If you take a really good book, then the potential is for a really good film. But you've got to get it right.

I think there's something degrading about having a husband for a rival. It's humiliating if you fail and commonplace if you succeed.

To seduce a woman famous for strict morals, religious fervor and the happiness of her marriage: what could possibly be more prestigious?

Masturbation is the thinking man's television.

If I had to give a definition of capitalism I would say: the process whereby American girls turn into American women.

I have always thought of sophistication as rather a feeble substitute for decadence.

I like L.A., but I think whats changed is that the kinds of films I do, the mid-range dramatic film, has become an endangered species.

You see, I always divide people into two groups. Those who live by what they know to be a lie, and those who live by what they believe, falsely, to be the truth.

You know very well that unless you're a scientist, it's much more important for a theory to be shapely, than for it to be true.

There is a sort of theory that you should adapt bad books because they always make more successful films.

I'm ashamed to say the first play I saw at the Royal Court was mine.

Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.

English dialogues are always just what you need and nothing more - like something out of Hemingway. In Italian and in French, dialogues are always theatrical, literary. You can do more with it.

We heard from the abortionists and we heard from the people who looked like Jacks, acted like Jills and had the odors of Johns.

Well, I enjoy sharing in the dangers that we ask our men and women in uniform to share in almost every day.

There is nothing people can throw at me to say: Do this, do that.

I think very few people in Canada are seeking - to regulate any public expressions of individuals' religions.

I don't get writer's block. I don't try to write anything; when something comes, I write it. I just practice and when I get an idea I write it down.

I see myself as 38, but you don't notice it.

Use your energy for good and it will be replenished with more good energy, use you energy for bad and your energy will be drained.

I didn't lose my virginity until I was twenty-six. Nineteen vaginally, but twenty-six what my boyfriend calls "the real way".