Joey Magidson
First of all, I hope everyone had a nice day yesterday. Those of you who saw friends and/or family, hopefully you were safe and smart about it. As for those who were alone, I do sincerely wish for better days ahead. Fingers crossed we’re all healthy. Now, on to this week’s Awards Radar Community question. With the remaining days of 2021 mostly dedicated here at the site to “Best Of” type fare, I wanted to have you all chime in. So, today I’m going with a bit of an interesting subject. Which film scenes from this year are your favorite? They don’t have to necessarily be from your favorite movies, either. Anything goes here!
Below, I have a few examples, just to start the conversation. Keep in mind, there are mild spoilers to be found below. The big one, I kept very vague. However, if you’ve yet to see CODA or Spencer, for example, third act moments are mentioned. Other options to consider? The “Everlasting Love” sequence from Belfast has to be considered, for one. The choices is yours, though, so consider anything from 2021 fair game.
CODA Option #1 – First up is the moment in CODA where filmmaker Sian Heder removes the sound so you’re in the headspace of Frank (Troy Kotsur) and Jacki (Marlee Matlin) as they observe Ruby (Emilia Jones) performing. Largely a crowdpleaser to that point, this is where the movie first really hits you with the feels. It won’t be the last time, however, as you’ll see below.
CODA Option #2 – Next up is probably the scene that most will find the tops from this film. Frank finally connects with Ruby and her music by placing his hands on her neck while she sings. It’s how he’s able to “hear” her and the emotion on his face while doing so is an absolute shot to the center of your heart.
CODA Option #3 – Don’t sleep on this moment either, as we see the Rossi family watch Ruby’s audition. What makes this such a great scene? Her singing and signing “Both Sides Now” brings it all together, in a way that challenges you not to cry. It’s truly the beating heart of this winning movie, which is about as heartwarming as it gets.
Spencer Ending – I know some are divided on this one, but I love the flick, so when Diana (Kristen Stewart) escapes with her children and belts out “All I Need is a Miracle” with them, it’s a true release. Spencer allows us to have that small moment, whereas Jackie did not. For me, it’s as deserved a bit of joy as I saw all year long.
*Redacted* from Spider-Man: No Way Home – If you know, you know. I mentioned it in our spoiler-y discussion on the last Awards Radar Podcast episode, but there’s a moment that just hit me so hard. I won’t say any more, but just…yeah.
It’s your turn now. Was there a particular scene in a 2021 flick that struck your fancy? If so, we’re eager to find out about it. Chime in and tell us which cinematic moments this year will stay with you long after the calendar turns over to 2022…
What are your favorite movie scenes from 2021? Let us know!
There are several moments in Passing and The Lost Daughter I’d put up there; too many to single out, in fact. Along with the interactions between Mikey and Lexi in Red Rocket, the big transformation scene in Malignant, some of the awe-inspiring wide shots of the Harkonnen and Sardaukar locations in Dune, the titular climatic duel in The Last Duel, the climactic dinner scene in Pig, the “America” and “Cool Boy” sequences in West Side Story, literally every scene with The Witches in The Tragedy of Macbeth, the touching one-to-one moment between Roebuck and Nescaffier near the end of the “The Private Dining Room of the Police Commissioner” segment of The French Dispatch, and Venus being comforted after losing her big match in King Richard. All of them are among my favorite scenes of the year.
But the overall capital-B Best single scene of any movie released in 2021 has to be the stage finale of Drive My Car:
“What can we do? We must live our lives. We shall live through the long procession of days before us, and through the long evenings. We shall patiently bear the trials that fate imposes on us. We shall work for others without rest, both now and when we are old. And when our last hour comes we shall meet it humbly, and there, beyond the grave, we shall say that we have suffered and wept, that our life was bitter, and God will have pity on us. Ah, then dear, dear Uncle, we shall see that bright and beautiful life. We shall rejoice and look back upon our sorrow here. A tender smile… and… we shall rest.”
Excellent choices! Some of those actually are my honorable mentions, too.
The barn scene between Cumberbatch and Smit-McPhee in TPOTD; the last scene of Nightmare Alley (congratulations on the most beautiful, terrifying piece of acting all year Mr. Cooper); Zegler singing “I Feel Pretty” in West Side Story; and finally a down on her luck Tammy Faye talking to the young neighbor Boys in The Eyes of Tammy Faye – wonderful work by Chastain.
Solid picks!
First thing that comes to mind is the otherworldly and sinister animation used during the capture of the migrants on the boat from Flee. Whatever I was expecting from Flee, it certainly wasn’t to be visually wowed like that. The first scene in Cate Blanchett’s office from Nightmare Alley is the kind of scene that makes me think “This is everything I could have possibly wanted out of a movie like this“. Also, there’s the final dinner scene from Pig in which it felt like I was being shown actual magic, both in the dinner’s preparation and in its result.
100% agree about Pig.
Everlasting Love from Belfast!
Also a strong pick.