Fireproof (2008)

Ken Bevel: Michael Simmons

Photos 

Quotes 

• Michael Simmons : But just remember--a woman's like a rose: if you treat her right, she'll bloom; if you don't, she'll wilt.

  Caleb Holt : Where'd you get that?

  Michael Simmons : Counseling.

• Latasha Brown : Honey, I agree with you. You gotta get out. He don't deserve you.

  Deidra Harris : You can say that again. A real man's got to be a hero to his wife before he can be to anybody else, or he ain't a real man.

  Ashley Phillips : Catherine, do you need a place to stay? I can't imagine living in the same house as that man.

  Catherine Holt : No, I decided last night that I am not the one who's leaving. He's the problem, not me.

  Deidra Harris : That's right, girl, stand your ground. Make him respect you. If there's one thing a man understands...

  Caleb Holt : [Cuts to Caleb and Michael, discussing the same situation]  ... .it's respect. That's the issue. That's the reason our marriage is failing. She shows me no respect at all. And the saddest part about it is...

  Catherine Holt : [Cuts back to Catherine and her group of friends]  He doesn't have a clue. He thinks our marriage has been fine for the most part. You know, he probably thinks...

  Caleb Holt : [Cuts to Caleb and Michael]  Our marriage has been fine until this year. Now all of a sudden she goes off the deep end.

  Michael Simmons : Do you really think this happened all of a sudden?

  Caleb Holt : I don't know what to think. I don't understand her. She's emotional about everything, she's easily offended, and way too sensitive.

  Catherine Holt : [Cuts to Catherine, starting to sob]  I mean, he's so insensitive. You know, he doesn't truly care how I feel, he doesn't listen to me. Even if I say it over and over and over again.

  Caleb Holt : [Cuts to Caleb and Michael]  And then she starts nagging me and saying I don't listen to her... or something like that. It drives me crazy. I feel like I'm going...

  Catherine Holt : [Cuts to Catherine]  Insane. You know, he doesn't understand my needs. It feels like we are completely and totally...

  Caleb Holt : [Cuts to Caleb and Michael]  Incompatible. She's probably whining to her friends, making me sound like a criminal. I can see them all right now: crying, having some sort of group hug.

  Latasha Brown : [Cuts back to the women crowded around Catherine, comforting her, giving her a group hug]  It's gonna be OK, sweetie. It's gonna be all right.

  Ashley Phillips : You'll get through this.

  Deidra Harris : We have your back. Whatever you want. Whatever you need. Whatever you need.

  Michael Simmons : [Cuts to Caleb and Michael]  So, you think it's past the point of no return?

  Caleb Holt : I don't have a reason to return.

• Michael Simmons : 40 days? Does Catherine know?

  Caleb Holt : I'm not gonna tell her. If she wants to go ahead and file, it's up to her.

  Michael Simmons : Divorce is a hard thing, man.

  Caleb Holt : Well, if it brings peace...

  Michael Simmons : But Caleb, you want the right kind of peace.

  Caleb Holt : What do you mean by that?

  Michael Simmons : You know what that ring on your finger means?

  Caleb Holt : It means I'm married.

  Michael Simmons : Yeah, well, it also means you made a lifelong covenant by putting on that ring, by saying your vows. The sad part about it is when most people promise for better or for worse, they really only mean for the better.

  Caleb Holt : Catherine and I were in love when we got married. Today we're two very different people, all right? It's just not working out anymore.

  Michael Simmons : Caleb, salt and pepper are completely different. Their makeup is different; their taste and their color. But you always see 'em together. And when you... Hang on a second.

  [Michael glues a salt and pepper shaker together] 

  Caleb Holt : What are you doing? Michael, what did you do that for?

  Michael Simmons : Caleb, when two people get married, it's for better or for worse, for richer or for poor, in sickness and in health.

  Caleb Holt : I know that. But marriages aren't fireproof. Sometimes you get burned.

  Michael Simmons : Fireproof doesn't mean a fire will never come, but that when it comes you'll be able to withstand it.

  Caleb Holt : You didn't have to glue them together.

  [Caleb picks up the shakers and starts trying to force them apart] 

  Michael Simmons : Don't do it, Caleb. If you pull them apart now, you'll break either one or both of them.

  Caleb Holt : I am not a perfect person, but better than most. And if my marriage is failing, it is not all my fault.

  Michael Simmons : But, Caleb, man, I've seen you run into a burning building to save people you don't even know. But you're gonna let your own marriage just burn to the ground.

  Caleb Holt : Michael, you are my friend. And I have allowed you to speak freely to me on this job. Don't abuse it.

• Caleb Holt : What? You were married to someone before Tina?

  Michael Simmons : For one whole year. I got married for the wrong reasons, then I turned around and got a divorce for the wrong reasons. Man, I thought I was just following my heart.

  Caleb Holt : Michael, I have worked with you for 5 years. You've never told me that.

  Michael Simmons : Because I'm not proud of it! It was before I gave my life to the Lord. Man, I was only concerned about my rights and my needs. Man, I ruined her life. But when I gave my life to God, I tried to find her but she'd already remarried. So believe me when I tell you I got a big scar. Man, God meant marriage to be for life. That's why you gotta keep your vows to Catherine. You gotta beg God to teach you to be a good husband. And don't just follow your heart, man; 'cause your heart can be deceived. But you gotta lead your heart.