There are times, in any number of situations, when the most ideal response you can say to someone or to what's happening around you, is a singular quote from a movie. It makes sense, too. Some of the best writers of dialogue on the planet have written for film throughout the decades. This is particularly true for the very quotable first film I highlight below, and as stated so persuasively by blogger B-Sol in his fine review of said film back in February. Okay, I'll also stipulate for the record that for other times it's best to just keep 'your big yap shut'. But that would effectively kill the rest of the blog post, so we'll just move on with my original intent. The following (in no particular order) is the start of an arc for some of my all-time favorite lines from the movies I never tire of. So, for those times when you need something to say...
Casablanca
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Casablanca
Capt. Renault: "What in heaven's name brought you to Casablanca?"Pulp Fiction
Rick Blaine: "My health. I came to Casablanca for the waters."
Capt. Renault: "The waters? What waters? We're in the desert."
Rick Blaine: "I was misinformed."
~
"Might as well be frank, monsieur. It would take a miracle to get you out of Casablanca, and the Germans have outlawed miracles."
~
Rick Blaine: "And remember, this gun is pointed right at your heart."
Capt. Renault: "That is my *least* vulnerable spot."
"No one needs to know about this except you, me and Mr. Soon-To-Be-Living-The-Rest-of-His-Short-Ass-Life-in-Agonizing-Pain Rapist here."Heat
"He knew the risks, he didn't have to be there. It rains... you get wet."It's A Wonderful Life
"One man's life touches so many others, when he's not there it leaves an awfully big hole."Chinatown
"Course I'm respectable. I'm old. Politicians, ugly buildings, and whores all get respectable if they last long enough."Apocalypse Now
"Everyone gets everything he wants. I wanted a mission, and for my sins, they gave me one."Tequila Sunrise
"What is it, Nick? You need some chapstick or some lip gloss or something, Nick, because your lips keep getting stuck on your teeth. Or is that your idea of a smile?"The Usual Suspects
"Back when I was picking beans in Guatemala, we used to make fresh coffee, right off the trees I mean. That was good. This is sh*t but, hey, I'm in a police station."The Maltese Falcon
Brigid O'Shaughnessy: "I haven't lived a good life. I've been bad, worse than you could know."The Silence of the Lambs
Sam Spade: "You know, that's good, because if you actually were as innocent as you pretend to be, we'd never get anywhere."
"I do wish we could chat longer, but, I'm having an old friend for dinner."
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APOCALYPSE NOW: Ah, there are soooo many but one of my faves:
ReplyDelete"charging a man with murder in this place was like handing out speeding tickets at the Indy 500."
STRIPES:
"Oh, it's not the speed really so much, I just wish I hadn't drunk all that cough syrup this morning." (It's the way this line is said that makes it so funny)
EVIL DEAD 2:
"We just cut up our girlfriend with a chainsaw. Does that sound "fine"?"
THE BIG LEBOWSKI:
"Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man." (again, it's all in how its said)
SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS:
"Sidney, conjugate me a verb. For instance, "to promise.""
SAY ANYTHING:
"I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that."
THE INSIDER:
"You pay me to go get guys like Wigand, to draw him out. To get him to trust us, to get him to go on television. I do. I deliver him. He sits. He talks. He violates his own f*cking confidentiality agreement. And he's only the key witness in the biggest public health reform issue, maybe the biggest, most-expensive corporate-malfeasance case in U.S. history. And Jeffrey Wigand, who's out on a limb, does he go on television and tell the truth? Yes. Is it newsworthy? Yes. Are we gonna air it? Of course not. Why? Because he's not telling the truth? No. Because he is telling the truth. That's why we're not going to air it. And the more truth he tells, the worse it gets!"
ANIMAL HOUSE:
Bluto: My advice to you is to start drinking heavily.
Otter: Better listen to him, Flounder, he's in pre-med.
Some great quote selections, J.D. Milius, Herr and Coppola wrote such dialogue in Apocalypse Now (it was my father-in-law's absolute favorite film). Thanks for the contributions, friend.
ReplyDeleteOh, a can of worms for your trouble, (sorry that sounds like a movie, but i just made it up)
ReplyDeletei know you'll get around to it in part 2 or part 100. It popped into my head as soon as your title appeared. Sometimes i que up Unforgiven and watch the final scene for the upteenth time,
<span>Little Bill Daggett: You just shot an unarmed man.
Bill Munny: He should have armed himself if he's gonna decorate his saloon with my friend. </span>
<span>Little Bill Daggett: I don't deserve this... to die like this. I was building a house.
Will Munny: Deserve's got nothin' to do with it. </span>
You know I'm going appreciate any quote from Unforgiven, Herb ;) . Thanks for this, my friend.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorites, from "American Graffiti":
Tough guy: You want a knuckle sandwich?
Toad: No thanks, I'm waiting for a double chubby chuck.
Good one, Jeff! Which reminds me, I haven't screened American Graffiti in years. I think it's time again. Thanks, my friend.
ReplyDeleteYou've named so many good ones. One of my favorites is the simple sarcasm in The Philadelphia Story:
ReplyDelete"We're going to talk about me, are we? Oh, goody."
You're quite right, Naomi. Some of the best is also some of the simplest... and direct. Thanks, Naomi.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, and some very choice quotes from everyone.
ReplyDeleteSexy Beast
Don Logan: "But quite frankly your attitude appalls me. It's not what you're saying. It's all this stuff you're not saying. Insinnuendos."
Once Upon A Time In America
Noddles: "You see, Mr Secretary... I have a story also, a little simpler than yours. Many years ago, I had a friend, a dear friend. I turned him in to save his life, but he was killed. But he wanted it that way. It was a great friendship. But it went bad for him, and it went bad for me too. Good night, Mr Bailey."
Annie Hall
Alvy Singer: "I don't want to move to a city where the only cultural advantage is being able to make a right turn on a red light."
Jackie Brown
Melanie: ", but if you two are not the biggest pair of f***-ups I've ever met in my entire life. How did you ever rob a bank? When you robbed banks, did you forget where your car was then too? No wonder you went to jail."
And some fine ones you've contributed here, too. Always makes me glad when someone quotes from Jackie Brown. I've got to tee-up that fine British crime drama Sexy Beast once more (great cast, and McShane is absolutely chilling!). Thank you very kindly, Steve.
ReplyDeleteYou had some great ones, lp13! This is fun. (Thank you, IMDB.)
ReplyDeleteBIG CHILL
<span>Michael: I don't know anyone who could get through the day without two or three juicy rationalizations. They're more important than sex.
Sam Weber: Ah, come on. Nothing's more important than sex.
Michael: Oh yeah? Ever gone a week without a rationalization? </span>
Ah... the BIG CHILL. A wonderful movie filled with great music <span>and</span> dialogue. Thanks for adding to this, Christine.
ReplyDeleteRio Bravo: Sorry doen't get it done Dude. (It's amazing how many times this can be used in real life, or maybe I should it's depressing how many....)
ReplyDeleteTombstone: Billy Clanton - You're so drunk, you can't hit nothing. In fact, you're probably seeing double.
Doc Holliday - I have two guns, one for each of you.
Doc Holliday (to Ike Clanton) - Maybe poker's just not your game, Ike. I know, let's have a spelling contest.
Wyatt - How are you?
Doc - I'm dying. How are you?
In truth you could quote endlessly from this film.
Jaws: Brody - You're gonna need a bigger boat. (Can't believe no one mentioned this)
Quint - Here's to swimmin' with bow legged women!
Quint - I'm not talking about pleasure boating or day sailing. I'm talking about working for a living. I'm talking about sharking.
Then there's the whole Indianapolis speech. Again an endlessly quotable movie.
The Professionals: Maria - Go to Hell!
Bill - Yes Ma'am, Im on my way.
(looking at an old photo) Grant - Your hair was darker.
Rico - My heart was lighter.
So true, Colin. The films you cite are so eminently quotable. I have one from The Professionals coming up. Thanks for adding to this, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of Brian's favorite movies and quotes.
ReplyDelete<span>Cool Hand Luke </span>
<span>Captain, Road Prison 36: What we got here is... failure to communicate.</span>
<span>Classic</span>! Let's hear it for Brian! Thanks, Christine.
ReplyDelete