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Sunday, March 20, 2011

"I´m Nothing" AND Near An Edge



True Lies, a James Bondian action/ adventure film with a lot of comedy, has a scene with "I´m nothing" AND near an edge. Bearing in mind the scene in Spooks 9.8 between Lucas/John and Harry and thinking one can compare every line or action in films or tv-series with one another, I was compelled. I even thought: NOOOO, it can even be worse! This in a good sense, because I did like Spooks series 9 and True Lies is an entertaining film.

Preview clip of Lucas and Harry´s Rooftop Standoff by BBC

In True Lies "I´m nothing" was said by Simon, played by Bill Paxton in a scene with Harry, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. The hair dress of Simon resembles that of John Bateman, 15 years ago, but this is pathetic with a moustache and although JB had his flaws, he didn´t strike me as a wimp like Simon in True Lies. Or should I implicitly think in that direction, having in mind the discussions on Spooks Fan Blog and else on the script and the character Lucas/John?! Fair enough, character Simon was extremely over the top. Feel like the Spooks writers had this film on constant repeat - a shoot through a skyscraper floor... Luckily they left out the crane, likely because it came back as feature in one of James Bond´s latest films. Like I said, I shouldn´t compare so much, it kills the fun.

Tip: this scene is better in the film

213   EXT. ROCK QUARRY - NIGHT
          The van pulls up near the edge of a large quarry.  The door
          opens and Simon is pushed out, followed by Harry, who is in his
          black jumpsuit and wearing a ski-mask.  Gib follows as Harry
          guides Simon to the edge of a sheer drop.  Harry whips off the
          hood and Simon takes in his surroundings.

                              SIMON         
                    Yeeaoowww!!

                              HARRY        
                    You son of a bitch.  Did you
                    really think you could elude us
                    forever, Carlos?

                              SIMON                   
                    Wait!  You got the wrong guy.  My
                    name's Simon.  Look, just let me
                    go.  There's no need to kill me.
                    I haven't seen your--

          Harry whips off his ski-mask.

                              SIMON                   
                    -- face.  Shit!  Shit!!

          Simon has ducked his head and won't look at Harry.  Then it
          dawns...  He looks up, brightening hopefully.

                              SIMON                   
                    It's you!  Hey, you still
                    interested in that Vette at all?

                             GIB
                    You can drop it now, Carlos.  The
                    game is over.  Your career as an
                    inter-national terrorist is too
                    well documented.

                              SIMON                   
                    No... I sell cars.  That's all!
                    Not even foreign cars.  Nothing
                    international, I swear.  I'm no
                    terrorist.  Everything I said was
                    a lie... you have to believe me.
                    I'm actually a complete coward.
                    If I ever even saw a gun I'd--

          Harry whips his pistol out in one liquid motion and snaps the
          muzzle right in front of Simon's eyes.

                              SIMON        
                    -- faint.  Aahhh!  Don't kill me.
                    I'm not a spy.  I'm nothing.  I'm
                    navel lint.  I have to lie to
                    women to get laid.  And I don't
                    score much.  It's pathetic.
                         (he looks down)
                    See, look... would a spy pee
                    himself?

          Harry is finally sickened by his grovelling.  He pulls Simon
          away from the edge, then gestures with his gun.

                              HARRY                   
                    Beat it.

                              SIMON                   
                    No.  Soon as I turn you'll shoot
                    me.

          Harry starts back to the truck.  Simon stays right with him,
          facing him, terrified to turn away.  Like a dog following him.

                              SIMON                   
                    Please don't.  You can have the
                    car for free--

                              GIB                   
                    Take off, dipshit!

          Gib finally shoves Simon back and Harry contemptuously cranks
          THREE ROUNDS into the ground by his feet, forcing him to dance
          backward.  The two agents get into the van and tear off in a
          cloud of dust.  Leaving Simon alone in the moonlight, miles
          from nowhere.

If you must know: the script is more decent than the film.

You probably won´t read the Full script of ´True Lies´ (1994)

The film was directed by James Cameron, director of the Avatar film,
which was mentioned by someone still in Hobbit Country.

What are the chances that in film/tv-series
someone stands near an edge
and says: "I´m nothing" ?
Bound to find out.

Poster: http://hot-movies-online.com/?p=5133

2 comments:

Phylly3 said...

wow! I never thought to compare that scene with Spooks but you are right -- there are similarities! True Lies is one of my favourite movies, and I mentioned it in my second blogpost: "I Spy with my little eye". http://phyllysfaves.blogspot.com/2010/03/i-spy-with-my-little-eye.html
(In case you are interested)

Violet said...

Sure I´m interested to read your post!