Ronin (1998) quotes
Director
John Frankenheimer.
A freelancing former U.S. Intelligence Agent tries to track down a mysterious package that is wanted by the Irish and the Russians.
Whenever there is any doubt, there is no doubt. That’s the first thing they teach you.
– Sam
Who taught you?
– Vincent
I don’t remember. That’s the second thing they teach you.
– Sam
All good things come to those who wait.
– Sam
You worried about saving your own skin?
– Spence
Yeah, I am. It covers my body.
– Sam
How did they finally get to you?
– Larry
They gave me a grasshopper.
– Sam
What’s a grasshopper?
– Larry
Lessee, two parts gin, one part brandy, one part Creme de Menthe…
– Sam
You’re scared!
– Deirdre
Of course I’m scared! You think I’m reluctant because I’m happy?
– Sam
Everyone’s your brother until the rent comes due.
– Vincent
You ever kill anybody?
– Spence
I hurt somebody’s feelings once.
– Sam
No questions. No answers. That’s the business we’re in. You just accept it and move on. Maybe that’s lesson number three.
– Vincent
If you don’t mind, I’m gonna pass out.
– Sam
So, how’d you get started in this business?
– Sam
A wealthy scoundrel seduced and betrayed me.
– Dierdre
Same with me. How about that?
– Sam
Either you’re part of the problem or you’re part of the solution or you’re just part of the landscape.
– Sam
Under the bridge, by the river, how did you know it was an ambush?
– Vincent
When ever there is any doubt, there is no doubt. That is the first thing they teach you.
– Sam
But you understand it.
– Jean-Pierre
What do you mean, I understand it?
– Sam
The warrior code. The delight in the battle, you understand that, yes? But also something more. You understand there is something outside yourself that has to be served. And when that need is gone, when belief has died, what are you? A man without a master.
– Jean-Pierre
Right now I’m a man without a paycheck.
– Sam
The ronin could have hired themselves to new masters. They could have fought for themselves. But they chose honor. They chose myth.
– Jean-Pierre
They chose wrong.
– Sam
So, are you labour or management?
– Sam
If I were management, I would not offer you a cigarette!
– Vincent
At the end of the day we are likely to be punished for our kindnesses.
– Jean-Pierre
The only thing is that the map, the map is not the territory.
– Sam
So what could have been conducted in collegial atmosphere is now fucked into cocked hat.
– Gregor
You ex military?
– Spence
No, I got my job in the New York Times.
– Sam
We were working with a bunch of lames!
– Deirdre
You’re a good girl, Dierdre. Do your job, eh?
– Seamus O’Rourke
You’re great in the locker room, pal, and your reflexes might die hard, but you’re weak when you put your spikes on.
– Sam
You think too hard.
– Spence
Nobody ever told me that before.
– Sam
What do you want for Christmas?
– Vincent
My two front teeth.
– Sam
Where do I know you from?
– Sergi
Vienna.
– Vincent
Of course!
– Sergi
My friend, I need the money.
– Sam