Ever wonder what it will be like to work with Robert Pattinson? Wonder no more, as the actor has shared some fascinating behind-the-scenes stories from the set of Batman Begins, his upcoming movie about the Dark Knight’s early days. If you’ve never heard of the movie, it stars Christian Bale as Batman and was directed by Aaron Sorkin. The film also stars Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Rosie Perez, and is scheduled for an April 11, 2005 premiere in London.
Here, you’ll find Pattinson’s top five memorable quotes from the movie. Let’s dive in.
1. “A laugh can be a great antidote to tragedy. Find the humour in your situation.”
Bale’s first line of dialogue in the movie is a bit of a catchphrase, appearing in multiple forms throughout the narrative. It’s also one of the main reasons why you’ll find fans of the Dark Knight all over again. The line sums up the essence of what the character of Batman stands for – a sense of humor in the face of overwhelming tragedy. The character’s rogues gallery of villains is also infamous for their wry one-liners and sharp tongue. So it’s only natural that one of the actor’s favorite quotes from the film is a line directed at Bruce Wayne – “A laugh can be a great antidote to tragedy. Find the humour in your situation.”
In the movie, this quote is said by Harvey Dent, the future hero who will become Batman’s ally and eventually sacrifice his life to help him save Gotham City. A selfless act that will change the course of history and alter the perception of Batman forever. The irony is that while Dent’s point about laughter as a means of coping with extreme tragedy is highly relevant, it was actually a comment made by Harvey’s father, Lucius, who taught him to be the best he can be.
2. “Why do you wear that stupid mask? Who are you trying to impress? Impress me! Please, don’t insult me with that fancy accent. And what’s with all the fancy hand gestures? Are you trying to tell me you’re a great magician? Can’t you block that nose anymore? It’s creepy. Why don’t you try being original? You’re just a copy of the original.”
Another fan favorite from Batman Begins is a line spoken by Vicki Vale, an eccentric photographer who will go on to become one of Batman’s most trusted friends and business associates. In the film, she is having a photoshoot with the Caped Crusader, during which time he reveals his secret identity to her. While the line serves as an amusing in-joke for the pair, it’s also an apt portrayal of Alfred Pennyworth, the retired butler who has watched over Batman his entire life. Despite his advanced age, Alfred can’t stand it when he discovers that someone is pretending to be his master, and he lets his considerable rage be known in the only way he knows how. When he confronts the disguised Bruce Wayne at his mansion, he lets the pompous aristocrat have it with both barrels, yelling “Why do you wear that stupid mask? Who are you trying to impress? Impress me!”
It’s a great line, and it got under Alfred’s skin. He lets Wayne have it. But then he regains his composure and calmly replies : “You’re a copy of the original.” It’s a line that succinctly sums up the entire character of Alfred, who has been known to the public to be both level-headed and kind-hearted. Even after all these years, it seems that the lessons Alfred has taught Bruce have not been lost on him.
3. “Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than wise. When you’re born lucky, you’ll know exactly what you’re doing. You won’t need to ask for directions, you’ll just know how to get them.”
While Alfred may have been the greatest teacher Bruce Wayne ever had, it’s clear that his protégé is not lacking in his own abilities. At the conclusion of Batman Begins, we see Bruce Wayne rise above his humble beginnings and become a symbol of prosperity and justice in Gotham City. His uncanny knack for predicting the future has helped him gain the trust and loyalty of the citizens of his home, which in turn has allowed him to forge a new identity and give back a piece of what he once lost. As Bruce says to Alfred at the end of the film, “Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than wise. When you’re born lucky, you’ll know exactly what you’re doing. You won’t need to ask for directions, you’ll just know how to get them.”
These are the inspirational words of a young man whose story will forever be linked to his iconic cowl and the villains he has vanquished. This quote alone would make it onto any top five list of memorable quotes from Batman Begins, but it’s only the beginning.
4. “Why have you been so distant? I thought we were friends.”
One of the first scenes in Batman Begins features Bruce Wayne being questioned by a member of the press about his new found wealth and status as a billionaire playboy. Despite his outward display of confidence and charm, Wayne is deeply insecure when it comes to accepting his newfound celebrity; specifically, the part he plays in inspiring faith in citizens and safeguarding the city he loves. As he tells the journalist, “I don’t know what’s in the papers, and I don’t want to know. I’m not interested in being famous. I just want to be left alone.”
A yearning for privacy is one of the defining characteristics of Bruce Wayne. It’s a quality that will eventually lead to his transformation into the Dark Knight, an obsession with guarding his identity and remaining incognito. Of course, this comes with its own set of problems, as we’ve established. The press will not leave him alone, and the public has a way of learning his identity through leaks and gossip. Most of these details are seemingly unimportant, but they will nevertheless stick with Wayne and taint his efforts to live a normal life.
5. “Tell me about your mother.”
One of the most memorable scenes in Batman Begins occurs towards the end, when Harvey Dent, the man who will one day become Two-Face, is asked by the young Bruce Wayne about his mother, Rachel. Like many other characters in the film, Dent has his own quirk: a maniacal laugh. And while it may not seem like it at first, this line of questioning becomes critical later in the film. When Rachel is later found murdered by the gruesome Joker, the question on many people’s lips is : “Who is Batman’s mother?” To the delight of conspiracy theorists, the actress who played Rachel Leigh Cook has stated that she was inspired by the real-life murder of Marjorie Merriweather Post, the publisher of the Washington Post, in 1924. The speculation was that the Post was murdered because of her marriage to Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was then president of the U.S.
In the film, the line of questioning leads to Harvey realizing that Batman is capable of nothing less than saving Gotham City. It’s a stunning piece of filmmaking, and it speaks volumes about the kind of impact Batman has had on the city and its people. While many know the character of Harvey Dent/Two-Face for his villainous ways, it’s important to remember that he’s a hero who has been misunderstood.
These are the top five most memorable quotes from Batman Begins. As you may have guessed, the quotes speak to the themes and characters of Batman, and they serve as a great foundation for what is arguably the most important and influential superhero movie of all time. It would be remiss not to mention that these quotes also appear to foreshadow the events of the next film, The Dark Knight.