I Knew Her Well (1965)

Stefania Sandrelli: Adriana Astarelli

Photos 

Quotes 

• The Writer : She was like a lot of other girls.

  Adriana Astarelli : I bet you slept with her.

  The Writer : It's not that hard with girls like that.

  Adriana Astarelli : I can tell she liked you.

  The Writer : Liked me? Trouble is, she likes everything. She's always happy. She desires nothing, envies no one, is curious about nothing. You can't surprise her. She doesn't notice the humiliations, though they happen to her every day. It all rolls off her back like some waterproof material. Zero ambition. No moral code. Not even a whore's love of money.

  Adriana Astarelli : Such language!

  The Writer : Yesterday and tomorrow don't exist for her. Even living for today would mean too much planning, so she lives for the moment. Sunbathing, listening to records, and dancing are her sole activities. The rest of the time she's mercurial and capricious, always needing brief new encounters with anyone at all... just never with herself.

  Adriana Astarelli : I'm Milena, right? Is that what I'm like? Some sort of dimwit?

  The Writer : On the contrary. You may be the wisest of all.

• Adriana's First Boyfriend : Finally! What was showing? "Gone With The Wind?"

  Adriana Astarelli : Almost, it was over 2 1/2 hours.

• Adriana Astarelli : Is she English or American?

  Adriana's First Boyfriend : She's a foreigner.

• Adriana Astarelli : Forgive him. Italian guys are all knuckleheads.

• Adriana Astarelli : She's lucky?

  Adriana's First Boyfriend : Who?

  Adriana Astarelli : That girl. She's lucky to be in Italy.

  Adriana's First Boyfriend : Excuse me, but where are we?

  Adriana Astarelli : That's different. She's a foreigner. This is abroad for her.

• Adriana Astarelli : Everything must be different when you're abroad. You're independent. People take an interest in you. You're more free.

  Adriana's First Boyfriend : Depends. In Belgium, they threw a friend of mine in jail.

• Cianfanna : [looking at photos]  Great shot!

  Adriana Astarelli : You can't pose like that!

  Cianfanna : That's the way to go. All natural.

  Adriana Astarelli : They can't publish that!

  Cianfanna : But it gets around, with her phone number on the back. They see her and call her. But, no, not you! What's this picture say with your skirt and bra? You look like a nun!

• Adriana Astarelli : Here I am... right in the moonlight. You were right. It's more fun without a bathing suit.

• Adriana Astarelli : I'll go with who I want. I don't need pimps like you!

  Cianfanna : I created you and I can destroy you. Some thanks for all my favors!

  Adriana Astarelli : I don't need your "favors"! I fell for that at the beach! You told me the guy was queer and he took me right to a hotel room! Thanks a lot!

  Cianfanna : Did I offend you?

• Adriana Astarelli : Don't you have a radio? Why?

  The Writer : The songs get on my nerves and I can choose my own soap and toothpaste.

• The Mother - Adriana's neighbour : God only knows what you girls are thinking. How can a girl like you, with every advantage - - young, pretty, with a nice figure, single - - keep falling in love with so-called "wonderful guys" and getting in trouble like some silly country girl. Good thing you came to me. There's one mixed-up girl that I won't name whom I've helped 15 times! They're not cheaper by the dozen! That's just being irresponsible! I mean, please!

  Adriana Astarelli : And if I keep it?

  The Mother - Adriana's neighbour : I don't believe I heard correctly. Say that again. Keep it? You know what that means? Good-bye to everything.

• The Mother - Adriana's neighbour : It just makes me mad that a girl like you - - other girls I've helped are riding in Jaguars to opening nights and wearing rings even Grace Kelly never dreamed of! And they don't even have your looks. Feel that. Firm as a rock. I know men who'd sign over their factories, employees and all, just to be with you. Listen, I'll take care of you.

  Adriana Astarelli : No, I've never been interested in earning money that way. Things get complicated and you are forced to...

  The Mother - Adriana's neighbour : Now you're making me mad! That's a bunch of nonsense. If you were some virginal saint, you could stand on principle. But you go with just anyone. You're like the prize at a charity raffle.

• Adriana Astarelli : You could get some old guy who never takes you out to have fun or go dancing.

  The Mother - Adriana's neighbour : Rheumatism is a sign of wealth. Handsome young dance-floor Romeos don't own factories.

• Adriana Astarelli : You landed a lot of great punches.

  Emilio Ricci, aka Bietolone : I only remember the ones the other guy landed.

• Adriana Astarelli : I think a boxer should always choose a weaker opponent than himself.

  Emilio Ricci, aka Bietolone : That's what the other guy did!

• Adriana Astarelli : Where are you taking her later? The Calypso?

  Dario Marchionni : Who? Her? No, she can't stay out late. The nuns are waiting.

  Adriana Astarelli : Yeah, the Sisters of the Blessed Bordello!