Updated below -- Real quick because I've gotta go. But I just wanted to write a little bit about watching True Romance last weekend. It's one of my favorite movies. I think it's Quentin Tarantino's best writing before his characters and storylines became shocking in the extreme. There are so many great scenes in the movie, but here's my favorite one.
When Clarence (played by Christian Slater) gets back to his apartment after he's killed Drexel, Alabama's pimp, (over-played by Gary Oldman, in my opinion). It was a blood bath. He not only killed Drexel, but the body guard, too. And that's after he's gotten the crap beaten out of him and he's writhing in pain on the floor, spitting blood. People who had just been sitting around, minding their own business, doing drugs and having sex -- were screaming and running around Drexel's apartment as the music pulsates throughout the scene. Then Clarence gets his gun out and shoots Drexel right in the groin! Bloody and excruciating! The shot blows him back against a wall. Bam! And then, as Clarence points the gun at Drexel's head point blank, screaming at him to open his eyes, he shoots him right in the head! Bang! Then, he grabs a suitcase filled with coke and leaves to go back to his apartment, leaving total carnage in his wake. When he gets home, Alabama's waiting. Clarence is all jacked up, adrenaline flowing, pacing back and forth and woofing down fast food.
Alabama is nervous and scared and wants to know what happened at Drexel's.
"I killed him."
"You killed him?" She begins to cry and Clarence becomes even more agitated.
"Why are you crying?! That scumbag isn't worth one of your tears!"
"I just think..."
"What?!"
"I just think..."
"What?!!"
"I just think..."
"What??!!"
She leaps from the couch into Clarence, their faces pressing against each other.
"I just think what you did is so romantic."
Call me mushy, but I love that scene.
Did I mention that Elvis told Clarence to kill Drexel as Clarence was going to the bathroom?
Which brings me to the reason why I started this post.
I could be wrong, but I think True Romance is the first movie where they show a male character going to the bathroom, standing at a urinal. Not once, but a few times. Then the idea spread for some reason and you see all kinds of TV shows and movies where they show guys going to bathroom. Standing there. Talking to each other, or alone. Whatever.
Why is this and why do they feel the need to do this? Why do they consider this creative in any way? Why do they feel it adds to the story? I don't know about you, but I don't care to see even the most gorgeous of movie stars standing at a urinal.
Would that scene have had less creative integrity if Clarence had been throwing cold water on his face at the sink as Elvis talked him into killing Drexel?
No, I don't think so. I mean, what's the point?
Just something I've been thinking about.
Ok. Now, I've really gotta go.
Update: You may be wondering why I would add this shot to my post where I declared that I hate having to see men standing at urinals for no good reason.
Well, I posted it because Earl Bockenfeld emailed it to me and I think it's funny!
See -- It has a purpose!
Just saw a Law & Order repeat where a couple of cops are in the men's room, one at the urinal. At least they didn't add the sound effect of a stream - but I know what you mean.
Remember 100 years ago, when "All In the Family" had the sound of a toilet flushing? That was a first and it was quaintly controversial.
Posted by: Kevin Wolf | February 02, 2006 at 07:22 AM
Hi Kevin -- I think the big "toilet flush" was so Archie! At least you made a connection with the character -- but, guys at a urinal -- why?
I can't believe I've started a discussion on this subject!!
:)
Posted by: blue girl | February 02, 2006 at 07:38 AM
Really now, it's totally appropriate.
The urinal is where big things happen.
;-)
Posted by: soundsurfr | February 02, 2006 at 01:29 PM
Ha I agree on all of your points blue (True Romance = good movie, urinal scenes = kind of annoying and unnecessary) except for one. I never liked that scene between clarence and alabama. It makes me embarassed even when I'm watching it alone. ;)
Posted by: Jedmunds | February 02, 2006 at 05:13 PM
Why? Why *embarassed* ?
Posted by: blue girl | February 02, 2006 at 05:14 PM
Are there more urinal scenes than stall scenes for woman? I am guessing the urinal scene is a more obvious choice since the whole urinal setting is more social than the stall scenario. I guess we have scenes where women are handing tp under the stall to the other woman, but in the urinal scenario you have man standing right next to man with no aluminum buffer. I'd never be able to pee...
You know this whole post made me think of Patricia Arquette doing a pee scene in Flirting With Disaster. I may be remembering wrong, but I even think they show wiping. Maybe this is a prerequisite for her to do a film... "are there any elimination scenes?"
Posted by: Jennifer | February 02, 2006 at 06:07 PM
I dunno blue. I guess I just don't find it realistic. also, I don't find the urinal situation to be a ver social one in real life.
Posted by: Jedmunds | February 02, 2006 at 07:20 PM
My parents used to tell me I was pissing my life away, so I tend to avoid a lot of socialization at urinals. Also, I've tried sooo hard not to be intimidating, but what can I say?
Posted by: Papa Bill | February 03, 2006 at 02:47 PM
Yes Papa Bill -- I've heard that women love you and men fear you!
Posted by: blue girl | February 03, 2006 at 03:06 PM
I am going to let you all in on a bigger restroom secret. Bigger than the one I found out about women using only their feet to push down on the flush handle (yes I know this)
The urinal is the least social place in all the male universe. A guy will always go to the farthest urinal from another guy. Only when it is crowded will he stand next to another guy, and then it is eyes forward, mouth shut, pee, shake, zip.
K, now ya know.
Posted by: curtcon | February 03, 2006 at 08:36 PM