MovieChat Forums > Nil by Mouth (1998) Discussion > Most affecting scene?

Most affecting scene?

posted 16 years ago by tom_b1986
10 replies | jump to latest

I pretty much found this whole film very powerful and farily disturbing in its unflinching portrayal of reality. The film is packed full of powerful moments, but I was wondering what scenes in particular people found most affecting. I was a bit freaked out by how familiar I felt with the Ray, Billy and Mark conversation in the pub in one of the opening scenes, as they came across as exactly the kind of aggressive knob-heads you encounter on a night out. But the scene that really had me reeling was when Valerie's mother found her covered in bruises after being beaten by Ray. The initial reaction of Valerie's mother made me feel like crying and Valerie's frailty and fretful excuses really highlighted her sense of helplessness. I thought the acting was outstanding throughout the film, and was really underscored in this scene.

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Pagan_blood 16 years ago

Probably when Ray beats Val to a pulp on the kitchen floor, then we see 5 year old Michelle on the stairs watching.

Val's mother crying out when she saw the state of her daughter the next day was pretty awful too.

Third most affecting scene was probably when Michelle, Val, Val's mum and gran were in the hall while Ray was banging at the door. Michelle was just staring silently at the knife in her gran's hand. That would be such a terrifying situation for a wee kid.

[–] matttw 16 years ago

Ray beating Val scene and Ray`s monologue, both about his father and when he was drunk were the most affective scenes in the movie.

"TOM WILKINSON, RAY WINSTONE, JOHNNY DEPP & JACK NICHOLSON ARE LIVING LEGENDS"

[–] laurenisalltherage 16 years ago

The scene where Val was dancing and then slow-danced with her gran. Superb.

"Yeu are da wan who is spowsed to be telling stories about biers det go shahh-ping!"

[–] rabksaj 16 years ago

i agree with you. this film took me by suprise by its realistic and brutal and distubing scenes.

[–] icbfwtrn 16 years ago

Wow i can't beleive I have only just watched this film 11 years after it was made.

There were scenes that made me hold me breath, and scenes I wanted to look away from, but for me the most affecting scene was Val dancing with her Nan, simple and honest made me cry.

[–] Georgie123 16 years ago

For me its actually the final scene because of the context. After we see Val seemingly getting away from it all, slowdancing with her Nan etc, we're desperately hoping she won't go back.. and then she does. In the end its the most heartbreaking scene of all of them.

Its a terrific film, with some incredible perfomances, esp Kathy Burke. What a shame most people have only seen her in Harry Enfield!

[–] jay-edit 16 years ago

Fantastic film. I was probably most moved by Val's final confrontation with Ray.

Also, I didn't think the end was meant to be a sad or cynical with Ray back in the house and everyone carrying on.

If you notice, throughout that whole scene Val is the one that's holding court and getting the laughs and attention from everyone. This is in contrast to the scene early on in the film where Ray and Mark are telling stories to Billy and Val's attempts at joining in are shut down.

The slow transformation on Val's character over the course of the film gave the end of the film a subtle power that is impossible with the usual 'happily-ever-after' route adopted by most films. It manages to convey a real sense of hope for the future that is, at the same time, still grounded in the reality of the lives of the characters.

[–] davescouse_ 16 years ago

the slow dancing scene was ace, so simple and effective, the music was good too, id never even heard of the film until it was on film4 the other day,
a really strong cast aswell.

[–] BethH24 14 years ago

The scene where Ray beats Val, the scene where Ray is drunk and breaks down crying on the phone to Val,and talks to himself infront of the mirror when he is drunk, and the confrontation scene with Ray and Val near the end of the film affected me the most.