good dolphin wrote:
denisdman wrote:
Great question.
Each character is well developed.
Al Pacino as Ricky Roma- Cocky, foul mouthed. Decent acting job especially after the Lingk tries to rescind the contract. I like the way he goes after Kevin Spacey and strokes Jack Lemmon.
Jack Lemmon as Shelley "The Machine" Levene- A pathetic character. What a wimp. I love when he gets caught at the end and Spacey starts dishing it out to him.
Alec Baldwin as Blake- Coffee's for closers. ABC. Brass balls. What else is there to say.
Ed Harris as Dave Moss- It's great the way he treats Arkin like his pet. It's also funny when he can't decide whether to leave or stay.
Alan Arkin as George Aaronow- A patsy, not much else. It is funny the way he repeats what the others' say.
Kevin Spacey as John Williamson- Ok I am biased because I love American Beauty, but this was a great performance.
Jonathan Pryce as James Lingk- Not bad. Another pathetic character.
I am leaning towards Spacey, but you could argue any of these guys.
Lemmon isn't pathetic, he's just past his prime. Everyone acknowledges he was a top salesman but he just cannot keep up. He's desperate, the equivalent to a 30 year old star taking PEDs.
The great thing about Pacino is that he is a true hero, a hunter for the village, a defender or the week and a warrior against the unjust.
He and Lemmon are perfect because they show the depressing progression in the sales business where there really is no place to promote an accomplished guy with experience who is slowing down.
I cannot think of a bit role that is as memorable in movie history as Alec Baldwin's. He is there to really define the stark reality of the business.
Well said.
I think this last time I watched I specifically focused about Ed Harris
His friends to adversary move with Arkin is great and his scene with Roma is awesome too.
Yeah, Shelley isnt pathetic. And Dennis, I dont know how you can like Spacey. I mean he played the role to perfection, but to enjoy him yelling at Shelley?
How bout Roma calling him a Caller Bob? That was great.