The Prime Gig

I saw this in the indie channel & it kept my attention all the way, except for the phony love scenes (why does Hollywood always have to make sex look so artificial - doesn't anybody do it out there)? The acting is really terrific, especially Ed Harris & Vince Vaughan. Julia Ormond is OK in a part that looks written for Julianne Moore. The beginning is the best, the middle a bit too set-up, like imitation Mamet, the ending is hopeless. But definitely worth seeing for the acting.

I had no idea what to expect from this movie. It just happened to be on cable and Vince was in it, so I watched.

I liked the portrayal of each character in this film. Greed, desperation, betrayal...I found myself disgusted with some of the characters, mainly Julia Ormond and Ed Harris. I can't stand Julia Ormond so to watch her as a conniving shrew was quite satisfying. If you can't stomach the dark underbelly of human behavior,and watching how bad someone can screw over another person, than this film's not for you. At the end I found myself bummed out - but that's not necessarily so bad. You need to be in the right mood to watch this. It's low-key, though not boring and definitely not a 'feel good' film. I can understand how some people didn't like it, but I think Vince Vaughn fans will be happy enough (I'm one myself).

I love watching movies. I work for blockbuster for God's sakes....I watch movies all the time. I thought this movie had a good premise and that the actiing was fine(although not stellar). The thing that bothers me about this movie was the ending...it left too many unanswered questions....to many unknowns....It is good for a bored night when u don't have anything else to do but don't ask questions after it's over because they will be unanswered and unknown...big dissappointment. Overall decent movie but not great. if you can see it for free like I did...it's not a bad way to spend an hour and a half if not...wait till it comes on cable

As someone who used to work in a telemarketing gig in Las Vegas (two months of my life I would rather forget about), I can tell you that the first half hour of "The Prime Gig" is the most realistic look at telemarketing ever filmed. The look, the feel, the characters and the situations all ring incredibly true.

One of those characters is Penny (Vince Vaughn), the best salesman in this small time operation. He is the typical big fish in the little pool, but the title promises that he will soon achieve the big time. Of course, he does move on to a "prime gig," and this is where the realism of the movie breaks down. But becoming less realistic doesn't mean the movie becomes less engaging. As much as I enjoyed the first 30 minutes, the last hour is pretty powerful itself.

Two things sustain this movie and make well worth watching:

First, the acting. Besides Vaughn the cast includes Ed Harris, Julia Ormond, Wallace Shawn and George Wendt. All are excellent.

Secondly, at the heart of this movie is a morality tale. Director Gregory Mosher has peered into the depths of the American telemarketing industry. He has looked at the small time operations and the prime gigs.

And what he has found is disturbing. He has found a greed that does not care who it hurts. A greed that will rob an elderly woman of her life savings without a second thought. A greed that will rip off employees as easily as customers. The ending of this movie may be predictable, but it is still very powerful.

So while others on this site have bashed this movie, pay them no attention. You will love "The Prime Gig." Trust me! Hey, would I lie to you? Just give me your trust, and I won't let you down!

This movie was total crap. I am quite embarrassed that there is record of me having rented this film. I'm a really big fan of Vince Vaughn, but a 5 minute scene of him posing is not exactly what I'd call 'entertaining.' The dialogue was very noticeably forced, and I can actually list porn films with a more intriguing plot than "Let's take Boiler Room, strip it of all interesting characters, remove any semblance of a plot, and film THAT." If you're interested in Julia Ormond love scenes, or have some kind of obsession with that odd kid from Empire Records, this film is for you, but otherwise I suggest consuming a large quantity of painkillers before watching this drivel.