Glenngarry Glenn Ross
Director: James Foley
Writer: David Mamet (also wrote the screenplay)
Actors: Another awesome cast
Al Pacino
Jack Lemon
Kevin Spacey
Ed Harris
Alec Baldwin
Alan Arkin
98% on Rotten Tomatoes
Trailer: Glenngarry Glen Ross
Plot Summary: After a visit from a hot shot executive (Alec Baldwin), salesmen at a high stakes New York real estate office step up their games and gun for the best leads in order to win the company contest. First place; a Cadillac El Dorado. Second Place; Steak Knives. Anything less, the unemployment line. With the competition heating up, only the most cunning and viscous will see their career continue.
If I had to sell this movie, I would sell it as: "Boiler Room in real estate, without sexy Vin Diesel"
Opinion: This is the second movie I have reviewed that has a very strong cast, the first being True Romance. The reason I bring that up is because True Romance's cast didn't live up to the bill for me. This one did, hands down.
Another thing that really grabbed my attention was how real it felt. This can be contributed from either the script, the acting, or a most likely a mixture of the two. Having had a brief half year stint in a full on sales role, this movie captured the intensity that you get during a sales contest. Cut throat tactics, hard sells to close someone within a deadline, bending the truth so that a customer doesn't pull away from a deal, and more. It made me realize why many people hate salesmen (no offense if you're in sales, but you knew that already I'm sure).
To keep from rambling on, let's go to the pros/cons, shall we?
What I disliked: A slow beginning. Honestly, yea that's about it. And to me, that's such a petty thing in a movie to dislike, because if the movie as a whole was great, then sitting through a slow set up isn't bad at all. That's like having awesome sex with a really hot Playboy model, but it took an extra minute to get her bra off in the beginning cause it was a button on bra, and not one of the hooked ones that I'm used to, but once I realized it, it totally got better. What a slampiece.
OK, now back to reality. My brother Tim and I both agreed that the slow beginning was an issue, but only a minor one. This is definitely something that should not deter you away from the movie. Take it for what it's worth, a good set up.
O, before we move on, I just remembered another one. Jack Lemmon cursing. That may be really weird to say, but it's like watching a sweet old grandpa yelling at the help in a nursing home. Don't get me wrong, his acting was phenomenal as always, but whenever I see an old person yell, I brace for them to keel over with a heart attack. They're too fragile, like hardened sand clumps.
What I liked: To get it out of the way if you've seen this movie, here it is: Alec Baldwin. You'll find out more on this subject in my Favorite Scene.
Al Pacino also goes on the top of my list. Ever seen a comedian impersonate him and they always wave their arms around and lull their eyes a lot? GGGR is where they must get this stereotype from, because Papacino was in full form in this one. Also, he could go down as one of the greatest salespeople I have ever seen, fictional or not. A little slimey, but damn does he know how to reel em in.
The acting may be a redundant topic to express, but I want to share one thing about it. It is reported on IMDB that during filming, members of the cast who weren't required to be on the set certain days would show up anyway to watch the other actors' performances. That should speak for itself.
It's representation of a sales career may be a little drastic with how fast the ups and downs are to some people, but if you have had a position like this before, you know it can happen that way. "I'm going to meet a prospect. O they want to buy $30,000 worth! O, now they don't, fuck! Wait, now they want $50,000 worth!" That's not quite what happens here, but it's relevant to the situations. The reality of a sales career in the big leagues seems very legitimate in GGGR. I wouldn't know what big league is because, well, I sold shitty copiers, not large real estate. I'm still special though, right......hello.....Now, without further or due, Ladies and Gentlemen, the only star in his family. The man, the myth, the legend. Mr. Alec Baldwin...
Favorite Scene: He's only in one scene, but his character couldn't be a better fit for him if you dreamed it up. It's almost as if you took all of the best performances from each Baldwin and combined it into one, ultimate scene, this is what you'd get. However, if you did that, then you'd have a stoner from Biodome, a firefighter from Backdraft, and a loser alcoholic from VH1's Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. Yea Danny Baldwin, that's the best performance you've ever had.
I don't think there is a better scene in movie history that gives one actor such great lines and command over his co stars, and pulls it off perfectly. Alec Baldwin embodies everything that is a cocky, hot shot sales rep from corporate. I hesitate to put up the youtube clip because it should be watched in the movie, but hopefully this will entice you to watch all of GGGR
You call yourself a salesman you sonofabitch?
Interesting Facts:
- 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.
- As of 2008, the cast includes four actors (Alan Arkin, Jack Lemmon, Kevin Spacey and Al Pacino) who have won Academy Awards and two others (Alec Baldwin and Ed Harris) who have been nominated for Academy Awards.
- Ever since its release, the film has been used to train real life salesmen how to sell and how not to sell.
5/5 Kevo's - O, you didn't read that wrong. Yea, this get's the first 5 Kevo rating yet. The acting, script, plot, twists, everything that was this movie, is why you should put this right on top of your Netflix Account. Or, if you're my buddy Lemperis, you can illegally download it off the internet. O wait, you can't, because your apartment complex shut down your internet because of that. Apartment complex Burn.
Watch Pacino in his purest form. See Kevin Spacey be a dickhead manager. Watch Baldwin curse out an old man. If your in sales, learn something from this. If you buy a car, learn what to watch out for with salespeople. If you love a good acting performance, watch a GREAT acting performance by an entire cast. Directors only wish they could make a movie like this, because it's just too easy when all the pieces are there for you to work with. A great script, a great cast, and one hell of a time.
I gotta end this on a sales quote, right? Yea, I do.
"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 this is abuse, you cocksucker? You can't take this, how can you take the abuse you get on a sit? You don't like it, leave. "
-Blake (Alec Baldwin)
