10 Top Sean Penn Movie Quotes: ‘Milk,’ ‘Mystic River,’ ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’ (Video)
The two-time Oscar winner doesn’t say much in action-packed “Gunman,” but these lines are classics
Jeff Sneider | March 20, 2015 @ 12:43 PM
Last Updated: March 21, 2015 @ 11:04 AM
TheWrap introduces a fun new series of sorts, picking actors’ Top 10 movie quotes. What are the famous lines that fans will quote decades from now and that these actors will be remembered by?
We’re kicking off the weekly trip down memory lane with Sean Penn, who co-wrote and stars in the international action-thriller “The Gunman,” which opens Friday. Penn is the rare movie star who may be more quotable in real life than on the big screen, but regardless, we had to make some hard choices.
There were some tough omissions from “Carlito’s Way,” 21 Grams,” “Sweet and Lowdown” and Penn’s early hit “Bad Boys,” but in the end, we were limited to 10 quotes from 10 different movies, not counting our exceptionally quotable top choice.
If there’s a line we missed, let us know in the comments section below. And if you haven’t seen some of these movies, be sure to catch up on Penn’s catalogue of classics.
Penn won his second Oscar for his heartbreaking performance as iconic gay rights activist Harvey Milk in Gus Van Sant’s drama, which also won an Oscar for its original screenplay written by Dustin Lance Black. As a crusader for change, Milk’s powerful speeches gave Penn plenty of opportunities to shine.
2.MYSTIC RIVER – “Is that my daughter in there?”
Penn won his first Oscar for his devastating performance as an ex-con whose daughter is brutally murdered. Penn conveys appropriate grief as a shattered father desperate for revenge. And his Boston accent isn’t half bad either.
3. THE THIN RED LINE – “What difference do you think you can make, one man in all this madness?”
There’s a certain poetry to Terrence Malick’s screenplays, and this three-hour war drama allows Penn to recite philosophical dialogue about men and war and other macho themes in a hushed, haunted tone that would make Hemingway smile.
Jeff Spicoli is one of Penn’s earliest and most famous characters, but the perpetually-stoned surfer didn’t really have a signature phrase of dialogue. While this selection narrowly beat out “Aloha, Mr. Hand,” his line delivery here is too perfect to overlook.
Editor’s Pick for Honorable Mention: The Pizza Delivery Scene – “If I’M here and YOU’RE here doesn’t that make it OUR time?”
5. DEAD MAN WALKING – “Thank you for loving me.”
Penn earned his first Oscar nomination for playing Matthew Poncelet, a death row inmate who strikes up a special friendship with a nun, played by Susan Sarandon. Penn’s powerhouse performance helps us sympathize with a murderer, a pretty impressive feat.
6. I AM SAM – “You don’t know what it’s like when you try, and you try, and you try, and you try, and you don’t ever get there!”
Penn earned his third Oscar nomination for this tearjerker about a man with a developmental disability who must care for precocious 7-year-old daughter, played by Dakota Fanning. Penn tackles a challenging role with grace and humanity, and some of his scenes with Michelle Pfeiffer sparkle.
7. THE GAME – “What do you get for the man who has everything?”
In one of his best supporting turns, Penn plays Michael Douglas‘ younger brother in David Fincher’s twisted thriller. Penn constantly keeps the audience guessing and despite a 16-year age gap with Douglas, the duo muster solid chemistry as estranged siblings.
8. CASUALTIES OF WAR – “This is a weapon, this is a gun. This is for fighting, this is for fun.”
Penn stood out as Sergeant Tony Meserve, a troubled soldier who orders his unit to kidnap a Vietnamese girl to be their sex slave and ostracize Max Erikkson (Michael J. Fox) when he expresses reservations. Penn’s performance inspired his co-stars to bring their A-games to Brian De Palma’s 1989 drama.
9. THIS MUST BE THE PLACE – “I’m not trying to find myself. I’m in New Mexico, not India.”
Penn does a great Robert Smith impression as a bored rock star tracking down a former Nazi who persecuted his father during the Holocaust. Despite the loud hair and makeup, it’s a low-key turn for Penn, who deftly balances humor and pathos.
10. GANGSTER SQUAD- “Back East I was a gangster; out here, I’m God.”
Penn may have chewed up all of the Los Angeles scenery in Ruben Fleischer’s period movie, but he was also the film’s heart and soul as bad-ass crime boss Mickey Cohen, who seems to always have a zinger at the ready.
Party Report in Pictures: Sean Penn, Charlize Theron Bolt from Obama to 'The Gunman' Premiere (Photos)
Late President Obama at Jimmy Kimmel (the #1 guest) almost made Sean Penn and Charlize Theron miss Open Road's "The Gunman" premiere at L.A.Live. The Bourne-esque action flick opens next Friday, March 20.
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No Lords, only Princesses: "Downton Abbey" Exec Producers Gareth Neame and creator Julian Fellowes welcomed Princess Kate to the Season 6 set in London on Thursday.
Carnival Films
The fake Kate would never be "downstairs". Word is, the Princess is a big "Downton" fan.
Carnival Films
As if dominating the U.S. primetime landscape was not enough, "CSI" pulled off the largest TV Drama Simulcast ever, broadcasting to 171 countries at the same time. Jerry Bruckheimer, Anthony Zuiker and Jonathan Littman picked up their Guinness World Record Certificate.
Bruce Dern, $500 million box office man Clint Eastwood, and Bill Paxton went to the Valley this weekend - Sun Valley (Idaho). Clint got the "Lifetime Vision Award" at the 4th annual fest.
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Jim Rash, Will McCormack, and Nat Faxon hosted a screenwriters lab.
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On Saturday night, Paleyfest had a "Comedy Central" homecoming with "Key & Peele," "Broad City," "Kroll Show," "Workaholics," and "Review". Next Saturday night, Comedy Central tapes the #BieberRoast.
Rob Latour for Paley Center for Media
Lenny Kravitz hasn't just been crafting new versions of "I Kissed a Girl". He's also designed a $24,500 Leica camera. Shooting the photographers that shoot him, "shooting what's in front of me," he said, his exhibit "Flash" debuted on Beverly Blvd. on Thursday night. Photographer Alex Berliner welcomed him to the fold.
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Minnie Driver and Denzel Washington came out to support Kravitz's photo exhibit, which will remain up through April 12.
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The "Seinfeld" men reunited at Jerry's "Fatherhood" lunch at the Palm in Beverly Hills on Wednesday, the first time he's hosted the male-celebrity driven daytime event in L.A. It benefits his wife Jessica's Baby Buggy charity.
Michael Buckner
Dax Shepard, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jason Bateman and Judd Apatow, who loves the social scene, at Seinfeld's lunch.
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Then and Now: Seinfeld and man-of-the-moment/two time father Kevin Hart. They raised $250,000 before it got dark out on Wednesday.
Jason Kempin
The summer camp legacy of Paul Newman at Lincoln Center, Comedy Central's philanthropic night nearby on the upper west side, and a newly minted Oscar winner highlight the party circuit as March begins.
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George Clooney and Meryl Streep cheered Paul Newman's legacy for launching children to "reach beyond their illness" at the fundraiser for the SeriousFun Children's Network at Lincoln Center on Monday night.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for SeriousFun Children's Network
Danny DeVito graced the same stage where Aloe Blacc and Carole King performed inside Avery Fisher Hall.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for SeriousFun Children's Network
Aloe Blacc ("I Need a Dollar") fronts the all-star backup dancers of Streep, Clooney, and Hanks.
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Unless you are the star (Chris Hardwick), or a star in general (Molly C. Quinn, bottom left; and Robbie Amell, bottom right), you had to wear nerd glasses to the party in Venice for the launch of Hardwick's Nerdist App for the Xbox One on Monday night. Felicia Day and Garfunkel and Oates surround the main man (top center).
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No Princes, Only Kings. Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn and Disney CEO Bob Iger are hoping that "Cinderella" turns in to a box office winner at the stroke of midnight on March 13. The two studio royals attended the Hollywood premiere on Sunday.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney
Earlier in the weekend, new Oscar winner Patricia Arquette came from the Noble Awards at the Beverly Hilton to Nylon's Spring Issue party at Blind Dragon (the old Chi Lin, next to Riva Bella). Rita Ora followed up her cover by "hosting" the tight-listed event.
Jason Kempin/Wireimage
Meanwhile in New York, Comedy Central's "Night of Too Many Stars" taping on Saturday night brought out Louis C.K., Sarah Silverman, Jon Stewart, Paul Rudd (left) and Tommy Hilfiger (right) amongst others. The comedy special airs this Sunday, March 8.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
After the taping, they partied "under the whale" at the Museum of Natural History.
Mike Coppola
Comedy Central midas-toucher Kent Alterman and Natasha Leggero huddle up with wine at the after party.
Mike Coppola
This crowd is adding to the millions raised for autism education and programs: Dee Ocleppo, Hilfiger (who bid on Chris Rock to instantly shill for his underwear line), Paul Rudd, Bill Burr, Amy Schumer, and sister Kimberly Schumer.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Comedy Central
Robert Smigel and President of Comedy Central Michele Ganeless
Mike Coppola
Comedy collaborators Larry Wilmore and Rudd ("I Love You Man") are still having fun together.
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The "Weird Al" Yankovic renasissance continues - still popular!
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An updating gallery from Inside and backstage the best industry parties of the week with Hollywood stars and industry influencers
Late President Obama at Jimmy Kimmel (the #1 guest) almost made Sean Penn and Charlize Theron miss Open Road's "The Gunman" premiere at L.A.Live. The Bourne-esque action flick opens next Friday, March 20.