am on my way
I can go the distance
I don’t care how far
Somehow I’ll be strong
I know every mile
Will be worth my while
I would go most anywhere
To find where I belong.”
—Hercules (Robert Bart), Hercules (1997)
“I made it, Mom. I’m a grown up.”
—Jack Powell
(Robin Williams), Jack
“I wasn’t like every other kid, you know, who dreams about being an astronaut. I was always more interested in what bark was made out of on a tree.”
—Hansel (Owen Wilson), Zoolander (2001)
“You mustn’t be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.”
—Eames (Tom Hardy), Inception (2010)
“I am a leaf on the wind; watch how I soar.”
—Hoban “Wash” Washburne (Alan Tudyk), Serenity (2006)
“Anyone can cook.”
—Chef Gusteau (Brad Garret), Ratatouille (2008)
“Your life is an occasion. Rise to it.”
—Mr. Magorium (Dustin Hoffman), Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (2007)
“You know, as we come to the end of this phase of our life, we find ourselves trying to remember the good times and trying to forget the bad times, and we find ourselves thinking about the future. We start to worry, thinking, ‘What am I gonna do? Where am I gonna be in ten years?’ But I say to you, ‘Hey, look at me!’ Please, don’t worry so much.”
—Jack Powell (Robin Williams), Jack (1996)
“Life should be lived on the edge of life. You have to exercise rebellion: to refuse to tape yourself to rules, to refuse your own success, to refuse to repeat yourself, to see every day, every year, every idea as a true challenge–and then you are going to live your life on a tightrope.”
—Philippe Petit (as himself), Man on Wire (2008)
Parental Advice & Blessings
You created them. Raised them. Washed them, cared for them, fought for them (and with them), guided them, prayed for them, and dragged them where they needed to be. And now, here they are, getting ready to leave you and join the crushing real world without you. Of course you will continue to support them and offer them guidance from afar, but this is the metaphoric turning point in your relationship. Graduation is the symbolic severing of ties to childhood, so you must offer your “final” advice as part of the ceremony. Send your children out into the world on your terms, and if any of the films referenced below fit with your advice, by all means incorporate them.
“Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.”
—John Keating (Robin Williams), Dead Poets Society (1989)
“Whatever path you decide to take in this life… be true to yourself.”
—Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
“There’s nothing wrong with being scared, Norman, so long as you don’t let it change who you are.”
—Grandma (Elaine Stritch), ParaNorman (2012)*
“Now don’t you go through life worrying about whether somebody like you or not! You best be making sure that they’re doing right by you!”
—Troy Maxson (Denzel Washington), Fences (2016)
“Do you know that the harder thing to do and the right thing to do are usually the same thing? Nothing that has meaning is easy.”
—Robert Spritzel (Michael Caine), The Weather Man (2005)
“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.”
—Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
“Always do the right thing.”
—Da Mayor (Ossie Davis),
Do the Right Thing (1989)
“Respect is the ultimate currency.”
—Dalton Russell (Clive Owen), Inside Man (2006)
“That the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?”
—John Keating (Robin Williams), Dead Poets Society (1989)
“You are my greatest adventure.”
—Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson), The Incredibles (2004)
“Now if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you want to be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that, and that ain’t you! You’re better than that! I’m always gonna love you no matter what. No matter what happens. You’re my son and you’re my blood. You’re the best thing in my life.”
—Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), Rocky Balboa (2006)*
“Just because you are a character doesn’t mean that you have character.”
—Mr. Wolfe (Harvey Keitel),
Pulp Fiction (1994)
“One
