The Whales of August (1987)

Vincent Price: Mr. Maranov

Photos 

Quotes 

• Mr. Maranov : [recounting his mother, in the time of Imperial Russia]  She said, "Nikolai, our Empress is gone. There will no longer be any use for any of us. You must leave me now and go into the world." Then she handed me a handkerchief - in which she had wrapped all of her remaining jewelry. She made me take it. My mother kissed me and said, "Use my treasure for your needs, my son, but in the end, be able to say that it was well spent."

• Sarah Webber : It must take great courage to go on alone.

  Mr. Maranov : No, not courage, my dear, nothing so heroic as that. Merely a considerable investment of will.

• Mr. Maranov : I've learned one thing from life, Mrs. Strong: to expect nothing.

• Mr. Maranov : I have once again been set adrift.

  Sarah Webber : Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Maranov.

  Mr. Maranov : Oh, you needn't be, my dear. I have often been adrift - but I have always stayed afloat.

  Sarah Webber : But all these years, what have you done?

  Mr. Maranov : [pauses to reflect]  I have spent my life... visiting friends.

• Mr. Maranov : Your sister is a remarkable woman. She does not make small talk.

  Sarah Webber : She's unforgivable.

  Mr. Maranov : No, I should not have intruded on you this morning.

  Sarah Webber : Nonsense.

  Mr. Maranov : No, truth. Huh huh. No, I was following an instinct of many years and your very astute sister recognized it. I have once again been set adrift.

  Sarah Webber : Oh, I'm sorry Mr. Maranov.

  Mr. Maranov : Oh, you needn't be my dear. I have often been adrift, but I have always stayed afloat.

  Sarah Webber : But, all these years, what have you done?

  Mr. Maranov : [pauses to contemplate]  I have spent my life... visiting friends.

  Sarah Webber : Oh, you've been free - I envy you.

  Mr. Maranov : [laughing]  I have found you out: you are a romanticist.

  Sarah Webber : Do you think one can live too long?

  Mr. Maranov : Life can never be too long.

  Sarah Webber : Even if one outlives one's time?

  Mr. Maranov : One's time is all one's time, even to the end.

  [motions/looks to the beach and ocean] 

  Mr. Maranov : You see out there, how the moon casts its silver coins along the shore? There is a treasure that can *never* be spent... Well, I must be on my way.

  Sarah Webber : Will I see you in the morning?

  Mr. Maranov : No, I think it is better if you do not. You have given me an evening of rare pleasure Mrs. Webber, and I shall treasure its memory.

  Sarah Webber : Well, you will always be my welcome guest.

  Mr. Maranov : Sleep well my dear... you have your rendezvous with the Leviathans, and it would not do to keep them waiting.

• Sarah Webber : Do you think one can live too long?

  Mr. Maranov : Life can never be too long.

  Sarah Webber : Even if one outlives one's time?

  Mr. Maranov : One's time is all one's time, even to the end. You see out there, how the moon casts its silver treasures along the shore? There is a treasure that can *never* be spent.