Montana (1998)

Philip Seymour Hoffman: Duncan

Quotes 

• Duncan : There's a fine line between luck and skill.

  Nicholas "Nick" Roth : In fact, there's no line at all.

• Duncan : Now that we've thanked our foot soldier for the invaluable work contributed here today, please dismiss yourself.

  Claire Kelsky : Fuck you!

  Duncan : You know the boss and I have some important financial matters to discuss. Numbers? You know, things you wouldn't understand.

• Duncan : [sighs]  It's nice to see you, Kitty.

  [pause] 

  Duncan : Now we haven't spoken for a while. How was your day?

  [Kitty shrugs] 

  Duncan : [speaking as if he were Kitty]  It was fine, Duncan. I mean it was just like yesterday and the day before that. So, slowly I work up the courage to run away, but I never get quite enough courage to run really far away. And then someone is sent, and I'm brought back, and I'm noticed by the boss, but it's only to punish me for running away because how does that reflect on him?

  [tears well up in Kitty's eyes as Duncan continues] 

  Duncan : And then I'm back to sitting in my niche and bettering myself with books that no one I know can possibly appreciate. I find myself hating them... more... and more... until I think... umm, maybe it's time to run away again.

  [Kitty sniffles] 

  Duncan : Now that sounds like a bad day, Kitty.

• Duncan : He's dead.

  [feeling for a pulse on the neck of the bagman] 

  Nicholas "Nick" Roth : Of course he is.

  [having shot the bagman] 

• [the Boss sighs, and then pulls a large pair of shears out of his desk drawer] 

  The Boss : No, I don't think you fully appreciate your position here. 'Cause if you did, you'd be spilling your guts and praying to God that I kill you quick before I crush your balls like harvest grapes.

  Joseph Koo : Oh God, please don't! It wasn't supposed to go this way!

  Duncan : [calmly]  Wrong, Koo. I think it WAS supposed to go this way.

  [pause] 

  Duncan : Somebody sent you out in public knowing you'd get picked up. You've been set up. Now I know you're scared, but listen carefully, your situation has changed. You are going to be tortured more heinously than you can conceive of by the man behind this desk.

  [pause] 

  Duncan : Only one way to avoid that.

  [pause] 

  Duncan : Only one way out.

  [pause] 

  Duncan : Whattaya gonna do?