Daily Dialogue — August 19, 2013

Vera: I know why you’re here.
Detective Webster: Beg your pardon?
Vera: I know why you’re here.
Detective Webster: Why are we here?
Vera: ’Cause of what I do.
Detective Webster: Because of what you do?
Vera: Yes.
Detective Webster: What is it that you do, Mrs. Drake?
Vera: I help young girls out.
Detective Webster: You help young girls out?
Vera: That’s right.
Detective Webster: How do you help them out?
Vera: We’re having a party today. Can I sit down, please?
Detective Webster: Yes, of course.
Vera: I don’t want to spoil it for my family. Can’t you come back tomorrow?
Detective Webster: I’m sorry, Mrs. Drake. But we have to deal with this matter today.
Vera: Oh, do you?
Detective Webster: Yes.

Sid: What are they taking so long for?
Stan: I don’t know, Sid.
Sid: Someone might’ve been murdered.
Ethel: Oh, my god, Sidney!
Stan: All right, Sid.
Sid: No, in one of the houses she cleans in. I mean he said it was serious, didn’t he?
Frank: Someone’s pinched something, that’s all.
Sid: But there were a couple of detectives. Plainclothes, aren’t they?

Detective Webster: Can you answer my question, please? How do you help them out?
Vera: When they can’t manage.
Detective Webster: When they can’t manage?
Vera: That’s right.
Detective Webster: You mean, when they’re pregnant? So, how do you help them out?
Vera: I help them start their bleeding again.
Detective Webster: You help them to get rid of the baby?
Vera: I’ve spoiled their day for them now, haven’t I?
Webster: You perform an abortion. Is that right, Mrs. Drake? You perform abortions, don’t you?
Vera: That’s not what I do, dear. That’s what you call it, but they need help. Who else are they gonna turn to? They’ve got no one. I help them out.

http://static.movieclips.com/embedplayer.swf?shortid=vF7Z

Vera: I’m sorry.
Stan: What do you got to be sorry about? What is it, love? Look at the state of her, she don’t deserve this.
Detective Webster: You’re going to have to tell him, Mrs. Drake.
Vera: I…
Stan: What?

http://static.movieclips.com/embedplayer.swf?shortid=kgs7C

— Vera Drake (2004), written by Mike Leigh

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week is overcome with emotion suggested by Sabina. Today’s suggestion by Daniel Cossu.

Trivia: The film process took about a year; the actors all met individually with Mike Leigh, discussing their characters’ lives (from birth up until the moment the film starts), and began to rehearse together when their characters met one another.

Filmed with no script, the film went on to be nominated for Best Original Screenplay for 2005 Oscar. Mike Leigh said that he “had to prepare the screenplay so it can be sent out to academy members. But actually the screenplay that was nominated doesn’t exist. The film is the screenplay.”

Dialogue On Dialogue: Commentary from Daniel: “In the first scene Vera is questioned by the police. Although she is getting upset, she is able to keep it together as she justifies her actions. In the second scene Vera has to tell her husband her secret and is so upset she can barely speak. Since the audience knows this information already, we don’t need to hear it again. This creates a great visual moment with Vera whispering to her husband. Takeaway: know when to use dialogue and when not to for maximum emotional impact.”

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