Life of a King (2013)

Cuba Gooding Jr.: Eugene

Photos 

Quotes 

• Eugene : [holding up chess piece]  This is a king. And this is your life. One mistake and it can be taken away.

• [first lines] 

  Searcy : [knocking over the king]  Wanna play again? Chance to get those cigarettes back.

  Eugene : I'm scared, man. I don't got too many friends on the outside. Not any more.

  Searcy : Just keep your eye on the end game. Everything'll fall into place.

  Eugene : I'm gonna miss you chess man.

  Searcy : Listen to me, Eugene. Every day you out there, you out there for me, and every other brother in here. 'Cuz I'm never gonna be out there again.

• Eugene : Chess is no different than life. These suburban kids, they know they get good grades, they go off to college. They know they'll own their own business some day - they envision the end-game. But poor kids don't think like that.

  Sheila King : Mr. Brown, I...

  Eugene : I was taught like that. I didn't see the end-game, and it cost me, man, it cost me big.

• Eugene : You are going to play on a computer and behave. You hear me? Now listen, no trash talkin', no cursing. Just play your game.

  Michelle : No trash talkin', no cursing? That *is* my game.

• Tahime : Why didn't you win it?

  Eugene : If I had your natural ability, I would have.

• Eugene : If you win, everybody does what they want for the rest of the period. But if I win, you learn a new game.

• Eugene : You want to find out? Now everybody to your seats. Sit down. What you shaking your head for Peanut?

• Eugene : Mrs. Sanders. Please. Your son has real talent. Just come watch him. I wasn't there for my children and I regret it every day of my life.