"You know, I'd almost forgotten what your eyes looked like. Still the same. Pissholes in the snow." - Jack Carter
A lot of people forget how menacing Michael Caine could be back when he was in his prime, before he started winning Oscars for sentimental films like The Cider House Rules and appearing in every terrible film that would give him a decent paycheck. Young Michael Caine is kind of terrifying. In this film, he plays a hit man who returns to his home town for his brother's funeral, and to investigate who was responsible for his death. While there, he meets up with an old associate, and he delivers this contemptuous line perfectly. It's an insult, but it also has a threatening edge to it. What makes it even better that the actor playing the old friend was actually originally considered for the role of Jack Carter, but was instead cast as Eric Paice. His alcoholism and jealousy of Michael Caine's success led to some tension between the two actors on set, which only adds to the drama of this scene.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
