Contempt Page #4

Had he been happy, he'd have stayed home.

He used the Trojan war to get away from his wife.

He killed her suitors, didn't he?

That can be justified...

by the fact that Ulysses had told Penelope

to give in and accept the gifts.

He didn't see the suitors as serious threats.

He didn't throw them out, to avoid a scandal.

Knowing Penelope to be faithful,

he told her to be nice to the suitors.

I think that's when Penelope,

who at heart is a simple woman,

began to despise him.

She stopped loving Ulysses because of his conduct

and she told him so.

Ulysses then realized too late he'd lost Penelope's love

because he'd been overly cautious.

The only way to win her back

was to murder the suitors.

Death is no resolution.

I found this on the boat.

Children mustn't play with firearms.

I was there, outside.

Nothing.

I'm a playwright.

I'm not a screenwriter.

Even if it's a fine script... I'm being frank,

I'd do it only for the money!

That's why I'm in a bad mood.

We all have an ideal. Mine's writing plays. I can't. Why?

In today's world, we have to accept what others want.

Why does money matter so much in what we do,

in what we are, in what we become?

Even in our relationships with those we love.

Mr. Prokosch already said it: You're wrong.

You aspire to a world like Homer's.

You want it to exist, but unfortunately it doesn't.

Why not? It does!

You may be right,

but when it comes to making movies, dreams aren't enough.

When do we eat?

In an hour.

I'm going for a walk.

Mr. Prokosch wants to speak with you.

Is that an order or a request?

A request.

One must suffer.

That's for sure.

It's me, Paul.

I've been watching you as if I were seeing you for the first time.

Mind if I stay?

Stay if you like.

Why didn't you speak up earlier?

I don't get you! You always said you loved that script.

Now you tell the producer it's for the money,

that your ideal's the theater.

He's no fool. Next time, he'll think twice before asking you.

How can you not understand something so simple?

I bet you'll do it anyway.

You'll see.

I know you.

I know you.

If I do, it'll be for you. To pay for the flat.

I'll let you decide whether I do the script or not.

If you say no, we'll leave.

Very clever!

Not at all. Why?

If you regret it later, you can blame it on me.

Not at all! I'm asking you to decide.

You really want me to tell you what to do?

Yes.

Then do the script!

You signed a contract and you bore me.

I saw him kiss you earlier.

I know you did.

Why don't you love me anymore?

That's life.

Why do you despise me?

I'll never tell you, even if I were dying.

- Tell me or I'll hurt you. - Why hurt me on top of it?

I have to know why you despise me.

This is crazy! How can you expect me to accept it?

We need the money to pay for the flat.

I quit my typing job.

I can't accept that after what happened.

So, of course, you despise me.

You see us kiss but you're ready to change your mind anyway.

I turned the job down for you. So you'd change your mind about me.

Don't touch me. I don't love you anymore.

There's no way I'll ever love you again.

Even if I turn it down, you'll despise me?

- Yes, I will. - Why?

Tell me why! There must be a reason.

You're the reason.

What do you mean, me?

I don't know. You're not a man.

Anyhow, it's too late.

I've changed my mind about you.

I know why you despise me.

When I took the taxi the other day,

you thought I let you go with him on purpose.

Same thing on the boat earlier. Don't be stupid!

I have faults, but that's not one.

I'll never forgive you.

I loved you so much.

Now it's impossible.

I hate you because you're incapable of moving me.

I can! You're on the verge of tears.

We're leaving! We'll pack up and go.

I'm staying. Go if you like.

Come on, Camille!

Then I'm staying, too.

But Prokosch will throw us out.

- Don't start! - I will!

Dear Paul,

I found your revolver and took the bullets out.

If you won't leave, I will.

Since Prokosch has to return to Rome,

I'm going with him.

Then I'll probably move into a hotel alone.

Take care. Farewell.

Camille.

Typist.

Me?

Typist.

What do you think...

of me?

Get into your Alfa, Romeo. We'll see about that later.

TAKE CARE:

FAREWELL:

Good-bye, then.

Mr. Lang, I've come to say good-bye.

Good-bye. What will you do?

Go back to Rome, finish my play.

And you?

I'll finish the film. Always finish what you start.

What shot are you doing?

Ulysses' gaze when he first sees his homeland again.

Ithaca.

Good-bye, Mr. Lang.

I hope we'll meet again.

We're ready, Mr. Lang.

Quiet on the set!

Rate this script:4.8 / 4 votes