One of the most riveting interchanges in cinema - dripping with poignancy and pathos. A brokenhearted mother's persistent love for a son who's fallen short of all her hopes, at points trying to act as if she doesn't care but pivoting back irresistibly to adoring glances and bitter tears. "Luke, what went wrong?" covers more history and heartbreak in four words than an entire narrative on their relationship. It all reminds me of the biblical book of Proverbs: "...a wayward son brings grief to his mother." (10:1)
Some times growing from boys too men we destroy the dreams of others with our growth to who we a Destin to be not who they want or think us to be. A mother's love is ever lasting and only a woman can take over another woman role
Still my favorite Paul Newman Movie! I guess being a hard headed kid with a chip on my shoulder growing up Illinois foster homes and finally LHFC in Elgin, and having a similar relationship with my Mom! More of a big sister than mom? I saw a little of me in Cool Hand Luke! Just a Great Movie about life and being institutionalized, where sometimes? the only thing you have to fight with is insubordination and a strong will! But if you can't handle the clap back? Then sit down and shut up! I think I still held the record for running away?! Love this Movie!
Yep, to say it would have been just words, words that would have to be spoken time and time again They recognized what they had transcended words and stood for all time.
We used to joke that you could walk into any movie store in the world and say, I want to rent THE movie, and they'd give you "cool hand luke", greatest movie ever.
Sadness, reflection, regret, love, heartache, acceptance. This was well written and perfectly executed, i wonder how long this scene took to get right.
One of the greatest scenes in movie history...heart rending and more powerful due to the restraint Newman played the scene with. And Jo Van Fleet's depiction of Arleta is one of the great performances of all time.
Jo Van Fleet acted more in those 7 minutes, then some actresses have performed in a lifetime!!! What a quick emotional and moving scene between two outstanding actors!!!
The greatness of cool hand Luke hangs on this one scene. Pretty much everything you need to know about Luke you learn in this scene. I can't name five movies better than this.
I saw this film the first time when I was 17.. What an impact it had. But this scene went right over my adolescent head. Saw it a couple of times since and this scene gets more profound with each viewing. Just saw this snippet now in '24 at 73 years old . My heart aches for the both of them.
Jo Van Fleet. I knew old Arkansas women like that when I was growing up. Stoppred farming and began waitressing to make ends meet. The lost the family farm. Fleet conveys the underside of life so perfect. As for Newman? He conveys a loser who has given up on life for no reason at all. Two Oscars for sure, but not in Hollywood. They don't know who Oscars is anymore.
So true. The trifecta. Story/screenplay actors and direction. Can't beat it and never will no matter how many pixar dummies they put on the screen today.
Between the terrific acting of Paul Newman and Jo Van Fleet in the very emotional scene, the wonderful use of the song, "Just A Closer Walk with Thee" as sung by Harry Dean Stanton and all else going on at the same time, it's just absolute perfection. One of the top 5 movies of all time in my opinion.
Bobby Deerfield damn right !!! there needs to be a petition to get Harry Dean Stanton to release a full version of that song. its the best version of that song I've ever heard .
I've been poking around and you are right. All these big name singers don't come close. They seem to want to make it about themselves, not pure and direct like here. Well at least we have it on youtube. Wish I had it on iPod.
I can't watch this without getting misty-eyed. I hurt for Luke that he can't even touch his mother to hug her for the last time, and I hurt for Arleta that she won't live long enough to see her son released from prison. Very moving scene with two brilliant actors.
I always felt for John in this scene. It's one thing to know your parents have a favorite, it's another to have them admit it while you're standing right there.
The first time I watched CHL, I thought it was very charming. The second time I watched it, I was ruined for a good 24 hours. Such a heavy movie. They sure don't make them like they use to.
Best scene of all time. I can't help but well up each time. Newman's acceptance of the situation and his brother's dismissive behaviour shows his true love for his mother. Such a simple yet poignant script but delivered masterfully by both actors. True art.
I completely agree with all three gentleman below. Each and every aspect of this scene, the subtlety of gestures, expressions, movements, facial expressions, camera angles, the depth of the dialogue, all make for pure genius.
His Mom!..And regardless of what you might here or see!..A man never loses the maternal love for the one that gave him life!..You may think your a tough cookie!..But Mom will still set you straight!
What do we have to watch now ? Spider man number 8 jillion. This scene ,and so many like them,is why I rarely watch anything after 2000.This was what movies used to be about. Raw talent that told a story and made you feel it.
This scene reminds me of how my Mom was always in my corner , always truthfull, straight forward and always loyal.Especially when my life was spinning around mostly by my own doing.Wish I could hug her , talk with her , tell her I love her one more time.
Jo Van Fleet is an underappreciated character actress. This role, "East of Eden," "The Rose Tatoo," and "I Love You Alice B. Toklas": four classic and eclectic performances.
mortensen egbert I had never heard of her before I saw this movie as an 80's teen. Then I saw East of Eden and couldn't believe it was the same actress
Harry Dean Stanton’s singing 🎶 of the song is the best of any I ever ever heard. Too bad you can’t find the whole song by him. Reminds me of my Mother she loved that song.
My mother had 8 children and I still feel guilty because of the close relationship we had. I used to stay gone on mother's day and her birthday so they could shine in her eyes on those days.
There are family relationships and there are bonds forged at higher levels that form because of factors we don't know about, perhaps chemical, DNA, moments in time when people's minds were aligned, and many other factors and can roll into one. Arleta had such a relationship with Luke, it transcending that of her other children, she didn't really understand it but she knew it existed. One cannot fight Love in it's various forms. There is no guilt on your behalf, you were the recipient of something special, take it as something special and treasure it. Sounds like you did everything to let others share in what you had, that is incredibly honorable, but there is nothing you could have done to turn away your mothers deep seated relationship that she felt for you. Maybe it's time to let go of the guilt and be free of it?
I'm not sure who steals this scene, Newman or Van Fleet, but for my money, Van Fleet. Absolute perfection. Could this scene possibly be more emotive? Wow. But Newman steals the entire film, needless to say.
HOW MANY TIMES WAS THIS SCENE PLAYED OUT IN REAL LIFE DURING THE DEPRESSION ? My grandfather was sent to a work camp in Louisiana 1934. His mother would visit and talk to him through chicken wire . She fell into such a great sadness, she got addicted to morphine and died .
I've met old women like the one depicted by the great Jo Van Fleet. They come from limited education but they try. Their kids sometimes turn out just like Newman's Luke. Losers. Never holding down a good job and usually wind up in prison or dead. Great acting by Newman and Van Fleet. How they do it is the mystery of being an actor's actor.
One of my favourite films but I think this scene is the most touching. Paul Newman played a great part but Arleta (sorry don't know the actresses name) absolutely nailed that scene.
I'm thinking Arleta had lung cancer back when it was just starting to become commonplace (cigarette smoking was uncommon before the 1910's) and the only treatment or relief for it back then was to be doped up on morphine until you died. This was a totally unconventional mother son relationship in the deep south back then. Both of them hanging out like pals! And she was very nonjudgmental with Luke considering her background.
Dang Luke blew his chances in being a free man after two years worth. and In being captain of the road gang I would have said and stated You have a chance of u becoming a trustee and a chance for freedom, if you don't blow it. So that means U will see a nice man or one mean sob.
