Scenes from a Marriage (1973)

Erland Josephson: Johan

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Quotes 

• Johan : 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 : Are we living in utter confusion?

  Johan : You and I?

  Marianne : No, all of us.

  Johan : What do you mean?

  Marianne : I'm talking about fear, uncertainty and ignorance.Do you think that secretly we're afraid we're slipping downhill and don't know what to do?

  Johan : Yes, I think so.

  Marianne : Is it too late?

  Johan : Yes. But we shouldn't say things like that. Only think them.

  Marianne : Have we missed something important?

  Johan : All of us?

  Marianne : Yes...

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

• Marianne : Sometimes you ask such goddamn silly questions.

  Johan : Sorry. Are you angry with me?

  Marianne : I'm not angry, but I'm on the verge of tears. The trouble with me is that I can't get angry. I wish that for once in my life I could really lose my temper, as I sometimes feel I have every right to. I think it would change my life. But that's not the point. You spoke earlier about loneliness. That bit about being strong on your own. I don't believe in your gospel of isolation.I think it's a sign of weakness.

  Johan : What's wrong, Marianne?

  Marianne : It's so... humbling.

  Johan : What's humbling?

  Marianne : I think about you... and I think about myself and about the future. I can't see how you're going to cope without me. Sometimes I think in desperation, "I must look after Johan. He's my responsibility. It's up to me to make sure he's all right. That's the only our lives will be worthwhile."

  Marianne : I don't believe people are strong all on their own. You have to have someone's hand to hold.

• Johan : You need to put a lot of effort into not caring.

• Johan : I don't know what my love looks like, and I can't describe it. Most of the time I can't feel it.

• Marianne : I felt inadequate at work and at home, and I was a washout in bed too. I was hedged in by all the griping and endless demands! Goddamn you! Was it so strange that I used sex for leverage? I was outnumbered, having to fight you, both sets of parents and society! When I think about what I endured, I could scream! I tell you this: never again! You sit there whining about conspiracies. Well, it serves you right! I hope you'll have it rammed down your throat that you're a useless parasite.

  Johan : You're being utterly grotesque!

  Marianne : So what? That's what I've become!