Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

An examination of the machinations behind the scenes at a real estate office.

Director:

James Foley

Writers:

David Mamet (play), David Mamet (screenplay)

Stars:

Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Alec Baldwin

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 5 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Al Pacino	...	Ricky Roma
Jack Lemmon	...	Shelley Levene
Alec Baldwin	...	Blake
Alan Arkin	...	George Aaronow
Ed Harris	...	Dave Moss
Kevin Spacey	...	John Williamson
Jonathan Pryce	...	James Lingk
Bruce Altman	...	Larry Spannel
Jude Ciccolella	...	Detective
Paul Butler	...	Policeman
Lori Tan Chinn	...	Coat Check Girl
Neal Jones	...	Man in Donut Shop
Barry Rohrssen	...	Assistant Detective (as Barry Rossen)
Leigh French	...	Additional Voices (voice)
George Cheung	...	Additional Voices (voice)

Storyline

Times are tough in a Chicago real-estate office; the salesmen (Shelley Levene, Ricky Roma, Dave Moss, and George Aaronow) are given a strong incentive by Blake to succeed in a sales contest. The prizes? First prize is a Cadillac El Dorado, second prize is a set of steak knives, third prize is the sack! There is no room for losers in this dramatically masculine world; only "closers" will get the good sales leads. There is a lot of pressure to succeed, so a robbery is committed which has unforeseen consequences for all the characters.

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Plot Keywords:

real estate | office | robbery | contest | subway | 

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Taglines:

Lie. Cheat. Steal. All In A Day's Work.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 October 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

El precio de la ambición

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$12,500,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$10,725,228 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

GGR, New Line Cinema, Zupnik Cinema Group II

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The name 'Jerry Graff' is mentioned many times throughout the movie. Jerry Graff is the name of David Mamet's accountant who has made cameos in four other Mamet films.

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Goofs

David Mamet's play, upon which this film was based, is set in Chicago, but the movie version is set in New York.

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Quotes

Blake: What's the problem, pal?
Dave Moss: You -
[correcting him]
Dave Moss: Moss. You're such a hero, you're so rich, how come you're coming down here wasting your time with such a bunch of bums?
Blake: You see this watch? You see this watch?
Dave Moss: Yeah.
Blake: That watch costs more than you car. I made $970,000 last year. How much you make? You see pal, that's who I am, and you're nothing. Nice guy? I don't give a shit. Good father? Fuck you! Go home and play with your kids. You wanna work here - close! You think this is abuse? You think ...

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Blood Waters of Dr. Z (1999)

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Soundtracks

"Blue Lou"
Performed by The Joe Roccisano Orchestra
Featuring Lou Marini on Alto Saxophone
Written by Donald Fagen
Courtesy of Freejunket Music

User Reviews

Death of a f#ckin' salesman.

I cannot believe this film has been out there all these years and I just now saw it for the first time this week. I rented it on a whim and I've watched it four times since Monday.

Glengarry Glen Ross is the story of a failing real estate office in which four agents are told they'd better get some property sold quick, or they'll be out of a job. By the end of the month, the top seller will win himself a Cadillac, the guy who finishes second will win himself a set of steak knives. The other two jokers will be out on the street. The problem is that the good leads are locked away in a filing cabinet in the office manager's room. They won't be distributed until the end of the contest. The guys are left with only leads that likely won't pan out at all.

The four salesmen are each very memorable individuals. Al Pacino plays the best of the bunch. He's smooth and confident, and he seems to be the only guy making any good sales recently. Jack Lemmon is the old lion of the bunch. He's a good talker, but he's been on a stretch of terrible luck both professionally and personally. It's looking like he is now obsolete, and could be one of the guys let go. Ed Harris is a brooding; scheming character also on a streak of bad luck. His plan is not to make sales, but break into the office and steal the good leads. Alan Arkin is a meek fellow who cannot even dial the right phone number or carry on any type of meaningful conversation. Each actor has their character down perfectly.

The story unfolds in less than a 24 hour period. Alec Baldwin is a hotshot salesman from "downtown" who shows up at the beginning of the film and lets the guys know how worthless they are. He lays down the terms of the contest in some very colorfully profane language that sets the tone for the rest of the script. Profanity can be monotonous and gratuitous, but not here. Mamet's script is like a piece of art formed by interlacing all the fine swear words in the English language together with a touch of ironic gloom. And how often do you hear the word "c*cksucker" said with the articulate dignity of Jack Lemmon? We see each character for what they are, and each actor is allowed to show us why they are so famous. I believe this film to be a landmark piece of cinema for this generation. As much as 12 Angry Men was in its own time. How often do you see such a cast get together with such a fine script? Not often enough, I'd say.

The Kevin Spacey character has a special place in my heart. I also work at a job where I have to deal with a bunch of pompous salesmen. I suppose it comes with the job, but salesmen always seem to think they are more important than they are. What they don't seem to understand is that different people can be hired to sell the same goods and services. More often than not, it is the company that retains or loses customers. That said, sales is a ballsy profession, and it does take genuine skill and luck to be successful at it.

For those out there who either are salesmen or like them, then this film will also be a treat. There is one beautiful scene in particular when Jack Lemmon has just made what he thinks is a huge sale to break his slump. He bursts into the office and happily demands his sale be noted on the board with everyone else's. Nobody but Pacino seems interested (Harris for example acts jealous and spiteful) in hearing the details. Pacino comes over and sits by Lemmon and listens to how the old master was able to pull it off. The camera subtly backs off and lets the two share the moment together. That was very well-done.

Due to all the profanity in this film, it is basically not possible to show it on network television. This may be the primary reason the film has slipped through the cracks over the years, and not made many top 100 lists and so forth. If you want to see some great actors doing what they do best, then DO NOT MISS THIS FILM!

10 of 10 stars

the Hound.