What’s Going On?

The scene starts with Riggan (Michael Keaton) waking up on the street, looking a little worse for wear, with a gruff-voiced individual lambasting him. We learn that this individual is Birdman, the superhero character that launched Riggan to movie stardom. Riggan walks down the street with Birdman right behind him, continuing his criticism, insisting no one wants the artistic theatrical project he is currently working on, they want action, they want excitement, they want Birdman. Eventually, this seems to have some sort of effect on Riggan, who stops, snaps his fingers and the New York street erupts into superhero movie style action. There are exploding cars, SWAT teams firing at helicopters and eventually a giant robotic bird monster swooping down and laying waste to the street. Then it snaps back to something more like reality only to see Riggan give a birdlike squawk and slowly begin to float upwards with Birdman declaring that not even gravity has an effect on him.

Actor or Movie Star?

There is a lot happening in Birdman and this scene captures a lot of the spirit of the whole film. Riggan is grappling with his idea of being an actor and/or movie star. He is most famous for the superhero blockbuster Birdman movies but Riggan consciously stepped away from the role, eventually doing a play on Broadway in an attempt to be seen as a “proper” actor. Of course, Michael Keaton’s career has a somewhat similar story, stepping away from the role of Batman which did lead to a downturn in his career. Thankfully, after a few quiet years, Keaton came back to cement his position in Hollywood.

Whilst there are other actors in the scene they are very much just in the background. Keaton is playing Riggan and Birdman with the latter having essentially all the dialogue as Riggan’s only contribution is a birdlike squawk. Keaton does a good job of dealing with the oddness Riggan is going through and we are never sure whether Birdman is merely a device in his own mind telling him things and he is perfectly aware Birdman isn’t real, or that Riggan does think Birdman is real but it is a delusion, or if Birdman is indeed real. The film plays with reality throughout the story with Riggan often oblivious to the oddness around him. The scene starts with Riggan waking up and feeling rough but within a few seconds, he seems to be actively participating in the impossible things going on around him. As Riggan walks down the street and Birdman is berating him a strange determined calm takes over him and the uneasy man who woke up on the street has been replaced with someone entirely at ease.

The best moment in this bizarre scene is perhaps Riggan snapping his fingers and seemingly summoning this action scene extravaganza. The figure of Birdman is no longer in shot and it seems as if Riggan has decided that this is what he wants and he can sideline the “pretentious” play and be a cool action hero. As the fighting starts the point of view changes from the audience observing Riggan to presumably taking his point of view with Birdman directly talking to him.

Actor and Movie Star

When Keaton was making the Batman movies they were perceived very differently than today. Batman and Batman Returns are great films but it was felt by some that Jack Nicholson was lowering himself to play the Joker – despite giving an amazing performance. The choice that once actors may have felt that had to make – action star or serious actor – doesn’t really exist anymore. Riggan can do Broadway plays and Birdman 3. Hollywood legend Robert Redford can play the villain in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and it doesn’t automatically diminish his image. Keaton is masterful in this scene and shows just what a great actor he is whether he’s playing Batman, Riggan or anyone else.

Also Read: Iconic Scenes: No Country For Old Men – The Coin Toss Scene

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Game of Thrones made fantasy cool. The Lords of the Rings films may have brought fantasy firmly into the mainstream but it was the HBO series that made it cool. The show, especially the first four seasons, were astonishing in writing and the development of characters. It was a show that shocked fans with its ruthless plot turns – in the first season three of the main characters die. It also had unforgettable action scenes, from the Battle of the Bastards to Bronn throwing a knight through the Moon Door.

There are two central themes to Game of Thrones: power and love. How characters dealt with power has at times defined them: Robert Baratheon who usurped the throne from a mad king, Eddard Stark who wouldn’t take power for himself, Daenerys Targaryen and the crash course in power politics she got in a few short years. Love is there in Eddard Stark protecting Jon Snow, Jorah Mormont standing beside Daenerys, in the first episode Jamie Lannister throws Bran Stark from a tower and says, “The things we do for love.” The Night’s Watch is predicated on renouncing power and love, they will have no titles and bear no children. The two scenes discussed below show the contrast in furious action and grand dialogue of political schemes as well as the motivations of power and love.

The Mountain and The Viper

Oberyn Martell is only in one season of the show but became a very popular character. Set on avenging the murder of his sister and her children everything he does is working towards that goal. This takes Oberyn to volunteer to fight as champion in a trial by combat for Tyrion Lannister, just so he can get a chance to fight the man who murdered his sister, Gregor Clegane aka The Mountain. Clegane is well-deserving of the name, a huge man and seemingly unbeatable in combat, Oberyn is tiny in comparison. But whereas The Mountain is strong, Martell is quick, with Oberyn dodging the brutal sword swings and making attacks of his own. The duel is one of the high-point actions scenes in the whole show and Oberyn’s repeated accusations, yelled while fighting, ramp up the tension. Despite what everyone watching the battle expects Oberyn wins…almost, giving the Mountain a fatal wound his focus moves to Tywin Lannister, the person who gave the Mountain his orders. And at that moment, The Mountain trips Martell and literally crushes his head. The Mountain is dying but as his opponent is dead already – he’s won. I love this scene for the brilliant action and choreography of the fight scene but also the themes from Game of Thrones it brings in. Oberyn wants revenge, he wants justice for those that he loved, Tywin Lannister is dealing with the consequences of things he did, the whole realm being turned upside down not for politics or power but personal relationships.

The reactions of those watching the battle are priceless. Tyrion’s life is on the line, Jamie Lannister wanting his brother to win but not expecting it, Cersei desperately wanting Tyrion dead, Tywin impassively watching it, ignoring Martell’s direct accusations. Ellaria Sand, Martell’s paramour, watches as well, suitably shocked by the Mountain and nervously awaits the outcome.

It shouldn’t have come as too much of a surprise that The Mountain would win. The show revelled in dealing out vicious deaths and with The Mountain’s victory, they nearly had two: Oberyn Martell and then, potentially, Tyrion.

Chaos Isn’t A Pit…

Perhaps my favourite aspect of Game of Thrones is the political scheming. This is best exemplified in two characters, Varys, essentially the spymaster for the Seven Kingdoms and Petyr Baelish, aka Littlefinger, another important figure in the government and politics. The perception of Varys changes dramatically over the show, originally seeming like a traitor he is revealed to be a person who cares for the realm, the people, rather than an individual king. Littlefinger is the opposite, everything he does is for him – betrayal, murder and unspeakable cruelty all to advance his plans. Both are experts at this game as shown by the fact that Varys is a peasant foreigner who has risen to the heights of government and Littlefinger an insignificant noble as there is in Westeros who now holds many titles and lands. The two have a seemingly friendly sparring relationship most of the time but occasionally it is revealed that Varys hates Littlefinger and Littlefinger will happily crush Varys.

In this scene they are along together in the throne room, staring at the legendary Iron Throne. Much is made of whether Littlefinger wants the throne for himself and how such a figure could get it. Littlefinger’s study of the actual chair, noting the legendary aspects of it are entirely made up, but everyone goes along with the lie. Varys warns that all grasping for power will only lead to chaos, which he describes as a pit that will consume everything. Littlefinger responds with one of the most famous lines from the show, “Chaos isn’t a pit. Chaos is a ladder.” Varys despairs at the suffering and destruction that chaos will bring whereas Littlefinger only sees opportunity. Along with this rather chilling speech is the knowledge that Littlefinger has arranged for one of Varys’ spies to be killed, giving us a further insight into the current occupant of the throne, who would murder someone purely for the thrill of it.

Also Read: Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The New Game of Thrones?

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What’s Going On?

Kylo Ren has seized control of the First Order and brought its military might to crush the Resistance, who are all but defenceless. Seemingly all is lost until the legendary Luke Skywalker appears amongst them, last seen on the other side of the galaxy, living as a recluse. He goes out to face the First Order alone to give the Resistance time to escape. Upon seeing Skywalker, Ren orders a barrage of fire that should reduce Skywalker to a pile of ash. But as the dust settles Skywalker remains unhurt so Ren goes to challenge him in a light sabre duel. Throughout the brief duel, Skywalker refuses to strike Ren, instead dodging his blows until eventually, Ren plunges his light sabre into Skywalker. Again, to no effect. This is merely an illusion, Skywalker remains on his secluded planet, using the Force to project himself across space. But so great is the effort in doing this it causes Skywalker’s death. While this is going on the Resistance are escaping in the Millennium Falcon, but that’s not the iconic part of this scene.

Adventure. Excitement. A Jedi Craves Not These Things

When Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda talk about the Jedi to Luke they often come back to ideas of peace and justice, not adventure or glory, yet most of the films have seen the Jedi fighting and killing, even becoming generals in war. This is not terribly peaceful. As we learn Luke Skywalker had already tried violence, going to kill Kylo Ren (or Ben Solo as he was then known), and that failed, indeed, that set Kylo Ren off on his dark path. Luke failed his student and nephew. He uses this opportunity not to fight Ren but to talk to him. He won’t make the mistake of his past and he won’t do what Ren did, striking down people once close to him. This to how a Jedi should be, not charging into battle, but stopping the battle. Luke has seen this play out before – Obi-Wan taught his father, Anakin turned evil and in the end, Obi-Wan let Darth Vader kill him. When Luke faced Palpatine on the Death Star he was resolved not to fight, understanding that to give in to violence would not lead to any kind of victory.

The Rage of Kylo Ren

Kylo Ren is defeated because of his inability to control his anger. He’d brought an army to deal with the Resistance and there was no reason for him to face Luke in one on one combat but he wanted to beat him. Ren identifies with Darth Vader more than Luke and presumably would see defeating and killing Luke as not only getting revenge but taking his place as the most powerful Force user. By the time Ren realises this is an illusion and marches his soldiers in the Resistance has escaped. Everything about Ren’s fighting style and manner show us his recklessness, how he is just anger unleashed, wild swings of his light sabre and screaming at people, whereas Luke is almost blase about the whole thing. To compare Ren with Vader, the latter always seemed more in control, even when Force-choking admirals. I think Ren is still very much dealing with the betrayals and trauma he’s suffered (much of this self-inflicted), this isn’t just war and politics, he’s upset with Luke. This is Anakin Skywalker of the prequels, violent, unpredictable, emotional, demanding respect and quick to anger.

An Epic Setting

The scene looks amazing. The stark landscape outside this last base, the salt that covers the ground and when disturbed reveals the red beneath, the barrage of fire unleashed against Skywalker that throws up great plumes of red dust and smoke. They fight against the backdrop of the rows of AT-ATs behind Ren and the smouldering base behind Luke, making it look as epic as any fight scene I’ve ever seen. The reveal of the blood-red dirt as Ren slices through Luke only to realise there is no blood as Luke isn’t really there is spectacular (note for pedants: I know light sabre wounds generally don’t bleed as the heat of the blade cauterizes the wound). Ren also gets points for shrugging his cloak off in an awesome way and to make things equal Luke brushes some dirt off his shoulder after being shot 1000 times so both look pretty cool.

This is one of my favourite scenes in Star Wars. It showed a tremendous journey for Luke Skywalker – from the boy on Tatooine, to the Jedi Knight who destroyed the Empire, the Jedi Master who failed his student and nephew and finally giving up his life and winning a fight without fighting. Skywalker’s life wasn’t a simple trajectory of growing power and success, he had faltered, he made mistakes, and he had learned from these.

Also Read: Beyond The Mandalorian: Expanding The Star Wars Universe

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What Happens

Multi-millionaire and thoroughly corrupt stockbroker Jordan Belfort invites two FBI agents to his luxury yacht after he learns that they are investigating him. Agent Denham, and a virtually silent partner, arrive for what starts as a very friendly meeting. Belfort hands over some of the information the FBI has been trying to get while constantly trying to impress them with his wealth and insisting he’s done nothing wrong. Belfort draws Denham into a conversation and it seems the FBI agent is not happy at being given the case and would be willing to play ball with Belfort. At which point, Belfort tries to bribe Denham, and then the tone changes. It’s immediately obvious that Denham is not willing to play ball and is determined to bring Belfort down. The conversation gets increasingly acrimonious and ends with Belfort literally throwing lobsters and handfuls of cash at the departing FBI agents.

When you sail on a yacht fit for a Bond villain, sometimes you gotta act the part

DiCaprio is sensational in this scene. Despite getting very good advice not to contact the FBI and try some scheming, this is exactly what Belfort does. They meet on his insanely luxurious yacht, where Belfort has beautiful women lounging on chairs, he is dressed in bright white “yacht clothes” and constantly turning on his beaming smile. He offers them lobsters and drinks. It does not seem to occur to Belfort that showing off his immense, and ill-gotten wealth, might not be the best idea when you’re being investigated for crimes in the stock market.

Belfort’s attempt at bribery is fantastic. Basically detailing a story where he advised someone in need of money in what stocks to invest in and that person making a fortune and how Belfort “would be willing to do that for anyone”. When challenged about this being a bribe Belfort reveals he researched what legally constitutes a bribe and that wouldn’t count. Again, it’s a little suspicious for someone to be able to recite the criminal code of a crime if they’re not a lawyer.

Good for you, Little Man

Oh, Agent Denham, you film stealing hero. Denham is played by Kyle Chandler who, and this is important for the Denham role, is your go-to guy for American decency (if you need someone younger than Tom Hanks), he is probably best known for his role in Friday Night Lights where he played an honourable, upstanding and inspirational football coach. Denham’s casual chatting with Belfort seems to suggest he is not interested in the case and possibly dissatisfied with his job, the attempted bribe being when he flips to his real character.

As Belfort becomes more aggressive Denham responds in kind and leads to one of the all-time best deliveries, “Good for you, little man,” when sarcastically congratulating Belfort on becoming a Wall Street douchebag without any help from anyone else. Belfort is stunned by this comment but mainly in that he can’t understand it…he’s rich, really rich, how can he be a “little man”, he’s a giant. A colossus. The embodiment of the American Dream. The thing is, of course, Denham is right.

Fun Coupons

A lot of this scene is purely about status. Of all the places Belfort could have met with the FBI agents he chooses his insanely expensive yacht. He is obsessed with money and how much the FBI agents make, originally pretending to be sympathetic but quickly changing to just mocking them. Belfort assumes that because Denham works for the FBI for what to him is an insignificant amount of money he is a loser. The idea that Denham might believe in what he’s doing is either inconceivable or at best a pitiable weakness. To me, this is the best and most interesting scene in the whole film – not the drug-filled hedonistic parties, not the cult-like team talks Belfort gives his employees, not the incredibly charismatic phone calls Belfort makes when selling stocks but this scene where Denham sizes up Belfort and sees right through him.

Years ago David Cross and Bob Odenkirk made a sketch show called Mr. Show, which contained a sketch based on the premise “someone who makes more money than you is better than you”, so Van Gogh, Einstein and Galileo are actually pretty unsuccessful people. This is Jordan Belfort’s philosophy – he is better than just about everyone he meets because he is richer.

The Hero I’m Going To Be Back At The Office, When The Bureau seizes this boat!

All Belfort manages to do in this scene is upset the FBI and probably convince them that yes, he is absolutely breaking the law. It’s an interesting look at the dynamic of power in America (and indeed the whole world) – who is the more powerful person? Belfort with his huge personal wealth or Denham as a federal officer, a representative of the most powerful country on Earth. There was a lot of discussion at the time about if people actually saw Belfort as the hero of this film, that people liked him and wanted him to win. I saw this as Goodfellas but for white-collar crime. In this scene Belfort helps further his own downfall, antagonising the FBI. In the final moments of this scene, Belfort has just finished throwing money at Denham and his arrogance and deluded grandeur fade as he realises he has just made a terrible mistake.

Also Read: Iconic Scenes: American Psycho – Business Card Scene

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