Film

Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

Director: James Foley

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

David Mamet's play about the wheelings and dealings of real-estate salesmen gets dedicated playing from a splendid cast, but gains nothing by the transfer from stage to screen. Foley takes us outside the office a bit, but essentially it's a claustrophobic story of men under pressure revealing cracks in character. 'Always be closing,' is the motto of these high-pressure hustlers, but after a brutal pep talk from bossman Blake (Baldwin), many of the team are faced with personal closure if they don't perform at peak. In this competitive climate, one of them steals the 'leads' (names of prospective clients). Mamet's aphasic dialogue and profanities fit perfectly with the accents, and it's possible to imagine how hotshot Ricky Roma (Pacino) will end up like pitiful, pleading Levene (Lemmon). Both turn in superb performances, but it's an ensemble piece, and Harris, Arkin and Spacey are just as good.

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