The Subject Was Roses (1968)
Martin Sheen: Timmy Cleary
Photos
Quotes
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Nettie Cleary : In all my life, the past twelve hours are the only real freedom I've ever known.
Timmy Cleary : Did you enjoy it?
Nettie Cleary : Every moment.
Timmy Cleary : Why did you come back?
Nettie Cleary : I'm a coward.
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John Cleary : You know, it's one of the big regrets of my life I was never in the service?
Timmy Cleary : I know.
John Cleary : The day World War One was declared, I went to the recruiting office. When they learned I was the sole support of the family, they turned me down.
Timmy Cleary : I know.
John Cleary : It's always bothered me. Missing out on the whole thing. I keep wondering what difference it might have made in my life... but then I wonder how I would have made out? Because I wouldn't have settled for a desk job: I would have gone to the Front!
Timmy Cleary : I'm sure of that.
John Cleary : But once there, how would I have done?
Timmy Cleary : Fine.
John Cleary : How do you know?
Timmy Cleary : You're a born fighter.
John Cleary : But they say a lot of guys who were terrors as civilians turned to jelly when they heard those bullets.
Timmy Cleary : Not you.
John Cleary : Well, doesn't seem so... but you can't be sure. See, that's always bothered me.
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John Cleary : Hurry up with your breakfast.
Timmy Cleary : What for?
John Cleary : Mass starts in twenty minutes, you're not even dressed.
Timmy Cleary : Mass?
John Cleary : Mass.
Timmy Cleary : I haven't been to Mass in over three years. You know that.
John Cleary : Lots of bad habits you boys picked up you'll have to get over.
Timmy Cleary : Not going to Mass isn't a habit I picked up. It's a decision I came to after a lot of thought.
John Cleary : Now, what way is *that* for a Catholic to talk?
Timmy Cleary : I haven't considered myself a Catholic for quite a while.
John Cleary : [Looks at his son, slightly dumbfounded] There must be something wrong with my ears.
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John Cleary : So you've outgrown the Faith, huh?
Timmy Cleary : Well, it doesn't answer my needs...
John Cleary : Outgrown your old clothes, and outgrown the Faith.
Timmy Cleary : Pop, will you listen to me, please?
John Cleary : Millions of people have believed in it since the beginning of time, but it's not *good* enough for you.
Timmy Cleary : It's not a question of "good enough".
John Cleary : Well, what do you say, when people ask you what religion you are?
Timmy Cleary : [pauses to reflect] Nothing.
John Cleary : [Showing disgust] You say you're "nothing".
Timmy Cleary : Yes.
John Cleary : The Clearys have been Catholics since... since the beginning of time. And now you, a Cleary, are going to tell people you're a "nothing"?
Timmy Cleary : Yes.
John Cleary : You're an atheist!
Timmy Cleary : I'm not an atheist.
John Cleary : What are you?
Timmy Cleary : I don't know, but I'd like a chance to find out.
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John Cleary : You don't know what you believe in?
Timmy Cleary : Do you?
John Cleary : Yes!
Timmy Cleary : Tell me. Go on...
John Cleary : I believe in the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. I believe God created Man in his own image...
Timmy Cleary : [Interrupting] Pop! If your faith works for you, I'm glad. Really, I'm very glad. I wish it worked for me, but it doesn't.
John Cleary : Do you believe in God - yes or no?
Timmy Cleary : I don't believe in heaven or hell or purgatory...
John Cleary : [Interrupting, shouting] YES or NO!
Timmy Cleary : I believe there is something bigger than myself. What you call it or what it is, I don't know.
John Cleary : [Looking disgusted] Well, this is a fine how-do-you-do.
Nettie Cleary : [Calmly] Yesterday you said he was a man. A man has a right to decide such things for himself.
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Nettie Cleary : You don't look well.
Timmy Cleary : Appearances are deceiving. I feel terrible.
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Timmy Cleary : [title] The subject was roses.