Daily Dialogue — October 15, 2012

Erin Brockovich: Ya know why everyone thinks that all lawyers are back stabbing, blood sucking scum bags? cause they are! and I can not believe you expect me to go out, leave my kids with strangers and get people to trust you with *their* lives while all the while your screwing me! You know, Ed, it’s not about the number! It’s about the way my work is valued in this firm…
[She looks at the two million dollar bonus check]
Ed Masry: Like I was saying, I thought that the number you proposed was inappropriate, so I increased it.
[Turns to walk away and turns around to her]
Ed Masry: Do they teach beauty queens to apologize? Because you suck at it!
Erin Brockovich: [Long pause, as Erin looks at the check] Uh, Ed… uh… thank you…

— Erin (Julia Roberts), Ed (Albert Finney), Erin Brockovich (2000), written by Susannah Grant

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week is tongue-tied, suggested by Annika Wood. Today’s suggestion by TheQuietAct.

Trivia: Julia Roberts won the Academy Award for best actress for her role as Erin Brockovich and famously forgot to thank Brockovich in her acceptance speech. Afterward she was quoted as saying, “It doesn’t bring out the Einstein moment that you hoped it would.”

Dialogue On Dialogue: Commentary from TheQuietAct: “I’m interpreting tongue-tied as stammering or dumbstruck, so can think of two moments in Erin Brokovich. The water glass one which has already been discussed on the blog (but it seems the damning line wasn’t included in the original script?) And the ending when Erin goes on a rant after hearing her bonus has been reassessed and is stupefied when she is handed the cheque. Just magic.”