American Beauty

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Ricky Fitts: It was one of those days when it’s a minute away from snowing and there’s this electricity in the air, you can almost hear it. And this bag was, like, dancing with me. Like a little kid begging me to play with it. For fifteen minutes. And that’s the day I realized there was this entire life behind things, and… this incredibly benevolent force, that wanted me to know there was no reason to be afraid, ever. Video’s a poor excuse, I know. But it helps me remember… and I need to remember… Sometimes there’s so much beauty in the world I feel like I can’t take it, like my heart’s going to cave in.

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Brad Dupree: [reading Lester’s job description] “My job consists of basically masking my contempt for the assholes in charge, and, at least once a day, retiring to the men’s room so I can jerk off while I fantasize about a life that doesn’t so closely resemble Hell.” Well, you have absolutely no interest in saving yourself.

Lester: Brad, for 14 years I’ve been a whore for the advertising industry. The only way I could save myself now is if I start firebombing.

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Angela: Yeah? Well at least I’m not ugly!

Ricky: Yes you are, and you’re boring and totally ordinary and you know it.

Magnolia

Come on, Frank. What are you doing?
What am I doing? I’m quietly judging you.

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And… no, it is not dangerous to confuse children with angels!

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I’ll tell you everything, and you tell me everything, and maybe we can get through all the piss and shit and lies that kill other people.

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The book says, “We might be through with the past, but the past ain’t through with us.”

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