A Look Inside Glengarry Glen Ross 

One of my favorite movies. Seen it more times than I can count. A while back I watched it two times in a row.

The film is lean, wastes no time, is delivered in a straight-forward manner that retains the feel of a stage play, especially with the staging and set design. Arguably one of the best 90 minute films in terms of pacing and editing. The actors intrinsicly understand Mamet's intended delivery style, they are all consumate professionals. It really all comes together in this movie.

One of the top 25 movies of all time. IMO. Great acting. Great screenplay/stage play. Mamet is a damn genius.

One thing that interested me about Glengarry Glen Ross is how subtle the exposition is. Would you even call it exposition? You're just kind of thrown into the middle of things, and have to figure out what's going on based on conversations and context. Anyway, I like the critique on modern society: the employers screw over the employees. The employees screw over each other, but they may have a chance if they team up. But even if they work together, their success comes at the expense of their customers. Even so, what are they supposed to do? You gotta eat. They're in a situation where survival means betraying others. I think the stakes are highest for Shelly, because of his daughter. I mean, I wouldn't say he's likable, but... You feel sorry for him. You do get the impression that the business he used to thrive in has changed, and he couldn't keep up, and it's sad. Actually... is it just modern society that has these problems, or has it always been that way? Is it even just a problem of society?

One of my all time favorite films. If you’ve ever been a salesperson you can relate to so many scenes

This was one of my favorite plays that made its way to the big screen. All of the performances were first rate, particularly with Al Pacino dominating the first half of the film and Jack Lemmon in the second half of the film.

"In order to be a good salesman you have to be a good actor." And in order to be a good actor you have to be a good salesman.

The idea of the Greek tragedy I hadn't thought of, but it's right. For the protagonist, that's hidden in the idea of 'the working man' brought out in the dialogue several times, especially by Pacino's character. It's so in your face it's not even noticed. So there is someone to relate to all the way through. The absolute worst job I ever did was a telephone solicitor with the job of phoning people to sell them the idea of what we were selling, so salesmen could contact the leads we supplied and close on the deal. Last day at work, I pulled in six leads, probably worth thousands, for which I was paid maybe a lousy twenty bucks; enough for a pizza and a beer.

I can only watch this film while sipping on a Cutty or a quick J&B scotch during a torrential downpour...coffee's for closers

Great look at a great film. Honestly, I still liked Roma even after he basically manipulated Lingk. Sleazy? Sure, but he just knows how to play the game. Roma doesn't suffer fools, as seen when he chews out Williamson, but he also knows the importance of teamwork and support in the business, such as when he humiliates Moss for his disregard of Shelly's sale (regardless if it turned out to be a bust, in that moment there wasn't any reason not to at least congratulate Shelly). In a lot of ways he's still the most respectable character in the film, except for maybe Aaranow, but he's such a dope you don't really feel anything towards him.

this movie is epic...

How did Jack Lemon not get an Oscar for this??! Not even nominated?..

And a special mention to the wonderful, late, Mr. Al Jarreau for the best rendition of “Blues Skies” you will ever hear on this Earth. Peter Erskine, drums. Wonderful job! ..Of course, Wayne Shorter, tenor sax. Rock!

I would disagree on there being no one to sympathize with. I was rooting for Levene because he was a once great salesman who was being treated like shit because he hasn't had a good sale in a while, plus he had a dying daughter in the hospital. Given that second part, it makes sense why he'd be so desperate and steal the leads and I felt very badly for him in the end.

“You can't close the leads you're given, you can't close shit, you are shit, hit the bricks, pal, and beat it 'cause you are going out”!

One of the best invent movies I’ve ever seen. I see clips of the stage play, the audience laughter seems so odd to me, I don’t remember laughing during the movie.

Masterful performances.. this screen version is amazing

Great job! I remember when I first saw this film. I had read about this film and when I was in San Diego doing a stint at San Diego Naval Medical Center I rented it. I was awestruck after one viewing and like with all great films, I watched it again.

One reason the film didn't hit big: it was called Glengarry Glen Ross.

So glad you did this GGGR. This one's in my top five. The acting and writing are terrific, and - whadaya know - I'm in sales. This is Citizen Kane to salesmen and The Boiler Room is our Pulp Fiction.

Happy to see you back and doing this movie. So underrated it isn't even funny, it is scarcely mentioned within great movies and even when talking about Al Pacino's great movies.

The film is incomparable. The play, even with Pacino, doesn't even come close.

I enjoyed the critique. You mentioned some things I hadn't thought of. Now for my two cents. For a while I tried writing and most writers of fiction know of the 36 dramatic where all stories are a variation of one those plots, which all seem to have evolved from a Greek tragedy. The main thing I got from the film (probably on HBO or some paid cable channel) and what I wanted to share with others, is the kind of world men live in, and the difficulties they must struggle with. The same can be said (in my opinion) for Death of a Salesman. No doubt I identify with those scenarios because of my personal life. Of the many jobs I've had, selling on commission was the worst.

These Look insides soooo make to directly to the full moves . Epic content & thank you

I thought moss got angry because shelly got the sale with the 'trash leads' he couldn't, making him see himself as weak for having to resort to robbing it. And since introspection to most people is like pulling teeth, he instead lashes out at the people around him.

Sean has a great line: "Now you're left with noone to root for". I never realized, but there isn't anyone you have sympathy for, except maybe Arkin.

I so miss that night I got baked and saw this movie for the first time.

Great "look inside" Sean. I have only seen the movie and as you stated the performances were great. They get you absorbed in the film. I liked Jack Lemmon's character the best and I wasn't surpised the Simpsons picked up on his character. It didn't take me long to get the overall feeling that sales is a miserable job filled with miserable characters and suckers for clients and the higher the stakes, the more miserable it all is. One thing in the film is thought was such a great "added touch" was the number of clips shot in the rain, with characters getting soaked like an old hound dog which further describes the miserable job, desperate, and miserable characters. I love great drama and this was so well done.

One of my Top 5 movies of all time. TREMENDOUS

just watched it again Thanks Sean.

As a straight commission insurance salesman for over 30 years, I can feel exactly what they’re feeling. Many a night I was in my office crying because I didn’t have the rent due the next day.

seen this film a minimum of 25 times..used to use the film to pep the troops when I was brokering real estate..and now I watch it with gratitude for not having to broker real estate anymore!

Thank you for your share

Great insight, Sean!

I enjoyed your analysis. I especially liked your Fllm Noir style narration. I'm going to see if you've done other reviews. I understand about RU-vid's kowtowing to alleged copyright holders, even in reviews. I stopped doing 'em due to "strikes."

Really stimulating review. Congratulations

When he says "PERFECT DRAMAS" he aint kidding....

Amazing video, thank you!

Great movie. Baldwin in HILARIOUS SNL sketch, he is the same character as I. Play - “winters breath” sent from Kris Kringle ( Murray) to talk to the elves (salesmen) about their disastrous performance. You must see this, showcases what an amazing actor Baldwin is - plays tragedy and comedy in the same exact performance . He is unjustly accused in Rust case.

Can someone explain to me the significance of the train?? and why its sound pops up randomly throughout the film? I know it's symbolic of something but don't understand what...

Roma's interaction w/ George is the funniest .AP: how ya doin' George"? AA: y' mean on the board"? AP: pauses,"OK, on the board" AA: "terrible".

Great video!

Strange to hear an audience laugh at Moss.

Very good thank you

Great job on this video. you hit some very pertinent points in the film and stage production of Glengarry. Ricky Roma's line "you don't speak until you know the shot", says it all. Company man Kevin Spacey hears Roma's response then Lemon's. Only with Lemon, he learns something that tells him who robbed the office, Shelly The Machine Levine himself. The biggest Ahole in the movie is Moss. Only by a hair considering all of them would sell out anyone to make a buck. Alan Arkin's charactor George Aranow (sp?) seems like the nice guy fish out of water who because he can't lie, doesnt earn selling Florida swampland. First Moss goes after to him to be an accomplice to robbing the office, then Shelly. They are all great performances and it's great that Mamet wrote an entirely scene or act with Alec Baldwin "from Mitch & Murray". The term ABC always be closing alone makes the film version of GlenGarry my fav for sure.

If you actually put the clients needs ahead of your commission and do right by them you dont have to pretend at all. I love being a salesman and honesty helps me be a great salesman

I’m about to watch this. Hope it’s good

Great synopsis

Fantastic movie and great great acting

I just started watching your flicks. Nice work. Why do Kubrick's minuets work so much better than Warren Beaty's? How would you compare their respective use of camera movement?

5:32 The line al Pachino he says gave me flashes of how he said the line in Donnie Brasco. The sound guy was asked to turn the sound of Al Pacinos lether jacket screeching as to make the scene more intense

I'm buying this on Blu Ray tomorrow.... goddamit!

Baldwin should have received an Oscar for that speech alone

Betcha when people saw the title they thought it was a John Ford film about the Irish starring Maureen O'Hara. (Or the actress from the film adaptation of Angela's Ashes whose name slips my mind.)

Brilliant dialog. Classic screen play.

We watched this in English comp in college after reading death of a salesman. Needless to say I was more than a little surprised.

Well done review. I use that Alec Baldwin presentation about steak knives, in all my $ales management/motivational meetings. LOL. Then the top 3 closers each get a free copy of the classic business book: Who Moved My Cheese.

You say it's 'swampland' in your criticism, but I know in the play there is no mention at all of that in the script. That would, to some extent, defeat the meaning of the play. Yes, they sell using hard tactics, even underhanded ones, but the lessons in the play apply to the entirety of our culture, not just people selling swampland or things of no value. The key is that they have to get people they don't know at all to hand them over lots and lots of money from their bank account for something they can't see. Whether it is ultimately a good investment or not is not the point.

One of the best movies ever made.

Is the entire play avalable? I'd like to see this casts take on the story.

My favorite movie

best film about sales ever

Excellent film.

I rooted for Levine. And since becoming a salesman, i also root for Roma. #Alwaysbeclosing

This movie is awesome

one of the modern concepts in movie making is to create a lot of characters who don't wear black or white hats, more like gray to use a metaphor. We can relate to and be supportive but only up to a point. We can despise and feel repelled but then a softer more likable/ understandable side emerges. In the end we might not care for any one character but it's made a more complex choice by gifted writers. That would be my all time most favorite TV show series the Sopranos, I'm sure there's plenty more examples of writers and directors emphasizing that approach. Glengarry sort of played with the audience too, though maybe it was just picking the least offensive character to each viewer. Not a happy choice but much of real life is just that and I'm fine by that.

saw it as a first run film. Summer/fall of '92. I saw some of my very favorite actors in performances that were among their best. twenty years after 'the Godftaher' and Pacino is as good as he ever was. jack Lemmon? probably the last of his great efforts .ol' Alan Arkin has the last cold call of the story. 'oh,...., I hate this job"...

The great Jack Lemmon

sean you're really good

I’ve seen this 🎥 about a dozen times and if it’s on I have to watch it !! Is there something wrong with me 😆🤣…

Al Pacino reminded me of Don Flamenco from Mike Tysons Punch Out in this flic!!!! Really something!!!!

nice breakdown....yeh i liked that :D

Great stuff

Just looking at the play and then the movie, the delivery is drastically better in the movie it's night and day

Such a great movie about terrible people. Realistically, two of them didn't really want to be terrible people, but felt trapped. Such a great drama. I disagree that it's the "modern Death of a Salesman." DOAS was - to me - more of a modern take on Taming of the Shrew. A tragedy. DOAS was an AMAZING tragedy. GGGR was more of DOAS turned prefect DRAMA.

Sales is an act, except they don't buy the tickets until after the show! So you have to be the best actor in the world, which I was. I was so good I wound on tv doing a combination of sales characteristics that wound down to a cheap trick used car salesman and it won hundreds of awards. Sales is fun if you're good, if not it's the nightmare you see in Glen Gerry.

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

I work in sales. 6 min in. We call it "make a friend, make a sale." You're not selling the real estate, you're selling yourself. Period.

Ed Harris is so great...

We need a coffee is for closers’ cup ☕️

0:54 Isn’t the actor on the right one of the “Bobs” in The Office Space?

Blake also knew about the leads. The cops should also interrogate Blake . Imagine the cops trying to play hard with Blake: You call yourself a salesman, you son of a b****?

that was good

Coffee...is for closers.

Baldwin is great in this Film because he's Playing Himself. A Douche Bag New Yorker. I'm from NYC and I know those people very well. Welsh actor Jonathan Pryce does a Great New York accent and is a Fantatstic "Schlub".

It's called building rapport.

great movie, it's finally on RU-vid

Roma is on top of the world. but when the client from the bar comes to the office . to break the deal off Roma pretty much gets on his knees. and begs the man.

name another movie LIKE it, & i will watch it. 😁

Awesome work fuck ya 👍🏽

Do yourself a favor and watch House of Games another classic from David Mamet!

Wait. I always thought the Machine was lying about closing the Nyborgs. That morning? They did a shot of booze to celebrate from the sideboard Shelly didn't even know was in there? B.S. Roma knew it.

How does Moss know the Roma's contract didn't go to the bank? Shelley was the one who broke in.

Roma says some pretty awful things at the bar. I'd be a bit worried about anyone who believed in him

Yeah. This is good. But after the absolute perfect timing of the movie version....nah.

Feel a bit sorry for Kevin Spacey, however, he does little to help his guys!

The only female in this movie is the coat check woman at the Chinese restaurant.

Moss is too thin to eat that many donuts

If you want to see why it did poorly at the box office, just watch the trailer. People were expecting an entirely different movie.

It's a burglary not a robbery.