 | predators in twilight
rating: 5
It's a David Mamet movie: ENOUGH SAID.
Ok, I'll say a couple more things as if you didn't already know them. But if you don't know about this movie -- just see it is the point. GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS is an adaptation of a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by the brilliant playwright-screenwriter David Mamet. Al Pacino, Alec Baldwin, Jack Lemmon, Alan Arkin, Ed Harris, Kevin Spacey are all in it. They worked for low pay just to be in this movie. There were many other famous names that expressed interest. It's a story of real estate salesman that are desperate as hell to meet their quotas or else get fired. Mamet created a role for Baldwin just for the film version in which he plays a "motivator" brought in by the corporate office. Alec Baldwin is now almost synonymous with characters of this type. As the exectutive motivator he delivers one of the most famous monlologues in film history: "Coffee's for closers". You just gotta experience it for yourself. The story takes place over a couple days and you watch the salesman struggle to save their careers. All the acting is great. Jack Lemmon is considered by many to give the performance of a lifetime. The dialogue is golden. The acting is superb. The director James Foley did a good job helping bring the play to the screen. Clearly the story offers a critique American business in the go-go 80s, but beyond that it's just masterful story telling.(Last I heard Mamet has converted from self described "brain dead liberal" to "conservatism" apparently largely through reading Milton Friedman and Thomas Sowell. He announced this in a fascinating and arguably absurd essay entitled, "Why I Am No Longer a 'Brain-Dead Liberal'" that portrays "liberalism" as idealistic nonsense out of touch with human nature and reality. Well perhaps his version of liberalism, but this ain't the place to get into that.) Movies written by David Mamet are always worth checking out and always interesting. Actors get all the attention but you can understand why Mamet got a little bit from the general public even though he merely wrote that dialogue and created characters that highlight actors' careers. That's all I have to say. See the movie if you haven't. The DVD has some great bonus material.
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Great movie, great performances, great cast
rating: 5
This is one great movie. It takes place in an office building, a Chinese food restaurant, a diner, a car, and outside in the rain. It is brilliantly written and has a large amount of suspense and tension that really catches the viewer and holds him in its clutches. It shows the costs of depravity and the greed lust for success in a tough business.
The cast is fantastic with Al Pacino, Kevin Spacey, Alec Baldwin, Ed Harris, Alan Arkin, and screen legend Jack Lemmon. They make this movie what it is and what it is is fabulous.
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BEAUTIFULLY ACTED, BUT HARD TO ENJOY WATCHING THESE PARASITES!
rating: 4
This is film is really hard to rate as I loved the cast and performances, but it's story of ruthless salespeople had me cringing in disgust! Pacino and Lemmon stand out in this insightful film of the pressures of salesmanship and what lengths these parasites will go through to close the deal. This film has a ridiculous amount of profanity, so if that bothers you....don't watch this movie! I usually don't mention anything about profanity, but even I found this excessive. It's a very good movie, but because of my total loathing of these people I will never watch it again!
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A modern classic
rating: 5
This is just a joy to watch. The masterful, powerful and elegant screenplay by David Mamet is compelling. The characters come alive in their minimalist settings. Despite their despicable professional lives, they successfully garner the viewers respect for what they do by their passionate dialog. Al Pacino is good as always, but Jack Lemmon steals the show in this one.
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Superb - for the connoisseur
rating: 5
This is a true classic. Acting at it's best. Need to watch it more than once to fully appreciate it. I know some people may say after watching it the first time, it is boring but after viewing the second and third time all the nuances are revealed. The interplay between Pacino, Harris, Spacey, Lemmon, Arkin, Baldwin, Pryce......all superb. Even the supporting cast is top notch. Check out Jude Ciccolella (24) as the cop. If you thought you were in a rat-race, just look at these guys. Be warned a lot of profanity, including the dread C-word, but doesn't use it for shock value, just to illustrate what these guys go through in the pressure cooker environment. Mamet's screenplay is excellent..only difference between the film and play is Baldwin's character, which in my opinion is the best acting he's ever done. Buy it now. I just wish they will release it on Blu-Ray.
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