Alan Isaacman quotes from The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996)

Alan Isaacman

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you have heard a lot today, and I'm not gonna go back over it, but you have to go into that room and make some decisions. But before you do, there's something you need to know. I am not trying to suggest that you should like what Larry Flynt does. I don't like what Larry Flynt does, but what I do like is the fact that I live in a country where you and I can make that decision for ourselves. I like the fact that I live in a country where I can pick up Hustler magazine and read it, or throw it in the garbage can if that's where I think it belongs.

Alan Isaacman

At the heart of the First Amendment is the recognition of the fundamental importance of the free flow of ideas. Freedom to speak one's mind is not only an aspect of an individual liberty, but is essential to the quest for truth and the vitality of society as a whole. In the world of debate about public affairs, many things done with motives that are less than admirable are nonetheless protected by the first amendment.

Isaacman

Listen, I'm sitting here with the eminently reasonable District Attorney of the state of Georgia. Right. He's very impressed by your conversion, he wants to cut us a plea bargain.

Larry Flynt

A plea bargain? Because I've found God?

Isaacman

Larry, listen to me for a second: Don't argue with me on this, okay? Just say yes because I've pulled a lot of strings to make this happen.

Larry Flynt

Is he sitting there with you?

Isaacman

Yes, he is.

Larry Flynt

Would you do me a favor? Just tell that miserable old gray-haired bastard to go **** himself, we're going to trial.

Isaacman

Okay, right.

Larry Flynt

Oh, and praise the lord.

Isaacman

Larry, thousands of people petition the Supreme Court, okay? Thousands.

Larry Flynt

Yeah, and our case is as good as any.

Isaacman

Our case is better than most, you're missing my point, and that is they will never pick you. Because you're a nightmare. They're afraid if they let you in there, you're gonna wear a diaper, or throw oranges at the justices, and they should be, Larry, because in all the times you've gone to the court asking for help, you've never once demonstrated any respect for its institutions and procedures.

Alan Isaacman

You don't see me running around, pissing off everybody we're trying to get to help us.

Larry Flynt

Yeah, well, you can walk and you can **** and I'm in this chair! And I got money, okay, and I got money and that gives me the power to shake up this system.

Alan Isaacman

Well, find somebody else to help you then, because, this is not what I signed on for. I don't even know what we're engaged in anymore, Larry. If you get on that plane, I quit.

Larry Flynt

Alan, don't be so melodramatic. You don't wanna quit me. I'm your dream client: I'm the most fun, I'm rich and I'm always in trouble.