Swimming with Sharks (1994) Poster

Kevin Spacey: Buddy Ackerman

Photos 

Quotes 

  • Buddy : Life is not a movie. Good guys lose, everybody lies, and love... does not conquer all.

  • Buddy : Look, I can appreciate this. I was young too, I felt just like you. Hated authority, hated all my bosses, thought they were full of shit. Look, it's like they say, if you're not a rebel by the age of 20, you got no heart, but if you haven't turned establishment by 30, you've got no brains. Because there are no story-book romances, no fairy-tale endings. So before you run out and change the world, ask yourself, "What do you really want?"

  • Buddy : If they can't start a meeting without you, well, that's a meeting worth going to, isn't it? And that's the only kind of meeting you should ever concern yourselves with.

  • Buddy : What, your job is unfair to you? Grow up, way it goes. People use you? Life's unfair? Grow up, way it goes. Your girlfriend doesn't love you? Tough shit, way it goes. Your wife gets raped and shot, and they leave their unfinished beers...

    [He begins to weep] 

    Buddy : ... their... their stinking longnecks just lying there on the gr - So be it. Way it goes.

  • Buddy : You're happy. I hate that!

  • Buddy : What I am concerned with is detail. I asked you go get me a packet of Sweet-N-Low. You bring me back Equal. That isn't what I asked for. That isn't what I wanted. That isn't what I needed and that shit isn't going to work around here.

    Guy : I, I just thought...

    Buddy : You thought. Do me a fucking favor. Shut up, listen, and learn. Look, I know that this is your first day and you don't really know how things work around here, so I will tell you. You have no brain. No judgement calls are necessary. What you think means nothing. What you feel means nothing. You are here for me. You are here to protect my interests and to serve my needs. So, while it may look like a little thing to you, when I ask for a packet of Sweet-N-Low, that's what I want. And it's your responsibility to see that I get what I want.

  • Buddy : Before you go out and change the world, you have to ask yourself, "What do you really want?"

  • Buddy : This is the only way that you can hope to survive. Because life... is not a movie. Everyone lies. Good guys lose. And love... does not conquer all.

  • Buddy : And now try to follow me, because I'm gonna be moving in a kind of circular motion, so if you pay attention, there will be a point!

  • Buddy : Loud and nasty, that's the only way it sticks, Dawn.

  • Buddy : No offense to you, but you are just an assistant. Now, granted, you're MY assistant, but still just an assistant. Dawn, on the other hand, is a producer. Her car phone bills are more than your rent. So, just how far do you think you'll get?

  • Buddy : Once you get past the "oops, he caught us" stage and realize we're both fucked, let me know, okay?

  • Buddy : Get me packed up, I gotta get to services.

    Guy : What services? Who died?

    Buddy : No one... yet. It's Yom Kippur, you idiot.

    Guy : Oh, I didn't realize Ackerman was a Jewish name.

    Buddy : It's Jewish enough, especially when the big players are involved. Besides, I have a sudden need to atone for my sins.

    [chuckles] 

  • Buddy : You are nothing! If you were in my toilet I wouldn't bother flushing it. My bathmat means more to me than you!

  • Buddy : Avoid women directors. They ovulate. Do you have any idea what that does to an three month shoot?

  • Buddy : You wanna talk big directors? Think Attenborough, think Spielberg, think Lean.

    Guy : Lean's dead.

    Buddy : No he's not, don't you ever say that. He's just unavailable.

  • Guy : I've handled the phones, I've juggled the bimbos, I, I've put up with the tyrants, the yellers, the screamers. I've done more than you can even imagine in that small mind of yours. I paid my dues!

    Guy : I didn't spend *one year*...

    Buddy : - and I spent ten!

  • Buddy : Out here, it's kill your parents, fuck your friends, and have a nice day.

  • [On the phone] 

    Buddy : Say this one time with me: "Would you like that in a pump or a loafer?"... Good. Now memorize it, because starting tomorrow, the only job that you're going to be able to get is selling SHOES!

  • Buddy : Oh, really? Well, what are we supposed to think? A young, eager producer comes up to the house of a top executive for a midnight rendezvous? She's right, Guy, it's not what you think. She's definitely not selling Girl Scout cookies!

  • Buddy : And when you're done with her, west lobby, tube dress, stiletto heels, hurry. Fetch!

  • Buddy : I told you, it's gotta be loud loud loud! The audience should feel their balls tremble, their ears should bleed!

See also

Release Dates | Official Sites | Company Credits | Filming & Production | Technical Specs


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