Dory and Marlin were an unlikely duo from the start of Finding Nemo. Dory had short-term memory loss and was casually swimming around the ocean, while Marlin was on a mission to find his son Nemo. Dory claimed to know what direction Marlin’s son went so the two partnered up for a trip around the ocean to bring Nemo home.
Marlin was short with forgetful Dory at first, but the two quickly relied on each other. Dory’s memory wouldn’t have gotten better without Marlin and Marlin wouldn’t have found his son without Dory. Because of their journey, these two had some of the best quotes and are one of Disney’s best friendships.
Dory: “Please Don’t Go Away. No One’s Ever Stuck With Me For So Long Before.”
One of the saddest moments in Finding Nemo was when Marlin and Dory finally arrived at the dentist’s office in Sydney and tried rescuing Nemo from the fish tank. At this point, Nemo was already in a plastic bag, getting ready to go home with Darla. Wanting to be flushed down the toilet so that he would end up in the ocean, Nemo pretended that he was dead.
Marlin saw Nemo and assumed he was dead so he went home sad and depressed. Dory begged him not to go because he was the only one that stayed with her for so long. This moment proves how important this friendship became for both of them.
Marlin: “I Promised I’d Never Let Anything Happen To Him.” Dory: “Hmm. That’s A Funny Thing To Promise.”
What made Finding Nemo better than its sequel Finding Dory was that Dory and Merlin got to know each other better. Watching their friendship build throughout the movie was one of the best parts. They were once untrusting fish that became family.
When trapped in a whale’s mouth, Marlin told Dory that he promised his son nothing bad would ever happen to him. Dory giggled at the thought because it was impossible. Seeing Dory teach Marlin a thing or to about life when she’ was supposed to be the “ditzy” one was what made their friendship so special compared to others on Disney.
Dory: “Hey, Mr. Grumpy Gills! When Life Gets You Down, Know What You Have To Do? Just Keep Swimming.”
What made Marlin and Dory one of the best friendships on Disney is that they learned a lot from each other. As silly as Dory was, her quote “Just keep swimming” was exactly what Marlin needed to hear. It was also inspirational for Finding Nemo viewers.
Dory’s reminder to “just keep swimming” is what made her such a likable character. It was this life motto that also saved Nemo and other fishes’ lives when they were caught in a fisherman’s net.
Dory: “When I Look At You, I Can Feel It. And I Look At You, And I’m Home…”
Due to Dory’s short-term memory loss, there wasn’t much she remembered about herself or her family. One minute she spoke whale, the next minute she wished she spoke whale. She had no idea where she came from or what happened to her family.
It wasn’t until Marlin came along that Dory started remembering more and more. All she needed was a little support and gentle reminders. Their bond was relatable for viewers and made them one of the best Disney friendships.
Marlin: “No Fish In This Entire Ocean Is Going To Help Me.” Dory: “Well, I’m Helping You.”
One of the best parts about their friendship is that they were opposites. Marlin was passive-aggressive and pessimistic, while Dory was optimistic. Dory had every reason to be as down-in-the-dumps but she only focused on the good.
While the two were on their way to Sydney, they ended up getting lost and needing help. Marlin acted like no one was helping him and his goal of rescuing his son was impossible. They found a school of fish who told them everything they needed to hear but Dory reminded Marlin that she was helping him get to where needed to go. He just had to acknowledge her. Their bond made Finding Nemo one of the best animal movies of all time.
Marlin: “Trust You?” Dory: “Yes, Trust. It’s What Friends Do.”
This is another quote that inspired viewers. Dory was told that when she and Marlin reached a trench they were supposed to swim through it, not over it. Dory told Marlin this but he didn’t trust her. Dory reminded him that trusting each other is what friends did.
Marlin, of course, ignored Dory’s plea and went above the trench, which got them caught in a jellyfish trap. The way they learn and grow from each other is what made Finding Nemo one of Pixar’s best films. Viewers learned along the way.
Dory: “I Love Games, Pick Me!” Marlin: “Here’s The Game. Whoever Can Hop The Fastest Out Of These Jellyfish Wins.”
Dory is easily one of the funniest characters in Finding Nemo because she makes everything fun or into a game.
When Dory and Marlin found themselves surrounded by jellyfish, Marlin knew the only way to get them out safely is to make a game of it. Since Dory was already bouncing on top of jellyfish, he told her whoever made it out first won. They did eventually get stung by multiple jellyfish but they relied on each other to make it out alive. Their communication and teamwork make them one of the best duos.
Marlin: “Look. Already It’s Half-Empty.” Dory: “Hmm. I’d Say It’s Half-Full.”
When Marlin and Dory were inside a whale’s mouth, Malin didn’t think Dory’s whale talk was working. Suddenly, the water inside the whale’s moth began dissolving. Marlin told her the mouth was now half empty but Dory optimistically told him that it was half-full.
This quote was a perfect example to show their different outlooks on life. For Marlin, their future was half-gone, but for Dory, it was half-full.
Marlin: “If It Wasn’t For You, I Never Would Have Even Made It Here.”
When the dentist’s niece, Darla, showed up for a cleaning, the dentist put Nemo in a bag for her to take home. Darla’s actions throughout the scene made her one of Pixar’s best human characters. Nevertheless, Nemo was on a mission to play dead and get home to his dad.
After Marlin and Dory’s mission was completed, Marlin told Dory that he couldn’t have done it without her. Marlin was a proud fish and it took a lot for him to compliment Dory and admit that he couldn’t have done it without her. This showed growth.
Marlin: “We Did It! No Eating Here Tonight, Eating Here Tonight…”
Although most Disney movies have songs throughout, Finding Nemo didn’t. The only song that Dory and Marlin sang was a quick one they made up when they saved themselves from a killer fish in the depths of the ocean.
When the predator got stuck in a pair of goggles, Marlin and Dory were so happy they started singing a song they made up together. This moment reminded a lot of viewers of Timon and Pumbaa’s connection in The Lion King, except viewers saw more of Marlin and Dory’s connection.
