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:

Stock Brokers steal money, but it's not your fault, it's theirs

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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

James Foley, Jack Lemmon, and Alec Baldwin got together in 1991 to do several informal read-throughs. The producers of the film contacted the Creative Artists Agency and asked for some help with actors to do readings. CAA showed little interest, but two of their clients, Ed Harris and Kevin Spacey, attended the read-through, and ultimately joined the cast. Al Pacino joined the cast soon thereafter, then Robert De Niro, Bruce Willis, Joe Mantegna, and Richard Gere made inquiries into the film.

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Goofs

When Levene enters and exits the Spannel house, the rain is pouring immediately outside the front door. But after he exits the camera pulls back to reveal he is on a large roofed porch. So the rain would actually be falling some distance from the door.

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Quotes

George Aaronow: When I talk to the police I get nervous.
Ricky Roma: Yes. You know who doesn't?
George Aaronow: Who?
Ricky Roma: Thieves.

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Connections

Referenced in Edmond (2005)

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Soundtracks

Prelude To A Kiss
Performed by The Willis Holman Orchestra (as The Bill Holman Orchestra)
Written by Duke Ellington, Irving Mills and Irving Gordon
Used by permission of Mills Music, Inc.

User Reviews

The film that helped me discover the joy that is David Mamet...

I went into "Glengarry Glen Ross" totally blind. I had no idea who David Mamet was really (other than the fact that he was a writer), never saw any of his plays, or realized that he'd been in business for a while (through some backtracking, I found out that he was the writer behind the film version of "The Untouchables", one of the best films of the 80's). All that changed after I saw this brilliant, BRILLIANT film. It amazes me how all the big names in this film (and there are plenty, Jack Lemmon, Kevin Spacey, Al Pacino, Ed Harris, and Alec Baldwin) were pulled together for this two-act movie play about a salesman's life. It's all very dialogue heavy throughout, only about three or four different locations (the primary action all taking place in the office) and yet I was never bored for a second. Counting up all the "F*** You!"s in this film has convinced me that the tongue stings in ways a torture specialist can only imagine. The dialogue is clever, vicious, and occasionally even a little funny (particularly when Pacino is in action; intentional or not, he can be a VERY funny guy). The plotting doesn't show all it's cards straight away, as there are one or two suprises that ultimately catch the viewer off-guard.

Now as to the cast, what to say that hasn't been said? Hmmm...nothing really, I suppose. Watching Lemmon's desperation, Harris' anger, Pacino's laid-back cool, Spacey's authoritarian chutzpah, and Baldwin's icy dissection of his employees is astounishing to behold. Lesser actors would have made the results much less memorable and/or believable. These guys make it unforgettable. Two decades from now on, when all the hooplas of the 90's "hits" dies down, people will rediscover what I already know: "Glengarry Glen Ross" is one for the ages.