I've done all kinds of movies, but I wanna do some more independent films that are not your run-of-the-mill type movies like 'American Splendor', which I had a big part in, that are really trying to do something unique.
I got to learn from the American audience. Hearing what it is they're not getting. These are audiences, 35 to 40, an older demographic that controls seven to 10 trillion dollars. And the producers and distributors have convinced themselves this group...
If military movies were automatically successful we'd make nothing but military movies. But seriously, patriotism is one thing that all Americans have in common.
Gene Kranz: We've never lost an American in space, we're sure as hell not gonna lose one on my watch! Failure is not an option.
Lester Burnham: [narrating] It's a great thing when you realize you still have the ability to surprise yourself.
Angela Hayes: Yeah? Well, at least I'm not ugly! Ricky Fitts: Yes, you are. And you're boring, and you're totally ordinary, and you know it.
Lester Burnham: Look at me, jerking off in the shower... This will be the high point of my day; it's all downhill from here.
Carolyn Burnham: Honey, I'm so proud of you. I watched you very closely, and you didn't screw up once!
Jane Burnham: [turning the camera on Ricky] Don't you feel naked? Ricky Fitts: [looking down, grinning] I am naked.
Lester Burnham: You better watch yourself, Jane, or you're going to turn into a real BITCH, just like your MOTHER!
Ricky Fitts: My dad thinks I paid for all this with catering jobs. Never underestimate the power of denial.
Lester Burnham: I feel like I've been in a coma for the past twenty years. And I'm just now waking up.
Jane Burnham: Are you scared? Ricky Fitts: I don't get scared. Jane Burnham: My parents will try to find me. Ricky Fitts: Mine won't.
Jane Burnham: [seeing Lester having just been shot] Oh, my God... Ricky Fitts: [looks at Lester, curiously intrigued] Wow...
Lester Burnham: [talking to Carolyn about Jane] Oh, what? You're mother of the year? You treat her like an employee.
Carolyn Burnham: There happens to be a lot about me that you don't know, Mr. Smarty Man. There's plenty of joy in my life.
[from trailer] Frank Lucas: See, ya are what ya are in this world. That's either one of two things: Either you're somebody, or you ain't nobody.
Frank Lucas: I don't care what you call it, put a choke-hold on the motherfucker and call it Blue Dog Shit.
Moses Jones: I heard a story about you that you found a million dollars in unmarked cash and you gave that shit back, is that true?
[from trailer] Detective Richie Roberts: I swear, I will pull out my gun and put a bullet in your fuckin' head!
FBI Agent: If you want, we can assign someone to you? Detective Richie Roberts: FBI protection? My life is dangerous enough as it is!
