Avery’s Monologue from The Flick by Annie Baker
"Oh! I finally remembered one of my dreams..."
Overview of The Flick
The Flick by Annie Baker is a Pulitzer Prize-winning play that intricately explores the lives of three employees at a small, run-down movie theatre in Massachusetts. Through intimate and naturalistic dialogue, the play examines themes of loneliness, connection, and existential longing. Avery’s monologue is a poignant and reflective moment, blending humor, vulnerability, and profound introspection.
Character Breakdown: Avery
Name: Avery
Age: Early 20s
Background: Avery is an introverted, highly intelligent young man who struggles with depression and a sense of disconnection from the world around him. His love of film serves as both a passion and a coping mechanism.
Who the Character is Talking To in This Moment: Avery is speaking to a colleague or friend, sharing a dream and his reflections on life, revealing his inner world with a mix of humor and raw emotion.
What’s Just Happened: This monologue arises from a quiet moment of conversation, offering insight into Avery’s thoughts about identity, purpose, and acceptance.
The Monologue
"Oh! I finally remembered one of my dreams. Pause. Yeah. (Smiling.) I thought you’d be happy about that. [...] Okay. So in the dream I’m dead. I mean, I’ve just died. And I’m in this weird room. Which is basically like purgatory. And there’s a whole bunch of us, a bunch of people who just died, and we’re all waiting to see if we can, you know, move on. To the next level."
Commentary: Avery’s opening is casual yet engaging, drawing the listener into his dream. The tone is lighthearted but carries the weight of existential undertones. Actors should balance the humor with a subtle hint of melancholy.
"And then it’s my turn. [...] I’m up next. And suddenly I’m surrounded by all these shelves and on every shelf is every movie I’ve ever seen. And like some are like DVDs and other are like old VHS tapes from like the nineties and some are even like old thirty-five-millimeter reels, like movies I saw in the theater. And like – yeah. Everything is there."
Commentary: Avery’s vivid description of the movie shelves highlights his deep connection to film. This section allows actors to convey his excitement and nostalgia, contrasting with the anxiety that follows.
"And I start running the scanner across the shelves. I run it across all these Yakuza movies I watched in high school, I run it across all the Truffaut movies, and the scanner isn’t beeping. It’s weird. It’s not recognizing anything. [...] And then I think to myself: I’m going to hell."
Commentary: The tension builds as Avery recounts his panic over the scanner’s failure to recognize the movies he believed defined him. Actors should lean into the growing desperation and self-doubt.
"And then suddenly the scanner starts beeping and beeping and I look at the movie that made it beep and it’s this like old cruddy VHS tape of Honeymoon in Vegas. [...] And at first I’m like: what? My entire life can be represented by Honeymoon in Vegas? [...] But then I’m like, wait, it doesn’t matter, I’m going to heaven. I must have done something right in my life because I’m going to heaven."
Commentary: This moment is both comedic and profound, as Avery reflects on the arbitrary nature of meaning and validation. Actors should explore the mix of relief and confusion, capturing Avery’s complexity.
"Well yesterday I had this thought. I was like: okay. Maybe it’s never gonna get better. Maybe I’m gonna live with my dad for the rest of my life and like the actual problem is just that I’m waiting for things to change. [...] And that’ll be the life I get. And that’ll be okay. Yeah."
Commentary: The monologue’s conclusion shifts to a deeply personal reflection on acceptance and self-awareness. This section is emotionally charged, and actors should deliver it with quiet vulnerability, letting the weight of Avery’s realization land naturally.
Suggested New Thoughts Chunking / Paragraphing
Dream Setup: Avery recounts the premise of his dream with humor and vivid detail, engaging the listener.
The Movie Shelves: He describes the surreal process of scanning movies, building tension and self-doubt.
The Revelation: The unexpected result of the scanner—Honeymoon in Vegas—provides both comic relief and a profound reflection on meaning.
Acceptance and Reflection: Avery transitions to a personal realization about his own life, grappling with the idea of acceptance and contentment.
Journey Keypoints
Hook: Avery’s casual mention of his dream immediately draws the listener in, creating intrigue.
Turning Point: The panic over the scanner’s failure to beep symbolizes Avery’s fear of inadequacy and failure.
Climax: The revelation of Honeymoon in Vegas as his defining movie combines humor with existential insight.
Resolution: Avery’s acceptance of his circumstances and his quiet reflection on life’s unpredictability provide a poignant ending.
Performance Tips
Balance Humor and Depth: The monologue blends comedic elements with existential reflection. Use the humor to make Avery relatable, but let the deeper emotions shine through.
Build Emotional Layers: Avery’s journey moves from casual storytelling to anxiety and ultimately to acceptance. Honour these shifts to create a dynamic and nuanced performance.
Focus on Intimacy: Avery’s vulnerability makes this monologue deeply personal. Maintain a conversational tone to connect with the listener or audience.
Pace the Realizations: Let each discovery in the monologue—whether comedic or profound—land fully before moving to the next thought.
Learn with Acting Coach Scotland
Avery’s monologue is a rich, layered piece that challenges actors to navigate humor, vulnerability, and existential reflection. At Acting Coach Scotland, we help performers unlock the emotional depth and authenticity required to master complex material.
