Rating: Summary: You can enjoy this movie even if you're not a "closer"! Review: Ever wonder what really goes on at the office of whom you bought your last piece of real-estate from? Well, maybe this movie doesn't describe exactly what goes on in every office, but it's very entertaining, never the less! With a star-studded, Oscar winning cast including Jack Lemmon, Alan Arkin, Ed Harris, Al Pacino, Kevin Spacey and Alec Baldwin (In a role created specifically for him), this film delivers top-notch performances that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who watches this movie. I would pay 5 times the price I paid for this film strictly for the masterful scene in which Alec Baldwin "motivates" his sales force to close questionable real-estate deals in a poor, early 90's economy. This is not one of those action-packed, blockbuster movies that get lots of attention, but if it's pure genious in dialogue executed by some of the best filmmakers in Hollywood you want, this is truly the movie you want to see! Do likewise, and watch this film!
Rating: Summary: Fairly Disappointed Review: After hearing rave reviews of this movie for the last couple of years, I finally rented it. After nearly two hours of absolutely nothing, other than a good line or two from Al Pacino, it was over. I honestly wondered if I fell asleep and missed something. What a disappointment. This film starts very strong with a great five minute performance from Alec Baldwin. He makes you believe you have just sat down to witness true perfection. He reminds the salesmen to "Always Be Closing" (ABC). He then tells them of a competition. The top sales person gets a car, second place gets a set of steak knives and the third gets fired. There is no room for losers in this dramatically masculine world; only "closers" will get the good sales leads. There is a lot of pressure to succeed, so a robbery is committed which has unforseen consequences for all the characters. Jack Lemmon and Al Pacino in particular are incredible, they play off each other so well. This movie is not far from reality. Many salespeople (myself included) who work in the "boiler room" often end up burnt out, divorced, and wasted.
Rating: Summary: ABC - awfully boring crapola Review: I heard people refer to this movie when they were enthusiastically trying to illustrate a point about sales or something along those lines. I rented it and was severely disappointed. I have an MBA in finance and a PhD in psychology, so it's not a matter of a lack of qualifications to appreciate a fine film. With the exception of a few lines here and there, the movie is just plain boring.
Rating: Summary: Get It Review: Should be every sales organizations beginning presentation to break in new salesmen! You have got to watch this DVD. Not only is it filled with "the don't give up attitude"! but it is hilariously entertaining. If you haven't seen it - GET IT!
Rating: Summary: Reel Estate Review: Glengarry Glen Ross boasts a sure fire cast that deliver cracker jack performances. Based on the award winning play from David Mamet, his screenplay adaptation is a winner as well. The story centers around a group of ambitious real estate salesman at Premire Properties. Shelly Levine (Jack Lemmon) Dave Moss (Ed Harris) Rick Roma (Al Pacino and the others are told by their boss (Alec Baldwin) that they must improve sales or they will lose their jobs. When a series of hot leads come into the office, it's a mad dash to come out on top-each agent tries to one up the guy next to him. Things go from bad to worse, when the information about the leads, is stolen from the office. Now it's a matter of finding the culprit... In the spirit of another "single room" pot boiler, 12 Angry Men, this film says a lot with very lttle. Directed by James Foley, to watch these perfomaces is a real treat. Seeing the late great Lemmon act opposite Pacino, is alone, worth the price of admission. Foley allows everyone to do their thing, without letting the limits of stage hold anyone back. I compare this film to that of a good meal--when all of the ingredients come together very nicely Disc one presents the movie in widescreen, while disc 2 features the film in the full frame format. The extras are really a mixed bag, but the film is so good that it more than makes up for a few mis-steps with the extras. Here's what to look forward to though in that department The audio commentary by Foley is pretty solid. The 30 minute tribute to Jack Lemmon traces his career, mostly with rememberances by his son Chris and fellow actor/friend Peter Gallegher. The clip archive from the Charlie Rose Show and Inside The Actor's Studio were both a nice touch. There are also key scenes with bonus audio commentary by Alec Baldwin, cinematographer Juan Ruiz Anchia, Alan Arkin, and production designer Jane Musky that were well selected The rest of the bonus material is either the usual fare -trailers and such-or will leave you underwhelmed Glengarry Glen Ross, certain extras aside, is still a must see DVD set
Rating: Summary: Drama and desperation Review: I just find it so amazing that a film with relatively no action can be so powerful and affecting. "Glengarry Glen Ross" tells the story of real estate salesmen who try everything to close a deal despite poor leads and treats from higher-ups. How far will they go to stay alive in their business? Watch and see as a riveting and sometimes sad story unfolds. One couldn't have asked for a better cast (greats like Jack Lemmon, Kevin Spacey, Ed Harris and Al Pacino), and the interactions between them are gritty and sharp. Heck, Alec Baldwin is only in the movie for a few minutes and even he manages to make a huge impression on the audience! Fans of the film can now rejoice that this wonderful movie can now be seen with the picture quality and sound that only DVD can offer. Be sure to look for an "extra special" feature on the second disc: watch the clip of Kevin Spacey on "Inside the Actors Studio" as he and a student reinact a memorable "Glengarry" scene. All in all, the film is brilliant in every sense of the word. It's well-written, well-directed, well-casted, et cetera. After viewing it, I only had one question. Where were the Oscars???
Rating: Summary: Put that coffee down! Review: If you're looking for car crashes, gun fights and naked people you won't find them here. But if great dialogue and raw emotion hold your interest, it doesn't get any better than this. Every one of these guys should have won an award for their roles in this movie. Not sure if this particular DVD contains the interview with Jack Lemmon that was included after one of the cable TV broadcasts of the film. If not, it should!
Rating: Summary: Walking Zero. Review: David Mamet's fascinating portrayal of Real Estate-Salesmen working on 'Commission' is,undeniably,one of the best films of the 1990's &,without doubt,untouchable in the 21st Century. Based upon Mamet's own stage-play,I would even call this a cult-movie. The cut-throat tactics of businessmen-survival are intriguingly conveyed here,it's the perfect metaphor for America's capitalist society. The direction is very cool,nothing overtly flashy,just basic & subtle & straight-to-the-point,the kind of film a first time indie-director would love to mold. That is,to say,unless they could grab hold of such a fantastic cast because the chemistry,here,is flawless. Jack Lemmon should of got an Oscar for his role. Ed Harris rumbles along superbly as the salesman-strung-out. Pacino is cool~(the string-of-luck salesman)~punching the lines out really well. Alan Arkin is great. Always blooming before you is the first rate flowing Mamet script,definitely the core of this under-rated classic film. Summing-up an entire crumbling system,"Sales-Sales" is the order of the day. Because only ONE thing counts in this life...get them to sign on the line which is dotted!! I hope this film gets a DVD-transfer sometime,it would suit it perfectly. Highly recommended.
Rating: Summary: Real Human Drama Review: This is perhaps the most well written movie of our time.If you are looking for explosions and car chases,please move on.The dialogue(David Mamet)is scintillating,the interaction of the characters is intriguing.The editing is quick,the cinemetography superb.The cast is phenomanal.Al Pacino(Ricky Roma):the quintessential swarthy,bottom feeding salesman...Jack Lemmon(Shelly Levine):The has been,looking for any angle to snap out of his sales malaise;the pathos conveyed by Lemmon is gutwrenching...Ed Harris(Dave Moss):The scheming,conniving loser;he will go to any lengths to move ahead...Alan Arkin(George Aranov)The mousy under achiever;easily swayed.His understated lack of direction is carried off with deft subtlety by Arkin.Kevin Spacey(John Williamson)The clueless office manager,and whipping boy.Spacey manages to give this role a sinister undercurrent.He ends up as quite the paradox...Alec Baldwin turns up for ten of the most memorable minutes ever filmed.This role is the highlight of his underwhelming career.Arrogance oozes from his every word;contempt permeates his every sentence.Expertly directed by James Foley,this is 36 hrs.in the lives of men desperate;on the edge.The world of real estate sales will never be the same after you see this classic.An extremely cerebral flick,not meant for those with short attention spans.A gauranteed can't miss movie experience.
Rating: Summary: A play trapped inside a movie. Review: 'Glengarry Glen Ross' has good dialogue and good acting by the fine actors, but this is actually a play trapped inside a movie. They should not have made it into a movie.
|