There's a tacit agreement today that the white male is the only legitimate target for any and all satire, criticism, and so forth. And we pretty much just accept it.

I think that's what distinguishes Schmidt, really. In the movies now, so much of what is appealing to an audience is the dramatic or has to do with science fiction, and Schmidt is simply human. There's no melodrama; there's no device, It's just about a human being.

I've always thought basketball was the best sport, although it wasn't the sport I was best at. It was just the most fun to watch.

I have to keep myself in check when I go to the kids' sports events. I sit waaay in the back. I make sure I don't do too much cheering, you know what I mean? I'm still not quite adjusted to this modern school of thought: Oh, it doesn't matter who wins. I'm not all the way there yet, but I accept it from the back row.

I have never lied to you, I have always told you some version of the truth.

I think of a man and I take away reason and accountability.

I love writing, but I stopped because I felt I was more effective approaching filmmaking from a different vantage point.