I understand that movies, being a visual medium, aim to show as much as possible, with dialogue serving to enhance the visuals. But are there any examples where the opposite happens, where it’s more “tell, don’t show”?
The one that comes to mind for me is The Breakfast Club (1985). The film places the audience with the characters in Saturday detention, and throughout the movie, it tells us why they’re there, their backstories, and how they grow through their interactions. There are no flashbacks or prologues to explain things — it all naturally unfolds through dialogue during the film.
I’m a big fan of dialogue that feels natural, and this is a great example of that. Can you think of any other examples?
“Nobody can be told what the Matrix is,”
then goes on to explain what the Matrix is to everyone.
The Matrix is packed with exposition dialogue, but it’s done well, and we needed it, even if some people don’t appreciate it.
Similarly, the opening voice-over monologue in The Fellowship of the Ring is fantastic storytelling in its own right.
The mob boss recounting Baba Yaga to his son in John Wick and Quint’s tale about the ship sinking in Jaws both serve to shift the scene’s tone from lightheartedness to gravity. These moments draw the audience’s attention back to the main plot, encouraging both viewers and characters to take things more seriously.
However, focusing on the main plot is just one function. Consider some of Tarantino’s most memorable dialogues—many have minimal relevance to the plot.
The Wick scene works effectively because it creates a sense of mystery and establishes the tone. You’re thrown into this world that seems familiar, but it’s like being the clueless kid getting schooled on Baba Yaga.
Kubrick frequently employed those techniques for ironic effect, particularly in A Clockwork Orange and even more so in Barry Lyndon, where the narrator directly spoils future events just like in the book.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford also plays with this concept, building tension by revealing information in advance. Similar to Barry Lyndon, the narrator sometimes fabricates details to toy with the audience.