The Scene That Made Andy Garcia a Star (Sno-Cones at L.A. Live)

The six minutes of improv with Scudder baiting Chance while eating sno-cones is tops.

Some criticize the improvisation. I didn’t even notice on first viewing, being way too busy wrapped up in the terrific tension.

What we have here essentially is the old Interrogation 101 ploy: We know you did it, we just have a few questions. Convince the perp you already know he’s guilty and he’ll confess, believing it no longer matters. That works, but Scudder also wants to get under Chance’s skin in hopes of getting a little unexpected information when he blows. Chance is a charismatic, sociopathic murderer with aspirations of being a dashing, dapper man about town versed in fine art and a hit with the ladies. He’s almost convinced himself of it, but on some level knows he’s just a drug dealer with a violent temper he can’t control. Scudder’s got his number, and while both try to play it cool, literally, eating sno-cones on hot asphalt, Chance knows it. He can’t stand that his careful illusion is so fragile, constantly playing with his coat and sunglasses, trying to keep everything just so. In those six minutes, you are seeing Andy Garcia become a name actor as he tries so hard to keep a lid on the east within. “So you better bewaaaaaaaaaare …. know what I’m saying?” That line starts out as violent threat and suddenly pivots to faux friendliness just as he’s about to lose it He can’t wait for the meet to end so he can stop smiling and get back to Sarah, who he’d like to believe is his but can now see no longer is.

“Sarah, good to see your friend Scooder takes such bad care of you. Gives us time to do a little shopping.” He pats her hand.

“Great baby.”

Garcia’s wonderful response:

“Great baby?” Just the right tone to show he knows she’s lying and isn’t with him anymore.

Also notable: Chance walks away from Scudder, pretending not to be interested. As he walks into camera standing tall and adjusting his coat, Scudder drops more bait. Chance stops and we see his expression up close: attention regained.

That day, Andy Garcia’s star was born.
From that he got work for the rest of his life.