Breaking the Waves (1996)
Emily Watson: Bess McNeill
Photos
Quotes
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Bess McNeill : I don't understand what you're saying. How can you love a word? You cannot love words. You can't be in love with a word. You can only love another human being. That's perfection.
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Dr. Richardson : Bess. I... I think you've got yourself involved in something that is out of your control.
Bess McNeill : Have I?
Dr. Richardson : [sighs] Come on Bess. You're not a kid anymore.
Dr. Richardson : Look for Christ's sake, he's... he's forcing you to get screwed by every Tom, Dick and Harry... it's just not you.
Bess McNeill : I don't make love with them. I make love with Jan, and I save him from dying.
Dr. Richardson : [exhales] Well I'm sorry, but, you know, to me seems more like a dirty old man who wants to play the Peeping Tom.
Bess McNeill : Sometimes... I don't even have to tell him about it.
Bess McNeill : Jan and me... we have a spiritual contact.
Bess McNeill : God gives everyone something to be good at. I've always been stupid... but I'm good at this.
Bess McNeill : God gives everyone a talent.
Dr. Richardson : What's Jan talent?
Bess McNeill : He is... He's a great lover.
Dr. Richardson : Well, what's... what's mine, then?
Bess McNeill : I don't know.
Bess McNeill : Haven't you find it yet?
Dr. Richardson : [chuckles] I see... And what's your talent Bess? Because, um, surely it can't be being screwed by men you've never seen before.
Bess McNeill : I can believe.
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Jan Nyman : [he writes in a paper] Let me die. I'm evil in head!
Bess McNeill : I love you no matter what is in your head!
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The Minister : Can you think of anything of real value that the outsiders have brought with them?
Bess McNeill : Uh... their music!
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[first lines]
Bess McNeill : His name is Jan.
The Minister : I do not know him.
Bess McNeill : [coyly] He's from the lake.
The Minister : You know we do not favor matrimony with outsiders.
An Elder : Can you even tell us what matrimony is?
Bess McNeill : It's when two people are joined in God.
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Bess McNeill : I don't make love with them, I make love with Jan and I save him from dying.
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Bess McNeill : [as God] Bess McNeill, for many years you've prayed for love. Shall I take it away from you again, is that what you want?
Bess McNeill : Oh, no. I'm still grateful for love.
Bess McNeill : [as God] What do you want, then?
Bess McNeill : I pray for Jan to come home.
Bess McNeill : [as God, in an impatient voice] He will be coming home in ten days. You must learn to endure, you know that.
Bess McNeill : I can't wait.
Bess McNeill : [as God] This is unlike you, Bess. Out there, there are people who need Jan and his work. What about them?
Bess McNeill : They don't matter. Nothing else matters. I just want Jan home again. I pray to you, oh please. Won't you send him home?
Bess McNeill : [as God] Are you sure that's what you want?
Bess McNeill : Yes.
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Bess McNeill : Have you taken my calendar?
Dodo McNeill : What? No I have not. What would I want with your calendar?
Bess McNeill : You've taken it.
Dodo McNeill : I have not taken it.
Bess McNeill : Yes you have.
Dodo McNeill : I don't know what you're talking about. What calendar?
Bess McNeill : Where is it?
Dodo McNeill : [returns to the room with Bess's calendar] Bess, you have to stop all this, you know. I mean you've got to go on living when he's not here. I mean he's not dead. You're not dead.
Bess McNeill : Give it to me.
Dodo McNeill : You've got to stop it.
[Bess rearranges the ripped up calendar, staring at the words "I love Jan" on the corner]
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Bess McNeill : We Think he will be completely paralyzed. But he'll live.
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Bess McNeill : Father, why aren't you with me?
Bess McNeill : [as God] I am with you Bess. What do you want from me?
Bess McNeill : [overjoyed] Where where you?
Bess McNeill : [as God] Well don't you think I have other people who want to talk to me?
Bess McNeill : Well of course. I hadn't thought of that.
Bess McNeill : [as God] There's this silly little thing called Bess who keeps on wanting me to talk to her. And my work's been piling up a bit.
Bess McNeill : But you're with me now?
Bess McNeill : [as God] Of course I am, Bess. You know that.
Bess McNeill : Thank you.
