What makes a film great? Seems like a simple question, but not so easy to answer. Truth is a lot has to go right for a movie to stand out. Obvious things like quality acting and writing are essential. However, those aren’t enough to separate one from the mountainous glut of celluloid produced every year. For me, all it takes is a few memorable scenes to push a film to greatness.

The next couple of weeks I’m going to share and examine what I consider to be some of cinema’s finest scenes. Not coincidentally, these are from some of my favorite films. Great scenes can expound on theme, reveal key plot turns, expose a character’s hidden vulnerabilities, or induce a visceral reaction. The scenes I have selected may function on one or all of these levels. For certain, they offer a distinct glimpse into the brilliancy of the films they belong to.

I’ll begin, where else, at a beginning. The opening to Woody Allen’s best film, Manhattan. Sorry Annie Hall fans, Manhattan is a better, more complete New York story. I have nothing against Annie Hall, it’s just not Manhattan. Gordon Willis’ stunning black and white cinematography and Allen’s offbeat narration highlight this opening scene which plays as a love sonnet to New York City with musical accompaniment from George Gershwin’s triumphant classic “Rhapsody in Blue.” It’s a beautiful beginning to a story about a man’s search for love in the city that he loves. I give you the opening scene to Manhattan: