[Stanley] Kubrick was a great artist and a perfectionist. He always wanted the exact right thing. He did a million takes. Everything had to be perfect. I'm an imperfectionist. I don't really care that much about the work. I write quickly. I'm careless. I shoot carelessly.

I idolized Superman when I was younger. I thought he and I had a lot in common. He was always going into phonebooths and taking off all his clothes.

I don't believe in God. Just try getting a plumber on the weekend.

With me; it's just a genetic dissatisfaction with everything.

Maugham then offers the greatest advice anyone could give to a young author: "At the end of an interrogation sentence, place a question mark. You'd be surprised how effective it can be."

Why not? Life is short, life is dull, life is full of pain - and this is a chance for something special.

The talent for being happy is appreciating and liking what you have, instead of what you don't have.