Maria Coughlin: He’s dangerous but sincere.
Nurse Paine: Sincerely dangerous.
Maria Coughlin: No, he’s dangerous *because* he’s sincere.

song-for-the-road:

Maria: Did you mean it would you mean it, would you marry me?
Matthew: Yes.
Maria: Not because you love me or anything like that? 
Matthew: I respect and admire you.
Maria: Isn’t that love? 
Matthew: No, that’s respect and admiration. I think that’s better than love.

Hal Hartley is god.

Maria: Can you stop watching TV for a minute?
Matthew: No.
Maria: Why?
Matthew: Because. I had a bad day at work. I had to subvert my principles and kow-tow to an idiot. Television makes these daily sacrifices possible. Deadens the inner core of my being.