Cara quotes from Dan in Real Life (2007)

Dan

So, the plan.

The plan! Hey Cara, Dad's about to reveal the plan!

Dan

I'll pack up the car and pick you up after school, and then we'll drive straight through.

Sounds good.

Does not!

Dan

What now?

Well, wasn't like, the whole point to go to school? And now you're forcing us to miss school when we should like, be in school. Right, I mean what about my studies? Why are you smiling?

Dan

I just never thought I'd hear you say "what about my studies?" It makes me, like, smile.

Dan

Sorry to interrupt your "studies" with your "friend."

Well we can't all be monks like you.

Dan

And by the way, you're grounded.

Oh yeah? For how long?

Dan

For life.

Dad, come on.

Yeah, this is humiliating!

Dan

Alright, you're grounded for a month.

A month?! But that's worse than forever! Okay, dad, why?

Dan

You lied to me.

Well you can't handle the truth.

Dan

Maybe you should try me next time.

but but but but--

Dan

no no no no.

Okay, dad, I, I love Marty.

Dan

Oh please.

Dad, dad, dad! Stop, listen! I didn't know right away! It took me a while!

Dan

How long is a while?

Well, I, I, I've known him for three weeks but I knew in three days.

Dan

Three days?! You can't know in three days!

Yes you can!

Dan

No! No. But the feeling, it is not love. It is young--

But I love him dad!

Dan

--and reckless--

I love him I love him I love him!

Dan

--and not thought out--

I love him!

Dan

--and you may think it's love, but it's not!

I miss your skin. I miss your smell. I miss...I miss your eyes.
[she spots Dan crawling across the room] DAD! YOU ARE SUCH A FREAK!

You don't have to worry. When it comes to sex, Marty's the one who wants to wait.

Dan

What about that sentence is supposed to give me comfort?

What we have is true love. Just because you don't have it doesn't mean you have to punish us for it!

Dan

Infatuation is not love. Sexual attraction is not love.

you don't understand.

Dan

Ah, I don't understand.

You don't even understand that you don't understand!

Dan

What don't I understand, Cara? Please, help me out. What is it? Is it frustrating that you can't be with this person? That there's something keeping you apart, that there's something about this person that you really connect with? And when you're near this person, you don't know what to say, and you say everything in your mind and in your heart, and you know, that if you could just be together, that this person would help you become the best possible version of yourself?

So Marty can stay?

Marie

It's sweet.

Dan

What's sweet? How is that sweet?

Marie

To be so certain; to feel that much love...

Dan

Love. Love isn't a feeling.

Marie

No?

Dan

It's an ability.

Marie

Well, if that's true, you have one gifted daughter!

YOU ARE A MURDERER OF LOVE!

Dan

I know I messed up.

Yup.

Yes you did.

Dan

Now, your mom...I miss your mom. All the time.

Mom's gone.

Dan

Oh, honey. I see her every day. I see in your goodness, Jane. And Cara, your passion. And Lily, you have her eyes. And her smile. So here is what I'm going to do. I am grounding myself for life. And so I will be with you--

You're with us every day.

Dan

I'm not going anywhere. See, I got a little confused with Marie. That is over, okay? I kind of lost my head. I got a little stupid, because I love her. No, that's not...I don't love her. and that's not what I meant. I mean, how could I love her? I've only known her..

Three days.

Dan

Yeah. And how can you know in three days? Well, no. Yes I do. I love her. I love her, I love her, I love her. I love her.

Then go get her.

We so prefer her to you.

Go. [hugs Dan and whispers] Now.