The Squid and the Whale (2005)
Jesse Eisenberg: Walt Berkman
Photos
Quotes
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Sophie : My Father said you had a weak handshake, which is a sign of indecision.
Walt Berkman : His hands are so huge. I couldn't get a good grip.
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Walt Berkman : [on the telephone] ls Mom letting you drink soda?
Frank Berkman : Beer.
Walt Berkman : Since when do you drink beer?
Frank Berkman : Since recently.
[Frank takes a swig from the can]
Frank Berkman : Do you think Don and she did it?
Walt Berkman : I don't wanna think about it.
Frank Berkman : Imagine Don's dick in Mom's mouth.
Walt Berkman : Who are you? Stop it.
Frank Berkman : Do you think they do that? Do you think she gets anal sex from Don?
Walt Berkman : Stop okay?. It's disgusting. Don't.
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School Therapist : I wonder how you're feeling right now.
Walt Berkman : I don't know.
School Therapist : Why don't you tell me about something less uncomfortable, like a nice memory, maybe?
Walt Berkman : Isn't that kind of a stock question for a shrink?
School Therapist : Yes. That's more or less how this works.
Walt Berkman : I can't think of anything right now
School Therapist : Just think. Come one. Just something. Meet me halfway here.
Walt Berkman : Um, alright, let's see. Okay, um, when I was around six my mom and I, she and I ducked out of Julie Glynn's birthday party to watch Robin Hood together on our TV.
School Therapist : That sounds like a nice memory.
Walt Berkman : I liked Errol Flynn.
School Therapist : Errol Flynn. That's all?
Walt Berkman : And... I was glad she let me leave the party early to watch the movie. She and I loved that movie. It's like... It's like we were pals then. You know, we'd do things together. We'd look at the knight armor at the Met, the scary fish at the natural history museum. I was always afraid of the squid and the whale fighting. I could only look at it with my hands in front of my face. When we'd get home, after my bath, she'd go through all the different things we saw that day at the museum and... And we'd get to the Squid and the Whale and she'd describe it for me which was, maybe, still scary but it was less scary. Anyway, it was fun, it was fun to hear about it.
School Therapist : Did your dad live at home back then?
Walt Berkman : Yeah, why?
School Therapist : You didn't mention him. Where was he during all of this?
Walt Berkman : He was... I don't know, exactly. He was... He was downstairs, maybe. He didn't ever come to the museum. This was before my brother was born. This was before... It was earlier.
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Walt Berkman : It's Welles' masterpiece, really. Many people think it's Citizen Kane, but Magnificent Ambersons, if it hadn't been ruined by the studio, would've been his crowning achievement. As it is, it's still brilliant. It's the old story, genius not being recognized by the industry.
Lance : It sounds great. Who's in it?
Walt Berkman : Orson Welles? I don't know, I haven't seen it yet. I've seen stills.
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Sophie : Yeah. I mean, it's gross when he turns into the bug, but I love how matter of fact everything is.
Walt Berkman : Yeah, it's very Kafkaesque.
Sophie : [She looks at him oddly. She laughs] Cause it's written by Franz Kafka.
Walt Berkman : Right. I mean, clearly.
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Walt Berkman : [kisses her knee]
Lili : [lowers her head] Do you think...
Walt Berkman : [brings his up and smacks her in the nose]
Lili : Oh shit! Fuck!
Walt Berkman : I'm sorry! I'm sorry!
Lili : No, it's ok. It's just a bloody nose.
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Bernard Berkman : Your mum and I, we're going to separate. I've got you tuesday, wednesday and every other thursday.
Walt Berkman : And what about the cat?
Joan Berkman : The cat!
Bernard Berkman : We didn't discuss the cat.
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Walt Berkman : I shouldn't have broken up with Sophie.
Joan Berkman : Why did you?
Walt Berkman : I thought I could do better.
Joan Berkman : Better how?
Walt Berkman : I don't know.
