A Few Good Men: You Have to Ask Me Nicely (Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson Scene)

Jessup (Jack Nicholson) demands the respect of Kaffee (Tom Cruise).
#AFewGoodMen #TomCruise #JackNicholson #moviescenes
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Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson and Demi Moore star in Rob Reiner's unanimously acclaimed drama about the dangerous difference between following orders and following one's conscience. Cruise stars as a brash Navy lawyer who's teamed with a gung-ho litigator (Moore) in a politically explosive murder case. Charged with defending two Marines accused of killing a fellow soldier, they are confronted with complex issues of loyalty and honor, including its most sacred code and its most formidable warrior (Nicholson). Superbly directed with a trio of powerhouse performances and an outstanding supporting cast including Kevin Pollak, Kiefer Sutherland and Kevin Bacon.

[@SeifNagargar]

The performance of Jack Nicholson is just superb. Always a great actor.

[@trevorinthailand]

Hes a great actor because he an arsehole in life

[@jamesfeldman4234]

According to show-biz lore, Jack Nicholson was paid $500,000 a day for a 10-day shooting schedule. I know that's a lot of money, but I have to say that Jack earned every dollar.

[@squirrelsinjacket1804]

He stole every scene he was in, intimidating as hell.

[@4Him4u2]

There are some heavy hitters in that scene, all the way around.

[@michael-4k4000]

Are they all scientologists?

[@rezafahimreza]

"You gotta ask me nicely" damn. Nicholson really makes you feel shiver through your spine

[@YoungManDub]

The 5 grams of cocaine makes his spine shiver too

[@sharonjensen3016]

That's exactly how those who abuse their power behave. Jessup was showing who he really was.

[@vickramsubramaniam1072]

Tom is totally at ease and not threatened by Jack's phenomenal acting. He looks very calm and focused on what he wants to deliver for the audience. Would love to see Tom doing a role like this in future. Mind blowing acting by both.

[@vinsanity982]

the way jack nicholson's ears pin backwards when he snarls is really awesome.

[@crazyhorse2995]

Damn straight.

[@KenBaker-x5o]

Like an angry dog

[@Socialdogma]

How do you not get chilled to the bone watching Nicholson in his scenes in this movie?

[@adennis200]

Hmm cause there is nothing to get chills from. See Nicholsons character is very obvious and easy do anticipate. He is the prototype of a military man, a general who is very patriotic, who has his own way, a rather medieval way, of protecting a country and running his unit and doing his job. He believes only in his world and whenever someone from the outside disrupts that world, he changes his tune and behaves like a predator. He defends his world and his mindset and thus he tries to be indimitading. And if you know all that, you can easily handle such a person cause you know pretty much that he is blowing hot air. The navy folks are an investigative authority, they can demand whatever they need and the general has no say in it but has to comply, end of story. So jessup can play tough all day, at the end of the day, he is powerless. So, nothing, but really nothing about hive gives me chills haha. My im slightly arrogant but If I knew that on paper, I have authority, he could try to do all tricks he has, I'd ignore them.

[@nickv.6712]

@@adennis200 I know you said he’s “a prototype of a military man” then called him a general.. he’s playing a colonel.

[@James.G.Ireland]

Because its not that great for that to happen anyone of us, hence why it doesn't 😅

[@newsupdates860]

🤣🤣

[@adennis200]

My bad

[@broaddusmarines]

As a former Marine, I have to say this; even though the Marines is in the Department of the Navy, the utter distain that the average Marine has for the Navy is very accurate.

[@ronachten2902]

Respectfully, sir, why do you think that is so? I have always believed that Marines are taught to respect themselves and others. Thank you for your service and for considering my question.

[@TheAquaMammal]

And do you know what MARINE stands for? My Ass Rides In Navy Equipment. They wouldn't exist were it not for the navy!

[@Saukingalpha]

LmO​@@TheAquaMammal

[@PostalWorker14]

@@TheAquaMammalWell I was in the Army we have own airline It’s called the Air Force

[@kenbaker-ps6ej]

It should also be pointed out that when Kaffe asks Kendrick if he can call him John, Kendrick replies, “No, you may not”. Lt. Kendrick is a second lieutenant and Kaffe is. Lt. Junior Grade, which means Kaffe outranks Kendrick. The movie makes it seem like Kendrick is superior in rank to Kaffe, but that is not true. Also, there is no such charge as “Conduct unbecoming of a United States Marine”. There is a “Conduct unbecoming an officer” charge which I believe Captain Ross mentions to Kaffe.

[@Jeff-fc3tw]

This is just one of many Movie moments that makes Jack Nicholson one of the Greatest

[@walterlv01]

My favorite part of this scene is at 4:08 where Kaffie throws Jessup off his game for just a few seconds with the Columbo move of asking a key question while supposedly leaving. Jessup's "what's that??" and repeating "for the file" were the only times he wasn't in control of the conversation, and then he recovers to act doubly belligerent to try and cover for the fact that he got caught with his guard down. hoping that they didn't notice. Great detail.

[@MyishaJB]

Kaffee was riding the wave of Joanne's courage. Her chutzpuh enabled him to ever so briefly step into his. For me it came down to, not a few good men, but one amazing woman who saw Kaffee's greatness and made demands on it. I wish to become like her who draws the best out of people (minus the constant insults). LOL

[@stevencoardvenice]

​@@MyishaJBif you haven't gotten a blowj0b from a senior officer, you're just letting the best in life pass you by

[@bojandolinar1535]

Good one, Columbo move. 😂

[@illgiveyathetick]

Completely disagree with this. What you’re seeing here is a killer, a marine, a leader… who’s just tired of this whole process. He doesn’t respect cruise, his character, and looks at him like as a weak, beta desk jockey. The way in which Cruise’s character just dismissively, disrespectfully says he “needs” the file is the last straw. Nicholsons explosion of anger is a reminder to Cruise of who the real man is. Who the alpha is. It has nothing to do with being caught off guard. It has to do with a fucking navy lawyer coming at a decorated US Marine. Hence the comment about the uniform and the Harvard mouth. End of story Cruise didn’t catch him off guard. He has already told him he’d get access to the file earlier in the convo. This is simply the straw that broke the camels back. He had been respectful to Cruise to this point, and cruise broke the civility first. The “your goddam right I did” /“you can’t handle the truth) later in the movie confirm this. Grew up with a Marine infantry LT as a dad. I can confirm he loved the accuracy with which Nicholson portrayed old school Marines

[@suleymanbabak1973]

@@illgiveyathetick you got that right. It wasn't a Columbo move at all. Kaffee had just involuntarily triggered Jessup with his attitude. This led to that brief moment of humiliation, but also exposed Jessup's fatal flaw: his pride.

[@jjrmorenojm]

I was a teenager when this movie came out. This scene had me stunned and scared. Jack Nicholson is BOSS.

[@lukekiely2450]

Apparently during the first table read or so, all the actors weren’t really as focused or in character as they were only reading the script for the first time, but Jack Nicholson was full on locked in, totally in character and looking dead in the eyes at people. The rest started panicking, trying to get in character quickly to keep up with Nicholson 😂😂

[@MyishaJB]

Say whaaaa? I could believe that!

[@stevencoardvenice]

He makes the whole movie

[@skynetprime82]

Jack Nicholson played jessup as flawlessly as he did the joker from batman in my humble opinion 😎

[@thullraven1]

IMHO, you are correct!

[@TheStepmonkey]

Jack always does a flawless performance

[@ronaldshank7589]

Yep! He was still carrying that "Wait until they get a load of me" around! Dude is Bad To The Bone!

[@asifkhan4822]

Jack Nicholson proves why he has such an itimitading presence onscreen. He literally towers over Cruise in most of the few scenes he has with. It is not until the finale that Cruise's character Daniel Kafee is finally able to get one over him.

[@Lewis9700]

Everyone towers over Cruise. He's only 5'8"

[@dadu63]

What does itimitading mean?

[@oldindependent3040]

I've always figured that ppl who were on the set during the filming of the final courtroom scene feel blessed to have witnessed it

[@michael-4k4000]

@@Lewis9700 not sure he's 5'8. I think he's more like 5'6. 5'8 is actually the average height for men.

[@Aaron-zt5ee]

@@michael-4k4000 yeah, I’m 5’8 and I’m usually eye level with most men even if they are an inch or two taller, normally.

[@hershelkrustowsky7684]

Jack Nicholson is such a great actor! His facial expression when he says: What I do want is that you extend me that fucking courtesy!! and the instant smile when Danny falls in line: No problem :-))

[@wjlin1]

He nailed it in the court room and coffee table scene, what an amazing actor!!!!

[@gbb82]

This scene makes me reminisce on all the confrontations I witnessed during my military career.

[@words007]

Did u had superior ranked women when u served?

[@gbb82]

@@words007 Two of my experiences: I was deployed to Africa and assigned to the US embassy in one of the countries there, my boss was a navy 0-5, I was an E-7. On the base, The enlisted leader was a female marine Command Sergeant Major (CSM). The marines at the embassy were selling tickets to the marine corps ball, and my navy 0-5 boss came to me and said they were not selling the tickets the right way, they need to do more to sell them. I said Sir, they have been doing this every year; “No, they need to sell more of those tickets” was his response. Well after he spoke to the marines at the embassy regarding their efforts, they put in a call to the CSM. When we returned to the base later that day, she was waiting for us…..She cornered us in the hallway of a building and said: “You both need to leave my marines alone”. I was already at parade rest, but I was surprised when my navy boss stammered “ Yes CSM, we won’t bother them again”. (We? I don’t recall trying to tell the marines anything, I’m army). Anyway, I will never forget what he said to me afterwards-“There are days in the military when you outrank people, and other days when the same people outrank you” Next experience-Years later I was on temporary duty at Ft McCoy and I was assigned a hummvee along with a drip pan. I went somewhere one day and drove off leaving the drip pan there. Someone found the drip pan and returned it to supply; the female supply sergeant told me to come to supply to get it back. My rank was E-8, she was an E-5. When I arrived at supply, she said, “MSG, drop and do pushups before you get your drip pan”. There are days in the military when you outrank people, and other days when they outrank you. I did the pushups, collected my drip pan and went about my business.

[@markburnsworth3591]

yes sir...and it also happens in the corporate world as well. Like you, ive seen this as well.

[@godsmackssa]

Best way of making "superiors" piss out is acting like a bitch. Yea, coronel, you're the best. Specially when you do that on a ironic "tone". You shouldn't be sad due this kind of thing. Military is all about it.

[@DanielMazahreh]

Including the obvious sexism of the military towards women as displayed clearly in this super sexist scene?

[@EyeMixMusic]

4:05: The one moment that has Jessup rattled. He isn't expecting to be asked for the transfer order, and needs two attempts to respond ("What's that?" "For the file?"). Then, he's so infuriated that Kaffee has wrong-footed him, a moment later he brings the hammer down by insulting Kaffee and demanding that he "ask him nicely", just so he can regain his dominance before the end of the conversation. It's a brilliantly written detail, every line has its purpose. And, of course, superb acting by Nicholson.

[@0megacron]

True, but he also had a good point - up until then, I don't think Kaffee had called him "sir" even once.

[@realbigmanoncampus]

It is a brilliant scene done wonderfully by Jack Nicholson. IMHO Jessup got rattled because there was no transfer order until that point ... but now that transfer order would have to be produced based on Kaffee's request. I think that rattled him ...

[@whiplashfatigue1430]

Yes, he and Jo where rather brusque with a superior officer. But that doesn’t allow him to besmirch the uniform of the US Navy. Which he seems to forget that the Marines are a branch of.

[@tommym321]

The transfer order DOES exist. He already had Markinson sign a phony one that morning, before this meeting. Markinson confesses this to Kaffee in a later scene.

[@gpapa31]

Sorkin at his best.

[@MTknitter22]

Jack and old lions like him delight in blowing others off the screen. What a master, he has always known exactly how to get every pair of eyeballs concentrated on HIM no matter who he is acting with!!! But that is not to say Cruise brought his A Game to this scene. Well-done!!

[@Justme77400]

Nicholson is such a great actor. This scene shows why.

[@Bubba603]

One of the greatest ever. They don’t make em like this any more. I’ve watched this a hundred times

[@Kermit_T_Frog]

His best performance, EVER!

[@robanglen2400]

Jack is one badass movie star I watched him in a western the other day called going south one heck of a show and he is one hell of an actor his facial expressions is what cracks me up

[@bbryant9455]

"you didn't want the transfer order! You wanted to see the look on Jessup's face when you asked for the transfer order!" 💯💯👌💪

[@renekuskchristensen2182]

Man, I just love Jack

[@mg19cal]

Jessup: "You have to ask me nicely" Kaffee: *"Did you order the Code Red?!"*

[@legendarykeyboardwarrior8364]

But then movie would end too soon 😐

[@thinkingmind9816]

Jack Nicholson just nailed it

[@Blujonny11]

Not sure in today's day and age if they'd allow a five and a half minute scene like this. Love watching scenes like this that aren't 100mph.

[@DineshSrinivasulu]

that subtle histrionic, expression roll-over, & the visage of Jack Nicholson @5:26 to @5:28 right before the utterance of 'no problem'.....boy! it's out of the world & immortal.

[@rxlo1015]

One of the best movies 👏👏👏

[@jcs90603]

To be able to intimidate that much in such a calm manner. Cold blooded. 🥶

[@uluibaut]

Jack Nicholson is a beast in this scene.

[@emiliaescobar7652]

Ok, little late watching this movie, I recently retired, now have time to watch all movies I missed when I was busy, Brilliant movie, never realized how many great actors were in this movie, miss those great movies back in the day!

[@wildmike951]

Amazing movie. Such powerful dialogs several times in the script. I love it.

[@matchbox8135]

Jack Nicholson is the Goat when it comes to playing bad guys in movies.

[@clearlycaribbeanreb2895]

Jessup wasn’t a bad guy

[@SocialWorkProfessor]

@@clearlycaribbeanreb2895 He gave an order that was directly responsible for the death of one of the men under his command then did all he could to cover it up. Furthermore, he acts and speaks like a misogynist and a homophobe. If he's not a bad guy, then what is?

[@jameswilliams-zr8co]

@@clearlycaribbeanreb2895 well he wasn't a good guy either lol he was a jerk and a power hungry a hole, he was a bad guy

[@Hymz-kx2sg]

​@@SocialWorkProfessoru r such a wuss. Wouldnt want u serving and protecting my country

[@seanwieland9763]

@@SocialWorkProfessoryou are. You’re the bad guy.

[@TheWraith7]

"Sir, I'll need a copy of Santiago's transfer order." "You can't handle a copy of Santiago's transfer order!!"

[@sji4521]

Outstanding performances from all involved, throughout the entirety of the film.

[@Primal_Toys]

Jack owned every second of this scene

[@joshuabrooks4907]

Jack Nicholson plays the role of an egomaniacal villain so well.

[@seanwieland9763]

Villain?

[@gerrywagoner26]

A very corrupt and worthless individual.

[@Wikingking]

Well he is an ally to the people of the USA as a whole but a villain to humanity and the individual.

[@blacktourmalinegod]

I like this guy its funny and also the way he talks to people hahahaha

[@russellziske7385]

Cruise was also excellent in this scene.

[@asmith8947]

Yes he was. He certainly is a gifted actor.

[@JWentu]

Amazing how, at 5:26, he moves one eyebrow by half a millimeter and he manages to express so much.

[@johnzajac9849]

We cannot think of anyone else who could have played this scene better than JN. No one.

[@globalautobahn1132]

You know, it’s funny people say that they don’t particularly like Tom Cruise or his movies and then they forget that he’s in movies like this. I think people tend to think of them these days as being the mission impossible guy but his career is honestly incredible, and the depth of movies that he has played in is enormous and if he’s enjoying the mission, impossible movies, then he should be able to do that.

[@THE_Dodge_Morningstar]

"You believe that don't you, Danny? That I'm here to help you in any way I can?" 😁I love that line. I used to use a variation of it a lot, until someone called me on it at work one day.

[@allys744]

I love that subtle little moment where Jessup loosens up his face, he is no longer angry and tense. Around 5:26-5:27 when his lips and eyebrows subtly move. Great acting 👏

[@johnlouis5529]

"You can't handle the truth" dont know why, but I always loved that line 🙃

[@6hypnone]

Excellent acting from EVERYONE

[@CoLdpLay210]

Jack saying Danny just makes me smile thinking of the Shining

[@powerlifting85]

DANNY BOY!

[@stxa2594]

This is a nice scene, a clean study of (a) how to make unnecessary enemies (on the part of Col. Jessup who just made it inevitable that Kaffee would finally make him suffer in court) and (b) how to not give personal animosities any space if it serves the cause (Kaffee who just stays calm and dances to the colonel's tune). Splendid acting! ___________________________________________________________________ .

[@dougmaclennan8654]

Jack Nicholson this. Jack Nicholson that. Sure he's great in this, as everybody acknowledges. But, Tom Cruise is incredible also.

[@volbound1700]

@3:56, him sticking the cigar in his mouth is hilarious for some reason.

[@nanny287]

Great scene. Second best scene besides the courtroom scene with Nicholson. Jack’s performance made the movie. 🎬❤️🎬

[@PostalWorker14]

Colonels are the gentleman of army junior officers are jerks like Jessop I don’t know about marines

[@chrisbutton9974]

I still love this movie. Superb performances from the acting team.

[@Fiftycents50]

I love this scene!! My dad was a Second Lieutenant like Tom Cruise and my Uncle was a Kernel like Jack Nicholson during the Vietnam War…

[@sandysteven6792]

Jack Nicholson gets all the credit for the superb acting in this wonderful film, but he is only that good because he plays off, what I feel is, an even superior, understated performance from Tom Cruise ... This scene in particular, when Jessup insults Kaffee .. watch Cruises face - it's like he is in a trance going through the motion - not knowing what has happened - just like in real life when you get sideswiped by something terrible. I wait for the day that Tom Cruise is recognized and applauded by his peers for his achievement as an actor!

[@el34glo59]

Thank you. Finnaly someone gives cruise credit for acting his ass off in this movie

[@vickramsubramaniam1072]

Totally agree with you

[@andreas956]

He is absolutely amazing. I never left his side, despite all the hate towards him.

[@Jaguar106-sl3ls]

Best acting ever!

[@sngrytr1]

The UNCUT version of this scene is SO necessary in this film.

[@abehambino]

Who the hell would bother watching a cut version of this film? If it’s on tv on an edited channel I just pop in my hard copy!

[@NiVi192]

The ironic aspect is that Jessup hasn't treated this younger officer with all the respect and courtesy he deserves from the start. He immediately called him 'Danny' like a schoolboy, not lieutenant, not counselor, not even by his last name! I know Americans are pretty casual with that first name basis, but we are in a high-ranking military setting, and Jessup is making a point that he himself doesn't prove. Kaffee has realized that all along (because he's far more clever than he lets on) and just returns the favor on the same subtextual passive-aggressive level!

[@tintheparktinthepark7976]

I was one year oled when this came out. I only saw this first time a year ago and i would watch it 70 times .

[@arctic3032]

He tried to cut her off in order for her not to expose the prosecution strategy. ☕️

[@nicedoppy2077]

so true....

[@westyraviz]

The defense…not prosecution.

[@acjohn6995]

It was just good cop/bad cop.

[@maxstone9999]

Yup. He has way more expierence as a lawyer

[@kathyp1563]

@@maxstone9999 Kaffee was not a more experienced than Galloway. She'd been out of law school for many years; thus, the higher rank. He'd been out of law school only 9 months. He'd never been in a courtroom. She'd been in a courtroom, I think, twice. They had very different personalities. She was "in your face", which is why they moved her to Internal Affairs. Kaffee had a "I don't care" attitude, which he later realized is why he was assigned this job. This is the first scene where he takes the case seriously. She didn't trust him and she was blatant about that. Another reason why she was so aggressive here. She did not respect "lead council" yet. That question is a pivotal moment in their relationship.

[@andysmudge4849]

God damn it!! Jack Nicholson is some actor!!! ✨

[@Marco-fv6ho]

Background music is great too, suspenseful!

[@Cassy_63]

Gran cast , bravo TOM❤

[@planetaiden133]

2:48 you crossed the line Jack, and there’s no going back!

[@PatrickJohnsonz]

Jack Nicholson is an amazing actor

[@patrickoleary2862]

What a scene - Jack Nicholson is just plain scary but Tom Cruise so good in it also IMO.

[@gilbertrios5283]

Epic! This scene is loaded with star power but only one reigns Supreme! 🙏

[@hamzabeiruti6451]

"I eat breakfast 300 yards from 4,000 Cubans who are trained to kill me." How does that make him feel

[@lolococoon]

demi moore was fire back then!

[@OlawaleOlajuwon]

Wow . Superb acting from Jack Nicholson .... Plus he has a mean look to add to it ....

[@TheSocialDistorter]

"Feel free to speak up." You forgot to say "Sir"

[@aylen3322]

One of the best… just one of the best. Jack 💕🙏💕

[@babyjesuslovesme1219]

I’m convinced they don’t make movies the way they used to

[@aissers6840]

Classic. Superb. Finest acting.

[@waldyrvignati2678]

An excelente Picture. Mr Nicholson outstanding pratice. Please, show us some more.

[@jmbooze9346]

At 2:57 insert Willie Brown saying "Hold my beer"

[@deremiahderrick6292]

Best movie of all time, hands down

[@zamp6969]

You could literally feel Nicholson‘s acting there geez 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@ianwhitfield1696]

The older I get the more I understand where Jessip was coming from...

[@lynnecrisp]

Thats when he knew he was gonna get him

[@mustafajamal3404]

What a Masterclass of Performance !!!

[@hattorihonzo5804]

This meeting sealed his fate.

[@mistarmer]

I never had a Battalion Commander that was hard core like Colonel Jessup but I knew a few Master Guns that were.

[@OlawaleOlajuwon]

I like the way the subscribe button rhymes with Jacks sneer at 0.34

[@dariuswilliams6683]

Jack Nicholson was the PERFECT MAN/ACTOR for this role! Cause GODDAMN HE NAILED IT! 💯💯💯💯💯🙌🏾

[@hainesy]

Anyone who has ever served in an infantry-based profession (Army, Marines, etc) was cheering for Jack Nicholson in this movie.

[@TTony-tu6dm]

Right then and there Caffee confirmed that Jessup was up to no good

[@janeriklarsen652]

Love this movie... mu favourite nr 1 forever.

[@kitharrison8799]

Jo is rightly pushing Jessop on detail after his incorrect statement, drawing nerves from his aides. Hotshot Danny is out of there, until Danny clicks what's happening to the Colonel. He's changed colour and he's snippier. Danny then picks up the cue to ask for a copy of the transfer, which stumps Jessop. The scene chills right after Jessop makes the crack about Jo's rank and drops sharply when he finishes about 4000 Cubans.

[@abehambino]

He was gonna ask for a copy already, that was his frustration with Jo. He knew that if Jessup had ordered the code red there’s no way he’d admit it.

[@panaderofilms]

Jessup's on his back foot here trying to exert himself in such an agressive way that he shows all his cards in what would be his ultimate undoing in court.. if he had stayed polite and quiet, the story would have ended very differently..

[@JasonFoster-Payne]

Jack is brutally scary with his no filter honesty ,he has lots if valid points despite the fact he's the villain,comes across that he's really sick of been on that military base,but he has a duty to protect how he deems fit,he's not someone you would want as a boss or an enemy.

[@dantheman8152]

Jack Nicholson has one of the cololest voices ever

[@astrologiabycristinamarche3355]

The best scene.

[@markburnsworth3591]

and it was at THIS moment that Kaffee decided to pursue the crime. IMO. Great scene, this movie was all about how good Nicholson portrayed the role...The uniform and the BJ comment just rolling off his tongue.

[@piecefool567]

Jack is gem of an actor

[@realcoach2023]

Jack is unreal.

[@joehenry9546]

Makes me want to watch this movie again.

[@DeathWish1974]

Great scene

[@sussus4914]

Let's face it, we all have a manager/boss like Jessep that we would like to get rid off 😅

[@carlousmagus5387]

I have at least 2.

[@mg19cal]

I used to. Thank goodness he retired early into my career. We've all been happier and more productive ever since

[@r-urelentlessandunstoppable]

4:54 - 5:09 DAMN, Colonel Jessup 😮😮😮

[@Silenttalker22]

Its funny because Jack is only in the movie for like 15 minutes but he's the highlight of it.

[@sheepshead17]

I think HR would like to speak with Jack😂

[@chrisMthepoet]

I am not a great fan of Tom Cruise's later films but I will never understand why he didn't win an Oscar for his performance in this film.