Alan Ball > Quotes

“I guess I could be pretty pissed off about what happened to me, but it’s hard to stay mad when there’s so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I’m seeing it all at once, and it’s too much; my heart fills up like a balloon that’s about to burst. And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold onto it. And then it flows through me like rain, and I can’t feel anything but gratitude—for every single moment of my stupid, little life. You have no idea what I’m talking about, I’m sure; but don’t worry….you will someday.”
― Alan Ball, American Beauty: The Shooting Script

“The idea of celibate vampires is ridiculous. To me, vampires are sex. I don't get a vampire story about abstinence. I don't care about high school students. I find them irritating and uninformed.”
― Alan Ball

“Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world, I feel like I can't take it, and my heart is just going to cave in.”
― Alan Ball, American Beauty: The Shooting Script

“I had always heard your entire life flashes in front of your eyes the second before you die. First of all, that one second isn't a second at all, it stretches on forever, like an ocean of time... For me, it was lying on my back at Boy Scout camp, watching falling stars... And yellow leaves, from the maple trees, that lined our street... Or my grandmother's hands, and the way her skin seemed like paper... And the first time I saw my cousin Tony's brand new Firebird... And Janie... And Janie... And... Carolyn. I guess I could be pretty pissed off about what happened to me... but it's hard to stay mad, when there's so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst... And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain and I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life... You have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm sure. But don't worry... you will someday.”
― Alan Ball

“It was one of those days when it’s a minute away from snowing, and there’s this electricity in the air, you can almost hear it. And this bag was just, dancing with me, like a little kid beggin’ me to play with it – for fifteen minutes. And that’s the day I realized that there was this entire life behind things, and this incredibly benevolent force that wanted me to know that there was no reason to be afraid, ever. Video’s a poor excuse, I know. But it helps me remember – I need to remember. Sometimes, there’s so much beauty in the world – I feel like I can’t take it, like my heart is just going to cave in. — Wes Bentley [Ricky Fitts] American Beauty (1999) Written by Alan Ball. Directed by Sam Mendes.”
― Alan Ball, American Beauty: The Shooting Script

“It's hard to stay mad when there's so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst. And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain and I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life. You have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm sure. But don't worry, you will someday.”
― Alan Ball, American Beauty: The Shooting Script

“Pam: I don't know what it is about me that makes people think I want to hear their problems. Maybe I smile too much. Maybe I wear too much pink. But please remember I can rip your throat out if I need to. And also know that I am not a hooker. That was a long, long time ago.”
― Alan Ball

“Well did you call the hypothetical hardware store and buy a theoretical chainsaw?-- Pam to Jessica, True Blood”
― Alan Ball, True Blood: All Together Now

“Write what you care about, write what moves you, what intrigues you and you find compelling, write what angers you and makes you sad.”
― Alan Ball, American Beauty: The Shooting Script

“His POV: Angela lies beneath us, embarrassed and vulnerable. This is not the mythically carnal creature of Lester’s fantasies; this is a nervous child.”
― Alan Ball, American Beauty: The Shooting Script

“Beneath his zen-like tranquility lurks something wounded… and dangerous.”
― Alan Ball, American Beauty: The Shooting Script

“It’s a great thing when you realize you still have the ability to surprise yourself. Makes you wonder what else you can do that you’ve forgotten about.”
― Alan Ball, American Beauty: The Shooting Script

“I guess I could be pretty pissed off about what happened to me, but it’s hard to stay mad when there’s so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I’m seeing it all at once, and it’s too much; my heart fills up like a balloon that’s about to burst. And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold onto it. And then it flows through me like rain, and I can’t feel anything but gratitude—for every single moment of my stupid, little life.”
― Alan Ball, American Beauty: The Shooting Script

“Lester starts unbuttoning Angela’s blouse. She seems disconnected from what’s happened. Lester pulls her blouse open, exposing her breasts.”
― Alan Ball, American Beauty: The Shooting Script

“On VIDEO: We zoom toward her as she takes off her bra clumsily. She’s obviously embarrassed, but she’s gone this far and there’s no turning back. She stands there with her breasts exposed, trying to look defiant, but she’s achingly vulnerable…”
― Alan Ball, American Beauty: The Shooting Script

“At sixteen, Angela is strikingly beautiful; with perfect even features, blonde hair and a nubile young body, she’s the archetypal American dream girl.”
― Alan Ball, American Beauty: The Shooting Script

“His POV: Angela, naked, FLOATS above us as a deluge of ROSE PETALS falls around her. Her hair fans out around her head GLOWS with a subtle, burnished light.”
― Alan Ball, American Beauty: The Shooting Script

“Her face has lost its usual resolute determination; she’s actually enjoying herself spontaneously, and the lack of her usual self-consciousness allows us to see just how beautiful she is.”
― Alan Ball, American Beauty: The Shooting Script