Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

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

Director:

James Foley

Writers:

David Mamet (based on the play by), David Mamet (screenplay by)

Stars:

Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Alec Baldwin

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 8 wins & 12 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	...	Mr. 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 Voice (voice)
George Cheung	...	Additional Voice (voice)

Storyline

The real story behind the world of sales. This is a realistic portrayal of what it is to try making a life in high pressure sales with all its highs and lows; promises of fortunes and deliveries of dross. Red-leads and dead-leads are to blame for life's outcomes. Living with "Objection, Rebuttal, Close".

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Plot Keywords:

dialogue driven | office | rain | all male cast | calling someone a cunt | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 October 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

El precio de la ambición

Filming Locations:

Restaurant, 1520 Sheepshead Bay Road, Brooklyn, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$12,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,104,402, 4 October 1992, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$10,725,228

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Line Cinema, Zupnik Cinema Group II, GGR

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Co-star Jack Lemmon said the cast was the greatest acting ensemble he had ever been part of. This is also both director James Foley's and Alec Baldwin's favorite film of their own.

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Goofs

The neon sign on the restaurant across from the office has 4 or 5 of its letters on each line not operating. In the scene where Aaronow and Moss are in a car across from the restaurant, all of the letters on the sign are illuminated, as can be seen out the window of the car behind Moss. When they get out of the car, the letters are, again, not working.

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Quotes

Shelley Levene: [first lines - on pay phone] 2-3-0-6. Hello, honey, how're you doing?... Good... Oh, what did he say?... Uh huh, well is he still there?... Well, how long ago did he leave?... Uh huh. Yeah, well, I'm stopping here, then I got a little meeting, and then I'll... oh, I would if I could... Oh, as soon as I can, let me get off... Yeah, let me get off and I promise - I *promise you* it will be okay.
[kiss kiss]

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Connections

Referenced in Grim Fandango (1998)

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Soundtracks

Daydream
Performed by David Sanborn
Courtesy of Elektra Entertainment
Written by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn
Used by permission of EMI Robbins Catalog, Inc.

User Reviews

One of the best films of its kind

I love movies like this. Theatre-styled motion pictures driven by dialog versus action. Get a few guys together in a room, watch them talk -- I have a soft spot for this stuff. I have ever since I can remember. Some of my favorite films are character-driven ones: "The Hustler," "The Big Kahuna," "Midnight Run," "Planes, Trains & Automobiles." At first glance this list seems skeptical -- but basically all these films follow the same central theme: clever dialog, character interaction and evolution, and depth.

"Glengarry Glen Ross" is one of the best of the genre. Scripted by David Mamet, the dialog never hits and weak patches -- it is realistic, extremely fun to listen to, and the actors all deliver flawless performances.

Al Pacino finally finds the perfect role to let himself vent (as he started to do in "Scent of a Woman" the same year, and won an Oscar for -- he deserved it more for this). Pacino has some great one-liners and quips, but he never seems too broad to find believable.

Jack Lemmon is similarly impressive, in what he called one of his favorite films of his entire career. Lemmon abandoned his comedic roots for this drama and it paid off -- he's not only an excellent funnyman, but a great actor.

Kevin Spacey, Ed Harris, and Alec Baldwin fill out the rest of the cast and all do very well; especially Baldwin in a brief cameo. I've never had much consideration for Baldwin as an actor, but his five minutes' worth of screen time here reminded me that when he's good, he really IS good! Overall "Glengarry Glen Ross" is not only one of my favorite films of the genre but also a solid movie by any means. If you aren't bored by movies in which people talk instead of running around defusing bombs, you'll probably really get a kick out of this.