Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

Like moths to a flame, great actors gravitate to the singular genius of playwright-screenwriter David Mamet, who updated his Pulitzer Prize-winning play for this all-star screen adaptation. The material is not inherently cinematic, so the movie's greatest asset is Mamet's peerless dialogue and the assembly of a once-in-a-lifetime cast led by Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, and Alec Baldwin (the last in a role Mamet created especially for the film). Often regarded as a critique of the Reagan administration's impact on the American economy, the play and film focus on a competitive group of real estate salesmen who've gone from feast to famine in a market gone cold. When an executive "motivator" (Alec Baldwin) demands a sales contest among the agents in the cramped office, the stakes are critically high: any agent who fails to meet his quota of sales "leads" (i.e., potential buyers) will lose his job. This intense ultimatum is a boon for the office superstar (Pacino), but a once-successful salesman (Lemmon) now finds himself clinging nervously to faded glory. Political and personal rivalries erupt under pressure when the other agents (Alan Arkin, Ed Harris) suspect the office manager (Kevin Spacey) of foul play. This cauldron of anxiety, tension, and sheer desperation provides fertile soil for Mamet's scathingly rich dialogue, which is like rocket fuel for some of the greatest actors of our time. Pacino won an Oscar nomination for his volatile performance, but it's Lemmon who's the standout, doing some of the best work of his distinguished career. Director James Foley shapes Mamet's play into a stylish, intensely focused film that will stand for decades as a testament to its brilliant writer and cast. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com essential video

Great movie, great performances, great cast

This is one great movie. It takes place in an office building, a Chinese food restaurant, a diner, a car, and outside in the rain. It is brilliantly written and has a large amount of suspense and tension that really catches the viewer and holds him in its clutches. It shows the costs of depravity and the greed lust for success in a tough business.

The cast is fantastic with Al Pacino, Kevin Spacey, Alec Baldwin, Ed Harris, Alan Arkin, and screen legend Jack Lemmon. They make this movie what it is and what it is is fabulous. August 12, 2008

BEAUTIFULLY ACTED, BUT HARD TO ENJOY WATCHING THESE PARASITES!

This is film is really hard to rate as I loved the cast and performances, but it's story of ruthless salespeople had me cringing in disgust! Pacino and Lemmon stand out in this insightful film of the pressures of salesmanship and what lengths these parasites will go through to close the deal. This film has a ridiculous amount of profanity, so if that bothers you....don't watch this movie! I usually don't mention anything about profanity, but even I found this excessive. It's a very good movie, but because of my total loathing of these people I will never watch it again! July 27, 2008

A modern classic

This is just a joy to watch. The masterful, powerful and elegant screenplay by David Mamet is compelling. The characters come alive in their minimalist settings. Despite their despicable professional lives, they successfully garner the viewers respect for what they do by their passionate dialog. Al Pacino is good as always, but Jack Lemmon steals the show in this one. July 6, 2008

Superb - for the connoisseur

This is a true classic. Acting at it's best. Need to watch it more than once to fully appreciate it. I know some people may say after watching it the first time, it is boring but after viewing the second and third time all the nuances are revealed. The interplay between Pacino, Harris, Spacey, Lemmon, Arkin, Baldwin, Pryce......all superb. Even the supporting cast is top notch. Check out Jude Ciccolella (24) as the cop. If you thought you were in a rat-race, just look at these guys. Be warned a lot of profanity, including the dread C-word, but doesn't use it for shock value, just to illustrate what these guys go through in the pressure cooker environment. Mamet's screenplay is excellent..only difference between the film and play is Baldwin's character, which in my opinion is the best acting he's ever done. Buy it now. I just wish they will release it on Blu-Ray. June 17, 2008

glengarry/ great movie

this is a true classic in movie/play form acting ,,,a david mamet pulizer
prize-winning play,,this has all the drama & entertainment you could ask
for,,,these battling real estate sales man go head to head ,cut throut,,
to get these lead's for the big sale's,,,it takes place mainly in the
office to where it all leads to an amazing climax,,,,with actors like
jack lemmon,alec baldwin,ed harris,kevin spacey,alan arkin,al pacino &
jonathan pryce ,,,this is a no brainer a must June 15, 2008

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