Daily Dialogue — July 17, 2018

Aaron: I know you care about him. I’ve never seen you like this about anyone, so please don’t take it wrong when I tell you that I believe that Tom, while a very nice guy, is the Devil.
Jane: (quickly) This isn’t friendship.
Aaron: What do you think the Devil is going to look like if he’s around? Nobody is going to be taken in if he has a long, red, pointy tail. No. I’m semi-serious here. He will look attractive and he will be nice and helpful and he will get a job where he influences a great God-fearing nation and he will never do an evil thing…he will just bit by little bit lower standards where they are important. Just coax along flash over substance… Just a tiny bit. And he will talk about all of us really being salesmen…(seeing he’s not reaching her) And he’ll get all the great women.

— Broadcast News (1987), written by James L. Brooks

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week: Advice. Today’s suggestion by Lois Bernard.

Trivia: Albert Brooks revealed that when he first read the script, the scene where Aaron does a weekend broadcast simply noted “Something bad happens to Aaron on the air.” Albert was watching CNN, when a reporter he’d never seen before (and hasn’t seen since) began sweating badly. Albert phoned Writer and Director James L. Brooks at three in the morning, and stated that Aaron HAD to start sweating profusely.

Dialogue On Dialogue: The dialogue in this movie sparkles, but then that’s James L. Brooks for you, one of the film and TV’s great wordsmiths. Compare the scripted excerpt above to the movie. Albert Brooks (no relation) just nails the part.