Michael argues with his agent, played to perfection by director Sydney Pollack. The best scene in the movie, imo.
Пікірлер: 429
@irrationallynegative6 ай бұрын
A master class in writing and acting. My god, Sidney Pollack was an outstanding director but also a vastly underrated actor. This scene and Russian Tea Room are comedy gems.
@lynnhanson21696 ай бұрын
The whole movie is perfect. Beefsteak 🍅!!
@j.st.jamesesq.959912 күн бұрын
I believe Pollack started out as an actor, then switched his career to directing.
@brianpomeroy96243 жыл бұрын
This is a perfect example of great writing. In just a few short minutes, we learn that Michael Dorsey is a difficult actor and why his career is failing. This is done in such a way that the characters are not only expressing their thoughts and feelings to each other in the dialogue, but also giving information about Michael Dorsey's character without forcing it on the audience.
@jefferoni1984 Жыл бұрын
Exactly. And you can also tell that they’ve had this argument many times before.
@00177454419 Жыл бұрын
"Excuse me, Is my acting interfering with your talking ?"
@Kylopod Жыл бұрын
This may well be one of the greatest expositional scenes of all time.
@lexkanyima2195 Жыл бұрын
@@jefferoni1984 maybe in real life
@michaelj.r457 Жыл бұрын
Yeah, and that's why Hoffman argued for Pollack to play the agent. This scene, in Dustin's eyes, was crucial to the whole movie, in establishing that Michael's reputation for being difficult is large enough that NO ONE will hire him (and that his own agent has to emphasize it THREE times.) He has no choice but to disguise himself. Dustin used the example of how Some Like It Hot was dependent on the St. Valentine's Day Massacre and Jack and Tony fearing for their lives after they are spotted at eyewitnesses. Dustin felt it would get close to a truthful level if Pollack, due to their real arguments, and as a man above Dustin in the filmmaking hierarchy as director, told him he would never get any work and that he was difficult, as opposed to a peer like Dabney Coleman (originally set to play the agent.)
@anyviolet Жыл бұрын
"You were a TOMATO!" Best (and funniest) scene in the movie and I still can't believe Sydney Pollack managed to direct it and be so frickin funny at the same time.
@Charlito7323 жыл бұрын
"I'm your agent, not your mother". This is one of the best dialogues in cinema history. Pollack and Hoffman, fucking hilarious.
@beckerman889 жыл бұрын
Sydney Pollack was tremendous in this as the agent - brilliant acting, and hilarious!
@pruthvish0074 жыл бұрын
Him & Bill Murray were brilliant
@jonahfalcon19703 жыл бұрын
@@pruthvish007 You're watching reality because Pollack HATED having to direct a very difficult Hoffman.
@freebretth3 жыл бұрын
Terrific dialogue.
@robertmcelwaine70243 жыл бұрын
The wonderful thing about this scene is it's not hard to agree and sympathize with George. Michael is essentially a decent guy but he fails to grasp the concept of dramatic license, and takes the acting profession a little too seriously. Supposedly Hoffman wasn't that far removed from his character in real life, and had shouting matches with Pollack on set or in his office. Art immiitating life.
@moimeme65333 жыл бұрын
@@robertmcelwaine7024 also he had to persuade/convince S. Pollack to play the role of the agent, which was orig slated to be Dabney Coleman , who was in turn ultimately cast as the womanizing tv director.
@jefferoni1984 Жыл бұрын
This scene is so brilliantly written and acted. After 40 years I still come back to it. The dynamic is so genuine and real. It almost feels like the sort of scene you’d write for a father and adult son. The father who loves his child but is completely exasperated trying to force them to face reality and grow up.
@lexkanyima2195 Жыл бұрын
It is in actual real life scene
@mattpope1746 Жыл бұрын
I wonder how much of the real life dynamic between the two men is being channeled brilliantly into the scene. Sydney Pollack the pragmatic director and Dustin Hoffman, the high-maintenance actor. My guess is the two may have had conversations on set that resembled this scene.
@madeleinegrayson8372Ай бұрын
@@mattpope1746Pollock was an actor first, he's not so removed from the actor mentality.
@robertmcelwaine70243 жыл бұрын
This scene never gets old. The exchange between Michael and George about the tomato commercial is priceless!
@sha112352 жыл бұрын
I think what makes it great is that both characters make good points about what they are talking about. Neither one is completely right nor wrong.
@yama51822 жыл бұрын
IT explained so much in a short amount of time…so clearly that we UNDERSTOOD Micheal…empathized hilariously and completely! 💖🤣
@user-hd3dc5up6i7 ай бұрын
Dustin Hoffman such a brilliant talented actor😊
@michaelshepard98243 ай бұрын
@@user-hd3dc5up6iSydney was no slack himself!
@VtRD10 жыл бұрын
Sidney Pollack was not only a brilliant director, he was a fine actor, too. Miss him, The writing in this scene, and the whole movie, is crisp and right on target. Casting was perfect, too--especially the late Charles Durning.
@sha1123510 жыл бұрын
Not all the roles were first choices. Actually, Sydney wanted Dabney Coleman to play George. It was Hoffman who insisted Sydney play it. Also, Dustin wanted Polly Holliday in the role Doris Belack got.
@ChrisWolff20137 жыл бұрын
Man was just a natural and insanely talented.
@funkmike6 жыл бұрын
From what I've heard in interviews, this was almost exactly the kind of arguments and relationship Pollack and Hoffman had in real life while making this film. A brilliant form of self-casting.
@superlex6116 жыл бұрын
funkmike but they improvised the scene
@jg12055 жыл бұрын
@Roger B That was Dave Grusin
@jaywilson45208 жыл бұрын
This is a fantastic scene. Pollack was vastly underrated as an actor.
@sha112358 жыл бұрын
And he did more acting than directing too.
@bradleybrown83992 жыл бұрын
By whom?
@danielterry382Ай бұрын
He was in a Soprano's episode years later with Tony !
@nanday1005 жыл бұрын
"This is a coast, too, George. New York is a coast too."
@integral16 жыл бұрын
Sydney was one of those artists who always brought quality and heart to his work, whether acting or directing. He reminded us of how good it is to be human, to feel, to laugh, and love.
@kneeman663 жыл бұрын
One of the greatest 4 minutes of dialog in movies
@HC-cb4yp2 жыл бұрын
It's not that Hollywood won't make movies like this anymore, it's that Hollywood doesn't know HOW to make movies like this any more and that is a heart-breaking tragedy...
@madeleinegrayson8372Ай бұрын
The corporate overlords wouldn't allow it anyway. And the green haired woke mob would have a fit.
@jamescollinson21795 жыл бұрын
This scene and the one with Pollack and Hoffman as Dorothy at the Russian Tea Room are hilarious and brilliantly written and acted.
@JohnLutherable2 жыл бұрын
the face Pollack makes when Dorothy asks him about the tea house, perfection lol
@Liebling0510 жыл бұрын
Best scene in the whole movie. Dustin and Sidney together are brilliant.
@jparsley779 жыл бұрын
"I did an endive salad that knocked critics on their ass!"
@tomtrinchera84054 жыл бұрын
"I will not get sucked into this conversation, I will not!" And he promptly gets sucked into the conversation.
@PhilippeTaponАй бұрын
And then Michael says “I don’t want to argue about it” and continues arguing.
@Liebling0512 жыл бұрын
Seriously, I'm in tears. One of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite comedies. I adore Dustin Hoffman :)
@12classics393 ай бұрын
The exchange about the tomato is alone some of the greatest comedy writing of all time.
@jcee68866 жыл бұрын
Sidney and Dustin... A master-class in acting right here. To think Sidney did not want to play the agent because he couldn't act
@superlex6115 жыл бұрын
He can be himself
@karen82lin10 жыл бұрын
One of the best comedies ever! This movie stands the test of time, no doubt about it.
@davidbkopp11 жыл бұрын
One of the best scenes in movie history.
@dianalee3059 Жыл бұрын
When you wanna send a steak back, Michael Dorsey is a name. LOL, so many great lines in this scene
@jesseburleson4329 жыл бұрын
Stellar acting. Hoffman and Pollack are absolutely brilliant!
@jesseburleson4329 жыл бұрын
Me too. For comedies!
@laurakenney2258 жыл бұрын
this movie is STILL funny!!
@folarinosibodu Жыл бұрын
damn the writing is so pitch perfect.
@aerialkate10 жыл бұрын
Best scene in the film, for me. Sydney Pollack was such an underrated actor. He equals Dustin Hoffman in this scene (in fact I think he stole it) and he's also terrific in Woody Allen's 'Husbands and Wives'. He should've acted more.
@HovaNirvana5 жыл бұрын
aerialkate He definitely stole the last scene they had together in the movie. ALL of George’s reactions to Michael are GOLD.
@arrestedeveloper14 жыл бұрын
You're a TOMATO!!! A tomato doesn't have logic! A tomato can't move!!! Priceless!
@mca121816 жыл бұрын
Always wanted to meet this guy. Mr. Pollack always seemed like the friendliest, most approachable talent in the world. Have always been a big admirer of his. And he will be forever emblazoned in my memory for brilliantly arguing with Dustin Hoffman over the logistics of being a tomato. Now I must just say God rest him. Thanks for this.
@charlespeters53379 жыл бұрын
"You were a TOMATO!"
@rydermccall35906 жыл бұрын
Sean McIntosh And that’s what I said!
@blairwaldorf-bass81805 жыл бұрын
Charles Peters A TOMATO DOESNT HAVE LOGIC
@SandWolf_5 жыл бұрын
I DID THE BEST TOMATO, THE BEST CUCUMBER!
@TheColinChapman8 жыл бұрын
nobody wants to pay twenty dollars to watch people living next to chemical waste, they can see that in New Jersey!
@haroldsgirl50438 жыл бұрын
+TheColinChapman lmfao! Love that line! :)
@GD10823 жыл бұрын
One of the greatest lines in cinema.
@moimeme65333 жыл бұрын
Preceded by “who gives a sh*t?!” 😆
@jameyb19843 жыл бұрын
Great line 😂😂😂😂
@brianpomeroy96242 жыл бұрын
Great line.
@BeautifulSpirit-kf5ld2 жыл бұрын
Michael is this complex mix of fear (please respect me!!), and respect for George, and denial, and unmet ego needs ...Brilliant writing.
@joshmorgan407 Жыл бұрын
In acting class in College I wrote and performed a two person scene modeled after this scene and the Help Me Help You scene in Jerry Maguire
@WitchmanDumb11 жыл бұрын
This scene is actually based on the real relationship between Pollack and Hoffman.
@sha1123511 жыл бұрын
I love it how George goes nuts over the tomato.
@Gandalf9149 жыл бұрын
Definitely the best scene in the movie......."Nobody wants to see a play about a couple who moved back to Love Canal." "But that actually happened!" "WHO GIVES A SHIT???!!!" hahahahahaha Oh my God I first saw this years ago and I still bust a gut!
@tomtrinchera84054 жыл бұрын
Yeah, that never fails to make me laugh too. Even when I first saw this at about the age of 12, I laughed over it even tho I didn't understand it!
@hobokenplayboy15 жыл бұрын
I know Jessica Lange won Best Supporting Actress, but I also say that Sydney Pollak should have been nominated for & WON Best Supporting Actor. A truly unappreciated performance.
@JenniferBrigitteOpticalVortex6 жыл бұрын
Seriously, she was NOTHING special in this movie. I wouldn't have nominated her at all. Pollack should have won!
@superlex6116 жыл бұрын
Jennifer Brigitte in general Pollack was more himself in that scene and he directed in his own way
@randywhite39474 жыл бұрын
Jennifer Brigitte absolutely not Lange was Brilliant in this movie one of the best supporting female performances ever
@nickholden86422 жыл бұрын
Facts!
@davidaghasaryan13433 жыл бұрын
I've seen this film so many times, I can practically quote the whole film
@commanderkeen37873 жыл бұрын
"I'm your agent, not your mother!" Haha fantastic writing
@davidzasloff8797 Жыл бұрын
The story goes that Dustin Hoffman had trouble doing this scene for some time, until he suggested that Sydney Pollack take the role of George, the agent. Hoffman said he’d have trouble listening to another actor trying to be his agent, but that he’d listen to his director being his agent. Pollack was reluctant, but eventually agreed, and the result was as we see here. This is one of the problems with method acting; makes it hard to invent stuff for a performance.
@madeleinegrayson8372Ай бұрын
Method is total bs. It's masturbating in public. No one wants to see your therapy sessions, lol. Act, don't wallow.
@Paul_WetorАй бұрын
I read that too. This might have been a common occurrence during filming, except here it was part of the story.
@RK-ml2ns3 жыл бұрын
One of the greatest movies ever made.
@jenniferlapidus22293 жыл бұрын
The joke is that Hoffman has always had a reputation for being “difficult.” Supposedly when he did the torture scenes in Marathon Man he stayed awake for 2 or 3 days. And Laurence Olivier said, “Dear boy, why don’t you try acting?”
@ChrisWolff20133 жыл бұрын
The guy was as dedicated to his craft as any actor during his time.
@jaywilson45203 жыл бұрын
He also had the lead role in Blade Runner too before Harrison Ford, but he got let go because they spent months discussing the role with him and answering one question after another. His rep for being exacting was well known, and Tootsie actually represented his comeback in a way. Art imitated life, or life imitated art.
@mskidi2 жыл бұрын
Hoffman was going through difficult times in his personal life and told Olivier about it, something about a divorce I think. So Lawrence adviced him to concentrate on his job as a way of getting his mind clear. The rest is just another bullshit fan fact, a myth.
@lenthisgoldstein95533 жыл бұрын
I agree this was Sydney Pollack's best scene great acting from an amazing director.
@TheFrankyboy7513 жыл бұрын
My God Sydney Pollack was brilliant too. Forever missed.
@kieguy16 жыл бұрын
"YOU WERE A TOMATO!!! A TOMATO DOESN'T HAVE LOGIC! A TOMATO CAN'T MOVE!" "That's what I said! So if he can't move, how's he gonna sit down, George?! I was a stand-up tomato, a juicy, sexy, beefsteak tomato...NOBODY DOES VEGETABLES LIKE ME!!"
@moimeme65333 жыл бұрын
there is a certain logic to it 😆
@HybridSpektar3 жыл бұрын
Arguably the best part in this whole movie!
@otherworld113 жыл бұрын
dear God, let me write something this funny.
@jimmccabe94125 жыл бұрын
Hands down one of the best scenes.
@washcloud15 жыл бұрын
"...Y O U W E R E A T O M A T O !!! A TOMATO DOESN'T HAVE LOGIC! A TOMATO CAN'T MOVE!!" Honest to god (even though i don't believe in one), here where Pollack cracks up, has always been one of the most appreciated moments in movie history as far as my taste goes. The whole office scene of course too.
@MemoryFoamWarehouse16 жыл бұрын
One of the greatest scenes in film history.
@orbison3 жыл бұрын
2:26 "You argue with everybody!" If you know the behind the scenes stories about the movie, you can't argue that that line was just as much Sydney talking to Dustin as it was George talking to Michael.
@kenw51044 жыл бұрын
1:50 "Who gives a shit!!! Nobody wants to pay 20 dollars to watch people livin next to chemical waste!!! They can see that in New Jersey!!!!" I never forget this line I first heard it 8 or 9. Only when I was a teen that realized the person who said it was a notable film director. RIP Sydney.
@mattsurridge91297 ай бұрын
One of the best scenes of all time.
@MikeMJPMUNCH9 жыл бұрын
Check out the behind the scenes of the making of Tootsie you will see this exactly how Pollack and Hoffman were with each other away from the camera although they were also very friendly towards each other as well but their arguments are so funny. It is what made Pollack perfect casting for the role of the agent.
@sha112358 жыл бұрын
It was Hoffman's idea for Sydney to play it.
@Paul_WetorАй бұрын
They probably put their real feelings into this scene. Hoffman didn't feel he could push back like this to another actor. But to the director he could. And Sidney did have past acting experience, but twenty years before.
@jeffstell9146 Жыл бұрын
Another sign Hoffman is a legend. He's a tremendous actor with a successful career and he totally nails the struggling loser actor part perfectly
@setpunks1310 жыл бұрын
I love that his roommate wrote a play called "return to love canal" lol who the hell would go BACK to love canal??
@Chanks42011 жыл бұрын
Perfection of art. This scene is pure perfection.
@dianalee3059 Жыл бұрын
I think this is one of the best scenes ever put on film. Love the chemistry between Hoffman and Pollack
@ATCguy19732 жыл бұрын
I think this scene has to be one of the funniest, if not the funniest, director cameos ever in movie history!
@jadentrez3 жыл бұрын
"New York is a coast too!" "Oh boy!" (The agent sees right away Michael is right back in Tomatoland)
@Jamthecoolerator4 жыл бұрын
This scene is perfect in and of itself.
@darrensmall55482 жыл бұрын
"Nobody does vegetables like me" ! that line cracks me up every time.
@DarrenBonJovi9 жыл бұрын
I could never order an endive salad without smirking
@tommyt19714 жыл бұрын
Ahn-deev!
@bigd3087 Жыл бұрын
“I did an endive salad that knocked the critics on their ass!” 🤣🤣☠️☠️ 8 years old when this movie came out. Saw it in theaters, one of my favorites ever since…40 years?? Awesome…
@davidmcgrath82286 жыл бұрын
i love this movie ..the 80s had great movies great actors /times Sydney had great talent.....
@dianalee30592 жыл бұрын
I really miss Sydney Pollack, a brilliant director AND actor
@rushrush12096 жыл бұрын
The best part of the movie how they are bickering at each other.
@Lugnut64052 Жыл бұрын
One of the greatest comedies ever.
@nickleization4 жыл бұрын
Sydney Pollack was a great actor as well as a director, so underrated!
@dnasty31216 жыл бұрын
One of my heroes! R.I.P. Sydney!
@callenclarke371Ай бұрын
One of my favorite scenes of all time.
@TheWaterfallprincess10 жыл бұрын
I agree..my fave scene in this movie by a mile ..Pollack & Hoffman are both amazing .. the dialogue is witty..sharp and hilariously executed .. xx
@sha1123510 жыл бұрын
What's great about this scene is that both men have good points.
@christopherbush9027Ай бұрын
They don’t make em like this anymore. Everything about this movie is perfection - the writing, direction, acting - even the score! Everyone involved in this movie was a true pro!
@lovesmusic3612 жыл бұрын
This scene and the Russian Tea Room are the whole movie! Thank you so much for posting two of the finest examples of the greatness of Sydney Pollack.
@cristinachaliandroi13692 жыл бұрын
One my favorite scenes from.this movie
@Martin94762 күн бұрын
Oh, the films we used to watch in the eighties. What a time to be alive.
@integral16 жыл бұрын
Thanks, Sydney, for all the great movies, for all your great performances. What a guy.
@MatthewGeoffino14 жыл бұрын
"WHO GIVES A SHIT?!!! Nobody wants to pay $20 to watch people live next to chemical waste, they can see that in New Jersey"...golden...simply golden
@tommyt19714 жыл бұрын
And the situation in Jersey was probably WORSE than Love Canal! (NO offense to any Jerseyites!)
@Chuck08563 жыл бұрын
@@tommyt1971 Sorry, offense taken.
@Chuck08563 жыл бұрын
Not to anyone who really knows NJ.
@jamesmackinnon77274 жыл бұрын
This movie was a gem: one of the greatest of screen actors portrayed an actor who is obnoxious and not as good as he thinks is (though he did pull off the lady character!).
@otherworld114 жыл бұрын
Great scene from one of the greatest movies ever made.
@xhezeii7 жыл бұрын
A JUICY SEXY BEEFSTEAK TOMATOES!
@bradhart64872 жыл бұрын
The way Pollack is subtly trying to hold himself back from exploding through most of the scene is just so amazing. Comedic performances are almost never held up to the same acclaim as dramatic ones...but a performance like this is every bit as skilled as any great supporting drama role. Pollack was an under appreciated actor.
@madercic3aolcom15 жыл бұрын
Classic scene from a terrific movie. Easily deserving of it's status on the American Film Institute's list of all time greatest.
@KapustaGrozy12 жыл бұрын
One of best scenes in "Tootsie" !
@fosbury683 ай бұрын
"Get some therapy". Great scene, well-acted by director Sydney Pollack.
@mikeesernia42812 жыл бұрын
“You were a tomato!!! A tomato doesn’t have logic - a tomato can’t move!” “That’s what I said! So if he can’t move, how’s he gonna sit down, George???” 🤣😂
@NJGuy1973 Жыл бұрын
Michael does make a good point.
@stephenfermoyle4578Ай бұрын
i would have loved to have met him. Sydney Pollack was a really really great Man
@RYN9888 ай бұрын
This is a fantastically written show. Always makes me laugh hysterically! YOU’RE A TOMATO!
@alphabetaxenonzzzcat4 жыл бұрын
Fantastic scene from one of the great film comedies of all time. The film is a great satire on the acting world and also soap operas. Also - can’t help but think that Hoffman is like that in real life! 😂
@PoxyBear16 жыл бұрын
"Owe it all up to her and on her terms." "Oh God, here comes the terms" One of the greatest scenes ever!
@MikeMJPMUNCH16 жыл бұрын
The scenes between pollack and hoffman are the best.
@GroovyShelly3 ай бұрын
"I did an endive salad that knocked the critics on their ass!" Gelbart's brilliant writing, coupled with Pollack & Hoffman's chemistry - magic! If Pollack wasn't such a terrific director, he could've been a brilliant, constantly booked actor.
@tommyt19714 жыл бұрын
Most of the dialog in this scene had to have been improvised -- their interaction is too perfect to have been written out!
@drewevans30543 жыл бұрын
One of the best cuts in film history
@nooyawkfun15 жыл бұрын
Brilliant scene.
@pprims5 жыл бұрын
This is one of the funniest scenes in the history of American movies. I laugh hysterically every time. That’s good comedy and writing.
@gaoutlaw5 жыл бұрын
"Who gives a sh*t??!" Sydney rocks.
@Pippa-tf8je3 жыл бұрын
I adore these two!! 💙💙
@godzillabrawler1266 Жыл бұрын
1:20 I will not get sucked into this conversation, Michael. I will not!
@crisvanfan9 ай бұрын
And proceeds to get sucked into the conversation
@mistermattmoose11 жыл бұрын
i played an endive salad that knocked the critics on their asses!
@maddymud5 жыл бұрын
mistermatt moose my fav line in the flick
@sha1123511 жыл бұрын
I would love to do this scene in an acting class.
@reelmensch16 жыл бұрын
A class-act, top-notch Director, Producer, and Actor will sorely be missed, but your dreams, and your work will live on forever.
@dianalee30592 жыл бұрын
I read somewhere that Dustin Hoffman sent Sydney Pollack roses every day with a card that said Please be my agent, Love, Dorothy until Pollack said yes