MovieChat Forums > Sneakers (1992) Discussion > Redford and the “double take”

Redford and the “double take”


One thing I don’t like about Redford is how he repeatedly uses double takes in this movie. He goes back to this technique over and over apparently to emphasize some comedic reaction. It is distracting and unnatural. I counted four or five double takes by his character in this scene alone

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8SiVjSFJMgU

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i didnt see any

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Did nobody help poor BeaSouth understand? Ah, well...

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Understand what?

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Dammit i just got halfway through watching that scene again before remembering I was the one who wrote "i didnt see any" 5 months ago.


Could you help *us* understand by giving "4 or 5" time codes in the clip this "thing" occurs?

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It starts at about 2:00 where Redford’s sitting in the chair. Each time he looks at the other actors he looks away and then his eyes and face do the double take in reaction to something they’re saying. I’ve noticed him do this in other movies to demonstrate a funny, delayed recognition of the impact of what’s being said. It’s one of those little things that once you see it, you notice every time it’s repeated. Or at least I notice it

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Shtick.

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Agreed. But I don’t have to like it.

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Those aren't double takes. Those are natural reactions when talking to two people. Completely natural. He's keeping his eye line clean between two people which means that his eyes will dart between them. Just like everyone does.

A double-take is when you look at someone/something, look away, then look back with surprise. That's a comedy thing. Like if you see a horse wearing a straw hat and smoking a cigar.

All he's doing is acting.

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It is double takes. A mini version of it but still a double take.

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Lol yes i see it. I agree its noticeable though doesnt strike me as unnatural or take me out of the story. But i do think someone of his caliber should be better than to use this cheap technique.

There are other things he does too, has always done, which come off affected and cheesy imo. One is that little brief eye squint when he wants to convey deep sincerety.

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I know exactly what you’re describing. Saw that in Horse Whisperer

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