The Shape of Water (2017)
Richard Jenkins: Giles
Photos
Quotes
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[last lines]
Giles : If I told you about her, what would I say? That they lived happily ever after? I believe they did. That they were in love? That they remained in love? I'm sure that's true. But when I think of her - of Elisa - the only thing that comes to mind is a poem, whispered by someone in love, hundreds of years ago: "Unable to perceive the shape of You, I find You all around me. Your presence fills my eyes with Your love, It humbles my heart, For You are everywhere."
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Giles : [interpreting Elisa] When he looks at me, the way he looks at me... He does not know, what I lack... Or - how - I am incomplete. He sees me, for what I - am, as I am. He's happy - to see me. Every time. Every day. Now, I can either save him... or let him die.
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[first lines]
Giles : If I spoke about it - if I did - what would I tell you? I wonder. Would I tell you about the time? It happened a long time ago, it seems. In the last days of a fair prince's reign. Or would I tell you about the place? A small city near the coast, but far from everything else. Or, I don't know... Would I tell you about her? The princess without voice. Or perhaps I would just warn you, about the truth of these facts. And the tale of love and loss. And the monster, who tried to destroy it all.
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Giles : Oh! God, to be young and beautiful. If I could go back
[Elisa nods]
Giles : to when I was 18 - I didn't know anything about anything - I'd give myself a bit of advice.
Elisa : [in sign language] What would you say?
Giles : I would say: Take better care of your teeth and fuck a lot more.
[Elisa smiles and gently nudges him]
Giles : Oh no, no, that's very good advice.
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Giles : He's a wild creature. We can't ask him to be anything else.
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Giles : Y'know, uh - cornflakes were invented to prevent masturbation. It didn't work.
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Giles : [interpreting Elisa] I can either save him, or let him die.
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Giles : [to the Amphibian Man sitting in the bathtub] Have you always been alone?
[pause]
Giles : Did you ever have someone? Do you know what happened to you, do you? Because I don't. I don't know what happened to me.
[laughs]
Giles : I don't know! I look in the mirror and the only thing I recognize, are these eyes. In this old man's face. You know sometimes I think I was either born too early or too late for my life. Maybe we're both just relics.
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Giles : [to Elisa, rapidly] Now, you said that - you know, he was worshiped like a god. Now, is he a god? I dunno if he's a god. I mean he ate a cat, so I mean, I don't, I don't know! I don't know, but... I mean, we have to keep him around, a while... Little while.
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Giles : [shows Elisa his artwork] Ta-dah. That's not bad, is it?
[chuckles; Elisa shakes her head]
Giles : For being shit!
[giggles]
Elisa : [in sign language] It's not shit.
Giles : Ah - listen: You eat, you go to bed, you rest...
[grabs jacket]
Giles : And when I - get paid...
[sighs and does a twirl; pause]
Giles : We get pie.
Elisa : [in sign language] Nothing for me.
Giles : No, we don't get pie. I get pie! You get whatever you want!
[laughing]
Giles : Hahhh.
[gently touches her face]
Giles : Wish me luck.
Elisa : [in sign language] Good luck.
[Alice Faye singing on TV: "Then I have only this to say..."; Giles looks back and smiles]
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Giles : If I told you about her, what would I say? I wonder.
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Giles : Oh God! It's not even human.
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Giles : [reading Elisa] "What am I? I move my mouth, like him, I make no sound, like him. What does that make me? All that I am... all that I've ever been... brought me here, to him".
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Giles : Get him out? What are you talking about? No! Absolutely not!