I saw “Tin Men” in the late 80’s, not long after its 1987 release, and always remembered it as one of my favorite “sales” movies (my all-time favorite being “Glengarry Glen Ross”). For the past few months it has been on my mind, for some reason, and when I saw it on the library shelf, I just had to see it again and rediscover why I liked it so much. Well, twenty years later, it is still just as impressive.

The feud between Tilly (Danny Devito) and B.B. (Richard Drefuss) is classic. Barbara Hershey’s performance as Tilly’s neglected wife is beautifully acted. And one of my favorite songs of the 80’s is the highlite of the soundtrack – “Good Thing” by the Fine Young Cannibals. But what got me then, and still gets me now, is the scamming used by the salesmen to get contracts for aluminum siding. The mentality of “don’t leave without a signature” is scary and fascinating. The ploys employed are creative and abominable. I had forgotten the $5 bill trick. What grifters these guys were! And how little sales has changed in its motivation to “always be closing.” It’s a funny movie. A cautionary movie. A memorable movie. By all means see it, and see it again.