Daily Dialogue — August 26, 2014

Diane: So, what’s the special occasion?
Adam: I wanted to tell you something, but… I need you to promise you’re going to stay calm.
Diane: Oh, Adam, don’t be so overdramatic — 
Adam [cutting her off]: Mom, just promise, okay?
Diane: Okay, I promise. Always make me out to be some sort of irrational loon.

Adam collects himself and takes a deep breath.

Adam: Have you ever seen “Terms of Endearment”?
Rachel: Jesus, Adam, just tell her.
Diane: Tell me what?
Adam: I have cancer.

Diane stares at him.

Diane: What do you mean, you have cancer?
Adam: I have cancer, I… what do you want me to say?
Diane: When did this happen?
Adam: A couple of days ago.
Diane: A couple of days ago? You waited a couple of days to tell me?

— 50/50 (2011), written by Will Reiser

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week: Delivering Bad News.

Trivia: During a roundtable discussion with the cast, screenwriter Will Reiser revealed that Bryce Dallas Howard came up with the title of the film. The crew was skeptical about it when she first suggested it to them on the set of the art gallery scene. When she found out that the title had been changed to the one she suggested, she was surprised.

Dialogue On Dialogue: The delivery of this bad news tells you so much about Diane’s character as her immediate response is to make it about herself. Just that one line — “You waited a couple of days to tell me” — speaks volumes about her.