From three of my favorite movies come principles that have occurred to my memory at useful moments.
1) Batman Begins
Rachel sees Bruce acting like a spoiled wastrel while she's trying to clean up corruption in the city.
In shame, Bruce tries to tell her that's not who he really is.
She says:
"Bruce, deep down you may still be that same great kid you used to be. But it's not who you are underneath, it's what you do that defines you."
"Bruce, deep down you may still be that same great kid you used to be. But it's not who you are underneath, it's what you do that defines you."
Rachel asks Batman who he is, and he says, "It's what I do that defines me."
It's true. We should go by what people have done recently, rather than sentimentality and nostalgic excuses.
2) Flight of the Phoenix, the remake
I love this movie, esp the characterizations. Elliott, the aircraft designer, is just about the same degree and style of autistic as I am. I very feel that particular character - capable of occasional brilliant solutions, but generally not going to do very well in life because he doesn't want to admit how much the outcome depends on the emotional reactions of other people.
That's unrelated to the quote I want to share :-)
Here is a thought that sometimes helps me along when the going gets tough. It certainly sustained me through those dark twenty years when there seemed to be nothing to hope for and no dreams.
"I think a man only needs one thing in life. He just needs someone to love. If you can't give him that, then give him something to hope for. And if you can't give him that, just give him something to do."
3) Open Range
One of my top favorite movies, right up there with The Mummy Returns - and I've gotten some weird looks for claiming The Mummy Returns as my favorite movie, but it is! For several reasons! Not for any great quotes, though.
Open Range is packed full of cowboy wisdom. "You're men, aren't you?"
Here's the quote I like so much: "Most time, a man will tell you his bad intentions if you listen, let yourself hear."
SO VERY TRUE and as I look back over some of the psychos I've had to deal with, there was almost always a verbal warning. Usually, there's a warning, and then a laugh, as the listeners "realize" they didn't mean it and are just being shocking or making a joke.
No, they mean it. They're telling you their bad intentions. The question is whether you will let yourself hear.
Let people define themselves, and then have the grace to believe them.
Without citing any notable examples, someone springs to mind who borrowed money from his own grandmother and didn't pay it back, causing her to lose her home. His profile describes him as a "lovable sonofabitch". Well, you can love him if you want to, but you've also been warned.
Or do you think he only put that to be cute and get a chuckle?
Bonus: 4) Unforgiven
A movie I only watched once, and didn't like. I prefer the sentimental, black and white, Zane Grey version of the West.
But my darling asked what this blog post was about, and is glad to offer his favorite quote from a Clint Eastwood western.
"Well, he should have armed himself if he was going to decorate his saloon with my friend."
Now that's a quote! -- he says.
