Entertainment

6 'Flubber' Quotes That Prove It's A Classic

by Christine DiStasio

I know what you're thinking — it's no Good Will Hunting. But Robin Williams' 1997 Disney film Flubber is an underrated masterpiece. At least, that's what I thought when I was growing up and burning out the VHS tape from watching the film over and over and over again. Actually, that's what I still think — when I revisited the film following Williams' tragic death on Aug. 11, I realized that we can actually learn a lot from Professor Phillip Brainard (aside from the fact that he's got a really great name).

Williams' Flubber is actually a remake of the 1961 film The Absent-Minded Professor. (I think Flubber is a much better, more nuanced title.) In the movie Williams played Brainard, a man in love with his work but also in love with fiancé, Sara Jean Reynolds, played by Marcia Gay Harden. Flubber follows Brainard as he works on creating a new energy source, in an attempt to save Sara's college from going bankrupt, but ends up creating Flubber instead. Named, aptly, after that fact that it's literally "flying rubber," the original Flubber creation was actually an adorable little creature that made sounds like a squirrel and really hated the flash on your camera.

Aside from making me desperately want a Flubber pet of my own (much to my parents' chagrin, considering Flubber was uncontrollable and destructive), the film made science seem like the coolest thing ever. It also showcased some of Williams' classic, incredibly comedy and sent an important message: Believe in yourself. For a seven-year-old, that's kind of the best message you could possibly put out there.

Let's remember Flubber with these TK quotes.

"I was just gonna, you know, grade my lunch, eat a few tests and hope for the best."

Pre-wedding jitters at their finest.

Wilson Croft (Brainard's former friend, who tries to steal the Flubber): "What happened between us, Phil?"

Brainard: "Well, I just got tired of you stealing my ideas, Wilson."

Stand up for yourself. Always.

"This definitely has applications in the field of sports. Ho, ho, ho. Yes!"

Is there anything better than Williams' helium voice?

"I know I love her, Weebo. Every neuron in my limbic system is saturated with phenylethylamine. That triggers euphoria, elation exhilaration. Truth is, Weebo, I'm not absent-minded because I'm selfish, crazy or inconsiderate. I'm absent-minded because I'm in love with Sara."

The power of love.

Martha George (Sara's university coworker): "How do you hold it in?"

Brainard: "Well, like everybody else, Ruthie. I just cross my legs real tight."

Martha: "I was talking about your excitement."

Yup.

"I love you with every cell, with every atom. I love you on a subatomic level."

Perhaps one of the greatest examples of real love on this planet.

Images: Walt Disney Company (5)