Original subtitles

From the long, long way to the ocean breeze, to the damp and to the rain of

London city.

We come from the sun to live in the cold. I live near London. I want my

free.

Let's keep the music sweet and wind up the way.

How do you do, Desmond?

Ah, Cleveland.

Cleveland Davis.

Everybody, this is Cleveland.

Cleveland Davis.

Hello, Cleveland.

Cleveland Davis.

How do you do, all?

I recognize that accent.

Well, you're better than most English people, because they usually think that

all sound the same and come from Jamaica.

No, no, that's not a Jamaican accent, that, Mr. Davis. I'm not that stupid.

You're from Somerset, aren't you?

Uncle Bertie from Somerset. He made the most amazing scrumpy.

Boy, what are you talking about?

I'm not from North Somerset. I'm a Bajan. Where is that? Somewhere in

The man from Barbados, that's why he sounds like that. Just like me, Desmond

Shirley sound like we come from Guyana. Vince sounds like he comes from Jamaica.

And Mr. Man of the Bakers, well, he sounds like he comes from the bush.

People must have commented on his accent before.

Yeah, right.

People who don't have an ounce of sense.

Still, just for breathing, these buildings are very, very touchy.

Neiman is an architect. He used to work for the council.

He's going to turn my dream land into my dream home.

So you're finally going to build on that land in Diana?

Shh, not so loud, Popeye. It's supposed to be a secret from Shirley.

You're going without Shirley?

Of course I'm not going without Shirley. She thinks I'm bringing in somebody in

to redesign the shop.

Oh, that's not a bad idea.

Something good is not a word to anybody, and that goes for all of you.

Never thought I'd see the day. You know, he's been talking about building his

retirement home on that plot of land ever since we were at school, and I used

walk home and caught him at Penny Thompson. All right, all right, Pope. I

everybody get the picture.

Not this. I don't quite get the picture. Did you, Penny?

Don't worry.

It's all here in my memoirs. This is my plot of land,

handed down to me by my great -granddaddy Ambrose. I hope it inspires

as much as it inspires me.

Die is it?

What do you mean, die is it?

But what happened to the big plot of land that's supposed to run on for acres

upon acres upon acres?

This one stops after the first acres.

Don't you see this picture was taken 30 years ago?

Right, take some notes.

I want it not too big, not too small, not too high, not too low, not too deep,

not too shallow. What are you planning to make it from?

Elastic?

As long as the check don't bounce, I'm not sinking for five.

Now, I want the best timber money can buy.

Not too dear, not too cheap, not too hard, not too soft, not... Michael,

and Jenny have cancelled dinner, so we've got a window for Friday.

Well, as long as the window's got good table manners, I don't mind. Michael,

we're supposed to be talking about our social diary.

Well, you can pencil me in any time. Believe me, it's got to the Penn stage.

Even better.

All right.

OK, people we don't owe but ought to.

Top financial directors, that would be good for my career.

City high flyers for my climb ever upwards.

No. Gloria and Alex.

What about little sister and her boyfriend? They've been very good to us

our engagement.

True. That painting of Alex's they gave us must be worth a few bob.

You're all heart.

Anyway, that's decided. Give him a call.

Oh, come on. Can't you do it? I mean, you're the one who's been saying you're

getting on well with him recently.

Please.

All right.

I know.

Let's pretend I'm Deborah Carr in From Here to Eternity.

What, is this what adults do when they've grown out of playing doctors and

nurses? Oh, come on. I'm Deborah Carr and you're Burt Lancaster in that

beach scene.

Oh, this is childish, Glor.

Look, can't I be Wesley Snipes in New Jack City?

Wouldn't I be play -acting if you was Wesley Snipes?

No. You're Burt Lancaster and we're on the beach.

and I've got my lovely cosy on, and you've got your trunks pulled up to your

belly button.

And the tide is washing over me, making me look absolutely stunning.

No, no, no, I've got it, I've got it. I want to be Mario Van Peebles in the

posse.

Kiss me like you've never kissed me before.

Don't worry, the other machine's on.

What other machine?

One unkissed Deborah Carr, can I help you?

Hello, Gloria.

Michael.

Michael?

Michael who?

Michael Ambrose, your big brother. Who do you think it is?

Keep your hair on. How was I supposed to make with you? All you bankers sound

the same.

How are you?

I'm fine.

Thanks.

How are you?

Fine.

Fine.

I suppose you and Alex would like to come over for dinner on Friday, would

We'd love to.

8 .30, OK? Fine.

Bye.

That's my big brother.

You know, I always said he was all right, as long as we're not in the same

How'd he do, all?

How do you manage to come in his shop whenever Shirley's out?

Call it architect's intuition.

And if you stand across the street where that car is always parked, you can

sometimes see through the blinds.

Why, devious, eh?

Mr. Davis, I took the liberty of browsing through our college library,

came across some rather interesting books on architecture.

May I suggest, when you come to design in Desmond's home, that you refer to the

19th century architect, Monsieur Stevens?

Now, if you're not familiar with his work... Excuse me!

But are you paying for Mr. Ambrose's house?

No. Then keep yourself quiet.

Monsieur Stephen's mighty square.

These vehicles are definitely very touching.

Hey, you should have sent one of those gaffs in through the keyhole.

Surely.

This is the architect who was telling you about.

Cleveland. How do you do, ma 'am? And before you say anything, I'm Beijing.

And I'm Shirley.

I can't wait to see what ideas you've had for the shop.

No, you don't want to say so. Why not?

Oh, they're really boring.

Absolutely boring.

Boringly boring.

Yes, they're architectural drawings, all spigots and curves and circles.

Those are generally the best kinds.

No, no, it's all very technical, Mrs. Ambrose.

Try me.

That's funny.

That looks like a veranda.

A veranda? In Peckham?

No, it's outside the haircutting area.

It was Desmond's idea.

Yes, outside the haircuts in the summer.

Well, it's just a thought, just a thought.

Now that it remains just a thought, what is this lift doing running up the side

of the building?

Yes, what is this lift doing?

Looks like it's carrying passengers.

All those years of working for the council.

I'm a tower block man.

Wish your Steve has never had these problems.

The view from outside doesn't look like our shop.

It looks more like one of those colonial stately houses we have back home.

Get out of that one, Houdini.

Cleveland can explain, can't you, Cleveland?

This is for Monsieur Stephens, ain't it? You little boy, I tell you something.

These drawings are for Monsieur Stephens?

That's right.

Monsieur Stephens.

Another client of mine. These are the wrong drawings.

The wrong drawings, of course.

How silly you.

Then you must come back and show us the right ones.

Ah, so glad I caught you both. Somebody building something.

Yes, don't listen to your father.

We're having the shop redesigned.

Redesigned in the shop?

Father, you do remember I own 50 % of this business.

Do you do 50 % of the haircut? That's not the point. Then shut up. Father, you

can't just redesign the... Business meeting.

You know, we've always said that we'd go back home and build our dream house

when I retire.

Yes, but what's that got to do with you? Well, I'm approaching retirement age,

you stupid boy.

And England...

He's drawing up the plan because he's so proud of your mother.

Ah, you do have a heart, Father.

Pity I didn't pass one on to you.

Well, put like that, redesign in the shop is an excellent idea.

Anyway, look, I must love you and leave you. Can't you just leave us?

Ah, I almost forgot.

Could you come over for dinner on Friday night?

I'll have to check my diary. Not you.

Good.

And, Father, you can unveil the new plans after dinner.

Yes.

I'll try and have them ready. I recognise that accent. You're from

aren't you?

Alex, you're the artist.

Tell me what you think of the latest Modigliani exhibition.

Well, I found it... Well, how can I put it?

Probably the same as you.

How did you find it?

Well, I thought his view of African ethnographical sculpture.

and how he conjures up silhouette, form and volume most exhilarating.

That's exactly what I thought.

I read all that opinionated garbage in the magazine. I was just dying to try it

out on you.

Oh, come on, man. I bet Alex that you was behind that phone call I got from

Michael. Now, who's right?

Well, let's just say that Michael does have his own mind, you know. Oh.

Only, once in a while, I have to change these batteries.

So, I'm the assistant.

What I intend doing is to tell my main man Cleveland back to Guyana to see

firsthand the land where I plan to build the house.

So, I want you to loan me a loan.

I'll do it, Father.

Not because it makes brilliant business, but because that's what you and Mother

have always dreamt of.

That's very magnanimous of you, sir.

And besides, you can put your share of the business up as collateral should the

venture collapse. Yes.

Well, since it looks like no -one's going to say anything, I will.

Mm. God and mother.

God and mother.

I... Well, we have learned for this day.

Now, there was a time when sitting down together like this and really enjoying

ourselves would have been, well, an impossibility.

Desmond arguing with Michael, Gloria arguing with Michael.

Note the common denominator.

Sir, I just would like to drink a toast to the new Ambrose family.

The new Ambrose family.

Well, it's been 30 -odd years since we came to this country, and we've always

said that as soon as the children can stand on their own two feet, we'll go

home. Now, Michael has been standing on my feet for years.

So, Shirley, instead of redesigning the shop, I've been working on something

special for you.

This is the architect's impression of our dream house back home.

Oh, I see.

You've decided.

That we're going to hop and leave our shop using our money to build your dream

home. Oh, surely.

Well, I hope you will be very happy, Desmond Ambrose, in your nice big house

Guyana. Because you know what?

You're going there on your own.

Does anybody know why Desmond and Shirley are vexed with each other?

Ben? Me?

As long as they pay me a wee time, I don't care who vexed me.

You're never satisfied with a play, yes or no, are you, Vince?

Ricky, I haven't got a clue.

I should have felt the atmosphere over breakfast.

It's that bad I had to get me inhaler out.

I didn't know you had asthma.

I don't.

It's got to be serious.

I mean, what is used to Desmond's vexations for Shelley?

Just look at him.

When last you we say?

Yes, but look at him.

Look, keep your head still, the man.

Yes, ma 'am. You can't manhandle the man like that.

You seriously feel that?

I feel it. Well, come out the shop.

You come out the shop as well.

Oh, you laughing at out of the shop.

food in his belly for the last 30 years. It's not as if he'll be needing them in

Guyana. Desmond, Shirley, how was dinner at Michael's last night?

Let me try.

Desmond, did you show Shirley the plans for redesigning the shop?

Redesigning the shop, my back foot.

If I ever mention the words build, dream, and home in the same breath, kick

We could market this as a new game show. We could call it Guess Why Them Vex,

the show that put the hard -bucking arguments.

Howdy -do, all.

You better know that this is not howdy -do time.

Oh.

Why is the man winking at me for?

Desmond, I brought over the new plans for redesigning the shop.

Something wrong with you, eh?

No, I said I brought over the plans for... Don't start that stupidness

She knows about the house back home.

Yes. I've seen your latest drawings, Cleveland.

And I think you did an excellent job.

You do?

In fact, is that them there?

Can I have a little piece? Just tell me what you think about a few minor

alterations.

Now, which one would be our bedroom?

That one over there. By the leaf.

What? That one there?

That's a very small room.

Could give us a little bit more space.

Now, which is my kitchen?

I say my because I can't see Desmond changing the habits of a lifetime and

actually using it.

Waiter.

That is it right there.

Lovely. Lovely.

Now we got air conditioning too.

Well, I think I better just pack up and go. The only pack up and going you doing

is with your suitcase with your airline tickets back to Guyana to examine my

land. And while you're at it, you might as well put back the kitchen in the

bedroom where they were.

You're deaf.

I ain't going anywhere.

Who talking about you? With a house that size back in the yard, I'm sure I can

find somebody to fill the holes you left in the kitchen and the bedroom.

Mother. You expecting burglar?

It really is not what it used to be.

Is everything all right, Mother? Yeah.

Well, it's just that it's 10 .30 and you're miles away from Peckham.

Ah, there's this thing between you and Father, isn't it?

No.

But since you ask...

right has he got? Making big decisions on my behalf.

I think he just meant it as a nice surprise. No, Michael.

Flowers are a nice surprise.

Putting the dinner on once in a blue moon is even nicer.

Look, he was just preparing things for when you go back to Guyana.

That's just it.

We're not ready to go back.

What are we going to live off?

Rum?

Let me take that back. Desmond can live off rum.

Look, Mother, the two of you aren't getting any younger.

You've got to start planning for the future.

I think that's what Father was trying to do.

But you think he would at least sit down and talk it over with me?

Yes, but, Mother, that's exactly what you're not doing.

Talking it over with Father.

You know, I don't understand women.

Nor me.

What do you know about women?

Well... I'm a man, aren't I? No, you're a boy.

Ricky, Dad's philosophy is that anyone living in this house shorter than he is,

he treats like a boy.

Surely he's shorter than Desmond.

Yeah, and he don't treat her like a boy.

No, but he treats her like a child.

Look, boy.

See? When you start treating this place like a hotel, you can tell me how to run

my life. Or run your wife.

I mean, what does this place cover to when a man can't build his own dream

and his wife says she don't want to live in it?

The same thing happened to me, you know.

I said to my wife, come, come with me to England.

She said, okay, just give me time to pack.

So what happened?

You lose her in transit?

No. I realized on the way to the airport that she had no intention of coming

with me.

She hadn't defrosted the deep freezer.

So I knew she was calling my bluff.

So what you're saying is Shirley will come after all, but this is just a test

our relationship.

No. I was just telling a story about my wife.

That does not help me.

The point is, shall I stay, never to spend the rest of my days in my beloved

land, or shall I go, never to set eyes on my beloved Shirley ever again? Easy,

Dad, hold it down.

Leave him alone, man, it's a big decision.

Probably his biggest yet.

Oh, what, second to should we keep Michael or have him adopted?

Is that the time?

What the time?

Is that the time? Oh, is that the time?

Sorry,

I forgot I lived here.

That's one way of clearing the place.

Maybe you should use it at closing time.

Shirley?

Yeah?

Surely. You know, I thought this would be like on TV.

I say your name, same time you say my name.

You say you go first, I say no, you go first.

You say I'm sorry, and I say no, I'm sorry.

And then we kiss and make up.

But we're not that corny.

Surely let's kiss and make up.

Why not?

We've certainly talked over our problem, haven't we?

Look, I'm sorry I steamrolled the business with the house and everything,

was just that... Man, let's start afresh.

That would be nice.

We can both go upstairs.

That'll be nice.

I can make you a cup of cocoa.

That'll be really nice.

And then we can both decide how we want to build our house back home.

Well, you always have to talk about back home. This is home.

You know what I mean. I do not want to go back to Guyana to live.

There. I said it.

We haven't been back now for 35 years.

35 years. That's more than half my life spent over here.

You mean I've been talking all these years about going back home and you had

intention of following me?

Of course I did in the early days when the children were young so that our

parents can hold their grandchildren.

But by the time our parents died, it was all too late.

We were settled.

I couldn't tell you then.

Well, you could tell me now.

But back then it was just a dream.

It was a long way off.

No. Look, that's not good enough, Shirley Ambrose. For 30 odd years, you

tuck my dream behind that mirror. Now you tell me you ain't coming back?

We don't need to go back, Desmond. We should be going forward.

Oh, man.

Come with me.

Let's go to the sun.

Anything you want. We could have his and her matching hammocks.

I can't.

I can't, Desmond.

I... I can't.

Even begin to imagine what it would be like not to see your children settled

watch your grandchildren grow.

So this is what it comes to?

This is what you want?

I'm not forcing you to tear up your drawings, you know.

Good. Because I still got my dream.

And as soon as I retire, I gone.

Well, I hope it doesn't come to that.

Because I'm staying right here.