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Glengarry Glen Ross

Glengarry Glen Ross 1992

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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of Glengarry Glen Ross (1992). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


The film opens on a rainy night in a local Chinese restaurant situated in southern Brooklyn, New York City. Here, we meet Sheldon ‘Shelley’ Levene, an experienced real estate salesman, who is anxiously trying to reach a doctor via a phone booth to gather updates on his daughter, currently hospitalized due to a serious illness. Nearby, Dave Moss (played by Ed Harris) struggles to sell properties at Rio Rancho Estates. After a round of complaints about their dubious leads, they both return to their office, Premiere Properties, where they encounter a domineering figure named Blake (Alec Baldwin), sent by their company owners, Mitch and Murray. Blake’s harsh demeanor is on full display as he chastises the sales staff for their lackluster performance and lays down a high-stakes contest: the top seller earns a Cadillac, while the worst performer is unceremoniously fired.

Blake holds out hope for the coveted Glengarry Leads—prime prospects capable of purchasing the properties—designating them for the most successful agents. This intensifies the competition among the men. However, when office manager John Williamson (Kevin Spacey) distributes outdated leads instead, Levene becomes increasingly agitated. In a desperate plea, he lays bare his dire financial situation and his daughter’s health challenges, imploring Williamson for access to the Glengarry Leads. When his pleas are ignored, Levene resorts to threats, bribes, and emotional appeals, yet Williamson takes advantage of his urgency, asking for $50 per lead along with 20% of his profits—a sum Levene cannot afford.

Meanwhile, Dave Moss and his colleague George Aaronow (Alan Arkin) face their own frustrating day, compounded by the portrayal of their boss as uncaring. Moss hatches a daring plan to stage a burglary and sell the Glengarry leads to a rival agency, Jerry Graff, but finds Aaronow reluctant to join him. Over at the bar, Ricky Roma (played by Al Pacino) engages a timid customer, James Lingk (Jonathon Pryce), in conversation, spinning a narrative of opportunity that leaves Lingk entranced.

The following day, shocking news greets the sales team: the office has been burglarized. As police interrogate the salesmen, Roma finds himself on the wrong side of luck—he was banked on the Glengarry leads for his Cadillac dream. Just as Levene triumphantly announces a hefty $82,000 sale, the tension mounts when Lingk arrives to retract his investment due to his wife’s objections. Roma desperately attempts to salvage the deal, employing deceit and misdirection, only to be thwarted by Williamson’s careless remarks.

As the chaotic interrogation progresses, Levene inadvertently reveals his knowledge of details only the burglar might know, leading Williamson to confront him about his involvement in the crime. Despite attempts at humor, Levene’s facade crumbles as he confesses to breaking in alongside Moss and betraying their trust for personal gain. Levene’s grand illusion of success is shattered when Williamson declares that the buyers from his big sale are financially unreliable. In a final bid for sympathy, Levene invokes his daughter’s plight, yet it does nothing to soften Williamson, who swiftly decides to report him.

In a poignant scene, the paths of dreams and despair intertwine, as the office dynamics shift once more, leaving Levene to confront the consequences of his actions and the brutal reality of his profession.

Timeline

Track the key events of Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


A Rainy Night

The film begins on a rainy night in a local Chinese restaurant in southern Brooklyn, New York City. Here, we meet Shelley Levene, a seasoned real estate salesman, desperate to reach a doctor to hear about his daughter’s health, who is critically ill.

Rainy Night Chinese Restaurant, Brooklyn, NYC

The Office Setback

After a frustrating evening, Levene and Dave Moss return to their office, Premiere Properties. They encounter Blake, a domineering figure sent by their bosses, who harshly criticizes their performance and announces a high-stakes contest that could make or break their careers.

Premiere Properties Office

The Contest Announcement

Blake reveals that the top salesman will win a Cadillac, while the lowest performer will be fired. This announcement stirs a sense of urgency and desperation among the sales team, intensifying their competition as they all strive for the coveted Glengarry Leads.

Premiere Properties Office

Levene's Plea

Levene, increasingly desperate, confronts office manager John Williamson about accessing the Glengarry Leads which could salvage his career. Despite opening up about his dire financial situation and his daughter's illness, Levene's appeals are met with indifference.

Premiere Properties Office

Moss's Daring Plan

Feeling cornered by the circumstances at the office, Dave Moss devises a plan to stage a burglary and sell the Glengarry Leads to a rival agency, run by Jerry Graff. He struggles to convince his hesitant colleague George Aaronow to participate in the scheme.

Premiere Properties Office

Ricky Roma's Encounter

Meanwhile, Ricky Roma engages with James Lingk, a timid customer, over drinks. Roma weaves a compelling narrative that captivates Lingk, demonstrating Roma's persuasive skills and confidence in making a sale.

Bar

The Burglary Shock

The following morning, the sales team arrives to find their office has been burglarized. The police question the men about the incident, creating a tense atmosphere as they scramble to understand the implications of the theft.

Premiere Properties Office

A Big Sale Announcement

In a twist, Levene excitedly announces a massive $82,000 sale. However, the mood dimly shifts when Lingk shows up to retract his commitment, influenced by his wife's objections, leaving Levene bewildered and anxious.

Premiere Properties Office

Desperate Salvage Attempt

Desperate to secure his deal, Roma employs tricky tactics and misleading arguments to persuade Lingk to follow through. However, this plan begins to unravel when Williamson mistakenly reveals crucial details that jeopardize their position.

Premiere Properties Office

Williamson's Confrontation

As the interrogation progresses, Williamson begins to suspect Levene's involvement in the burglary due to his slip-up. The pressure builds, and Levene’s calm demeanor crumbles as he comes under scrutiny for his actions.

Premiere Properties Office

The Confession

Feeling backed into a corner, Levene ultimately confesses to participating in the burglary alongside Moss. This revelation shatters the remaining trust among his colleagues and marks a critical turning point in the story.

Premiere Properties Office

Disappointment and Betrayal

Despite Levene's grand plans to save his career, Williamson informs him that the buyers from his big sale are unreliable. In a moment of vulnerability, Levene appeals to Williamson's compassion, citing his daughter's condition, but it fails to sway Williamson.

Premiere Properties Office

Final Consequences

Levene is left to face the repercussions of his decisions as Williamson prepares to report him. The chaotic turn of events reveals the harsh realities of their profession, leaving Levene grappling with both despair and the fallout from his actions.

Premiere Properties Office

Intertwined Fates

In an emotional closing scene, the stories of the characters converge as they confront their ambitions and failures. The once competitive atmosphere of the office transforms into a poignant reflection on dreams and the dire cost of striving for success.

Premiere Properties Office

Characters

Meet the characters that bring Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Sheldon 'Shelley' Levene (Jack Lemmon)

Shelley Levene is a desperate and seasoned salesman struggling to stay afloat amid mounting pressures. He is deeply concerned for his daughter's health and seeks to prove his worth despite facing age-related discrimination and financial challenges. His character embodies the tragic consequences of desperation and moral compromise.

🧓 Experienced 💔 Desperate 🏦 Salesman

Ricky Roma (Al Pacino)

Ricky Roma is a charismatic yet morally ambiguous salesman who thrives on persuasion and manipulation. His ability to captivate clients highlights his confidence and charm, but his dealings also reflect a willingness to engage in deceit for personal gain. Roma's role illustrates the darker side of ambition in the high-stakes world of real estate.

💼 Charismatic 🎭 Manipulative 🚀 Ambitious

Setting

Uncover the settings of Glengarry Glen Ross (1992), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

The film takes place in contemporary times, reflecting a slice-of-life narrative about the pressures faced by real estate salesmen. The characters’ struggles are indicative of the competitive nature of the real estate market, emphasizing themes of desperation and moral compromise.

Location

Brooklyn, New York City, Premiere Properties, Rio Rancho Estates

The movie is set in Brooklyn, New York City, a vibrant area known for its rich culture and diverse population. The events unfold in Premiere Properties, an office representing the gritty world of real estate sales. Rio Rancho Estates is a key location representing the specific properties the salesmen are trying to sell, showcasing the high-stakes environment of real estate.

🏙️ City 🏢 Office 🏘️ Real Estate

Themes

Explore the core themes of Glengarry Glen Ross (1992). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


⚖️

Morality

The film explores the challenges of ethical conduct in a ruthless business environment. Characters are often faced with dilemmas that test their integrity, especially as they navigate pressure to succeed at all costs. The stark contrast between ambition and morality permeates their interactions and decisions.

💔

Desperation

Desperation is a central theme, as characters grapple with their personal failures and dire circumstances. Levene's distress over his daughter's health and financial struggles pushes him to make questionable choices. This theme reveals the lengths to which individuals will go to cling to hope amid despair.

🏆

Competition

Competition drives the narrative forward, with a high-stakes environment where only the best can survive. The introduction of a contest among the salesmen illustrates the cutthroat nature of their profession, emphasizing how ambition can lead to betrayal and moral decay as they vie for success.

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