Favorite Scene Friday: A Bitch In A Waffle Hut

Among my favorite director’s are none other than the Coen Bros.  Though not numero uno on my list, they do rank very high.  The dialogue in their comedies is epic and while most might disregard them as either hit or miss (with very little wiggle room) I find them to be comedic geniuses.  Take for instance this scene from 2004’s The Ladykillers.  It’s not unconventionally funny by any means, if anything, it’s a Seinfeld shout-out and who knows, maybe that’s why I enjoy it so much, regardless the scene is hilarious.  We get a little comedy out of every main character totaling up to one hell of a meal and a soiled Safari jacket. 

What I found so compelling about the scene (and movie as a whole) are the personality differences among the ragtag group of crooks.  Marlon Wayans was the main draw among the late high-school/early collegiate crowd and Tom Hanks drew in the older crowd ready to finally see a remake of their beloved 1955 comedy.  Mix them together with some ‘then’ no-namer’s and you should have a decent hit.  Alas that was not the case.  I believe everyone wound up disappointed.  Not me though.  I laughed whole-heartedly the first time I saw Garth Pancake (J.K. Simmons) argue with Gawain MacSam (Marlon) and to this day I laugh out loud when I watch it.  And what about Mountain Girl?  Diane Delano might possibly steal every scene she appears in.  Watch only her throughout this scene and try not to laugh.  Simmons is most certainly the scene stealer, but Hanks keeps up his comedic duties with his sly looks, dialogue, ah-ha moment’s and pacing.  Now I understand if I lose a few of you with the posting of this scene, but I hope to enlighten a few more of you in return.  The movie, like every other Coen Bros. comedy, is great and well worth a watch if you’re looking for something different.  I’ve recommended it many times to no avail, but as for those who really do get it, well, we’re still friends.

Happy Friday, Escape Artists!