The Skeleton Key (2005)

Peter Sarsgaard: Luke Marshall

Photos 

Quotes 

• Caroline Ellis : I told you I wanted a black one this time.

  Luke : You know the black ones never stay. Beggars can't be choosers. I think it suits you beautifully. It's better than Violet or Grace, even. We'll get used to it. We always do.

• [minutes following the "Conjure of Sacrifice", as Caroline become Cecile, Luke walks into the attic] 

  Luke : [as Papa Justify]  Cecile? You all right?

  Caroline Ellis : [as Cecile]  I'm fine now, Justify.

  Luke : A fair bit harder than the lawyer, wasn't it?

  Caroline Ellis : It gets harder every time. They just don't believe like they used to. Gotta get 'em all riled up.

• Luke : You know my mother used to say that if a lady invites you into her room, she probably isn't much of a lady.

  Caroline Ellis : Yeah, well, homegrown southern wisdom seems to grow on trees around here.

• [last lines] 

  Luke : She meant so much to them, her being here. I know it wasn't for long, but they really loved her.

  Jill : Why do you say that?

  Luke : It's in their wills. They left her the house.

• Caroline Ellis : [as she shows Luke pictures of the attic]  That attic is full of that stuff. Old recipies, voodoo dolls, magic sticks and...

  Luke : I understand your cause for concern but my family is very superstitious, too. We're called Baptists.

  Caroline Ellis : Don't be a smartass.

  Luke : No really, that's a local color.

  Caroline Ellis : You said you were worried for him.

  Luke : Well yeah now I'm worried about you. Hm? Are you a nurse or are you a detective?

• Caroline Ellis : Luke, she tried to kill me. She had a gun, I got away just in time but I had to leave Ben in the shed. We have to go back.

  Luke : The hell we do.

  Caroline Ellis : I left him there.

  Luke : Slow down... You didn't leave ANYBODY.

• Luke : Violet! I want you to meet somebody. Mrs. Violet Devoreaux meet Miss Caroline Ellis. Caroline, this is Violet Devoreaux she owns the house.

  Caroline Ellis : You have a lovely home.

  [Violet says nothing only walks away] 

  Luke : I'm sorry, it's just sort of difficult having someone living here beside her.

  Caroline Ellis : I understand.

  Luke : Well, she's Old South she thinks women still curtsey.

  [Caroline laughs and smiles, she turns her attention Ben] 

  Caroline Ellis : So, he can't talk at all?

  Luke : No, stroke pretty much paralyzed him.

  Caroline Ellis : Which side was effected? Left? Or right...

  Luke : Both.

  Caroline Ellis : Both...

  Luke : Happened 'bout a... month ago up in the attic. That's where she found him. Ben, you have a visitor... Meet me Miss Caroline Ellis.

  Caroline Ellis : Hello Ben. I'm Caroline.

• Luke : The weakness is the flesh. The flesh. The flesh.

• [from trailer] 

  Luke : Good night, child.

• Luke : So what exactly happened? I came to update her will, she was up with the doc and he said that he fell?

  Caroline Ellis : He DID fall.

  Luke : Like what from his wheelchair?

  Caroline Ellis : [gestures her head towards the roof] 

  Luke : You cannot be serious? Up there? He fell from up there?

  Luke : How? He can't even walk?

• Luke : The flesh. The coil.

• Luke : The frail. The weak.

• [to a terrified struggling Caroline] 

  Luke : Hush, hush, darling. I know it's hard.

  [drags her inside house and sorta keenly calls up the stairs to Violet] 

  Luke : We're home!

• Violet Devereaux : Well, I see the children are getting acquainted.

  Luke : Oh, Violet. You know you're the only woman in my life.

  Violet Devereaux : I know no such thing, and remove your perspirations.