The Ice Storm (1997)
Kevin Kline: Ben Hood
Photos
Quotes
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Ben Hood : Well, it's great that we can all be together. And this Thanksgiving, no yelling, no hysteria, especially with grandpa not here, although we miss him. So let's do it right and Wendy, why don't you say grace. You used to love to say grace. Remember?
Wendy Hood : Dear Lord, thank you for this Thanksgiving holiday. And for all the material possessions we have and enjoy. And for letting us white people kill all the Indians and steal their tribal lands. And stuff ourselves like pigs, even though children in Asia are being napalmed.
Ben Hood : Okay, okay. Jesus! Enough, alright? Paul, roll?
Paul Hood : Thank you.
Ben Hood : Can I have the gravy?
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Ben Hood : We were golfing. You know, golfing, to me, is something I'm *supposed* to enjoy. And I was on the goddamn golf team in college, so it's something one would assume I'd do well. I used to do well. But basically, these days, golfing for me is like hoeing... or plowing. It's like farming. And George Clair has obviously, in the mere two years since he's been with the firm, he's obviously been taking secret lessons with a golf pro. And I bet the entirety of his disposable income has been dedicated to humiliating me on the golf course. That guy talks nonstop throughout the entirety of the misery of the miserable 18 holes...
Janey Carver : Ben.
Ben Hood : On topics that are the supposed domain of my department.
Janey Carver : Ben.
Ben Hood : Yeah?
Janey Carver : You're boring me. I have a husband. I don't particularly feel the need for another.
Ben Hood : You have a point there. That's a very good point. We're having an affair. Right. An explicitly sexual relationship. Your needs, my needs. You're absolutely right.
Janey Carver : You better get dressed. The boys will be home soon.
Ben Hood : Gotcha.
[they both get out of bed]
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Ben Hood : Elena and l, we don't - we don't go in for those sort of histrionics. About the only big fight we've had in years was about whether or not to go back into couples therapy.
Janey Carver : It appears you won.
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Wendy Hood : Are you watching this?
Paul Hood : Watching what?
Wendy Hood : Nixon, dufus, its incredible, he should be shot.
Ben Hood : Hey. Drop the political assassination stuff please.
Wendy Hood : He's a liar.
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Ben Hood : Well, that's the whole point of the holidays, Paul. So you and your sister can mope around the house, and your mother and I can wait on your hand and foot, while the two of you occasionally grunt for more food from behind the hair in your faces. Believe it or not, we actually enjoy it.
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[attempting facts of life discussion]
Ben Hood : On the self-abuse front - and this is important - I don't think it's advisable to do it in the shower. It wastes water and electricity and because we all expect you to be doing it there in any case. And, not on... under the linen... Well... Anyway, if you're worried about anything at all, just feel free to ask and we'll look it up.
Paul Hood : Dad, you know I'm 16.
Ben Hood : Well, all the more reason to be having this little heart-to-heart.
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Mikey Carver : [quickly jumps off of being on top of Wendy after being interrupted by her father] "When Worlds Collide".
Wendy Hood : [wearing a Nixon mask] What?
Mikey Carver : 4:30 movie. "When Worlds Collide".
Ben Hood : What the hell are you kids doing down here?
Wendy Hood : What do you think we're doing, Dad?
Ben Hood : What do I think? I think you're probably... touching each other. I think... You're touching that reckless jerk-off for God's sake, and I think he's trying to get into your slacks! I think at 14 years of age, you're getting ready to give up you're girlhood!
Mikey Carver : Hey, hang on there, mister.
Ben Hood : Hey, don't you direct a single word at me, Mikey. I don't wanna hear it. I'll be discussing this matter with your parents very soon. Young lady.
Wendy Hood : Talking to me, Dad?
Ben Hood : Who else would I be talking to? And take that thing off!
Wendy Hood : [She takes the mask off] You can forget all this stern dad stuff.
Ben Hood : I'm not interested in your smart remarks right now, young lady. Let's go. Right now. You and I can discuss it on the walk home.
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Ben Hood : [Janey hands drink to Ben] Thanks. You having one?
Janey Carver : In a bit.
Ben Hood : [he leans his head onto Janey] You know, I think Elena might suspect something. Maybe, it's all for the better, you know?
[he starts unbuttoning his shirt]
Ben Hood : Yesterday at dinner, she - Well, she didn't say anything. Has she acted funny to you? Have you noticed anything?
[he takes his shirt off]
Janey Carver : Have I noticed anything?
Ben Hood : Mmm.
Janey Carver : I'm not married to her, Benjamin. You are. I think you've probably a better vantage point from which to observe her.
Ben Hood : Yeah, but... I've been working a lot lately and - No, that's not it. I... I guess maybe we're just on the verge of... saying something. Saying something to each other. On the verge.
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Janey Carver : I'll be back.
Ben Hood : Hmm?
Janey Carver : Birth control.
Ben Hood : Right. Gotcha.
[he drinks and takes his pants off leaving him wearing nothing but boxer shorts and socks. He heads to the bedroom doorway]
Ben Hood : Janey?
[hears car starting. He looks at the window through the blinds seeing that Janey is going somewhere leaving Ben all alone]
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Ben Hood : Your toes cold?
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Wendy Hood : Dad, stop it!
Ben Hood : Get to sleep, young lady. I mean it.
Wendy Hood : [opens bedroom door] Fascist.
Ben Hood : If I were a fascist, I would have sent you to one of those southern military academies a long time ago. Now, get to bed.
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Ben Hood : What's all that about? I mean, what the hell happened?
Janey Carver : A prior engagement overcame me.
Ben Hood : What?
Janey Carver : Listen, Benjamin Hood, I have obligations that precede your... From before you showed up. I mean one or two good natured encounters, that doesn't mean that I'm... I'm not just some toy for you. When I remembered some chores I wanted to get done before the party, I just did them, that's all. Because I wanted them to get them done before I saw Jimmy.
Ben Hood : Jimmy? Jimmy? I'm not sure how to take this. Wh-what do you mean Jimmy? I thought you and your husband had...
Janey Carver : How you take it isn't that all that interesting to me, Benjamin. I'm sorry.
Ben Hood : I just can't believe you could be so...
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Janey Carver : Oh, jeez, Benji. Well, here you are.
Ben Hood : Damn right. Where the hell are you?
Janey Carver : What are you talking about?
[she drinks her Martini]
Ben Hood : Don't bullshit me around, Janey. Jesus Christ. I've waited around for more than half an hour in nothing but my boxer shorts.
Dorothy Franklin : Ben. Janey.
Ben Hood : Oh, hi, Dorothy. Ted.
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Ben Hood : Elena, you know...
Elena Hood : Ben.
Ben Hood : I've been thinking...
Elena Hood : Ben, maybe no talking right now? If you start talking, you're going to...
[long kiss]
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Ben Hood : You develop a sense when you get older, if things are going to work out or if they won't, and sometimes it's not worth the mess.
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Ben Hood : Technically, it's not what you're thinking, Elena.
Elena Hood : Please have the decency to at least not tell me what I'm thinking.
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Ben Hood : Elena, you're just getting wound up to get wound up.
Elena Hood : So let's just go to this fiasco - if that's what you want. Let's just go on in. I'd rather talk to anyone else but you.
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Ben Hood : Say, where's the wife?
George Clair : In Rhode Island with the folks. I'm a free agent tonight.
