Featuring one of the most star studded, talent laden male ensembles of all time (Al Pacino, Kevin Spacey, Alec Baldwin, Jack Lemmon, Alan Arkin and Ed Harris) and an Oscar nominated script, Glengarry Glen Ross is one of the cinema's blackest comedies and its bleakest look at the nine to five world.
It received unanimous critical praise upon its release primarily for its intense performances, streak of realism and caustic humour, qualities that remain undiminished all these years later. The film features a booze soaked jazz score, biting social commentary, an unmistakably noirish mood and more than a hint of the tragic. It's also laced with tough guy profanity, the word ‘fuck' and its derivatives are uttered 138 times within the 96 minute running time.
The plot revolves around the staff of a real estate office where business is drying up. New incentives are introduced to boost the performance of the salesman – for the most sales is a Cadillac, for second place a set of steak knives, and third place gets fired. Most in danger is veteran salesman Shelley Levene (Lemmon), with no sales to his name and a daughter with cancer, but the pressure to succeed will push all the men to breaking point…
Released in 1992 by New Line Cinema
Directed by James Foley
Written by David Mamet, based on his own stageplay
Starring
Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Alec Baldwin, Alan Arkin, Ed Harris, Kevin Spacey
Actor, JACK LEMMON
While modern audiences will be more familiar with the Pacinos and Spaceys of the cast, over 50 years Jack Lemmon carved out a reputation for himself as one of the finest of American actors. He is best known for quintessential 'everyman' characters and for comic roles, for which his partnership with Walter Matthau is considered legendary. His consistently excellent performances netted him two Oscars, two best actor awards at Cannes and a lifetime achievement award from the American Film Institute.
Lemmon's lead role in Glengarry Glen Ross is considerably darker than the rest of his back catalogue, but still contains elements of humour (albeit pitch black) and of the American average Joe, allowing him to push his standard persona into new territory. The most lasting testament to the effectiveness of the role is the long persisting rumour that Gil, the inept, down on his luck salesman in The Simpsons was based on Lemmon's character in this film.
Original Poster.
