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Breaking the 4th wall

post #1 of 93
6/10/09 at 3:37pm
Thread Starter 
All the talk about the Deadpool spin off and how Wade should break the fourth wall and talk to the audience got me thinking about Movies and Tv shows that did it, successfully.

Only a few come to mind, but of the top of my head i can recall Last Action Hero, when Charles Dance talks into the camera and says "If god was a villain, he'd be me".

Gremlins 2 is another example, the fucking movie melts and hulk hogan screams to the camera for the gremlins to stop screwing with it for crying out loud!

What other good examples are out there? Can it be done in a serious film while maintaining the tone? Or only in comedies or parodies?
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post #2 of 93
6/10/09 at 3:38pm
24 Hour Party People
The Sum of Us (Which is based on a play so it make sense)
Kuffs
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post #3 of 93
6/10/09 at 3:40pm
Well, my two favorites have to be from Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Funny Games. While I think it works best in comedies and satires, its usage in Games was particularly fascinating (and, yes, I recognize that film as a satire) in that it works to really rub the viewers' collective noses in their complacency with the violence transpiring onscreen.

Check that, however, as I think my favorites are whenever a Looney Toons character addresses the audience. "Duck Amuck", anyone?
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post #4 of 93
6/10/09 at 3:43pm
Saved By The Bell?
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post #5 of 93
6/10/09 at 3:45pm
Ian McKellen has delicious asides to the audience in his and Loncraine's RICHARD III. Probably my absolute favorite example of this kind of thing.
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post #6 of 93
6/10/09 at 3:46pm
It's usually hacky, but no film has done it better than KISS KISS, BANG BANG.
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post #7 of 93
6/10/09 at 3:47pm
"It all sounds like some bad movie."

I always loved when ZAZ broke the fourth wall.

Love the unspoken stuff like Drebin walking around the set during THE NAKED GUN.
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post #8 of 93
6/10/09 at 3:48pm
My favorite is Ray Liotta in Goodfellas. That trial scene at the end, where he finally ditches the monologue and just starts talking to the camera.

I also love when actors will unexpectedly look at the camera in an acknowledging way. Like Chow Yun Fat, loading his shot gun and then looking directly into the camera as the last shell clicks into place before that fantastic warehouse shootout in Hard Boiled.
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post #9 of 93
6/10/09 at 3:48pm
Winter Light
Annie Hall
Funny Games
24 Hour Party People
Tristram Shandy
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post #10 of 93
6/10/09 at 3:49pm
High Fidelity is one of my favorite fourth wall breakers. Cusack is just so on point that he reminds me of myself when I wander around and talk to myself while trying to figure some shit out.
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post #11 of 93
6/10/09 at 3:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Parker View Post
My favorite is Ray Liotta in Goodfellas. That trial scene at the end, where he finally ditches the monologue and just starts talking to the camera.

I also love when actors will unexpectedly look at the camera in an acknowledging way. Like Chow Yun Fat, loading his shot gun and then looking directly into the camera as the last shell clicks into place before that fantastic warehouse shootout in Hard Boiled.

The one that always trips me out, no matter how many times I see it it Anna Karina in Godard's Band of Outsiders.
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post #12 of 93
6/10/09 at 3:50pm
Deadpool doesn't talk to the reader much. He just makes digressions where it seems he's aware he's a fictional character in a comic book. Within the story it's explained away that it's part of his dementia. He talks to the reader in the previous issue's summary at the beginning, but that doesn't really count.

Anyways, I loved it when Shatner would break the fourth wall in Boston Legal. It wasn't often, but everytime it was subtle and great. I especially liked when Craig Bierko heard the theme music at the beginning of an episode and looked around puzzled trying to see where it came from.
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post #13 of 93
6/10/09 at 3:55pm
It doesnt fall exactly in this category, but the "This is happening now!" sequence in "Spaceballs" comes to mind.
And if they do go with the 4th wall thing in a "Deadpool" movie, they should really just start it with all the Deapool stuff from Wolverine as a precredits equence, with Ryan Reynolds talkin to the audience like it was a dvd commentary.
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post #14 of 93
6/10/09 at 3:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ryoken View Post
It doesnt fall exactly in this category, but the "This is happening now!" sequence in "Spaceballs" comes to mind.
That totally applies. If it's aware it's a movie, then the fourth wall has been broken.
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post #15 of 93
6/10/09 at 4:05pm
Kurt Russell turning to grin at us in Death Proof.
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post #16 of 93
6/10/09 at 4:06pm
Fight Club, in a number of instances throughout the movie. Mel Brooks does it in many of his films.

I really like how Kenneth Branagh speaks direct to camera as Iago in Othello. I think if any Shakespeare character is aware of his existence as a fictional character, it's Iago.
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post #17 of 93
6/10/09 at 4:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith F View Post
That totally applies. If it's aware it's a movie, then the fourth wall has been broken.
By that line of thinking, a couple of Mel Brooks' films count, like Blazing Saddles.
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post #18 of 93
6/10/09 at 4:08pm
'Smokey and the Bandit' has the best moment: Burt has just outrun a cop and slowly drives by the camera...looks right at the viewer...smiles...and drives off.

It's one of those moments that is so perfect. I'm glad that they didn't use another take for that scene.
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post #19 of 93
6/10/09 at 4:09pm
Do Shakespere's solliloquys really counted as 4th Wall Breaks?
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post #20 of 93
6/10/09 at 4:11pm
Van Damme has a somewhat affecting one in JCVD.
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post #21 of 93
6/10/09 at 4:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Don S. View Post
By that line of thinking, a couple of Mel Brooks' films count, like Blazing Saddles.
Hedley Lamarr: A sheriff! But law and order is the last thing I want. Wait a minute... maybe I could turn this thing into my advantage. If I could find a sheriff who so offends the citizens of Rock Ridge that his very appearance would drive them out of town.

But where would I find such a man?

Why am I asking you?
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post #22 of 93
6/10/09 at 4:14pm
Now this is a cheap little movie,
and I am a cheap little guy
I'm going to abuse your eardrums
I'm going to make fun of your eyes
This whole movie is a great big hunk of shit, yeah
But I'm glad to be working and I'm proud to be a part of it
...
It's true you may never understand what this film's about, yeah...
But I'm the guy singing, and you're the dope who paid to find out

From DOWN AND DIRTY DUCK... a film that was originally to be titled ROGER CORMAN'S CHEAP until Roger Corman, the film's distributor, vetoed it.

EDIT - 2:45 in.
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post #23 of 93
6/10/09 at 4:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Humanoid View Post
Van Damme has a somewhat affecting one in JCVD.
Damn, just watched it again on DVD. No excuse for me to have forgotten that one. Simply stunning.
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post #24 of 93
6/10/09 at 4:16pm
'Wayne's World' has some great moments, including a funny one where Ed O'Neill gets chastised for talking to the audience:

Mikita's Manager, Glen: [to the camera] I'd never done a crazy thing in my life before that night. Why is it, that if a man kills another man in battle it's called heroic; yet if he kills a man in the heat of passion, it's called murder?
Wayne Campbell: Ho-woh! What do you think you're doing? Only me and Garth get to talk to the camera.
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post #25 of 93
6/10/09 at 4:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Don S. View Post
By that line of thinking, a couple of Mel Brooks' films count, like Blazing Saddles.
Yeah, the Mel Brooks examples are the textbook definition of breaking the fourth wall.
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post #26 of 93
6/10/09 at 4:23pm
Thread Starter 
In the Tv Land, Boston Legal was indeed great at it. One of the final episodes they were even about to mention the name of the show while looking straight into the camera.

What about just looking at the camera like it's the spectator? In Phantom of the Paradise Phoenix sings to the camera many times, even when it was established no character was in that direction, so it's for the audience. Does that count?
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post #27 of 93
6/10/09 at 4:24pm
No, you're just thoroughly down the Phantom of the Paradise rabbit hole now. It happens.
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post #28 of 93
6/10/09 at 4:27pm
Musicals don't count.
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post #29 of 93
6/10/09 at 4:29pm
I'm still baffled as to the purpose of the fly on the camera in Drag Me To Hell. It's a cool little effect, but it's purpose is to obviously take the audiences attention out of the film and then there's no real pay off to it.
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post #30 of 93
6/10/09 at 4:34pm
I like the "Flashback humor" line from Fight Club, but I'm entirely sure if it counts.
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post #31 of 93
6/10/09 at 4:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spike Marshall View Post
Do Shakespere's solliloquys really counted as 4th Wall Breaks?
In most cases, I'd say no, but in Othello, Branagh as Iago actually acknowledges the camera, if I'm remembering it correctly. (This is a logical extension of the debate on whether Iago as the character in the play is aware of his existence as a character in the play, which is way too lengthy to get into here, I think.)
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post #32 of 93
6/10/09 at 4:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Francis Wolcott View Post
I like the "Flashback humor" line from Fight Club, but I'm entirely sure if it counts.
Well, there's that, plus the narrator's various moments of speaking to camera, the look Tyler gives the camera after the "fucked like that since grade school", the film shaking and showing the sprocket holes during the "you're not your fucking khakis" speech. . . hell, even the cock appearing at the very end, implying Tyler's been in OUR projection booth.
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post #33 of 93
6/10/09 at 4:42pm
Does breaking the 4th wall take you out of the movie and back into reality? Do you have a hard time getting back into 'movie watching mode' once the instance has passed?
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post #34 of 93
6/10/09 at 4:44pm
Is it Superman II that ends with Reeves giving a big 'ole grin at the camera as he's flying through space? As a kid, I loved that bit.
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post #35 of 93
6/10/09 at 4:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richason View Post
Is it Superman II that ends with Reeves giving a big 'ole grin at the camera as he's flying through space? As a kid, I loved that bit.
I believe that's how both 1 AND 2 end. I loved that moment as well.
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post #36 of 93
6/10/09 at 4:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Judas Booth View Post
Does breaking the 4th wall take you out of the movie and back into reality? Do you have a hard time getting back into 'movie watching mode' once the instance has passed?
Not necessarily but it really depends on how it's handled. I think breaking the fourth wall and doing it well has to be one of the most complicated things to pull off without appearing obtuse or yanking you right of the film.
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post #37 of 93
6/10/09 at 4:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Judas Booth View Post
I believe that's how both 1 AND 2 end. I loved that moment as well.
I think it might be in all four. (and Singer's film) It became his gunbarrel scene.
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post #38 of 93
6/10/09 at 5:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nicholas Reed View Post
In most cases, I'd say no, but in Othello, Branagh as Iago actually acknowledges the camera, if I'm remembering it correctly. (This is a logical extension of the debate on whether Iago as the character in the play is aware of his existence as a character in the play, which is way too lengthy to get into here, I think.)
I'd DEFINITELY count Branagh's Iago as breaking the 4th wall. At least cinematically. It's not a soliloquy where he monologues to himself. He actively stops ravaging his wife to stand up and look directly into the camera to talk to the audience. I remember watching the film in high school and cracking up at it because I absolutely loved it and the way Iago so obviously enjoyed being the villain.
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post #39 of 93
6/10/09 at 5:03pm
I always loved Showalter's quick glance at the camera at the end of Wet Hot American Summer when he's getting dumped. So perfect.

I prefer those instances rather than the obvious Ferris Bueller type stuff.
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post #40 of 93
6/10/09 at 5:07pm
There's a brilliant, split-second "Are these guys fucking serious?" glance at the camera from Eddie Murphy in Trading Places that kills me every time, when the Duke Brothers are explaining to him what pork barrels are.
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post #41 of 93
6/10/09 at 5:07pm
It's not one I ever registered myself, but I remember Cameron Crowe crowing about a shot in Vanilla Sky where Tom Cruise is hugging Penelope Cruz and looks straight into the camera for a while as he realizes that he's in a dream.

Dunno if that counts.

Love the last shot of Magnolia though!
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post #42 of 93
6/10/09 at 5:12pm
In Dolemite, Rudy Ray Moore does some sort of (not so spectacular) action stunt, when his voice over cuts in and goes, /paraphrasing/ "Bet y'all muthafuckers didn't believe I really did that, did ya?". The camera then rewinds, and they show it again in slo-mo.

Rudy Ray Moore-what a showman!
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post #43 of 93
6/10/09 at 5:14pm
Eddie Murphy looking right at the camer like "WTF?" after being told that pork bellies are used to make bacon...which you might find in a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich, in Trading Places.

Perfect moment
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post #44 of 93
6/10/09 at 5:14pm
Malcom in the Middle is my favorite example.

Fight Club is all about the fourth wall breakage. The whole "let me tell you about Tyler" sequence is practically just Norton and Pitt interacting with the film and the audience.

Doesn't The Office technically count ?
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post #45 of 93
6/10/09 at 5:16pm
From my childhood:

In Tiny Toon Adventures: How I Spent My Summer Vacation... when Babs Bunny tests her water pistol on the fourth wall and runs off as the cameraman wipes the lens.
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post #46 of 93
6/10/09 at 5:16pm
Thread Starter 
The office is supposed to be a documentary, talking to the camera while they are supposedly being interviewed doesn't count for me.
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post #47 of 93
6/10/09 at 5:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tati View Post
In the Tv Land, Boston Legal was indeed great at it. One of the final episodes they were even about to mention the name of the show while looking straight into the camera.
I wonder if that's the same episode I remember. They kind of hint that this is the last episode of the season, and that the show would be back next season (and at a new time)? However, they did it in an obviously yet sort of subtle way, it was pretty clever.
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post #48 of 93
6/10/09 at 5:24pm
'Moonlighting' was another TV show that broke the 4th wall all the time. There were several episodes where they outright interacted with the film crew while the episode played out.

What a great show.
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post #49 of 93
6/10/09 at 5:27pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ElCapitanAmerica View Post
I wonder if that's the same episode I remember. They kind of hint that this is the last episode of the season, and that the show would be back next season (and at a new time)? However, they did it in an obviously yet sort of subtle way, it was pretty clever.
Different episodes, they did it often. Almost every season finale aknowledged in some form that it was a Tv Show, talking about ratings, seasons, letters sent and so on.

The one i was mentioning was during a trial about Network Tv not programming shows for adults. And that "the only show openly aimed at seniors is...i can't even say it, it would break that wall over there" while pointing at the camera. Pretty great.
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post #50 of 93
6/10/09 at 5:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Judas Booth View Post
'Moonlighting' was another TV show that broke the 4th wall all the time. There were several episodes where they outright interacted with the film crew while the episode played out.

What a great show.
Moonlighting was great for this. I remember this exchange:

"When did you figure that out?"

"During the commercial."

A few from naughty 80's- Wormser has a great wink to the camera while he's dancing with the Omega Moos, and the final shot of Porky's is a nod to the audience.
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