One of my favourite movies — it’s nerdy, it’s cute, it’s hilarious and a fundamentalist Christian gets exposed to the vastness of the universe and learns to swear.
Simon Pegg and Nick Frost wrote the screenplay and starred in the film. Kristen Wiig played Ruth.
So good — and whilst Ruth’s total deconstruction moment is mostly incidental to the plot, I always enjoy watching it. I’m also a giant sci-fi nerd, so the whole movie is right up my alley. (Except the bit where Paul eats the bird.)
The in-jokes about other sci-fi movies and the cameo appearances and the sheer adorable dorkiness of the characters are so much fun.
Ruth: So there’s no Heaven? No Hell, no right, no wrong, no sin?
Graeme: Well…[pause]
Graeme: If you like.
Ruth: I can drink?
Ruth: I can fornicate?
Graeme: Maybe.
Ruth: I can curse?
Graeme: Well, yeah.
Ruth: [gleefully] Penises!
Graeme: Ruth…
Ruth: Assing hairy boobs poop farting buttholes!
Graeme: Ruth, I’m not sure this is helping…[Ruth grabs Graeme and kisses him]
Graeme: Wha… What are you doing? [Ruth grabs his hand and puts it on her breast]
Graeme: Aah! Stop it!
Ruth: Why? Why should I? [grabs Graeme’s crotch]
Graeme: [winces] This is… because… you have your whole life to explore new things. Okay? Doesn’t necessarily mean… you should be exploring mine right now.
— Paul
She should stop because she didn’t get consent, of course — but a lot of people report not knowing how to navigate ethics, which involve thinking for yourself, after living under an imposed system of morality.
Changing Paths 