Rating: 
Summary: It's close, or hit the bricks
Review: Anyone who's had to work for a living might relate to this film and will feel comforted that other mortals suffer emotional turmoil like we do at work.
The action centres around four struggling real estate salesmen, driven to the edge through their struggle to close weak sales leads. That is all but one of them - the slick and cheesy Ricky Roma (played by Al Pacino).
Following poor sales their employer Rio Rancho brings in a Hot Shot salesman (Alec Baldwin) from the parent company Mitch and Murray to deliver a pep talk and an ultimatum. This scene sets the tone for the film and is both fierce and witty. Whilst the main focus of the film is on the sales leads-which incidentally ARE WEAK, this film runs deeper. The dialogue in Mamet's screenplay is razor sharp and full of pace. It is the calibre of the actors however, that make this film. All are awesome and I understand, many agreed to perform for a vastly reduced fee, simply because the script was so strong. Each of them delivers a performance that is impeccable in both timing and conviction, and as the plight of each character unfolds you find yourself getting drawn deeper into the intriguing drama.
Put simply if you enjoy formulaic Hollywood films containing all the usual ingredients- romantic interest, car chase, over sentimentalism or an ending in a disused gas works then this is not for you. If however you enjoy rapid clever dialogue, black humour and the joy of seeing so many great actors working together and enjoying it, then Glengarry Glenross is a must see.
Rating:
Summary: Flawless
Review: Wasn't sure how Mamet's play would work as a film, but this is actually one of the greatest films ever made. The cast, particulaty Lemon and Pacino are superb, with great 'blasts' from Pacino, and a Lemon character similar to that of Save the Tiger. The whole film if fiery and confident. I would say that this is Lemon's best film and really proves just what you can do with a great script alone.
Rating:
Summary: Provocative intensity
Review: Quite simply, the best sales movie ever made. I know this is a tall statement, taking into consideration, Death of A Salesman. Excellent performances put in by an all-star cast of who's who in Hollywood. If you haven't had the pleasure to see this hard hitting "in your face" movie, I suggest you let the kids moan about going the extra walking distance to the video store in the local mall, and buy it immediately. You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: One of my all-time favorites
Review: This is "Death Of A Salesman" in the modern age. Stellar cast, with Jack Lemmon giving a Oscar-worthy performance in this very underrated, overlooked film. Essentially a play onscreen (there are only two or three sets!), this movie should be seen by ANYONE in the profession of Sales of any kind.
Rating:
Summary: This film SIZZLES!!! Where is the DVD already?????
Review: This is one great flick! A must see for anyone who is involved in, or deals with sales (or has in the past). I have never experienced a movie that delves so deeply into the personal lives and challenges of salesmen, and there are some stellar performances here. In particular, Alec Baldwin's scene!It is a sin that this is not out on DVD yet!!!
Rating:
Summary: Incredibly Convincing Performances
Review: I keep going back to this movie as an example of the best overall acting that I have ever experienced! This may have been Jack Lemmons finest hour. After watching the movie for at least 20 times it never fails to amaze me that each viewing provided before unoticed subliminal "hints" as to the main message of the story line. No main hero. No distractingly beautiful women. No physical violence. Who'd of thought it could keep you interested and entertained compared with the typical Hollywood fare? I watch this movie much as I would actors on a stage. The only problem is to realize that it's not real!
Rating:
Summary: An intense emotional experience
Review: It doesn't take a movie connoisseur to see that this is a stage play filmed. So what? The play is a work of genius--it won a Pulitzer Prize--and the cast is about as good as you can get. Jack Lemmon gives a performance that will tear your heart out...well, if you're like any of the characters in the play, you have no heart! And Al Pacino gets to put the pedal to the metal and fire on all cylinders. He is great when he's screaming, and he's even better when he's handing out buddy-buddy BS philosophy. Kevin Spacey as John Williamson, the boss of the boiler room crew, has the skin of a rhino and the heart of a baboon. Incidentally, the language is foul, fouler and foulest, and indeed, poor David Mamet, who wrote the play and adapted it for the screen, ran out of expletives. I mean how many ways can you suggest that someone perform impossible acts upon themselves? Yet, considering the moral fiber of the characters, the language seemed not inappropriate. Indeed, Mamet is a master of dialogue and some of the set pieces are just marvels. The exchange between Dave Moss (Ed Harris) and George Aaronow (Alan Arkin) as Moss leads up to his plan to steal the precious "leads" is like a ping pong match done as a pas de deux. And the harangue by Alec Baldwin as the brass...endowed motivational speaker was a crack up. This is an extraordinarily intense film, so intense if you watch carefully you can see first Jack Lemmon and then Al Pacino so fired up and wildly expressive that spit comes out of their mouths along with the words. (I've done that.) In fact, all the actors feed off of one another. Being on the set must have been just an amazing experience with everyone trying to outdo everyone else. The timing alone is worth the ticket. Note that no women grace the screen. I mean zero. This is a war flick with con artists in the trenches. Note also how carefully plotted the story is. Mamet thought it out and worked and reworked it so that everything fits. For example when "The Machine" Levene makes his little slip revealing that he knew that the Roma contract had not been sent, we can immediately fill in the details realizing that Dave Moss had gotten to him with his cowardly scheme. And when Levene learns that his miraculous $82,000 sale is to crazies who have no money and just like to talk to salesmen, we see how perfectly ironic that is, and how tragic, like the life of Willy Loman in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. We can also see, if we really want to look beyond the movie, that Jack Lemmon's interpretation of Levene owes something to Willy Loman as does Mamet's creation. I have seen Jack Lemmon in many things, beginning with Mr. Roberts (1955) through Some Like It Hot (1959) to Grumpy Old Men (1993) and he has been wonderful, one of the great stars of the silver screen, but I don't think I've ever seen him more convincing than here. All the other actors in this film also have done larger pieces and had more demanding roles, but I'll bet they seldom had more fun. You don't want to miss this movie. It is one of a kind. The cynicism is palpable and the desperation so humanly demeaning that it's almost funny.
Rating:
Summary: Top 10 Guy movie
Review: Probably the best ensemble acting I've ever seen. Proves that Mamet can translate to film as long as he's not directing it and none of his wives are in it.
By the way, this is Al Pacino's best perofrmance ever and, for that matter, Alec Baldwin's best too.
Everyone is strong in this.
A GREAT GREAT Film.
Rating:
Summary: Great actors acting great!
Review: This movie is awesome. Simply awesome. Those who "don't get it" definitely have the mentality of three-year-olds. If you enjoy acting and dialogue, I mean to tell you this is where it is at. I will not bore you with the rehashed details of the plot. But trust me, this is one of the best movies of all time. And all without any car explosions or anyone being murdered. If you are a mindless imp looking for a typical "action" flick, forget this one. But if you are looking for GREAT ACTORS acting great, oh man, look no further! Thanks GOD that the DVD may actually be made after all!
Rating:
Summary: Put the Coffee Down
Review: With such a dynamic movie - you won't even miss your coffee. From start to finish - this is a riveting picture with top-notch actors and dialogue. It is a somewhat long movie - but the story and acting is so interesting - time flies and you'll want more. A great character study for those in sales, recruiting and any type of numbers game. Just remember, coffee is for closers.
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