Most Rewatchable Scene
Gage’s billiards proposition
In the discussion (17)
Approx. transcript time · 00:29:30Read transcript
- The Vegas shopping scene leading into craps is nominated, including Diana’s refusal to be treated as another item for sale.
- The shopping and craps sequence captures the film’s strongest Vegas stretch and establishes Gage’s interest in borrowing Diana for luck.
- Billy Bob Thornton’s small appearance as Day Tripper is amusing in retrospect given his later Oscar.
- The money-covered sex scene after the first successful Vegas day is considered as another scene candidate, with objections deferred.
- The billiards proposition is praised for its iconic premise-setting line, riveting conversation and insight into Gage’s psychology.
- Diana answers before David, and Gage insists on hearing from him, deliberately opening a wedge between the couple.
- Pool-ball continuity undermines the scene’s metaphor: a scratched cue ball reappears, and the play lacks coherent eight-ball or nine-ball rules.
- The lawyer’s contract negotiation is a favorite, particularly payment without consummation and the John Garfield death-during-sex clause.
- Jeremy’s insistence that he could have negotiated at least two million dollars adds to the lawyer’s appeal.
- The boat scene is praised, including Gage’s assurance that nothing will happen without Diana choosing it; it is called one of the film’s last good scenes.
- The argument about whether the sex was good gives Diana an effective explanation that neither praise nor denial can satisfy her husband.
- Her affirmative answer is disputed as unnecessarily hurtful; suggested reassuring lies draw the objection that he would not believe them.
- Redford’s speech about the woman on the train is nominated, with Moore appearing genuinely moved by his performance.
- The supposedly relatable missed-connection story is mocked for justifying a billionaire’s extravagant pursuit of another man’s wife.
- The million-dollar-club revelation is praised for Shackleford’s visible effort to support Gage’s improvised story without exposing it.
- Sam Elliott is suggested as a cooler version of Shackleford who could appear more convincingly complicit.
- Gage’s billiards offer is the agreed final most-rewatchable scene despite the pool continuity errors.