-in-the-room-with-mamet-as-a-director-he-is-the-most/) [Richard Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-thomas/) > [You know, Mamet is not a huge writer of female parts. Most of his movies don't even have women in them, so I'm lucky…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elle-macpherson/you-know-mamet-is-not-a-huge-writer-of-female-parts-most-of-his/) [Elle Macpherson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elle-macpherson/) > [I think I'm better than Mamet, I would say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-mckay/i-think-i-m-better-than-mamet-i-would-say/) [Adam McKay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-mckay/) ## More by T. R. Knight > [In the end, I need to be fulfilled in my work - that's more important than the money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-r-knight/in-the-end-i-need-to-be-fulfilled-in-my-work-that-s-more-important/) [T. R. Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-r-knight/) > [The list of my favorite experiences would almost equal the list of plays I've been in. There are a few exceptions, but out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-r-knight/the-list-of-my-favorite-experiences-would-almost-equal-the-list-of/) [T. R. Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-r-knight/) > [I guess there have been a few questions about my sexuality, and I'd like to quiet any unecessary rumors that may be out there.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-r-knight/i-guess-there-have-been-a-few-questions-about-my-sexuality-and-i-d/) [T. R. Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-r-knight/) > [For an actor, a Mamet play is definitely on the list of things you hope to be a part of before it's time to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-r-knight/for-an-actor-a-mamet-play-is-definitely-on-the-list-of-things-you/) [T. R. Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-r-knight/) > [I guess there have been a few questions about my sexuality, and I’d like to keep quiet any unnecessary rumors about sexuality. While I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-r-knight/i-guess-there-have-been-a-few-questions-about-my-sexuality-and-i-d-2/) [T. R. Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-r-knight/) > [I remember saying to someone when I got one of those 'don't do it' comments - I just remember hearing my voice being calm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-r-knight/i-remember-saying-to-someone-when-i-got-one-of-those-don-t-do-it/) [T. R. Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-r-knight/) > [They call people who love London 'Anglophiles' and people who love France 'Francophiles.' I'd be the New York version of that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-r-knight/they-call-people-who-love-london-anglophiles-and-people-who-love/) [T. R. Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-r-knight/) > [There just comes a time when it's so clear that moving on is the best decision,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-r-knight/there-just-comes-a-time-when-it-s-so-clear-that-moving-on-is-the-best/) [T. R. Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-r-knight/) > [I hope the fact that I'm gay isn't the most interesting part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-r-knight/i-hope-the-fact-that-i-m-gay-isn-t-the-most-interesting-part-of-me/) [T. R. Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-r-knight/) [Explore all 10 T. R. Knight quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-r-knight/) ## More David quotes > [I was David Bowie-thin up to about 28, and then I discovered food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/i-was-david-bowie-thin-up-to-about-28-and-then-i-discovered-food/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) > [I look at a lot of shows. I look at a really broad spectrum; I look at everything from David Lean to Lina Wertmuller.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kari-skogland/i-look-at-a-lot-of-shows-i-look-at-a-really-broad-spectrum-i-look-at/) [Kari Skogland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kari-skogland/) > [Everyone kinda knows me as David and Victoria Beckham's son, and it doesn't, like, annoy me; I just kinda wanna make my own name…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brooklyn-beckham/everyone-kinda-knows-me-as-david-and-victoria-beckham-s-son-and-it/) [Brooklyn Beckham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brooklyn-beckham/) > [What's David's role? David looks good, that's what David does. David looks good, and I'm the funny one, that's what I hear constantly. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-beckham/what-s-david-s-role-david-looks-good-that-s-what-david-does-david/) [Victoria Beckham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-beckham/) > [I certainly know that on our first tour of America in 1968, David Crosby came to see us backstage at the Fillmore East in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-hayward/i-certainly-know-that-on-our-first-tour-of-america-in-1968-david/) [Justin Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-hayward/) > [I've learned a simple principle: all I have to do is be the best 'me' that I can be. One day when I read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/i-ve-learned-a-simple-principle-all-i-have-to-do-is-be-the-best-me/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [“Everyone roots for David, Nobody pulls for Goliath”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilt-chamberlain/everyone-roots-for-david-nobody-pulls-for-goliath/) [Wilt Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilt-chamberlain/) > [“It was as if she was a wannabe Persian cat who had just tasted sour milk.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adele-rose/it-was-as-if-she-was-a-wannabe-persian-cat-who-had-just-tasted-sour/) [Adele Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adele-rose/) > [“Mungu hutumia watu 'wajinga' na 'wapumbavu' kufanya mambo makubwa katika maisha yao na ya watu wengine. Katika Biblia, Musa aliitwa mjinga alipokiuka amri ya…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enock-maregesi/mungu-hutumia-watu-wajinga-na-wapumbavu-kufanya-mambo-makubwa-katika/) [Enock Maregesi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enock-maregesi/) > [I love an underdog. No, I don't necessarily mean the cartoon. I mean like David, as in Goliath, or the Bears, as in The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-lublin/i-love-an-underdog-no-i-don-t-necessarily-mean-the-cartoon-i-mean/) [Nancy Lublin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-lublin/) > [I've read everything that Isaac Asimov ever wrote, for a start. I'm massively into my fantasy genre, anything by R.A. Salvatore or David Gemmell.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kazinsky/i-ve-read-everything-that-isaac-asimov-ever-wrote-for-a-start-i-m/) [Robert Kazinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kazinsky/) > [When I was going to film school, before film school, my hero was David Lynch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-taylor/when-i-was-going-to-film-school-before-film-school-my-hero-was-david/) [Alan Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-taylor/) > [I always say if I'm not good at something it's just because I've not had time to focus on it... it's just uncrafted, like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/i-always-say-if-i-m-not-good-at-something-it-s-just-because-i-ve-not/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [I really like to talk a lot and Im always happy when I find someone who is interested in what I have to say.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-beckham/i-really-like-to-talk-a-lot-and-im-always-happy-when-i-find-someone/) [Victoria Beckham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-beckham/) > [I studied acting in NYU's graduate program, in which we covered everything from Ibsen and Chekov to August Wilson and David Mamet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-holland/i-studied-acting-in-nyu-s-graduate-program-in-which-we-covered/) [Andre Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-holland/) [Browse all 678 David quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/david/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "David Mamet's writing is pretty spectacular, obviously. 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