Name a single movie scene that justifies an actor's entire career

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

I choose Rutger Hauer in his famous death scene in Blade Runner- he actually wrote the soliloquy himself. If he never performed again these few moments would be enough.

[RandySF]

1. Kevin Spacey in American Beauty

More specifically, the dinner scene when he smashes the asparagus plate against the wall. It was an off-script move on his part to elicit the shock evident in his colleagues' faces.

[kaitcat]

7. Two by Spacey in The Ref.

"Excuse the shit out of me."

"The corpse still has the floor."

[Aristus]

2. Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump.

The scene where he discovers from Jenny that he has fathered a son; Terrified, he tearfully asks her if he is smart or if he is...

Very moving.

[ScreamingMeemie]

3. Willem Dafoe

Never uttered a word, but it is the first time I burst into tears in a theater

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[one_voice]

5. I cry like a baby...

every time I watch this. Doesn't matter how many times I see the movie...

[ScreamingMeemie]

50. Me either.

It is such a painful, and powerful, scene.

[applegrove]

18. Yes. I was with a friend who was balling her eyes out. That was a great flic.

[ScreamingMeemie]

51. It is one of the only films I have purchased, first as a video

and then DVD. It is a great one.

[nadine_mn]

61. Oh this scene always makes me cry

loved the movie and he was so awesome in it

[SeattleVet]

4. Dustin Hoffman in 'Midnight Cowboy'

Any one of a number of scenes... 'I'm walking here' as he smacks the car or expiring on the way to Miami among the top.

[Little Star]

6. Kathy Bates in Fried Green Tomatoes..

[EFerrari]

24. I love that scene.

"Let's face it, girls --"

Tess Harper for playing a perfect bitch relative in this scene from Crimes of the Heart, although it's hard to pick with a cast like that one

[Stuart G]

8. One scene, two careers ..Mr.Smith Goes to Washington.

Last 5 -6 minutes when Jimmy Stewart is talking on the floor of the Senate,
then Cluade Raines tries to kill himself...

[Ron Green]

9. Edward G. Robinson in Double Indemnity:

The scene in which he recounts the methods and forms of suicide.

IMO the most virtuostic soliloquy on film.

[GoCubsGo]

10. George Clooney in "Oh Brother! Where Art Thou?"

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[GoCubsGo]

42. I misread the OP

I missed the "scene" part of it. I was taking the whole movie into account, and the scene I posted was one of the better ones that I could find.

[Graybeard]

11. "Welcome to Sherwood, m'lady."

In The Adventures Of Robin Hood there was nobody more handsome or more dashing than Errol Flynn in this scene. (And in vivid 1938 Techicolor!)

[MadrasT]

54. Oh!!!

Yes, this!

I used to rewind the VCR to watch that one bit over and over and over again.

It just doesn't get any better than that.

[undeterred]

12. The first seduction scene in Body Heat (1981)

William Hurt and Kathleen Turner

[Lionel Mandrake]

13. Al Pacino's crucial scene in "The Godfather"

Michael Corleone's older brothers were gangsters, but Michael was different. He was being groomed by his father, Don Vito Corleone, for a better life. Until this scene ...

[LibDemAlways]

34. You beat me to it. Pacino goes seamlessly from golden boy to gangster in

a career-making scene.

[dixiegrrrrl]

71. Catch Pacino's Shylock in the Pound of Flesh scene

in Merchant of Venice..
I watched it over and over........

[rufus dog]

14. Alec Baldwin - Glenngary Glen Ross

[Cracklin Charlie]

15. The King's Speech

I'm not so good with movies, but I loved this one. The actor who played the future king, Bertie, was in a scene with the actor who played his brother, David. Brother David started mocking Bertie's stuttering at a dinner party. I did not see the movie on the big screen, but even on my television set, you could see the actor playing Bertie just go pale with anger. It was the most amazing thing. I'm not sure, but he may not even have spoken. I'm not sure I have ever seen that happen before.

[fishwax]

16. The last scene of There Will Be Blood with Daniel Day-Lewis

[Initech]

33. Draiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinage ELI!!!!

I drink... your milkshake!!! I drink it up!!!

[BootinUp]

17. How about Jeff Bridges in Starman

when he explains what he finds beautiful about humans.

I could come up with other scenes of his I like too.

[sarge43]

39. Bridges should have received an Oscar for that role

The scene where he eats the Double Dutch Apple pie -- his expression, he just entered paradise.

[MiddleFingerMom]

19. Christopher Walken and Dennis Hopper in "True Romance" --

.
.
.
... this single scene would justify BOTH their careers. What is
most amazing to me is the fact that -- on subsequent viewings --
you can see the EXACT moment when Dennis Hopper decides
that all is indeed hopeless and that the only way to protect his
son is to commit suicide in a very unique manner.
.
.
.
WARNING: VERY liberal (sorry) use of the N-word
.

.
.
.
.
.

[BootinUp]

20. I love that movie.

[RainDog]

21. the career was long justified but this is my favorite scene for one actor

Last edited Tue Jan 3, 2012, 04:54 AM - Edit history (2)

Albert Finney in Miller's Crossing

hmm. trying again

[progressoid]

22. Streling Hayden - Dr. Stranglove: Precious Bodily Fluids

[Populist_Prole]

23. Ben Kingsley playing gangster Don Logan in 'Sexy Beast'

His cold menacing steely dialogue with the other characters makes one fearful to say the wrong word, but his explosive rants are terrifying. No gun, all attitude. He'd make the most psychopathic Joe Pesci style "wiseguy" piss his pants. Can't believe this is the same actor that played Ghandi.

[ceile]

52. This one.

I have it on my dvr for hubby to watch. He's never seen it- I think he'll be blown away. Excellent movie.

[RainDog]

25. Parker Posey House of Yes

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[clyrc]

26. I never liked Gene Hackman much until I saw him in Woody Allen's Another Woman

That movie made me cry and cry, back when I was in my early 20's. Gene Hackman only had a small part in the movie, but it really impressed me.

[rrneck]

27. Al doing what he does best...

going from a whisper to bug eyed spittle slinging screamfests.

Sorry about the sync, it's the best I could find.

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[BootinUp]

28. Robin Williams - Good Will Hunting

Take your pick... this one?

or

[Brother Buzz]

29. The Five Easy Pieces Diner Scene is where we see the real Jack Nicholson

Bobby (Jack Nicholson) wants plain toast, which isn't on the menu
Bobby: I'd like an omelet, plain, and a chicken salad sandwich on wheat toast, no mayonnaise, no butter, no lettuce. And a cup of coffee.
Waitress: A #2, chicken salad sand. Hold the butter, the lettuce, the mayonnaise, and a cup of coffee. Anything else?
Bobby: Yeah, now all you have to do is hold the chicken, bring me the toast, give me a check for the chicken salad sandwich, and you haven't broken any rules.
Waitress: You want me to hold the chicken, huh?
Bobby: I want you to hold it between your knees.

[Tom Ripley]

53. That must mean that Jack Nicholson is an incredibly rude asshole

I always interpreted Bobby's exchange with the waitress to be indicative of his deep level of hurt and bitterness.
His behavior is to be pitied, not emulated.

[Brother Buzz]

56. Jack Nicholson is smiling

[hedgehog]

57. I think that that scene is a good barometer of character-

it separates the libertarians from the progressives!

[BootinUp]

30. Glory - Matthew Broderick - A good man can fire 3 aimed shots in a minute

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

31. Another late night choice- Clint Eastwood and Will Sampson

meeting in The Outlaw Josey Wales. There's such a quiet dignity and strength that flows between them as they meet in the struggle of life... or death.

[pokerfan]

32. Robert Shaw's monologue in Jaws about the sinking of the Indianapolis

Quint's tale of the USS Indianapolis was conceived by playwright Howard Sackler, lengthened by screenwriter John Milius and rewritten by Robert Shaw following a disagreement between screenwriters Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb. Shaw presented his text, and Benchley and Gottlieb agreed that this was exactly what was needed.

[Iggo]

48. There it is.

[dana_b]

64. he was fantastic

in that role and in that particular scene. I didn't know that he had anything to do with the writing though.

[MrScorpio]

35. Lionel Barrymore as Mr. Potter

[greiner3]

36. "I am not a crook;"

Nixon

What, art imitates life and all.

[baldguy]

43. Some would say politics is an art.

They both require a willing suspension of disbelief.

[Rex]

37. Larry Fishburn

when he is introducing The Matrix to Neo.

[MilesColtrane]

38. The obvious one not mentioned yet is Brando's "I coulda been a contender" in On the Waterfront.

But, I like Sam Jackson here for the insane clarity he brings to Jules.

[Doc Holliday]

40. Cameron Diaz in Vanilla Sky

The scene where she's racing recklessly through the traffic right before she commits suicide-by-car, almost taking Cruise with her.

No need to quote all the dialogue....she was the epitome of A Woman Scorned.

I've never forgotten the line about how "your body makes promises." Reminded me of Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction.

I never thought Diaz was much of an actress till then.

[Shrek]

41. "I'd take a flamethrower to this place!"

Pacino in Scent of a Woman:

[Mira]

44. "Jean Louise, stand up. Your father's passing."

"Jean Louise, stand up. Your father's passing."

Don't we all wish we were Atticus Finch?
Wise, just, loyal, strong. Never willing to give up on the truth. Never willing to give up on what's right.

And even though Atticus fails to save Tom Robinson, his integrity never falters. He earns the respect of those who matter. And while he holds his head high, he feels the thorn of injustice as keenly as the people in the balcony.

And as he walks out of the courtroom, those simple words from the preacher to Scout mean so much:

"Jean Louise, stand up. Your father's passing."

[warrior1]

45. Judy Garland

Wizard of Oz


"There's no place like home."

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

46. Ned Beatty in Network!

[HopeHoops]

47. Molly Ringwold - "Space Hunter" (or "Pretty in Pink")

[TuxedoKat]

49. That was an incredible scene

I totally agree with you. I remember when I first saw it and was so impressed, it was so moving.

edited to add:

Posted this in the wrong spot -- meant to post after the first OP about Rutger Hauer.

[charlie and algernon]

55. Kathy Bates as Libby Holden after she finds out about Travolta's affair in Primary Colors

She's absolutely brilliant in the kitchen scene and then leading up to her suicide.


I wish I could find it on youtube.

[dana_b]

58. Anthony Hopkins

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[deucemagnet]

59. Alan Ford as Brick Top

in the movie "Snatch".

I posted a compilation, since every scene is fucking gold. In a movie featuring tough guys like Vinnie Jones and Jason Statham, who would have thought the most intimidating character would be an old man with huge glasses?

[KamaAina]

60. John Belushi: "Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?"

"The Germans? " "Shut up. He's on a roll." Indeed.

[ThoughtCriminal]

62. R Lee Ermey - Full Metal Jacket

[petronius]

63. Could probably nominate Vincent D'Onofrio for the same movie

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

66. He wasn't acting

He really WAS a Marine D. I.

But I'll let it pass- he's one badass mofo!

[Lionel Mandrake]

77. "Full Metal Jacket" launched Ermey's career,

but I can't think of a particular scene that stands out as his best.

Ermey and Modine played well off each other throughout the first half of the movie.

The D. I. failed to realize how demented "Gomer Pyle" was, and that failure cost him his life.

[marmar]

65. Eddie Murphy in 48 Hrs.....The Bar Scene

[gratuitous]

69. "Tax refund!" "BullSHIT. You're too stupid to have a job."

I also liked Roman Polanski in Chinatown, explaining to Jack Nicholson what happens to nosey fellas.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

67. You guys have all missed the most obvious one. Like a poor marksman you keep…missing…the target.

[Burma Jones]

68. I'll give you two Actors..Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel, The Producers' opening scene

From about 9 minutes in until about 25 minutes.....

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[XemaSab]

70. Nicholas Cage in "Adaptation"

I can't stand him in anything else, but he's such an insecure loser in that film he's perfect for the role.

[Texasgal]

72. Sally Fields

Steel Magnolias:

[pitohui]

73. timothy treadwell in grizzly man (rant scene)

oddly enough, since you mention rutger hauer's best scene as one where he writes it himself, timothy treadwell filmed this scene himself...but i strongly strongly suspect that the wernor hertzog edit made it perfect

one of the most horrifying scenes on film of a man who is without self consciousness and cannot see himself as others see him throughout the course of the rant

a fine film which i think of often (and yes i realize it's a documentary but i think we're all adults here and we know that people "starring" in their own films/documentaries indulge in a certain amount of ACTING and treadwell does so here)

(and i agree that rutger hauer/blade runner is another of the films in that category)

the person who mentioned nicolas cage/adaptation...that is another excellent choice, hey, that banana muffin that's a good muffin

[Yavin4]

74. Samuel L. Jackson -Diner Scene in Pulp Fiction

"The truth is. You are the weak, and I am the tyranny of evil men. But, I'm trying, Ringo. I'm trying real hard to be the Shepherd."

He dominated that entire scene. Prior to that scene, the movie was an orgy of violence, and you sat there waiting for more violence to happen. Jackson seized the tension, and delivered an very eloquent soliloquy.

[lifesbeautifulmagic]

75. not a scene, but a whole movie,

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Jim Carrey.

One of my favorite movies, and I CANNOT stand Jim Carrey.

But I loved him in this...

[mucifer]

76. Danny Kaye in Walter Mitty fantasizing about being a French hat designer

This song is written by Kaye's real wife Sylvia Fine who wrote most of the music he sang in films The last sentence in the song has Danny singing "I hate women".

It's priceless!

[mrmpa]

78. How do you attach the youtube video to your post?.Haley Joel Osmont in the car scenein the 6th Sense

I keep trying to no avail.