Table scenes in film: some good ones

 

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Opening scene from 'Reservoir Dogs' (1992)

I'm still quite torn what my favourite Tarantino opening scene is: that prologue to Inglorious Basterds or the scene at the diner that begins Reservoir Dogs. I think I'll settle for the latter now just because of the collective greatness of the scene from a directorial, performative and most of all, dialogic standpoint. There's that circling camera panning around the table, capturing each and every one of the character in their different stances: Mr Blonde and Mr White cool and collected in their different ways, Mr Orange nervous and defensive (and hint hint overdoing those wiseguy mannerisms a tad bit), Nice Guy Eddie just shooting the breeze, Joe mindlessly ambling about the past, Mr Brown digressing about Madonna, Mr Blue having a fine old time being the most obvious red herring in all movie history. And of course, Steve Buscemi's terrific performance as Mr Pink, setting off at the end on one of the best written speeches in all movie history. Within 8 minutes and minimalist direction that makes use of close-ups and some pointed, subtle tonal changes--I particularly love the moment where Mr Blonde says 'you want me to shoot this guy' and the chuckling of the table soon segues into a retrospectively chilling shot of him wiping his hands in glee--make this one terrific mealtime scene.

Jazz club scene in 'Collateral' (2004)

Every time someone tells me Tom Cruise is a dreadful actor, I implore them to check this film out. His most fantastic performance as hitman Vincent is one domineering, once-in-a-lifetime masterpiece of acting, and in this particular scene he does so well in showing the different shades of the stone-cold killer. That usual Cruise charisma, but here delivered with an altogether more unnvering edge, which makes the chemistry of this scene perfectly balanced with the naturalistic rapport of Jamie Foxx and Barry Shabaka Henley. There's something off which Michael Mann's digitalized direction conveys, but the jovial nature of the performances put you off that scent till Vincent blows the act off in all his glory.

The ending to 'Ice Cold in Alex' (1959)

Bit tentative about adding on an ending scene here but anyway, SPOILERS (although to be honest it doesn't really ruin anything that major. You can watch it in all its entirety now and then watch the film again and it'll lose none of its impact because of how wonderfully its shot from that dispensing of beer, to that final shot of the film's central quartet being taken apart. What I love about this scene is how even after all the tension of the preceding setpieces it maintains it in such a casual manner, and yet also gives that emotional impact to the proceedings. Also the great Anthony Quayle is fantastic as always here.

The restaurant scene in 'In Bruges' (2008)

Sure it's slightly in ill-taste but I don't care. This is one of the funniest dinner scenes of all time and it's testament to Colin Farrell's brilliant performance (my win for 2008) that he makes the dialogue of Martin McDonagh run so smoothly and beautifully through his hilarious dealings with 'American' tourists. Technically speaking in an incredibly well-directed film this is one of the more straightforward scenes. But it's handled so well by the acting. So props for that.

Two scenes from 'Marty' (1955)

Two of the most naturalistic, touching (in different ways) scenes ever rendered on film and all they involve is a camera focusing on some incredible actors, most notably Ernest Borgnine as the titular Marty who in the first scene above expresses the repressed heartache of a lonely man in his shell (thinking the only tomatoes he'll ever be getting will be the ones in his nightly spaghetti), and in the second one the gradual blossoming of him through the charming Clara (Betsy Blair).

The diner scene in 'Se7en' (1995)

All I can really say about this scene is that it's a very, very well-acted scene. Fincher's perfectionism would've ensured that Freeman and Paltrow give the strong emotional connection these two characters generate in this one of their few scenes together, and it's simply a masterstroke of writing.

Thanksgiving dinner in 'The Gold Rush' (1928)

Hands down one of the funniest ever dinner scenes...if it can even be called that. Chaplin's Tramp, looking a bit more downtrodden than usual, partakes in one of the grimier Thanksgiving dinners ever.

Eating machine scene in 'Modern Times' (1936)

Although that's nothing compared to the hilarity of the eating machine scene where Chaplin merges excellent effects, camerawork and of course physical comedy to perfection.