History Of Cinema: Did "JFK" Have The Greatest Dialogue Scene?
- Dan Lalonde
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
"JFK" SCENE VIDEO BELOW ARTICLE:
What is your favorite dialogue scene in movies?
I recently rewatched Oliver Stone's 1991 film 'JFK', specifically the 17-minute scene set in Washington, DC where X (Donald Sutherland), a former U.S. military operative, reveals the conspiracy of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy to attorney Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner), who is investigating the murder. This is, in my opinion, the best dialogue scene in cinema, but why is it the best?
Content: Discussing the JFK conspiracy is certainly a lot more fascinating than if they were discussing paying bills or Britney Spears dancing with knives.
Editing: You have to remember this was spliced on film, which makes how the whole scene came together with the talking, flashbacks and re-enactments even more impressive.
Score: The music slowly grabs you and keeps the tension all the way through. It comes to a crescendo when we see the re-enactments of the CIA plotting the assassination.
Directing: Oliver Stone's chaotic filmmaking is brought down a level, but flourishes as it bounces from them talking to the re-enactments, visually sucking us in, hoping for it to never end as we are about to be revealed the truth of Kennedy's death.
Acting: Donald Sutherland supposedly had only a day to memorize ten pages of dialogue. His truthful delivery makes you believe in the conspiracy, which we see through Kevin Costner's eyes.
What are some other dialogue scenes that are famous? How about:
'A Few Good Men'- Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson go toe to toe in the famous "I want the truth" scene.
'Heat'- Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino's conversation in the diner has the two greatest actors talking about regret, bank robberies and getting out with no attachments.
'Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back'- Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader's lightsaber battle ends with the greatest gender reveal/parent confirmation as Vader utters the most famous line in cinema with "I am your father."
What is your favorite dialogue scene from a movie? Comment below with your thoughts.
Visit Dan Lalonde Films For All Technology And Entertainment News
Written By: Dan Lalonde
Photo Credit: Warner Bros
Comments