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There is an indirect line beginning with Alec Baldwin’s potty-mouthed Blake in the film adaptation of David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross that continues through his current gravel-throated corporate alter-ego, 30 Rock’s Jack Donoghue. Donoghue, now comfortably perched atop the multinational ladder, is secure enough in his omnipotence to crack wise and partake in 30 Rock’s exasperatingly high-concept hijinks. But for seven glorious, now Internet-famous minutes, 1992’s Glengarry provides a glimpse of Donoghue’s possible prime, fueled by despotic bloodlust, filthy lucre, and, presumably, kilos of cocaine. Baldwin’s rant as the world’s most ineffective motivational speaker is an undeniable scene-stealer, but it’s just one of many of the top-shelf performances that includes Kevin Spacey’s smarmy office manager, Jack Lemmon’s tragic salesman, and, most miraculously, Al Pacino using his inside voice.
GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS SCREENS AT 8:30 AT AMERICAN CITY DINER, 5532 CONNECTICUT AVE. NW. FREE. (202) 244-1949.