[…] Of course, as in Reservoir Dogs, the agony can be based on a physical injury of some sort. However agony can arise from an emotional blow, so as you brainstorm memorable movie moments, don’t forget to mull over those possibilities …read more […]

Dead Ringers (1988), written by David Cronenberg and Norman Snider, based on the book “Twins” by Bari Wood and Jack Geasland. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFuF0PzpQ4g Elliot: Don't do this to me, Bev. Beverly: But I'm only doing it to me, Elli. Don't you have a will of your own? Why don't you just go on with your very own life? Elliot: Do you remember the original Siamese twins? Beverly: Chang and Eng they were joined at the chest. Elliot: Remember how they died? Beverly: Chang died of a stroke in the middle of the night. He was always the sickly one. He was always the one who drank too much. When Eng woke up beside him and found that his brother was dead... he died of fright. Right there in the bed. Elliot: Does that answer your question? Beverly: Poor Elli. Elliot: Poor Bev. Psychological agony on display in this scene (and the entire movie) with some nice subtext in the dialogue giving us a glimpse into the minds of these inseparable characters.

Will the week after be, The Ecstasy? ;)

So, this is what happens when you come up with a snappy retort, and don't read the post until after you write it....

The Lion King (1994) Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, Linda Woolverton http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGtJn-L5xEs WITH THE STAMPEDE Mortally wounded, Mufasa makes a valiant leap up a steep incline. He climbs up loose rock that gives way. He struggles up the incline and climbs just beneath a rocky overhang. He digs his claws in and dangles. ANGLE - SCAR Looking down at his brother, who clings for his life. MUFASA Calls to Scar: Mufasa: Scar, help me! Brother -- help me? SCAR AND MUFASA Unmoved, Scar glares at Mufasa. Hold a beat. Then Scar DIGS his claws into Mufasa's forearms, pulls him closer and whispers: Scar: Long live the king. Scar releases his grip. Mufasa slides down the steep incline to his death. SIMBA runs over the rise JUST IN TIME TO SEE Mufasa disappear into the thundering wildebeest. He does not see Scar. He cries: Simba: Nooooooo! Takeaway: A most magnificent heart-pounding scene with tension evoked physically as well as emotionally by characters - smaller conflict of brother vs.brother and father vs.son. Further conflict is superimposed by the giant cataclysmic wildebeest run destroying Africa.

Agony. Long, eerie, beautiful agony. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMQKZZUR3z0 Gravity (2013) Screenplay by Alfonso and Jonas Cuarón RYAN I’m going to die, Aningang. The SIGNAL ebbs, losing its battle with the STATIC. RYAN (CONT’D) I mean, we’re all going to die. Everyone knows that. But I’m going to die today... The STATIC waffles in and out. RYAN (CONT’D) Funny that. To know. The STATIC breaks and Aningang’s HUSKY VOICE begins SINGING. RYAN (CONT’D) And you know what Aningang... I don’t care. I don’t care if I die. I don’t have anything... not anymore. Ryan is floating now over her seat. RYAN (CONT’D) But the thing is... I’m still scared. I’m really scared... She rolls in space and stares upwards... RYAN (CONT’D) No one will mourn me. No one will pray for my soul. Will you mourn me, Aningang? Is it too late to say a prayer? I’d say one for myself, but I have never prayed in my life... no one ever taught me how... The tune is lyrical and soothing, tinged with a touch of melancholy. RYAN (CONT’D) No one ever taught me how... Ryan listens to Aningang’s melody and smiles softly, closing her eyes. Ryan’s face grows slack as she drifts toward unconsciousness, buoyed along on Aningang’s sad soulful song. Then... ...a SPUTTERING CRY cuts through the static. A BABY. Ryan’s eyes pop open. RYAN (CONT’D) A baby. There’s a baby with you. A beat. Aningang stops singing, speaking in a soft voice: TRANSMISSION Ieukpalliktuq upatimi... RYAN You are singing to your baby? Is that a lullaby? That’s so sweet! Ryan is transfixed, listening to the gentle gurgle of the baby as Aningang coos to it, then begins to SING again. RYAN (CONT’D) I used to sing to my baby too. Painful memories flash before her, haunting her. Ryan’s lump in her throat is washed away by a gentle sob. RYAN (CONT’D) I hope I see her soon. She reaches for a valve and opens it. A HIZZING sound is heard inside the vessel, and- ON THE SCREEN- The Oxygen in the cabin’s atmosphere begins to drop. SHE TURNS OFF THE LIGHT. Ryan closes her eyes, simply listening to the lullaby as it grows fainter... RYAN (CONT’D) (growing ever drowsier) That’s nice. Keep singing, Aningang, just like that. Sing me to sleep. I’ll sleep and sleep and sleep. Sing to me, Aningang... sing...sing.... The transmission grows fainter... ...and fainter... ...and then is... ...gone.

Philadelphia (1993) Writer: Ron Nyswaner http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_XqXxZHhKU Andrew Beckett: What do you call a thousand lawyers chained together at the bottom of the ocean? Joe Miller: I don't know. Andrew Beckett: A good start. (beat) Andrew Beckett: Excellent work, counselor. Thank you. Joe Miller: It was great working with you. (beat) Joe Miller: I better go. See you later Andrew Beckett: Thanks for stopping by. Joe Miller: I'll see you again.

[…] Daily Dialogue Theme for Next Week: Agony […]