“I'm another duck in the pond.”
We all have the quotes we rely on as we go our path through this thing called life. Quotes from your favorite movies, songs, TV shows, and more. From the moment I first heard of this line from manager Jimmy McGinty Alternativesthis quote was one such crutch for me.
Jean Hackman as Jimmy McGinty AlternativesHe passed away on Wednesday at the age of 95. Hackman has a renowned Hollywood legacy and plays an unforgettable role. Bonnie and Clyde, French connection, Mississippi Burningand Relentless. Many readers of this film may relate him to the role of director Norman Dale. Hoogeror as an eccentric patriarch The royal Tenenbaum.
But for some reason, Hackman's role as coach for a group of alternative football players Alternatives Beyond his exchange quarterback Shane “Footsteps” above, he's always stuck to me. Alternatives It focuses on the theme of Second Chance, one of the biggest themes of life. From the soccer field to the streets of our city, to the courts, to schools and universities, there is a second chance around us. At some point in life, everyone needs a second chance, some are third or fourth.
But there is another reason why the scene is always stuck with me, and it reaches the focus of the debate between McGinty and Falco, depicted by Keanu Reeves. They play catches on the field the night before the alternative player first went to the field as a team. When McGinty asks Falco how the quarterback is doing, Falco replies that he is “good.”
That's when McGinty describes him as a duck in the pond.
“You're like a duck in a pond,” the coach begins. “On the surface, everything looks calm, but under the water, those little feet stir a mile per minute.”
After a few more lines, Falco asks his new coach how to do it.
“I'm another duck in the pond.”
Many of us feel like ducks in the pond every day. We experience our everyday lives with a brave face, but we fight internal battles along the way. It was me in my previous life as a lawyer for years. You might see me getting off the DC subway, wearing a suit and holding a briefcase, but I was another duck in the pond.
Many of us may now feel like ducks in a pond.
That image stuck to me from the first moment I saw it. Something that has your feet stirring underneath the surface, something that is doing your best to float.
There's one more scene that's stuck with me since I first saw it.
Near the end of the conversation, McGinty reminds Falco that he needs to sleep as he is playing the game the next day.
“Luck out and play professional soccer tomorrow.”
Kidd was my dad's nickname and had it for me as he coached me for many years.
Gene Hackman was often called “everyone” in Hollywood.
But for me he was a coach and my dad. Both leave behind an incredible heritage and art that will last forever.
