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:

A riveting tale of desperation and betrayal based on David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize-winning play.

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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

The movie gained a newfound popularity in the punk community when Fat Mike of the band NOFX included the famous "the leads are weak" line at the beginning of the song "We Called it America", first track of the 2009 album "Coaster".

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Goofs

The 'top man on the board' at the end of the month (which is one week away) wins the Cadillac. Roma is far ahead of everyone with $90,000. Moss is a distant second with $27,500. Williamson ruins Roma's $6,000 from the loser in the bar, but when Roma tells Williamson "You cost me $6,000 and a Cadillac!", he is incorrect. Roma loses the $6,000, but as top man on the board at the end of the month, he still gets the Cadillac.

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Quotes

Dave Moss: Cop couldn't find his dick with two hands and a map.
Ricky Roma: What'd he beat you with, his rubber bat?
Dave Moss: He's got no right. Cop's got no right to speak to me like that.
Ricky Roma: You gonna turn state's...
Dave Moss: Fuck you, Rick.
Ricky Roma: HAH!

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Soultaker (1999)

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Soundtracks

Blue Skies
Performed by Al Jarreau
Words & Music by Irving Berlin
Courtesy of Irving Berlin Music Company

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.