"But most of what I've learned about acting - and a lot of what I've learned about life in the past seven years - was taught to me by Robert Altman"

This quote by Shelley Duvall speaks with the profound impact that Robert Altman had on her life. It recommends that Altman was not only a mentor to her in terms of acting, however also in regards to life in basic. This implies that Altman was a smart and skilled teacher who was able to impart important lessons to Duvall. It also suggests that Duvall was a ready trainee, excited to learn from Altman and apply his teachings to her own life. Altman's impact on Duvall was so terrific that she was able to learn a great deal about both acting and life in the 7 years that she dealt with him. This quote is a testimony to the power of mentorship and the effect that a terrific teacher can have on a trainee's life.