Trivia : Available on download on the same day as it was released in theaters.
Plot Summary :
An actor (Morgan Freeman as himself) is preparing for a future role as a store manager in a supermarket in Los Angeles. He meets a cashier that will take care of him when he gets stood up by his assistant, he will follow her around against a ride home. They will go on a road trip, share their world and views of the other’s way of life.
Review :
As a start I would say if you love Morgan Freeman this is the movie for you. Paz Vega as a spanish cashier can carry her head high when facing this monster of an actor. Everything is here, the actors are lovely and you can’t help but fall in love with all the little scenes and dialogues as delightful and funny as can be.
The 10 items or less checkout counter that Scarlet (Paz Vega) takes care of will be the start of a really nice story, showing that a low budget doesn’t prevent a good hearted movie to stand out. But then of course it’s a low budget movie that stands on the shoulder of two remarkable actors. Freeman as an actor very similar to himself, gives a whimsical side to the life you suppose he could be living. With his natural charisma, it’s very easy to follow them as if you were on the back seat for quite an atypical ride.
Every detail is thought through and the music helps the mood to a very joyful film. In France the title is “A star in my life”, less meaningful than the original, you can’t help wondering how you would feel in such a contest, I sure would love the challenge.
10. True Romance – 1993 – Dennis Hopper – “You.. are part eggplant….”
Watch the clip here.
OK, so technically this entire scene is a 2-way, but Hopper’s achingly cool acceptance of his fate, followed by his decision to go down with his middle finger firmly extended by insulting Walken’s ancestry, is strong enough to stand on it’s own. It has all the trademark Tarantino touches, racial slurs, palpable tension, but in my humble opinion this is the greatest scene he ever wrote, and delivered to perfection by the late, great Hopper. Cinema gold.
Watch the clip here.
Roy Batty’s emotional, fatalistic swan song, as he laments the loss of memories at life’s end. Dripping in neo-noir style, and with that unforgettable Vangelis score, this was Hauer’s career highlight. Unlike Roy Batty’s lost memories, no-one will ever forget this scene. They’ll probably forget “Blind Fury” though…
8. Manhattan – 1979 – Woody Allen – “He adored New York City….”
Watch the clip here.
The combination of Gershwin and the most beautiful photography of New York City is a good start, and then every angle of Isaac’s (Allen’s) neuroses take a stab at writing the opening chapter of his book. One of the most memorable openings of any film ever, the monologue perfectly sets the tone for the rest of the film. Clever and neurotic, this is classic Woody Allen.
7. M – 1931 – Peter Lorre – “I must..”
Watch the clip here.
The final confession / plea in front of the criminal’s court. Every aspect of the film is a masterpiece, and Peter Lorre’s performance is one of the highlights. When you consider this as one of the earliest talkies (Lang’s first) this is even more impressive. The wild eyes, the conflicting personality, the bravery of the performance. The film, and the scene which rightly put the inimitable Lorre on the map and showed us Lang had made the switch to sound with ease and a masters touch.
6. 2001 a Space Odyssey- 1969 – Douglas Rain – “I’m afraid, Dave.”
Watch the clip here.
A haunting end to the life of a HAL9000. As Dr Bowman makes the journey to HAL’s mainframe, the computer pleads for it’s life. HAL’s already eerie monotone voice slows to a drawl while singing “Daisy Daisy”, the words set over the claustrophobic breathing sounds of Dr Bowman’s suit.
5. GlenGarry Glen Ross – 1992 – Alec Baldwin “ABC – Always Be Closing“
Watch the clip here.
Bathing in his own masturbatory arrogance, no-one has ever painted a more frightening and domineering picture of corporate smarm as Alec Baldwin in Glengarry Glen Ross, and this scene is the personalised plate on the $80000 BMW. A more intense verbal reaming is not possible. Sure, there are a few pathetic shaky words from the others in the room, but this scene is ALL Baldwin. Scary stuff.
4. Apocalypse Now – 1979 – Marlon Brando – “I’ve seen horrors…”
Watch the clip here.
Fat, drunk, unrehearsed, but the stars aligned and created something perfect. Lighting which was only really intended to conceal Brando’s luxurious man-boobs, actually worked to the film’s advantage, creating an ethereal atmosphere that complimented this savage tale of children’s severed limbs. Despite reading the lines for the first time from cue-cards off-camera, Brando delivers the dialogue as impressively and as effortlessly as if he was sliding a huge jelly down his cavernous throat.
3. Network – 1976 – Ned Beatty – “The primal forces of nature“
Watch this clip here.
You dont have to be as crazy as the mad prophet of the airwaves to be affected by the immensly powerful delivery of this cynical preacher (Beatty as Arthur Jensen) – greed and power personified, the spokesman for a world driven by profit and cash-flow. It is testament to this film’s script that there were three seperate monologues as contenders for this list, but it was Beatty’s sermon on his “New World Order” that won out in the end.
2. To Kill a Mockingbird – 1962 – Gregory Peck – Atticus’ closing defense
Unfortunately I cannot find a video clip for this, but listen to the audio here.
7 minutes of Gregory Peck’s powerful screen presence. A fantastic monologue appealing for justice, equality and fairness. Peck remains cool while he bargains for an innocent, but ultimately doomed man’s life, pleading for the court to forget their bigoted ways. One of most iconic speeches in any film ever, and a moment totally deserving of the number two spot.
1. The Great Dictator – 1940 – Charles Chaplin – “I don’t want to be an emperor..”
Words can do no justice to the emotional delivery of Chaplin’s famous monologue. Cementing his legacy as a great dramatic actor and writer, as on top of his already established reputation as director and physical comedian, The Great Dictator’s final monologue does with words, what City Lights and The Kid did with pictures. A glorious demonstration of why Chaplin’s films were so important. A comedy, with a heartfelt and profound message, simple genius, and rightful claim to the top spot.
So that was my personal top 10 list of film’s monologues. I hope you enjoyed revisiting some of these scenes. Honorable mention goes to George C Scott’s “addressing the troops” speech in Patton, and James Stewart’s “Mr Smith Goes to Washington” filibuster, both of which narrowly missed the cut.
Yes I’m generous I loved it 
