On the Waterfront (1954)
You don't understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let's face it.
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Poll: The Loser's Monologue
"Sometimes I feel I'm gonna break down and cry (so lonely)...Nowhere to go, nothing to do with my time... I get lonely, so lonely, living on my own...
(Freddie Mercury)
Whether to express devouring loneliness, lucid desperation, tempestuous revolt or quiet resignation, there comes a time when a movie character can't take it anymore and must let all the repressed feelings come out, once and for all.
Indeed, not all the lines, quotes and monologues from movies are supposed to be inspirational, there's a time for the top, a time for the flop, a time for cheers and a time for tears... a time for pride and a time for... well, all the opposite.
Here's a list of more-or-less famous self-deprecating lines or admissions of failures from movies, which one of them strikes the most sensitive chord?
Make Your Choice
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Fanny and Alexander (1982)
How does one become second-rate? Can you tell me that? How does the dust fall? When has one lost? First I'm a prince, the heir to the kingdom. Suddenly... before I know it...I'm deposed. Death taps me on the shoulder. -
Marty (1955)
Sooner or later, there comes a point in a man's life when he gotta face some facts, and one fact I gotta face is that whatever it is that women like, I ain't got it. I chased enough girls in my life. I went to enough dances. I got hurt enough. I don't wanna get hurt no more. -
The Godfather Part II (1974)
It ain't the way I wanted it! I can handle things! I'm smart! Not like everybody says... like dumb... I'm smart and I want respect! -
Raging Bull (1980)
Why? Why? Why?...Why'd you do it? Why? You're so stupid...I'm not an animal. Why do you treat me like this? I'm not so bad. -
About Schmidt (2002)
Relatively soon, I will die. Maybe in 20 years, maybe tomorrow, it doesn't matter. Once I am dead and everyone who knew me dies too, it will be as though I never existed. What difference has my life made to anyone. None that I can think of. None at all. -
Donnie Brasco (1997)
Who the *beep* am I? Who am I? I'm a, a spoke on a wheel. -
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)
No. I'd never make it. And maybe it wouldn't make no difference, even if I did. Maybe it's just the whole damn world is like central casting: They got it all rigged before you ever show up. -
The Wrestler (2008)
I used to try to pretend that you didn't exist, but I can't. You're my girl. You're my little girl. And now, I'm an old broken down piece of meat... and I'm alone. And I deserve to be all alone. I just don't want you to hate me. -
The Grilling (1981)
I'm fairly intelligent, have an average physique... Mediocrities resign themselves to the success of exceptional people. They applaud the gifted, the champions, but the success of one of their own exasperates them. It strikes them as an injustice. -
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
What have I got Harry, hm? Why should I even make the bed, or wash the dishes? I do them, but why should I? I'm alone. Your father's gone, you're gone. I got no one to care for. What have I got, Harry? I'm lonely. I'm old. -
Amadeus (1984)
I will speak for you, Father. I speak for all mediocrities in the world. I am their champion. I am their patron saint. -
Network (1976)
I feel lousy about the pain that I've caused my wife and kids. I feel guilty and conscience-stricken, and all of those things you think sentimental, but which my generation calls simple human decency. And I miss my home, because I'm beginning to get scared *beep* because all of a sudden it's closer to the end than the beginning. -
Goodfellas (1990)
Today everything is different; there's no action... have to wait around like everyone else. Can't even get decent food - right after I got here, I ordered some spaghetti with marinara sauce, and I got egg noodles and ketchup. I'm an average nobody... get to live the rest of my life like a schnook. -
American Beauty (1999)
Look at me, jerking off in the shower... This will be the high point of my day; it's all downhill from here. -
Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
I don't know if I started drinking 'cause my wife left me or my wife left me 'cause I started drinking, but *beep* it anyway. -
Fight Club (1999)
And then, something happened. I let go. Lost in oblivion. Dark and silent and complete. I found freedom. Losing all hope was freedom. -
Meatballs (1979)
Even if we win! Even if we play so far above our heads that our noses bleed for a week to ten days; even if God in Heaven above comes down and points his hand at our side of the field; even if every man woman and child held hands together and prayed for us to win, it just wouldn't matter because all the really good looking girls would still go out with the guys from Mohawk because they've got all the money! It just doesn't matter if we win or we lose. IT JUST DOESN'T MATTER! -
Gladiator (2000)
You wrote to me once, listing the four chief virtues: Wisdom, justice, fortitude and temperance. As I read the list, I knew I had none of them. But I have other virtues, father. Ambition. That can be a virtue when it drives us to excel. Resourcefulness, courage, perhaps not on the battlefield, but... there are many forms of courage. Devotion, to my family and to you. But none of my virtues were on your list. Even then it was as if you didn't want me for your son. -
In Cold Blood (1967)
All my stuff was piled outside in the snow, where he threw it. I walked away and never looked back. I guess the only thing I'm going to miss in the world...is that poor old man. And his hopeless dreams.
