William Hurt: Nick

The Big Chill

Nick

Sam Weber: [Sam enters a room where Nick is up late watching TV] What's this?
Nick: I'm not sure.
Sam Weber: What's it about?
Nick: I don't know.
Sam Weber: [Sam shakes his head, pats Nick on the shoulder, then sits in a nearby chair] Who's that?
Nick: I think the guy in the hat did something terrible.
[shot of TV shows a man being thrown through the glass window of a door; all the people on the TV screen are wearing hats]
Sam Weber: Like what?
Nick: You're so analytical! Sometimes you just have to let art... flow... over you.
[Sam rolls his eyes]

Harold: [Harold, Sam, and Nick are trying to chase a bat out of the attic] I'll open the window, maybe it'll split.
[He opens the window; two more bats fly in]
Nick: Good, now we've got a fair fight.

Sam Weber: Do you think we're all trying trying to avoid dealing with Alex? You know, every time it comes up somebody changes the subject.
Nick: Hey, it's a dead subject.

Sam Weber: Hey, Nick? You know, we go back a long way, and I'm not gonna piss that away 'cause you're higher than a kite.
Nick: Wrong, a long time ago we knew each other for a short period of time; you don't know anything about me. It was easy back then. No one had a cushier berth than we did. It's not surprising our friendship could survive that. It's only out there in the real world that it gets tough.

Nick: Wise up, folks. We're all alone out there and tomorrow we're going out there again.

Nick: Since when did you get so friendly with cops? Harold?
Harold: You know you're fuckin' stupid? Stupid, yeah. First off, that cop has twice kept this house from being ripped off. Happens to be a hell of a guy. And you...
[turns away]
Nick: Come on, Harold. What is it?
Harold: What is it with you? Is jail another "experience" you want to "try?" See what that's "like?" You know, I live here. This place means something to me. I'm dug in. I don't need this shit.

Meg: I feel terrible. The last time I spoke with Alex, we had a fight. I yelled at him.
Nick: That's probably why he killed himself.

Sarah: I know he wasn't happy. That doesn't tell you much. I'd no idea how bad it was. I think he purposely wanted to cut off from all of us because he was so unhappy with where he was at.
Nick: Hm.
Karen: Is that true, Chloe? Did you feel that?
Chloe: I don't know. We had some good times. I haven't met that many happy people in my life, how do they act?
Nick: Mm hm.

Meg: [sitting in Nick's lap] I didnt' get a chance to talk to you before; you got me stoned too quick. But I'm OK now. I'm just drunk and therefore brave.
Nick: I've always been a cowardly drunk myself.

Nick: That's a crock of shit! We're afraid just the opposite is true. Alex died for most of us a long time ago.
Sam Weber: I think you're a crock of shit. Don't speak for me or anybody else here. You hate your life. That's your problem. Don't tell us how we feel, okay?
Nick: That's it. That's all I'm saying.If I hate my life, it's my problem. Too bad you weren't around to comfort Alex as compassionately.

Sam Weber: I'm hungry. I had this really dirty dream.
Nick: Was it about Karen?
Sam Weber: Why do you say that?
Nick: Why should anything have changed?
Sam Weber: You're the one she always wanted.
Nick: In the old days, I wasn't emotionally equipped to satisfy her. Now, as we all know, the equipment doesn't work at all.
Sam Weber: [wincing] Why do we have to talk about that?

Nick: [in a high-pitched voice] Hey. everyone, it's J.T. Lancer! Let's all go watch this incredible show!
Sarah: Woo hoo!
[everyone runs into the living room]
Karen: Come on, Sam.
Sam Weber: [lagging behind] Jesus!

Michael: This is a well-known dynamic. I've seen it a million times. Some people ease the pain of separation by denigrating their relationship.
Nick: You're so - deep.