Memorable quotes for
Road to Perdition (2002) More at IMDbPro »

Michael Sullivan: He murdered Annie and Peter!
John Rooney: There are only murderers in this room! Michael! Open your eyes! This is the life we chose, the life we lead. And there is only one guarantee: none of us will see heaven.
Michael Sullivan: Michael could.
John Rooney: Then do everything that you can to see that that happens.

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[Maguire has pulled out a camera]
Michael Sullivan: Is that, uh... your profession or... your pleasure?
Maguire: Both, I guess. To be paid to do what you love... ain't that the dream?

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Michael Sullivan, Jr.: I couldn't do it.
Michael Sullivan: I know.

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Maguire: I shoot the dead. Dead bodies, that is. I don't kill them.

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John Rooney: Natural law. Sons are put on this earth to trouble their fathers.

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Maguire: Smile.

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[last lines]
Michael Sullivan, Jr.: I saw then that my father's only fear was that his son would follow the same road. And that was the last time I ever held a gun. People always thought I grew up on a farm. And I guess, in a way, I did. But I lived a lifetime before that, in those six weeks on the road in the winter of 1931. When people ask me if Michael Sullivan was a good man, or if there was just no good in him at all, I always give the same answer. I just tell them... he was my father.

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Connor Rooney: I can look after myself.
Frank Nitti: No, you can't! This is the point. You're a big baby who doesn't know his thumb from his dick!

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John Rooney: What men do after work is what made us rich. No need to screw them at work as well.

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[after seeing his father kill someone]
Michael Sullivan, Jr.: Does Mama know?
Michael Sullivan: Your mother knows I love Mr. Rooney. When we had nothing, he gave us a home... a life... and we owe him.

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[Talking to Michael Jr]
John Rooney: A man of honor always pays his debts... and keeps his word.

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John Rooney: You would like to apologize? Try again.

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John Rooney: May you get to Heaven an hour before the Devil knows you're dead

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Mr. McDougal: Well this is a pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting another deposit until the end of the month.
Michael Sullivan: Actually, I'm making a withdrawal.
[Pulls his gun]
Michael Sullivan: And I want dirty money only, everything you're holding for Capone that's off the books. Open the safe.
Mr. McDougal: You're insane. You know they'll find out who you are.
Michael Sullivan: The name's Sullivan. You want me to spell it?

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[When he learns it's Mike Sullivan, the bouncer gets scared]
Michael Sullivan: You gonna frisk me?
Frank the Bouncer: Should I?
Michael Sullivan: It's a good idea.

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Michael Sullivan, Jr.: So when do I get my share of the money?
Michael Sullivan: Well... how much do you want?
Michael Sullivan, Jr.: Two hundred dollars.
Michael Sullivan: Okay. Deal.
[Michael Jr. stops eating and thinks for awhile]
Michael Sullivan, Jr.: Could I have had more?
Michael Sullivan: You'll never know.

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[Sullivan is teaching his son how to drive]
Michael Sullivan: Look out for the tractor, Mike. Michael... look out for the tractor. You're coming up now. Watch out for the tractor. Watch out for the tractor! Watch out for the tractor!
[Sullivan, Jr. swerves to avoid the tractor in the nick of time]
Michael Sullivan, Jr.: We made it!
Michael Sullivan: [sarcastically] Oh, yeah, yeah. We made it.

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Michael Sullivan: I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry... I'm sorry.

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[after Maguire tells Sullivan about his profession]
Maguire: You ever seen one?
Michael Sullivan: Yeah.
Maguire: Sorry for you. Terrible thing... but it sure makes you feel alive, don't it?
Michael Sullivan: I'll drink to that.

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Michael Sullivan: If I'm not back in half an hour, you go see Reverend Lynch at First Methodist and you tell him what's happened. Do NOT go to Father Callaway.

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Betty the Waitress: So what brings you guys to the middle of nowhere?
Michael Sullivan, Jr.: We're bank robbers.

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Michael Sullivan, Jr.: What are you going to do?
Michael Sullivan: Just one last thing, and then it's done.

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John Rooney: I curse... the fucking... day... you were born. I curse it!

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Michael Sullivan: I'd like to work for you.
Frank Nitti: [Chuckles] Well... that's very interesting.
Michael Sullivan: And in return, I'd like you to turn a blind eye to... what I have to do.
Frank Nitti: And what is that?
Michael Sullivan: Kill the man who murdered my family.

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[Sullivan has a gun to Kelly's head]
Jack Kelly: Think, Mike. Don't be stupid. I'm just the messenger.
Michael Sullivan: [lowers his gun] Then give Mr. Rooney a message for me.
Jack Kelly: What is it?
[Sullivan shoots him]

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Alexander Rance: This is Mr. Rance in the bridal suite and before you proffer your phony congratulations there is no Mrs. Rance residing with me and I'm all the better for it. Now, listen carefully because I am in no mood. I'm going to say this only once. I would like a boiled egg and I want it runny.

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Michael Sullivan: So what does the clutch do?
Michael Sullivan, Jr.: It clutches

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[a knock at the door]
Alexander Rance: It's open. Top marks for speed, no marks for cookery.
[holding plate with egg]
Alexander Rance: What, may I ask, do you call this?
Michael Sullivan: Put it down.
Alexander Rance: Mr. Sullivan!
Michael Sullivan: Mr. Rance.
Alexander Rance: How did you find me?
Michael Sullivan: This is the best hotel in the area and you are so very... particular.
Alexander Rance: Yes, indeed, Mr. Sullivan.

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Alexander Rance: What do you think you're going to accomplish by interfering with our business, Mr. Sullivan?
Michael Sullivan: This has nothing to do with your business.
Alexander Rance: It's all business. That's what you fail to grasp. And in business, you must have something to trade. And you, Mr. Sullivan, have nothing to trade. Especially not for anyone as valuable as Connor Rooney.

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John Rooney: I'm glad it's you.

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Mr. McDougal: You really trust me not to say anything?
Michael Sullivan: Always trust a bank manager.

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Peter Sullivan: Why are you always smiling?
Connor Rooney: 'Cause it's all so fuckin' hysterical.

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Finn McGovern: [to John Rooney] You rule this town as God rules the Earth.

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Michael Sullivan: Sarah? It's me Mike. We're here...

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Michael Sullivan, Jr.: Did you like Peter more than me?
Michael Sullivan: No. I loved you both the same.
Michael Sullivan, Jr.: You were always... different with me.
Michael Sullivan: Was I?
[Sullivan thinks for a while]
Michael Sullivan: Well, I suppose it was because Peter was just... such a sweet little boy, you know? And you... you were more like me. And I... didn't want you to be.

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[first lines]
Michael Sullivan, Jr.: There are many stories about Michael Sullivan. Some say he was a decent man. Some say there was no good in him at all. But I once spent 6 weeks on the road with him, in the winter of 1931. This is our story.

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Maguire: I'm something of a rarity.

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[Nitti is on the phone with Sullivan, giving him Connor Rooney]
Frank Nitti: I understand. But Al wants your assurance that after this, it's over.
[pauses]
Frank Nitti: The Lexington Hotel, room 1432.

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