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November 6, 2008
Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
Should I see it?
Yes.

Glengarry Glen Ross

This adaptation of David Mamet's 1984 Pulitzer Prize and Tony-winning play of the same name, is brilliant. This is one of those films that reminds us of the power of cinema when used to its fully effect. The film follows a day in the life of a group of down-on-their-luck loser salesmen scraping together a living in a small urban office. When a new batch of leads is brought to the office, it seems like the salesmen's troubles are over. The catch? The new leads only go to closers. In addition, the company sends down a venomous sales executive to give the sales office an ultimatum: sell or die. Whoever sells the least will be fired.

The performances by Al Pacino, Kevin Spacey, Jack Lemmon, Alan Arkin and Alec Baldwin are each Oscar worthy. It is difficult to cite another film with such a broad cast of talent that manages to pull great performances from each player. The masterful screenplay adaptation written by Mamet himself gives these actors some of the richest scenes put to film in the 1990's. Jack Lemmon and Alec Baldwin are the standouts in this film. Lemmon as the desperate salesman Shelley Levene is awe inspiring. Every moment on screen watching this man who's life and soul have been consumed by business is gut wrenching. From his babbling sales pitch, to his nervous quiet moments, Lemmon's Levene is one of the best performances of the decade. More would probably have been made of Lemmon's incredible performance if it hadn't been for Alec Baldwin stealing the movie in his brief bombshell performance as Blake the aggressive executive salesman sent down from corporate to shape up the struggling, small office. Baldwin has a small, but pivotal role and provides easily the best performance of his cinematic career. His sole scene is worth the price of admission. He defines how to handle a monologue, how to command a scene. For all of the trash the man has made over the years, this single performance places him in a rare crowd of actors. His work in this film is one of the great performances in film history.

I cannot recommend this film highly enough.

Please note that people who are sensitive to foul language will have plenty to be concerned about here. Mamet's characters expel the F-word like other people exhale air.


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posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 5:00 PM




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1 Comments:

Anonymous Greg A. said...

It's interesting to note also that Baldwin's monologue and character were not in the original play. After seeing the film it's hard to imagine the play without it.

November 7, 2008 at 7:24 AM  

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