MovieChat Forums > Defending Your Life (1991) Discussion > Favorite quotes

Favorite quotes

posted 18 years ago by FlyingPie
21 replies | jump to latest

This has been one of my favorite movies to watch, and I have seen it many times. I was thinking of my favorite quotes from the movie recently and was wondering what some other peoples' favorite quotes are from this movie.

Some of mine:

Albert Brooks' job offer -
Albert Brooks: "I can't accept anything less than $65,000."
Then at the interview -
Interviewer: "We're prepared to offer you $49,000."
Albert Brooks: "I'll take it!"

When Rip Torn was having lunch with Albert Brooks -
Rip Torn: "You wouldn't understand. And I don't mean to insult you. I mean that literally."

Albert Brooks talking about his snowmobile: "And fourth, pardon the expression, but your balls vibrate for 3 weeks afterwards."

[–] pattersonbosch 18 years ago

When Brooks and Streep are at a club where the comedian is bombing. Brooks and Streep start to leave and the comedian begs them to stay or they'll miss the best part. Then he goes to a piano and plays the tune of "That's Life", singing in a lounge-lizard voice: "That was life, that was how you lived it, and now you little brains, you have to defend it."

[–] foster1234 18 years ago

When Brooks and Torn are having lunch, and Brooks is tearing into a roasted chicken, Torn is eating something that looks like over done salsbury steak with burnt gravy

Brooks: What's that you're having?

Torn: You're curious are'nt you?

Brooks: Yes, do you mind. (As he reaches over and takes a little bit on a fork and puts it in his mouth and chews once, immediatly gagging and spiting)

Torn: (laughing heartily) Tastes kinda like horseshat doesn't it?

Brooks: Yes it's terrible. How can you eat that? (whining as ony Brooks can)

Thorn: You just don't get the brain thing do ya kid? using 48% of my brain my taste buds are more highly developed, This tastes entireley different

I always got a kick outa that scene

I'd rather go hunting with Dick Cheney, than driving with Ted Kennedy

[–] pattersonbosch 18 years ago

All the Rip Torn scenes are great. A couple of my favorite parts are when he answered Brook's question, "I'm going on trial for being afraid?" with something like, "Well, first, we don't like to call it going on trial; and second, Yes." And later the casual, jovial way he said, "Little brains, that's what we call you folks behind your back" is hilarious!

[–] diehardsaints 18 years ago

i like the scene on the tram with the old lady talking about her dog, after her whole story she asks daniel if he had a dog again, then he said

"you asked me that twice already"

"well what'd you say?"

"yes"

"and what'd i say?"

"you said thats wonderful"

"well it is"

that scene always has me rolling

[–] mlisa71 18 years ago

Yup
that's my fav too.
when he leaves the tram he says "bye."
She says, "Bye bye," and reminds me of my great grandmother.

Where am i going and why am I in this handbasket?

[–] diehardsaints 18 years ago

i do love all of rip torns scenes. my fave is in the courtroom place, and daniel is rambling on about the bond with his father, and bob diamond does a little whistle then says, wrap it up, his face is classic in that.

one thing i found weird, maybe im the only one, but in the past lives pavillion, while they're looking at they're past lives, julia was once prince valiant. now even though valiant is myth, still using him in the movie, dont you think a guy like prince valiant conquered his fears and would, move on as the movie says...

[–] tvaudenga2 18 years ago

My favorite scene is the sushi restaurant. Every line cracks me up every time I hear it.

(9 days!!!)

(Take a piss!! Thank you very much....) LOL

[–] guyinfl99 18 years ago

- Daniel looking at the new lawyer after he has nothing to say yet again and telling him sarcasticly "and you didn't want to toot your own horn".

- Daniel asking Bob where he was and Bob telling him he wouldn't understand

"I'm not a moron.......just tell me where you were"

"I was trapped in the inner circle of thought"

"I don't understand"

"I told you. You're just not getting this big brain thing are you?"

- When Bob meets up with Julia in the hallway and her attorney is talking about Daniel's new attorney (who doesn't say anything) and says "he's a good man, a bit quiet, but a good man".

[–] rtbwin 18 years ago

The Past Lives Pavillion with the old man seeing himself as a little girl.

Little Girl: "Coming Mumsie!"

Old Man: "What the hell is this?!"

"It's not that you had it bad, but that you're that pissed that so many others had it good."

[–] IconsofFright 18 years ago

I always laugh when they talk about his investments:

"What happened to the cattle?"

"I never got a straight answer, all I know is their teeth fell out."

[–] universe56 17 years ago

Prosecutor: my final summation scene is not from there, but from here

Diamond: we're showing a scene from here? I was told we weren't doing that anymore

Judge: no one told you that mr. diamond

[–] guyinfl99 17 years ago

"How long did you have to go to find help?"

"about 3 miles"

"and you say you broke your leg in two places?"

"yes sir"

"I'm proud of ya"

[–] rtbwin 16 years ago

Daniel Miller: What is this?
Julia: It's my hotel.
Daniel Miller: This is your hotel?
Julia: Yeah. Where are you staying?
Daniel Miller: Obviously at the place for people that weren't very generous and didn't adopt anybody. I'm at the Continental. Come over one day; we'll paint it.

"It's not that you had it bad, but that you're that pissed that so many others had it good."

[–] Lakemystery3 16 years ago

Day of Trial with his new lawyer -
Daniel: "And no offense, but your balls vibrate for about three weeks after."

Lunch with Mr. Diamond -
Mr. Diamond: "It tastes a little like horse *beep* doesn't it?"
Daniel: "This is what smart people eat?"

His first day of trial after seeing his father almost hit his mother -
Daniel: "I feel very good about the restraint idea."

At the Past Lives Pavillion -
Daniel: "Who are you?"
Julia: "I think I'm Prince Valiant. Who are you?"
Daniel: "Dinner."

Daniel's final summation -
Daniel: "Down on Earth we're told that you don't just sleep with one person, you sleep with every person they've slept with. And now that I've been to the Past Lives Pavillion, that could be thirty to forty thousand people."

I also love the montage that showed all of his "stupid" decisions, especially when Daniel tries to rinse his mouth with Prell shampoo.

"She flattened a Dear John with a John Deere." - Douglas Wambaugh

[–] jhstoneca 15 years ago

Comedian: "How'd you die?"
Daniel: "On stage, just like you."

[–] CoffeeRules 16 years ago

One scene that always kills me is the entrance of Bob Diamond. He's walking into the office cheerily saying "Good Morning!" to everyone and then suddenly gets this sour and sarcastic face and says,"Glad you could make it, Leonard!"

It's just so random! Anyone know if Rip Torn ad libbed that?

[–] Moon_and_New_York_City 16 years ago

Daniel: So you mean I'm on trial here?

Diamond: Well, in the first place I don't like to call it a trial.... and in the second place, yes!

[–] Rockhound6165 15 years ago

Daniel: "I just came from a place full of penis envy and come to a place full of brain envy."
------------------------------
Daniel: I could never eat turkey.
Julia: Why?
Daniel: I had a pet turkey growing up and I named it. You can't eat something that you name.
Julia: I wish someone would have told me that years ago. I would have named ice cream.
----------------------------------
Comedian: How'd ya die?
Arthur: I was in a coma.
Comedian: I'm sorry. How long were you in the coma?
Arthur: I really don't know.
Comedian: Let's play a game, Art. Elvis: living or dead?
Arthur: Living.
Comedian: Long coma, Art. Long coma.
--------------------------------------------
Shirley McClaine: Welcome to the Past Lives Pavillion.
Off Camera Voice: Oh my God!
---------------------------------------------
Comedian: You sir, how'd ya die?
Daniel: On stage, like you.
------------------------------------------
Daniel: Is this Heaven?
Bob: No, it's not Heaven.
Daniel: Is this Hell?
Bob(chuckling): No, there is no Hell. But I hear Los Angeles is getting pretty close.
-------------------------------------------

When you steal from Peter and give to Paul, you will always have the support of Paul.

[–] RR2rr 15 years ago

Rockhound - definitely agree. The one line with the comedian still cracks me up whenever I think about it.

"Comedian: You sir, how'd ya die?
Daniel: On stage, like you."

This movie is Albert Brooks at his finest.

[–] chrisuab 15 years ago

Comedian: There's a fine-looking young gentlemen. Sir, how did you die?
Daniel: On stage like you. (audience laughs)