Here is my list of top 10 movie quotes that have strong connections to my life. I used to work in a movie theatre in the 1980s, so you’ll see more than a few from that time period. And I can’t tell you the last adult movie I saw, so there won’t be any from this decade, either. But these movie quotes all mean something to me and I hope you recognize some of them, too.
10. Robin Williams to his college roommate in the movie Good Will Hunting
Oh, you arrogant shit! That’s why I don’t come to the goddamned reunions ’cause I can’t stand that look in your eye. Ya know, that condescending, embarrassed look. You think I’m a failure. I know who I am, and I’m proud of what I do. It was a conscientious choice, I didn’t fuck up! And you and your cronies think I’m some sort of pity case.
I have the distinction of making less money than anybody I know, which is particularly embarrassing for people I knew 20 odd years ago. I don’t miss them, though.
9. Tom Cruise to the woman he’s leaving in the movie Cocktail
All things end badly, or else they wouldn’t end.
This has the dual purpose of being a great kiss-off line and a thought to ponder when wondering how it all went wrong. It’s been my fate to use it for the latter much more than the former.
8. Daniel Day Lewis, explaining to one woman why he hasn’t thrown out the other woman in his life in the movie The Unbearable Lightness of Being
If I had two lives, in one life I could invite her to stay at my place, and in the second life I could kick her out. Then I could compare and see which had been the best thing to do. But we only live once. Life’s so light. Like an outline we can’t ever fill in or correct… make any better. It’s frightening.
Kick her out! Kick her out! Kick her out! Said the boy who invited her to stay…
7. Robin Williams to the big boss when asked to do a menial job by his direct superior in the movie Mrs. Doubtfire
Did you ever wish that you could freeze-frame a single moment in your day, look at it and say, “This is not my life”?
Oh, but it is poor boy, it is your life.
6. Burt Lancaster to Kevin Costner in the movie Field of Dreams
I never got to bat in the major leagues. I would have liked to have had that chance. Just once. To stare down a big league pitcher. To stare him down, and just as he goes into his windup, wink. Make him think you know something he doesn’t. That’s what I wish for. Chance to squint at a sky so blue that it hurts your eyes just to look at it. To feel the tingling in your arm as you connect with the ball. To run the bases – stretch a double into a triple, and flop face-first into third, wrap your arms around the bag. That’s my wish Ray Kinsella. That’s my wish. And is there enough magic out there in the moonlight to make this dream come true?
Some people would wish for power, some for fame. But this is my wish, plain and simple.
5. Jack Nicholson at the end of the movie The Witches of Eastwick
Do you think God knew what He was doing when He created woman? Huh? No shit. I really wanna know. Or do you think it was another one of His minor mistakes like tidal waves, earthquakes, FLOODS? You think women are like that? S’matter? You don’t think God makes mistakes? Of course He does. We ALL make mistakes. Of course, when WE make mistakes they call it evil. When GOD makes mistakes, they call it… nature. So whaddya think? Women… a mistake… or DID HE DO IT TO US ON PURPOSE?
I love philosophical questions like this, where there is no wrong answer. Since we’re all sinners in the hands of an angry god, I lean towards he did it on purpose.
4. A conversation between Chazz Palminteri and his young protégé in the movie A Bronx Tale
Sonny: Alright, listen to me. You pull up right where she lives, right? Before you get outta the car, you lock both doors. Then, get outta the car, you walk over to her. You bring her over to the car. Dig out the key, put it in the lock and open the door for her. Then you let her get in. Then you close the door. Then you walk around the back of the car and look through the rear window. If she doesn’t reach over and lift up that button so that you can get in: dump her.
Calogero ‘C’ Anello: Just like that?
Sonny: Listen to me, kid. If she doesn’t reach over and lift up that button so that you can get in, that means she’s a selfish broad and all you’re seeing is the tip of the iceberg. You dump her and you dump her fast.
Back in my dating days, before this movie came out, I used to do this key thing. And I wasn’t smart enough to dump the ones who sat in the seat and didn’t unlock the door, but I remember being pissed about it.
3. John Cusack in the beginning of the movie High Fidelity
What came first, the music or the misery? People worry about kids playing with guns, or watching violent videos, that some sort of culture of violence will take them over. Nobody worries about kids listening to thousands, literally thousands of songs about heartbreak, rejection, pain, misery and loss. Did I listen to pop music because I was miserable? Or was I miserable because I listened to pop music?
Anyone who’s read my stuff previously knows where I stand on this topic. One of my main goals with my kids is not to create or tolerate a culture of misery.
2. Kevin Costner to Tim Robbins in the movie Bull Durham
I’m your new catcher and you just got lesson number one; don’t think, it can only hurt the ballclub.
Is there anything worse in life than the paralysis of analysis? By nature I’m a thinker. But I think my life has turned out better in major decisions when I went by what felt right instead of thinking things to death.
1. Albert Brooks telling Holly Hunter why she shouldn’t be interested in William Hurt in the movie Broadcast News
And if things had gone differently for me tonight then I probably wouldn’t be saying any of this. I grant you everything. But give me this: he personifies everything that you’ve been fighting against. And I’m in love with you. How do you like that? I buried the lead.
I am a big fan of Albert Brooks and his combination of insecurity, self-deprecation and razor-sharp wit. Only when he was worked up about something else could he let down his guard and let the woman know that he loved her. He said the right thing at the wrong time and compensated by making a geeky journalism joke that also reminded her why she should love him back.
You know that his character practiced saying that line a thousand times. When he finally says it, he doesn’t dread having said it – if anything there’s relief. And he’s comfortable enough in his own insecurity to be able to immediately realize how and where he failed and be able to make a joke about it.
I can’t fathom why I’d put that quote first.
So, there are my memorable movie quotes that relate to my life. I would really appreciate it if you’d leave a comment with a movie quote that spoke to you in your life.
