Great subtle moments in movies - Page 5

Thug Bubbles · #41 09-06-2007, 04:09 PM

The Big Lebowski

The Dude just finished talking with The Big Lebowski and is being walked out by Brent when The Dude first meets Bunny. She says "I'll suck your [censored] for 1000 dollars. Brent can't watch, or he has to pay 500".

Brent (Played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman) laughs nerviously, and if you look closely his nostrils flare uncontrollably as if it's a nervous tick. THAT is subtle acting at it's finest.

Jay Riall · #42 09-06-2007, 04:09 PM

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Fight Club is another brilliant movie that works on many levels. Unlike About Schmidt the plot, characters, and action are enough to make a good film in their own right. But if I were to sit down and watch it again I could probably pull out a dozen moments that should go on a list of the greatest 100 subtle moments in movies.

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I don't know what to say to someone who immediately thinks of Fight Club when asked about suble moments in films. Maybe watch more films?

Jay Riall · #43 09-06-2007, 04:10 PM

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I'm not sure if this is actually subtle, but in The Godfather when Michael realizes his hand does not shake.

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Agreed. That is one of my favorite scenes - not sure if its subtle or not, but I think a lot of people may not notice that the first time they watch it.

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I've watched this movie tonnes of times and never noticed it (at least haven't remembered it). Where does it happen?

Lanzalot · #44 09-06-2007, 04:14 PM

From Dr. Zhivago. Omar Shariff (Dr. Zh) is coming back from the front where he served with a medical unit. The revolution has happened and he's coming back to a vastly different Moscow, ran by the Reds. He gets to the house to find it's been turned into an apartment building of sorts, ran by the Communists. He gets a stern lecture about all this (he and his family were wealthy before 1917) from the tenant super, a Commie. He and his wife go to their room, he goes to greet young son, bends down to hug/kiss him and his kid slaps him! The scene says so much by doing so little. Just Perfect.

TiK · #45 09-06-2007, 04:17 PM

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I'm not sure if this is actually subtle, but in The Godfather when Michael realizes his hand does not shake.

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Agreed. That is one of my favorite scenes - not sure if its subtle or not, but I think a lot of people may not notice that the first time they watch it.

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I've watched this movie tonnes of times and never noticed it (at least haven't remembered it). Where does it happen?

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After the standoff in front of the hospital where Vito Corleone is laid up:

Enzo comes to visit Vito in the hospital and Michael notices that all his father's guards have been sent away by the corrupt cops. Michael realizes that there is an imminent assassination attempt on his father and takes Enzo with him to stand in front of the hospital with their collars up and hands in pockets as if they are armed. Afterwards, Enzo is shaking so uncontrollably that he can't even light his cigarette. Michael takes the lighter from him and lights it for him, completely calm and collected.

Jay Riall · #46 09-06-2007, 04:29 PM

OH yeah my bad, I remember now. Yeah that is a great moment, you realise what strength he is going to be able to bring his family in their time of need.

rapidacid · #47 09-06-2007, 04:32 PM

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The Big Lebowski

The Dude just finished talking with The Big Lebowski and is being walked out by Brent when The Dude first meets Bunny. She says "I'll suck your [censored] for 1000 dollars. Brent can't watch, or he has to pay 500".

Brent (Played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman) laughs nerviously, and if you look closely his nostrils flare uncontrollably as if it's a nervous tick. THAT is subtle acting at it's finest.

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It's Brandt boss.

EHoffman · #48 09-06-2007, 04:40 PM

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I'm not sure if this is actually subtle, but in The Godfather when Michael realizes his hand does not shake.

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Agreed. That is one of my favorite scenes - not sure if its subtle or not, but I think a lot of people may not notice that the first time they watch it.

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I've watched this movie tonnes of times and never noticed it (at least haven't remembered it). Where does it happen?

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After the standoff in front of the hospital where Vito Corleone is laid up:

Enzo comes to visit Vito in the hospital and Michael notices that all his father's guards have been sent away by the corrupt cops. Michael realizes that there is an imminent assassination attempt on his father and takes Enzo with him to stand in front of the hospital with their collars up and hands in pockets as if they are armed. Afterwards, Enzo is shaking so uncontrollably that he can't even light his cigarette. Michael takes the lighter from him and lights it for him, completely calm and collected.

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In the book, a big deal is made about his hand not shaking. It's done beautifully in the movie, though.

nath · #49 09-06-2007, 04:40 PM

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In Clerks during the scene where Veronica confesses to sucking 39 dicks, a person comes up to the register, and buys vaseline and rubber gloves

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Similarly, when Randal is describing the "jizzmopper" to Dante, a guy walks up with paper towels and Windex

nath · #50 09-06-2007, 04:43 PM

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Not a movie but just about every single scene in the English Office has some great subtle humour. David's facial expressions especially are great.

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Yeah, Arrested Development is a similarly subtle TV show. tons of little visual cues, lines, etc. Stuff that sets up stuff for a long time in the future, when everything seems so off-the-cuff.

Example: there's a poster in George Michael's room for the French cousins film (Les Cousins Dangereuses, I think, or something equally ridiculous), when the movie doesn't factor into the plot until well near the end of the season.