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Similar to my revisionist thoughts on Smell of Fear, Part Deux entertained me more than I expected when immediately contrasted with the first film, which felt shockingly as if a lot of it was being played straight and suffered from performances and characters from actors such as Jon Cryer, Bill Irwin, Kristy Swanson that never seemed to find their true comic potential. But something must also be said about my favorite scene in the film (it occurs almost precisely halfway in), which is also my favorite moment in any ZAZ-related project. I hadn’t seen it in nearly two decades, but the mere flicker of it in my thoughts always makes me smile. Indeed, even anticipating it while watching it, I still laughed out loud when it unfolded.

I can’t do it justice in breaking it down to a detailed description and a punch line. It starts with a voiceover by Sheen that is suddenly overtaken by a second narration, and then… an exchanged glance, recognition, smiles, and the same five words spoken in unison. There is a harmony in it. The reverse shot cuts are timed just right, and I’ll be damned if I can explain it any better than to say that it’s like a ray of sunshine fanning out over my psyche.

The victor: As wonderful as that moment is, Smell of Fear claims the decision this week. By a nose, of course.

Next time: Two of the most popular, most beloved American romantic tales of the early 1970s (Love Story, Summer of '42) inspired two of the least remembered romantic sequels of the mid-1970s. Sight previously unseen, I delve into Oliver’s Story and Class of '44 in two weeks.

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