Small Role, Big Performance: Alec Baldwin in ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’
“PUT THAT COFFEE DOWN! COFFEE IS FOR CLOSERS ONLY.”
“Get mad you sons of bitches, get mad!” He made $970,000 last year. What about you? His watch costs more than your car. Alec Baldwin’s only scene in 1992′s Glengarry Glen Ross is the sheer definition of a small role, big performance. Despite starring flamboyant actors such as Al Pacino, Ed Harris, Alan Arkin, Kevin Spacey and Jack Lemmon, the movie’s most popular scene is Baldwin’s sole appearance, an infamous monologue so brilliantly written and delivered that it has lost none of its luster to this day.
Ironically enough, Balwin’s character doesn’t even exist in the original play and was created exclusively for the movie. But this one scene sets the tone for the entire film, raising the stakes for all the characters involved. Close or go home. It’s also subtly invaluable in fleshing out what kind of men these salesmen are. From Lemmon’s looks of desperation to Arkin’s lack of eye contact and Harris’ willingness to take this kind of abusive lashing, this is a very brilliantly executed scene.
If you somehow haven’t seen James Foley’s Glengarry Glen Ross to this day, check out Alec Baldwin’s scene below:
18 Comments
That is one awesome scene. I need to watch this film soon
Great film Julian, you definitely should have seen it a long time ago!!
I love that scene. Say, have you seen the SNL parody Baldwin did for a Xmas sketch?
Oh, it was so funny. “Put that cocoa down, cocoa’s for coddlers”. There was a moment where he almost botched a line in that part “Always be closing” where he almost said that line but then corrected himself and says “Always be coddling”.
Aahah I need to check that out. Proof that this scene is the bomb, he is still getting mileage out of it
This is one of my all time favorite performances.
Yes.
Hi, Castor and company:
Excellent choice and critique!
One of most brief and powerful few moments in any film!
I still think his “A set of steak knives.” is a great throwaway line.
Yea I love that the first prize is a badass car, the second prize is “a set of steak knives” (like WTF?!?!@) and third prize, you’re fired!
Why do I get an inkling you’d be highlighting Alec in this movie?
I still need to see this one! Thanks for participating on the blogathon, Castor.
Can’t believe you haven’t seen this flick yet Ruth. All this time!
There is no limit to the praise this scene and performance can receive. Is and will always be flawless. Great write up!
Thanks Alex. One of the best seven-minute of cinema in History indeed!
Quality choice. I considered this myself. Baldwin just about steals the show from a cast where everyone is on top of their game.
Yea, loved everyone in this flick. Even Al Pacino being totally over the top is amazing here.
Great choice Cap. When I finally got around to thinking about contributing, this was the first role that popped to my mind.
Then I looked. And you had snagged it already
LOL
Great pick. He eviscerates that entire room….
yep, a def good choice here, Cap. I had forgotten about this scene and was glad you posted the vid. Good ol Alec
Like Fogs, this was the first clip to come to mind when thinking about this blogathon (probably because I just saw it for the first time last month). Brilliant choice and writeup, Castor.
“Fuck you! That’s my name!” Hah! I haven’t seen this movie, but I can see that I need to. Definitely a memorable scene — great choice. And it was fun to see a scene with Alec Baldwin back in the day, when he was young. Great post, Castor!
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