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Phone Booth (film)

2002 film directed by Joel Schumacher

Phonebooth is a 2002 film about Stuart Shepard, a New York publicist who picks up a ringing receiver in a phone booth is told that if he hangs up, he'll be killed.

Directed by Joel Schumacher. Written by: Larry Cohen
A ringing phone has to be answered.

Stu

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  • The first step to being noticed is being mentioned.
  • [to "Corky"] Get the fuck outta here before I call Hillary and have you deported to New Jersey!
  • I never did anything for someone who couldn't do something for me.
  • My $2,000 watch is a fake, and so am I.
  • I've been something I'm not for so long, and I'm scared you won't like what's underneath. But here I am, just flesh, blood, and weakness...
  • I have never done anything for anybody who couldn't do something for me. I string along an eager kid with promises I'll pay him money. I only keep him around because he looks up to me. Adam, if you're watching, don't be a publicist. You're too good for it. I lie in person and on the phone. I lie to my friends. I lie to newspapers and magazines who, who sell my lies to more and more people. I am just a part of a big cycle of lies, I should be fuckin' president. I wear all this Italian shit because underneath I still feel like the Bronx. I think I need these clothes and this watch. My two thousand dollar watch is a fake and so am I. I've neglected the things I should have valued most. I valued this shit. I take off my wedding ring to call Pam. Kelly, that's Pam. Don't blame her. I never told her I was married. And if I did she, she would have told me to go home. Kelly, looking at you now, I'm ashamed of myself. Alright? I mean, work so hard on this image, on Stu Shepherd, the asshole who refers to himself in the third person that I only proved I should be alone. I have just been dressing up as something I'm not for so long, I'm so afraid no one will like what's underneath. But here I am, just flesh and blood and weakness, and uh and I love you so fucking much. And, um, I take off this ring because it only reminds me of how I've failed you, and I don't, don't want to give you up. I want to make things better, but it may not be my choice anymore. You deserve better.

The Caller

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  • Stu, if you hang up, I will kill you...
  • It's not in your best interest to disconnect me...
  • Come on, Stu! Don't you get the game yet?
  • [the Caller cocks his gun] Now doesn't that just torque your jaw? I love that. You know like in the movies just as the good guy is about to kill the bad guy, he cocks his gun. Now why didn't he have it cocked? Because that sound is scary. It's cool, isn't it?
  • Do you see the tourists with their video cameras, hoping the cops will shoot you so they can sell the tape to Goriest Police Shoot-outs?
  • This is exciting. You get to choose between them. Kelly. Pam. BAM BAM!
  • [about Pam] I think she needs a new headshot.
  • Wait till it goes national. ABC, CBS, CNN, UPN, you're gonna have the whole alphabet.
  • TV seems to bring out the worst in people.
  • Get this man a seat on Oprah!
  • Nice shoes. Italian. You hung up, Stu. I didn't even have a chance to say goodbye. I feel bad about the pizza guy. But I couldn't miss seeing you and Kelly reunited. You don't have to thank me, nobody ever does. I just hope your newfound honesty lasts. Because if it doesn't, you'll be hearing from me.
  • Isn't it funny - you hear a phone ringing and it could be anybody. But a ringing phone has to be answered, doesn't it?
  • And, of course, you must have read about the corporate executive shot in the head at 47th and 10th. What you probably didn't read was that he cashed in his stocks just before the bottom fell out while all the little guys lost everything!
  • You read about the German porn king shot ten days ago—didn't you?--at 38th and 8th? He thought he was an artist and wouldn't admit that he was just a pedophile. Believe me, he had plenty of chances to come clean.
  • Stuart Shepherd. 1326 West 51st Street, Third Floor, Front.
  • I have a highly magnified telescopic image of you. Now, what kind of device has a telescopic sight mounted on it? ... A 30-calibre bolt-action 700 with a Carbon One modification and a state-of-the-art Hensoldt tactical scope. And it's staring straight at you. At this range, the exit wound ought to be about the size of a small tangerine.
  • The stage is almost set. People are gonna be eating dinner watching you die.
  • Deception can't go unrewarded.
  • Come on, Stu. You're a selfish guy. Just pick one of them and save yourself.
  • Stu, you just gave that man $10 to walk away. You saved his life. You have a soft side after all.
  • I'm aiming at you right now.

Captain Ramey

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  • And Jonah, don't look up!

Dialogue

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Pizza Guy: [knocks on Phone Booth] Excuse me.
Stu: I'm tryna make a call here.
Pizza Guy: This is for you. Half pepperoni, Half mushroom, Extra crisp.
Stu: You ever heard of delivering a Pizza to a fucking Phone Booth? I don't think so.
Pizza Guy: [Reads address label on Pizza] Gentleman occupying Phone Booth, 53rd between Broadway and 8th.
Stu: It's a mistake.
Pizza Guy: What am I supposed to do with the pie? It's all paid for?
Stu: Homeless guy just ran the block, give him the Pizza and say 'You can turn away from it but you can't make it go away', how's that?
Pizza Guy: [Tries to open Phone Booth door] But, they always...
Stu: [Stu gets agitated] GET OFF THE FUCKING PIZZA, ALRIGHT?!
Pizza Guy: That language is uncalled for.
Stu: Holy shit. I'm sorry. Please return to sender. FUCK OFF! Here you go, $5, eat the pizza yourself, you look like you could use a good meal.
The Caller: That isn't very nice, Stu.
Stu: Did you call me Stu? Who's Stu? I don't know any Stu.
The Caller: Why, do you prefer Stuart?
Stu: Where? Where are you?
The Caller: There are hundred of windows out there. Why don't you check them out?
Stu: You can see me right now?
The Caller: Uh-huh.
Stu: What am I doing?
[Stu scratches himself]
The Caller: You're scratching your ear. Now you're brushing your hair back.
[Stu gives the finger to the windows in the buildings around him]
The Caller: That's not very nice, Stu.
The Caller: Well, there is someone I'd like you to call.
Stu: Name it.
The Caller: Try the number you dialed when you first got into the booth.
[Stu laughs nervously]
Stu: I don't know what you're talking about pal.
The Caller: No? Lucky you then, because I wrote it down. I can see every number you pressed. Let's see if Pam is still at work.
Stu: No!
The Caller: Then I guess I'll have to do it.
Stu: Look don't!
The Caller: Too late. It's already ringing. I'll put her on speaker so you can hear.
Stu: Yer fucking kiddin'!
The Caller: Stu, I never kid.
The Caller: Think about it. Why would a guy with a cell phone call a woman everyday from a phone booth?
Pam: He said it was quiet.
The Caller: Pam, that's just stupid.
Stu: So you'd just whack me for no particular reason?
The Caller: Oh, I've got plenty of reasons. And you keep giving me more.
Stu: You shoot a gun here there'll be pandemonium, cops will be swarming all over the block
The Caller: Think so? Let's see. One...
[Stu ducks]
The Caller: Two. That won't help you. Three!
[fires gun and shoots a toy robot next to the phone booth - no one notices]
The Caller: [deadpan alarm] Oh Stu, look at everybody... Look at all the people screaming, Stu. Here come the cops. Sniper on the roof. Gunfire. Hit the deck.
Stu: What did I do to deserve this, huh? Why me?
The Caller: If you have to ask, then you're not ready to know yet.
The Caller: If only you had dealt with the man decently, this might not have been necessary.
Stu: I offered him money. I offered him my watch.
The Caller: But not your respect, which is what he really wanted. You were dismissive, just as you were to the nice pizza guy. You are guilty of inhumanity to your fellow man.
[the Caller phones Stu's girlfriend Pam]
Pamela McFadden: Hi, who's this?
The Caller: It's a good friend of Stu's. And he hasn't got many.
Pamela McFadden: You know Stu?
The Caller: I know he lies.
The Caller: You're in this position because you're not telling the truth.
Stu: No, I'm in this fucking position because YOU HAVE A GUN!
The Caller: [about Stu's wife, Kelly] You think she didn't know she was being watched.
Stu: What?
The Caller: But beautiful women always know. That false indifference, superior air. It's just a tease. They want eyes on them. Why does she put on her make up? Do her hair? Dress so nicely? Not for her husband which she hardly ever sees, no, it's for somebody else to notice... I notice.
Felicia:: Get done in there, gotta hit this trick spot before the next bitch take my score.
Stu: Look go away!
Felicia:: Go away? Hang up the fuckin' phone, nigger!
Stu: [Stu looks at Felicia and then close the booth]
Felicia:: This motherfucker! You don't eyeball me! Bitch!
[Felicia walks away]
Felicia:: Goddammit, man! You done made me hurt my dick hand.
Stu: Ooooh! I'm sure you're just as good with the other hand.
The Caller: You'd shoot me if you had the chance, wouldn't you?
Stu: With a big fucking smile on my face.
The Caller: There's the spirit.
The Caller: If this is true Stuart, then I have to take somebody with me don't I? And since Kelly is the most important thing in your life, I'll take her.
Stu: No, take me! I'm the fucking one you want! Take me!
[Stu is not answering The Caller]
The Caller: Stu, don't do this. Please, come on. My sainted mother used to do this. She used to dish this out... Stu, please don't this. Stu, you're bringing back my unhappy childhood. Stu, talk to me, please! Talk to me! I can't take it Stu... Ahh!
[the Caller laughs]
The Caller: I'm kidding. I had a very happy childhood.
The Caller: What they don't know, we do to them in our minds, isn't that right?
Stu: You sick fuck!
The Caller: Perfect violation.
Stu: [to Caller] Stay the fuck out of this
Capt. Ramey: Who do you keep talking to on the phone?
Stu: Nobody
Capt. Ramey: Your ah... your friend, your parent, your lover? Who?
The Caller: Careful, Stuart. Careful.
Stu: My psychiatrist.
The Caller: [laughs] Excellent! I should have thought of that.
Stu: I already told you this is a private conversation. Now, what the fuck do you want?
Capt. Ramey: I just want you to know, that it's safe outside the booth.
The Caller: No, it's not.
Stu: Always get out of the booth. I like in the fucking booth. It's my whole world now, this is my booth and I'm not coming out ever. You hear me? Never.
Capt. Ramey: Who's your lawyer?
Kelly Shepard: We don't have a lawyer.
Capt. Ramey: He specifically asked that his attorney be brought down here to negotiate his surrender.
Kelly Shepard: Well, we never needed one.
Capt. Ramey: Well, you need a good one now.
Stu: You shoot the guy, and I'm responsible?
The Caller: It looked that way from up here.
Stu: I don't know what I did to you, but whatever it was I'm glad. Alright, I wish it had been worse, I wish you had fucking died.
The Caller: Yes! Finally some honesty.
The Caller: There are rounds left in it.
Stu: I totally couldn't give a shit.
The Caller: What if I told you I was just above the theatre, four floors up? See the pink curtains? There you go Stuart yes... Yoohoo... Yoohoo.
[laughs]
Stu: Why did you do that?
The Caller: Because it's fun!
The Caller: The odds are even now Stu. Isn't that what you wanted? You know where I am and you have a gun. If you have it in you, you can take me down.
Stu: Fuck! They'll kill me before I can get a shot at you.
The Caller: Ah you're probably right. I wasn't really there anyway. You would've just spoiled some nice lady's curtains.
The Caller: Stu, you didn't tell your wife the truth, you're cheating.
Stu: I'm not cheating on Kelly! I never have!
The Caller: Oh, then what do you call it?
Stu: Look, you're a guy, sometimes you wanna know it's a possibility, alright? You know, it's like having a beautiful home, but you still dream of that quick vacation down there, you know, some nice hotel, a great view, I don't know, maybe a pool. But it's a just a fantasy because you'll never really leave home! Do you hear what I'm saying?
The Caller: [laughs] Kelly is a home and Pam is a motel. I'm sure they'll both appreciate that.
Stu: Oh, fuck you!
The Caller: Hey, that kind of language is uncalled for.
The Caller: And I wanted to fuck her.
Stu: And I wanted to sleep with her.
The Caller: No, and I wanted to fuck her. Say it. SAY IT!
Stu: And I wanted to fuck her. I'm sorry.
Kelly Shepard: Whatever you did, I don't care.
[Sobs sweetly]
Kelly Shepard: Please just... come out of the booth, OK?
Stu: That's all I did. That's all I did, I'm sorry.
[to the caller]
Stu: Alright, I've done what you asked. That's it. I've had enough of this game.
The Caller: I haven't.
Stu: You said you'd let us go.
The Caller: I changed my mind.
Stu: You miserable fuck! You can't do this... you can't do this to me. I took all your shit... I did everything you fucking asked.
[the Caller just starts laughing again]
Stu: Alright, you lied to me. I've had enough of this game. I've fucking had enough. You go fuck yourself. Later.
[Hangs up]
[Pam has just arrived at the scene]
The Caller: Looks like someone watches the news.
Stu: Who?
The Caller: [Referring to Pam] The motel.
Stu: Oh God.
The Caller: I think she could use a new headshot.
Stu: Don't!
The Caller: Then take down the gun!
Stu: Look, this has nothing to do with her!
The Caller: She has everything to do with this, Stuart! You're here because you called her, she's here because you called her, now take it down! Don't make me hurt Pam, Stuart, take down the gun.
[Stu begins to lift up the ceiling panel to get the gun planted there]
Stu: There's nothing there.
The Caller: Nothing but your fingerprints on the finest cop killer money can buy. Come on Stu, lets see it.

About Phone Booth (film)

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  • No, I actually had it first. It’s a long and winding road. What happened was, I was in post-production on 8mm and there was a bidding war for this script called Phone Booth. My agents called and told me that every studio and every producer were bidding on this hot script by Larry Cohen, and if Fox gets it they want me to do it with Mel Gibson. I read the script and loved it, but I had also written a script called Flawless and I’d found out that morning that De Niro was probably going to do it. So when Fox called me in, I said, ‘Look, I love you guys, I love this idea and I love Mel but I think my script is going to go ahead, so goodbye’. Then I went off and made Flawless and Tigerland. I’m not sure what happened during the two years that followed – Mel dropped out, I don’t know why. The Hughes Brothers had it for a while, Steve Gaghan was involved for a while, I heard Brad Pitt’s name for a while, Jim Carrey was in and out, Michael Bay and Will Smith had it for a long while…but I don’t know why any of that didn’t work out. When I finished filming Tigerland, I went back to Fox to edit and the head of Fox 2000 came to see me and told me they’d never gotten Phone Booth off the ground and wondered if I’d still be interested. I said sure, and that I had this great kid I found for Tigerland, Colin Farrell. They said ‘Colin who?’ and we went through all of that, and then Jim Carrey called, said he’d always been interested in Phone Booth and if I did it, he would do it. I didn’t really think it was Jim’s part; I actually thought Jim would be better as the caller. Having seen The Majestic, I think Jim was looking for a part where he could play an ordinary guy, not just play ‘Jim Carrey’. So we talked about doing the movie together but after a while he called me to say he had cold feet, which I understood because it never felt right to me, it didn’t feel like the right fit. By that time, I had Tigerland put together and we showed it at the Toronto Film Festival. It was so well-received, and the head people at Fox said, ‘Okay, we get it, Colin’s great. You can make Phone Booth with him but he’s still an unknown, Joel, so here’s a dollar to go make the movie.’ Which is why we ended up having a 12-day shooting schedule – it’s all we could afford.
  • Twice. Firstly because of September 11, and then because of the sniper attacks. But all these things that could have been minuses became pluses for us, because by the time the movie came out everyone knew who Colin was…and about his personal life and his ideas on dating! But Tigerland had got all these great reviews and Colin was named best actor of the year by the Boston film critics. At the time we made it, though, it was fair for the studio to say, ‘Here’s a very little amount of money’. They certainly didn’t know if a guy in a phone booth could work. If it was Tom Cruise in the phone booth, they would have slept better at night. Another way they sleep better at night is by giving you very little money to use, so it minimises their risk. But I think that’s fair.
  • Joel Schumacher [1]

Cast

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