the Movie Space

Squint 1.To narrow the eyelids and therefore narrow the field of vision 2. A mode of intimidation and persuasion by the power of the gaze 3. The permanent expression of amateur astronomers

There is really no other way to silently say that you are tough and unimpressed better than a great squint. It may also mean that you are looking directly into the sun. But this short list is the road map to the greatest squinting spots on celluloid.

Clint Eastwood

The Master. He embodies what squinting is all about, and will go to the ends of the earth to squint down a punk badly in need of it. Clint began his wide-eyed career playing Rowdy Yates on the TV show Rawhide but as he began filming his famous dollars trilogy in the hot Italian sun, his gaze narrowed. The image stuck and even until now you will not see the iris of the man that made the slit-eye cool and intimidating. For examples of his squinting prowess check out the Dirty Harry series, In The Line of Fire, Bloodwork, and Escape From Alcatraz.

Robert Duvall

A national treasure and a Class-A squinter, Mr. Duvall is quite apt in his ability to fool you into thinking that his age has caught up with him and that his hearing is failing. We simply know better. His narrow gaze can bring to justice wayward sons (We Own The Night), make a hardened cowboy go sappy (Open Range), and melt the heart of a soldier (Gods and Generals).

Bruce Willis

A new graduate from the school of squints, Bruce has been honing his skills since his days at Nakatomi Plaza and has become an honored alum of the House That Clint Built. Although he is somewhat headstrong and occasionally arrogant, Mr. Willis is set to carry the torch of the Narrow Gaze into the future, and will do so in the gruff and panicked manner that makes him a unique face as a card-carrying squinter.

Honorable Mention

Josh Hartnett, Kris Kristofferson, Nick Nolte, Steven Segal, George W. Bush

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Squint Tips

Though there are many aspects that must be taken into consideration when performing the narrow, piercing stare, here are a few tricks that need to shared:

1. Do Not Squint All of The Time.

I know that right now you are thinking, “But Clint Eastwood does it!” I don’t need to remind you that that he is Clint Eastwood, he can also control a supersonic jet with his thoughts.

2. The Distance Between the Eyelids is Equal to the Level of Intensity

This is the rule of thumb to follow when you find yourself in a situation that requires varying levels of angst. However, you should never close your eyes completely as this conveys frustration and fatigue rather than anger.

3. Give Your Eyelids a 15-minute Break Per Hour of Squinting

It is hard to be tough as nails in the eyes for long periods of time. When about to enter what you think may be a narrow-eyed filibuster, be sure to rinse the eyes thoroughly and look stunned for at least 30 minutes prior to the event.

I hope that these insights will help you in your quest to attain the status of the greats mentioned earlier in the column. Good luck!

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