Untitled Document

Is it regarded as a classic? I'm not sure I'd call it a one but one thing's for sure, the performances (or most of them - read on...) are true classics. Particularly, once again, Jack Lemmon, who excels himself as the down on his luck - but arrogant and yet still somehow endearingly tragic - salesman Shelly Levene. He is brilliantly supported by the always terrific (and I don't care that it's a cliche to say it) Kevin Spacey, Ed Harris and, especially, Alan Arkin who's great as the one character in the film who finishes it without looking like a total shithead. It's really the performances that make this film, they are just so watchable the film breezes past.

There is one exception. Al Pacino. The more I see Pacino, the more respect I lose for him. He was just so fucking brilliant in the Godfather movies (yes, even the third one), particularly Part II it pains me to say it but he's at his (shouting, microphonic, unconvincing) worst here. I wish I could say that I was shocked to see he was nominated for this performance when Lemmon was not, but that's the academy for you. I was desperate for him to get off screen whenever he was on it so I could go back to the characters who I was interested in, again, particularly Shelly whom Lemmon subtly imbues with that absolute tragic inevitability of downfall. He doesn't quite make the all time top 25 but he certainly does make the number one male spot for 1991. Another one where myself and my esteemed colleague actually agree. It was his lists that pointed me to Lemmon's films in the first place and now I can certainly see why Lemmon plays such a prominent role in his lists. He's beginning to in mine as well.

The performances will keep you hooked, the dialogue is snappy (it's Mamet after all) and the plot moves along nicely, though there were a few side lines (notably with Shelly's sick daughter) that could have been developed more. Certainly recommended.