Review of Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) by Rainer K — 08 Jul 2012

WHAT A CAST!!

Seldom has their been a group of actors, more talented, more charismatic and better cast then in Glengarry Glen Ross.

Especially Kevin Spacey (not yet the well-known leading man of today) as the slick office manager is magnificent. Alec Baldwin shines in a short, but effective and critical, role (he has only one wonderful and thoroughly quotable rant/monologue). Al Pacino is as good as always although he has been better (well, that's criticism on a very high level... his fellow 1992 role in Scent of a Woman is my all-time favourite acting job).

Jack Lemmon has incredible screen presence, I found his character annoying though. Ed Harris, Jonathan Pryce and Alan Arkin round out the excellent cast.

There's also a great script these Hollywood powerhouses could work with. Full of inspiring monologues and emotional meltdowns - this is also where you can see the theatrical roots of the film up to the point where you could imagine the whole set on a stage in front of you. I like such films (although I'm not a big theater-goer) and I'm perfectly fine with it, but also a bit curious how not more people acknowledge this.

For all fans of brilliant acting and great monologues who doesn't mind some theatrical values this is it!