Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)

Martin Landau: Judah Rosenthal

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Quotes 

• Judah Rosenthal : And after the awful deed is done, he finds that he's plagued by deep-rooted guilt. Little sparks of his religious background which he'd rejected are suddenly stirred up. He hears his father's voice. He imagines that God is watching his every move. Suddenly, it's not an empty universe at all, but a just and moral one, and he's violated it. Now, he's panic-stricken. He's on the verge of a mental collapse-an inch away from confessing the whole thing to the police. And then one morning, he awakens. The sun is shining, his family is around him and mysteriously, the crisis has lifted. He takes his family on a vacation to Europe and as the months pass, he finds he's not punished. In fact, he prospers. The killing gets attributed to another person-a drifter who has a number of other murders to his credit, so I mean, what the hell? One more doesn't even matter. Now he's scott-free. His life is completely back to normal. Back to his protected world of wealth and privilege.

• Judah Rosenthal : Maybe I - maybe I did make some questionable moves.

  Ben [as Judah's Conscience] : Only you would know that, Judah.

  Judah Rosenthal : I don't any more, Ben. Sometimes there's worse things than jail.

  Ben [as Judah's Conscience] : It's a human life. You don't think God sees?

  Judah Rosenthal : God is a luxury I can't afford.

• Judah Rosenthal : I remember my father telling me, "The eyes of God are on us always." The eyes of God. What a phrase to a young boy. What were God's eyes like? Unimaginably penetrating, intense eyes, I assumed. And I wonder if it was just a coincidence I made my specialty ophthalmology.

• Judah Rosenthal : You've seen too many movies. I'm talking about reality. I mean, if you want a happy ending, you should go see a Hollywood movie.

• Judah Rosenthal : It's my fault. I instigated it. I prolonged it. Many times I tried to back off, but, I was too weak. But, I promised her nothing. Or, did I? See, I don't even know anymore. In the heat of passion you say things. All I know is after two years of shameful deceit, where I lead this double life, I awakened as if from a dream and realize what I'd been losing.

  Ben : It's called wisdom. It comes to some, suddenly. We realize the difference between what's real and deep and lasting versus the superficial payoff of the moment.

  Judah Rosenthal : You know, I kidded myself about loving her; but, deep down I knew, knowing I needed her selfishly, for pleasure, for adventure, for lust.

• Judah Rosenthal : Maybe I did make some questionable moves.

  Ben [as Judah's Conscience] : Only you would know that, Judah.

  Judah Rosenthal : I don't anymore, Ben.

• Ben [as Judah's Conscience] : You fool around with her for your pleasure; then, when you think its enough, you want to sweep her under the rug.

  Judah Rosenthal : There's no other solution, but, Jack's men. I push one button and I can sleep again at nights.

  Ben [as Judah's Conscience] : Could you sleep with that? Is that who you really are?

• Judah Rosenthal : She's not an insect! You don't just step on her!

• Judah Rosenthal : [to Ben - on screen as Judah's conscience]  Jack lives in the real world. You live in the kingdom of heaven. I'd managed to keep free of that real world but suddenly it's found me.

• Sol Rosenthal : Whether it's the Old Testament or Shakespeare, murder will out!

  Judah Rosenthal : Who said anything about murder?

  Sol Rosenthal : You did.

  Judah Rosenthal : Did I?

• Ben : What choice do you have if the woman is going to tell her? You have to confess the wrong and hope for understanding. Maybe Miriam was responsible in some ways too. You have to discuss it and hope for the best. And maybe you and Miriam can never go back to the old life; but, maybe there's a new one with maturity and understanding; maybe - maybe even a richer one.

  Judah Rosenthal : You know, it's funny, for our entire adult lives, you and I have been having this same conversation in one form or another.

  Ben : Yes, I know. Its a fundamental difference in the way we view the world. You see it as harsh and empty of values and pitiless. And I couldn't go on living if I didn't feel it, with all my heart, a moral structure with real meaning and - forgiveness. And some kind of higher power; otherwise, their's no basis to know how to live.

• Judah Rosenthal : You look very deep in thought.

  Clifford Stern : I was plotting the perfect murder.

  Judah Rosenthal : Yeah? Movie plot?

  Clifford Stern : Movie?

  Judah Rosenthal : Ben, uhm... that's what Ben told me. You make films.

  Clifford Stern : Yeah, but not that kind. You know, a different kind.

  Judah Rosenthal : I have a great murder story.

• Judah Rosenthal : This is reality. In reality we rationalize, we deny or we couldn't go on living.

• Judah Rosenthal : My murder story has a very strange twist.

• Dolores Paley : God, you're in such wonderful shape!

  Judah Rosenthal : For a man my age.

  Dolores Paley : For any age!

  Judah Rosenthal : I was actually quite athletic when I was a young student.

  Dolores Paley : You still make love like a young student.

  Judah Rosenthal : Yeah?

  Dolores Paley : Yeah!

  [they kiss] 

  Judah Rosenthal : Yeah.

• Dolores Paley : Lets go back to the cottage and light a fire and you can play me the Schumann.

  Judah Rosenthal : Schubert! Schumann is flowery. Schubert is - it reminds me of you. The sad one.

• Judah Rosenthal : So this is it? Right? This is what you plan on doing? You're going to hold on to me with threats, right? Stupid threats and slander! This is your idea of love, right?

  Dolores Paley : I will not be tossed out! I want to speak to Miriam!

• Jack Rosenthal : Fugetaboutit. What do you want me to say?

  Judah Rosenthal : How the Hell can I fugetaboutit? I'm fighting for my life.

• Judah Rosenthal : Miriam won't forgive me. She'll be broken. She worships me.

• Jack Rosenthal : I just wanted you to know, everything came out fine. It's over and done with. No problems. So, you can fugetaboutit.

  Judah Rosenthal : Oh, my God. Oh, my God. I'm in shock, Jack.

• Judah Rosenthal : Jack, God have mercy on us, Jack.

• Dolores Paley : Do you agree the eyes are the windows of the soul?

  Judah Rosenthal : Well, I believe they are windows; but, I'm not sure its the soul that's there.

  Dolores Paley : My mother taught me I have a soul and it'll live on after me when I'm gone. And if you look deeply enough in my eyes, you can see it.

• Ben : Are you okay, Judah? You don't look so good.

  Judah Rosenthal : I'm fine. I just haven't been sleeping that well.

  Ben : Tell me, if I'm not prying, did you ever resolve your personal difficulties?

  Judah Rosenthal : Yes, actually. It resolved itself. The woman listened to reason.

  Ben : Did she? That's wonderful! So, you got a break. Sometimes to have a little good luck is the most brilliant plan.

• Judah Rosenthal : One sin leads to a deeper sin.

  Jack Rosenthal : Now you sound like Poppa.

  Judah Rosenthal : Adultery. Fornication. Lies. Killing.

• Miriam Rosenthal : Judah, I don't know what's wrong with you these days. You're a different person.

  Judah Rosenthal : I believe in God, Miriam. I know it. Because, without God the world is a cesspool.

• Judah Rosenthal : It's pure evil, Jack! A man kills for money and he doesn't even know his victims!