Scenes from a Marriage (1974)

Erland Josephson: Johan

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Quotes 

• Marianne : Sometimes it grieves me that I've never loved anyone. I don't think I've ever been loved either. That distresses me.

  Johan : Now you're being dramatic.

  Marianne : Am I?

  Johan : I know what I feel. I love you in my selfish way. And I think you love me in your fussy, pestering way. We love each other in an earthly and imperfect way.

• Johan : However trite, it's the truth. We're emotional illiterates. We've been taught about anatomy and farming methods in Africa. We've learned mathematical formulas by heart. But we haven't been taught a thing about our souls. We're tremendously ignorant about what makes people tick.

• Marianne : I know why Katarina and Peter go through hell. They don't speak the same language. They have to translate everything into a common language.

  Johan : I think it's simpler than that.

  Marianne : You and I understand each other. We speak the same language. That's what makes us click.

  Johan : I think it's the money.

• Johan : [at a dinner party with friends]  Listen to this: "Marianne's eyes are as blue as a folk song and are lit up form within. When I ask her how she copes with it all, she smiles in shy delight and replies that she and Johan both pitch in." Which happens to be true. "'We understand each other,' she replies, brightening as Johan sits down next to her on the heirloom sofa. Proactively, he puts his arm around her, eliciting a smile." Here comes the best bit. "As I take my leave, I notice how they secretly appreciate that fact so they can bask in each other's presence once more. Two souls who have matured together sharing a positive outlook, yet never forgetting to put love in the forefront."

  Marianne : We were mortified when we read it.

  Johan : I considered taking action, but our mothers adored the piece.

• Marianne : We were accepted as a couple and got married six months later.

  Johan : By that time we were in love.

  Marianne : Madly in love.

  Johan : People saw us as the perfect couple.

  Marianne : And it's been that way ever since.

• Fru Palm, Journalist : So, how would you describe yourselves in a few words?

  Johan : That's tricky.

  Fru Palm, Journalist : Is it?

  Johan : I might give you the wrong impression.

  Fru Palm, Journalist : You think so?

  Johan : It sounds cocky if I say I'm bright, youthful, successful and sexy. My mind has a global scope, I'm educated and I'm a great mixer. What else? I'm a good friend, even to those less fortunate than myself. I'm sporty, and I'm a good father and a good son. I don't have any debts, and I pay my taxes. I respect our government, no matter what. I love our royal family. I don't belong to the state church. Is that good, or do you want more details? I'm a fantastic lover. Isn't that right, Marianne?

  Fru Palm, Journalist : Maybe we should skip that question. Your turn, Marianne.

  Marianne : What can I say? I'm married to Johan and we have two daughters. I can't think of anything else.

  Fru Palm, Journalist : Sure you can.

  Marianne : I think Johan is very nice.

  Johan : How kind of you.

  Marianne : We've been married for ten years.

  Johan : Yes, I just renewed the contract.

  Marianne : I lack Johan's boundless self-assurance, but in all honesty, I'm happy I lead the life I do. It's a good life, if you know what I mean. What else should I say? This is difficult.

  Johan : She has a great figure.

• Marianne : You were right, but so was I. If you don't want to wear a tuxedo, that's your business. I agree. But if I think you should get a new tux, then I have the right to say so.

  Johan : I don't like tuxedos. I hate wearing a tuxedo. It's a ridiculous getup. I feel like a dressed-up chimpanzee.

  Marianne : Yes, you told me that. Let's not quarrel. I love you, even if you won't wear a tux. It's hardly essential to our marriage.

• Marianne : Don't I give you enough affection?

  Johan : Affection takes time.

  Marianne : Then you don't get enough.

  Johan : We don't get enough. Or give enough.

  Marianne : That's why I wanted us to go away this summer.

  Johan : Affection shouldn't be kept just for vacations.

  Marianne : You're nice - for a moron.

  Johan : It's lucky I'm married to you, then.

  Marianne : You have moments of greatness, interspersed with sheer mediocrity.

  Johan : I'm sure that's true.

• Johan : Her frankness can be quite unpleasant. I would prefer not to know anything, but she insists on giving me the details of her erotic past. Which is trying, since I suffer from retrospective jealousy.

• Marianne : Are you good together in bed?

  Johan : Yes, we are, actually. At first it was awful. I wasn't used to it. Being with other women, I mean. I guess you and I have spoiled each other. You and I have taken refuge in a hermetically sealed existence. Everything's been orderly, and it's all gone like clockwork. But the lack of oxygen has smothered us.

  Marianne : And now your little *Paula* will revive you?

• Johan : I don't posses much self-knowledge, and I know very little about reality, in spite of all the books I've read. But I believe that this catastrophe is the chance of a lifetime.

• Johan : I'll be 45 this summer. I can expect to live another 30 years. Viewed objectively, I'm dead weight. I'll spend the next 20 years being a damn nuisance. I'm an expensive, unproductive unit that ought to be eliminated. And I'm supposed to be in my prime, brimming with experience. But it's, "Throw the loser out. Let him out!" I'm so goddamn tired. I hardly know who I am. Someone spat on me and now I'm drowning in the spittle.

• Marianne : I wanted to have sex with you today to see if I felt anything. All I felt was lukewarm affection. You know what? I think I'm breaking free at last. It's taken a long time and it's been very painful, but I'm free of you now to start my own life, and it feels absolutely wonderful.

  Johan : Allow me to congratulate you.

• Johan : When did you meet?

  Marianne : A few years ago. To be frank, it was a sexual affair.

  Johan : I see.

  Marianne : Henrik is very - how should I put this? Convincing in that respect. He really enjoys sex. And he made me realize that I felt the same way. I wasn't all that keen on it before.

  Johan : So I remember.

• Johan : One thing gets me: My eyes didn't get a mention. Don't they shine with a secret light?

  Katarina : They're more like dark pools. The effect is quite sexy.

• Marianne : We hurt each other for no reason and the barbs are still there when we go to bed. It's like lying on a bed of nails. What are you laughing at?

  Johan : The bed of nails bit.

  Marianne : Go on and laugh, then.

  Johan : Let's go to bed.

• Johan : You suffer from devastatingly high standards. We've often joked and argued about it. But can't our poor sex life be spared your ambitions?

  Marianne : Why won't you cut me some slack? First you attack me for not trying and then for making the effort.

• Johan : Sometimes I wonder why we complicate this problem so awfully. Making love is pretty basic. It shouldn't be a huge, overshadowing issue. It's your mother's fault, if you ask me, though you don't like my saying so.

  Marianne : What a superficial analysis.

  Johan : Don't be a sourpuss. I'm being nice.

• Marianne : Sex isn't everything, after all. If you're not satisfied, go find yourself a mistress who's more imaginative and exciting. I do my best, I assure you. There we have it.

  Johan : There we have it.

• Johan : I'd spent the day with that zombie from the ministry. It makes you wonder about the idiots in charge of our well-being.

• Johan : All these words I'm spouting are just empty talk. I don't imagine for one minute that I've touched on the truth about us. I don't think there is such a thing as the truth.

• Johan : Here are two pictures of her. That one was taken two years ago, when she was on vacation. The passport picture was taken two weeks ago. It's a good likeness.

  Marianne : She has a lovely figure. And lovely breasts. Right?

  Johan : Yes, she has lovely breasts.

  Marianne : Does she dye her hair?

  Johan : It's possible.

  Marianne : What a nice smile. How old is she?

  Johan : Twenty-three

• Marianne : I wonder what I did to cause the breach between us. I know it's a childish way of thinking, but there you are. What did I do wrong?

  Johan : Why not ask a psychiatrist?

  Marianne : I see one several times a week. Sometimes we meet in private.

  Johan : Is he your lover?

  Marianne : We did have sex a few times, but it was no good. So we stopped that and devoted ourselves to my soul instead.

  Johan : What have you learned?

  Marianne : Nothing.

• Johan : What do you think?

  Marianne : I'm not sure what I think.

• Johan : There is such a thing as simple affection. To say nothing of sensuousness. And physical desire. In your case, that's all blocked.

• Marianne : Give me a kiss. I want you to.

  Johan : [kiss]  Was it what you expected?

  Marianne : Much better. Now put your hand on my breast.

  Johan : Are you seducing me?

  Marianne : That's right. Right here on the carpet, right now. Doesn't that sound like fun?

• Marianne : Come lie on top of me. Mmm. People should make love on the floor more often. Johan, lock the door.

  Johan : No one will walk in on us.

  Marianne : You never know. I'm kind of a prude. Lock the door.

• Marianne : Is it wise to take your slacks off with a cold like that?

  Johan : You can keep me warm.

  Marianne : So you don't freeze your thing off.

• Johan : I'm giving you a straight answer. I was tied to you more profoundly than I realized.

• Johan : Think of the awareness we've gained. It's magnificent. Almost fantastic. We've discovered ourselves. It's unbelievable. One faces up to his insignificance, the other, to her greatness. Here we are, bad-mouthing our spouses. They're almost right here in this room with us. It's mental group sex to the max!

• Johan : Do you really think I care about your orgasms with that workaholic? I applaud your emancipation. Most impressive. You should write a novel. The Women's Lib movement would rejoice.

  Marianne : I hope you're not as stupid as you sound.

• Johan : I can't abide this cold light directed on my every endeavor. How I battle with futility. I console myself with the thought that life is what you make of it. But it's of no comfort. I want something to long for.

• Johan : Promise me: no more intimate truths tonight.

  Marianne : I promise.

  Johan : Promise me you won't mention that orgasmic athlete again.

  Marianne : Not a word.

  Johan : Promise to rein in your awful levelheadedness.

  Marianne : That will be difficult, but I'll try.

  Johan : Could you possibly - I say possibly - use your boundless feminine powers sparingly?

  Marianne : I see that I'll have to.

  Johan : All right, then. Let's go to bed.

• Marianne : The second I entered the theater, I saw you sitting there all alone. You looked so lonely. It seemed natural to pounce on you.

  Johan : I was terribly pleased.

  Marianne : So was I.

  Johan : You said, "Let's go."

  Marianne : And you blushed.

  Johan : No wonder. I had such a hard-on.

  Marianne : You got me pretty hot too.