Glengarry Glen Ross Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Glengarry Glen Ross Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 19, 2020

As a playwright, David Mamet is a force of nature, always interested in the trouble characters create for themselves and others, often using frank dialogue to best examine the corrosiveness of people. Adapting his play for the big screen, Mamet protects as much venom as possible for 1992’s “Glengarry Glen Ross,” with director James Foley in charge of shaking the staginess out of the material, giving it a cinematic charge that respects Mamet’s inherent fire-breathing powers and adds dimension when needed. Creative goals are mostly met in “Glengarry Glen Ross,” which provides a safe space for amazing actors to unleash themselves with Mamet-ian authority, clawing their way into bleak psychological spaces with barely concealed excitement, while Foley works diligently to preserve the original rhythm of the work, doing an impressive job with the jazzy rush of testosterone and workplace hostility Mamet aimed to expose with his original work.

The thespian pleasures of “Glengarry Glen Ross” are obvious, with legends such as Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon (in one of his finest performances, which is saying something), Ed Harris, and Alan Arkin handed Mamet’s cutthroat writing to interpret. It’s tale of struggling real estate salesman facing the end of their careers, but the writing transforms such stakes into a study of masculinity and desperation, and Mamet also has a sharp ear for business world animosity. The ensemble offered here is near-perfect, with special Mamet-fu reserved for Alec Baldwin, who manages to turn a simple eight minutes of screentime into the highlight of the movie, and perhaps the 1992 film year, bringing down the house as an arrogant salesman sent in to threaten the troops, and doing so with a delicious, darkly comedic level of malice.

For additional analysis, please read Jeffrey Kauffman’s 2016 review.

Glengarry Glen Ross Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Previously released by Lionsgate in 2016, "Glengarry Glen Ross" returns to disc courtesy of Shout Factory, who offer a "New 4K transfer from the original camera negative." The AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation certainly supplies a new car smell, offering refreshed detail to help pick out frame minutiae and enjoy facial particulars, with age and personal care open for inspection during the viewing experience. Costuming is also key, with heavier business wear remaining fibrous, and set decoration is clear, picking up on desk clutter and chalkboard information. "Glengarry Glen Ross" is a distinctly shot feature, with precise colors, and the Argento-style palette is protected, giving new brightness and distinction to Chinese restaurant reds and greens, while cooler blues are present in office spaces. Skintones are natural. Delineation preserves frame information. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in strong shape. Artifacting is rare, with a few mildly blocky patches.

Glengarry Glen Ross Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix offers a primarily frontal listening event, offering crisp dialogue exchanges to help support the rat-tat-tat dramatic experience. Voices are sharp and loud, remaining authoritative during argumentative moments and softer offerings of hesitation. Scoring is equally distinct, with hearty instrumentation that keeps percussion sharp and bass deep. Surrounds are mostly quiet, rarely deployed outside of mild atmospherics. Low-end isn't challenged. Atmospherics are compelling, with changes in weather and room tone appreciable, but never enveloping.

Glengarry Glen Ross Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features director James Foley.

• Commentary #2 features actor Jack Lemmon.

• Interview (37:23, HD) with director James Foley recounts his early introduction to the screenplay, with Al Pacino interested in working with the young moviemaker after the release of "At Close Range." With David Mamet taking care of screenwriting duties, Foley didn't order changes, finding the material perfect as it was. Casting brought in "gritty" talents, with Pacino heavily involved in putting the ensemble together. The surprisingly conflict-free shoot was preceded by three weeks of rehearsals, getting the actors comfortable with Mamet's language. Only Baldwin was left out of the bonding, ostracized by the performers in "trailer town." Foley discusses the shoot in New York City, changed from Chicago, while cold weather was turned into pouring rain. Effort from cinematographer Juan Ruiz Anchia is lauded, along with scoring from James Newton Howard, who talked Foley into the jazzy mood of the picture. The interviewee explores Mamet's reaction to the completed film, different reactions from early audiences, New Line Cinema's terrible marketing for the feature's initial theatrical release, and the lasting cult legacy of "Glengarry Glen Ross," with Foley especially enjoying Baldwin's Christmas spoof of the material on "Saturday Night Live." To close, Foley shares his one regret about the endeavor.

• "God Bless Ricky Roma" (24:31, HD) sits down with Joe Mantegna, who details his initial interest in acting, working extensively in the theater, meeting David Mamet in the early 1970s while performing for the Organic Theater. Years later, after making a move to Los Angeles, Mantegna was contacted by Mamet, presenting him with "Glengarry Glen Ross," which was filled with real estate business the actor had no clue how to process, requiring research for the part of Ricky Roma. The interviewee shares minor changes to the play as it went through development, and his horror after experience a freeze during the Chicago premiere, forgetting his lines. A move to Broadway brought the work accolades and awards, and Mantegna shares audience reactions to the salty material. Recounting tours and co-stars, the interviewee articulates his pride in the work, and shares a story about why he was left out of the "Glengarry Glen Ross" movie, with Mamet making sure the actor was taken care of.

• "Magic Time" (30:06, SD) is a 2002 remembrance piece about the life and times of Jack Lemmon, featuring interviews with son Chris Lemmon, "Save the Tiger" director John Avildsen, "Long Day's Journey into Night" co-star Peter Gallagher, manager David Seltzer, friend James Lipton, and "Glengarry Glen Ross" director James Foley. Personal memories are provided by Chris, who recalls time on "The Great Race" set, watching his dad clown around with co-stars, and he supplies a tender recollection of his final moment with his parent, holding him as he passed away. The rest of the group contributes lively anecdotes about Lemmon, exploring tales of fishing, stage mischief, fan interactions, and his long friendship with actor Walter Matthau. A discussion of Lemmon's "Magic Time" mantra is offered, and a clip from his appearance on "Inside the Actor's Studio" is included.

• "Always Be Closing" (29:29, SD) is another 2002 featurette, this time looking at the history of the American salesman, with a number of real estate professionals sharing the ins and out of their work, including the minutiae of the gig, which sometimes requires pressure tactics a few here admit are distasteful. Dramatic interpretation is included as well, starting with Albert Maysles, whose 1965's documentary, "Salesman," was the first real examination of this special desperation and skill. For 1987's "Tin Men," Barry Levinson shares some of his research. And for "Glengarry Glen Ross," backstage information is shared about the 1983 stage debut of the play (under director Gregory Mosher), and the 1992 film, with James Foley and Alan Arkin describing the precision of the writing and care for performances.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.

Glengarry Glen Ross Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Glengarry Glen Ross" is Mamet's world, and Foley isn't about to stand in the way of such power, but he adds what he can, working with cinematographer Juan Ruiz Anchia to secure moody lighting and widescreen flair to the endeavor. Composer James Newton Howard delivers a jazzy bop to the proceedings, and editor Howard Smith follows the lead, keeping the feature tap dancing along as the characters unleash on one another. It's an impressive picture, coldly grasping the blackness of the salesman vocation and building something of a mystery to hold attention. It's pure Mamet, but the film version of "Glengarry Glen Ross" manages to find its way as a movie, offering style and flow to best accentuate the writer's original vision for the bottom-feeder blues.