No writing is effortless. I’m not saying you can’t have a good day where the words just kind of flow, but even those words have to be edited. Probably more than once. And I’m not saying a character hasn’t somehow gone in a different direction...
Profundity fails me.” Father Ramon's gaze rested on Loup. “And perhaps that is fitting, since words have never been your strong suit, Loup Garron. I said once that you were neither a leader nor a follower. I think perhaps you're something more ra...
[Baloo has told Mowgli that he has to take him back to the man-village and Mowgli runs off. Baloo calls for him, but only Bagheera answers] Bagheera: And now what's happened? Baloo: You're not gonna believe me, Bagheera, but look. Now I used the same...
[first lines] Andrea Phillips: Okay. You all right? Captain Richard Phillips: Yeah. Andrea Phillips: You'd think these trips would get easier, but it's just the opposite. Captain Richard Phillips: Well, I feel the same way, Ange. Andrea Phillips: I k...
[from the director's cut] Mr. Hand: We're very lucky when you think about it. Emma Murdoch: I'm sorry? Mr. Hand: To be able to revisit those places which have meant so very much to us. Emma Murdoch: I thought it was more that we were haunted by them....
Harry Block: You know, I cannot understand why the most sophisticated of women can't tell the difference between a meaningless, hot, passionate sexual affair and a nice, solid, tranquil, routine marriage. Joan: [breaking down] Tell me, Harry, just te...
Deputy Lester: [referring to the mistreatment of Rambo] I was just talking to Mitch, and he said that Gault and a couple of the deputies were... a little hard on the guy. State Police Capt. Dave Kern: Assholes! Teasle: It doesn't make one goddamn bit...
Narrator: [introducing Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor] What you will see are the different things that might pass through your mind if you sat in a concert hall listening to this music. At first, you are more or less conscious of the orchestra. ...
Commodus: What am I going to do with you? You simply won't... die. Are we so different, you and I? You take life when you have to... as I do. Maximus: I have only one more life to take. Then it is done. Commodus: Then take it now. [Maximus pauses, th...
Mr. Braddock: What's the matter? The guests are all downstairs, Ben, waiting to see you. Benjamin: Look, Dad, could you explain to them that I have to be alone for a while? Mr. Braddock: These are all our good friends, Ben. Most of them have known yo...
[after catching Harry scribbling on his paper] Professor Severus Snape: Tell me, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood? [Harry doesn't answer] Professor Severus Snape: You don't know? Well, let's try again. ...
Lestat: The trick is not to think about it. See that one there? Widow St. Clair. She had the gorgeous young fop murder her husband. Louis: How do you know? Lestat: Read her thoughts. [Louis looks at him inquisitively] Lestat: *Read* her thoughts. Lou...
Javert: Valjean, at last, we see each other plain. Monsieur le Mayor, you'll wear a different chain. Jean Valjean: Before you say another word, Javert, before you chain me up like a slave again, listen to me. There is something I must do. This woman ...
[Deborah cleans up the bar while the rest of the family is out. Noodles walks in] Young Deborah: What are you doing? Young Noodles: Give me a drink. Young Deborah: We're closed. Nice people don't drink on Pesach, they go to the synagogue. Young Noodl...
Miles Raymond: Did you read the latest draft, by the way? Jack: Oh, yeah. Yeah. Miles Raymond: And? Jack: It's great. I mean there are so many improvements. It's much tighter, just seems... I don't know, more congealed or something. Miles Raymond: Mm...
Tigranes Levantus: If you looked into a magic crystal, you saw your army destroyed and yourself dead. If you saw that in the future, as I'm sure you're seeing it now, would you continue to fight? Spartacus: Yes. Tigranes Levantus: Knowing that you mu...
Melanie Daniels: Just what is it you're looking for, sir? Mitch Brenner: Lovebirds. Melanie Daniels: Lovebirds, sir? Mitch Brenner: Yes. I understand there are different varieties. Is that true? Melanie Daniels: Oh yes, there are. Mitch Brenner: Well...
Jesse: Oh, God, why weren't you there, in Vienna? Celine: I told you why. Jesse: Well, I know why, I just - I wish you would have been. Our lives might have been so much different. Celine: You think so? Jesse: I actually do. Celine: Maybe not. Maybe,...
Paul Varjak: [second scene in the library] You're crazy. Holly Golightly: What? Do you think you own me? Paul Varjak: That's exactly what I think. Holly Golightly: I know. It's what everybody always thinks but everybody happens to be wrong. Paul Varj...
The secret seemed to me much more mysterious than that; it was the secret, I thought, of one who had known death; for I moved a stranger among ordinary people, like a man who has risen from the grave, and at first I merely felt rather painfully out o...
I venture to suggest that the one vital quality which they had in common was spiritual receptivity. Something in them was open to heaven, something which urged them Godward. Without attempting anything like a profound analysis I shall say simply that...
