TheVine. Skip directly to: Search Box, Section Navigation, Content.

Most awkward moments on film

Posted in ENTERTAINMENT by SebastianCordoba on Jan 05, 09:20AM

We have all experienced the all consuming shame that accompanies those moments in life when you just wish the earth would swallow you whole. These instances filled with embarrassing glory leave deep emotional scars that in time become hilarious anecdotes. No matter the cause, I think we can all agree that embarrassment is hilarious as long it’s not happening to us.

As Mel Brooks once noted, “Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you walk into an open sewer and die.”

Thanks to comedians such as Ben Stiller, Ricky Gervais, Steve Carell and Will Ferrell, embarrassment has become a rich source of comedy. Their awkward shenanigans have become the most popular form of humour in recent times managing to both entertain, amuse and make audiences slightly uncomfortable.

We have compiled our top ten list of the most embarrassing moments on film. We laugh at these scenes because they are funny, but we also rejoice at the fact they did not happen to us.

10. Swingers (1996)
Mike (Jon Favreau) decides to embark on the slippery slope that is the drunken call. After meeting a prospective conquest he decides to call and leave a staggering six voice messages in the same evening. Eagerness, as is the case with this scene, usually leads to embarrassment. Consider this a life lesson learnt.

9. Sixteen Candles (1984)
Samantha’s (Molly Ringwald) grandparents are so proud of her developing pubescent bosom they decided that a grope is the only suitable form of appreciation.

8. Bananas (1971)
Fielding (Woody Allen) and partner consummate their marriage in a televised event. The embarrassment factor is incredibly high as he has to justify his subpar performance in a post match television interview.

7. Old School (2003)
Will Ferrell perfectly portrays the moment he realises that streaking might not be suitable in his early thirties.

6. Billy Madison (1995)
Best put down ever.

5. Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001)
For most people an unfortunate underwear choice is perhaps the most common source of embarrassment.

4. Meet the Parents (2000)
Ben Stiller has made a career out of embarrassment thanks to scenes like this one.

3. The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)
What is supposed to be a special time in every boy’s life ended up with an unfortunate toe sucking incident. So shameful he remained a virgin for almost two decades. Still probably this was not as embarrassing as having to confess this to his lothario workmates.

2. American Pie (1999)
It’s tough being a horny teenager... so tough.

1. There’s Something About Mary (1998)
So traumatic that it has made a generation of males think twice when zipping up their pants.

Currently 0/5 Stars.
1
2
3
4
5

TAGS: entertainment, movies

Reader comments (9)

Post a Comment

Kinna ON 05 Jan 2009 11:02:15AM C'mon everbody! We're going streaking through the quad!

Flag

arielamazing ON 05 Jan 2009 11:52:37AM Bring your little green hat!

Flag

Nick ON 05 Jan 2009 03:47:36PM This scene in Adaptation. Hell even the whole film. http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=_VseQe4TFsg

Flag

chickchickchicken ON 06 Jan 2009 10:58:56AM That Billy Madison clip is classic! Take that!

Flag

tailspinner ON 09 Jan 2009 10:52:22AM it's a pity that this is about film, because there are dozens of great tv examples of this. Hell, there are dozens just in the (original) Office. Ricky Gervais telling the Black Man's Cock joke is so squirm-inducing i can't laugh even though i know it's funny. http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=lOO0l2r3uJ4

Flag

chickchickchicken ON 09 Jan 2009 11:39:32AM That is so true! That "The Office" moment is torture! Right along with David Brents weird dance routine on the Red Nose Day episode! Gross and hilarious!

Flag

tailspinner ON 09 Jan 2009 11:59:46AM ohhhh... the Comedy Relief episode ... forgot about that. I know people who have actually learned that routine. In the same episode when he begs for his job and then comes out from behind the desk wearing that costume, you don't know whether or not to laugh or cry. Funny how that moment made me realise that i had genuine sympathy for an almost unlikeable character.

Flag

arielamazing ON 09 Jan 2009 12:03:14PM I prefer a flan.

Flag

MrOtto ON 18 Jan 2009 10:09:59PM For me the whole Borat movie is awkward. But if I had to vote for a scene it would be the dinner scene where he asks the host of the dinner party for the location of the toilet and comes back to the dinner table with a bag of poo!