Daily Dialogue — August 8, 2017

“Noodles.”

— Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011), screenplay by Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger

The Daily Dialogue theme for this week: One Word. Today’s recommendation by Will King.

Trivia: According to The Hollywood Reporter, Screenwriter Charlie Kaufman did an uncredited polish on the script. Previously, he had noted in an interview that he saw Kung Fu Panda (2008) with his daughter, and was impressed by the film.

Dialogue On Dialogue: Commentary by Will: “So much yearning bound to a single word. Mr. Ping fears for Po’s safety as he leaves, along with the Furious Five, to face Shen and his new weapon. But perhaps he also worries that Po may discover his real origin. The exchange with Po (“And if I don’t, what am I?” “You’re my son, right?”) hints at this. His final utterance of “noodles” bears so much subtext. It’s as if he’s trying to control the clock, perhaps hoping that by saying that word he can magically change the world to a point where Po is returning, instead of leaving, and still accepts Mr. Ping as his father.”