Five Easy Pieces (1970)

Susan Anspach: Catherine Van Oost

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Quotes 

• Catherine : You're a strange person, Robert. I mean, what will you come to? If a person has no love for himself, no respect for himself, no love of his friends, family, work, something - how can he ask for love in return? I mean, why should he ask for it?

• Bobby : What else do you do?

  Catherine : Well, there's fishing, boating, and concerts on the mainland.

  [Laughs] 

  Catherine : I feel funny telling you this. This is really your home. You probably know better than I what there is to do.

  Bobby : Nothing.

  Catherine : Nothing?

  Bobby : Nothing.

  Catherine : Well, it must be very boring for you here.

  Bobby : That's right.

  Catherine : I find that very hard to comprehend. I don't think I've ever been bored. Excuse me.

• Bobby : That's dangerous, you know.

  Catherine : Riding?

  Bobby : Mm-hmm. You play the piano all day and then jump on a horse, you could get cramps.

• Catherine : [after hearing Robert play the piano]  That was beautiful, Robert, I'm surprised.

  Bobby : Thank you.

  Catherine : I was really very moved by... What's wrong?

  Bobby : Nothing. It's just... I picked the easiest piece that I could think of. I first played it when I was 8-years-old, and I played it better then.

• Bobby : What are you doing screwing around with all this crap?

  Catherine : I do not find your language very charming.

  Bobby : It isn't. It's direct.

  Catherine : I'd like you to leave so that I can take a bath. Is that direct?

• Catherine : It's useless.

  Bobby : Look, give me a chance.

  Catherine : I'm trying to be delicate with you, but you just won't understand. I couldn't go with you. Not just because of Carl and my music, but because of you.

  Catherine : You're a strange person, Robert. I mean, what would it come to? If a person has no love for himself, no respect for himself, no love of his friends, family, work, something... How can he ask for love in return? I mean, why should he ask for it?

  Bobby : Living here in this rest home/asylum - that's what you want?

  Catherine : Yes.

  Bobby : That will make you happy?

  Catherine : I hope it will. Yes.

  Catherine : I'm sorry.

• Catherine : One thing I find very difficult to imagine is how one could have this incredible background in music and then just walk away from it without giving it a second thought at all.

  Bobby : I gave it a second thought.

• Bobby : Up till now, all I've been getting from you is meaningful looks at the dinner table and a lot of vague suggestions about the day after tomorrow.

  Catherine : I am not conscious of having given you any particular looks. And as for the day after tomorrow, this is the day after tomorrow. And I am, unfortunately, seeing you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to take a bath.

• Bobby : Serious? Is that what's important to you? Serious?

  Catherine : Yes, that's what's important to me.

  Bobby : Okay, let's be serious.

• Bobby : What does it have to be with you? Grim and serious?

  Catherine : Look, you played, I honestly responded - and you made me feel embarrassed for having responded to you. It wasn't necessary.

  Bobby : Yeah, it was. I faked a little Chopin, you faked a big response.

• Catherine : Robert? Would you do something for me? Would you play for me?