Original subtitles

Love is like a butterfly, soft and gentle as sky.

The multicolored moods of love are like its saddened wings.

Love makes your heart feel strange inside. It flutters like soft wings in

flight. Love is like a butterfly, a rare and gentle thing.

Bennett?

Hello?

You're like a dog I had once.

Sometimes you wouldn't greet me when I came in.

Just to sit there, showing the white through his eyes.

It was a sort of punishment for something I'd done. I never knew what it

It wasn't easy leaving the house this morning. Everybody was late.

There's a pile -up at the breakfast table.

Ben's going to a dental conference the day after tomorrow.

In Cannes.

He goes to one every year.

And Adam and Russell... Look, must we talk about your husband and your sons?

I'm disappearing out of your life tomorrow for good. Isn't that worth some

conversation?

I'm sorry.

Tomorrow, you say? Yes, tomorrow!

These great passionate scenes we've managed to cram in between your family's

insatiable eating habits are coming to an end.

Leonard, you're being cruel and sarcastic.

Of course I'm being cruel and sarcastic.

It's not my fault all this... You spoke to me in that cafe.

I had to, hadn't I?

You were flicking ash over my entire meal.

Then why didn't you let it end there?

Because you teased me, that's why.

Teased you?

I've never teased anyone in my... You looked at me with that look. What look?

That chase me look.

Oh, well, you certainly did that, didn't you?

For more than a year now, we've been playing cops and robbers.

I don't even know what I see in you. You've got a funny nose.

Oh, Fia.

Fia.

It must be nice to be a bird.

Uncomplicated.

Yes.

What time are you going tomorrow?

Six o 'clock.

Will you come to the airport?

Not very far. New York, is it?

I mean, you can always... nip back.

My lunch hour.

Yes.

Thank you.

That was a nice meal.

Very nice. Very recognisable.

How long did you say you'd be away?

Five days, that's all.

I've got some good lectures this year.

Can.

The Playboy's Paradise.

Yes, indeed.

On a yacht.

Pardon? The seminar's being held on a yacht.

Yes. Looks enormous.

Yes, well, you could hardly house 150 dentists on a dinghy, could you?

Underwater fishing, beach clubs, water skiing.

That's in the afternoon.

You're missing the important part. Excuse me.

Tuesday the 14th, a lecture on precision attachment.

Wednesday the 15th, implant techniques. Thursday the 16th, practice management.

Friday the 17th, teeth for life, a study of prosthesis.

Saturday the 18th, home.

They don't hold seminars for housewives, have you noticed that?

Domestic conference, to be held on a floating supermarket off the Cote d

Tuesday the 14th, how to get the best out of your squeegee.

Wednesday the 15th.

A study on how to hold an intellectual conversation with your brillo pad.

Ria, am I going to get to this seminar, or is this just a little attack of acid

mirth? Everybody goes topless there, you know, in Cannes.

It could be all knees and nipples.

Now, I see you're feeling threatened.

It's a very funny place, full of funny people doing funny things.

I thought you approved of the totally immoral world we live in.

Oh, it's all right for others, for our sons.

Not for us.

Why should we be excluded?

You and I.

I don't know. Maybe we aren't.

You can do what you like.

What's wrong?

I didn't mean what I said.

Which bit of the what you said didn't you mean?

The bit about braless women.

Why shouldn't you have fun?

Adam once said you don't stop being human just because you're married.

Yes. Well, he's today's generation, isn't he? They don't know what loyalty

Only yesterday he had a girl up in his bedroom preening herself.

Another one checking a lipstick in his car.

By the time he charged up and down the stairs, he was too exhausted to do

of them a favour.

He's seen as wise as us sometimes.

He's not wise, he's rampant. By the time he's 40, he'll look like an old flower

arrangement.

Oh, my God, here's the other one.

Boy, digging that shelter's a lot of gruff.

Do you think it'll be ready in time for the war?

We have to go slowly now. There's a pipe in the way.

Oh, I see.

So we'll escape the fallout and pass peacefully away with the help of North

gas.

Oh, it's all under control, Dad.

By the time you get back from this dental orgy, it'll all be finished.

Orgy? Did you hear that?

Is everybody in this house trying to make me feel guilty? You? Him?

It's a compliment. If our sons link your name with the word orgy, it means

they're still in with a chance.

Chance?

Oh, you mean a chance of making it.

Scoring, pulling the chicks and all that.

Yes, well, it's a fairly accurate observation.

What does that mean?

Women have been known to look at me, you know, with that look.

I fix their teeth and make them look beautiful, you see.

That puts me on a level with God.

There's one in particular.

A nice round sort of lady.

Round?

Round, yes. I think that describes part of her reasonably well.

After eight fillings, she invited me round to her place for a drink.

Did you go?

No, don't answer.

We must all have little corners of us which are private.

Hi, people.

I hope no -one wants a bathroom for a day or two.

How strange life is. How unpredictable.

Leonard goes today.

Ben goes tomorrow.

One minute both, the next none.

All that nonsense from Ben about that woman patient.

He grew suddenly taller and his face became enigmatic.

He looked like a rugged Mona Lisa.

I'll miss you.

What's going to happen to me? Will I spend my last day on earth carrying a

of groceries from the supermarket?

If only I was as brave as I talk.

If only...

There's a strike at the airport, damn it.

Oh, God, what a mess.

If you all of us have decided to go by car, we'll make it, though. Hello,

Norman, what do you think?

Yes?

Well, I have no objection to travelling in your rolls, you bloody snob.

Well, Keith and Robin?

Yes, all right, fine.

And we leave tonight.

I'll check with you later.

I have to dash to the surgery to arrange a few things.

Could you have my things ready for tonight?

What time are you leaving?

Ria? Oh, Leonard, I'm glad you rang.

I can't see you off tonight.

I know. There's an airstrike.

Ben is leaving at six o 'clock. He decided to go by road.

Oh, good. I'll have you all to myself.

What? Well, my flight's cancelled, too, because of the strike.

I could be pestering you for days.

I didn't realise.

How silly.

I'll phone again tonight. After six o 'clock, of course.

Leonard, don't... don't call.

Why?

I don't know why.

I do know why.

And I don't want to tell you why.

I'll have a new bag for me over when you...

See my cufflinks?

In the glass dish on the dressing table.

Hey, Mum, did you iron my jeans?

On your bed.

Ria, did you pack my brown jacket?

Yes!

Paper

plate,

that net.

Paper plate, paper cups, paper knives and fork.

We'll go with a paper food.

Hey, Mum.

Does this eyeshadow look OK?

Eyeshadow? Yeah. Is it dark enough?

Where is it?

Underneath.

To go on top?

No, it's to make me look older.

It makes you look tired.

Great, that'll do.

Yeah?

Why do you want to look old and tired?

Well, Russ and I are going to a party tonight. We both got an eye on this

Well? She isn't a chick. She's at least... 29.

She'll have to hurry before it's all over.

I guess I'll make it, that's all.

Are you feeling all right?

Yeah, great.

Do you think perhaps you're getting too much sleep? Your eyes don't seem to want

to come out in the open.

It's the eye shadow.

We've got a new problem. Now he's wearing eye shadow.

He wants to look more mature. He's seen this very old lady of 29.

Does she know that a third of his existence is spent sleeping and the rest

yawning?

Right, I'm all ready then.

Right. Will you be all right?

Oh, yes. I've got lots to do.

There won't be as many dishes of court with you away, but I can always go out

and grab the bus shelter.

Forget about the house. Do something exciting.

Like what?

Well, as our sons would say, whatever lights your candle.

I'll think of something.

They're here.

I'll see you Saturday.

See you Saturday.

That patient I was telling you about... It's all right.

I don't want to know.

Come on, Mum, be honest.

Which one of us is the biggest turn -on?

Oh,

you're both very beautiful.

Subtle, isn't he? I'm yours.

All right, well, let's see who scores, Sunchuk. Fairly to be going to a party,

isn't it? We're helping Guy with the food. His parents are away.

Well, have a good time and behave yourselves.

Which do you want?

Come on.

See you, Mum.

You will be OK, won't you, on your own?

I can't wait for the luxury of it, Adam.

Herbal bath oil?

Honey -faced cat?

Wildflower shampoo.

Hello.

I'm sorry. You have a wrong number.

Okay, folks.

Let's go up to the bathroom and have a rave -up.

Ria?

I know you said not to call, but I had to... Look, why don't we have dinner

here, in my place?

Your husband's away?

No, that's no good.

Ria, it's Leonard.

I might have to go away tomorrow. After all, the strike could be over.

Why don't we have dinner together, you and I, here in my place?

Oh, nothing dramatic.

Just two people talking, saying goodbye.

Oh, God.

Ria, look, this is bloody silly. I'm on my own, you're on your own, and here we

are wasting a whole evening when tomorrow we could both be dead.

I didn't want to... You didn't want the entire world to know you were here, I

know.

Hello.

Hello.

Are you coming in or should we eat

in the hall?

I didn't really think you'd come.

Eggs by courtesy of the chap next door.

Floral arrangements retrieved from kitchen bin.

Wine found lurking in deserted fridge.

Flat six and eight unable to supply necessary bread. Flat seven occupied by

horrendous child who announced his parents were out and why didn't I buy my

damn bread?

Here, let me...

Well, shall we talk while the eggs are boiling, before they've boiled, or shall

we boil them in silence and talk while we're eating them?

Let's boil them and eat them and talk all the time.

Right, to the kitchen.

I'm sorry, what decision did we take? Could you go over it again, please?

Leonard.

Oh, Ria, how I've waited.

what I've been waiting for.

I've gone over it in my mind.

Over and over it.

Leonard, you won't go too fast, will you?

Why you, I wonder?

Why your face?

I have to think things out, you see.

Maybe if we boil the eggs.

I think I ought to tell you I love you.

It's cold in here.

Silly, isn't it, loving you?

Could I have my coat?

Two years of frantic pursuit and now goodbye and oh, by the way, I love you.

I'm sorry, what did you say?

My coat.

Could I have my coat?

It's just that when I get scared, I get cold.

Then come to bed.

We'll get warm.

Well, if we go to bed...

I get more scared and more cold.

Scared, cold, Ria, these are the 1980s. Are they? Oh. Is there something special

about that, then?

It's the age of freedom.

The age of not being scared of doing what you want to do.

You're going too fast.

Well, of course I'm going too fast.

Any minute you could remember your husband's forgotten his clean socks and

rushing off after him.

I love you, Mrs. Parkinson.

You don't know me.

For a start, I can't cook.

The oven cringes when it sees what I put into it, and my family cringe even more

when they see what I take out of it.

I cry a lot, and in the morning my face looks like an old cushion.

My body's seen too much of life.

Oh, it's fine when it's dressed, but...

When it's not, it looks as if there's been a landslide.

My teeth are capped, my knees creak, and my eyes are screeching for help.

How well suited we are.

Just another room.

Oh, yes, thank you, Thomas.

No, I'm fine, fine.

No, no, I'll call you when I'm ready to leave. Yes, yes.

Yes, yes. Bye.

Bye.

That was Thomas.

There will be a couple of flights tomorrow. He's trying to get me a place.

Yes.

Three more steps and you've made it.

I've never done anything like this before.

Nor have I.

Well, not quite like this.

You mean they usually undress on their way up the stairs?

No, I mean it hasn't meant anything to me before.

I'm not like all the rest, then.

Oh, no.

No, you're much more difficult.

Ignore it. They've got the wrong bell. I don't know anybody.

Remember, we were up to where you want to.

Yes? Oh, Mr Dunn, there you are. I believe you wanted some bread.

Oh, yes, thank you.

Only my son told me you called.

brought some in with me. That's very kind of you, yes. Thank you again. It's

only half a loaf, I'm afraid, but it'll tide you over.

Oh, yes, yes, will indeed. Well, I'll replace it tomorrow.

Nice flats, these, aren't they?

We don't get as much sun at the back.

I expect you get a lot of sun.

Oh, yes.

Nice wallpaper, too.

Yes.

My husband likes that sulfane silk finish, but I always say you can't beat

wallpaper.

Well, I'll be off then. Ah, yes, well, thank you again.

Any time.

Oh, it's nice bread.

Granary. I like granary, don't you?

Much better than all the other rubbish.

How do you want your eggs?

Hi, Mum.

Hi,

Mum.

I won't ask you if you had a good time or who scored.

Oh, we had a great time.

We both scored.

Both? She's not exactly exclusive, is she?

Yeah, well, I guess she just followed the instructions on her T -shirt.

Bacon?

I guess yuck is the answer.

That pig, Russell, died for you.

Too bad he wound up with you, Mum.

What did you do last night?

Oh, nothing much.

Shampooed my hair.

Had a bath.

Oh, and I had a face pack.

Oh, boy.

You're really out of control, aren't you?

Not even coffee? What were you drinking last night?

Everything. I guess it was the washing up water that did it.

You look nice this morning.

You know, fresh.

You don't kind of turn my stomach.

Thank you.

Such good news.

It must be okay being married to one guy.

No hassles, no mix -ups.

Yeah.

I get tired spreading myself around sometimes.

I feel like I want to get old. To get settled.

Feel satisfied.

Do you know what I mean?

Oh, here it comes.

Mr. Universal.

to converse, Adam.

What a night.

Coffee? I'm thinking about it.

I don't know why either of you come to the table.

It's a habit, Mum. It's a habit. You've got to start the day somewhere.

Who's at the scarf?

No idea.

Do all your conquests autograph you?

The full name's Rosemary, but there wasn't room on his chest.

I wonder what Dad's doing now.

picking his way through the nude bathers with his knee -length shorts in his

briefcase. Excuse me, young lady, would you mind covering your jet?

Is that a joke? Is it? Is that a joke?

Well,

Adam, do you want the bacon or not?

Bacon? I thought it was dead leave.

Why am I spending my life stoking your stomach?

Because we're not married. Why aren't you married?

Well, I'm too clever.

I might be coming out of a church and some chick with bigger boobs and longer

legs might pass, and that's it. Life of frustration.

Yeah, like I said, it's easier when you're older.

You sort of grow... Past it?

No, no. What we mean is, when you're young, you suffer from greed and...

But when you're older, you suffer from loyalty and guilt and...

How is everything?

Oh, fine.

It's beautiful here.

Are the lectures good?

Very interesting, yes.

And the topless women?

Oh, those.

They're very good, yes.

It's over.

You could have flown.

Never mind.

I'll see you Saturday.

See you Saturday.

Ria? Yes?

I miss you.

I miss you, Ben.

The women here have, well...

Quite a lot, but nobody's got a nose quite like yours.

Leah? Hello?

Leonard?

I'm at the airport. I can't hear you very well.

I wish you were here.

Yeah.

I've said goodbye to you twice already.

That's enough.

I won't be able to write, of course.

But I'll call.

If you go to the park, the plane will pass over in about an hour.

I love you, Mrs. Parkinson.

May I help?

Oh. No, it's all right. I can manage.

Please, I'm going your way.

No, they're not heavy.

I feel strange without them.

I've seen you often in the park.

Yes, I cut across when I'm not in my car.

You married?

Yes, I am very married.

Children?

Yes.

I have one of...

Ten. You surprised me.

And one of... nine.

Thank you.