The Shipping News (2001)

Gordon Pinsent: Billy Pretty

Photos 

Quotes 

• Billy : It's finding the center of your story, the beating heart of it, that's what makes a reporter. You have to start by making up some headlines. You know: short, punchy, dramatic headlines. Now, have a look, what do you see?

  [Points at dark clouds at the horizon] 

  Billy : Tell me the headline.

  Quoyle : Horizon Fills With Dark Clouds?

  Billy : Imminent Storm Threatens Village.

  Quoyle : But what if no storm comes?

  Billy : Village Spared From Deadly Storm.

• Billy : It's women that's shaped like leaves, and men fall.

• Billy : [delivering a eulogy at Jack's wake]  Jack is... Jack is all right now. You all know... we are only passing by. We walk over these stones a few times. Our boats... sail for a little while on the waves and then they have to sink. Jack knew that, better than anyone. Right, Jack?