De Palma: I’ve got this great script, totally original and probably Schrader’s best work.
Producers: Brian, you know this is a lot like Vert-
De Palma: I’ve also got some ideas for some great shots. You know that scene in Godard’s Le Mépris when they’re having a conversation and the camera is gliding back and forth between both characters whenever it’s their turn to speak? Well, this scene here I think will be perfect for it.
Producers: But Brian, what made that shot so effective in Le Mépris is the fact that the characters actually had something meaningful to say, whereas your characters aren’t really getting beyond small-talk, so what if-
De Palma: After this, we can really get into it.…