The whole movie is of course heartwrenching. But there is one scene in particular. The one where George Dzundza plays the piano and that music is just out of this world. The camera slowly pans across each actors face and I can just think what their thinking. Nick, Michael and Steve were going to Vietnam the next day and this could be the last time they were all together. Such a sad moment. But the whole movies filled with them but this scene really strikes me.
shareI agree with you, that scene was heart wrenching, but the scene that takes number one for me has to be the scene where the army doctors start asking Nick about his family information, and he can barely say the names of his parents or remember what their birthdays were, he can only cry. Walken just nailed the scene (I gotta imagine this is why we one the Oscar), and I think what does it for me is how natural it all seemed to be. I felt like that could've been in a documentary or something.
shareWait, I thought he was lying about his name and his parents... So when did the movie here say that his name was that long and foreign??
"When Gotham is ashes, you have my permission to die"-Bane
In that same scene, when the Dr's trying to pronounce his name, he says something like "Were they Russian?" Nick replies, "No, they were American."
That really says it all.
I think that would be my most heartwrenching scene, too. There was a definite lump in my throat and then some. I just wanted to hold Nicky and never let him go.
shareThe only way they were going to Vietman the next day is if they were in a Recon Reserve Unit at at the "Old Airport" a few miles from Clairton.
sharephoto66666, I am not from the usa, english is not my native language, but I've been reading several posts here on the deer hunter, and I've noticed you always appear with a ranting that I don't fully understand, since Im not from the usa, I dont know nor recognize most of those places or institutions or people that you mention, don't even know if are made up or real life, so Im not sure if you are talking seriously or just fooling around...whatever the case is, you are making me burst in laughter lol
"To act is not to act" - Me
For me, it's the first back-alley Russian roulette game, where Nick meets the French guy. When Nick grabs the gun and puts it to the temple of the Vietnamese guy, then to himself WITHOUT SPINNING THE CHAMBER, with that lifeless look in his eyes, I just think "He's gone."
shareDoes anyone know the name of the piece Dzundza plays? I know I've heard in other contexts; it has to be some kind of etude.
May I bone your kipper, Mademoiselle?
Nocturne No. 6 in G Minor, Opus 15-3
(1833) (uncredited)
Music by Frédéric Chopin
Played on piano by George Dzundza (probably dubbed)
It's even listed in the soundtrack!
This whole movie ripped my heart out. The worst scene for me to watch, was when Mike found Nick, only to realize all this time he was already mentally gone, and far from the man he once knew. My Father went to Vietnam.He volunteered because of an abusive Father. How *beep* up is that ? They eventually reconciled. Dad died in 2012, my Mom 6 months after. *beep* cancer.I hate it with everything I have. I'm still trying to figure out my Father. He never accepted his military pension, never mentioned his time over there, but it was obvious he was emotionally scarred. When they first got married, Mom said he would lash out, and have terrible nightmares. My Mom said it took everything he had to go to the Vietnam Memorial, but when he got there he couldn't even walk up to it. I don't normally get this angry, but... God Damn Vietnam, and damn the politicians that started that *beep* war.
100% Comic Book Purist, and Bloody Proud of it !
@romanticinsomniac- Of course you're infuriated, Vietnam ruined your Dad. Awful.
It's not strange, though, my grandparents escaped the Holocaust and I always asked my mom what they said about it. Not one word. Not one.
[deleted]
Yes, that pivotal scene is incredible. The end of their old lives together played out with that beautiful piano piece.
I think that and the scene on the other side when Mike comes back but can't face the reunion and slides down the wall in that motel room are the centrepieces for me.
Doctor asking Nick about his family information and the piano scene are both heart-wrenching scenes.
I want to mention another one. The scene at the bar after Nick funeral when Linda want to help John with the eggs but he refuse. John feels he's about to burst into tears and he doesn't want anyone to see him. I really think George Dzundza deserve more credit for his role here. Also Stan just looking at the table devastating is a small sad moment.