In Defending Your Life (1991), Albert Brooks (who also wrote and directed the film) portrays Daniel Miller, a recently deceased man navigating an unexpected after world. In it, Daniel must prove in a courtroom-like setting that he has faced and defeated his fears, or risk being returned to Earth to live another life.
As his assigned defender Bob Diamond (played to perfection by Rip Torn) explains his situation, Daniel learns that humans on Earth use only 3% to 5% of their brains. Overwhelmed by the information he's being asked to process, Daniel proclaims, "My 3% is swimming." It's something I say a lot when I'm frustrated or overwhelmed, and it only occasionally occurs to me that only 3% to 5% of all people know what the Heck I'm talking about.
Defending Your Life remains, after many viewings, one of my favorite comedies. I highly recommend it.
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7 comments:
So, swimming refers to brains? or Sprerm? I'm confused.
Michele sent me.
No, it's basically just his way of saying he's confused: the 3% of his brain that he uses is flailing about, trying to make sense of what is happening.
LOL, LOL...LOve that movie, too....Albert Brooks is such a unique talent, isn't he? I love that film too, where he is a writer for the movies...I cannot think of the name...Jeff Bridges is in it and..I JUST thought of it..."THE MUSE"....Wonderfully funny film....
That is a great quote. I will have to remember it!
Thanks for the visit and your words re Sondheim...He is so far and above the rest....He is like Shakespeare with MUSIC! He understands the hunan condition and writes about it with so much caring and love----And, everything is singable!!! Hard, yes, but, so melodic and beautiful. "PASSION"....Gorgeous score...!
The Tony's will be interesting tonight...though I haven't seen any of the shows, I read about it all in The NY Times, etc...
If you email me at:
myrtillo1984 AT yahoo DOT com
I wiill send you a picture of this WONDERFUL hand written 'musical quote' that Sondheim did for me and which my dear Betty G. gave me for me birthday 6 years ago.
It's a line from"Losing My Mind"...
Oddly enough given the press these stats get, we actually use most of our brain's processing ability. That "only use 5%" stuff isn't true at all, Carli. Good movie anyway.
I'll look for the movie!
I would definitely know what you're talking about. It's one of my favorite movies, too.
Time to head to the Netflix queue....got me a movie to add to the list!
Thanks Carli.
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