Favorite movie scenes 110

Meet the Parents (2000) is one of those romantic comedies that would be barely bearable, if only it wasn't so embarrassing -- I'm always feeling embarrassed for every character involved, and it makes me want to get up from my seat as soon as possible.

But, hey, the name Gaylord Focker? Thank you to whoever came up with that. And I liked the final confrontation at the airport between Ben Stiller (the would-be fiancé) and Robert de Niro (the dragon would-be father-in-law). It's not every day, especially not in a romantic comedy, a character honestly and seriously (as in, not for laughs) acknowledges he may not marry someone because he doesn't like her family.

And then there's the prayer scene. Ben's character is Jewish, but not holy about it, and his girlfriend's parents are Christians. They ask Ben if he wouldn't mind saying grace before the meal they are about to receive. It's embarrassing, but in a good way. Everyone at some point or another has felt this about prayer: you are in fact sucking up to a deity. You are making an ass of yourself before a god who is probably laughing at you. When you're just repeating a conventional formula you have learned by heart you may brush aside this uneasiness; but when you don't know the words, and it's not a part of your culture, and you have only the vaguest idea of what you're supposed to be doing (sucking up to an unknown deity), the reality of the sucking-uppage really sticks out in bold relief. This scene has made me happy many times. Way to go, Gaylord Focker. These noble words should be carved in stone:

"Greg Focker: Oh, dear God, thank you, you are such a good God to us. A kind and gentle and accommodating God, and we thank You oh sweet, sweet Lord of hosts for the smörgåsbord You have so aptly laid at our table this day, and each day, by day, day by day, by day oh dear Lord three things we pray to love Thee more dearly, to see Thee more clearly, to follow Thee more nearly, day, by day, by day. Amen. "

Edit: Oh, and while I'm at it, what about the hymn "O Lord Please Don't Burn Us" in Monty Python's Meaning of Life? It's the little details, like the Rotissomat.

"O Lord, please don't burn us.
Don't grill or toast Your flock.
Don't put us on the barbecue
Or simmer us in stock.
Don't braise or bake or boil us
Or stir-fry us in a wok.
Oh, please don't lightly poach us
Or baste us with hot fat.
Don't fricassee or roast us
Or boil us in a vat,
And please don't stick Thy servants, Lord,
In a Rotissomat."

(Video of Gaylord under the cut)


Thanks to twinsanity34 for uploading this!