Unbreakable (2000)

Charlayne Woodard: Elijah's Mother

Photos 

Quotes 

• Elijah's Mother : They say this one has a surprise ending.

• [Elijah's mother has just given birth to him in a '60s dress store; a doctor, Dr. Mathison has arrived to take care of her before the ambulance arrives] 

  Dr. Mathison : Is there a name yet?

  Elijah's Mother : Elijah.

  [She hands him the wrapped child. We can't see the baby, but the piercing cries seem to get louder] 

  Elijah's Mother : [almost laughing]  Is he supposed to crying like that?

  [Elijah's mother can't see her baby anymore. She watches Dr. Mathison as he looks down and examines her child. Dr. Mathison doesn't look up for the longest time] 

  Elijah's Mother : Can I have him back?

  Dr. Mathison : [looking at the saleswoman through the mirror]  What happened during the delivery?

  Saleswoman : Nothing. It was very quick. The baby just wanted to come right out. There was no problems.

  Dr. Mathison : Did you drop him?

  Saleswoman : What?

  Dr. Mathison : Did you drop this baby?

  Saleswoman : [indignant]  Jesus Christ, no.

  [the baby continues to scream] 

  Dr. Mathison : [to the saleswoman]  Inform the ambulance we have a... situation.

  [to Elijah's mother] 

  Dr. Mathison : I've never seen... this. It appears that your infant has suffered some fractures while in your uterus.

  [beat] 

  Dr. Mathison : His arms and legs are broken.

• [Elijah is sitting alone in the living room of his apartment staring at the TV] 

  Elijah's Mother : No more sittin' in this room. I let it go on long enough.

  Elijah Age 13 : I'm not goin' out there any more. I'm not getting hurt again. This was the last time, I told you.

  Elijah's Mother : You might fall between this chair and that television. If that's what God has planned for you, that's what's gonna happen. You can't hide from it sittin' in a room.

  Elijah Age 13 : They call me Mr. Glass at school 'cause I break like glass.

  Elijah's Mother : You make this decision now... to be afraid... and you will never turn back. Your whole life, you will always be afraid.

  [beat] 

  Elijah's Mother : I got a present for you.

  Elijah Age 13 : Why?

  Elijah's Mother : Forget why. You want it or not?

  [Elijah nods] 

  Elijah's Mother : Well, go get it then.

  Elijah Age 13 : Where is it?

  Elijah's Mother : On a bench. Across the street.

  [Elijah and his mother look at the window. There is a bright purple wrapped gift outside sitting on a bench] 

  Elijah Age 13 : Someone's gonna take it.

  Elijah's Mother : Then you better get out there soon.