MovieChat Forums > The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) Discussion > The greatest 60 seconds of acting ever? ...

The greatest 60 seconds of acting ever? (SPOILERS)

posted 15 years ago by dan_brit_abroad
225 replies | jump to latest

...when he's told he's got the job, and he tears up in the office til he goes nuts in the street. It's the most emotional piece of acting I've seen for ages.

But is it, as the subject line says, "The greatest 60 seconds of acting ever?"

There are some more famous, more memorable 60 seconds from some legendary actors.

- "I coulda been a contender..." Al Pacino, Raging Bull
- "'Do I feel lucky?' Well, DO you, punk?" Clint Eastwood, Dirty Harry
- "Take it off. Take it off." Brad Davis, Midnight Express
- "As God is my witness, I'll never go hungry again!" Vivien Leigh, Gone with the Wind

BUT are they great examples of ACTING, or are they just SHOUTING and GESTURING wildly? Something any of us could do.

I invite you to submit your favourite 60 seconds of acting.

THE RULES
- It must be a SHORT SCENE (around 60 seconds or less)
- The excellent acting must come from ONE ACTOR, not an ensemble. If there are many excellent examples of acting in one scene, choose only one actor you feel performed the best.
- It is the ACTING that we're assessing, not the popularity of the scene.

Let's give it a go then.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] liamfitch32195 15 years ago

Joe Pesci Goodfellas "I'm funny how?"

[–] artay 15 years ago

Dennis Hopper in "True Romance" when he tells the story to Christopher Walken about the origin of Sicilians.

[–] lkfitz 15 years ago

LOL

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Twitter: Diversionized

[–] anxiety attack 14 years ago

Joe Pesci Goodfellas "I'm funny how?"

Damn!! My posts attracts so many nutty B-A-S-T-A-R-D-S!

[–] sseankeating 14 years ago

Jennifer Connelly in A BEAUTIFUL MIND the scene where she breaks the mirror in the bathroom at night
wow! won her an Oscar

[–] SofaOnWheels 15 years ago

Speaking of that scene....It was great in Waiting For Guffman when they guy auditions using that Raging Bull scene, hahah.

I would agree that it was a moving, memorable performance by Smith towards the end, it was the first time in a while I teared up during a movie.

[–] jifedq 15 years ago

No. Sorry.

The BEST "choked-up" / "teary-eyed" scene ever, is from Into the Wild, when Ron Franz, the old man played by Hal Holbrook, says goodbye to Chris. Oh my goodness, that scene is brilliant.

So brilliant, in fact, that it even earned old Hal an Oscar nomination.

But don't get me wrong, Will Smith's was also fantastic, and also one of the best I have seen.

[–] bryanross1985 14 years ago

It is perhaps a little longer than 60 seconds but the audition scene in mulholland drive is absolutely breathtaking.

HELP ME!!! I need to know if I am alone. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFzThGyt5vM

[–] whitesoxfan3214 15 years ago

For me its Will Smith in I am Legend. He having to put down his dog is just so emotional. Then his speach with the manakin right after is just as good.

[–] stu_r 15 years ago

yea definately! I personally think Will Smith is one of the best actors out there, along with a whooollee bunch of others!!

[–] vanishorestes 15 years ago

The scene in "Rocky" where Burgess Meredith offers to be Rocky's trainer after he gets offered the title shot..both Meredith and Stallone were unbelievable in that scene

[–] mvoight 15 years ago

Bridges Of Madison County, Clint Eastwood: This kind of certainty comes but once in a lifetime.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] vicky4113-1 15 years ago

tom hanks after Wilson floats away from the make-shift raft.....castaway

[–] thezander 15 years ago

Gary Coleman, "Whatscha you talking about Willsmith?"

[–] LongarmPrime25 11 years ago

That was one one of them. This movie is the only movie that maid me shed a tear.

[–] dirtydan1 15 years ago

I thought this topic seemed intriguing, and I was very anxious to see what the poster came up with, until I saw the first example. The contender quote? Al Pacino? In Raging Bull?

Al Pacino is hands down one of the greatest living actors, and I'm sure he has had many 60 second spans of acting that would be deserving to be on this list (Dog Day Afternoon, The Godfather I & II), though he was not in Raging Bull.

Also, Raging Bull has one of the best performances ever (by Robert DeNiro, not Pacino), and there are probably multiple scenes that could be chosen here.

The quote given (from On the Waterfront, delivered by the late Marlon Brando), should also be considered for this list, as well as numerous other Marlon Brando moments.

How it is possible to confuse three of the most distinguishable and great actors of all time is beyond me, and the credibility of this thread was shot to hell, almost before it even began.

[–] the_punish0r 15 years ago

"How it is possible to confuse three of the most distinguishable and great actors of all time is beyond me, and the credibility of this thread was shot to hell, almost before it even began."

Why even bother? Seriously. Maybe the OP made a typo or was caught in two minds, rushed his post and gone done decided to hit 'Post' when it was all too late?! Who knows. As for the whole credibility of the post - via the movie forum - You're what; Lord God And Ruler of all Things Internet? I highly doubt that. Hell, i doubt such a title even exists!

Anyway, like you said, the topic does sound intriguing, so why not take a chance and post your favourite 60 seconds of acting? To hell with what those jerks at the office have to say about your cyber credibility tomorrow. You just send them to me - I'll show 'em!

Now moving on... I give you Al Pacino in The Godfather II: In my home? IN MY BEDROOM! Where my wife sleeps, and my children play with their toys? <- Does the trick.

[–] nozomiheiwa 15 years ago

well said. so funny and so true!

[–] nozomiheiwa 15 years ago

"How it is possible to confuse three of the most distinguishable and great actors of all time is beyond me, and the credibility of this thread was shot to hell, almost before it even began. "

about my previous post above, i was referring to this statement above that made me laugh out loud. the reply button didnt quite work the same as in other sites.

[–] phyziczteacher 15 years ago

Pacino is the man...

Can't forget the scene at the end..."Out of order! I'll show you out of order!"

Probably longer than 60 seconds, but great monologue!

[–] hathor008 13 years ago

His rant about rich people in Scarface was pretty good.

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Jesus wasn't a homophobe.

[–] tbionic 15 years ago

Denzel Washington's single tear scene in Glory still gets to me to this day. I think he won that Oscar based on that scene alone, even though he was great throughout the film.

[–] Candyfan6 15 years ago

This may be over 60 seconds, but George C. Scott's monologue to the president (as General Buck Turgidson) in Dr. Strangelove, Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. He recommends a preemptive strike on the Russians, and he absolutely nails it.

Also, Scott in the same movie when the President asks him whether or not the plane will make it past the air defense.

[–] caitlinnroccks 15 years ago

Don't laugh.. but the scene in Big where Tom Hanks spends his first night alone in the city. I feel he nails that scared child aspect in that scene, I get choked up every time i see that.

[–] dan_brit_abroad 15 years ago

Why would we laugh? I couldn't agree more.

I think we need more of that in this board: NOT just going for the obvious, highly-revered, critically-acclaimed films, but the scenes/performances that touched YOU.

And as for my original post regarding Al Pacino, Raging Bull and "I coulda been a contender!", I'm surprised nobody has defended me on this deliberate f#ck up.

I apologise for my British sense of humour, but I do like seeing the way people rant on.

Well rant, Good Sirs, rant. It amuses me ;)

Let's see how many more read only my first post (not this one) and proceed straight to posting replies/rants stating the bloody obvious.

Today's word of the day... Say it with me... "Rant"

[–] flickfreakchick 15 years ago

Big. The scene at the end when Susan drops him off at his house and he morphs back into his 12 year old self in the street. That look chokes me up and then I start to cry when his mom says, "Josh???" As a mom, it gets me every time.

Our ability to accessorize is what separates us from the animals.
--Olympia Dukakis

[–] IanPokedtheGun 15 years ago

Hm, probably the "It wasn't your fault" scene in Good Will Hunting. I can't remember how long it is exactly, but it's around 60 seconds I think?

[–] dan_brit_abroad 15 years ago

Good choice, Ian.

But whose performance would you choose? Matt Damon's or Robin Williams'?

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] OEBGuy 15 years ago

I was impressed as well with how genuine Will Smith was in that scene. I could feel his character trying not to explode with relief and, well, happyness when he gets the good news. I'll add:

Harrison Ford in Witness, the wash basin scene with Kelly McGillis. There's an intense conversation that takes place without a word spoken. (McGillis is perfect as well, but I'm limited to choose one actor.)