Mitzi Fabelman
Movies are dreams that you never forget.
A line from Mitzi Fabelman
Everything happens for a reason.
More lines from Mitzi Fabelman
2 quotes Mitzi Fabelman
Mitzi Fabelman
I'm doing this thing. And I don't know if it's the right thing but it's a life or death thing for me, and I'm sorry, but everybody else is gonna have to hang on for dear life. And somehow, we will survive this, all of us. Even your father, who I adore with all my heart. He deserves so much better than what I'm doing, but... .but Benny needs me, dolly. And I need him. So much so that without him, I'm turning into someone I don't know, and none of you will know my anymore. I'll just be that hateful person who did that terrible thing to your back. And yes, this is the most selfish thing I have ever done. But I've gotta do this now because, Sammy, you do what your heart says you have to, because you don't owe anyone your life. Not even me.
Scenes with Mitzi Fabelman
4 scenes
Burt Fabelman
[driving on Christmas]
The lights change how everything looks. It's hard to find our house.
Younger Sammy Fabelman
Ours is the dark house with no lights.
Younger Sammy Fabelman
[Mitzi laughs]
That's what I want for Hanukkah.
Mitzi Fabelman
What?
Younger Sammy Fabelman
Christmas lights!
Sammy Fabelman
Do you always have to be the center of attention!?
Reggie Fabelman
Stop shouting at her!
Mitzi Fabelman
There has been nothing but disrespect from you; I am your mother!
Sammy Fabelman
I WISH YOU WEREN'T!
Mitzi Fabelman
[after watching Sammy's film of her and Bennie]
Bennie and me, we never... we never d - we never let it get as far as I imagine you think.
Sammy Fabelman
Oh I never imagined any of that.
Mitzi Fabelman
Do you think dad knows? I don’t mean did you tell him, I know you didn’t. But - do you think he has an inkling?
Mitzi Fabelman
[Sammy has no answer]
I’ve almost told him so many times. I’ll say “Burt, there’s something I’ve got to tell you,” and, and he looks at me like he can’t conceive that anything could be wrong between us. So instead I say “Burt, we got ants,” or “Burt, could you climb on the roof and turn the antenna so I can watch Channel 5?” Which, of course, he does. [pause] I can’t fight with your father. He kills with such kindness. I’m mean to him, he buys me a dress. From Saks.
Sammy Fabelman
Mom, when I showed you what I filmed, I never meant for any of this to happen.
Mitzi Fabelman
[she nods]
Guilt is a wasted emotion.
Sammy Fabelman
What’s gonna happen now?
Mitzi Fabelman
I’m gonna be your mom. I’m gonna be the girls’ mom. Despite my countless faults, I’m not ruining everything for everyone. I’m gonna not be selfish. Burt Fabelman is the kindest, smartest, wisest, most patient, most decent, most understanding man there is. And I’m gonna stay married to him
Mitzi Fabelman
When I was a girl and I felt sad, I’d go to the zoo and I’d watch the monkeys.
Monica Sherwood
They made you laugh?
Mitzi Fabelman
Yeah, the monkeyshines. But there was more to it than that, it was...They understand what we’ve done to them, with the cages and the people pointing. We share that with them, the truth of how cruel people are. But if you watch them for long enough, you can tell they know stuff we can’t begin to imagine, important stuff. And they’re not going to let us in on it. Because it belongs to them, it’s their own monkey business, theirs. It’s not ours. It’s, oh I dunno...
Burt Fabelman
Self-possession.
Mitzi Fabelman
[Mitzi looks at him, an instant of deep connection. She gives him a sad smile.]
Right. They belong to themselves.
Hadassah Fabelman
If it belongs to itself, let it go back to where it came from.
Mitzi Fabelman
Anyway, that’s how come I got a monkey.
Natalie Fabelman
And a therapist.
Lisa Fabelman
He throws his poop.
Monica Sherwood
The therapist?
Lisa Fabelman
No the monkey.
Hadassah Fabelman
That’s why I’m staying in a hotel.
Burt Fabelman
You don’t have to. We have plenty of room -
Hadassah Fabelman
My rabbi in New Jersey says a monkey in the house isn’t Kosher.
Mitzi Fabelman
That’s why we’re not going to eat him.
Burt Fabelman
Did you schedule him for his polio vaccine?
Monica Sherwood
They can get polio?
Burt Fabelman
Well, they’re susceptible to pretty much everything humans are, so yes.
Mitzi Fabelman
Pass the peas. He hates going to the vet. You see, Monica, in this family, it’s the scientists versus the artists. Sammy’s on my team, he takes after me, except he’s got real talent.
Sammy Fabelman
Mom.
Natalie Fabelman
And he’s completely terrible at science.
Reggie Fabelman
And algebra.
Natalie Fabelman
And sports.
Sammy Fabelman
Will you please stop!
Monica Sherwood
He showed me his camera.
Natalie Fabelman
[To Monica]
Is he good at kissing?
Monica Sherwood
[To Natalie]
I’ll tell you later.
[the girls giggle]
