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Clip description
Group convenor Paul (Paul Gleeson) asks newcomer Anthony (William Zappa), an advertising executive, if he is a father. Anthony has difficulty answering. He suddenly breaks down and says that his daughter died in a road accident and that the vehicle involved was a model promoted by one of his advertising campaigns.
Curator’s notes
The scene marks a turning point in the narrative, representing the first twist of the key that unlocks the men’s most deeply buried emotions. If someone asks you to explain the difference between sentimental tears and real, earned emotion in a film, play them this clip.
Zappa, a respected stage veteran with a relatively modest number of film roles in his career, gives a remarkable performance in this key scene. Anthony’s tears reflect a pain that appears so real, so deeply felt, that the scene is emotionally confronting. And the way he recovers with an apology, a bad gag and a forced laugh, ends the scene to perfection.
