Beginners (2011) - Quotes

Facing Reality in Difficult Times

Oliver: Why are you telling them you're turning the corner?

Hal: Well, I...

Oliver: You, you have stage four cancer.

Hal: It's not as bad as it sounds.

Oliver: Pop. There is no stage five.

Hal: [''chuckles''] That's not what it means.

Oliver: Well, then what does it mean?

Hal: It just means that it's been through three other stages.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Reimagining Narratives of Historical Events

Oliver: You re-wrote Jesus death?

Hal: It was far too violent. We need new stories.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Navigating Complex Relationships and Expectations

Arthur: [in closed captions, talking about Anna] She's unlike any girl I've met.

Oliver: Someone flashy walks into your life, and you're just gonna fall for it.

Arthur: Are we married yet?

Oliver: No. It doesn't work like that. There are other steps. It's complicated.

Arthur: I hope this feeling lasts.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Misunderstanding About Camisoles and Upbringing

Anna: You don't know what a camisole is?

Oliver: I was, um- was brought up by these animals, and they didn't like questions- they're very frowned upon- so I had to guess.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Misunderstanding Over Name Pronunciation

Oliver: [after Elliot tags LEIT on a wall] What the fuck is that?

Elliot: L-E-IT. Elliot.

Oliver: That's ridiculous.

Elliot: I know. You're not very supportive.

Oliver: That's just like copying something that someone did 30 years ago in the Bronx.

Elliot: Well, yeah. I'm part of a tradition of civil disobedience- Something bigger than myself.

Elliot: [after Oliver tags 1985 Bush finds Jesus on a wall] What was that?

Oliver: Historical consciousness- Something bigger than myself. Let's do it again.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Urgent plea for action amidst despair

Oliver: [Anna gives him a piece of paper] Can I give you my number?

Arthur: [in closed captions] Tell her the darkness is about to drown us unless something drastic happens right now.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Late Night Music Conversation

Hal: Oliver. I'm not sorry I woke you. I went to Act Bar tonight.

Oliver: You did?

Hal: [imitates dance beat] Yeah. Oh, they had some wonderfully loud music. What kind of music's that?

Oliver: Probably house music.

Hall: House music?

Oliver: Yeah.

Hal: [writes it down on a piece of paper] Okay. House- House music.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Struggles of Self-Acceptance and Reality

Man at party: [laying down on a couch, dressed at the Wicked Witch of the West] I didn't ask for this. Who would ask for this? This color? This nose? This cheek? This chin? You know, this is my life. This isn't a story. This isn't a joke.

Oliver: [dressed as Freud] Yeah.

Man at party: I'm so glad you came, Doc. It's really good to get this stuff off my chest.

Oliver: I'm sorry. Our time is up, uh, for this week.

Defining Humor and Lovability in Relationships

Elliot: You remember when Oliver was funny? And he could actually, say, like, talk in complete sentences?

Shauna: Funny" funny.

Elliot: Funny, yeah.

Shauna: Mmm, I don't think- Fun, but not funny. Unless, like, serious is funny. Then he's fucking hilarious, but, um- Lovable.

Communication Challenges Between Humans and Animals

Oliver: Look, it's lonely out here, so you better learn how to talk with me.

Arthur: [in closed captions] While I understand up to 150 words - I don't talk.

Desire for Unconventional Communication

Oliver: [talking to Anna on the phone who uses beeps to talk] I've always wanted to have a phone call with someone who doesn't talk.

The Nature of Identity and Experience

Oliver: [''talking to his dog Arthur at a dog park''] Go and have experiences with your own people. I'll be right here. I'm a human. I'm not a dog. And you're a Jack Russell, and that's a breed. Your personality was created by this guy John Russell, who was a hunting enthusiast in the 1800's. And he bred your ancestors for their stamina and their courage for the hunt. You think you're you and you want to chase the foxes, but... other people planted that in you years ago, and now, somewhat arbitrarily you're considered very cute by us humans. And we keep breeding you not to- not to chase foxes, but to be cute. And we put you in television shows, and movies, and- And you're chasing tennis balls because they're as close to a fox as you're gonna get.