Daily Dialogue — January 22, 2014

On the run from the authorities, Dr. Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford) is trying to find the one-armed man who killed his wife.

Kimble disguises himself as a maintenance man to gain access to the hospital’s amputee clinic database.

Just as he’s leaving the hospital, there’s a terrible accident with dozens of kids. Hospital workers are scrambling. One kid with a serious chest wound is misdiagnosed.

Kimble hopes one of the doctors or nurses will see the mistake. He doesn’t want to take matters his own hands and risk blowing his cover, if he doesn’t have to.

But the kid is ignored. If Kimble doesn’t do anything, the kid will probably die.

Realizing time is of the essence, Kimble rescues the kid, taking him up to surgery and ultimately saving the boy.

There’s a price to pay. A nurse questions him about what happened to the boy and calls the authorities. He barely escapes.

Dialogue picks up with Kimble being questioned by the Nurse (Julianne Moore).

Dr. Anne Eastman: Hey, Do you have a particular interest in our paitient’s X-Rays?
Dr. Richard Kimble: What do you mean?
Dr. Anne Eastman: I saw you looking at that boy’s chest film.
Dr. Richard Kimble: It’s a hobby of mine.
Dr. Anne Eastman: It’s a hobby, really? What are your other hobbies — brain surgery?

— The Fugitive (1993), screenplay by Jeb Stuart and David Twohy, story by David Twohy, characters by Roy Huggins

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week is rescue, suggested by Despina. Today’s suggestion by churnage.

Trivia: A lot of the film’s dialogue is improvised. Jeb Stuart was the final credited writer on the film and was on set during production making up new scenes as needed.

Dialogue On Dialogue: Commentary from churnage: “Probably my favorite scene in the movie. Kimble risks everything to save a kid he doesn’t even know. By doing so, it demonstrates to the authorities that this is a man who could NOT have killed his wife.”

NOTE: All you Daily Dialogue fans! How about some suggestions for this week’s theme? There are all sorts of rescues to draw on and I’m happy to fill out the slate this week, but I’d love to hear what some memorable scenes you have in mind. Thanks!

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