Movies that are strong on good dialogue

Glengarry Glen Ross, and many other films with a script by David Mamet, would fit the bill.

'The Libertine' (2004), a little noticed film starring Johnny Depp, about the Earl of Rochester, the notoriously dissolute 17th Century poet, is rather wonderful.

Yes, I have seen both. Great suggestions.

'About a boy' and 'High Fidelity' which are screen adaptions of the Nick Hornby books are good ones to try. They have the added bonus of great music.

Jono

The Third Man (Carol Reed, UK 1949) Screenplay by Graham Greene

quote:

Originally posted by Sniper:
Can anyone recommend any films/movies (preferably British such as 'The Draughstman's Contract' or American '12 Angry Men'?)

I'm not sure The Draughtsman's Contract is such a great example to be fair. Greenaway gave nothing for absolute historical accuracy (he said) but certainly tried to make it feel seventeenth century, and succeeded. I shouldn't wonder.
Unless you want your friend to start referring to his wife as 'Madam', even in bed.

Kubrick's dialogue always interests me, but it depends what you want them to pick up on I guess.

Greenaway is possibly my favourite director, and the dialogue in his films is fantastic, particularly those from the late 70's and 80's, but I would say they are very mannered, and do not represent contemporary dialogue. Worth listening to though for your intention though, but not necessarily to use day to day.

'12 Angry Men' definitely. David Manet, and Harold Pinter scripts too. 'The Servant' and 'Accident' come to mind.

Many of the old 50's war films make me think that the reason we won the war against Nazi Germany was because we had such damn fine actors and just much better dialogue than the enemy. I am sure there are dozens of examples.

Gosford Park.

All good suggestions. I am helping a friend to improve her English by suggesting some films for her to watch and study. Her English is already quite good but a good deal of subtlety and details gets missed when she watches a film. The point about The Draughtsman's Contract is that so much of what is said has hidden meaning - so her lesson is to unwrap the hidden meaning.

I had not heard of 'High Fidelity' but I enjoyed 'About a Boy' very much so I will check it out - thanks for all the suggestions (keep em coming)The Third man - excellent. Gosford park - Excellent.

What is your friend's first language? If it's a language I have experience dealing with native speakers of this would be very helpful information.

Here are some movies with English I found compelling:

Spartan - The fast paced language in Spartan is a great example of the style of communication used in a modern office.

Donnie Brasco - There's a good collection of accents in this movie. It's also just a really great story too.

Boiler Room - A good example of contemporary American English along with some high pressure boiler room jargon to boot.

"An Education"

A very good movie with dialogue that combines aristocratic refined English with everyday working man's talk. Regardless, it is a very fun movie that tells an amazing story.

Regards...

"The Remains of the Day"

"Four Weddings and a Funeral" - would also introduce the listener to the use of expletives not deleted.
As well as some English humour.

Withnail: Cake and fine wine. ... We want the finest wines availible to humanity. We want them here, and we want them now...
Proprieter: Police, Miss Blennerhassit.
Marwood: Don't do that Miss Blenerhassit. I'm warning you Miss Blennerhassit, if you do, you're fired. We are multi-millionaries, we'll buy this place and fire you immediately.

Remains of the day - why didn't I think of that?

My favourite line from 'Withnail' is 'vim under the sink and two bars on' classic.

I'm enjoying having a look at all these suggestions.

You might try 'Shakespeare in love' for some top drawer dialogue wit with a twist.

Anyone learning English may find the faux Olde English construction illuminating, as well as watching a wonderful film full of enthusiasm and excellent acting.

Paul.

A few more after looking through my DVD collection;

Ipcress File - a master class in insubordination
Gattacca - reflections on what it is to be human
Get Carter - more than a violent gangster flick, some of the exchanges are extremely well written and delivered
Sexy Beast - for exactly the same reason
There Will Be Blood - I know it is a Hollywood release but Daniel Day Lewis delivers some majestic lines, particularly when buttering up would be investors

Anything by the greatest film-maker these islands have ever produced, namely Michael Powell (who famously co-wrote his best films with the Hungarian emigre Emeric Pressberger).

Best place to start:
A Matter of Life And Death

then:
The Life & Death of Colonel Blimp
I Know Where I'm Going
A Canterbury Tale
Ill Met By Moonlight

you could also try
The Red Shoes
Black Narcissus
although their merits are perhaps visual rather than literary.

And don't laugh at this, but Talbot Rothwell's better Carry On scripts have much to recommend them, namely:
Carry On Up The Khyber
Carry On At Your Convenience
Carry On Cleo
Carry On Camping
Carry On Screaming

On the small screen, the best writing in English is currently to be found in the US series Mad Men - on BBC4/BBC2 at the moment.

The scripts for Orson Welles' first two films, the famed Citizen Kane and the brilliant, criminally underrated The Magnificent Ambersons should help anyone aiming to improve their English.

Many of Mike Leigh's best films are an embarrasment of riches. I'd particularly recommend Nuts In May, Abigail's Party, Life Is Sweet, Meantime and High Hopes

I would also recommend the highly sweary but brilliantly-delivered The Thick of It, a superlative BBC political satire.

"V for Vendetta" was my favourite film of the year a few years ago. I loved the dialogue.

Andrew

Try Casablanca, In the Heat of the Night and The Usual Suspects

Kevin-W,

We have already watched 'A matter of life and death' as it is one of my favourite films of all time - a work of genius to be sure. I agree about Powell & Pressberger. I never cared for Carry On films much but there are some great lines of course 'infamy, infamy they've all got in for me' etc.

MikeHall

Yes, 'In the heat of the night' good call. I will give it a go.

Many thanks for all the suggestions I am working through them one by one. Many I have seen already
(Casablanca, Sexy beast etc) but some I have not seen 'V for Vendetta' and 'An Education'.

It is sometimes possible to find the script online and my 'student' enjoyed watching 'Being There' and then reading the script. The Draughtsman's contract went down surprisingly well, so we will watch 'The Remains of the Day' next.

If you are prepared to spread the net and include TV productions of works with a literary basis then there you will include some of the finest material ever captured on camera;

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - particularly good if you wish to search out double meanings.
Smiley's People - just as good although the plot is a little harder to follow at times as jumps in time are not always labelled for the viewer.

Both of these contain superb dialogue and Alec Guinness delivers a tour de force performance.

Inspector Morse - equally well crafted and also scores highly for good dialogue.

Richard,

Good suggestions. I have all of those on DVD - prized possessions. House of Cards is going down well too.

Pink Flamingoes.

Sister xx