I wanted to write about this film the day I watched it. I have been thinking of writing about that ever since. If I remember correctly, it's been over two years when I first watched it and almost 9 months when I had the second go at it. It's a special film. More special for it's based on a play that has won both Pulitzer and Tony prizes for David Mamet. That points towards the fact that it's rich in content. Then there is its starcast which consists off Alec Baldwin, Al Pacino, Alan Arkin, Jack Lemmon, Ed Harris and Kevin Spacey. Now look closely at each of them. Except for the first entry in this list i.e. Alec Baldwin who delivers an Iconic opening speech to the three salesmen in Lemmon, Ed and Arkin inducing goosebumps and raised hair on back of your neck, four of them has won an Oscars for their acting prowess and Ed Harris scored multiple nominations. That opening scene will lead you into thinking that why Alec Baldwin so far is devoid of this Oscar distinction. Chase Academy Awards for that. He for the matter of fact has completed his doctoral thesis on none other than the great Al Pacino. But enough of Alec Baldwin, let's move onto other things.
The title of the film must seem intriguing to you. As I have hinted above, it's the story of four real estate salesmen viz Harris, Lemmon, Pacino and Arkin. They all the time talk about the developments going around two highly publicized real estate firms: Glengarry Highlands and Glen Ross Farms, so David Mamet decided to give this play a name that joins the elements of both these firms. The enigmatic Kevin Spacey plays the character of a supervisor who keeps sales records of all these four salesmen. Al Pacino is the top performer. Jack Lemmon, in many ways a pivot of this film, is struggling badly with his finances, personal life as well as his pathetic sales record and can go all the way to make all the ends meet. Ed Harris is a big mouthed guy who talks trash but does nothing of note but he has got one quality, he could always turn the people on around him with his hate-talk. Alec Baldwin is sent from the head-office to correct what is wrong with this regional office. He gives all of them a serious (and as mentioned, Iconic) pep-talk and declares that firm will fire two of these four salesmen by the end of next week if they don't bring the sales nos. What follows next is of considerable importance for this only makes this film an enduring classic. Facing all the odds against them, these salesmen lie, manipulate, sweat and steal in order to make themselves eligible for that elusive final cut but nothing happens but what does happen is beyond our belief. It's a psychological thriller unlike any for you are always experiencing the tension of all these four salesmen. Al Pacino doesn't even let go of us Indians saying that we always inquire despite having huge bank balance but never buy. When a knife is put on your neck, what heights or depths could you go through to save yourself? You will find your answers here.
Jack Lemmon here stars in his last feature film. He was the ever-reliable actor's actor in Hollywood and here he shows why he was always considered one of Hollywood's best. Al Pacino plays a smooth talking salesman here and he has the best sales record but in the back of his mind, he is always thinking off scoring another sales. You would see a fantastic example of this in the film. Ed Harris has always been an explosive actor and here he delivers in full glory. In fact, he is the one who brings out animal instinct in all his colleagues. Alan Arkin looks the most helpless guy out there who should not go through this type of pain you would think but he is also the most ethical who won't perform a false action come what may. In all possible ways, it's one of those rare films where each and every character makes the maximum impact on your memory and you return home, all exhausted yet enthralled. I'm taking and discussing about about an Ivy-League of Acting School here. Each one of these actors you will find possesses an absolute authority over their craft. Don't underestimate the plot and storyplay of this film too for this only allows these superstars to display their magic on the screen. David Mament and Film's director James Foley thus must be credited for their control and imagination. See the movie and characters to believe me, you will feel rewarded.......#IAmDone
The title of the film must seem intriguing to you. As I have hinted above, it's the story of four real estate salesmen viz Harris, Lemmon, Pacino and Arkin. They all the time talk about the developments going around two highly publicized real estate firms: Glengarry Highlands and Glen Ross Farms, so David Mamet decided to give this play a name that joins the elements of both these firms. The enigmatic Kevin Spacey plays the character of a supervisor who keeps sales records of all these four salesmen. Al Pacino is the top performer. Jack Lemmon, in many ways a pivot of this film, is struggling badly with his finances, personal life as well as his pathetic sales record and can go all the way to make all the ends meet. Ed Harris is a big mouthed guy who talks trash but does nothing of note but he has got one quality, he could always turn the people on around him with his hate-talk. Alec Baldwin is sent from the head-office to correct what is wrong with this regional office. He gives all of them a serious (and as mentioned, Iconic) pep-talk and declares that firm will fire two of these four salesmen by the end of next week if they don't bring the sales nos. What follows next is of considerable importance for this only makes this film an enduring classic. Facing all the odds against them, these salesmen lie, manipulate, sweat and steal in order to make themselves eligible for that elusive final cut but nothing happens but what does happen is beyond our belief. It's a psychological thriller unlike any for you are always experiencing the tension of all these four salesmen. Al Pacino doesn't even let go of us Indians saying that we always inquire despite having huge bank balance but never buy. When a knife is put on your neck, what heights or depths could you go through to save yourself? You will find your answers here.
Jack Lemmon here stars in his last feature film. He was the ever-reliable actor's actor in Hollywood and here he shows why he was always considered one of Hollywood's best. Al Pacino plays a smooth talking salesman here and he has the best sales record but in the back of his mind, he is always thinking off scoring another sales. You would see a fantastic example of this in the film. Ed Harris has always been an explosive actor and here he delivers in full glory. In fact, he is the one who brings out animal instinct in all his colleagues. Alan Arkin looks the most helpless guy out there who should not go through this type of pain you would think but he is also the most ethical who won't perform a false action come what may. In all possible ways, it's one of those rare films where each and every character makes the maximum impact on your memory and you return home, all exhausted yet enthralled. I'm taking and discussing about about an Ivy-League of Acting School here. Each one of these actors you will find possesses an absolute authority over their craft. Don't underestimate the plot and storyplay of this film too for this only allows these superstars to display their magic on the screen. David Mament and Film's director James Foley thus must be credited for their control and imagination. See the movie and characters to believe me, you will feel rewarded.......#IAmDone
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