Syriana (2005)

Jeffrey Wright: Bennett Holiday

Photos 

Quotes 

• Sydney Hewitt : You've just visited what someday soon could be the most profitable corporation in America.

  Bennett Holiday : Provided the government approves the merger.

  Sydney Hewitt : Provided we don't start running automobiles on water and provided there's still chaos in the Middle East. Now the job is find the problem, fix the problem. And if you do not find a problem, then there is no problem. And... WHEN the government approves this merger, it's going to buy a lot of houses in the Vineyard. Maybe even yours.

• Bennett Holiday : We're looking for the illusion of due diligence, Mr. Pope.

• Dean Whiting : Bennett.

  Bennett Holiday : Sir?

  Dean Whiting : At my firm, I have a flock of sheep who think they're lions. Maybe you're a lion everyone thinks is a sheep.

• Bennett Holiday : Lawyers are saying, "Hey if you can't trust a Big 5 accounting firm." And the accountants are saying, "Hey we aren't lawyers." Legal didn't understand. Accounting didn't understand. And nobody understood anything. The regulatory bodies had to scratch their heads for a minute that nobody at Connex or Killen was at fault. But this merger is so balance-positive for American consumers that ultimately Justice wants it. Federal Courts wants it. Everybody wants it. Our real client, is, after all, us, the American people and we are increasing American access to oil in Kahazakstan. So all they ask is that we give them a little something meaningful - which we did - and they got out of our way.

• Bennett Holiday : Lawyers say, "Hey, if you can't trust a Big Five accounting firm", the accountant say "Hey, we're not lawyers". Legal didn't understand. Accounting didn't understand. Nobody understood anything. Regulatory bodies scratched their heads for a minute that nobody at Connex or Killen was at fault. But this merger is so balance-positive for American consumers that, ultimately, Justice wants it. Federal courts want it. Everybody wants it. Our real client, after all, is us, the American people. And we are increasing American access to oil in Kazakhstan. So all they ask is that we give them a little something meaningful, which we did. And they got out of our way.

  Leland Janus : Something besides Dalton?

  Bennett Holiday : Unfortunately, yes. And the best option seemed to be a secret deal for a excess Iranian pipeline capacity that I uncovered during the diligence. A little side deal benefiting the lead lawyer involved in the Connex-Killen merger approval process.

  Sydney Hewitt : What... do you think you're doing?

  Bennett Holiday : Of course, it's illegal for an American to control these rights.

  Sydney Hewitt : Stop right now!

  Leland Janus : Is there uh something that you wanna tell me, Syd?

• [last lines] 

  Bennett Holiday : Come on, man. Leave the beer.

• Bennett Holiday : And it is illegal to offer gifts, money, the promise of money or anything of value to influence foreign officials.

  Jimmy Pope : Is it? I have personally seen a bill from your law firm to the government of Saudi Arabia for U$36 million. A one-line bill for "services rendered".

  Sydney Hewitt : The business of Whitting Sloan is not under discussion at this time.

  Jimmy Pope : Well, it ought to be.