Original subtitles

[Man]: Dear Claire,

I learned recently that you lived nearby,

that you exist.

Since then, I've been fighting the need to contact you.

But that need has slowly grown, refuses to go away.

It's more than 40 years since we met, since we loved.

Everything is so quickly forgotten.

I'm writing to you now because right through my life,

there was always an image... of you travelling with me.

An image of you stopping

on that little bridge,

with both your hands in the pocket of my coat.

I rememberyouryouth,

your innocence,

your smile.

We've all dreamed those strange dreams

in which nothing's impossible.

I would like to meet you again.

Is this... possible?

Yours,

Andreas Borg.

[Woman]: Dear Andreas,

I was so touched by your letter.

Many years have gone by and so much has happened.

And yet nothing much has happened.

Yes, I would like to see you again.

But you must know I'm a fragile old lady

with a son and three grandchildren. I shall come

and see you by train, like we used to.

Affectionately,

Claire.

Andreas?

- Claire.

- No, it's not like that at all.

- Like what? Tell me.

- Well, I think it's only normal

that after some time a marriage gets a bit jaded.

- Not at our age. I mean, you pass that stage and just...

carry on. - Oh? What do you know about it?

[Laughing] - More than enough.

Don't look around. - What?

[Both laughing]

I'm not going to pretend I don't like you anymore.

We're too old forthat.

- What about love you anymore?

We went beyond liking.

- Hm, well that's true.

- After all those years...

we're still the same.

I don't know what to say.

- Now, don't you get sentimental.

You know, for so many years,

I wondered how someone like you -you know,

like a fine artist, a musician -

could've been the son

of such a hard, insensitive father.

- Lest we forgive and forget.

Now I thought you lived in England.

Imagined you at... Kent or Surrey.

Somewhere in the country, away from all the noise.

You always hated noise. - Fate decides these things.

It's all fate.

- What, we have no say in the matter?

- Of course we have a say in the matter.

- You haven't changed.

- Of course I've changed.

- Of course you have.

So...

What kind of man is he?

- We're good friends.

That's all that really matters in the end.

- Did you enjoy? - Yes, thank you.

- Do you often come here?

Yes, I can't resist! Well, the food's good, it's close-by

and... sometimes,

she smiles.

- I've enjoyed today.

Thank you, Andreas.

- Me too.

Claire,

wonderful to see you,

to...

talk to you...

To find you, uh...

still so much alive.

Your warmth...

clings to me. [Coughing]

I... I look at myself in the mirror.

So many wrinkles!

I didn't recognise myself.

You looked... Exactly the way I thought you looked.

Uh... youwouldlook, I mean.

These days, I can never look at a face without...

Seeing the skull.

It's a... dreadful habit!

With you, there was no skull.

We must meet again.

Life is short, as they say.

- My dear Andreas,

you have a sweet, sentimental streak in you which I so adore.

But it's just not realistic to pick up the threads

and think you can go on from there.

We're really too old now to ruin our lives

and hurt the people that love us.

I once loved you very much.

It affected the rest of my life.

But we can't start that again.

I shall always love you, but please,

dear Andreas...

[doorbell ringing]

- Hello, my darling.

- What's going on, Dad? Why haven't you answered my calls?

I've been worrying myself stupid.

- How are you?

- What's the matter, Dad?

- Nothing's the matter.

I'm perfectly alright.

Unless you think this is my mid-life crisis.

- You're too old forthat! - Don't be cruel.

[She giggles.]

How's Nick? - He's fine.

Eh... Not that great.

I never see him, and when I do he's tired.

We spend most of ourtime working.

- Can I do anything? - It's all yourfault!

That sentimental streak in the family.

I always remember how things were.

The good times.

And then... life becomes life.

Anyway, what did the doctor say?

Did you tell him you're a hypochondriac?

- No, he told me.

Now leave that. I'll... I'll clean it later.

- How much later? It won't take a second.

- What do you mean, "life becomes life"?

- You go on and on...

Day after day, pretend it's alright.

So many people are dead inside.

Nothing.

Afew memories,

a few thoughts of the past and then we go on,

as if... nothing happens.

- What's supposed to happen then?

- I don't know.

I don't know. We should live.

- At least people of my age have their memories.

- That's not exclusive to your age.

- How do you define memories? I mean, what's a happy memory?

What's a sad one?

When does a thought of the past

actually become a memory?

Thoughts of yesterday,

are they memories?

- You always make things more complicated than they are!

I wasn't talking about the past. It'snowthat matters.

- That's true.

Especially now.

- Very funny.

Please answerthe phone next time it rings.

Promise?

- You know what really matters in life?

- You tell me.

- Love. Everything else is rubbish.

- That's so naive. - It's naive not to believe that.

[Phone ringing]

[Phone ringing]

[Phone ringing]

- Hello.

Hello?

- Who was it? - That's the third time.

Someone rings and then hangs up.

Well, if Gerald calls, I've gone to choir practice. Okay?

- That tie suits you. - Hm. You gave it to me.

- Did I?

[Humming]

[Phone ringing]

[Phone ringing]

[Phone ringing]

[Phone ringing]

[Phone ringing]

[Phone ringing]

[Phone ringing]

[Phone ringing]

[Phone ringing]

[Phone ringing]

[Phone ringing]

[Phone ringing]

[Phone ringing]

Hello?

I knew it was you...

Yes, I promised I wouldn't see you again, but...

I see you in front of me all the time.

- Glad you could make it, Mr. Borg.

We're moving the whole cemetery. This is prime real estate now.

- Thank you for coming.

- How old was the grave?

I mean, when did she die?

- Oh, about 30 years ago.

It's a long time.

- I don't understand why you had to be there.

- Oh, that's the rule and...

Otherwise, they're not allowed to touch. Huh!

But they, uh... they do it anyhow.

She was a beautiful woman, my wife.

We shared a lot of lust.

I could feel herflesh.

I could smell her again.

- You loved her. - Oh, yes. Yes I loved her.

More when she got ill.

- Sh-sh-sh...

- Would you... stay with me tonight?

I... I don't want to be alone.

- Yes.

If we're going to do this, let's do it like grownups.

Close the curtains.

Then close your eyes.

- That's not very grownup.

- Yes, it is.

Can I trust you?

- Can I trustyou?

- No, you can't.

- I've got some of those airline blindfolds.

Do you want to try that?

- No. Just keep your eyes closed.

- I'm getting very nervous. - Trust me.

- Well, you just told me... - Shh.

We're grownups now.

I don't know what to tell him.

- It's better not to say anything. Who would understand?

- I'm too old for lies!

- You've made me very happy.

- Me too.

- Oh, I love you. I've always loved you.

[Snoring]

[Snoring]

[Snoring]

[Snoring]

[Snoring]

- And, uh, what did you do last night?

- Oh, went out.

- I know that.

Where'd you go? - Meeting an old friend.

- Who was that? - No one you know.

- Come on, we've been married long enough not to have secrets.

- Yes, well, that's true.

- Well, who was it?

- Well, I mean, who did you meet last night?

I don't know everybody you meet.

- Mm, that's true.

Oh, and don't forget the tickets,

forthe concert on Saturday night?

Of course, I can't go. - Oh, and why not?

- I told you. We've got this farewell dinner at the club.

- Oh.

- Are you finished? - Yes.

- But... Yourfriend, you might like to take her.

- Yes, well, I might ask him.

- Oh, and, uh, our choir, we're performing in three weeks.

- John, would you listen to me for a moment?

- I am listening. - No. No, you're not.

- I am.

- We shouldn't have secrets. Wearetoo old forthat.

- Well, that's what ljust said.

Look, can we have a chat tonight? I'm late.

- Oh, yes. Well, we'll talk tonight

if that suits you better.

- What do you want to say, then?

- Nothing.

- Come on. You might as well tell me now.

- Look, you said you were late. What I have to say

might take a long time.

- Well, if it bothers you, I'll stay.

- I think it might botheryou.

- Well?

- I went to bed with someone I knew a long time ago...

That's what I did last night.

- Good one, darling!

What are you trying to say?

- I said, I slept with an old friend.

I made love to him.

- And how was it?

- What?

- The lovemaking, of course!

- You don't believe me, do you?

- Of course I don't believe you. What is this? What's the matter?

- No, I'm sorry, I told you.

- Look, Claire, Claire...

What sort of a joke is this? - It's not a joke.

And why is it so hard foryou to accept?

- Accept? Accept?

- When did we last make love? Do you remember?

- Oh, come on, please, what's brought this on?

- It was 20 years ago, almost to the day.

- I... I've got to go.

We'll talk about this when I get back, alright? I'm late.

This is absurd.

Yes, I know...

It's crazy...

Look, have you got time to see her?

No, uh... not as her son.

As a, uh... as a doctor...

Yeah...

Well, yes. Yes, I am worried...

Very worried. She's obviously depressed or something...

Yeah...

You remember about, uh... oh, about 12 months ago?

- Where is he, Maudie? - He's inside.

- Is he alright?

- Well, he's okay, but... well, he's a wee bit strange.

He's forgotten that I come here every Tuesday.

- Well, it's Wednesday. - Well, I came yesterday,

but he wasn't at home.

Now, I don't have a key, so I came back today.

But he still thinks it's yesterday!

- Yes, yes, that sounds familiar.

[Whistling]

[Whistling]

- Oh, how did you get in?

- Through the door.

- That's unusual.

Maudie's losing it.

Never knows what day it is.

- Yeah, she thinks it's Wednesday!

- Exactly.

- So, when are we going up north?

- You and Nick should go.

Uh... I can't.

- What do you mean, you can't?

- Can you remember when you first fell in love?

- Yeah, sort of.

- How you, uh...

really felt -

the first time, I mean. - It was agony.

- Well...

I'm in love again.

- Again?

- With my very first love.

And it's...

It's not agony.

- Well, does she love you too?

- Well, for her it's more difficult, but...

I know she loves me! - Don't get carried away!

Keep yourfeet firmly on the ground.

- You know, we've always talked about everything.

That's a blessing.

You're a wonderful child.

- You're a wonderful child, too.

- Don't you think it's odd he doesn't believe me?

- Is it true, then?

- Funny how the roles are reversed.

Now I'm being watched and not believed,

like a 16-year-old girl. - Well, should I believe you?

- Do you think I'd make this up? Come on, David.

- Mum, you're nearly 70! - Yes, I know.

I've thought of that.

Does that make any difference, really?

I probably wouldn't have slept with him

if yourfather and I had been physically close.

- He doesn't believe you. Sit down.

Let's have a look at this eye.

- No, the worst one's the left one.

I think I'm getting an infection again.

You remember when he hadhisaffair?

And we lived with that and we had to try to forgive him.

Now I didn't believe that it happened for a long time,

but it had...

- Yeah, but Mum, that was 20 years ago.

What are you going to do now?

- I don't know.

Nobody knows.

Please try to understand.

I don't really understand it myself.

Yourfather's... he's always the same.

He's always kind,

he's always perfect.

But I... I've wanted sometimes for him to be a bit foolish.

To be vulnerable, to need me...

Women are like that. We can't help it.

I never had the faintest intention of being unfaithful,

but now I've done it because a man I once loved

broke down on his wife's grave and was tender and weak.

Don't judge me lightly.

I'm so sorry to have disappointed you,

but life is brutal at times. - You haven't disappointed me.

- It isn't always possible to resist,

to obey the rules and deny the things that really matter.

I don't think women are any different from men

in their secret adventures. - Mum, Mum, stop.

- It isn't only because this man was tender and vulnerable.

I'm in love with him.

- Do you know that women live longerthan men?

- Yes. - Why do you think that is?

- Well, even if I knew the answer, I wouldn't tell you!

- These days, there's always some sort of excuse for death.

- Well, so there should be. Death cannot be justified.

- Yesterday, I read in the paper

that a 95-year-old man died of cancer.

And I have a suspicion that he died of old age.

There's always some disease that kills us.

It's life that's the killer. We die because we're alive.

- You haven't changed a bit!

- Neither have you.

- Oh, I like talking about life. Don't often get the chance.

- Look what I found...

[organ music]

"Ami, le hibou pleure où volait la colombe.

Et ton sang souterrain a fleuri surta tombe.

Et mes yeux qui t'ont vu sont las

d'avoir pleuré loin de tes bras pieux

et de ta bouche triste."

- Merveilleux.

- What do you want me to do, David? I mean, what can I do?

- Have you tried talking to her?

- And she wants to start driving again!

I do love her. You know that.

I've always loved her.

Now I realise just how much. - It's nevertoo late.

- Don't be facetious, David. - I'm only trying to help.

Look, tell me to shut up but, uh...

When was the last time you two made love?

How long ago?

- Look, I'm not one of your patients!

What's that got to do with it?

At my age... you worry about otherthings!

- What about her age?

- You know her health is not the best.

She's got a heart condition, huh? You bloody well know that!

- She's tougherthan you think.

Might even be good for her heart.

- Come on, John. Yourturn.

- Haven't you got anything to say?

Why are you putting me to the test like this?

- Normally, you don't even look up when I come in.

- Claire!

Are you out of your mind? We are married!

We've been married for45 years!

- Forty-fouryears, three months, six days.

- Yes, almost 45 years!

Look, I want you to go and see a doctor.

- I've seen a doctor. - Who did you see?

- Your son's a doctor, isn't he?

- Oh for God's sake! Look at yourself!

Claire? Open the door.

- No.

- Open the door!

Open the bloody door!

- I think I'll... I think I'll leave you alone for a few days.

- Oh no, you won't! - What are you doing?

- You are my wife! - Stop it!

- You'll bloody well stay here! - Stop it! Stop it! Leave...

- Oh.

Claire, what... - Are... are you alone?

- What's a... Yes. - Are you not going out?

- No. No, no, what... - I can't go on like this.

- Like what? - You don't know. It's awful...

- Now come on. Please, tell me... - I can't go on. It's impossible.

- What's impossible? - Everything.

Andreas, could I stay here, just fortonight, please.

- Yes, of course you can stay here.

But, well, why don't we go to a hotel?

- No, I don't want to do that. I want to stay here with you!

- Well, um, my daughter will... She'll get a bit of a shock...

- You don't love me, do you?

I mean, if you love me, you would keep me here.

- It's not a question of love... - Yes, yes it is!

I mean, keep me here, help me.

- Well, you're very upset, my darling. Now tomorrow, we...

- No! There won't be a tomorrow! Now you take me, here and now!

Otherwise, you will never, ever see me again.

- Oh, you're overwrought, but... - You know, I really thought

you loved me enough! - Claire, please listen to me...

- No, it's too late! It's too late!

I don't want sacrifice, I want love!

- You know where she is?

- With her lover, of course.

- Do you know where he lives?

- Yes. I found out.

Oh, God. Love at her age!

It's ridiculous!

- She has been pretty lonely. You know that, don't you.

- Well, since when? I mean,

how could she be lonely?

I'm always here, I've not neglected her!

She's off her head.

Everything has suddenly changed.

I haven't changed... Have you?

- Why should I have changed?

- That's what I mean. People don't change -

just like that, like she has.

I tell you, she's off her head.

She needs professional help.

We must get herto a doctor, a specialist.

- She's perfectly alright.

- God, well you're not much of a doctor if you can't see that!

- Dad...

What would you do if she walked in right now?

What would you say? - What sort of question is that?

You know very well what I'd do. - What?

- Oh, for heaven's sake, David!

- You have to live for something - or someone.

Otherwise, life doesn't make much sense.

- Oh, I see. You mean your mother's living for someone

and I'm not! Is that it? Is that what you're saying?

You've always ganged up on me, ever since you were 12!

You and your mother!

- You know,

this is the first time you've managed to say what you think?

Think about that.

[Laughing]

- Oh! Oh, dear!

- What's so funny? - I was just...

I was just telling Claire that revolting joke about the vase.

You know, when the husband comes home

with the bunch of flowers! - Oh, come on.

- You two should spend some time together away from it all.

Do you know that Dad has nevertaken a holiday?

Once. Once we went to the seaside.

Within two days, he was packing his bags. He just left us there.

- Don't give away all my secrets.

- I have to go to work.

Thanks... I hope to see you soon.

- Goodbye. - Bye.

Please look after her. She's lovely.

Listen to her. - I will.

- I'm sorry.

I'm sorry about last night.

- Oh, no, no. I'm sorry.

- Too much love is as bad as no love at all.

Your daughter's a wonderful girl.

- She's a woman.

Do you... always mean what you say?

- I don't think I ever say anything I don't mean.

- Love becomes more real the closer it comes to death.

Don't you think?

- Yes.

How long do you think we can keep this going?

- Forever.

"...Since first"

"You were my bonny bride"

"The roses all have left your cheeks"

"Left your cheeks"

"I watched them fade away and die"

"Your voice is sad when e'eryou speak"

"And tears bedim your loving eyes"

"Oh I will take you back..."

- Mr. Borg, I understand this must be quite a shock to you.

- It... it isn't, really, no.

I've... I've been living on borrowed time -

for quite some time.

All my life, really.

How much longer do you think I have? I'd...

I'd like to know.

- Well, that's hard to say.

Um, these days anything can happen, anything is possible.

- In a funny way, I'm relieved.

Very much so.

If I'm gonna die, let's do it. But let's do it as grownups.

- You're not going to die.

- Of course I am. - Well...

we've booked you in for a few days next week.

Friday and Saturday. Is that alright with you?

- I'm having a board meeting Friday morning,

New York Friday afternoon, Saturday I'm playing golf

with the president... I'm sorry, of course it's fine.

You must promise me one thing, though.

I don't want anyone to know. No one.

- No, I'm... I'm waiting for a friend.

May I have a glass of water, please?

- So, what's happening at home?

- Well, he wants me to see a psychiatrist.

- Don't... My neighbour's a psychiatrist...

An absolute fruitcake!

- I'm a bit edgy today. My life's become very complicated.

- Mine...

My life's become very beautiful.

What's the matter?

- Oh, my left eye, it doesn't get enough moisture.

- Old tears spent?

- Oh, no. The right eye waters constantly.

Let's go somewhere, where we can...

shed a few tears together.

[Crying]

- I still have the keys to that church.

I used to play the organ there,

until they discovered I was an agnostic.

- Hah! How did they find out?

- I refused to play God Save the Queen on the queen's birthday.

- Oh...!

- Oh... why don't you stay?

- No, I... I can't leave him on his own. I mean...

he's very hurt and we mustn't rush into anything silly.

- We already have.

- Yes, I know. But I can't leave him on his own.

- I love you.

- I love you too.

[Key opening lock]

What are you doing? - I'm cooking.

- Why?

- I wanted to spoil you, for a change.

- Where do we go from here?

- Where can we go?

- I'm sorry.

- Me too.

I... never realised. - Oh, I know.

It's not yourfault. - Yes, it is.

I want to make it up to you, Claire.

I do love you.

I've always loved you.

- You know, that's about the first time in 30 years...

that you told me you loved me.

- I'm old, I'm tired.

I suddenly realised that my whole... my whole life...

- Come on, it's alright.

Let's try to have a quiet evening.

You're burning something.

- I don't want to lose you, Claire.

I've... felt...

Too comfortable with you here.

I let the years slip by...

I was selfish.

I felt safe.

- What's safe?

- What we had. A home.

I felt we were at home here. - That hasn't changed.

John, if I hadn't said something,

you'd never have noticed, You would never have known.

- I've got a right to know who he is.

- I think if I were 30 years younger,

I would leave you and I would marry him.

- Why do you torture me like this?

I've not slept since all this started.

- You're jealous, that's the problem.

- What are you talking about? At my age?

- Yes, at your age.

- What an absurd way to spend the last few years of our lives.

- I've packed one pair already. I can't weartwo.

- Pack two pairs. You always need two pairs in hospital.

Oh, will you look at that.

I mended that last week. I didn't do a very good job.

- I won't be wearing my coat very much. Just leave it.

- When will I be seeing you again, Mr. Borg?

- Why are you taking this so seriously?

I'm going in fortests, that's all.

- God bless you.

- He will.

God bless you too, Maudie.

- What exactly is wrong with him?

- As far as I know, he's in here fortests. He'll tell you.

- Yes, they're doing a few tests. I'm perfectly alright.

- What sort of tests? - A check-up, that's all.

What, did you bring those flowers?

- Mm-hm. They're in the wrong vase.

- Oh.

- Why didn't you tell me you'd booked yourself into here?

- I thought I might be in and out and home before dinner.

- Remember when you had yourtonsils out?

- That was extremely embarrassing.

- Oh? Why was that embarrassing? - Well, the matron was there

when they changed the sheets. She was not amused!

- It's good to be touched there, isn't it?

- Well, it depends where.

- To love is to be aware of eternity.

That's supposed to cheeryou up.

- It's supposed to make you think...

Careful, careful!

[Panting]

There are two kinds of death, really.

- Only two? - Mm. Bodily death...

And death of thought.

The body dies. That's normal, that doesn't worry me.

It's the other death...

The "me" death.

The end of the one that acquires the things

that he or she thinks important.

- Acquires what?

- Attachments.

- Am I an attachment? - Yes, you are.

But you make my life - and my death - more...

acceptable, more beautiful.

- You mustn't separate life and death.

They're the same in the end. You'll understand that,

when you get to my age. - I'm olderthan you are.

- Yes, I know. But women are always at least 10 years ahead.

What are you doing here? - I followed you.

- Well, that's obvious. Why? - Is yourfriend sick?

- John, please leave me alone. Let me live my life.

- Claire, look, you're making a terrible mistake.

- Please go home, John! This is pathetic!

- No, come with me and we can talk this over...

- No, I'm not coming with you!

- Oh, you don't believe in God?

- Well, if God were called beauty or love,

I would believe in him - or her - alright.

- Godisbeauty and love. - Well, that's where we differ.

I don't know that.

I only know that through beauty and love,

I can experience something deeper and richer

than we think life orthe world is.

- I think we're talking about the same thing, the same God.

- Actually, we're not talking about God.

Oh, well you may be, but I'm not. I'm talking about...

Afeeling, a sense of something.

- Ah, this is fascinating.

- God help us.

- The wonderful thing about God

is that he appears in many different shapes and forms.

He manifests himself within us and around us.

And now that is why I said

that we are talking about the same thing!

- We may be talking about the same thing,

but we are certainly not talking the same language.

Now, you must see a lot of people die.

What do you say to them?

- Well, that would all depend who they are.

- You mean what religion they are?

- Oh, not anymore, no. In the face of God we are all the same.

- You must have something to say to them.

I mean coming from you, personally.

- To many people, death is very difficult.

Should we say a little prayer?

- Oh, no, I don't need a little prayer. Um...

I wish the word "god" didn't exist. Then we'd be free

to find out who and what God is for ourselves.

Now, I know that goodness never dies.

And tenderness and love - real love - never dies.

Now, if you don't believe that, you stay where you are.

- Just forthe night, is it? - Well maybe a week.

A month, a year? God knows.

- Will you be having breakfast tomorrow?

- No. No breakfast, thank you.

- Uh! Phew.

- Are you alright, Mr. Borg?

Sh-sh-sh.

- Do you believe in Jesus Christ?

- Yes, I do.

- Why?

- Well, you must have faith.

I mean, Jesus helps when you have faith.

- I don't need him to helpme.

He's busy enough.

- Do you need something to help you sleep?

- No. Thank you anyway. - Well, good night, Mr. Borg.

- What's your name? - Jennifer Claire.

- Ah, that's a pretty name. My wife's called Claire.

- Ah, I thought you were single? - Not anymore.

Good night, Jennifer Claire. - Good night, Mr. Borg.

- Yes, I know all that,

but it's taken him half a century to care...

Now he realises he has emotions, I'm scared of him...

Huh! Yes, thatis ridiculous, I know...

And I'm so sorry David, but...

You try to get a good night's sleep, now...

I love you...

Good night.

- Let's dance.

- I'd better get back.

- Aw, come on...

- We're dealing with actualities, Mr. Borg.

- I appreciate that, but I'd probably finish up with a bag.

And then the radiation plus chemotherapy.

Now that's just not for me. No! - What about yourfamily?

Yourfriends? You have private health insurance.

It won't cost you anything. - I've got my family,

my memories, the things I've accumulated,

but I've got advanced cancer.

How do you deal with this man who's dying?

- I've stated all the options.

There's a very good chance...

- Well, look, I'm gonna die sometime.

But I'm not dying outside myself.

I'm dying within myself.

And it's my problem.

You see, doctor, I'm very much in love again.

It's happened to me twice.

I'm very lucky. Twice, with the same woman.

Now I can live the rest of my life dying and living

and not separating the two.

Do you understand what I mean?

- No, not really.

- When I get to the other side, I'll send you a fax.

Or maybe an e-mail. It's cheaper!

- Strange thing, I've become a liability.

It's like being a teenager again.

- Mum, it's not like that at all. - Oh yes it is.

- Come and stay with us. - Oh, no, David,

I don't want to go home with you.

- Why didn't you tell us?

- How did you find me here? - Maudie told me, of course.

I went straight to your doctor. You're such a stubborn...

Foolish old man. I'm very angry.

- Monique, you know the truth, don't you?

That it's worse than I told you, isn't it?

I... I'm sorry.

There was nothing to be achieved by telling you.

- Does Claire know?

- No. - You must tell her!

- I... I can't.

Remember when you had your ears pierced?

- Yes.

And I did it behind your back.

- Yes.

- I'd never seen you so upset.

- Well, I was very angry. - Why?

- Well... I felt it... ruined your innocence.

I mean...

You're so perfect.

- Do you want me to come in? - No, I'll handle it myself.

Thank you, darling.

See you tomorrow.

- I'm very glad to see you home.

- How are you?

- I'd like you to give me another chance.

- Give yourself a chance, John.

I once asked you if you knew who I was.

This was many years ago.

And you said it didn't matter,

as long as we were together. I should've said something then.

- Do you know who you are?

- Now I do. I didn't before.

- Why botherto ask me, then?

- I wanted to find out who you were.

- What sort of logic's that?

- It's not a matter of logic.

- What is it? - It's a matter of...

Feeling complete enough...

Not to want to ask the question.

Why did you marry me?

- What sort of question's that? - Why?

- Why did you marry me? - Because you were honest

and dependable and I thought you loved me.

Now why can't you answer my question?

- I think the answer's obvious, isn't it?

[Phone ringing]

[Phone ringing]

Hello...

Gerald! How are you?

Hm. Tonight?

I'm terribly sorry,

I... I completely forgot...

Oh, has she? Yeah, look, hang on, I'll just speak to Claire...

We forgot about Sally and Gerald.

- What about them? - They've invited us to dinner.

- When? - Tonight.

- Oh god.

- So, how's the soul-saving business?

- Oh, business as usual.

And, uh, how are you?

- I'm leaving tonight, but, uh...

Then I might be back. You never know.

- Oh, well good luck. And god bless you.

- You think he would?

- You don't believe in God, do you?

- Sometimes I do.

- Found the recipe in an old magazine

when I was at the dentist. French country cooking.

- Hm. You remember ourtrip to the south of France?

Raw vegetables with every meal.

- That's why I overcooked the broccoli.

Gerald had terrible tummy problems

for weeks after we got back. - Terrible wind and the runs!

Couldn't leave the house.

I heard a great joke. Do you want to hear it?

- Oh, yes, please!

- Well, there was this old man who went to see his doctor.

Now, this beautiful, um... - Receptionist.

- Yeah, receptionist, she ushered him off to the doctor's room.

And the doctor said, um,

told him to sit down and said:

"I've got good news and bad news.

Which do you want to hearfirst?"

And the man said: "Well, uh, let's hearthe bad news."

And the doctor says:

"You've got cancer."

- Incurable cancer. - Yeah, incurable.

"Most probably you won't last more than six months."

"Not looking good". And the man was shaken and he says:

"Well, what's the good news, doctor?"

And the doctor says...

- "I'm having an affair with my receptionist."

- There were these two old ladies,

sitting on the front veranda

waiting fortheir husbands to come home.

One of the husbands arrives home and he walks up the pathway

with a big bunch of roses.

"Oh," says his wife, "that's terrible.

He's brought me flowers home."

And the other woman says:

"Well I'd be pleased. Aren't you thrilled?"

And she says: "No, because when he brings me flowers,

I know he expects me to lie on my back all weekend

with my legs in the air.""Oh dear," says the other woman,

"don't you have a vase to put them in?"

- I've never heard you tell a joke before.

[Accordion]

- Knife.

- Thanks, darling.

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

Hey!

[Phone ringing]

[Phone ringing]

- Oh, sorry, Monique. No,

I... I didn't hearthe phone...

No... I'm fine...

Don't worry...

Oh, it's good to be home, yeah.

Claire?

No, she... she's not here...

Hm? I don't know...

Yeah...

Okay, darling. Yeah...

Goodnight.

- Here's to you.

- Please, John, I...

I know what you're thinking, but I'm very tired and I'm worn out.

I feel...

I feel that I don't...

I can't accept your love because I can't return it.

- Well, that's... too bad.

Well, it's too Fucking Bad!

- I don't know you like this, John.

- Nor do I.

- I've always loved your...

Your kindness and your understanding.

- You never loved me. - Oh, that's not true.

- I was a fool ever to have trusted you.

Well? Why don't you say something?

- Please, John, I'll make up a bed in the spare room.

I'm tired, I've had too much to drink and I'm worn out.

Please, John, let's get some sleep.

Let's be friends - not enemies.

- I'm suffering and you don't care.

I'm talking to you,

you're listening to me,

yet we're alone together.

Do you understand?

- But it was always like that.

The only change now is that you're aware of it.

DearJohn,

you'd never have spoken your heart now,

you would've never said the things you've said

if I hadn't done the things I did,

if I hadn't made a change.

You'd have gone about your daily routine slowly towards the end.

- What are you doing?

- I'm going to phone my friend, see if he's alright.

- No, you're not!

- Then I will leave you now. Don't try to stop me.

[Doorbell]

[Doorbell]

- Oh!

Oh, Mr. Borg. Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know you were at home.

I have a key. Look, you go back to bed.

I'll come back another time. I'm really sorry.

You frightened the life out of me.

- Don't worry, Maudie, it's alright.

- What did the hospital say? Is everything alright?

- Yes, everything's fine. Nothing to worry about.

Ah, this is, uh, Claire, Maudie. A very old friend of mine.

- Oh, it's very nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you too.

- I... I'll go now and, uh, I'll come back tomorrow.

- That's alright, Maudie.

She's... staying here, with me.

- Well, uh, you won't be wanting me to clean your house anymore.

- No, of course. No, we want you to continue.

- She was terribly shocked. - She's had a dreadful life.

She had five children. Her husband used to beat her.

- Oh, heavens!

- One day, she just packed her bags and left...

Mussolini is still one of her heroes.

- Oh, good heavens, why? - Well, she was an orphan

and she claims he looked after orphans

by building orphanages all over Italy!

- She's very fond of you.

- What can I get you, sir? - Uh, mineral water.

- Monique was... marvellous. - Wasn't she?

Oh, dear. Parenthood, it's so difficult.

- What, here? - Yes!

- I had no idea anybody knew what I was up to.

- Oh, well, you see...

Is it going to be like this all the time, John?

- Yes.

- I can't help you. Not the way you are now.

- I didn't ask foryour help. You've ruined my life.

- And now you want to ruin mine.

Andreas, this is John, my husband.

- Do you want me to leave you? - Yes.

- No.

- Now, maybe we can go back to my place and... talk it over.

- Talk what over? - You must understand...

- I understand nothing.

What do you think you're doing with my wife?

- I love her.

- That's enough to ruin a marriage and my life?

- John, stop it.

- You leave her alone and mind your own business!

- What about my business? What about me?

- You are my wife. - Oh, let's go. There's no point.

- I'm really sorry. - That's good to know.

- He's never going to give up. This'll take years!

- He hasn't got that many left. - Neither have we.

I... I've never seen him like this before.

That's not like him at all!

I feel so confused, so incomplete.

- I used to feel like that most of the time when I was young.

Especially after I lost you.

I used to sit up all night with my hopes and journeys.

But life was before me then. Now it's behind me, I'm...

More content, I think.

- And there's nothing you wish for?

- No, not really. - No, well that can't be true.

You regret the past, don't you? - It was all forthe best.

- No. No it wasn't.

You never really fought to get me back.

I expected you to come every night, to arrive one night

and save me. Which you didn't, and I was miserable for so long.

- I knew nothing of life.

I listened to my father, I obeyed him.

- You don't love me as you once did.

That old love's gone.

- Each stage in life has its own kind of love.

Now it's... deeper, purer.

Pared down to the essential.

We spend years destroying that part of love that...

gives us pain.

- How can you love me if you think that?

- Please, Claire, I love you...

Much less selfishly now.

I was wrong when I said I didn't regret the past. I do regret it.

- So love remains, but it's not the same.

What you're looking for in me is no longerthere.

- I love you...

Simply and justly.

- John also loves me simply and justly.

It's hopeless!

I mean, if we hadn't met again,

everything would've come to a natural conclusion.

- Or unnatural conclusion.

- Dad, you have got to let her work it out for herself.

You are not achieving anything by running after her.

- Yes, I know that.

I've made a total fool of myself.

- Well, at least you admit it. - Hm. Do I get points forthat?

You know, I don't understand women.

Never have. Do you?

Do you understand women?

- You're not supposed to understand them.

- What are you trying to tell me?

- Why are you so defensive? - I'm not.

Once, I used to worry about, you know, cheers,

the club, my car,

mortgages, interest rates,

all that sort of stuff.

Now I think about your mother all the time.

I worry about her.

- You've become more human.

- I find it hard to believe how it could've been so one-sided.

What will happen to us all?

- Lf you don't feel well, we don't have to stay.

We can cancel the meal!

- Oh no, she would probably kill us?

No, no I'll be alright.

My eyes are hurting a bit, that's all.

As long as you keep your promise.

- Lf I get caught,

you have to bail me out.

- I'll probably join you in jail.

Could be the best solution for us all.

- No, we should live our lives and...

- And what?

- Enjoy your meals. - Thank you.

- And be happy.

What did I live for until now?

- Well, at least you had your music, your books,

yourtalent, your children. All I did was produce one son

and thought that happiness was living through other people.

- Perhaps that's true.

- Ah. - What's the matter?

- I'm... I'll just get a bit of fresh air.

I'll be back in a minute. - Claire, no, I'll come with you.

[Clapping]

We need some light.

To feel the full power, you should be right in the middle.

If anyone comes, just lie flat on the floor.

- I love you dearly. You're my life.

- Claire?

Claire?

Oh. Oh...

[whispering]: I'm David.

[Whispering]

[Claire]: I've lived an ordinary life.

Nothing special...

Maybe the only thing that's special about me

is I know my time has come.

My heart has had quite enough.

I caused such hurt allowing it to blossom again.

I ask you all to forgive me.

But any other way would've been wrong, would've killed me.

The only way to be happy is to love.

To love everybody and everything.

To love the world.

Those who think that's naive are wrong...

I've loved you both differently but completely.

My love will always be with you.

Be happy for me.