We first meet lubricants salesmen Larry, Phil and Bob during a mass display of back-slapping insincerity in the lobby of a Wichita hotel.

Although all three wear the uniform of the corporate lackey - off-the-peg suits replete with embossed name tag - they are very different animals.

Laconic Larry (Spacey) is never lost for words and is a technical perfectionist when it comes to landing deals for product even if his every utterance is tainted with cynicism.

Newly-divorced Phil (de Vito) has come to a seen-it-all-before crossroads in his life and no longer gets the same buzz when making a sale.

Newcomer Bob (Facinelli) brings with him a youthful hunger and evangelical zeal - the trouble is its actually directed at God rather than a lubricant dealbreaker.

They're all cooped up in a shabby hospitality suite waiting for the big sale that will boost the firm's flagging fortunes - the big kahuna.

Essentially a three hander, this wears its theatrical background - it started out as the stage play Hospitality Suite by Roger Rueff - firmly on its sleeve.

Spacey's Larry is the main character, a charming persuader with machine-tooled articulacy whose way with words masks hidden frailties.

Him and Phil go back a long way and their friendship is based on trust, a rare commodiy in the shark pool that is the world of hard commerce.

Throwing the seasoned pros into relief is Bob, whose uncomprehending naivety is seized on by the incredulous Larry and ignored by the newly carefree Phil.

The action is confined to one room - belying the movies' theatrical origins - and the light and shade is provided completely by the rapid fire dialogue.

It's an assured, richly played piece which strays into David Mamet territory and is none the worse for that.

Tim Evans