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David Mamet's "Oleanna" is a provocative play that makes for great discussion but poor drama. It's billed as a power struggle between a university professor and one of his female students. A true power struggle requires a fair fight or at least both sides to be fairly equal. But Mamet stacks the deck so far on one side, instead of pondering the issues raised, we leave the theater simply feeling sorry for the poor professor.

He is a pompous uninspired teacher full of self-doubt and good intentions who's rather distracted by problems involving a house he plans to buy. She is a confused student who wanders in for help in his class. She also turns out to be seriously disturbed. They talk in that halting Mamet speak throughout this 75 minute work; and around and around they go. She says "I don't understand." He says he doesn't understand what she doesn't understand. They chat some more and it's back to not understanding what they just chatted about.

Eventually the plot gets around to the central conflict. She complains about sexist and inappropriate behavior and it gets him into a lot of trouble. But since we know that he's innocent for the most part, our sympathies lie with him. And she emerges the villain.

There are some very valid issues that "Oleanna" raises -- the student/ teacher dynamic, sexual harassment, political correctness, shortcomings of language in sensitive situations and of course gender politics. But all of that is overshadowed by Mamet's obvious agenda -- to make the student out to be a nasty feminist.

As written, the character is maddeningly contrived. At first she seems incredibly ignorant for a college student. But when she gets the upperhand she suddenly becomes bright and articulate. Julia Stiles does her best to smooth over the inconsistencies. But excellent as she is, the character just doesn't ring true.

Bill Pullman is also terrific. With his tense body and clenched jaw he is the epitome of a stressed out guy. Despite his dumb arrogance, we instantly feel for him as the student tightens the screws.

The best thing about "Oleanna" is that it forces us to think about some very heavy subjects. But this frustratingly flawed play is a disappointment because Mamet the "A" playwright is delivering "C" work.