Portnoy's Complaint (1972)

Jill Clayburgh: Naomi, Girl in Israel

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Quotes 

• Naomi, Girl in Israel : I'm most interested in finding out how the Jewish male exists in the United States, today.

  Alexander Portnoy : I'll be happy to give you all the gory details. Then you'll have to reward me.

  Naomi, Girl in Israel : I do?

• Alexander Portnoy : Why sleep on a clammy beach somewhere when I have this big comfortable bed for the two of us to share?

  Naomi, Girl in Israel : Me, in that bed?

  Alexander Portnoy : I'm not trying to to turn you into a bourgeoisie. If the bed is too luxurious, we'll do it on the floor.

  Naomi, Girl in Israel : Sexual intercourse with you?

  Alexander Portnoy : Yes, yes, with me.

• Naomi, Girl in Israel : You are the most unhappy man I've ever known. Childish and without respect for yourself or anyone.

  Alexander Portnoy : Tell me more.

  Naomi, Girl in Israel : And you're obviously a person of intelligence. Which makes your infantile attitude even more distasteful.

  Alexander Portnoy : Beautifully stated. Now, let's fuck.

  Naomi, Girl in Israel : You are disgusting.

  Alexander Portnoy : And I can prove it.

• Naomi, Girl in Israel : I joined the commune of young Israelis. We live in the mountains overlooking the Syrian border. Working to clear away the black volcanic rock and make the barren ground fertile.

• Naomi, Girl in Israel : The American system is inherently unjust. And your job is to make it appear legitimate and moral by putting a pretentious title on your office door and acting as though human opportunity and human dignity could actually exist in that society when obviously no such thing is possible.

• Naomi, Girl in Israel : Possessions, money, property. On such corrupt standards as these, you American people measure happiness and success. One great segment of your population are deprived of the minimal requirements for a decent life. Is this not true? You cannot deny it.

• Naomi, Girl in Israel : Sexual intercourse with you?

  Alexander Portnoy : Yes, yes! With me. Fresh from my inherently injust system.

• Naomi, Girl in Israel : Your society, not only sanctions gross and unfair competition among men, it actually stimulates and encourages it. Rivalry, envy, jealousy. All that is malignant in the human character is nourished by the American system. This is indisputable, you cannot help but agree - if you are at all honest.