Dark Side of the American Dream Exposed

Read Time:4 Minute, 18 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Glengarry Glen Ross
–

Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Year Released: 1992, 2024 101 Films Blu-ray
Runtime: 1h 40m
Director(s): James Foley
Writer(s): David Mamet
Cast: Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Alec Baldwin, Alan Arkin, Ed Harris, Kevin Spacey, Jonathan Pryce, Bruce Altman
Where To Watch: available on Limited Edition Blu-ray July 29, 2024

RAVING REVIEW: Welcome to the cutthroat world of GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS, where the high stakes of a ruthless real estate game play out under the shadowy glow of fluorescent office lights. In this arena, a dream team led by Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, and others brings to life the desperation and moral decay scripted by playwright David Mamet. Here, it’s all about the hustle: land the best leads, close the most deals, or risk everything.

Director James Foley sets the stage in the dingy confines of a real estate office that feels more like a battlefield than a workplace. Cinematographer Juan Ruiz Anchia casts each scene in hues as grim as the prospects of its inhabitants, where every shadow seems to whisper of broken dreams and missed opportunities. This setting is not just a backdrop but a crucible, testing the mettle and morals of every character who dares enter.

At the center of the turmoil is Kevin Spacey's John Williamson, the office manager with a quiet authority who lives by the power he wields. Holding the keys to the kingdom—or, in this case, the leads that could make or break a salesman's career—Williamson's calm is the eye of the storm, a stark contrast to the frenetic energy of his colleagues. Yet, Spacey's nuanced performance is layered with the real-world complexities that later surround the actor, casting a deeper shadow that makes viewers wrestle with the separation of character from actor. It’s a harsh but realistic reality; when I watched this in the late 90s, I didn’t think twice, and now it has an almost uncomfortable aura every time Spacey is on screen.

The core of GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS digs into the myths of the American Dream, where success is often a measure of one's brutality rather than merit. Mamet’s dialogue cuts like a knife, revealing the raw edges of characters willing to sell everything but their souls—maybe even those, too—for a piece of the pie. This isn’t just a story about selling real estate; it’s about selling out and the price paid in the currency of integrity.

GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS has carved out its niche in cinema history as one of the ‘1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die,’ from its inception as a box office flop to its celebrated status as a cult classic. It remains a compelling study of capitalism run amok, where the only thing more dangerous than the lies the characters tell each other are the truths they tell themselves.

This film doesn’t just deliver performances; it serves up a masterclass in the art of the sale, both onscreen and off. As much as it reflects the era it depicts, it’s a mirror to the present day, reflecting the enduring allure of winning at all costs. Despite—or perhaps because of—the shadows cast by Spacey’s complex legacy, this movie continues to engage and provoke audiences, securing its place in the pantheon of films that do more than entertain; they challenge us to think.

SPECIAL FEATURES
A conversation with director James Foley
“God Bless Ricky Roma” Actor Joe Mantegna remembers working with David Mamet.
Audio commentary with James Foley
Audio commentary with actor Jack Lemmon
“A.B.C. (Always Be Closing)” documentary (SD)
Magic Time: A Tribute to Jack Lemmon (SD)
Limited Edition Booklet: Includes ‘Death of a Fuckin’ $ale$man: Defining an American Dramatic Tradition’ by
Rich Johnson and ‘Glengarry Glen Ross and The All-American Loser’ by Andrew Graves

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[photo courtesy of 101 FILMS]

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