The Life of David Gale (2003)

Laura Linney: Constance Harraway

Photos 

Quotes 

• Constance Harraway : [giving an anti-death penalty speech]  When you kill someone, you rob their family - not just of a loved one, but of their humanity. You harden their hearts with hate, you take away their capacity for civilized dispassion, you condemn them to bloodlust. It's a cruel and horrible thing, but indulging that hate will *never* help. The damage is done, and once we've had our pound of flesh, we're still hungry. We leave the death house muttering that lethal injection was just too good for them. In the end, a civilized society must live with a hard truth: he who seeks revenge digs two graves.

• Constance Harraway : You work so hard not to be seen as a sex object. Before long, you're not seen at all.

• Constance Harraway : Stop that!

  David Gale : What?

  Constance Harraway : Active listening, I hate active listeners. I always feel like they're to busy *pretending* to be listening to hear what I'm saying.

  David Gale : I can listen and actively listen at the same time. I'm good at that.

• Constance Harraway : The TA just finished transcribing all the governor's radio and TV comments. Listen to this gem: Journalist - "Governor, don't you think three executions in one week is a little excessive?" Governor - "I say let's bring them in, strap them down, and rock and roll."

  David Gale : Oh, it's good to know our governor is in touch with his inner frat boy.

• Constance Harraway : You wanna tell me what's up?

  David Gale : Nothing. Everything. Something profoundly stupid happened last night.

  Constance Harraway : I hope you used a condom.

  [David looks at Constance] 

  Constance Harraway : Oh Jesus Christ, David. Was she one of yours?

  David Gale : It was Berlin.

  Constance Harraway : Oh great! Oh, that's great. I can hear the grapevine now. "They had to suspend her so that Gale could dick her with a conscience." A power differential equals coercion. That is great. You're so weak!

  David Gale : You know, you're not my wife, Constance. Thank God!

  Constance Harraway : Oh, well, don't worry. It's not a position I aspire to, so fuck you.