The War (1994)

Kevin Costner: Stephen Simmons

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Quotes 

• Stu : I hope you know them's the kids who just beat me up.

  Stephen : I know who they are son.

  Stu : Then why'd you give them Ma and Lidia's cotton candy?

  Stephen : Because they look like that hadn't been given anything in a long time.

• Stephen : Boy, sometimes all it takes is a split second for you to do something you'll regret the whole rest of your life.

• Stephen : Well I don't want our kids growing up thinking there powerless because of me. Everything they do in this world has a consequence. Our children still believe in miracles. They still believe anything is possible. As long as they believe like that, they're gonna be something. They're gonna make a difference in the world... that means I made a difference.

• Stephen : I can't tell you never to fight, Stu. But if you want to know what I think, I think the only thing that keeps people truly safe and happy is love. I think that's where men get their courage. That's where countries get their strength. That's where God grants us our miracles. And in the absence of love, Stuart, there is nothing, nothing in this world worth fighting for.

• Mrs. Higgins : Think you can make anymore damn noise, what that damn car of yours?

  Stephen : Sorry, Mrs. Higgins.

  Mrs. Higgins : And stop trying to look through my dress, and see my nipples.

• Stephen : You otta call um the Limpkickies.

  Stu : I like the Limpdickies.

• Stephen : Lidia hit him in the face with a rock? I think I'm gonna have to have a talk with that girl. Is she doing anything else I should know about?

  Stu : Well yeah. She's doing a lot of things. But I don't think you should know about them.

• Stu : What the hell. Dad. He's hitting our car.

  Stephen : I see that.

• Lidia : Dad, how come you and Mom don't talk no more?

  Stephen : Well, I been gone a long time Lidia, we just giving each other other a little space right now.

  Lidia : Well you better start crowding her, Dad! You gotta put your arms around the woman every once in a while or she's gonna think you don't like her no more!

  [pause] 

  Lidia : Now, I'm giving you this advice cause I can see that you just don't know what you're doing.

  Stephen : Well, I'm gonna take that to heart.

• Stephen : I'm afraid I can't allow you to put your hands on my son. You don't see me correcting your children. I don't mind so much you plowing into my car and I don't take offense at you calling me names. But you go after my child, you're going to push a button on me and then I'm going to lose control and kill you. Now apologize to my son.

  Mr. Lipnicki : I apologize.

  Stephen : That's mighty kind of you. My son has something to tell you. Apologize to Mr. Lipnicky, Stu. Tell him you're sorry for insulting him.

  Stu : I'm sorry, Mr. Lipnicki.

• Stephen : They let me go from that job today.

  Lois : What? Why? Hadn't even been a week!

  Stephen : Somewhere or another, they found out I spent time in that mental hospital.

  Lois : Well, did you tell them you went into that hospital voluntary for nightmares?

  Stephen : Nothing personal, they said. Law says you can't work for the city or state within the vicinity of children if you've spent time in a mental hospital or corrective institution.

  Lois : It's on account of our government that you wound up in that place, and now they're turning you down for work like you're some kind of criminal or something? What is that? Well... we still got my jobs, and we can get food stamps...

  Stephen : Food stamps? God bless America. They give you a handout before they give you a job.