Saturday, June 15, 2013

Top 10 Scenes of People Getting Fired

There’s a certain, immediate sympathy a character gets from the audience after being fired. Whether they deserve it or not, we feel for them, if ever so briefly. Some of the entries below are funny, others are rather disturbing, but either way, these are the best examples of people being shit canned on film that I’ve seen.

Honorable Mention: Jack Lemmon, Ed Harris, Alan Arkin – Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
Alec Baldwin’s fascinating rant in Glengarry Glen Ross gets in honorable mention here because it’s technically not an actual firing, but more of the threat of being fired.

Oh, have I got your attention now?

10. John Bloom – Casino (1995)
Don Ward (Bloom) is the dumb country shmuck who can’t seem to catch a break from his boss, Sam “Ace” Rothstein (Robert De Niro). Ace gives Ward many warnings before finally firing him. The result is one of the most entertaining scenes of an extremely entertaining film, here is an excerpt, spoken entirely by Ace:

“Listen you fuckin’ yokel, I’ve been carrying your ass in this place ever since I got here…If you didn’t know you were being scammed, you’re too fuckin’ dumb to keep this job. If you did know, you were in on it, either way YOU’RE OUT!”

9. Tamala Jones – Up in the Air (2009)
In a list of this kind, it’s impossible not to name at least one lay off featured in a movie about firing people. There are many to choose from in Up in the Air, but the one that strikes me most is when poor Anna Kendrick lets a middle aged woman go, only to find out that employee plans to kill herself. There’s a very specific apathy in the woman’s voice that is truly haunting. Kendrick’s character is as freaked out as we are. Appropriately so.

8. William Wise – 13 Conversations About One Thing (2001)
Alan Arkin’s Gene is forced to make cuts within his department. Given that Gene is a resentful old codger, he decides to fire Wade Bowman (Wise), the most cheerful man in the entire office. The ironic beauty is that Wade takes the news in stride, boasting that everything happens for a reason. Gene, of course, is pissed he didn’t ruin Wade’s day. What happens next only adds to the glorious mockery of the situation.

7. Tom Cruise – Jerry Maguire (1996)
“I came here to let you go,” a smug Bob Sugar (Jay Mohr) says to his mentor, Jerry Maguire. The bafflement on Cruise’s face speaks volumes. He goes through a gamut of emotions within a matter of seconds.

“It’s real, you should say something,” Sugar chimes in.

Ouch.

6. Robin Williams – One Hour Photo (2002)
Of all the people on this list, I don’t think anyone loved their job more than Sy Parrish (Robin Williams). Sy lets his employment for a one-hour photo lab mask his obsession with a local family. He prints so many extra copies of the family’s pictures, that his boss, Bill (Gary Cole) soon takes notice. When Sy is finally let go, he lets out a pathetic little whimper that breaks my heart. My sympathy fades when logic kicks in, and I’m left asking, What the hell is this guy going to do now?

5. Dustin Hoffman – Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
Ted Kramer needs his job. He’ll soon battle his bitter ex-wife in a vicious custody hearing for their son, and without a job, Ted’s chances are nonexistent. But his boss thinks Ted has been slipping. His work has faltered and his attention has diminished. So he takes Ted out to lunch and fires him. The scene is only made more devastating when the boss offers a hand-me-out to Ted – a little money to tide Ted over.

“Shame on you,” Ted expertly says as he exits the table. And really, what is there left to say?

4. Andrew Garfield – The Social Network (2010)
Not so much fired as completely screwed over, but Andrew Garfield’s best scene in The Social Network occurs when his character, Eduardo Saverin, realizes his Facebook ownership shares have been diluted to .03%. The worst part? He led himself into the trap. That stings.

3. William Holden – Network (1976)
I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone so elated to fire an employee than Robert Duvall canning William Holden in Network. After Duvall gains control of the news division of their network, he looks Holden right in the eye and unleashes a vengeful monologue of sheer fire and brimstone.

“I’m making all network decisions, including one I’ve been wanting to make for a loooooong time – you’re fired.”

And believe me, that’s the nicest thing Duvall says in the scene.

2. Mark Wahlberg – Boogie Nights (1997)
Drowning in a sea of pure coke, heavy liquor, and endless sex, Dirk Diggler is so fucking out of it when his director, Jack Horner, fires him that he doesn’t even realize what’s happening.

“I’m not going to shoot you in the state you’re in,” Horner says diplomatically.

“What do you mean ‘state’? State of California? I KNOW WHERE THE FUCK I AM, JACK!”

God, I just love this scene.

1. Nicolas Cage – Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
One of the most devastating sequences in one of the most devastating films I’ve ever seen is when Nicolas Cage’s Ben Sanderson is let go from his Hollywood screenwriting job in Leaving Las Vegas. Just look at the way Ben barely makes it into his boss’ office, correcting his clothes and posture as he sits down. His boss lets him go and slides Ben a severance check. Ben thinks it’s too much, then apologizes for his behavior while crying. He knows he’s a fuck up, and he knows his boss has to do this. And it’s that sense of immediate acceptance that just kills me.



There are many more to choose from (I really wanted to include Tom Hanks’ crushing blow in Philadelphia) so be sure to tell me some of your favorites.

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30 comments:

  1. Great list! As I was going down the list I kept thinking, "Where's Leaving Las Vegas?" That scene sets the tone for the rest of the movie so beautifully (and tragically). The only scene I would add to your list is from Anchorman. You know the one. :)

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    1. Thanks! That scene from LLV really does kill me. Anchorman... sadly, I've never been a fan. I don't go in much for Will Ferrell and his troupe.

      Thanks so much for reading and commenting though!

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  2. Oh man, that's a good list. The scene in Up in the Air scared me. What's more surprising for me that the actress playing that woman is Tamala Jones. An actress known for comedy and here, she is very straightforward in her approach where what she says was just shocking.

    I also love that scene in Jerry Maguire. I hate Bob Sugar. I hate that guy so much, I wanted to punch him in the face.

    The scene in The Social Network was great as well.

    There's another scene that is about being fired although it's much more dramatic which is Secretary in which James Spader's character fires Maggie Gyllenhaal because she pushed his sexual and emotional buttons. It's really an emotional moment because it showcases Spader's vulnerability and the shame that he carries yet Gyllenhaal wants to be there for him. It's a very intense moment although I don't think it fits into that scene.

    Yet, there's one character who is the master of firing people. Not Donald Trump although if he were to fire me in my face. I'd bite his fucking finger off, break his fucking nose, grab whatever alcoholic drink he has and pour it on his head and light the fucker on fire.

    Here's the character I'm talking about (well if you're familiar with the world of pro wrestling... or sports entertainment as this man would call it): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuBGevbuQYs

    MCMAHON 3:16... I've got the brass to fire your ass!!!!

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    1. Thanks man. First off, I had trouble finding Jones' name, so thanks for filling that gap. You da man.

      You know, I completely forgot about that Secretary scene. Excellent choice there.

      Vince McMahon is a badass. Dude is a little crazy and I dig it. I remember him almost fighting Bob Costas as HBO. Shit was hilarious.

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    2. Oh, I remember that. Vince was trying to slap Bob Costas and some shit. Nowadays, he's just an out-of-touch dinosaur who continually likes to have people kiss his ass like that overrated fruity pebble John Cena.

      Oh, there's another great scene of someone getting fired. Paul Giamatti in Private Parts where he fires Robin Quivers for not giving him the script as Giamatti's intensity where he tells Robin to pack her shit and get the fuck out. Man, you hated his character and ended up rooting for Howard Stern to fire back and get Robin back. That film ruled.

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    3. That one was really close to making the cut here. Giamatti is a beast in that scene. Fucking hilarious. I need to watch that movie again.

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  3. Great list! (as always) this reminds me that I really need to re-watch One Hour Photo.

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  4. Ooo nice list. Now I want to rewatch The Social Newtwork. I remember when I first saw that part. I was literally smiling throughout the film and then that happened.

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    1. Thanks :)

      Garfield is a fuckin' beast in that scene. Poor bastard.

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  5. The one in Up In The Air was so creepy. Very creepy. I'll never forget it.

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    1. Her delivery is what makes it creepy. Sadly, it feels so damn real.

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    2. Yeah something like this could happen, well has already happened several times.

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  6. Fight Club! The scene where Edward Norton beats the crap out of himself. Can't beat that one surely? Although Boogie Nights is up there. Nice list!

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    1. Thanks Pete! I considered the Fight Club one, but he actually doesn't get fired, so I didn't count it. Great scene though.

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  7. This is an awesome list, man, and your top choice is a damn good one. It's been ages since I saw either One Hour Photo or Jerry Maguire -- I'm curious to check out those scenes again.

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    1. Thanks dude! Everytime I rewatch One Hour Photo, I'm utterly fascinated by how against type it is for Williams. Dude is nuts in it.

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  8. Oh my God...this list could not have come at a more appropriate time!! I may be re-posting this everywhere come Friday for personal reasons hahaha! But aside from that, Tom Cruise getting fired in Jerry Maguire is probably my all-time favorite job exits of all time.

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    1. Haha that's awesome! Wait, are you getting fired or something on Friday? Or maybe quitting at your own free will? That scene in Jerry Maguire is priceless.

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    2. I got the "You can either resign now, or have a 2 week trial to turn things around." So Friday concludes those 2 weeks...may have to pull out the Jerry Maguire moves >.<

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    3. Oh god, that is horrible. Really, I'm sorry to hear that. Hope things work out!

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  9. Awesome list! Glengarry Glen Ross is just filled with great scenes you could probably mention those in 40 different lists, the dialogue and the acting is amazing there.

    I LOVE that scene from Casino "Listen, Sammy he's already very sorry (...) YOU TOOK YOUR BOOTS OFF? YOU PUT YOUR FEET ON THE TABLE?!"

    Another scene I love is Malkovich in Burn After Reading - when he yells he doesn't have a drinking problem and then we cut to him fixing himself a drink :P

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    1. Thanks so much! Ohh I forgot about that Burn After Reading scene... GREAT call. Love Malkovich in that movie.

      I almost feel like I mention Glengarry too much in my lists. But I just can't help myself - it's so damn perfect.

      I always know I can count on you for some Casino support ;-)

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  10. Great choices. Garfield's scene would probably be my #1, but it's also the freshest one in my memory. Glad to see Casino and Network on here as well, but there's a lot to love here.

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    1. Thanks man! I didn't have a chance to mention it, but part of what makes that Garfield scene so good for me is how snarky Timberlake is. Such a perfect asshole.

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  11. Another magnificent list, Alex. Might I also compliment you on your fantastic screenshot choices, I imagine it wasn't too easy to pinpoint such emotional moments. The ones from Jerry Maguire and Leaving Las Vegas are perfect.

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    1. You know what, I really appreciate you complimenting the screenshots. Sometimes (definitely with this list) capturing the screenshots takes longer than writing the damn post itself. But I always try to tell a story with the screenshots. Always. So thanks!

      That LLV one kills me.

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  12. Not exactly "fired" but in American Beauty when Lester's boss and efficiency expert Brad tells him that he is to be laid off, Lester instead blackmails him for $60,000 and quits his job. Love how Les turns things around!

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