Film Language Tag: narrator
A character or other person whose voice and perspective describe the action of a film, either in voiceover or through a particular point of view. At Kinolab, we use this term to signal when a story is rooted in a specific character or other person, whether through voiceover narration or other such means.
10086 Sunset Boulevard , Sunset Boulevard
After giving the repo-men the slip, Joe (William Holden) stumbles upon old Hollywood actress Norma Desmond's (Gloria Swanson) mansion.
A Shared Vocation (Closing Sequence), The Grand Budapest Hotel
Zero (Tony Revolori, F. Murray Abraham) finishes telling the Author (Jude Law) about his time at the Grand Budapest Hotel.
A Son, Letter from an Unknown Woman
Lisa (Joan Fontaine) gives birth to a son whom she gives his father's name, Stefan (Louis Brand).
Apartment Music, Letter from an Unknown Woman
Lisa Berndle (Joan Fontaine) quietly admires Stefan (Louis Jourdan), eventually sneaking into his apartment.
Bedtime, Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles
Jeanne (Delphine Seyrig) and her son Sylvian (Jan Decorte) go to bed on the first night.
Benny's Farewell, City of God
Blacky (Rubens Sabino), in an attempt to kill Li'l Ze (Leandro Firmino), kills Benny (Phellipe Haagensen) at his farewell party.
Birth of the Universe (1/2), The Tree of Life
A montage of birth of the universe
Birth of the Universe (2/2), The Tree of Life
The birth of the universe continued: life on earth and dinosaurs. A dromaeosauridae spares a baby parasaur.
Chantal's Letter, Diary of a Country Priest
Chantal (Nicole Ladmiral) visits the priest (Claude Laydu) with a suicide note, furious over her father's (Jean Riveyre) affair with her governess (Nicole Maurey).
Closing Scene, Ready Player One
The High Five team inherit Halliday's stocks in Gregarious Games and get ownership of the OASIS.
Closing Sequence, Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles
Jeanne Dielman (Delphine Seyrig) kills a client and sits in thought.
Closing Sequence, Double Indemnity
Keyes (Edward G. Robinson) finds Walter (Fred MacMurray) recording his confession on the office's dictaphone
Closing Sequence, Magnolia
Jim (John C. Reilly), Claudia (Melora Walters), Donnie (William H. Macy), and others all deal with the aftermath of the day and the frog storm.
Closing Sequence, I Saw the TV Glow
In 2026, Owen (Justice Smith) has a break down during a birthday party at the Fun Center.
Closing Sequence, Sunset Boulevard
During their fight, Norma (Gloria Swanson) shoots Joe (William Holden).
Closing Sequence, Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Marianne (Noémie Merlant) recalls the last time she saw Heloise (Adèle Haenel).
Closing Sequence, Letter from an Unknown Woman
Stefan (Louis Jourdan) finishes reading Lisa's (Joan Fontaine) letter, learning that both she and their son (Leo B Pessin) have died of typhus, and decides to engage in his duel with Johann (Marcel Journet).
Closing Sequence, A Man Escaped
Fontaine (François Letterier) and Jost (), after hesitating, finally make it over the wall to escape.
Closing Sequence, Men, Women & Children
The narrator’s (Emma Thompson) reflections on humanity are juxtaposed with the lives of each of the families.
Closing Sequence , Devil in a Blue Dress
Daphne (Jennifer Beals) says goodbye to her lover, mayoral candidate Todd Carter (Terry Kinney), and Easy (Denzel Washington) clears his name with the police.
Closing Sequence , Cotton Comes to Harlem
Gravedigger Jones (Godfrey Cambridge) and Coffin Ed Johnson (Raymond St. Jacques) work out a deal with mob boss Tom (Leonardo Cimino) for the missing $87,000.
CT questions God, Bright Road
CT (Philip Hepburn) questions Ms.Richards (Dorothy Dandridge) about God and race at Sunday School in front of the class.
Dear Suzy, Moonrise Kingdom
Shakusky and Suzy become pen pals. They get to know each other and develop their rendezvous plan as they write each other letters.
DeMille's Set, Sunset Boulevard
Joe (William Holden) and Max (Erich von Stroheim) accompany Norma (Gloria Swanson) to Paramount Pictures to see what Cecil DeMille (himself) has to say about the script.
Dreaming of Running, Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Marianne (Noémie Merlant) and Heloise (Adèle Haenel) meet and go for their first walk.
Face Up to It, Diary of a Country Priest
The priest (Claude Laydu) visits Dr. Delbende (Antoine Balpêtré) for his ailing stomach.
Fausto's Triumphant Return from his Honeymoon, I Vitelloni
Fausto (Franco Fabrizi) returns home from his honeymoon with Sandra (Leonora Ruffo) and dances with the vitelloni at their reunion.
Forgotten Star, Sunset Boulevard
Joe (William Holden) and Norma (Gloria Swanson) watch one of Norma's old films.
Free France, Casablanca
A French resistance fighter carrying visas and papers is chased and shot.
Hedwig Plays in the Oven, Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Hedwig (John Cameron Mitchell) used to play in an oven when she was little.
Hill X, The Exiles
Homer (Homer Nish) arrives at Hill X, a hangout spot overlooking downtown Los Angeles.
Hotel Break In, City of God
Shaggy (Jonathan Haagensen), Clipper (Jefechander Suplino), and Goose (Renato de Souza) rob occupants of a hotel while Li'l Dice (Douglas Silva) is on lookout for the police.
I Didn't Mean to Hurt Anybody, Devil in a Blue Dress
Easy (Denzel Washington) finds Daphne (Jennifer Beals) waiting at his house and learns of her heritage.
I Don't Understand, Ulysses' Gaze
A (Harvey Keitel) and Kali (Maia Morgenstern) are escorted off the train at the Bulgarian border.
I Know What It Is To Forget, Hiroshima Mon Amour
A woman (Emmanuelle Riva) and a man (Eiji Okada) discuss modern Hiroshima.
I Want You to Hit Me, Fight Club
Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) encourages The Narrator (Edward Norton) to stay over at his place. Once that's settled he asks him to hit him. The Narrator then gives us a backstory for Durden. It flashes back to the present and The Narrator hits Durden, starting the first fight of the movie and the beginning of fight club.
Is This Sarajevo?, Ulysses' Gaze
A (Harvey Keitel) arrives to a besieged Sarajevo.
Joe's First Night, Sunset Boulevard
Joe (William Holden) spends the night at Norma's (Gloria Swanson) and wakes up to all his belongings in the guest room.
Julio and Tenoch See a Car Accident, Y Tu Mamá También
While Tenoch (Diego Luna) and Julio (Gael García Bernal) are driving around, they see the aftermath of a car accident.
Keyes' Hunch, Double Indemnity
Keyes (Edward G. Robinson) shows up at Walter's (Fred MacMurray) apartment and tries to talk through the case. Unbeknownst to Keyes, Phyllis (Barbara Stanwyck) is also on her way to visit Walter.
Keyes' Little Man, Double Indemnity
Barton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson) catches a client before he can commit insurance fraud. After, Keyes and Walter (Fred MacMurray) talk about the company.
Layman's Language, Chan Is Missing
Jo (Wood Moy) and Steve (Marc Hayashi) meet a lawyer (Judi Nihei) who is representing Chan and is also looking for him.
Li'l Ze's Backstory, City of God
Li'l Ze (Leandro Firmino) begins killing people as a child, and he is given protection in his adulthood in a Candomblé ceremony.
Linz, Letter from an Unknown Woman
In Linz, Lisa's (Joan Fontaine) parents arrange for her to meet Lt. von Kaltnegger (John Good), who proposes to her.
Madame D's Will, The Grand Budapest Hotel
Monsieur Gustave (Ralph Fiennes) and Zero (Tony Revolori) arrive at Madame D's estate to pay their respects.
Making Coffee, Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles
Jeanne Dielman (Delphine Seyrig) sits at home and makes coffee.
Moonlighting , Sunset Boulevard
While Norma (Gloria Swanson) undergoes an intense makeover for her "comeback," Joe (William Holden) sneaks out at night to write a script with Betty (Nancy Olson).
Motorcycle Ride, Diary of a Country Priest
The priest (Claude Laydu) is offered a motorcycle ride from a young man (Jean Danet) to catch his train out of Ambricourt.
Mrs. Dietrichson, Double Indemnity
Walter (Fred MacMurray) meets Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck) for the first time while looking for her husband to renew their car insurance.
Muley Graves' Tale, The Grapes of Wrath
Upon returning to the Joads' old house, Tom Joad (Henry Fonda) and the former preacher (John Carradine) encounter Muley Graves (John Qualen) who tells them how every family has been pushed off their land.
Murder, Double Indemnity
Phyllis (Barbara Stanwyck) and Walter (Fred MacMurray) execute their plan.
New Year's at Norma's, Sunset Boulevard
Joe (William Holden) attends Norma's (Gloria Swanson) lavish New Year's Eve "party."
Not My Friend, Intruder in the Dust
Chick Mallison (Claude Jarman Jr.) recounts to his uncle John Stevens (David Brian) how he first met Lucas Beauchamp (Juano Hernandez).
Nothing Left, Letter from an Unknown Woman
Lisa (Joan Fontaine) leaves her mother (Mady Christmas) at the train station to go back to the apartment and see Stefan (Louis Jourdan) once more before leaving for Linz.
Noticed, Letter from an Unknown Woman
Now working as a dress model in Vienna, Lisa (Joan Fontaine) is noticed by Stefan (Louis Jourdan)
Opening Scene, Cheyenne Autumn
The opening sequence of the film, narrated by James Stewart, depicts life on the Cheyenne reservation in 1964.
Opening Sequence, City of God
Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues) gets stuck between the police, an escaped chicken, and Li'l Ze (Leandro Firmino) and his gang.
Opening Sequence, Ulysses' Gaze
An old assistant (Thanos Grammenos) to the Manaki brothers tells A (Harvey Keitel) about a three lost film reels.
Opening Sequence, Magnolia
A narrator tells 3 stories of coincidence: a triple hanging, a scuba diver's death, and a suicide attempt.
Opening Sequence, Alphaville
Secret agent Lemmy Caution (Eddie Constantine) arrives at the futuristic city of Alphaville.
Opening Sequence, Devil in a Blue Dress
Laid off from the factory, Ezekiel "Easy" Rawlins (Denzel Washington) is introduced by his friend Joppy (Mel Winkler) to DeWitt Albright (Tom Sizemore), who offers him a job.
Opening Sequence, I Saw the TV Glow
Owen (Ian Foreman) watches a trailer for a new TV show, The Pink Opaque.
Opening Sequence, The Seventh Seal
After returning from the Crusades, Antonious Block (Max von Sydow) begins a game of chess with Death (Bengt Ekerot).
Opening Sequence, Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles
Opening credits, then Jeanne has a visitor.
Opening Sequence, Men, Women & Children
Donald Truby (Adam Sandler) watches online pornography on his son’s computer.
Opening Sequence, Hiroshima Mon Amour
A woman (Emmanuelle Riva) and a man (Eiji Okada) discuss the aftermath of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
Opening Sequence, Singin' in the Rain
Don (Gene Kelly), Lina (Jean Hagen), and Cosmo (Donald O'Connor) arrive at the premiere for their newest film. Per the interviewer's (Madge Blake) request, Don recounts his and Cosmo's journey in Hollywood.
Opening Sequence, Sunset Boulevard
Joe Gillis (William Holden) begins the story of his demise.
Opening Sequence, Letter from an Unknown Woman
Concert pianist Stefan Brand (Louis Jourdan) enlists his mute butler John (Art Smith) in helping him evade a duel, and sits down to read a letter from an unknown woman (Joan Fontaine).
Opening Sequence, Diary of a Country Priest
The new priest of Ambricourt (Claude Laydu) writes in his diary.
Orsini's Failed Escape and His Execution, A Man Escaped
Orsini (Jacques Ertaud) fails to escape while the inmates empty their slop buckets. He tells Fontaine (François Letterier) that he will need hooks to escape. Then, one day, Fontaine hears Orsini being executed.
Plans of Her Own, Double Indemnity
Walter (Fred MacMurray) confronts Phyllis (Barbara Stanwyck) about her motives.
Potatoes and Soup, Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles
Jeanne Dielman (Delphine Seyrig) goes to the store, overcooks potatoes, and feeds her son (Jan Decorte) and herself soup for dinner.
Running Errands, Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles
Jeanne Dielman (Delphine Seyrig) goes to the bank and the cobbler.
Sam Cooke's Boston Performance, One Night in Miami...
Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Anir) recounts the story of Sam Cooke's (Leslie Odom Jr.) performance for an angry crowd in Boston.
Séraphita, Diary of a Country Priest
The priest (Claude Laydu) faints on the road and is woken up by Sérephita (Martine Lemaire), one of his troublesome catechism students.
Sergeant Rutledge Saves the Cavalry, Sergeant Rutledge
Sergeant Rutledge (Woody Strode) gives his testimony to the court about what happened during the ambush.
Talking With the Neighbor, Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles
Jeanne Dielman (Delphine Seyrig)'s neighbor comes to pick up her baby.
Terry's Goodbye, A Man Escaped
Terry (Roger Treherne) visits Fontaine (François Letterier) one last time.
The Fog, Ulysses' Gaze
The denizens of Sarajevo rejoice in the fog. A (Harvey Keitel) dances with Naomi (Maia Morgenstern), Ivo's daughter.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (Opening Sequence), The Grand Budapest Hotel
The author (John Wilkinson, Jude Law) introduces The Grand Budapest Hotel.
The Letter, Devil in a Blue Dress
Easy (Denzel Washington) and Mouse (Don Cheadle) visit Coretta's boyfriend Dupree Brouchard (Jernard Burks) in Compton where they find an incriminating letter.
The Missing Goddess, Letter from an Unknown Woman
Lisa (Joan Fontaine) visits Stefan (Louis Jourdan) at his apartment, and leaves when she realizes he doesn't recognize her.
The Monastery, The Grand Budapest Hotel
Zero (Tony Revolori) and Gustave (Ralph Fiennes) arrive at a monastery in their search for Segre X (Mathieu Amalric).
The Next Mayor, Devil in a Blue Dress
Released from jail, Easy (Denzel Washington) is picked up and questioned by mayoral candidate Matthew Terell (Maury Chaykin).
The One on the Edge of Your Memory, Letter from an Unknown Woman
May years later, Lisa (Joan Fontaine), now married to Johann (Marcel Journet), runs into Stefan (Louis Jourdan) at the opera.
The Priest of Torcy, Diary of a Country Priest
The priest (Claude Laydu) talk with his mentor the priest of Torcy (Adrien Borel) on his faith, the death of the Countess (Rachel Bérendt), and his operation of the parish.
The Ruse Revealed, Vertigo
Judy (Kim Novak) writes a letter to Scottie (James Stewart) explaining her con as Madeleine, but rips it up instead of leaving it for him.
The Scheme, Double Indemnity
Phyllis (Barbara Stanwyck) shows up at Walter's (Fred MacMurray) apartment. The two of them talk about Phyllis' husband.
The Series Finale, I Saw the TV Glow
After watching the series finale, Owen (Justice Smith) tries to stick his head inside the television set.
The Truth Comes Out, Sunset Boulevard
After finding out about Joe's (William Holden) sneaking around, Norma (Gloria Swanson) calls Betty (Nancy Olson) and taunts her.
The Truth, Nothing More, Intruder in the Dust
Lucas (Juano Hernandez) recounts to Chick (Claude Jarman Jr.) and Stevens (David Brian) his encounters with the Gowrie brothers.
To Fort Lebanon, Moonrise Kingdom
The narrator gives a weather report on the upcoming storm as the Khaki Scouts row Suzy and Shakusky to Fort Lebanon.
To Germany, Landscape in the Mist
After saying goodbye to their friend Seagull (Ilias Logothetis), Voula (Tania Palaiologou) and Alexandros (Michalis Zeke) finally sneak onto a Germany-bound train.
To Pray, To Hate, Diary of a Country Priest
The priest (Claude Laydu) visits the Countess (Rachel Bérendt) and helps her come to terms with the death of her son and reconcile with God.
Urban Diagnosis, Diary of a Country Priest
The priest (Claude Laydu) arrives in the city and is diagnosed with stomach cancer.
Wade Explains the OASIS, Ready Player One
Wade, in voiceover, explains how the virtual world of the OASIS works.
Who is Keyser Soze, The Usual Suspects
Verbal (Kevin Spacey) tells the tale of Keyser Soze.
Yvonne's Walk, The Exiles
Yvonne (Yvonne Williams) walks around the city, thinking about her relationship with Homer (Homer Nish) and life away from the reservation.
Zero and Agatha, The Grand Budapest Hotel
Zero (F. Murray Abraham, Tony Revolori) recounts his and Agatha's (Saoirse Ronan) love story.
