Open Viewing/Listening



This scene is emotionally very powerful within the context of the whole film. The acting in this scene exhibited by Robert Deniro and Al Pacino is fascinating and performed at a very high level. Their discussion encompasses the basic major events and experiences in life: birth, death, love, fear, and dreams. There is a hubbub of the diner crowd as they speak. There is a loose conversational form to the dialogue which makes it seem like two guys who are just meeting in a diner for some coffee. Within the context of the film however, these are both dangerous men, one on the side of the law the other an outlaw, discussing the nature of their unconventional circumstances in a very matter of fact way. Deniro and Pacino at 6:14/6:15 almost smile/laugh at eachother but never completely finish the gesture, the only reach about 90 percent of the gesture. Throughout the scene there is a significant level of tension. The fact that these men are adversaries is always looming. Yet at the same time they reach a very close connection and respect for eachother.