Social Anxiety Disorder can hit anyone, but it’ll hit especially hard when facing the ruthless casino owner who you just robbed. Oceans Eleven can definitely show some serious Social Anxiety.
Terry Benedict: “Did you have a hand in this?”
George Clooney: “Did I have my hand in what?”
Thieves and liars should never be considered the “good guys” in a story. But George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and the rest of their team charismatically took their roles of thieving to levels reserved for hero’s and patriots. George Clooney, who plays Danny Ocean, who was just released from prison, led his team to successfully pull off a master heist. In fact, they stole a ton of money from a man who seems like a real d-bag, but isn’t a criminal. Terry Benedict, played by Andy Garcia, is insensitive, dispassionate, and sees money as the only measure of value in life. But he is not a thief, liar, or manipulator. Terry Benedict may be mean, but he is a law-abiding citizen.
So what happens when this mean, unsympathetic millionaire/billionaire comes face to face with the man who stole $160 million dollars from him? The interaction is quite interesting and social anxiety provoking. George Clooney plays it off like he was uninvolved, while Andy Garcia is honest and direct in his line of questioning. Not only can an interaction like this cause anxiety in the liar (George Clooney), but it can cause major social anxiety. Let’s check it out!
What is Social Anxiety Disorder?
Red Face. Your face turns bright red like tomato being picked from a farm during peak season. Sweat profusely drips from the head, trickling down to the face. In addition to Red Face, there is loud thumping sound coming out of your chest as you realize your heart is trying to beat itself free. Fingers begin to tremble causing you to stick your hands in your pocket. Muscles all over the body stiffen and you don’t feel like moving, even though you’ll do anything to get out of there. This description describes just a few of things that would happen to someone with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). Click here to learn more.
Social Anxiety scene in Oceans Eleven
Oceans Eleven, 2001
Movie: Oceans Eleven (2001)
Scene: Terry Benedict questions Danny Ocean after he finds out that his money was stolen from the vault
Anxiety provoking event: Questioned by an authority figure in front of others, while maintaining a lie
Picture this: the owner of the casino (Terry Benedict) has just found out that he lost all the money in his vault. A total of $160 million has been stolen. Irate, furious, and enraged, Benedict is determined to get answers. Luckily for him, he had his boys (security thugs) detain George Clooney’s Danny Ocean in one of their private rooms in the casino building earlier in the day. Now it becomes a simple line of questioning that a ruthless, vengeful, and analytical Benedict will ask Ocean. And all the while, Ocean needs to lie to Benedict as part of his master plan.
Terry Benedict: “Did you have a hand in this?“
Danny Ocean: “Did I have my hand in what?“
Terry Benedict: “I’m going to ask you one more time. Did you have a hand in this?“
Danny Ocean: “Benedict, I have no idea what you’re talking about.“
Benedict pauses as he stares at Ocean before telling him he is free to go.
This is a major social anxiety scene for four reasons:
- Terry Benedict is an authority figure who is also seeking blood against the people who stole from him. He is not making direct accusations, but his stern intent of questioning and body language makes him a more intimidating figure
- Benedict is analyzing every move Ocean is making. Starring intently at his eyes, facial reactions, hand movements, everything
- There are others in the room observing Benedict and Ocean who are also likely to be starring intently at Ocean
- Danny Ocean maintains a lie
SAD scene breakdown
Oceans Eleven, 2001
Authority Figures not a good thing
People who suffer from Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) find themselves uncomfortable when speaking to authority figures. Looming questions about whether they are saying or doing the right things in front of authority figures always come to mind. Thoughts about pleasing them, not frustrating them, and most of all, not getting in trouble by them are all frequent. These may be normal thoughts for any non-SAD sufferers, but SAD sufferers experience it on a much more amplified level.
Dealing with an authority figure is bad enough, but add to it the fact that Benedict is angry and suspecting of you, then the SAD becomes much worse. People with SAD can easily develop Red Face symptoms simply from feeling like an authority figure suspects something bad of them.
The other things that are not a good thing
As Benedict is questioning Ocean, he is visibly studying every one of Ocean’s moves. This deep observation creates the feeling of being watched, which is a big no-no for someone with SAD. That feeling can be a serious trigger for developing Red Face and other SAD symptoms.
And add to the fact that there are other people in the room, and the SAD gets so much worse. When people are watching you, analyzing your every move, trying to catch you in a lie, this social situation becomes too much for SAD people. All those eyes watching you feels like a spotlight, which can increase SAD symptoms, like Red Face.
Lying is the last piece of this SAD train wreck. No one should ever lie, but if a lie is needed, make sure someone with SAD isn’t the one doing it. People with SAD have a hard time lying, especially in front of authority figures. Its the fear that the authority figure suspects you of doing something wrong that really makes it difficult. Or even the fear of being publicly scolded if ever caught in a lie that is just awful for SAD sufferers. So bottom line… don’t lie. If you need to lie, make sure you don’t have Social Anxiety Disorder. You won’t be able to pull it off if you do.
What would happen if George Clooney had Social Anxiety Disorder
With the stern eyes of an angry, suspecting Terry Benedict and his thugs starring and analyzing Danny Ocean (George Clooney), what would happen if he had SAD? A lot would happen! His brain chemistry would go nuts as he tries to focus on Benedict, while thinking about maintaining a neutral body/facial expressions, and while maintaining his lie. This overactive brain chemistry would go into overdrive and cause physical symptoms. It will start with a rush of heat and blood to the face, causing facial blushing. This will be shortly followed by profuse, heavy-duty sweating. Hands and body will also start to sweat as his fingers and hands tremble and his muscle stiffen, while heart beats out of chest.
Then when someone notices (and someone always notices), be prepared to blush brighter red and sweat heavier drops. This is because when people notice, they always call attention to Red Face symptoms. It’s the most awful thing ever!
Bottom Line
So although this was a short lived scene in Oceans Eleven, there are four big SAD triggers there which could be disastrous for Danny Ocean.