Jack Nicholson added his two cents to the movie’s script when he played the character colonel Nathan R. Jessup in this war film. Court-martial lawyer Daniel Kaffee (who was played by Tom Cruise) exposes Colonel Nathan R Jessup’s false testimony surrounding the death of a Marine named Santiago.
When pressed by Kaffee to tell the truth, he shouted: “you can’t handle the truth!” The quote is often used to deny somebody’s information that has been deemed too sensitive. The scene has since been used in a number of T.V. shows as a parody, including in Season 5 Episode 14 of Seinfeld and in a Burger King commercial in 1998.
The Devil Wears Prada
For those who have seen this movie, you should be familiar with Meryl Streep’s character as magazine editor Miranda Priestly. Her ice queen persona was loosely based on Anna Wintour the notorious editor in chief of Vogue magazine, one of the world's most revered style magazines. In the film, Streep channeled her best Wintour and made cinema history with the line “Everyone wants to be us."
Streep drew critical praise for her performance as a powerful fashion magazine editor and received many award nominations including her record-setting 14th Oscar nomination and the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical.
Ghost
In this classic 1990 film, Whoopi Goldberg plays the role of a psychic who encounters the ghost, Sam, played by Patrick Swayze. Goldberg won an academy award for best actress in a supporting role and sure made the character her own. “Molly, you in trouble girl,” is a line she added to the movie’s script. She also proceeded to take home the BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Saturn Awards in addition to the Oscar.
Thanks to the actors in the film, which also included Demi Moore, Tony Goldwyn, and Rick Aviles, the movie was a huge success and grossed over $505.7 million at the box office. The film received nominations for five Academy Awards.
The Fugitive
Remembering all your lines proves to be not so easy a task! When Harrison Ford’s character is pointing a gun at Tommy Lee Jones’ character and saying “ I didn’t kill my wife” Jones forgets to say “that isn’t my problem.” Instead, he says “I don’t care.” The director loved it and went with it.
The film received seven Academy Award nominations including for Best Picture with Tommy Lee Jone taking home an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. The film was subsequently followed by a 1998 spin-off, U.S. Marshals.
When Harry Met Sally
If you’re a rom-com lover, then you are most likely a fan of this 1989 comedy. The film follows Billy Crystal and Meg Ryans’ characters from the time they first encounter each other as car companions to New York City from college, their hours-long car ride together in n a cross-country journey, through twelve years of random encounters in New York City.
The film follows their friendship and their transition to lovers. While the story is scripted, some moments were ad-libbed. Did you know that Billy Crystal made up this line on the spot? “I would be proud to partake of your pecan pie.” Meg Ryan thought it was hilarious and they kept it in the film.