(after being told that his final resting place can be in the garden masoleum of his master Byron's dog)
"Thank you my Lord. If I was certain that His Lordship would also end his days here, I would not mind at all...but I would not like to be here alone...with the dog."
In general, another movie that everyone thinks is terrible that I actually enjoy. Partially because it's a Ronan flick, but for the majority, Lord Byron's life and works facinate me and I always thought that it was interesting that Mary Shelley's Frankenstein was inspired by him. I'm a sucker for those what-if-it-had-happened-this-way type of movies, just like "Shadow of the Vampire".
Part of the reason why this might be a choppy (read: crappy) movie is because it was filmed by a Spanish director who also wrote the script. The Spanish version won the Goya Award and was half and hour longer. There's speculation as the a loss in translation and whether or not the filming was done simultaneously with Spanish actors. I still love it though. The imagery is haunting, for example the use of the boats on the water shown again and again, the purple ballon on fire or Mary's face fading into the monsters as she looks into the glass. (See the trailer here at the IMDB.)
Ronan plays Fletcher, Byron's butler/personal servant. He had this great dry sense of humor and some witty remarks that I just love. He definately steals the show in my eyes, but doesn't he always?
Fletcher: (after confessing that one of the girls that was supposed to be turned away at the door, somehow managed to enter the house) I most certainly consider myself dismissed.
Byron: You most certainly are dismissed, Fletcher. What do I owe you?
Fletcher: I am not sure, my lord. I cannot quite recall the last time your lordship was kind enough to pay me.
Byron: Well... let's not be mean about this. You may stay. I forgive you.
Fletcher: Thank you, my lord.
Shelley: Byron wrote that to you?
Claire: No! It's a letter to his sister!
Polidori: (after losing the boat race) May I point out that what Mr. Shelley calls the wind, we call cheating.
Byron: Why are you limping, Polidori?
Polidori: I have twisted my ankle, my lord.
Byron: Congratulations. You have finally managed to be like me... although in precisely the way I would least like to be like Lord Byron.
(In case any of you were wondering why this is funny, look into the life of Lord Byron. He was born with a club foot.)
Byron: I ask no more from women that they have enough intelligence to admire me and not so much to expect that they be admired in return.
Cardinal: And how are you today, Fletcher?
Fletcher: Wonderful, your eminence. This morning Fornarina tried to take my lord's life.
(After Fornarina tries to kill Byron a second time, she is forced out of the room)
Fletcher: (mouthing) Very sorry.
Byron: Children should be taught to believe in God so they do not decide to die so soon.
Fletcher: Just think, my lord, soon we will be in Greece. Fighting for freedom!
(Once again, if this is not understood by the reader, look in to the life of Byron.)