Drinking the sand...

[mcscajun]

If we ever come out the other side of this darkness, people are going to one day speak Aaron Sorkin's name in the same breath with Paddy Chayefsky; both have written prescient works.

Lewis: "People want leadership, Mr. President, and in the absence of genuine leadership, they'll listen to anyone who steps up to the microphone. They want leadership. They're so thirsty for it they'll crawl through the desert toward a mirage, and when they discover there's no water, they'll drink the sand."

President Andrew Shepherd: "Lewis, we've had presidents who were beloved, who couldn't find a coherent sentence with two hands and a flashlight. People don't drink the sand because they're thirsty. They drink the sand because they don't know the difference."

Forget the Kool-Aid metaphors; they're so Last Century, pre-9/11, and mythically American. We've got problems with the Sand Drinkers now.

[Sydnie]

1. One of the best bits of dialog ever written

and masterfully played. That scene flashes through my head at least once a week. I have the DVD sitting about 3 feet from me right now and I watch it often for that scene and a few others as well.

[babylonsister]

2. Sounds like? Let me guess: West Wing. Sorkin. Right? I never

got hooked on it.

[mcscajun]

3. Sorkin, yes. West Wing, no.

The American President

[babylonsister]

5. Jeeze, I only saw it once. Note to self: re-rent it. nt

[mcscajun]

6. One of my favorite films...and Sorkin was so "itchy" to pursue

the themes he'd raised in The American President, that he created The West Wing. You'll hear echoes of the movie in the first season of the TV series. Grab the pilot episodes somehow and give it another try.

[babylonsister]

7. Thanks! I know my sister loved it. Will do. nt

[Sydnie]

8. You MUST

One of the best films about the politics of politics EVER! (If that makes sense LOL )

[Wonk]

4. The American President (1995)

Directed by Rob Reiner, written by Aaron Sorkin.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112346/quotes