The Spielberg Face: A Legacy

When a character looks up and catches something unexpected, that's the face. When a character watches something otherworldly take place in front of their eyes, that's the face. When a character stares outward, mouth slightly agape and has a revelation that will change them forever, that's the face.

The Spielberg Face: that particular visual cue that leaves an audience with the same glazed expression as the character on screen. The master of popcorn cinema has been implementing the signature visage since the beginning of his career, like this moment in which Christian Bale realizes John Malkovich killed his friend in Empire in the Sun. The same look could have been made if he saw an alien shoot into the sky or he found the treasure he was looking for -- either way, we know that this exact moment is one the character will never forget.

It took Steven Spielberg a few years before truly perfecting The Spielberg Face, so cut Goldie Hawn a little slack for going a bit over the top on its first outting. At least Spielberg found a place for the face in Sugarland Express -- his feature debut, the TV movie Duel is too steadily paced for the weighty expression.

An older Spielberg may have relished in this moment from Jaws, but instead, Roy Scheider's Spielberg Face comes and goes as quickly as the carnivorous shark. Scheider's Brody is dishing out fish parts when the razor sharp teeth of Jaws come snapping at his arm. He pulls back and lands a perfectly timed Spielberg Face.

You get the sense that Spielberg tackled 1993's Jurassic Park just for this singular Spielberg Face moment. When Alan and Ellie caravan into the fields of Jurassic Park, they witness for the first time John Hammond's ultimate creation: dinosaurs. MONEY SHOT Spielberg Face. One thing wil never change about the time-honored director, and that's his love for quickly dollying in on a person's face as they stand awestruck. It's emotional.