Great Scene: “A Few Good Men”

A classic Sorkin moment marked by crackling dialogue and raw emotion.

Today’s Great Scene is suggested by @itslizhannah.

IMDb plot summary: In this dramatic courtroom thriller, LT Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise), a Navy lawyer who has never seen the inside of the courtroom, defends two stubborn Marines who have been accused of murdering a colleague. Kaffee is known as being lazy and had arranged for a plea bargain. Downey’s Aunt Ginny appoints Cmdr. Galloway (Demi Moore) to represent him. Also on the legal staff is LTJG Sam Weinberg (Kevin Pollak). The team rounds up many facts and Kaffee is discovering that he is really cut out for trial work. The defense is originally based upon the fact that PFC Santiago, the victim, was given a “CODE RED”. Santiago was basically a screw-up. At Gitmo, screw-ups aren’t tolerated. Especially by Col. Nathan Jessup (Jack Nicholson). In Cuba, Jessup and two senior officers try to give all the help they can, but Kaffee knows something’s fishy. In the conclusion of the film, the fireworks are set off by a confrontation between Jessup and Kaffee.

This scene is a critical bridge toward the finale, Kaffee on his heels after a disastrous day in court. First the script:

Now the movie scene:

Observations:

• Conflict! Conflict! Conflict! You want drama? This is the default mode.
• But not faux yelling and screaming, ground it in plot and character. Kaffee has suffered a massive blow in the courtroom. Galloway offers a plan of attack which Kaffee swats away. But in truth, her suggestion is a good one, indeed it’s the path they eventually take. The easy route? Kaffee immediately sees the light. Not good drama. Drag him into and through the process, the first step being active resistance.
• This is the kind of scene an actor salivates over. Watch Cruise’s performance. You don’t think he isn’t LOVING this moment? The lines? The emotion?
• Give the scene a good ‘out’ line: Galloway’s ‘steak knives’ comment is precisely the punch line the scene needs.

Considering Aaron Sorkin first started writing A Few Good Men when he was waiting tables, jotting down dialogue on cocktail napkins in between orders, I’d say he’s doing all right for himself.

For more in the Great Scene series, go here.