Character Analysis
Every story about Hollywood needs a slightly shady producer, right? Saul Kimmer fits the bill for True West. We don't know a whole lot about Saul outside of his career and his love of gambling. When he first enters the play, he's there to meet with Austin about his latest project. At least from what he says, Saul seems to think this a project worth pursuing:
Saul: I mean it's a great story. Just the story alone. You've really managed to capture something this time. (1.3.16-17)
The next time we see Saul, he's telling Austin that the project is dead and that he wants Austin to write the script for Lee's movie idea. Something happened during that golf game Saul played with Lee, but it's never made clear aside from the fact that gambling was involved. Regardless, Saul talks about Lee's idea like it's definitely got potential to be a big time movie:
Austin: You lost a bet! You gambled with my material!
Saul: That's really beside the point, Austin. I'm ready to go all the way with your brother's story. (2.6.9-11)
Saul's function in the play is to facilitate the conflict that leads Austin to come completely unhinged and to bring the brothers into greater direct conflict.
That doesn't mean he can't be a fun character to play, though. In his two scenes, Saul comes in as if he's from a different world than Austin and Lee. He holds the promise of big time money, but you never quite know if he's for real. Clearly, he has some power in Hollywood, but there is part of him that could just be a fast-talking producer type.
One of the most interesting things about Saul from an acting standpoint is that we're given very little of his backstory. This means there is some room to create this guy from the ground up when playing him on the stage.