Cinema's Top 20 Drinking Scenes
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Written by: Ryan McNally
Throughout film history, alcohol has often played a memorable supporting role on the big screen, in roles ranging from tragic to comedic. The following list pays tribute to 20 of the most memorable drinking scenes in movie history, starting in the 1940s and running up through present day, with scenes running the gamut from hilarious to heartbreaking. Enjoy! |
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| 1. |
American Pie II
Crude humor may be the film's dominant force, but don't forget the nicely done scene in which Jason Biggs, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Eddie Kaye Thomas and Chris Klein raise their drinking containers to each other.
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| 2. |
Animal House
So much drinky, so little time. We'll take the scene in which John Belushi chugs a beer and chucks the bottle at a car. (Click here for a full review of this film.)
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| 3. |
Boyz In The Hood
If the fact that Ice Cube is drinking a 40 well before noon isn't enough, Director John Singleton gives us the memorable images of Cube pausing to pour out his 40 as he crosses the street.
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| 4. |
Caddyshack
Cannonball! Join Chevy Chase and Bill Murray for a great scene with plenty of drinking and smoking.
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| 5. |
Casablanca
Rick (Humphrey Bogart) hits the bottle hard in an effort to drown away his sorrows upon the return of his lost lover Ilsa (Ingrid Bergrman)
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| 6. |
The Godfather I & II
In the original, "fat Clemenza" dances a jig and chugs some wine from a pitcher; in part II, Frankie Pentagelli gets belligerent during the opening communion party, and in a later flashback scene the Corleones drink from a wine cellar in Sicily. (Click here for a full review of this film.)
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| 7. |
Leaving Las Vegas
Director Mike Figgis establishes the lead character's alcoholism right off the bat, with memorable shots of Nicholas Cage pounding a bottle of vodka while driving (as a cop drives alongside him) and later drinking down a full PINT of bourbon in a single chug at a strip club.
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| 8. |
Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels
After they "get the money," the crew celebrates in an unforgettable drinkfest joyously shot by Director Guy Ritchie. (Click here for a full review of this film.)
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| 9. |
North By Northwest
In this classic Hitchcock thriller, a group of kidnappers force liquor down the throat of Cary Grant, leading to a highly amusing encounter between "that guy" and a police officer after Grant flees the scene in his car.
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| 10. |
Office Space
After the crew successfully (or so they think) sticks it to the man and rips off their company, Ron Livingston & Co. celebrate with some old-school boozing. (Click here for a full review of this film.)
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| 11. |
On The Waterfront
Terry Malloy (Marlon Brando) coaches Edie (Eva Marie Saint) through her first shot, but her hard questions regarding his involvement in her brother's death puts an abrupt end to their conversation before they can get to their beers.
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| 12. |
Pollock
The tormented artist Pollock (Ed Harris), having seemingly licked his drinking problem, returns to the bottle in hardcore fashion: by pounding three straight GLASSES of whiskey. If that's not enough, he then proceeds to upend the entire Thanksgiving spread. (Click here for a full review of this film.)
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| 13. |
Raiders Of The Lost Ark
Shortly before all hell breaks loose, Karen Allen goes head-to-head in a shot contest with a beefy gentleman who appears to have the match won -- but then topples from his chair, leaving her to collect the winnings.
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| 14. |
Rushmore
When Mr. Blume (Bill Murray) allows high schooler Max (Jason Schwartzbaum) to indulge in a few cocktails following the debut of his newest play, he becomes belligerent toward Miss Cross's boyfriend, leading to a memorable line regarding his "OR scrubs."
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| 15. |
The Shawshank Redemption
Among the many memorable images in this classic film is the scene in which the prisoners drink some "suds" on the rooftop, thanks to some smooth talking by fellow prisoner Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins). (Click here for a full review of this film.)
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| 16. |
The Sting
Paul Newman shows up to a formal poker match drunk, spouting obscenities and toting a bottle of whiskey, much to the (intended) consternation of one of the game's players.
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| 17. |
Swingers
After a hard night of drinking, Trent (Vince Vaughn), Mikey (Jon Favreau)and Co. hit a late-night diner, where Trent makes a memorable impression by a) handing his food to another patron, b) climbing atop the table and screaming "My baby's all growns up," and c) declaring "I'm the asshole." (Click here for a full review of this film.)
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| 18. |
Trading Places
Yes, that's Dan Akroyd getting plowed in a Santa suit. He pounds a bottle of MD 20/20, unintelligibly grunts to Eddie Murphy and then proceeds to smash the bottle on the ground. Classic!
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| 19. |
Unforgiven
William Munny's (Clint Eastwood) return to wickedness and killing is tragically symbolized in this devastating return to the bottle, in which he pounds whiskey as a hooker recounts a litany of his previous sins, including the murder of women and children.
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| 20. |
National Lampoon's Vacation
Chevy Chase pulls his son aside to partake in the ultimate father-son moment: sharing a beer. The expression on Chevy's face after his son pounds the entire beer is a classic.
The 20 scenes listed above are but a few of the many classic drinking scenes in film history. Did we omit one of your favorites? Now's the time to set the record straight by dropping us a line and telling us which classic drinking scenes you approved of, and which ones we missed. You can pick up any of these movies by clicking on the corresponding film image above. |
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