And no, I don't mean scenes where you get up in the middle of the movie to go to the bathroom because you know it will be boring.
The bathroom is something that has always been pretty taboo in Hollywood. Unless characters are using it to have sex, no one really goes in there, but every once in a while you find a gem of a movie in which the bathroom is exploited to its full potential. I’m here to point out those moments. You’d be surprised about how many there are…
10. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) ((SPOILER ALERT))
Leave it to Robin Williams to make a movie in which the major turning point of the plot happens because he uses the bathroom. Actually, now that I think about it, both turning points revolve around mention of the bathroom. Because, in most places, you have to be one gender to pee. Hey, I didn’t say it was right.
9. Juno (2007)
“You better pay for that pee stick. Just because you marked it with your urine doesn’t mean it’s yours!” One of the only scenes I’ve ever seen in a movie where you are actually seeing a girl/woman use the bathroom. Have you ever noticed that? You see urinals all the time, but women aren’t allowed to actually pee. Then again, if you were to depict the bathroom realistically, we’d never get out of the movie because we’d have to watch the main actress stand in line for ten minutes first.
I couldn't find the exact scene, but most of you know what I'm talking about, so enjoy this strangely amusing clip instead. People are so odd:
8. Catch Me if You Can (2002)
Airplane bathrooms are gross. Seriously. Now imagine opening the toilet and escaping out of it. This is one of the best BR scenes ever, since it utilizes the main character’s genius in a way that you really don’t see coming- I mean, seriously, who would think of unscrewing the top of the toilet and climbing into it? I certainly wouldn’t, which is what makes this scene so great.
7. Breathless (1960)
What do you do when you want to take a girl out on a date and have no cash? Go to the bathroom and rob a random stranger that you’re peeing next to, of course! I mean, who wouldn’t?
6. Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Although this example is kind of depressing, it’s still a great scene and an example of what you can do when you’re in deep shit…. literally.
5. Kramer vs. Kramer (1978)
I included this because even though it doesn’t show anything, it has got to be one of the cutest sequences in all of film history. You would never expect the bathroom to be an adorable bonding experience between characters, but here we are. It happens at around 9:35-
4. Charlie Bartlett (2007)
Okay, so maybe this wasn’t such a great movie, but you have to admit that the bathroom scenes are pretty awesome. Who can’t love the parallel between a bathroom and a confessional? You have to admit, it’s pretty good.
Let’s see- which one do I highlight? Let’s do the last one, since it’s John Travolta’s ultimate demise. What can we learn from this, kids? Never, ever put down your gun to piss.
2. Jurassic Park (1993)
No, not the lawyer on the toilet! One of my favorite examples of bathroom humor ever.
1. Lethal Weapon II (1989)
I’m sorry, but nothing tops a scene that revolves around not being able to get off the toilet because a bomb will be set off. Nothing. When you even say that out loud, it’s funny. And when you watch it, it’s even funnier. However, they had this scene towards the beginning of the movie, which automatically means that the rest is kind of a let-down. I still had to include it, however.
Honorable Mentions: Psycho (1960) and Heathers (1988)
Peace!
The Movie Mistress
This is an INSPIRED idea for a list! You're right -- bathrooms always have been a no-talkee subject in Hollywood and in TV, for that matter. I have no idea why.
ReplyDeleteI'd have to add Jeff Daniels', ahem, explosion in "Dumb and Dumber" to this list. It's gross and crude and juvenile, but it has me in stitches every time.
You're right- Dumb and Dumber's a good one! If we were going that route, I'd also add Austin Powers (the first one- where he's in the bathroom fighting but it just sounds like grunting... pretty great in my opinion).
ReplyDeleteOther honorables---
ReplyDeleteEastern Promises
2 scenes in Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke where Stadanko's feet get peed upon.
The Professional (so good)
When you gotta go, you gotta go...
ReplyDeleteI like your choice for number 1 - that's my most memorable scene from any of the Lethal Weapon movies.
ReplyDeleteThere's that great scene in Clerks when Dante's ex-girlfriend has sex with the corpse but I'm not sure they show her in there so it wouldn't count.
Of course one scene that would count is Ben Stiller's hilarious encounter with his zipper in There's Something About Mary.
There's also the scene with Ben Stiller flushing the toilet in Meet the Parents. He seems to have a thing about toilets, doesn't he?
ReplyDeleteGreat post man, worth reading every line and line, keep it up.
ReplyDelete