American Rhetoric: Movie Speech

"Jack" (1996)

Jack Charles Howell Addresses his Graduation Class

Audio mp3 delivered by Robin Williams

Howell: I don't have very much time these days, so I'll make it quick -- like my life. You know, as we come to the end of this phase of our life, we find ourselves trying to remember the good times and trying to forget the bad times. And we find ourselves thinking about the future. We start to worry, thinking, "What am I gonna do? Where am I gonna be in ten years?"

But I say to you, "Hey, look at me." Please, don't worry so much, 'cause in the end none of us have very long on this earth. Life is fleeting. And if you're ever distressed, cast your eyes to the summer sky, when the stars are strung across the velvety night, and when a shooting star streaks through the blackness turning night into day -- make a wish think of me. And make your life spectacular. I know I did.

I made it, Mom. I'm a grown-up.

Thank you.