James Foley directs Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon and Kevin Spacey in this perfect David Mamet play adaptation about for real estate salesman on a tough rainy night.

Mamet heaven but Foley knows exactly how to make it feel like a Rolodex hell. The unsung king of the Neo Noir needs no guns, no femme fatales here. You can feel the flop sweat and smell the coffee breath in this. That rain washes away no sins. Alec Baldwin’s one scene motivational wrecking ball might just be the finest one scene character ever. I ain’t telling you nothing new. But Pacino’s shift into sales pitch on a gay-for-him Jonathan Pryce is his last truly sustained piece of subtle acting. AND then you have poor, desperate Jack Lemmon in his career best turn. Every line the poetry of full testicles and empty bank accounts. You all know I hate filmed plays? Fuck you, I hate filmed plays.

10

Perfect Double Bill: Save The Tiger (1973)

I write regular features about live comedy for British Comedy Guide here https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/bobby_carroll/features/