"Get Them To Sign On The Line Which Is Dotted!  A-B-C...

A-Always.  B-Be.  C-Closing.  Always be closing.  ALWAYS BE CLOSING.”

--Blake.    

David Mamet’s film adaptation of his 1984 Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway play Glengarry GlenRoss is a cult favorite spotlighting the art of the sale through free enterprise.  Directed by James Foley, Mamet’s screenplay so beautifully provides us with a glimpse into the world of a group of desperate real estate salesmen co-existing on the North Side of Chicago, all of whom are struggling to make ends meet through tough times by selling home sites with names like Glengarry Highlands and Rio Rancho.

Different from the Broadway play, Mamet’s film adaptation introduces a new character, “Blake.”  Portrayed by Alec Baldwin, Blake is a grim-reaper type serving as a representative sent from downtown by Mitch and Murray, the partners who own the real estate firm they all work for.  He pays a visit to the group in an effort to motivate the next sales campaign by setting the stage for a sales contest, offering incentives such as; “first prize is a Cadillac Eldorado, second prize is a set of steak knives, third prize is you’re fired…”  Blake offers to us a cold and aggressive perspective on the value of the group, he reinforces his message by using classic sales slogans like; A.I.D.A. meaning; Attention, Interest, Decision and Action.  He insults them, using labels such as; incompetent, tired, stupid, old, and that they’ve been on easy street too long.  Alec Baldwin is gigantic in this movie, his introduction to character in Glengarry is priceless and I can’t imagine the film without him.

Ricky Roma, played by Al Pacino, offers to us the shining star of the sales force.  Roma is an imposing personality, someone with a “larger than life” persona.  He spends most his time outside of the office fielding his prospects by dazzling them with a language style and passion of a modern day poet.  Captivating his audience through conviction, his success is largely associated with his special talent for identifying and preying upon client weakness and emotion.  Roma endears his clients deceptively throughout his sales process by exploiting their insecurities and personal shortcomings.  Almost vampiresque, Roma sinks his teeth into his prospects by way of a distinct personal style living at the core of his character; Roma romances his victims through the art of deception and foe-innocence. Throughout the film, he touches on social / political issues revolving around marriage, Religion, relationships, and sex.  Simply put, much like Roma’s character, Pacino is memorizing in this film, a shining star amongst a cast of wildly talented film icons.

Shelley “The Machine” Levene, played by Jack Lemmon, most senior of the group, past his prime and on the brink of extinction, refuses to accept his current track record of a historically lousy close rate.  Shelley, in no position to resign from the firm, blames his young office manager, John Williamson played by Kevin Spacey, for not giving him the good leads.  Dave Moss, played by Ed Harris, younger and equally as desperate proposes a plan to the mild-mannered George Aaronow, played by Allan Arkin; an illegal plan which would ultimately set them free of Mitch and Murray as well as the rest of the firm. 

Glengarry GlenRoss had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival where Jack Lemmon won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor.  Jack Lemmon was also voted Best Actor by the National Board of Review for this film, while Al Pacino was honored with a nom for both a Golden Globe as well as the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.  Although not a box office hit, Glengarry GlenRoss is widely regarded to be a cult film.  First appearing on Broadway at the John Golden Theatre on March 25^Th 1984, presented by Elliot Martin, The Shubert Organization, Arnold Berhard and the Goodman Theatre.  Mamet’s film adaptation had its North American premiere at the Toronto Film Festival.  Glengarry GlenRoss opened in wide theatrical release on October 2, 1992.

Film Adaptation: Directed by James Foley, screenplay by David Mamet, based on the play by David Mamet, released by New Line Cinema.

Running time: 100 minutes. This film is rated R.

Ricky Roma: Al Pacino / Shelley Levene: Jack Lemmon / Blake: Alec Baldwin / Dave Moss: Ed Harris

George Aaronow: Alan Arkin  /  John Williamson: Kevin Spacey  /  James Lingk: Jonathan Pryce

Mr. Spannel: Bruce Altman  /  Detective: Jude Ciccolella  /  Policeman: Paul Butler

Coat Check Girl: Lori Tan Chinn / Man in Doughnut Shop: Neal Jones / Assistant Detective: Barry Rossen.

WRITTEN BY VITO COTTONE // SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2011 AT 06:18 PM