"The best cure for a disease is friendship."
The Cure - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
Here, hold onto this when you sleep. And if you wake up and you're scared, you'll say, 'Wait a minute. I'm holding Erik's shoe. Why the hell would I be holding some smelly basketball shoe a trillion light years from the universe? I must be here on earth, safe in my sleeping bag, and Erik must be close by.'
— Erik
Context:
Spoken during a quiet moment on their journey down the river, after Dexter expresses his deepest fear about what happens after death, wondering if there's just 'nothing out there'. Erik, in his own gruff but deeply caring way, offers this practical and profound solution to comfort him.
Meaning:
This quote crystallizes the film's central theme of friendship as the ultimate comfort against existential fear. The shoe, an ordinary and even 'smelly' object, is imbued with the power of their bond, becoming a tangible anchor for Dexter against his fear of death and nothingness. It is the most direct expression of Erik's love and commitment to his friend.
My grandmother says you're going to hell... My doctor's really smart - he says he has no idea what happens to people after they die. If your grandmother knows, she must be a genius.
— Erik and Dexter
Context:
This conversation occurs early in their friendship, as they are getting to know each other. Erik is testing the waters, repeating the bigoted things he's heard about people with AIDS from his family. Dexter's calm and intelligent response helps solidify their bond and shows Erik a different way of thinking.
Meaning:
This exchange contrasts the prejudiced, simplistic certitude of ignorant adults with the thoughtful, honest uncertainty of science and childhood innocence. Erik parrots the cruel dogma he's been fed, while Dexter's witty, logical reply gently dismantles it, highlighting the absurdity of such hateful beliefs.
I shoulda tried harder... To find the cure.
— Erik
Context:
After Dexter has died, Linda is driving Erik home. She pulls the car over, overcome with grief. Erik, seeing her pain, apologizes with this line. Linda embraces him, reassuring him that his friendship was the most important thing in Dexter's life, reframing the film's title and central idea.
Meaning:
This heartbreaking line reveals Erik's lingering childlike hope and the immense burden of responsibility he placed upon himself. In this moment, Linda helps him understand the deeper meaning of their friendship—that his love and companionship were the true 'cure' for Dexter's loneliness and fear.
You misspelled your tattoo. It doesn't say 'Angel.' It says 'Angle.'
— Dexter
Context:
While traveling on a boat with two rough characters, Pony and his girlfriend Angle, Dexter points out the spelling error in her tattoo. Her deadpan response, "I'm aware of that now," adds to the humor. The scene was praised by critics like Roger Ebert as a moment of authentic, witty dialogue amidst an otherwise implausible plot.
Meaning:
This quote provides a moment of levity and showcases Dexter's sharp wit and intelligence, even in a tense situation. It's a small, funny detail that reveals his character and briefly punctures the bleakness of their journey.