The preparation of the March 24, 2023 publication of Wick jeans 4 comes with a lot of questions from fans. The film franchise has carved out a sizable niche for itself in the crime movie genre, giving Keanu Reeves endless opportunities for some pretty raw action and dialogue. In fact, one of the strongest aspects of the genre itself is its ability to offer its stars dialogue that rings true and points to the harsh realities of the criminal underworld.
For this reason, crime films are responsible for some of the most impactful and memorable dialogue of the last 50 years in cinema – a hallmark that continues to be part of the genre today. It’s hard to gauge exactly which movies have the best and rawest monologues, but Redditors offered their favorite picks, offering both classic and lesser-known moments.
Toby Kebbell – Rock’n Rolla (2009)
Filmmaker Guy Ritchie once again brought viewers into the English criminal underworld with the 2009 effort Rock’n Rolla. Redditor SunSorched points to a Johnny Quid monologue as a prime example of excellent gritty crime dialogue, saying, “RocknRolla, Johnny Quid Monologue (Piano Speech) is perfection.”
Rock’n Rolla didn’t make much of an impact at the box office, and for many, Ritchie’s criminal underworld shtick grew tiresome after his first two films. Nonetheless, Quid’s monologue, which uses a pack of cigarettes as a metaphor for the realities and cruelties of life, is unique and impactful – particularly due to Quid’s piano playing while delivering it.
Al Pacino – Devil’s Advocate (1997)
This adaptation of author Andrew Neiderman’s 1990 novel starred Al Pacino as the mysterious head of a New York law firm and Keanu Reeves as the firm’s top lawyer. Redditor _stuntnuts_ picks the film for Pacino’s powerful third-act monologue, saying, “Al Pacino’s monologue from the end of The Devil’s Advocate is awesome.”
Devil’s advocate may lean more towards the horror genre than the crime genre, given its revelation that Pacino’s character is, in fact, Satan. However, the film’s relationship to good and evil and the fact that it takes place in a law firm offer some elements of the world of crime. If that’s not proof enough, Pacino’s powerful monologue is pure crime drama.
Adam Sandler – Love Drunken Punch (2002)
Paul Thomas Anderson brought comedian Adam Sandler out of his stoner comedy niche with this 2002 dramedy about a shy child’s play struggling with life. Redditor Eutectic21 picks out Sandler’s memorable monologue, saying, “Adam Sandler – ‘I’ve got a love in my life’ Punch Drunk Love speech.”
Curiously, there is a criminal element to Love Drunk Punch, as Sandler’s Barry Egan character faces an aggressive phone scam. Not wanting to be further threatened and intimidated, Egan confronts his tormentor (Philip Seymour Hoffman as the unscrupulous Dean Trumbell) with a short but powerful tough guy monologue that deserves to be included here.
Christopher Walken – Pool Hall Junkies (2002)
Although less known, Billiard room junkies tells the story of a talented pool player, Johnny, who is forced to play pool for very high stakes. The movie didn’t do well upon release, but Redditor shiggles1138 looks past it, saying, “Look out for Christopher Walkens ‘Lion’ speech from a movie called Poolhall Junkies.”
There are some pulp Fiction Walken vibes as he delivers this monologue about lions in the animal kingdom to a dispirited Johnny. Some may find the monologue unconvincing, but from a less cynical perspective, Walken’s words feel right at home in crime drama and he delivers them like the consummate professional that he is.
Johnny Depp – Donnie Brasco (1997)
Donnie Brasco was a big hit when it was released in 1997, even earning an Academy Award nomination for Best-Adapted Screenplay. Johnny Depp portrayed real-life FBI agent Joe Pistone, who integrated into the mob as Donnie Brasco. Redditor bogus_otis points to one of the film’s monologues in particular with “Depp’s ‘I am them’ by Donnie Brasco.”
Depp’s monologue comes at a time when his allegiance to the mob — and Lefty (Al Pacino) in particular — is at an all-time high. He loses his grip on the life he thought he knew and instead sinks deeper into the one he never thought he would succumb to. As he explains it to his deeply concerned wife, the struggle he finds himself in is almost palpable.
Hugo Weaving – V for Vendetta (2005)
Based on Alan Moore’s hit comic book series of the same name, V for Vendetta takes viewers into a dystopian future in which humanity’s only hope appears to be a masked vigilante known as V. Redditor DataRikerGeordiTroi picks out the word-laden introductory speech in V of V, saying, “V for Vendetta. V’s speech.
Although V’s speech has become synonymous with the character over the years, it arguably borders more on pretension than any sort of gritty crime monologue. The speech lacks the punch of other more famous crime films and while it’s a clever concoction, it probably doesn’t meet die-hard crime movie fans’ definition of a gritty crime monologue.
Christoph Waltz – Inglourious Basterds (2009)
The opening minutes of this Oscar-winning Quentin Tarantino hit are made even more tense and daunting by Christoph Waltz’s brilliant performance as SS agent Hans Landa. Redditor ReactionProcedure acknowledges Waltz’s opening monologue with a simple and direct, “Inglorious Bastards [sic] opening speech.”
Every word Waltz says during this monologue seems so calculated and unbalanced that by the time he’s finished speaking, the audience is just waiting for something brutal to happen. The film does not disrespect in this capacity, leaving viewers certain that they have just witnessed one of the most difficult moments in the history of cinema.
Sean Penn – State of Grace (1990)
state of grace putting a spin on a familiar crime genre trope, mixing a longtime friendship with the harsh realities of the law. Redditor RosettisRevenge picks up Sean Penn’s powerful mid-movie monologue, saying, “Sean Penn in State of Grace. He has a great monologue on a subway ride with John Turturro.
Penn’s monologue serves to reveal who her character really is and what her true intentions are. It is indeed a powerful moment which is reinforced by the excellent performances of Penn and John Turturro. And yes, the granularity is increased thanks to the monologue delivered in an empty New York subway train.
Samuel L. Jackson – Pulp Fiction (1994)
Quentin Tarantino’s second feature was a runaway success, credited with breathing new life into cinema in the mid-1990s. Redditor itamarka reminds fans of the crime genre of one of pulp Fiction the most gripping monologues, delivered by Samuel L. Jackson’s cold-blooded killer, Jules Winfield: “Ezekiel 25 17.”
This monologue is able to capture an audience’s attention simply because it’s unclear why Jules is quoting the Bible, of all things. As the words shoot out of him with increasing ferocity, the tension of the scene mounts, eventually culminating in murder. Jules is the pure definition of gritty and this monologue is the perfect complement to that designation.
Brad Pitt – Killing Them Softly (2012)
This heist/mob movie starring Brad Pitt tells the story of two mob hitmen sent to recover money that has been stolen by a group of petty criminals. The film offers a somber glimpse into the realities of modern America, and Redditor Jesse_James133 picks out Pitt’s final moments onscreen for his gritty monologue, saying, “Brad Pitt ‘this is America’ speech Killing Them Softly. “
Not only is Brad Pitt’s monologue a perfect representation of what a gritty monologue should be, but it was very timely when the film was released and arguably remains even more relevant today than ever. Pitt’s insistence that he get the money he’s owed before the screen goes black and Barret Strong’s Money (That’s What I Want) plays has Herculean impact.
