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Al Pacino’s famous speech – as the devil – in the Devil’s Advocate (1997)
I added the the rhetorical figures of speech in this transcript in brackets.
Transcript with Figures of Speech
John Milton: Who are you carrying all those bricks for anyway? [Subiectio: mock dialogue]
God? Is that it?
God? Well, I tell ya, let me give you a little inside information about God.
God likes to watch. He’s a prankster. Think about it.
He gives man instincts. He gives you this extraordinary gift and then what does He do? [Anaphora: He gives…]
I swear, for his own amusement, his own private cosmic gag reel, he sets the rules in opposition. [Anaphora: his own…]
It’s the goof of all time.
Look, but don’t touch.
Touch, but don’t taste.
Taste, don’t swallow. [Climax: look – touch, touch – taste, taste – don’t swallow. Anadiplosis: touch – touch, taste – taste]
*laughter*
And while you’re jumping from one foot to the next, what is He doing?
He’s laughing his sick, fucking ass off.
He’s a tight-ass. He’s a sadist.
He’s an absentee landlord. Worship that? [Anaphora: He’s…]
Never!
Kevin Lomax: Better reign in hell than to serve in heaven, is that it?
John Milton: Why not?
I’m here on the ground with my nose in it since the whole thing began!
I’ve nurtured every sensation man has been inspired to have!
I cared about what he wanted and I never judged him.
Why? Because I never rejected him, in spite of all his imperfections!
I’m a fan of man! [Internal rhyme: fan of man]
I’m a humanist. Maybe the last humanist. [Anaphora: I’m a…] [Epistrophe: humanist.]
Who, in their right mind, Kevin, could possibly deny the 20th century was entirely mine?
All of it, Kevin!
All of it! [Anaphora: All of it]
Mine!
I’m peaking, Kevin.
It’s my time now.
It’s our time.[Anaphora: It’s]
Other great speeches by Al Pacino
- Inch by Inch speech – Al Pacino in “Any Given Sunday”
- School Defense speech – Al Pacino in “Scent of a Woman”