Daily Dialogue — October 27, 2014

JOKER: You. You just couldn’t let me go, could you? This is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. You truly are incorruptible, aren’t you? Huh? You won’t kill me out of some misplaced sense of self-righteousness. And I won’t kill you because you’re just too much fun. I think you and I are destined to do this forever.
BATMAN: You’ll be in a padded cell forever.
JOKER: Maybe we could share one. You know, they’ll be doubling up the rate this city’s inhabitants are losing their minds.
BATMAN: This city just showed you that it’s full of people ready to believe in good.
JOKER: Until their spirit breaks completely. Until they get a good look at the real Harvey Dent, and all the heroic things he’s done. You didn’t think I’d risk losing the battle for Gotham’s soul in a fist fight with you. No. You need an ace in the hole. Mine’s Harvey.
BATMAN: What did you do?
JOKER: I took Gotham’s white knight and I brought him down to our level. It wasn’t hard. You see, madness, as you know, is like gravity. All it takes is a little push.

— The Dark Knight (2008), screenplay Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan, story by Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week: Madness. Today’s suggestion by Will King.

Trivia: The Joker’s distinctive tongue flip grew out of Heath Ledger’s own habit of doing that.

Dialogue On Dialogue: The Joker is one of the greatest examples of madness in recent cinema history, embracing his own embracing.