Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

Detailed Summary

The Struggling Sales Office

In a rundown real estate office in Chicago, a group of salesmen struggles to sell undesirable land to unsuspecting buyers. The office is filled with tension as the employees face the threat of termination unless they can increase their sales.

The Sales Contest Announcement

Blake (Alec Baldwin), a representative from the corporate office, arrives to deliver a brutal motivational speech. He announces a sales contest where the top seller will win a Cadillac, the second will get a set of steak knives, and the rest will be fired. This creates a desperate atmosphere among the salesmen.

Schemes and Desperation

Shelley Levene (Jack Lemmon), a once-successful salesman, is now struggling to close deals. Desperate to keep his job, he attempts to bribe the office manager, John Williamson (Kevin Spacey), for better sales leads. Meanwhile, Dave Moss (Ed Harris) and George Aaronow (Alan Arkin) discuss a plan to steal the coveted Glengarry leads and sell them to a competitor.

The Office Break-In

Moss pressures Aaronow into participating in the robbery, but the next day, the office is discovered to have been broken into, and the leads are missing. Detective Baylen (Jude Ciccolella) arrives to investigate, and the salesmen are questioned one by one.

The Closing of the Deal

Ricky Roma (Al Pacino), the top salesman, manages to close a big deal with a meek client, James Lingk (Jonathan Pryce), but his success is jeopardized when Lingk’s wife forces him to cancel the contract. Roma tries to manipulate Williamson into lying to Lingk, but Williamson inadvertently reveals too much, and the deal falls apart.

The Unraveling

Shelley, emboldened by a recent successful sale, boasts about his comeback, inadvertently revealing his involvement in the robbery. Williamson realizes Shelley’s guilt and turns him over to the detective. Shelley pleads for mercy, but Williamson is unsympathetic.

Movie Ending

The film concludes with Shelley leaving the office, humiliated and defeated. The salesmen’s cutthroat world is laid bare as Ricky Roma continues to work, seemingly unaffected by the chaos, reflecting the brutal nature of their business.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, “Glengarry Glen Ross” does not have any post-credits scenes.

Type of Movie

This film is a dramatic thriller that delves into the high-pressure world of real estate sales, exploring themes of desperation, ethics, and survival in a cutthroat environment.

Cast

• Al Pacino as Ricky Roma
• Jack Lemmon as Shelley “The Machine” Levene
• Alec Baldwin as Blake
• Ed Harris as Dave Moss
• Alan Arkin as George Aaronow
• Kevin Spacey as John Williamson
• Jonathan Pryce as James Lingk
• Jude Ciccolella as Detective Baylen

Film Music and Composer

The score for “Glengarry Glen Ross” is composed by James Newton Howard, adding tension and mood to the intense narrative.

Filming Locations

• New York City, New York: Primarily shot on location, giving the film an authentic urban feel that complements its gritty storyline.

The urban setting plays a critical role in emphasizing the film’s themes of pressure and competition.

Awards and Nominations

• Academy Awards: Al Pacino was nominated for Best Supporting Actor.
• Venice Film Festival: Won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor (Jack Lemmon).
• Golden Globe Awards: Nominated for Best Supporting Actor (Al Pacino).

Behind the Scenes Insights

• The writers created Alec Baldwin’s role as Blake specifically for the film; this character does not appear in the original play.
• The famous “Always Be Closing” scene was improvised by Alec Baldwin.
• The film is based on David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, which significantly influenced its sharp dialogue and character dynamics.

Inspirations and References

• Source Material: Based on David Mamet’s 1984 play “Glengarry Glen Ross.”
• Real Estate Industry: The film draws inspiration from the high-stakes world of real estate sales, highlighting its pressures and moral ambiguities.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no known alternate endings or significant deleted scenes. The film closely follows the play’s structure, with some expansions for the screen.

Book Adaptations and Differences

• Play Adaptation: The film is a direct adaptation of Mamet’s play, with the addition of Alec Baldwin’s character to enhance the narrative.
• Expanded Scenes: The movie expands some scenes to provide more context and depth compared to the play’s dialogue-driven focus.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Blake’s Speech: The infamous motivational speech that introduces the sales contest.
• Office Break-In: The aftermath of the robbery creates tension and suspicion among the salesmen.
• Ricky Roma’s Pitch: Roma’s smooth-talking sales pitch to James Lingk showcases his manipulative skills.

Iconic Quotes

• “Always be closing.” – Blake
• “Coffee is for closers only.” – Blake
• “A-B-C. A-Always, B-Be, C-Closing. Always be closing.” – Blake

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The film features several subtle references to Mamet’s other works, including character archetypes and dialogue styles.
• The Glengarry leads are a metaphor for the unattainable success the salesmen desperately seek.

Trivia

• The performances and chemistry of the cast, which includes several Oscar winners, often receive praise.
• The writers specifically wrote Alec Baldwin’s iconic speech for him in the film, as it was not in the original play.

Why Watch?

“Glengarry Glen Ross” is a masterclass in acting and dialogue, featuring intense performances and a gripping story. Its exploration of moral dilemmas and the pressures of capitalism remains relevant and thought-provoking.

Director’s Other Movies

• House of Games (1987)
• The Spanish Prisoner (1997)
• State and Main (2000)
• The Winslow Boy (1999)
• Heist (2001)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Wall Street (1987)
• The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
• Margin Call (2011)
• The Big Short (2015)
• American Psycho (2000)