Paul Thomas Anderson is one of the most celebrated filmmakers working today with countless acclaimed projects, including his most recent Oscar-nominated Licorice Pizza. Through his direction, he has created some beautiful and unforgettable cinematic moments, but his talents as a writer should not be overlooked either.
Anderson has a talent for writing thoughtful dialogue, hilarious one-liners, and quotes that have become iconic. Each one of Anderson's movies features at least one quote that audiences will be thinking about long after the movie is over. These outstanding quotes are a great way to revisit Anderson's amazing filmography thus far.
Hard Eight (1996)
Sydney: "Never Ignore A Man’s Courtesy."
Though Anderson's first feature, Hard Eight, is likely his least well-known, it is still a terrific and simple introduction into the filmmaker's career. The first scene finds an experienced gambler named Sydney buying a cup of coffee for a down-on-his-luck young man named John while offering him advice.
When John gives a sarcastic and rude response, Sydney calmly teaches him some manners with another piece of advice. It not only establishes the pseudo-father-son bond these two characters share in the movie but also the story's theme of honor among people who don't seem to have much honor.
Inherent Vice (2014)
Doc Sportello: "Don't Worry. Thinking Comes Later."
Inherent Vice is a private eye story like only Anderson could deliver. Joaquin Phoenix stars as Doc Sportello, a hippie gumshoe who is hired by his ex to investigate some dangerous people she has become involved with.
Doc makes for a funny and fresh take on the type of detective from these kinds of stories. Though he is effective at his job, he is also not the sharpest guy around. As his ex explains the situation to him, she ensures Doc it is not as bad as he thinks. But Doc seems to accidentally reveal too much about his process as he says "Thinking comes later."
Magnolia (1999)
Claudia Wilson Gator: "I'll Tell You Everything, And You Tell Me Everything, And Maybe We Can Get Through All The P*** And S*** And Lies That Kill Other People."
Despite the all-star cast including Tom Cruise and Julianne Moore, Magnolia is not the easiest of Anderson's movies to digest. It is a complex and emotional look at intersecting stories about lonely, hurt, and flawed people.
While there is a certain amount of sadness in the movie, the burgeoning romance between Claudia and Jim offers a sweet aspect to the story. Claudia's desperate attempt to make this relationship succeed where so many others fail is a great example of the movie's combination of pessimism and optimism.
Punch-Drunk Love (2002)
Barry: ''I Have A Love In My Life. It Makes Me Stronger Than Anything You Can Imagine."
Though Adam Sandler was certainly a huge star by the time he appeared in a new side of Sandler's talents. In the quirky romantic comedy, Sandler plays Barry, a lonely and insecure man who begins a relationship with his sister's friend.
Near the end of the movie, Barry confronts a crooked businessman, powered by love. Barry's line might have felt cheesy in any other movie, but given the character and the endearing relationship the movie establishes, it is a cheer-worthy moment as Barry finds the confidence and purpose he's been searching for.
Licorice Pizza (2021)
Jon Peters: "Yeah Mother F*****. That's Right. It's My Nozzle Now."
In the midst of the coming-of-age romance story of Licorice Pizza, Bradley Cooper suddenly takes over the movie with his brief yet wild performance as Jon Peters. As soon as Cooper is on screen, the movie gets a new kick of energy and he is hilarious in the role.
Peters is almost a cartoonish character with how outrageous and destructive he instantly is. As they pull up to a gas station, Peters has no interest in waiting in the long line. Instead, he simply grabs a nozzle from a man and lights his lighter, telling the stranger it is his nozzle now. It is a hilariously out-of-nowhere moment.
Phantom Thread (2017)
Reynolds Woodcock: "Kiss Me, My Girl, Before I'm Sick."
Anderson's second collaboration with Daniel Day-Lewis, Phantom Thread, resulted in one of the most unique movie romances in recent memory. Day-Lewis plays a brilliant yet demanding fashion designer whose new romance with a younger woman quickly grows tense.
After he becomes mysteriously sick, his young wife its she poisoned him as she felt him being vulnerable and in need would save their relationship. In a darkly comedic twist, he agrees with her and submits to being poisoned again with this oddly romantic line.
Punch-Drunk Love (2002)
Dean Trumbell: "Shut Up. Shut The F*** Up! Shut Up! Will You Shut Up! Shut Up! Shut Shut Shut Shut Shut Up. Shut Up!"
Anderson has a roster of very talented actors he has worked with many times, but perhaps his most frequent and memorable collaborator was the late Philip Seymour Hoffman. Before his death, Hoffman starred in five of Anderson's movies and could even stand out in a small ing role in Punch Drunk Love.
In Hoffman's most memorable scene, his unscrupulous businessman has an intense phone call with Barry. While Barry tries to be confrontational, Hoffman quickly shouts him down with a wonderful explosive response like only the actor can deliver.
The Master (2012)
Lancaster Dodd: "If You Figure Out A Way To Live Without Serving A Master, Any Master, Then Let The Rest Of Us Know, Will You? For You'd Be The First Person In The History Of The World."
The Master stars Joaquin Phoenix as Freddie, an aimless and troubled former soldier who is lured into the inner circle of an influential religious leader, Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman). The story follows their twisted relationship as Freddie searches for a place to belong while Lancaster seeks to add loyal followers to his flock.
At the end of the movie, as Freddie has grown distant from his former mentor, Lancaster wishes Freddie well though casts doubt he will succeed without him. It is an interesting example of Lancaster's power over people but also his frustration with being unable to convince people like Freddie to submit to him.
Boogie Nights (1997)
Dirk Diggler: "I'm A Star. I'm A Big, Bright, Shining Star."
Though Boogie Nights is a wild and often hilarious story set in the porn industry of the 1970s, it is also a haunting story of young Dirk Diggler's rise to fame and fall from grace. And the final scene in the movie leaves it unclear which trajectory Dirk is destined to follow.
While most people think about the memorable reveal in the final scene, Dirk's final line is even more impactful. After being welcomed back into the pseudo-family and given another chance at being a star, Dirk talks to himself in the mirror sounding like he is still a young kid trying to convince himself he's meant for something better.
There Will Be Blood (2007)
Daniel Plainview: "I Drink Your Milkshake. I Drink It Up!"
This line from There Will Be Blood is the kind of quote that might be even more famous than the actual movie itself. It comes in the final scene as oil baron Daniel Plainview is visited by his former rival, Eli.
Though Plainview is a man broken down by his own greed, he gets a renewed energy as he cruelly and epically explains to Eli that his land has been drained of oil. With Daniel Day-Lewis's commanding performance, he makes the line frightening, funny, and instantly iconic.
