opinions- greatest scenes

[biggzy]

In an effort to stimulate some conversation, i thought i'd ask for ur opinion on Miranda's greatest scenes-not films-and henceforth produce mine. Bear in mind i have not been able to see all hr work, but here goes---

1- DAMAGE- The breakdown scene. Arguably the best take by any actress in the last 30-40 yrs. "It would have been difficult, but i would have buried you, and I WOULD HAVE WEPT.

2-TOM and VIV- The scene where, having been denied access to her husband on the pretense of delivering a chocolate bar, she melts it and pours thru the mail slot. Great pathos as well as comedy.

3-THE CRYING GAME- scene where she pistol whips forrest whittaker in the safe-house. DEFINITELY not A WOMAN TO BE TRIFLED WITH.

4-TOM and VIV [2]- Scene where she pulls a knife on two ladies in the cab- "I am NOT Mrs. thomas Elliot".

5-SPIDER- Scene where pub harlot Yvonne brings home a nasty looking haggis to gabriel byrne and son. "Brought ya sonthin special for ya suppa"

[Lane of Magic]

This is a really interesting topic!

I for one, have loved all her scenes in “Merlin”, since it’s also the movie I’ve watched more times than anything else.
In an attempt to be more specific, I’d mention her scene at the beginning of the movie, where she pulls off a whole scene alone – and so good, might I add, that I can’t see her as Miranda, but as the characters she portrays.
The scene in the tent, where she says “It’s your pride – your pride condemns you.” I once happened to watch that one soundless (while fiddling around with WMM, that is), and seeing her expression and the look in her eyes was enough (I was like “omg…”)
Also, that cute scene where she pulls all sorts of faces, when she learns that Merlin isn’t that much into magic.
…did I say I love all her scenes in that movie? Xd

OK. Moving on now.

I agree about the scene in “Damage”, you mentioned. That was really powerful and haunting.

Also, I remember there were a few scenes in “Dance with a Stranger” just as amazing, but it’s been too long a while since I saw the movie so I’m afraid I must rewatch it to be more specific. (sowwy)

“Spider” – I liked the scene where she holds the cat in her arms, while talking with Bill. It felt strange and interesting at the same time, I just liked it.

EDIT: The scene in “Gideon’s Daughter”, after Stella and Gideon get out of the church – how could I ever forget that one?! Twas truly beautiful.

[Lady van Tassel]

The Sleepy Hollow "kissing scene" is one I will never forget.

[EarlyBird]

Yes love it. I love when she wakes up and just is speechless then screams as he kisses her. Wonder if they had many outtakes lol

[biggzy]

LofM- Ilike ur choices. My own opinion on MERLIN is that miranda put this whole project on her talented soulders and carried the day. With all due respect to Sam Neill et al, without Miranda this is just another forgettable made-for-tv fantasy. With her, its one of the best ever.
You r quite right about the GIDEONS DAUGHTER scene. Very emotional. On a lighter basis I liked the scene where bill Nighy offers to buy her lunch, and she promptly selects a proper curry house. Thereafter he spends the better part of the afternoon wandering in a state of digestive agony. A nice touch, I thought.


mary- The SLEEPY HOLLOW scene is also quite good. This is one of those works which miranda does from time to time, where she is uniformly excellent, but not eneogh on screen facetime. when the credits roll at the end, Im clenching my fists, mumbling "more of her damnit, MORE. tho i haven't seen it, friends tell me such is the same with GofF. Very little time, but terrific while she's on.

[EarlyBird]

The one with Stella coming out of the church was so emotional. I actually wanted to cry so much after first seeing it. Amazing.
And Merlin, her playing two characters is amazing also. I love the scene where it's Lady Lake and Mab. And also the one where she goes to Vortigerns tent.

[Incapability]

I think those scenes are universally loved and worshipped.

One scene (or character, rather) that I'd like to mention here is her role from "St. Ives" because it's just so f*ing hilarious. I could kill myself over the "bondage" scene in which she tries to wriggle out of the ropes.

And, of course, BlackAdder. The genius of it. Of course, the point of this thread is not to type down every scene of a production that has Miranda in it, and I shall thusly leave it at that.

[Lane of Magic]

Apr 19, 2008 3:11:15 GMT 9.5 Incapability said:

One scene (or character, rather) that I'd like to mention here is her role from "St. Ives" because it's just so f*ing hilarious. I could kill myself over the "bondage" scene in which she tries to wriggle out of the ropes.

That’s right – that scene was priceless! It makes me snicker just remembering about it.

As for “Merlin”, it’s hard to say how it would have turned out, if one or more of the actors hadn’t been in it (thankfully, we’ll never know what might have been). I think it would have been a good film anyway, thanks to the wonderful. Still, I could never see anyone else as Mab/Lady of the Lake (nor any of the other characters, tbh, but Mab most of all) and I am certain that this version is as good as it gets – it all came along perfectly.

“Sleepy Hollow” was also a great film – I remember the first time I watched it I was fairly disconcerted halfway through, and when Lady van Tassel appeared again, I positively squeed. So it was a nice surprise (and she did make a great character).

[Incapability]

That she did.

I must admit that my personal SH favourite is the kitchen scene where she shows Ichabod the cut on her hand and goes right back to sweet little wife a second later.

[EarlyBird]

I love that 'you have been as careful not to look at it as not to mention it' and his face . Makes me laugh. He's all nervous. Then when Baltus walks in it's all 'oh no'. Mary was amazing, love the character, the costume and everything:)
I also love the moment in Gideons daughter where they got to her house and she says 'don't worry. I'm not going to leap on you'. And they have a emotional talk about his wife and they kiss

[Lane of Magic]

And speaking of SH, there’s that scene where she speaks and that young boy sneaks behind her, supposedly unnoticed, and then she turns around and yells at him – loved it!

[EarlyBird]

Haha yes, she goes 'ha' and has lightening flashing across her face, my gosh I love it lol It's awesome she's funny and amazing

[MissLovett]

The Ending of SH AMAZING! Good_Lord she's AWESOME! lol
I didn't like the Movie Damage but I have to say that her melt down at the end perfection. you really feel for her.
Tom & Viv when she throws the fit when they are all discussing her fathers will.
All of these and the fact that in Spider she played 3 completely different characters, And did such a good job that only when your as big of a Miranda fan as all of us, it would take you a moment to notice that its her.
and there are so many more but I should stop myself now... lol

[Lady van Tassel]

Apr 19, 2008 23:12:53 GMT 9.5 Lane of Magic said:

And speaking of SH, there’s that scene where she speaks and that young boy sneaks behind her, supposedly unnoticed, and then she turns around and yells at him – loved it!

Oh that scene is a favourite too! It's just wicked!

[Rita, Oh Yes!]

God, favourites scenes - I can barely come up with favourite characters. I think it gets harder the more films you see.

Some random ones that haven't been mentioned, though:

Dance to the Music of Time: 'did he take it well, or badly?' and peeking over the stocking - that was such a fabulous moment - revealed so much about the lighter side of Pamela's character. And also the moment in the art gallery when Ken is yelling at her and she tells him all about the painting of the man exhibiting his naked wife to a friend. That never fails to give me chills. Pamela Flitton is so unpredictable and dangerous in the things she might say or do, and Miranda portrays that in every moment of that film - the things she says, the way she moves, the looks she gives people.

The Rage in Placid Lake - the scene in the kitchen with Placid and Doug - 'he used to LIVE between my legs! Tell Doug I can't communicate with him tonight'. Her dynamic with Gary McDonald in that film is fantastic - especially now that I've got the special edition of the film with director's commentary and such and I know she was only on the set for a few weeks at the beginning of shooting. Random factoid: the bit of film that appears on Placid's second version of 'Life is Super Dooper' - 'and then we got down - one minute we were talking and the next I was licking' was completely ad-libbed by her. Those little film snippets within the film were the first things that were shot. I love stuff like that even more when I know it was just Miranda coming up with it on the spot, in-character, and Gary responding in the same way.

Dance With a Stranger - god, everything about that film, but one scene that sticks in my mind is the moment when Ruth first gets to fire a gun - the joy and power you see in her in that moment, and what it foreshadows.

Gideon's Daughter - the church and 'if only I'd gone with him that first time' and her thoughts about grief and how incredibly real and powerful that is. Not overdone, but just wham, and it kills me.


God, if I keep going I could honestly go on forever. That's just a few of them. I've seen faaaar to many Manda films, lol. I agree with everyone about St Ives, as well - it's one of my favourites. The 'bondage' scene cracks me up, but what I love most about that character is the little knowing smiles and the knowing, amused air she has <3. I should really watch that one again because I've had a fic bunny about their wedding night brewing in my head for far too long, and I would like to get it out eventually