Original subtitles

Woman: You know how it is.

You think your life is normal.

You're happy. You're a little kid.

Doesn't matter where you are.

Where we were was Brooklyn.

My dad was born there,

we were born there.

The main thing I remember is running,

always running,

to things, from things.

Running with my sister, who was always ahead.

My mom running from the Nazis.

She was like a real-life Anne Frank

hiding out during the war, except she lived.

She was rescued by American soldiers.

Dad was the Jewish single one...

and they ran away together.

Dad loved to get away,

so we were always running somewhere,

going somewhere.

Dad liked to promise us the world.

(Man whistling melody)

It's not like we wanted to leave Brooklyn,

but all of a sudden, we were.

For someone who was scared of almost everything,

I was okay with that.

I was going to be a famous writer,

so, it didn't matter where I lived.

A lot of great writers came from New York,

but a lot of great writers came from the South too.

A good writer can write anywhere,

like Anne Frank.

She wrote behind a bookcase in the attic.

And we brought our dog buddy,

who was 14 and could barely make it around the block.

Girl: Antarctica.

Mmm.

Atlanta.

Uh...

I got one for you, maddie.

Arkansas, ends with an "s."

I know about the "s." Um...

Come on. "S" is a no-brainer.

I quit.

What do you mean, you quit?

You can't quit with an "s."

I just don't want to play anymore.

Well, we got 500 more Miles to go.

Got something better to do?

- What about Spain? - I said I'm done, okay?

Father: You're done. You're done with an "s."

What about Seattle, San Francisco,

Saudi Arabia? Come on.

There's a whole world of s's out there.

Narrator: I wouldn't miss Brooklyn,

not really, but maddie, my sister, she was 17.

She was furious.

She was popular in high school,

popular enough to know that nothing was worse

than being a new senior

in a new high school in the South.

For all we knew,

we'd be the only Jewish family in new Orleans.

I'd like a coke, please.

That's a nice accent.

I'm not the one with the accent.

(Laughs) Lenny.

Lenny, please. Come on.

Let's get the deal papered first

because we start talking ipos.

Come on, let's go. It's getting late.

Daddy, this is the ladies' room.

I want to get going before dark.

What are you wasting time with this yutz for?

Just talking.

Yeah, well, come on. We're late.

Hey, what's a yutz?

Look in the mirror.

Narrator: So I asked my dad,

"why are we moving to Louisiana?"

He'd been a new yorker even as a dirt-poor kid.

He told me he needed to be closer to his factory,

400 people making blouses in the South.

Besides, the dollar goes further there,

and we'd live like kings.

- (Tires screech) - Oh, shit.

- (Horn honking) - You bastard!

Where the hell did you get your license?!

Narrator: He always said everything was fine.

I wanted to believe him. I really did.

But we didn't always know what to believe

when it came to dad.

(Bell rings)

Father: Surprise, surprise.

(Sighs)

So what do you think?

Oh, my God, Joe. It's incredible.

(Laughs) Oh-hh.

Only the best for my beautiful wife.

This is really it?

What's the matter? Not enough house for you?

Girl: Are you kidding? It's a mansion.

Joe: Four stories, 8,000 square feet.

And let's not forget the olympic-size swimming pool.

Mother: No.

(Whimpers)

I'm going to go back to buddy in the car.

Maddie, come on.

Come on. You're going to love it. Come on. Come. Just come.

What happened to the broker, Joe?

Ah, she couldn't make it, but she didn't want to lose the sale.

You know, she knows a serious buyer when she sees one.

- (Gasps) - Oh, my God.

Girl: I love this place.

This was designed by a famous Southern architect.

Wow.

Built like a goddamn fortress.

Maddie: Or a prison.

Mother: Maybe we could even have your weddings here.

We'd be just like the Kennedys.

How many bedrooms are there?

More than you could count, kid.

Vaulted ceilings. Fireplace.

Come on. We belong in a place like this, right?

Until the guys with the white hoods burn a cross on our lawn.

You know, enough with the snide remarks maddie, okay?

I'm going to choose a bedroom

in case he closes the deal.

This is amazing.

I hate this place.

Sister: Hey, maddie, check this out!

- Listen, I... - Joe.

Listen, Happy Birthday.

- It's yours. - It's mine?

That's right. The house.

I bought it for your birthday.

It's bought and paid for. I even put it in your name.

For putting up with me all these years, all right?

Joe. Oh.

Are you sure we can afford this?

Of course we can afford it.

Right now, I got one of the biggest financiers

in the country underwriting my company.

I'm building an empire here, Stella.

An empire.

(Sighs)

(Chuckles) What are you doing in there?

There's a crawlspace in this closet.

It's a perfect secret hiding place.

Huh.

Stella: Girls, come quickly!

Come on.

The house is ours. Daddy already bought it.

(Sighs) This can't be happening.

(Squeals) When do we move in?

Well, that was the big surprise.

Moving day is today.

I had the movers start packing us up

right after we left on Thursday.

They're gonna be here any minute.

(Girl laughs)

But you said we were only looking.

How could you do this to us?

Whoa, whoa. It was a surprise.

It's okay. It's okay. I'll take care of her.

Maddie?

Hey, come here.

(Birds chirping)

You have to understand what a step up this is.

You would never find a house like this in Brooklyn.

And besides, your father's plant is here.

He won't have to fly down twice a week anymore.

Don't you have any say in anything?

You act like living in this beautiful house

is some form of punishment.

It's going to be okay.

Hmm?

Okay.

Look, it...

I really think it can be different this time, maddie.

I promise.

Your daddy's finally happy here.

Come on. Can't you just be happy, okay?

Be happy, okay?

Be happy. Yeah.

(Sighs)

(Movers talking indistinctly)

Be careful with my disco ball there, all right?

- Absolutely. - Take it easy.

Mover: Take this.

We are planning to buy new furniture, right, daddy?

What's the matter? I love that stuff.

All right, that's it.

We are officially moved in.

What do you think?

It's a beaut, right?

(Sighs) Something's not quite right.

Oh.

Now, it's perfect.

- (Laughs) - Come here.

- What's that? - Joe: What's what?

That button.

Oh, that's the panic button.

I installed them everywhere.

You press that button,

the precinct is right down the block.

The cops will be here in less than 30 seconds.

They told me not to worry

about security, you know,

but you don't tell a guy from Brooklyn

not to worry about security

when it comes to his family. Right, honey?

There's no way we're going to fit in at this school.

Maybe you won't, but I will.

Joe, ask Natalie to eat, please.

I'll give you 10 bucks if you finish what's in your bowl.

I'll tell you what. I'll give you another 10 bucks

if you eat two pieces of fruit.

- Don't bribe her. - To you, it's a bribe.

To me, it's a long-term investment.

- (Horn honks) - Okay? Come on.

The bus is here.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Come on.

Before you go, come on. Plant 'em.

- Ah. - Pay up.

Come on. I give you my iou, all right?

Have a good day.

Bye.

(Machinery clattering)

- Good morning, ladies. - Morning.

Do my eyes deceive me,

or have I just walked into a beauty pageant?

- (Laughter) - Woman: Sweet talker.

What do you say to charm like that, Mr. f, huh?

Do me a favor, grace.

I want you to call the bank

and confirm the wire transfer from crawley,

and get me Lenny on the phone.

(School bell rings)

I'm Mr. Smith,

and this is poetry seminar 111.

Before we begin to tackle our curriculum

- for you budding poets... - (Laughter)

I'd like to announce that the sixth annual

Campbell soup poetry competition

is now accepting submissions.

This is an opportunity for recognition,

prize money...

Perhaps a slice of immortality.

(Laughter)

Here's everything you need to know

about making your submission.

Take one and pass it along, please.

My advice,

stick with a topic that's personal,

something that comes from down deep in the soul.

Page 42 in your poetry books.

Let's tackle a little eliot, shall we?

Natalie fine.

Why don't you start us off reading "the waste land"?

Natalie: I don't think anyone

should be asked to read aloud

on their first day in a new school.

Smith: Miss fine?

And t.S. Eliot was not my favorite.

Cat got your tongue, miss fine?

(Laughter)

On the other hand, let's face it.

I was a coward.

I hated reading in front of people,

I hated speaking in front of people,

and I never knew why.

I thought it might be different here,

but it wasn't.

(School bell rings)

(Students talking indistinctly)

- I don't know. - Cindy's over here.

Hi.

Hey, if it isn't the new girl in town.

I'm-I'm Louie.

- Maddie. - Maddie.

I don't think she likes what she sees, Louie.

So, maddie, you know, I hear...

I hear girls from up north are pretty friendly.

Is that true?

You got something for me?

Oh, back off, Louie.

Why you gotta be such a jerk?

Can't you recognize a lady when you see one?

Guess someone down here's a gentleman.

Sorry about that. He's kind of an ass.

Hey, we're about to go grab some soft drinks downtown

if you want to come with us.

I want to go home.

Maybe next time.

All right.

Louie: What was that?

What do you mean? You can't just go up to a stranger,

start touching 'em on the leg.

- Dang, man. - God, man. She's a Hebrew.

- Really? - What does that mean?

(Seabirds calling)

(Stella laughing)

(Joe laughing)

Ah, it's just a starter boat,

but I got my own private slip to boot, and I'll tell you what.

If you guys like it, I got my eye on a 40-footer.

But wait. Check out the name over there.

Oh! Joe. Oh, Joe.

Oh, I hope you girls have husbands

as wonderful as your father.

(Parents laugh)

Maddie: That water looks very polluted.

It's not polluted. It's muddy.

It's the Mississippi river.

Come on. Let's go for a ride.

- No? Really? - Get in.

Well, no time like the present.

- Joe, Joe... - Get in, girls.

Are you sure you know how to drive this?

Of course I know how to drive.

It's a car on water. What's the difference?

It goes left. It goes right.

It stops. It goes.

I can do it.

Here. How's that look?

Oh, doesn't your father look dapper?

(Laughs)

Here we go. All right.

Let's get ready. Are you ready, maddie?

- We're in. - All right.

Good catch, honey.

You watch me take control of this boat.

I can't believe it. A Brooklyn Jew on the bayou.

Be careful, Joe.

Don't worry. I was in the war, don't forget.

Whoa. It's all right. I'm okay.

All right, I got my girls with me.

I'm all set to go. Here we go.

Maddie, listen, I'm going to get you

a pair of water skis, all right, for the boat.

- Really? - Yes.

- Water skis? - Water skis.

All right, here we go.

I got it.

Whoa.

All right. Okay.

- It's... I just... - (Laughing)

Just take it easy. I got it. I got it.

Just... all right. You know what? I need a little hand here.

All right, look, you got your chuckle out of the way.

Look, I need a hand up in front, okay?

Okay, maddie, you're fore. You're aft.

Come on. Come on. No, no.

Come on. Don't you guys know the difference?

I said fore and aft.

- Really. Come on. - We're so happy.

Thank you for the boat and the house and everything.

We appreciate it.

All right, honey, sit down.

Let's get going. I want you to sit down.

We got to get ready. All right, here we go.

I got it. All right.

That's it. I got it.

Natalie: Maybe everything wasn't different,

but it felt like the start of something good.

- Whoo! - Whoo!

Joe: You just watch daddy do it.

Ah, look at that.

(Laughs)

Go ahead. You can do it.

Ha! You made it.

Do it again. You shoot again. Go ahead.

- Again? - That's right.

- No, no. - I go again?

No, put a little more chalk on it. Try that.

- Okay. - Yeah, put a little more chalk.

Go ahead. You can do it, then.

All right. Go ahead.

You're a pro.

You're going to be a pro.

Let me tell you something.

No, seriously, it didn't go in,

but that was a hell of a shot.

(Rock music playing)

Buddy, what do you think?

Do I look Southern to you, buddy?

(Laughs)

Good boy.

Lenny, what are you doing down here?

Hey, how are you?

You weren't supposed to be here for another week.

Let me tell you something.

You better think about staying down here for good,

because since I came down here,

yeah, I got to tell you, Lenny,

I am having the time of my life.

What's the matter?

Joe, I got some news.

What news?

Crawley backed out of the deal.

What are you talking about?

He just decided it was taking too big a risk

with the overseas competition being what it is.

Yeah, all right. So just get him on the phone.

I'll talk him into it.

Ah, nah, nah. He's on a plane to London.

He's out of the country, out of the deal.

I'll sue the bastard.

Business is dying, Joe.

We did nothing wrong.

We just got to accept what's happening here.

No, no, no.

I did everything you told me to do

before crawley ever entered the equation.

Okay? I cut distribution.

I moved my whole goddamn plant down South.

I uprooted my family, for Christ sakes.

You told me that's all I needed to do to keep us going.

Things deteriorated faster than we could have imagined.

30 years I've been in this goddamn game,

and I gotta deal with this crap?

You put the house in Stella's name?

The insurance I talked about?

We declare bankruptcy, anything in your name is at risk.

They go after you personally, Joe.

It was a good run, Joe.

I mean, they can't take that away from us.

Well, excuse me if I don't share your sentimentality.

I already called shuster.

I said it looked like we'd be taking their offer.

It's a decent offer, Joe.

What? What, to buy us out as a tax deduction?

Pennies on the dollar?

We still got kimball out in D.C. lobbying for us.

He gets the Southern tax incentive,

that's it.

We got it made, then. Come on.

But we can't count on that, Joe.

Besides, we got a bird in the hand with shuster.

Forget shuster.

We got to keep our eye on the ball here, Lenny.

We step it up with kimball.

We get the media involved,

see if we get a few more lobbyists

to jump on the bandwagon.

Because once this thing passes, Lenny,

we are the only game in town.

You see how easy it is to come up with the negatives?

Huh? You see that?

Solutions, my friend.

Yeah.

Come on now. Solutions.

That's what I'm looking for now, Lenny.

All right, pal. All right.

(Telephone dial clicking)

(Line rings)

- Man: Hello. - Hey, Bobby.

Yeah, it's Joe fine.

No, I'm good. Good. How you doing?

Listen, I need a favor.

TV reporter: With the recession in full force

and the jobless rate continuing to escalate along with inflation,

president Ford has turned to his advisors for...

Maddie: Daddy,

I could be starting to like it here.

I made some new friends at school,

and I was wondering...

Yeah, I'm just trying to watch this.

Okay, but I just was wondering

if maybe this weekend...

I know. I just can't hear this, all right?

Can we please take a few girls out on the boat on Sunday?

Natalie: How come we never eat real vegetables,

only things from cans?

Joe: You know what? It's burnt.

Really, you know I don't like when it's burnt.

I'll get you a can of tuna fish.

No, I don't want no tuna fish.

Get me nothing. I'm fine. I'm okay.

Even our fish comes in cans.

Dad, I'm just really trying to fit in here.

All right, all right, just what is it you want?

I told you. I want to take a few girls out

on the boat Sunday for a couple of hours.

Maybe it's not such a bad idea.

Well, I'm playing golf on Sunday, okay, so forget it.

You guys both want me to make friends, right?

I don't understand. We have this boat.

It's the perfect way.

Enough with the boat, okay?

Your father's had a long day.

Mom, he's not even listening to me.

(Snaps) Enough with the goddamn boat!

All right?

I ever talked to my father like that,

he'd put a strap to me.

You're ungrateful.

All of you.

(Door closes)

You said it was over, mom.

Joe: I don't know how much more of this I can stand.

Stella: Of what?

(Joe speaks indistinctly)

I mean, it's your fault. You raised them

as loudmouthed, spoiled little brats.

Natalie: Every family has its secrets.

For us, it was my father's rage.

It plagued us our entire lives,

and what was worse,

my mom would take his side.

It was almost like if she said anything against him,

she'd wake up and find herself

back in her hiding place in Europe.

Her big job was keeping dad,

the monster, in his cave.

(Joe yelling)

I used to dream that I was the reincarnation of Anne Frank.

I mean, what Jewish girl didn't?

How'd she do it, anyway?

In spite of everything she lived through,

she still thought people were "good at heart."

(Light clattering)

I'm glad we're all together.

Your father has something he wants to say to you.

Joe?

I know my behavior hasn't been that great lately,

and I just want to say that I have...

I've had some work issues,

and they've been getting to me,

and I apologize.

Okay, daddy. We get it.

All right. Ahem.

What is wrong with you?

How can you just forgive him like that?

Joe: You know, I've been thinking.

What do you say we, like...

You know, we'll go out to dinner tonight.

I'll take you all out to dinner, like, you know, a family,

like we used to do.

I vote for Chinese.

I have plans.

Well, just cancel them. That's easy enough, right?

Maddie, your father is sorry for what he does.

You have to think of it like a sickness.

What if he had cancer?

Mom, he doesn't have cancer.

He is the cancer.

Don't you ever say anything like that again.

No matter what he does, he is still your father.

He's a great man.

Are we even living under the same roof?

He takes care of us.

He protects us.

Joe: Girls!

So you know what?

Listen, forget what I just said.

Let's have a nice barbecue at the house tonight.

That would be nice.

All right.

Radio: * you are my candy girl

* and you got me wanting you *

* I just can't believe...

Natalie: Some things never change.

Maddie worked on her tan by the pool

waiting for the stud in shining armor to come back.

* ...Believe the wonder of this feeling too *

* I just can't believe it's true *

* ah, sugar...

- Hey. - Hey, what's going on?

Natalie: I sat in the shade

working on my poem for the soup contest.

Teacher said make it personal.

Dangerous. It was very tempting.

* ah, honey

* ah, sugar, sugar

would any guy ever look at me like that?

* you are my candy... *

my poem sucks.

Oh, I'm sure it's beautiful.

If only I could have been born poverty-stricken or survived a war

or overcame some dreaded disease at birth.

Bite your tongue.

I haven't suffered nearly enough to be a really good poet.

Poets don't have to suffer.

Mom, the best writers are tortured alcoholics,

and it's not like I drink or anything.

Ah, that's good to know. (Chuckles)

And what about your sister?

I worry about her.

Are you going to invite the new boyfriend to dinner?

Ah, I haven't thought about that.

Did you see the jumbo cross?

Ah, well, we are open-minded people.

- You are? - Ah, yeah.

She's not going to marry him.

Well, you'll be glad to know that you're still married

to a scratch golfer.

- Where's maddie? - I don't know.

She's out at the pool with her new boyfriend.

(Chuckles)

Wait. There's a strange guy in my pool?

(Laughs) He's nice too.

- (Door opens) - (Laughter)

Daddy. You're home early.

So this is the guy that was in the pool?

His name's Earl. He was just leaving.

How you doing, sir?

Earl. Great.

- How you doing, sir? - He was just leaving.

Hey, Earl. How you doing?

- Very nice to meet you. - Good to meet you too, Earl.

Yeah, it's nice. Why don't you sit down?

I want to talk to you.

No, no, no. It's okay, yeah?

- Sit down. Come on. - Stella: Joseph.

It's a little game I like to play.

Come on. It's all right.

Stay out of this, Stella.

Don't worry about it. Here.

What's the matter? You can't take an old man?

- Dad. - Joseph.

It's all right. Relax. Relax, maddie.

Now, I warn you, I do 100 push-ups every day, you know.

He's just playing.

Mind your business now, please, all right?

It's all right. It's all right.

Now just look in my eyes.

Look me in the eyes. Ready?

1, 2, 3.

Hey, you will never disrespect my daughter, right?

- Dad! - Of course not.

You're never going to offend me, right?

- No, sir. - Say it.

- "I will never..." - I will never...

"Disrespect..."

- Disrespect... - Dad!

- Me. - You.

All right. That's not bad,

but I think the guys in Brooklyn

would have put up a better fight.

Are you serious, sir?

I'm so sorry. Come on.

I'm so sorry.

Joseph.

What?

Why would you do a thing like that to your own daughter?

Huh? She's finally happy here,

and boyfriends are gonna come and go.

Yeah, well, this one better go fast.

You see that earring in his ear?

I mean, come on.

And that cross around his neck? It's big as my fist.

Come on. I mean,

I'm protecting her, okay?

I'm protecting her.

Is he always like that?

You don't even want to know.

So I'll see you on Monday?

You bet.

Natalie: It was the weekend,

and I was still stuck on my poem,

which I hated more than ever.

Anyone who wanted to be in the contest and win $500

had to submit their first draft the following week.

(Knock on door)

- Maddie. - Hmm?

Hey, come on. We're going on a day trip.

- Oh, my God. - Put on something nice.

You guys sleep half the day away. Let's go. Come on.

Natalie: I was at war with imperfection.

I hated everything I wrote.

It was a war with imperfection.

A tug of war with imperfection.

You know what? That's not bad.

Natalie, come on. Let's go.

But I have to present my poem Monday.

Natalie, come on. All work and no play is not good.

We got to go.

Where do you think he's taking us?

Girls, let's get moving.

Please tell us what's going on.

I'm not going to tell you where we're going,

but I'll show you how we're getting there.

Come here.

- (Laughs) - Joe: Look at that.

Maddie: I call shotgun.

Joe: Is that beautiful or what? We are going in style.

Where did you get the rolls, dad?

My own driver Sam hooked me up.

Just be ready. Five minutes. Come on, let's go.

Evening, Mr. fine.

Hey, thanks for making this night so special, Sam.

Oh, you're welcome, sir.

The girls will be down in a minute.

Okay.

(Gasps) It's so amazing.

This is so exciting.

Ah. Ladies, meet Sam.

Evening, ladies.

- Hey. - Where are we going?

Well, let's put it this way.

The guy's a musical legend.

When he sings, the girls go crazy,

and he dances up a storm.

(Girls gasp)

Natalie: I can't believe it.

I've been waiting forever to see him.

Maddie: Oh, my gosh.

Could you contain yourself?

Maddie, I can't believe we're going to see him.

- Woman: I'm so excited. - I know. It's amazing.

Natalie: I am so excited.

All right.

Sam, why don't you come inside to see the show?

That's a pretty exclusive club, sir.

Listen, you're a negro. I'm a Jew.

It's not like they're going to be happy to see either one of us.

It's about time us bottom-feeders

move up the food chain. Come on.

This is going to be a night you'll never forget.

That's what I'm afraid of.

(Both laugh)

Man: What's taking them so long?

(Laughter)

Look at the line.

Poor bastards probably been here all night.

Follow me.

Joe fine, party of four, with a guest.

Oh, Mr. fine. Pleasure to meet you.

You're on our v.I.P. List.

- Right this way, sir. - V.I.P. List?

(Laughter)

I'm telling you this is going to be some show.

Look at this. Is this place something or what?

Sam: This is something else.

Your private box, Mr. fine.

All right. Look at this.

Wow. Dad!

- Oh, my gosh. - All right.

Whoa.

This is the good life.

Joe: Can't get better seats than this.

They're never going to forget this.

You know what, honey? Why don't you order a couple of Martinis

and get the girls some Shirley temples?

And, Sam, you get something too, okay?

Okay, thank you, sir.

- Where are you going? - I got a meeting

to go to. I'll be back before the main event.

- Don't worry. - A meeting with who?

Sam, you take care of the girls, all right?

Sure thing, Mr. fine.

(Knocking on door)

I'm here to see Bobby.

Hey, is this really a body shop,

or is this just your cover here?

I got a Cadillac,

you know, could use a little tlc.

Maybe you guys could look at it sometime.

Hey, hey, hey, Joe fine. Glad you could make it.

Hey, Bob. How are you?

Doesn't say much, does he?

He's got other qualities. Follow me.

Yeah. I bet. (Chuckles)

(Audience murmuring)

(Audience cheering)

Where's dad? The show is about to start.

Something's wrong.

Nothing is wrong, damn it.

Why don't I go out and take a look around for him?

Oh, no, no, just sit down.

Sit down.

Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen,

the roxy is proud to present the king of rock 'n' roll!

(Cheering)

- (Dice rattle) - Let's go. Let's go.

You got them tickets I sent you, right?

Yeah. You really came through for me big time, Bobby.

The kids are in heaven.

Well, that's a good thing, right?

Okay, have a seat right here, Joe.

I'm going to see if the big guy is ready for you.

Take care of my boy.

You give him anything he wants. I'm buying.

Give me a scotch, neat.

* oh, my God

* can you see

* that I've got a chick that's into me? *

* she wanna do it

* yeah

* she wanna do it, uh-huh

* she wanna do it...

(Overlapping conversations)

Bobby: Hey, Joe.

Battelli is ready to see you now.

Thanks for making the introduction, Bobby.

I'm always here for you. You know that.

All right.

No sense in wasting a good drink.

* she was a real wild child *

* she wanted to do it, yeah *

* she wanted to do it, oh, yeah *

* she wanted to do it

* do it night and day.

Natalie: My dad missed the whole show.

Where the hell was he?

- Oh, thank God. - Hey.

Natalie: He took so long

that I finished my poem and fell asleep.

Where are the kids? They're up?

We were worried sick.

You missed him, daddy.

He was fatter than I thought he'd be.

(Laughs) Listen, Sam,

thanks for taking care of the girls, all right?

Why don't you go get the car, pull it out in front?

- Sure thing. - All right.

What were you doing?

What was I doing?

This is what I was doing, right here.

Where did you get that?

Never mind where I got it. The night is young.

Come on, let's go party more.

Come on, let's go. (Laughs)

All right, come on, girls. Here we go.

Natalie: It wasn't until later

that I realized we'd been bought off.

(Chuckles)

I haven't seen you this happy in such a long time.

Ah, what's there not to be happy about, right?

New home,

new life. It's great.

You know, I got something for you.

Oh, no. What more could you get me? No.

I got something for you.

I didn't get a chance to buy you an engagement ring

when we first got married.

Mm, you got me one a few years later.

But it... that was not even a carat.

Come on, baby. That was like a token.

- Here. - Oh, no, Joseph.

This is an engagement ring.

Here. Give me...

Oh, my God.

It's huge.

(Both laugh)

Oh, God.

Are you sure we can afford this?

Of course we can afford it.

I worked my whole life for this, okay?

(Laughs)

You let me do this for you, okay?

I love you, Stella.

- I love you. - You hear me?

I love you.

Hey.

Hey, hey, get over here.

- Come here. - How are you?

What's the news? You fly me down here on a Saturday,

it must be something pretty big.

Oh, this is big.

Something to celebrate.

Cubans, your favorite.

Go ahead.

Thanks. You going to tell me what we're celebrating?

Let's take a walk.

What would you say if I told you that we have enough money

to keep us solvent for the next eight months?

I'd ask you what bank you robbed.

I got a loan.

- A bank loan? - "Bank loan." Come on.

Had a 10-year relationship with Manny hanning.

The first sign of trouble, they stop returning my calls.

(Scoffs)

So where'd you get the loan, Joe?

I got it.

Who are these guys?

Is it a mob loan?

(Chuckles)

Ah, Jesus, Joe.

We always steered clear of those ganefs.

Besides, we got a decent offer from shuster.

The guy's chomping at the bit.

Come on. Come on. Don't embarrass me

with his lowball offer, okay?

You're playing with fire, Joe.

Look, plans are coming together down in D.C.

Come on. As soon as the legislation votes on the Southern tax trade,

we're home free.

And what if it doesn't?

Come on. You think I got where I have

without taking some prudent risks?

Prudent? We've both seen what those people could do.

You forgot Bernie weinstein, that poor bastard, huh?

They broke his legs for a deuce.

The guy still walks around with a limp.

Weinstein was a smug son of a bitch.

I don't know anybody who wasn't happy

the day he got his legs broke, okay?

Joe, listen to me.

30 years you kept a roof over my family's head,

what we ate. You educated my people.

I tell you this with all due respect.

I think you're kidding yourself.

I'm kidding myself?

If I don't tell you, who would?

You know what, Lenny? You're right.

20 years, I been carrying you on my back.

You always been a taker

and, right now, a little bit of a coward.

Ah...

Look, I know you don't mean that.

Look, we both got a family, Joe.

Think of your girls.

I'm doing it for my girls, you horse's ass!

Joe, listen to me.

No, you listen to me.

You know what? Just get the fuck out.

Really. Just get the fuck out

before I do something I don't want to do.

Natalie: When it rains,

it really pours in Louisiana.

After buddy's back legs gave out...

Don't worry, buddy.

This is like the best vet in the whole South.

I insisted my parents take him to a specialist.

(Thunder rumbling)

All right, well...

How much time do I got

before he can't even walk again?

You know, give me a ballpark figure.

There really is no way to tell for sure.

Well, what are the options?

Well, he is suffering

and in some pain.

We could put him down now,

or you could take him home

and I could give him something.

But either way, I suggest you think about it.

(Buddy whimpers)

Well, I thought about it.

I think we should put him down.

Daddy, please!

You think he wants to be remembered like this, huh? Sick?

No, you can't!

Mom?!

Let's just think about it.

We don't have to decide today.

Look, could you just back me up sometimes

so I don't have to be the bad guy all the time?

Just give us a minute to say goodbye, doc, all right?

No. Please, daddy. Please.

It's for his own damn good.

And what about maddie?

She won't even get a chance to say goodbye.

No, you can't.

You can't do this. I won't let you. No.

Stop the hysteria, or I'm going to tell you to wait in the fucking car.

(Sobbing)

You had to see him.

He would never have been able to bring buddy back.

We had to do it then.

Bullshit. He does what he wants.

He doesn't care what anybody else thinks.

Why are you lying for him, Natalie?

Tell me the truth. I'm your sister.

I tried to stop him,

but you know how nuts he gets,

and I'm not as brave as you are.

Natalie: When I finally had to present my poem,

I couldn't do it.

What had seemed like genius to me

was now gibberish.

Natalie?

I hated myself.

I hated him.

I hated anyone who ever dared to rhyme.

I can't.

Natalie: My mom would say,

"time heals all wounds."

She taught us to believe in any rosy cliche

where we could fill in the blanks.

In this case,

time meant the two-week period

leading up to maddie's birthday.

(Shutter clicks)

Happy Birthday!

- Stella: Happy Birthday! - All right.

Are you ready for your present?

Yeah.

Happy Birthday.

No, it's yours.

(Squeals) Oh, my gosh!

It's all yours, honey. You deserve it.

Daddy, thank you so much.

Mama, thank you.

Only the best for my girl.

Oh, my gosh. Oh, my gosh.

Okay, all right, here's the lights right here.

- Mm-hmm. - All right. You watching?

- I'm watching. - Okay. All right.

All right. Here's the air.

- Okay. - You got to just move that.

And here's the eight-track,

but, please, no music while you're driving, okay?

- Okay, daddy. - All right.

All right, here we go.

- Okay. - Let's go.

- (Engine grinds) - Start it?

- Yes. Go ahead. - (Engine starts)

That's it.

Good. Good. Very good.

Just go straight. You like this car, huh?

- I love it. - All right.

Just keep going straight.

That's it. Okay.

All right, easy, easy, easy on the gas.

Okay, daddy.

I passed my driver's test, you know.

Yes, I know. That doesn't make you a driver, bud, okay?

All right, you got to take it easy now.

All right. All right, slow...

All right, we're going to... whoa.

Just... easy!

(Tires squeal)

What are you doing?

I-I'm sorry.

I know, but what are you doing?

I'm sorry, dad.

- All right, you're sorry. - Joe, please.

Sorry's not good enough.

Can we just go home?

You got to be careful.

People can get hurt here.

- I know. - All right.

- (Tires squeal) - All right, listen to me.

What are you doing?

What are you doing?!

- Stella: Joe. Joseph. - Huh?!

Dad, you know what?

I don't even want your car.

Wait a minute!

Quitter.

What?

You're a quitter and an ingrate.

Asshole.

What'd you just call me?

I called you a fucking asshole.

(Stella screams)

Joseph! (Screams)

Stella: My God.

Natalie: Maddie!

Maddie. Maddie, are you okay?

Stella: Maddie. Maddie!

(Sobbing)

I'm fine.

Stop it.

(Engine roars)

(Door closes)

(Door opens)

You need to see someone.

I'm not talking to no headshrinker.

Are you crazy?

There are people that can help you with this.

You know, just the doctors.

No, no doctors. What am I going to say to a doctor? Come on.

I want to talk to someone, I talk to you.

Talk to me. Talk to me.

I talk to you.

Remember I told you that I got this scar

because I fell and I hit a glass table?

Well, that was like half the truth.

I was 15, Stella, 15 years old.

I was a young man.

I had a toothache, you know.

It was really bad.

I kept telling my father to take me to the dentist,

and he said, "hey, tough it out. Be a man."

"It's good for you."

So I tried, you know.

One night, I couldn't take the pain anymore.

So I guess I asked him too many times to take me.

He turned around. He punched me in the face,

knocked me out.

I fell into the glass table.

40 stitches later,

I woke up in the hospital, you know.

I felt all right, you know?

I got my tooth fixed.

That's how I got this scar, Stella.

That's the truth.

It's a beautiful scar.

(Laughs) Yeah, it's beautiful.

I don't mind it.

'Cause every time I look in the mirror,

it makes me realize how much I fucking hate him.

He got his wish.

He made me tough, all right.

I'm going to make you an appointment with Dr. tessler.

Baby, I don't know.

Yes, he is a good man.

You can talk to him. He can help you, Joseph.

I don't know.

Please. Please, I'm begging you.

Do it for me. I love you so much.

Please, Joseph.

Please.

All right.

Thank you.

Natalie: So we took a trip to Baton Rouge

to see my dad's old doctor,

who had semiretired there three years earlier.

Finally dad was going to get some help.

This is the moment we had been praying for.

Don't we get input with Dr. tessler?

We thought we'd get to talk to him a little.

I told you I talked to the doctor.

All right.

Pressure is normal.

All right.

So Stella tells me that you're under quite a bit of stress.

She sounded very concerned.

Yeah, well, Stella overreacts about everything, doc.

Oh, to me,

she sounded like she was a concerned wife.

Well...

You know, there are medications for this sort of a thing.

No. Doc, I'm not taking no medication.

I'm fine. You know, I mean,

she's very, like, anxious, nervous. You know what I mean.

- I mean... - Really?

Yeah. One time, I had heartburn, you know.

She thought I was having a heart attack.

She called 911.

Really? I didn't know she was that anxious.

Ah, that's my wife, doc.

So you think that this...

Fear she has about your anger

is just an exaggeration?

Absolutely.

I mean, look, am I... I get angry sometimes?

Do I got a temper? Yeah,

but no different than any other guy

who's got, like, you know, stress at work.

I mean, she overreacts, doc.

I mean, you know she was a holocaust survivor, right?

Yeah, I know that.

Yeah. Well, this woman went through a lot.

I'm telling you. I mean, she...

You know, Christian friends of her family,

they hid her in a hole in the ground

during the day for two years.

That's incredible.

You're telling me, doc.

So do you think this is what this is all about?

Oh, absolutely, doc.

I mean, you don't understand. I'm her whole world.

When I met her, she couldn't even speak a word of English.

She had nothing. I mean, you know,

I gave her a life that's like a fairytale land.

I'm fine, doc, really.

Right? I'm fine, right? Come on.

(Both chuckle)

Dr. tessler: Stella, girls,

you'll be happy to hear that Joe

is as healthy as a man half his age,

fit as a fiddle, no sign of depression

or anything else that concerns me.

That's wonderful.

What'd I tell you?

- Joe: Thanks, doc. - You're welcome.

Joe: You guys ready?

- Natalie: Doctor was wrong. - Let's go.

Everything was not fine.

My father had so many plates spinning in the air

that one of them was bound to crash.

It was the law of gravity.

Right. Oh, kimball.

Kimball, listen to me, all right?

Are you telling me there's not a chance

that this legislation's going to pass now?

What?

With all your political muscle,

you can't get a bill passed

that's a fucking win-win for this country?

Do they know how many jobs

they're flushing down the toilet here?

If all the manufacturing goes overseas,

we're going to have nothing left here.

Forget it. Forget it.

(Handset rings)

Where are you going?

I got to take care of something at work.

Don't wait up for me, all right?

Joe: I don't know what I'm going to do.

That legislation was going to save my ass.

I'm out of options.

You think I want to burn my factory down?

You know what we call that?

No offense... we call it "Jewish lightning."

You know, excuse the expression.

I got just the guy for you.

I just don't want anybody getting hurt.

Ah, nobody's going to get hurt.

Boy's a pro, tops in his field.

(Balls clatter)

Do it.

(Balls clatter)

Joe: Hey, pumpkin.

I was looking through my files,

and I found these photos.

You have to see them.

Dad, I'm working on my poem.

Oh, come on. You work too hard.

Take a break, huh?

No, you have to see this. This is your mother,

your mother when we were dating.

Will you look at this?

Come here. Look at that.

Come here.

Sit down.

That's your mom.

Whoa. She looks amazing.

Yeah, she does.

Most beautiful woman I ever met.

That's all right, huh? Look at her.

Look at this one.

That's your grandmother, my mom.

You look a little like her.

Do you have any pictures of grandpa?

No. No, I had some.

I don't know what happened to 'em.

Hey, you know what? I forgot

why I came in here in the first place.

Here. Now I want you to take this,

and I want you to put it in a safe place, all right?

What is it?

It's information.

What kind of information?

Well, you know, if something ever happens to me,

you know, you and your sister got to take care of your mom.

You're both old enough now to understand.

There's, like, vault combinations, insurance policies,

where the money is.

Listen. Hey, things happen in life, okay?

Just put it in a safe spot, all right?

This is too weird.

(Laughs)

I'll put it in here.

Let me tell you something,

and I'm not telling you this because I'm your father.

You are remarkable.

(Laughs) Thanks, daddy.

You know, I think this is the first time

that we've ever talked like this,

me and you.

You're kidding.

Come here.

Man: Hello?

Lenny. Yeah, hi. It's Joe.

Joe, it's been on my mind...

Yeah. I know. Hey, listen, we both got crazy, right?

It's all right. Forget it.

Look, I was wondering if you could still do me a favor.

What do you need, Joe?

Yeah, well, could you call shuster?

And if it's still available,

I'd like to take his offer.

Tell him we can make a deal here, all right?

Well, sure. Absolutely. Joey, look...

Forget it. Come on. We both got nuts. It's...

Come on. 30 years we're together.

What are we going to do, throw it away?

- Ah, never us, Joe. - All right. All right, thanks.

Radio: * hey, hey

* all right

* get it from the main line *

* all right

* I said a-find it, find it *

* darling, love it

* if you like it

* yeah

* hey, hey

* it's your business...

Come on, man. Let's get this party started, huh?

Whoo!

* get it together, baby

- * come and get your love... - Whoo!

- (Laughter) - Whoo!

- Yeah! - Oh, my God.

Boy: Louie! Louie!

- * come and get your love... - Louie!

Maddie: Who invited them?

* come and get your love... *

excuse me. (Laughs)

- (Whistling) - Whoo-hoo!

Girl: Go, guys.

(Laughter, whistling)

Get out of my pool!

Come on. We're just having fun.

Get out of my pool.

- Welcome to the party. - Get out of my pool now!

Get out!

(Car approaches)

(Car door closes)

- Hey, Joe. - Hey.

Ah, I thought you were working late.

You all right?

Yeah, no, I had one of those days, you know?

I just wanted to come home to see

you and the kids, you know?

Where are the girls?

They're in back at the pool.

Maddie's got some friends over.

- Really? - Yeah.

How many friends?

Ah, just a few nice kids.

- Mom! - What's going on?

Oh, they're just having fun.

Yeah. Except, I think,

maybe one of them forgot their bathing suit.

Somebody's in my pool with no clothes on?

Um...

Just wait there. Just don't...

- Son of a bitch. - Joe, they're just kids.

- Kids got no respect. - Joseph, listen.

- Natalie: Mom? - What are you doing?

- Never mind. - What is it?

No, what are you do...

- Oh, my God. No, Joe. - Dad!

Listen, I'm only going to scare them.

Just relax. Everybody relax.

He's not going to shoot them, is he?

- Just relax, okay! - Mom?

Oh, my God. No.

* baby, hey, oh

* hey, all right

* get it from the main vine... *

all right! I'm going to say this once and only once!

Jesus Christ. Your dad's fricking crazy!

I want you to pick up your things,

put on your clothes,

and get off my property now,

or I'm going to start shooting!

- Daddy! - One!

- Two! - Jesus Christ.

- Three! - He's not gonna shoot anybody.

- Four! - Get out of here, Louie!

- Five! - Leave!

- Oh, shit. - Six!

- Get out of here, Louie! - Leave!

- Seven! - Just go!

- Eight! - Get out!

- Nine! - Earl: Holy jeez.

- You crazy kike! - Get out!

- 10! - Louie!

Earl: Get out of here!

(Kids screaming)

- Move! - (Gunshot)

- He has a gun, maddie. - Just go, please.

That's right! Run!

Run, you son of a bitches!

- Dad! - Maddie.

Boy: I can't believe that.

Shoot me!

Shoot me. You've ruined my life!

You might as well shoot me!

What the hell are you talking about?

You threatened all of my new friends

with a gun, dad!

You're sick. (Sobs)

You need help, dad.

(Maddie sobbing)

They just said there's going to be a storm tonight.

Isn't it hurricane season?

Maybe you should just hold off on all this till tomorrow.

(Car radio playing rock music)

* the sound of your footsteps... *

it's too late for that. He's here.

Come with me.

* your soft, gentle motion, baby... *

- come with me. - I can't.

* in my midnight confession *

* when I tell all the world that I love you *

* in my midnight confession *

* when I say all the things that I want to... *

- hey. - Hi.

Natalie: Maddie had somewhere to go.

She was smarter than I thought.

In fact, she was a lot smarter than me,

'cause I didn't have an escape plan.

I was stuck.

(Line rings)

- Yeah? - Bobby.

- Yeah, it's Joe fine. - Hey, Joe.

Yeah, no. I'm good. I'm good. How you doing? Yeah.

Listen, that thing we talked about...

You know, about hiring that kid?

- Jewish lightning. - Yeah, right. Yeah.

Yeah, the Jewish lightning.

Yeah, that's right. Yeah. Forget it.

Cancel the whole thing.

What? No, let's just say

I had a moment of clarity, all right? Yeah.

Yeah, well, on my end, battelli...

What about battelli?

Listen, you tell him I'm a man of my word.

All right, he's going to get paid.

Bobby, you think that scares me?

You have no idea right now.

You think that scares me, Bobby? Huh?

You tell him to do what he's got to do.

I'll put him in my goddamn will, all right?!

(Handset slams)

I was thinking maybe this weekend

we could picnic over by the lake

or, you know, out by...

Sounds fun.

Hey, man. What the hell you doing?

Sorry, bro. This your car?

Yes. What the hell you doing sitting on it?

Hey, look, I wasn't sitting. I was leaning.

You was leaning? Don't get smart with me, boy.

- I don't want no trouble. - He didn't do anything.

He was thinking about stealing it,

wasn't you, you fucking nigger?

Stop it! He didn't do anything.

- Maddie! - Stop!

Maddie, look, down here,

women don't tell men what to do, okay?

Maddie. Maddie!

Maddie, where are you going?

Don't touch me.

Where are you going?!

I want to help you.

But I'm scared of you.

(Laughs)

You're not scared of me.

You love me.

Come on, Stella.

- Come here. - No more. No.

Natalie: What's going on?

Just let me talk to your father.

Tell her to go away, all right?

Just tell her... Let's go upstairs.

Let's go upstairs, baby. Come on.

I want to go upstairs.

Just listen to me. Listen.

Now you go over there, and you tell them

to get the fuck upstairs. You hear me?

- Get 'em out of here. - Don't you see

what you're doing to your children?

Tell them to get the fuck out of here!

Don't you touch her!

(Thunder rumbling)

Do you know what's going on here?

Everything's turning to shit!

When are you going to get it through your thick skulls

that I hate my fucking life?

(Insects chirping)

(Gunshot pops)

- (Women screaming) - Daddy!

- Daddy! - Daddy!

- Daddy! - Dad!

(Sobbing)

(Dog barking)

Are you okay?

I hate you.

Why don't you try to stop him?

Does someone in this family

(sobbing) Have to kill themselves

before you can finally see what's been going on here?

Because the truth is, I've thought about it, mama.

(Alarm, sirens blaring)

What's going on?

Who turned on the alarm?

I did.

- By accident? - No, not an accident.

We're in trouble.

What the hell are you talking about?

- What's happening? - What's going on?

What the hell is the matter with you, Stella?

You call the cops right now, and you tell them it was a mistake.

No, it's not a mistake.

Everybody, get upstairs. It's fine, okay?

It's okay.

(Police siren wailing)

(Radio dispatch chatter)

What the hell is wrong with you?

(Police bang on door)

Please, come in.

He's terrorizing us.

It's my husband. He's got a gun.

- He tried to kill himself. - Sir. Sir.

- No, no, no. - Calm down.

- It was a mistake. - Calm down, sir.

- Officer, no, no. - Just calm down.

It was a mistake. Are you listening to what I'm saying?

- Calm down. - It was a mistake.

- What are you doing? - Natalie: No.

Don't cuff me, not in front of my kids.

Stella, would you tell them this is my house?

Stella, tell 'em!

No, Joe. It's my house.

(Siren continues)

- (Sobbing) - It's okay.

Okay.

(Siren, alarm fade)

Natalie: My mother never spoke to us

about what she had done.

But incredibly,

she had done it.

And our home was quiet.

It was more than quiet. It was peaceful.

Look what came in the mail today.

It's the poetry contest people.

What? How is that even possible?

I was disqualified.

You open it.

Oh, my God.

You're a finalist.

What? Really? I am?

(Laughs)

This is unbelievable.

I'm so proud of you.

Natalie: We were finally ready to slow down...

stop running.

This is so exciting.

I'm betting on Natalie to win.

But you'll still love me even if I place?

Oh, even if you show and throw up on the judge...

Judge: It gives me great pleasure

to announce the first-place winner

of the sixth annual Louisiana state.

Campbell's soup poetry competition,

Natalie Elizabeth fine.

(Applause, cheering)

You can do it.

Congratulations, Natalie.

Here's the $500 prize money.

Natalie, would you do us the honor

of reading your poem, "mighty fine"?

Go ahead.

"Little boy's devil..."

now devil's man.

Still running from where he ran.

Still hiding when he can.

Though my parents once said

that the monster was dead,

there's been a recent resurrection.

A blister on sanity's bright complexion.

A tug of war with imperfection

in this temple of emotion,

where he stirred so much commotion.

There's a monster in dad,

and it makes him wicked mad.

Is there a cure in dad's devotion...

or in a child's whispered pleas?

Tame the monster in dad,

take his fits, all that's bad...

"and save one mighty fine family."

(Applause)

Natalie: That's the way I wish it had been.

My dad never made it to the contest,

but he finally got some help.

And his hospital stay saved all of our lives.

As his anger faded,

my courage grew,

and we met up somewhere in the middle.

Okay, so I wasn't Anne Frank.

But I was me,

and that was enough.

Eventually we found each other again...

and that was enough.

(Cajun music playing)

* goodbye, Joe, me gotta go *

* me, oh, my, oh

* me gotta go

* pole the pirogue down the bayou *

* my Yvonne, sweetest one *

* me, oh, my, oh

* son of a gun

* gonna have big fun on the bayou *

* well, jambalaya and a crawfish pie *

* file gumbo

* 'cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma Cher amio *

* pick guitar, fill fruit jar *

* and be gay-o

* son of a gun

* gonna have big fun on the bayou *

(music continues)

* well, jambalaya and a crawfish pie *

* file gumbo

* 'cause tonight I'm gonna see my ma Cher amio *

* pick guitar, fill fruit jar *

* and be gay-o

* son of a gun

* gonna have big fun on the bayou *

* ah, lord

* hey, hey

* whoo, lord

* hah!

(Rock music playing)

* just one glance

* and I lose my nerve

* bite my tongue

* wish I could hit the dirt *

* silver lining, surface somewhere *

* seem like it isn't there *

* I'm realizing you were just scared *

* whoa

* I won't forget, but I'll forgive *

* 'cause you can't give

* what you didn't get, no

* no, I won't forget, but I'll forgive *

* aw, baby, live

* live and let live

* whoa

(music continues)

* all along

* I tried to hide

* prayed for your love

* got cast aside

* silver lining's bound to show *

* realize it's time to let it go *

* I saw you shining down below *

* oh-hh

* I won't forget, but I'll forgive *

* 'cause you can't give

* what you didn't get, no

* oh, I won't forget, but I'll forgive *

* ah, baby, live

* live and let live

* whoa

* summer turns to fall

* who knows where the wind's gonna blow? *

* maybe we'll be fine after all *

(music continues)

* I won't forget, but I'll forgive *

* oh, I won't forget, but I'll forgive *

- * oh-hh... - * what you didn't get

- * yeah. - * I won't forget

* but I'll forgive

* I won't forget, but I'll forgive, yeah *

- * live and let live. - * live and let live

- * live and let live. - * 'cause you can't give

- * what you didn't get. - * oh-hh...