The Subject Was Roses (1968)

Martin Sheen: Timmy Cleary

Photos 

Quotes 

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Nettie Cleary : You don't look well.

  Timmy Cleary : Appearances are deceiving. I feel terrible.

• Timmy Cleary : [title]  The subject was roses.