Mario Marsicano
The Late Movies: 9 Great Movie Monologues
by Mario Marsicano - August 4, 2009 - 10:00 PM

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When I look back at some of my favorite moments in film, I realize a lot of them happen to be monologues. Without a doubt, a well written (and well delivered) monologue can stir up all sorts of emotions, and end up becoming the most memorable part of the film. Here are some of my favorites.

1. Network – I’m mad as hell…

2. A Few Good Men – You can’t handle the truth.


3. Good Will Hunting – Why Shouldn’t I work for the NSA?

4. Pulp Fiction – Ezekial 25:17

5. Wall Street – Greed is good.

6. Jaws – You were on the USS Indianapolis?

7. Scent of a Woman – In defense of Charlie Simms.

8. The Warriors – Can you dig it?

9. Glengarry Glen Ross – Always Be Closing.

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Comments (38)

  1. The Ezekiel speech in Pulp Fiction is amazing, I get chills every time I watch the movie

    posted by Izam on 8-4-2009 at 10:27 pm

  2. The scene from Jaws is one of the greatest scenes in history.

    posted by Will on 8-4-2009 at 11:05 pm

  3. No love for Patton on here?

    posted by Chuck on 8-4-2009 at 11:35 pm

  4. This probably wouldn’t fit on the list, but one particular monologue that always brings tears to my eyes is Sally Field’s monologue near the end of “Steel Magnolias,” following the funeral. It’s a well-written and brilliantly acted monologue which I always thought displayed Sally Field’s talent very well.

    posted by Jessica on 8-4-2009 at 11:44 pm

  5. no Godfather? or I agree no Patton? Or how about Boiler Room?

    posted by dbus on 8-4-2009 at 11:55 pm

  6. It’s not as long as some of the ones on here, but V’s introduction speech from V for Vendetta is quite impressive.

    posted by Zach on 8-5-2009 at 12:07 am

  7. Edward Norton’s ‘F%$k You’ scene from 25th Hour is pretty amazing and at least deserves a mention.

    posted by Mike on 8-5-2009 at 12:29 am

  8. I’m partial to Ben Affleck’s monologue in Chasing Amy in which he confesses his love to his friend Alyssa. My 16-year-old self identified so deeply with that unrequited love that I could hardly stand it, and to this day it moves me every time.

    posted by AMT on 8-5-2009 at 12:35 am

  9. I love Rutger Hauer’s monologue in Bladerunner. So sad.

    posted by Jen on 8-5-2009 at 2:49 am

  10. no V from V for Vendetta? that was one of the best monologues ever.

    posted by h101 on 8-5-2009 at 3:10 am

  11. I’m glad to see the Pulp Fiction one on here…I love that scene!

    In my opinion, one of the best monologues in film is the scene in Shawshank Redemption when Red explains to the parole board what “rehabilitated” means. Not a long one, but it’s always been a powerful one for me.

    posted by Amauriel on 8-5-2009 at 3:58 am

  12. Movie 9 is going to release on 9/9/09. I have watched the trailer. This time it rocks the theaters .

    posted by watch movies on 8-5-2009 at 7:32 am

  13. Alec Baldwin’s monologue in Glengarry Glen Ross was written just for him; if you see the stage performance, it’s conspicuously not there.

    posted by Nora on 8-5-2009 at 10:13 am

  14. How about Rosie O’Donnell’s monologue from Beautiful Girls? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fbwsh9Iw_w

    posted by Allison on 8-5-2009 at 10:34 am

  15. IHow about Billy Bob Thornton’s in Slingblade?
    Shot in one take!

    posted by Marty on 8-5-2009 at 10:50 am

  16. Orson Welles monologue on the Ferris Wheel in The Third Man is my personal favorite.

    posted by Brad on 8-5-2009 at 11:01 am

  17. Michael Douglas in the American President.

    I second the vote for Sally Fields in Steel Magnolias.

    posted by Lindsey on 8-5-2009 at 11:12 am

  18. As a baseball nut, I love James Earl Jones’ “people will come, Ray” monologue in “Field of Dreams.”

    posted by Dustin Fritsche on 8-5-2009 at 11:12 am

  19. @ Allison – so glad you mentioned Beautiful Girls! I have always loved that movie, and that scene, especially.

    posted by Carol on 8-5-2009 at 11:20 am

  20. Amen AMT…I love that scene from Chasing Amy…I also like Silent Bob’s monologue from that movie.

    posted by Addie on 8-5-2009 at 11:42 am

  21. Marlon Brando, On the Waterfront – “I coulda been a contender.”

    posted by gwdMaine on 8-5-2009 at 12:12 pm

  22. “Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion”. As sure as I cry at that scene I laugh at the following scene. It’s hard to believe that movie is 20 years old.

    posted by Monte the Duck on 8-5-2009 at 12:29 pm

  23. Apocalypse Now – “I love the smell of napalm in the morning.”

    Fight Club – Rules of Fight Club

    Full Metal Jacket opening scene

    posted by MovieBuff on 8-5-2009 at 12:41 pm

  24. I agree with AMT. While Chasing Amy may not be in the same cinematic league as the movies on this list, Ben Affleck’s monologue was heart-wrenchingly good. I first saw Chasing Amy after losing my first love, and I still can’t watch it, ten years later, without choking up. I also agree with Addie about Silent Bob’s monologue. Coming from a character that never talks, that monologue was powerful. Kevin Smith’s best writing in my opinion.

    posted by madelinerock on 8-5-2009 at 12:50 pm

  25. Band of Brothers when Leiutenant Spiers talks to Private Blythe: ” you’ll be able to function as a soldier the moment you realize you’re already dead”…..classic!

    posted by Diego on 8-5-2009 at 1:35 pm

  26. Just to correct myself on my previous post: \ you’ll be able to function as a soldier is supossed to function the moment you accept the fact that you’re already dead\…or something close to that, please correct me if I’m wrong.

    posted by Diego on 8-5-2009 at 1:39 pm

  27. The scene from Rudy where the janitor talks Rudy into returning to the football team.

    posted by John on 8-5-2009 at 1:59 pm

  28. What about Crash Davis’ “What do you believe in?” monologue from Bull Durham

    “Well, I believe in the soul, the c*ck, the p*ssy, the small of a women’s back, the hangin’ curve ball, high fiber, good scotch, that the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent, overrated crap. I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the Designated Hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, soft-core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve, and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last 3 days. Good night.”

    And you picked a speech from The Warriors over this?!?! As Annie Savoy said, “Oh my!”

    posted by Jonny on 8-5-2009 at 2:12 pm

  29. I would also second (or eighth by this point) the Patton nomination

    A better Silent Bob monologue is from Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back where he goes on a diatribe about having his likeness stolen

    posted by Jonny on 8-5-2009 at 2:17 pm

  30. How about the opening scene of Raging Bull??

    posted by Jim F. on 8-5-2009 at 2:25 pm

  31. How about Jimmy Stewart in “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”. Nothing like a Frank Capra filibuster speech.

    posted by Flave on 8-5-2009 at 3:35 pm

  32. Video for above:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1d19wV1GZQ

    posted by Flave on 8-5-2009 at 3:36 pm

  33. I second Johnny above with the Crash Davis monologue from Bull Durham. Awesome!

    posted by Missy on 8-5-2009 at 4:27 pm

  34. I was pretty happy to see Cyrus’s speech here. The Warriors is one of my favorite movies.

    Also, to MovieBuff, I agree with he Full Metal Jacket one. One amazing movie.

    posted by Cheeky on 8-5-2009 at 5:35 pm

  35. Clive Owen’s rant to Julia Roberts in “CLOSER”

    Brad Pitt in “Fight Club” – “we are the all singing all dancing crap of the world”

    Tim Roth’s ability to tell an anecdote from “Reservoir Dogs”

    Priceless

    posted by Ethan on 8-5-2009 at 7:04 pm

  36. ” Of all the gin joints in all the world, she has to walk into mine…”
    Bogy, in “Casablanca”

    posted by Rick on 8-8-2009 at 9:31 am

  37. “Get them to sign on the line that is dotted!”
    Alec Baldwin is the man! Everyone just loves his schwetty balls.

    posted by jetblac on 8-8-2009 at 2:22 pm

  38. Mikey’s “Down here it’s our time. It’s our time down here!” speech at the bottom of the wishing well is one of the greatest speeches ever delivered on film.

    posted by Proteus on 9-12-2009 at 3:20 pm

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