The Prime Gig

CAUTION!! SPOILERS ENCLOSED!!

In 2001, a movie called The Prime Gig was released, directed by Gregory Mosher, written by William Wheeler, and starring Vince Vaughn, Julia Ormond, Ed Harris, Rory Cochrane, and small roles for Wallace Shawn, Stephen Tobolowsky, George Wendt, and Amber Benson. This is a movie that some hate and some love. I love this movie!

This independent movie has received much criticism for trying to be a David Mamet type of movie. It is similar to Glengarry Glen Ross in that they are salesmen, and there is a con. But that’s about it. This is a story about a man (Penny, played by Vince Vaughn) who is letting his friend Joel (Rory Cochrane) stay with him. Penny’s job is in jeopardy, and finally implodes. He is recruited to sell gold investment tracts to people by Kelly Grant (Ed Harris) and his assistant Caitlyn (Julia Ormond). Penny isn’t stupid, so he requests his commissions to be cash. Caitlyn then gets a little too close to Penny and convinces him to be her lover, then convinces him to marry her so she can become a US citizen. It is obvious at some point that she feels guilt for what she’s about to do, but not to Penny. Then one day, Penny goes into work and the warehouse they have been calling from is empty, and Grant and Caitlyn are gone, and the commissions of the other callers never go through. Penny goes to check on his bank account where he’s been keeping his cash commissions, and “his wife” cleared it out. The movie ends without music, and a shocked Penny walks out of his apartment and down the street while the credits roll.

This movie I like for many reasons. It’s a simple story, but it’s done well. The dialogue is very good (when Penny hears Caitlyn’s British accent for the first time, he asks “Why do you sound like Monty Python all of a sudden?”) The acting is very good also. For some, the ending may be predictable when Penny requests his commissions in cash, but for most, we just wonder where the story is going. The other thing I like is the opposites of Penny and Joel. When Penny is doing well, Joel is in the gutter, but when Penny has been screwed out of his life savings, Joel wears a dress shirt and tie and is doing well for himself. The interaction between the triangle of Grant, Caitlyn, and Penny is very interesting. What I liked most about the movie is that it doesn’t end on a happy note. Although there are funny moments here and there, this is definitely not a comedy. This ends sadly, and is a sadder type of movie all the way through. Refreshing I think.

Overall, I have nothing negative to say about this movie. I’ve seen it several times, and I think it just keeps getting better. Each time I think that Penny will make it out all right, but it doesn’t happen. I feel bad for him and watching this movie is like watching a train about to wreck. But it’s so worth it.

Unfortunately, I can’t find any working links to the trailer.