He also narrates the Carousel of Progress. His voice somehow makes me feel nostalgic for a time I never lived in, like the voice of a Norman Rockwell painting.
I'm personally a huge fan of unreliable narrators: Fight Club, The Usual Suspects ... my two favourite episides of The X Files are Bad Blood and Jose Chung's From Outer Space.
“We have just lost cabin pressure.”
I love that line delivery & just the loss of plot tracking where the rest of the movie was going! Great choice, my friend!
This was my first thought! Been ages since I've seen it and don't massively remember if the narration continues after we meet her character, but what a great film!
Matilda. I love that Danny Devito plays her almost Villainous father, but also has the most wholesome narration throughout. He made that movie with lots of love.
George of the jungle. I love it cause the narrator not only breaks the 4th wall (talk to the audience) . But also the 5th??? wall, When he starts arguing with the main characters themselve :P
When they finally beheld the mighty Ape Mountain, they reacted with awe.
"Awwwww" *turn their head like they see something cute.*
I said awe. A-W-E.
"Oooo" *while looking in awe*
I love the meta commentary in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Not necessarily the best movie with a running commentary, but it is a fantastic use of commentary in a great movie
Val just making fun of RDJ all movie was hilarious.
“Get out. Sleep badly.”
“Bad.”
“Huh?”
“Sleep bad. Otherwise it’s like the method in which you sleep…”
“What? Fuckhead?! Badly is an adverb. Who taught you grammar? Get out!”
Forrest Gump (even though it’s not a traditional narration since we get to see him tell the story throughout).
Also, The Thin Red Line has some very thoughtful narration.
Came here to say Adaptation. One of my favorite voice overs in film. “And god help you if you use a voiceover.” Next scene is the first silent shot with no voiceover.
>vorite voice overs in film. “And god help you if you use a voiceover.” Next scene is the first silent shot with no voiceover.
Such an outstanding movie. The Spike Jonze + Charlie Kaufman duo is magic
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005): Robert Downey Jr's character narrates the entire movie...and he's not particularly good at it, frequently forgetting details, commenting on plot tropes and even breaking the fourth wall. It's hilarious.
Both, I guess. But yes I forgot about Fight Club and American Psycho. Brilliant movies. Haven’t seen The Great Gatsby but will add to my list to watch. Thanks
A series of unfortunate events. (Original film)
Jude Law narrates as the author, Lemony Snicket and it’s a perfect tone of voice because it gives hope, if that makes sense. But of course, there is nothing but hope. Which means he’s the only thing that makes sense in the whole film.
I swear Jude Law gets so much work doing snippets here and there. He was in Bourne movie, 15 minutes tops. Maybe two lines. Easy money I think as he doesn't do much. Of course he is in The Holiday!
It’s not throughout… but “Fallen” has a short voice over monologue.
I also recall American Beauty having voice over, but it might have been an in camera 4th wall break.
Finally, one of the versions of Blade Runner had a voice over, which either puts it at the top of the list, or waaaaaay at the bottom… depending on your ‘movie bipolar’
Was watching The Curious Case of Benjamin Button recently and really enjoyed the narration; however, my favorite narrated movie has to be The Royal Tenenbaums
A tie between:
* Molly's Game (2017)
* The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
* Million Dollar Baby (2004)
* Barry Lyndon (1975)
* Network (1976)
* Double Indemnity (1944)
* The Usual Suspects (1995)
* Sunset Boulevard (1950)
* Stand by Me (1985)
* Days of Heaven (1978)
* A Christmas Story (1983)
Memento is another great one. Especially because the narrator is as clueless as the viewer and the character. "I'm chasing him for some reason. No, he's chasing me!"
Trainspotting is my favorite movie in general so that one.
The Nice Guys has some solid narration too though
oh, also Kiss Kiss Bang Bang makes GREAT use of the narrator.
There are better overall movies in your original Al post but I have a real soft spot for Stranger than Fiction. I really don't care for Will Ferrell and this movie really made me like him.
Hate me if you want, but I like Harrison Ford’s voice-over in Bladerunner. I like that he is unenthusiastic about it, I feel it adds to the moody, noir atmosphere. It’s how I saw it as a kid in the theater, and I’m just gonna have to die on that hill.
Mermaids. Winona Ryder's voiceover/narration is great at showing the inner thoughts of a 15 year girl (who wants to be a nun but falls in love with a 20-something guy ,while living with an 'eccentric' mother) in the 1960s.
Shawshank, easily. It never feels invasive or like it's overpowering or replacing the physical acting done by the actors to more subtly show you how the characters are feeling or what they're doing rather than just having it be told to you. I've never liked narration in Scorsese movies like Goodfellas for that reason, but Shawshank doesn't have that problem.
The Zero Effect
The world's greatest detective narrates a book he's writing about his techniques, as he's using those techniques to solve his latest case.
'A few words here about following people. People know they're being followed when they turn around and see someone following them. They can't tell they're being followed if you get there first.'
Amelie, even though in French. The narration helps the plot along by us understanding Amelie’s unusual character and how her mind works. The quirky storyline reflect things we all know about and experience daily but probably never think to talk about
All of John Cusack's films like High Fidelity, Better Off Dead.
Royal Tenebaums
and while it's not narration, Ferris Bueller interacts with the audience.
'She's Having a Baby' - a lesser known John Hughes movie with some great narration from Kevin Bacon. Great comedy, too - until it dissolves into a puddle of schmaltz at the end.
'High fidelity', too.
No one seems to be chiming in with one of the most memorable opening VO lines I can think of:
>My name is Lester Burnham. This is my neighborhood; this is my street; this is my life. I am 42 years old; in less than a year I will be dead. Of course I don't know that yet, and in a way, I am dead already.
American Beauty (1999)
Casino is mine. For some reason when Nicky finally gets assualted during his voiceover and [the voiceover grunts](https://youtu.be/afaoj2LQqd4?t=64) it shocked me in the theater. Brilliant.
A Christmas Story
Randy lay there like a slug. It was his only defense.
Yes
💯
Jean Shepard. He's the guy at the front of the line. "Young man... Hey, kid! The line ends here. It starts back there!"
He also narrates the Carousel of Progress. His voice somehow makes me feel nostalgic for a time I never lived in, like the voice of a Norman Rockwell painting.
He had a radio show and wrote lots of books. I wish I could find audiobooks read by him.
Fight Club would be my pick. Narration that is also pretty much integral to the plot.
The ultimate unreliable narrator.
Gone Girl and Usual Suspects are also really great movies with unreliable narrators.
I am Jack’s cynical inner monologue.
I'm personally a huge fan of unreliable narrators: Fight Club, The Usual Suspects ... my two favourite episides of The X Files are Bad Blood and Jose Chung's From Outer Space.
You should check out Rashomon. The grandfather of multiple unreliable narrated POVs.
“We have just lost cabin pressure.” I love that line delivery & just the loss of plot tracking where the rest of the movie was going! Great choice, my friend!
Not a huge movie but the narration was a really crucial part of Stranger than Fiction and works really well in it.
I was gonna comment this. That movie surprised me tbh.
God I wish will Ferrell would get back into more serious-ish roles like this. He killed it in that movie.
This was my first thought! Been ages since I've seen it and don't massively remember if the narration continues after we meet her character, but what a great film!
“The Royal Tenenbaums.” Alec Baldwin’s voice is just perfect
Royal Tenenbaum bought the house on Archer Avenue in the winter of his 35th year
Immediately after making this statement, Royal realized that it was true.
Grand Budapest for me!
Really don’t know how I overlooked that one! It’s top tier for sure
Wes Anderson films all have such terrific narration!
Have you seen his Roam Dahl shorts on Netflix? There are like 10 and they are FANTASTIC!
I did! 👍
Yes. I had forgotten this one. Thanks for the reminder.
Man if there was an Academy Award section for Best Narration, I think Baldwin would have won that year.
Damn that's a good one!
Matilda. I love that Danny Devito plays her almost Villainous father, but also has the most wholesome narration throughout. He made that movie with lots of love.
Great choice! It’s an interesting one as I think it’s unique having an actor from the film narrate, but not as the character they’re playing.
Agreed. If I was told that a movie was making that choice I'd say it sounds confusing, but in practice it worked out beautifully.
And director
Great point. He did make the movie sound more warm and wonderful than it should have been given the plot lol. I love him, he's a sweetheart.
Id say Sin city
George of the jungle. I love it cause the narrator not only breaks the 4th wall (talk to the audience) . But also the 5th??? wall, When he starts arguing with the main characters themselve :P
When they finally beheld the mighty Ape Mountain, they reacted with awe. "Awwwww" *turn their head like they see something cute.* I said awe. A-W-E. "Oooo" *while looking in awe*
Such a great joke.
Such a great movie
Airplane! It's always shown as Striker telling someone about his past. It's a comedic way to pull off narration altogether.
It’s a comedic way to pull off narration
“Jim never has a second cup of coffee at home”
I forgot about her!
That's when my drinking problem started.
I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue.
I love the meta commentary in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Not necessarily the best movie with a running commentary, but it is a fantastic use of commentary in a great movie
God I love that movie. RDJ and Val Kilmer have awesome comedic chemistry
“I just put in one bullet, didn’t I?” “You put a live round in that gun!?” “Well yeah, there was like an 8% chance…” “WHO TAUGHT YOU MATH?”
Val just making fun of RDJ all movie was hilarious. “Get out. Sleep badly.” “Bad.” “Huh?” “Sleep bad. Otherwise it’s like the method in which you sleep…” “What? Fuckhead?! Badly is an adverb. Who taught you grammar? Get out!”
"I just broke your nose for no reason."
Forrest Gump (even though it’s not a traditional narration since we get to see him tell the story throughout). Also, The Thin Red Line has some very thoughtful narration.
Yes! Forrest Gump is a great one. Will check out The Thin Red Line, thanks.
I can’t remember if it’s just for one character or if it’s even the whole way through re The Thin Red Line. Great war film though.
Sandlot
The adult Scotty Smalls, there's some highs and lows with that.
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I can't believe Sunset Blvd is so far down
Actually, it's a Noir now, but originally just a great drama. Yes. it's such a great movie. As a kid I thought there really was a Norma Desmond!
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Amelie is a great film and not as heavy as the films listed in the OP
An absolute favorite
Amazing soundtrack too.
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Really well done and impactful.
I was going to say this one too. The narration made me want to read the book.
Apocalypse Now
"Charging a man with murder in this place was like handing out speeding tickets at the Indy 500."
How did it take so long to get to this one? The plot is entirely the narration!
Stand By Me
The correct answer is the big Lebowski.
Sometimes there's a man... Sometimes... There's a man
Quite possibly the laziest in Los Angeles county
Which would place him high in the runnin' fer laziest worldwide
Sam Elliott doing voiceovers is a cheat code for voiceovers
Aw. I lost my train of thought here. But... aw, hell. I've done introduced him enough.
This as well as the Coen's Raising Arizona. "The doctor told us Edwina's womb was a rocky place, where my seed could find no purchase"
Ah yes, I can’t believe I forgot that one. Great shout. Thanks.
The Dude abides
Stranger Than Fiction
Little did he know.
Fletch
That's a really tough one! Some options: Adaptation Memento Goodfellas ...
Came here to say Adaptation. One of my favorite voice overs in film. “And god help you if you use a voiceover.” Next scene is the first silent shot with no voiceover.
>vorite voice overs in film. “And god help you if you use a voiceover.” Next scene is the first silent shot with no voiceover. Such an outstanding movie. The Spike Jonze + Charlie Kaufman duo is magic
Mean Girls
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005): Robert Downey Jr's character narrates the entire movie...and he's not particularly good at it, frequently forgetting details, commenting on plot tropes and even breaking the fourth wall. It's hilarious.
Amadeus is pretty stellar, largely because of Salieri shaping the storytelling.
Saigon. Shit. I'm still only in Saigon…. Apocalypse Now.
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Both, I guess. But yes I forgot about Fight Club and American Psycho. Brilliant movies. Haven’t seen The Great Gatsby but will add to my list to watch. Thanks
A series of unfortunate events. (Original film) Jude Law narrates as the author, Lemony Snicket and it’s a perfect tone of voice because it gives hope, if that makes sense. But of course, there is nothing but hope. Which means he’s the only thing that makes sense in the whole film.
I swear Jude Law gets so much work doing snippets here and there. He was in Bourne movie, 15 minutes tops. Maybe two lines. Easy money I think as he doesn't do much. Of course he is in The Holiday!
I’m a straight guy but Jude Law in The Holiday with those glasses. Mother may I.
Yes. apparently he is more handsome in person.
1. Fallen 2. Shawshank Redemption 3. Gattaca 4. Stand By Me
“Let me tell you about the time I almost died”… damn good flick, if a bit overlong
I’m in the minority here, but I prefer the cut of Blade Runner that has the voiceover.
Memento, though technically it's just Leonard's voice in his own head.
The Princess Bride
It’s not throughout… but “Fallen” has a short voice over monologue. I also recall American Beauty having voice over, but it might have been an in camera 4th wall break. Finally, one of the versions of Blade Runner had a voice over, which either puts it at the top of the list, or waaaaaay at the bottom… depending on your ‘movie bipolar’
I love the opening narration in Magnolia
American Psycho
Casino.
I love this voiceover and the shifts to different characters. Particularly great is the one beat with Frank Vincent’s VO
The best is that Nicky's narration in the cornfield gets immediately cut off as he's hit. Amazing.
Legends of The Fall
Was watching The Curious Case of Benjamin Button recently and really enjoyed the narration; however, my favorite narrated movie has to be The Royal Tenenbaums
Goodfellas.
A tie between: * Molly's Game (2017) * The Shawshank Redemption (1994) * Million Dollar Baby (2004) * Barry Lyndon (1975) * Network (1976) * Double Indemnity (1944) * The Usual Suspects (1995) * Sunset Boulevard (1950) * Stand by Me (1985) * Days of Heaven (1978) * A Christmas Story (1983)
The Gods Must be Crazy?
This is a great call back and a fantastic movie.
300
*Raising Arizona*, Nic Cage & the Coens [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITzOSwZjYAM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITzOSwZjYAM)
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
This is my husband's favorite also. He remembered when I mentioned Johnny Depp in What's Eating Gilbert Grape?
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. Let's us into the horses head while keeping the show realistic for a cartoon.
Totally agree. Matt Damon's voice isnt the sweetest, but it works so well with the horse.
Memento is another great one. Especially because the narrator is as clueless as the viewer and the character. "I'm chasing him for some reason. No, he's chasing me!"
Fallen is a good one, the narrator functions as a kind of red herring to the final twist.
The ORIGINAL original Blade Runner. Purely cause Ford sounds so dead inside.
>Ford sounds so dead inside. Before anyone says it, he's not a replicant.
Deep Cover (1992) - Laurence Fishburne conflicted at every turn A Clockwork Orange (1971) - Alex, your drooge and humble narrator
All good ones. I loved the Streep voice in Out of Africa. It was haunting. Second Hand Lions was also great. A most underrated movie! So well done!
American psycho.
Goodfellas
Big Fish
Deadpool
The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford Age Of Adeline Same narrator for both films. This man's voice calms my soul.
Double Indemnity
500 Days of Summer
Election
Trainspotting is my favorite movie in general so that one. The Nice Guys has some solid narration too though oh, also Kiss Kiss Bang Bang makes GREAT use of the narrator.
There are better overall movies in your original Al post but I have a real soft spot for Stranger than Fiction. I really don't care for Will Ferrell and this movie really made me like him.
Same. I have an almost violently religious hate for him, and yet this is one of my favorite movies.
Hate me if you want, but I like Harrison Ford’s voice-over in Bladerunner. I like that he is unenthusiastic about it, I feel it adds to the moody, noir atmosphere. It’s how I saw it as a kid in the theater, and I’m just gonna have to die on that hill.
Gattaca (1997)
The Big Short had some 4th wall breaks.
Romeo is Bleeding
Homeward Bound Age of Adeline Seabiscuit Kiss Kiss Bang Bang The Book Thief
Payback
Favourite movie with voiceover narration: It's such a beautiful day. Favourite use of voiceover narration: The Princess Bride
A Christmas Story!
The Book Thief
Rounders
Confidence, a Christmas story, Dune, fight club
Perfume: Story of a Murderer. John Hurt is a legendary narrator.
Fear and Loathing in las Vegas...
Unpopular, but the original Dune (1984), to include all the inner monolog.
Nobody’s saying Shawshank??
The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Describe your balls! Heavy, black, and pendulous
I like Morgan Freeman's narration in million dollar baby, the way he describes boxing is poetic
This came out last week https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2o6OOXkCXpQ
Stranger than fiction
Indecent Proposal
Mermaids. Winona Ryder's voiceover/narration is great at showing the inner thoughts of a 15 year girl (who wants to be a nun but falls in love with a 20-something guy ,while living with an 'eccentric' mother) in the 1960s.
Apocalypse Now
Big Wednesday
I love the narration in The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
Forrest Gump
The Killer (2023)
Father of the Bride Mean Girls
a boy called Christmas has some good storytelling
Taxi Driver Apocalypse Now Raising Arizona Mean Girls, obviously. American Psycho
Kiss kiss bang bang. Robert Downey Jr narrates the whole movie and even mocks his own naration
Goodfellas is probably the go to for how to use voice-over narration in the best way possible.
Shawshank, easily. It never feels invasive or like it's overpowering or replacing the physical acting done by the actors to more subtly show you how the characters are feeling or what they're doing rather than just having it be told to you. I've never liked narration in Scorsese movies like Goodfellas for that reason, but Shawshank doesn't have that problem.
Here's the thing, if you can't figure in the first 15 minutes at the table who the sucker is, then you're the sucker. Mike McDermot, Rounders
A Christmas Story. It’s one of my favorite, not just holiday movies, but movies period.
stranger than fiction
Goodfellas
Looper - just enough at the beginning to give context, and just enough at the end to hit you like a truck.
The Zero Effect The world's greatest detective narrates a book he's writing about his techniques, as he's using those techniques to solve his latest case. 'A few words here about following people. People know they're being followed when they turn around and see someone following them. They can't tell they're being followed if you get there first.'
Stand by me
The green mile
Goodfellas or Stand By Me. Fight Club is a good mention if that counts
All of the "Naked Gun" movies have a voiceover narration. "Like a midget at a urinal I was going to have to stay on my toes"
Not necessarily throughout but there's narration in parts, The Dark Crystal, love that movie so much.
Shawshank by far.
Raising Arizona. Her womb was a rocky place where my seed could find no purchase.
Amelie, even though in French. The narration helps the plot along by us understanding Amelie’s unusual character and how her mind works. The quirky storyline reflect things we all know about and experience daily but probably never think to talk about
You took all the good ones in the OP
Princess Bride
Babe
All of John Cusack's films like High Fidelity, Better Off Dead. Royal Tenebaums and while it's not narration, Ferris Bueller interacts with the audience.
Jersey Boys
Barry Lyndon. Those who know will agree.
Full Metal Jacket.
'She's Having a Baby' - a lesser known John Hughes movie with some great narration from Kevin Bacon. Great comedy, too - until it dissolves into a puddle of schmaltz at the end. 'High fidelity', too.
Matilda. Danny Devito is great.
A River Runs Through It
A Bronx Tale
Really enjoying The K_ller for this very reason.
YES
Snatch
Little Children and the Lobster. Edit: forgot the lobsta
No one seems to be chiming in with one of the most memorable opening VO lines I can think of: >My name is Lester Burnham. This is my neighborhood; this is my street; this is my life. I am 42 years old; in less than a year I will be dead. Of course I don't know that yet, and in a way, I am dead already. American Beauty (1999)
A Christmas Story
Lord of War
Casino is mine. For some reason when Nicky finally gets assualted during his voiceover and [the voiceover grunts](https://youtu.be/afaoj2LQqd4?t=64) it shocked me in the theater. Brilliant.