“Do you ever feel like you're waiting for something to happen, but you don't know what it is? But, it's, that thing that could…make your life special.”
The motive for their crime is the essence of the film with each of their perspective used to tell the story. For Spencer, it is the pursuit of inspiration as an artist looking for some sort of tragedy or exhilaration in his life. The decision to steal the first edition of John James Audubon's Birds of America comes up as an ideal prospect. Though the moral dilemma of this endeavor disturbs Spencer throughout the film, he still proceeds with it. In the statement, Spencer refers to the sense of purpose that he cannot pinpoint but knows will change his life. This opportunity that arises disguises itself as this sense of purpose however it turns out to be a huge mistake.
“You're taught your entire life that what you do matters and that you're special. And that, there are things you can point towards that would…which'll show that you're special, that show you're different, when, in all reality, those things... don't matter. And you're not special.”
While the rest of the crew are on a rebellious streak during this heist Warren is just a rebel by nature. His personality plays a huge role in convincing others of the importance of going through with the robbery. Moreover, as a pathological liar, he manages to formulate narratives that take away any doubts the crew might harbor. The quotation highlights one of these instances where he conveys that none of them is extraordinary. Being the ringleader, Warren intends to create scenarios in which people around him feel out of control or insignificant. As such, the opportunity presents itself to manipulate their state of mind in order to go through with the plan.
“I still have trouble figuring out how a person crosses a line in their own mind, to be willing to hurt another person to get what they want. I think it’s a dangerous line to cross…It makes me wonder if they really know why they did it.”
Initially, the heist was supposed to be a simple grab and go but it takes a turn in the middle and escalates. The lack of tight security gave the group an illusion that the crime will not involve any human interaction or violence. The librarian, Betty, falls victim to this crime after Warren tases her and injures herself in the process. The statement is made by the real-life Betty regarding the events that took place on that fateful day. It alludes to the decision Warren made to exert violence against a defenseless woman during the robbery. This same decision would be the reason the delinquency transformed from a petty crime to a violent crime. It will lead to grave consequences for the four boys who thought they will steal the book with ease.
"This is not some half-assed attempt to get attention. This is about making a mark, something for people to remember us by."
This quote by Warren Lipka encapsulates the characters' intense desire for significance and recognition. It underscores their ambition to stand out from the ordinary and achieve lasting notoriety through their audacious heist. This quote foreshadows the characters' misguided belief that their criminal act will elevate them to legendary status, setting the stage for the film's exploration of ambition, the allure of fame, and the stark consequences that follow their reckless pursuit of notoriety.
"Everybody thinks they have a book in them, right? The question is: Do you have the discipline to actually sit down and write it?"
This quote reflects on the broader theme of ambition and the pursuit of creativity in "American Animals." Spencer's contemplation touches on the universal notion that many people have ideas or aspirations but often lack the determination and discipline to see them through. In the context of the film, it suggests that while the characters have grand ambitions, the heist becomes their unconventional way of leaving a significant mark on the world, highlighting their desire to create something meaningful. This quote encapsulates the characters' struggle to channel their aspirations into a focused and disciplined endeavor and sets the stage for their ill-fated journey of attempting to achieve greatness through a criminal act.
"We were all just living in our own kind of personal heist movie, without realizing that we were the bad guys."
Spencer Reinhard's quote reflects the idea that individuals often unknowingly engage in morally questionable or unlawful actions while rationalizing them as part of their personal narratives. Comparing life to a "personal heist movie" suggests a sense of thrill and excitement in pursuing personal goals, possibly at the expense of others. The phrase "without realizing that we were the bad guys" highlights the blurred lines between right and wrong, as people justify their actions within their own perspectives. It underscores the capacity for self-deception and moral ambiguity that can exist in human behavior, prompting us to reflect on our actions and their ethical implications in our pursuit of personal desires and ambitions.
