All language subtitles for One.True.Thing.1998.720p.BluRay.X264-AMIABLE

Stop it, stop it, stop it.

Let go. Let go.
Stop.

And Richard Ellespeare died.

He was a professor
of mine at Harvard.

No.

I got it.

"He was a novelist
and humanitarian."

Hey, hey, hey,
back there.

"Published eight novels
including the..."

- Stop it.
- "...best seller, Hope's Way,

"for which he won
the Pulitzer Prize."

Give it! Stop it!
Give it!

What kind of man was this?

A man who pursued
excellence and nothing less.

Dad?

Yes?

I have to go
to the bathroom.

Oh.

Can't you hold it
till we get there?

Mmm, yes.
I guess...

I can practice
mind over matter.

That a girl.

I don't know.

Oh, look at the baby cows, Ellie.
Oh, my God.

Look at them.

I'm reading, Mom.
And baby cows are calves.

I was never close
to my mother growing up.

Is that something Mr. Best is going to
use against me?

Ellen, the D.A.'s not gonna use
anything against you.

Okay. Uh, because, well, I,
I agreed to do this

because Mrs. Best, his wife,
was a friend of my mother's.

Do I need an attorney?

Nobody in this office
is accusing you of anything.

We're well aware that

this kind of thing happens
all the time with terminal patients.

It's, it's a small town.
People talk.

The D.A. wants to be able to say that
he looked into it,

and he can put it to bed.

What can I say?
It's an election year.

Anyway, were you aware that an autopsy
was being performed

on your mother's body?

Yes. Uh-huh.
At her request.

Uh, actually, to find out the source
of the disease.

Primarily for my benefit.

Mmm-hmm.

Where are you living now?

In New York.

I've been there
since I finished Harvard.

First thing
in the morning.

Okay, so I'll meet
you for coffee.

This goddamn living
in the suburbs is gonna kill me.

Hey, Tweedy,
the Beardstown Ladies

predict a stock market
crash next month.

Finish the captions
on the junk shop, Casey.

They're antiques.

- I got a one-ten pulse. Have to check this again.
- Tweedy!

This story is too good.

Senator Sullivan, youngest guy
ever to be elected to the Senate.

His father was
a drug dealer.

He overcomes that.
Excuse me.

Is on his way to big things,
possibly the presidency.

Until he crashes his car into a tree,
kills everyone inside,

- while he's on cocaine.
- That was actually the final draft.

I mean, this is not just good,
this is great.

Shakespearean!

Sins of the father revisited
on the son, etcetera, etcetera.

We've got no interview. He's not talking.
He's checking into rehab.

I can get him to talk.
I promise you. I have a way in.

Some people in town are
describing you as cold and insensitive.

Pulse, one-eighteen.
Gulden, don't waste time.

Um, "Ambition is
Ellen Gulden's religion.

"She's condescending, she's remote..."
Whatever.

Well, I was ambitious.
I still am.

My father taught me to work
very hard at everything I do,

and I always have.

I'm not tired.

So, you were
living a pretty normal life in New York?

Mmm-hmm.

- Apartment?
- Mmm-hmm.

- Roommate?
- No, no roommate.

- Boyfriend?
- Boyfriend.

Honey, please just
let me explain.

Jordan, just get
out of here.

I don't want to
see you anymore.

Come on. I got...
I'm standing out here.

I got wine, candles.
I got the whole kit.

Just go away, Jordan.

El, can I just talk to you for five minutes, please?
I'll explain everything.

We were together since...

Go away!

...senior year in college.

This one was
the last time, okay?

Well, not together.
We, uh, we took breaks, you know?

A lot of breaks.

That's mean.
That's not funny.

He just needed
some space.

Space named Linda.

I'm sorry, was that her name?
Lori? I don't remember.

- Oh, you're so mean.
- Is that not her name?

You're just so mean.

Don't get me wrong.
I like him. I've...

Of course, it was, um,
Jules, my best girlfriend,

who, uh, came home with me
to celebrate my father's birthday.

Jordan, um, as usual,
had something he had to do.

Well,
this ought to be good.

"Come as your
favorite literary character."

I don't know why my mom
can't just throw a normal birthday party.

Ellie, it's gonna be
perfectly fine.

Thank you.
Thanks.

- Hey!
- Whoo-hoo!

- Hey!
- Hi!

- Hi!
- Hi!

Oh, good hat.

- Really good hat. Really good everything.
- Uh-huh!

Thanks. What'd you guys
come dressed as?

The Sylvia Plath twins?

Oh, Brian, you know
I can't do costumes.

- Why?
- It's just so...

- Human?
- Mom.

So, what have you guys
been up to?

Oh, my God.
It's writing and deadlines.

- Ooh. Mmm-hmm.
- Take me away.

Okay.

Oh, wait! Somebody just finished
summer school, didn't he?

Congratulations.

- That's great.
- Actually, I didn't finish.

What?

I, Brian Gulden,
son of Mr. American Literature and the Romantics,

failed American Literature.

You're serious?

Yeah.

Well, way to go.

How did you do that?

I blew the test, Ellen.

Brian...

Did you tell Dad?

No.

Just 'cause I'm failing
doesn't make me a moron.

Yoo-hoo! Hi.

There she is!

- Hi, Mom.
- Your dad's not here. The coast is clear.

Gimme, gimme, gimme.

- Mmm. Hi, Jules.
- Hi.

- Whoo!
- Hi.

- Good to see you.
- You, too.

- Let me get your...
- Oh, no, no, no. I got it.

- Are you sure?
- Yeah, yeah.

- Okay.
- Thanks. Oh, thank you.

Wow.

You caught a cab?

You know, I would have sent Brian
to come and pick you up.

- You should have told me.
- Oh, that's okay.

Come in. Come in,
come in, come in.

God, this must have
taken you days.

Oh, well, thanks.

Jules,
you look wonderful.

Oh, thanks.
I just cut my hair.

Oh, it looks gorgeous.

Well, your hair
looks great, too.

Oh, thank you.
Oh... It's yarn. Look.

- Oh.
- Guess who I am?

Mmm. Oh.

Oh, wait!

Clue.

Oh.

If I only had a brain

A heart, a brain...

However it goes.

Oh, well, you're right.
As usual.

So, let me see.
Who are you?

- Uh...
- Oh.

Don't tell me.
Let me guess.

Actually, you know what?
We, we kind of forgot.

But it was only because
we were trying to hurry,

'cause of course,
we wanted to be here on time.

- So...
- Oh.

- God, that cake looks so good.
- Oh.

So, we're just us.

That's okay.

That's okay, Ellie.
That's... Oh!

But I have an idea.

I do have a Thanksgiving
costume upstairs.

- I could whip something up for you.
- That's okay.

- You don't have to.
- It's a turkey.

No, really, it's okay.
It's all right.

- Can I help you with anything?
- Oh, yes, thanks.

You could take those dishes,
put them in the buffet.

- Sure.
- Um, and Ellie.

Ellie?

You can...

Keep, keep, uh,
slicing the bread with this knife.

- Okay.
- Thank you.

I read your piece
on Geraldine Ferraro.

- My brilliant daughter.
- Hmm.

I was so proud of you.

It's no big deal.
It's just a little follow-up piece.

Back and forth.
Saw it.

Do you think that
Dad read it?

Oh, I'm sure he did.
You know your dad.

But he doesn't talk
shop with me.

Ah! Fuck!

No, it's okay.

- Are you okay?
- It's okay. It's not even bleeding.

- It's fine. It's really fine.
- Here, wrap it up.

- Okay, thanks.
- Brown paper.

- There's something in it that stops the bleeding.
- Thank you. It's fine.

- Did you know that?
- Really?

Okay, thanks.
I got...

Oh!

- Oh, dear.
- Sorry.

- Oh.
- No, I'll get it.

That's all right.
Don't let her throw the pieces out,

because I'm gonna use it
in my mosaic table.

Don't worry.
We got it.

Okay.

Keep your finger up
and wrapped in the bag.

Hello.
"There's no place like home."

- Thank God.
- Are we the first ones here?

I wanted to come
as Lancelot.

Ellen. Oh, it's good to see you.
You're looking tired.

- Yeah.
- Ellen.

Now, who are you
supposed to be?

Oh, I'm Lizzie Borden.

- Who?
- You know.

"Lizzie Borden took an ax,
gave her mother 40 whacks."

Oh, Mrs. Best,
can you hold the door?

- Oh, thanks. Help, Ellen.
- Hmm?

I just saw Dad.
He just turned the corner.

Oh! Hey, Jules, Jules!
Come help, come help.

Okay.

So, um,
Snow White, explain?

What is that?

Oh. Mrs. Best,
the D.A.'s wife.

- She's in my mom's cult.
- Oh, God.

The Minnies. Yeah.
They're named after some local do-gooder

who used to decorate
Christmas trees in the town square.

And, uh,
they're a cult?

- Woman's group.
- Great.

- You know, bake sales, tag sales. All that.
- Right.

- Come on, Ellen, just be nice.
- All that do-good stuff.

No.

- You must be Ellen. I'm Harold Simpkey.
- Hi.

I teach music over at Langhorne.
Oh, I'm sorry!

Oh, he's here,
he's here!

- Oh, no, no, no.
- Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up.

Everybody get in
and get down.

Ralph! Move your bottoms.
Shh.

Quiet.

Kate?

Kate?

- Kate?
- Surprise!

Happy birthday.

No.

Look at all of you.
Kate.

How did you pull this off?
Bravo!

- Come on, Dad! Speech!
- Speech!

Speech!

- Yes.
- I'm quite out of breath from walking home.

"It's only in going uphill that you realize
you're headed downhill."

Did anybody
ever hear that?

- Oh.
- Thank you, thank you, thank you all for coming.

I'm really, I'm really very touched.
I'm very...

Aw!

So, I guess this is the last class
of the semester.

Thank you for taking this journey
with me.

It's been a lot of fun.

And have a great summer.

There it is.

The National Book Award.

Mmm-hmm.

Oh, wow.
He knows Oliver Most.

Yeah, they went
to Harvard together.

Come see this.
Come here.

It's his novel.
Comeback Inn.

He's been working
on it for years.

Took Milton 10
to finish my favorite poem.

Oh, here's his
collected essays.

I read this first chapter.

- Yeah?
- Mmm-hmm.

And?

- It's great.
- Uh-huh.

So, uh, what did he say
about your article?

Oh, I don't believe it.

You didn't ask him,
did you?

Ellie...

- No, really. That's what they called me.
- Did they now?

You know, having the dubious distinction
of having been called Big Al

when you were this diminutive package is
a challenge to confidence,

but you have obviously
survived it.

- Have you not?
- Yes.

So, here you have in front of you,
a living example of,

of everything
you're trying to achieve.

I would just say get an icebreaker
and break out of it.

I'm having
a lot of trouble.

Listen,
a writer calls his friend.

He says, "I've just finished writing a story,
and it's not very good.

"In fact, it's terrible.
The worst part of it is, it's the best I can do."

The writer is
John Steinbeck.

The book is
Grapes of Wrath!

Hi.

Hey.

- Hi.
- Hi.

- Happy birthday.
- Thank you.

I'm afraid with 55
staring at me in the face,

I'm developing inflammation
of the sentence structure

and definite hardening of the paragraphs.
But...

How are you?

Oh, no.
How are you?

You knew all about this little thing,
didn't you?

- Hmm?
- No, actually, I didn't.

Hmm.

Well, did you get a chance to look at
my latest piece?

Yes! Yes, of course.

The Minnies seem to get their literature
from Disney.

I know.

- Hey.
- God, they're everywhere.

Enemy forces
at two o'clock.

Danger, Will Robertson.
Danger.

It's Robinson.
Robinson.

Oh, Robinson.

Safe.
Safe for the moment.

Oh, that was better.
That was better.

Here, I'll show you
what I mean.

- About your article.
- Hmm.

Oh, I don't want
to interfere.

You know,
you are doing just fine.

Oh, no, come on.
Come on.

You know, your criticism,
it helps me so much.

I really appreciate it.

All right,
writer to writer.

Less is more.

Yeah.

Your approach is
a little overemotional at times.

It needs to be
more succinct.

The word choice
needs to be more muscular.

Ellen, you've got a great talent,
but it's not enough.

You have to reach,
goddamn it.

When I was 20 old,
working at the New Yorker,

I would spend a whole day
working on one sentence.

I mean, Lord knows
I could...

Wait a minute.
It's your best work to date.

It's...

It's not your fault.

It's like, the problem is
that editor, damn it.

What is his name?
Uh, Twimpy?

- Tweedy.
- Yeah.

- George? Here you are. Hey.
- He's a fool, as far as...

Yeah. We're hiding.

Come on. I know.
Come inside.

It's time to blow out the candles
and make a wish.

Oh, I wish
we were alone.

Well, we're not yet.
So, hurry up.

Come on,
everybody's waiting.

Man, that's solid.

Brian, how's Harvard
treating you?

Can't complain.
We beat Oxford in the Prentice Cup.

I was referring
to your courses.

Summer school
was all right?

Uh, fine, you know?

You didn't have
any more problems, did you?

No, everything's fine, Dad.

I'd be glad to help.
I'll talk to your professors.

I'd be glad to look
at your term paper.

I said everything's fine.

Well, good.

Good.

He's had a few, huh?

It's his birthday.

Good night.
Good night, Mary.

Good night.

Hewitt.

Hewitt. That's funny.

Don't do anything.

I'll do it in
the morning, honey.

Well, thank you, thank you,
one and all, for a...

A beautiful birthday.

Happy birthday.

Happy birthday, Dad.

Happy birthday, darling.

- Mmm, good night.
- Good night?

Mmm-hmm.

You're not going to bed.
You're not going to sleep, anyway.

Oh, God.

I have to get up
early, you know.

I have Dr. Cohen
in the morning.

Oh, do you like
Bette Midler?

Yeah. You...

Come on. Come on.

Oh.

Just one.

Do you wanna dance

And hold my hand?

Tell me you're
my lover man

Oh, baby

Do you wanna dance?

Dance

Dance

We could dance
under the moonlight

Hug and kiss
all through the night

Oh, baby, tell me

The kids are
watching us.

I don't care
about that.

Do you, do you, do you?

Do you want to dance?

Do you, do you, do you?

Do you want to dance?

Do you, do you, do you?

Do you want to
dance with me, baby?

I knew my mother
was going to the doctor,

but, um, I didn't
really know what for.

So, you didn't ask?

No.

What poem begins,
"Twas the night before Christmas?"

Ah, it's not called,
"Twas the night before Christmas?"

It's called, uh...
I can recite the whole thing.

Does that count?

- Uh, I just need the title.
- Anybody need coffee?

- No, thank you.
- No?

- No.
- Okay.

I'm gonna...
We'll go through the whole thing.

Don't let him cheat.

Please.

Oh, my God.
"A Visit From Saint Nick."

Oh, man!
Don't I get the point?

Hey.

Where's Mom?

They're going to
keep her overnight.

She's gonna have
to have surgery.

Surgery?

Yes. They're...

They're going to
try to take it out.

It's cancer?

Are they sure?

I'm going back out there
to spend the night.

Is she going to die?

No, she's not
going to die.

After the operation,
she may need radiation or chemotherapy.

The doctors say
that that could be very debilitating.

In which case she would need somebody
to take care of her during the day.

Actually...

I want you to,
to move home and take care of her.

Move home?

Brian is at school.
He...

Dad, what about my job?

Well, you can
freelance from here.

She's going to need help
during the day.

Well...

Maybe you could
take a sabbatical.

I mean, it's been four years since you
took one for the novel.

A sabbatical is
out of the question.

I have a department
to run.

And I have to
make a living.

And as you well know,
the advance on my novel was spent years ago

on yours and Brian's
education.

Dad? I have to do my interviews
and my research in New York.

You know my job.

I cannot just
drop everything.

I may never catch up again.
It could ruin my career.

We can get a nurse,
and I will come home every weekend...

A nurse?
We're not getting a nurse.

Your mother didn't get
a nurse when you had chicken pox!

A nurse!

You know she won't
tolerate having strangers in this house!

- But, Dad...
- Your mother needs you, Ellen!

Jesus Christ!
You've got a Harvard education,

but where's your heart?

Excuse me.

- Honey! Hi.
- Hey.

- I'm so sorry I'm late. Sorry.
- Jules, I'll call.

- Hey, Jules.
- Hi. Bye.

- Okay.
- Hi.

Hi. Mmm, give me a kiss.

Are you okay?
Come on, give me your bag.

What's the matter?

- My mom is sick.
- She's what?

Ellen, a sick mother means
three weeks off

and a very nice arrangement
of flowers sent by the staff.

Yeah, still holding.
You're doing great here.

If you leave
there's no guarantee.

All I could offer you is maybe some freelance work.
That's all.

Okay. But I'm still gonna finish the
Sullivan piece from home.

How are you
gonna do that?

The whole article depends
on this expose.

Actually, Casey said that he has a way in
with Sullivan, too.

No. This is my piece.
I can do it.

Okay, I know
what this is about.

You want an upgrade.

Well, you got it.
I don't know what it is yet,

but it's yours.

You really think that someone would
come in here

and say that their mother
has cancer for a promotion?

Ellen, this is New York.

Ellen Gulden.

Hello, sweetheart,
it's Dad.

Hi, Dad.

You okay?

Yeah, I'm fine.

Listen, I'm really sorry.
Um...

I'm sorry, too.

Don't forget to make
an extra set of keys so you can get in,

in case you need to.

Oh, you know what I got to do?
I got to disconnect the phone.

Yes. By Wednesday.

- Okay, I'll call them.
- By Wednesday.

I know. Um, when's she moving in?
Saturday?

- On Thursday.
- Okay.

What are you gonna do?

Call you
when I get there.

That's right.
You always forget, and then I worry.

- I'll remember. I promise.
- Okay.

Thanks.

- Don't forget.
- Okay.

Sweetie,
I'm all nervous.

I've never asked anybody
to live with me.

I'm gonna miss you.

I'm gonna
miss you, too.

Ellie?

You're home!
Whoa.

I was just, uh...
I was remembering

- when I moved these plates from Princeton.
- Oh, yes.

Remember? And Brian
was practicing juggling.

So how are you?

- Oh, I'm fine. I'm fine.
- Good.

I just have to take it easy.
My oncologist, who is, you'll love this, a woman...

Really?

...says, uh, no upholstering,
no furniture refinishing.

Oh, no.
What are you gonna do?

Can you stay
the whole weekend?

Uh, didn't Dad...

Oh, he didn't.
Well, um...

I'm home for a while.

I took some time off
from work.

Home where? Here?

Well, what about your job,
and your little apartment?

Well, I'm gonna work
from here. So...

- Oh, don't worry about it.
- Oh, no.

- Tweedy said that it's fine. So...
- Oh, no, no, no, no, no.

Not to play nursemaid
to me, I hope.

Oh, no. That's not...

Oh, I don't need the...

Man, you'll hate me.

I'll just make you
some dinner.

No, I want to stay.

At least until
you feel better.

I mean,
it's the right thing.

For who?

Whose idea was this?

Mine.

And Dad. And well,
it was both of ours.

He shouldn't have asked you to
do this, honey.

Because he knows you.
He knows this'll never work.

No, no. I told Dad that I want to do this,
and I'm going to.

So that's final. Okay?

Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

Oh, my girl.

I'm gonna make you
some cinnamon toast.

And I'll get you
a cup of tea, too.

Okay.

I'm glad you're home.
Thanks.

She didn't know
I was coming.

Well, you know how
your mother is.

If she'd known,

she probably would have redecorated
your entire bedroom.

What's that smell?

Um. That is an old
writer's trick.

Schiller believed that his body sabotaged
the attention of his mind

while he was writing.

So he engaged
his body

with a simple stimulant,
apples, to free his mind.

So far all it's done for me is make me hungry
for apple pie a la mode.

So, what have you
been working on recently?

My interview
with James Sullivan.

Senator Sullivan?
Mmm-hmm.

- That's impressive.
- That's a big story.

You know, I've been
meaning to ask you.

Random House has been
asking me who I'd like to write

the introduction to Volume Two of
my Collected Essays.

It's coming out
in the spring.

Feel free to say no
but if you had the time,

how would you feel about writing
the introduction?

- Are you serious?
- Mmm-hmm.

- I would love to.
- Great.

Great. They envision some
biographical sketch or interview perhaps.

- I'll help you write the questions if you want.
- Okay.

Here's some
literary criticism,

in case you haven't
seen any of that recently.

And two, three
examples of my work,

in case you don't carry that around
in your bags with you wherever you go.

And wait.

Wow.

Could you wash these for me?
No starch.

And this pocket
needs to be stitched.

Thanks for taking
care of this.

Ellie?

Tell Dad dinner's
on the table.

Listen, sweetie,
later on tonight

I'm gonna run you
a vanilla bath.

That'll help you
go to sleep.

Okay?

Morning.

Good morning.

Good morning
merry sunshine

How did you wake so soon

Remember when we
used to sing you that?

No.

Ah, I see the decorating season
has officially begun.

Our quarterback
is suiting up.

Oh, George. You love it when
the Minnies decorate the Christmas trees.

You just pretend
to be Scrooge.

- Mmm-mmm-mmm. Bye-bye. Good day.
- Bye-bye.

Don't forget you have
a staff meeting at 3:00.

Oh, yeah.
I'll see you gals tonight.

Okay.

I wish I had
redone this kitchen years ago,

when I had the money
to do it.

Are you okay?

Yeah, I'm just, um...

I'm a little tired.

I have my big
Minnie luncheon today.

Just the thought
of all those Minnies is tiring.

I can make the lunch.

You could
make the lunch?

Yeah, I'll call out for Chinese
or make some tuna fish sandwiches.

No, no.
This is the steering committee lunch,

where we plan
the Christmas trees.

It's very important.

I'm gonna make chicken paillard,
zucchini soup,

and my heavenly
chocolate cake.

Well, that's what
I'll make then.

You can make chicken paillard
and zucchini soup

and chocolate cake?

Yeah. Just show me how.
It can't be that hard.

Crap.

Oh, shit! Mom!

Can you come here, quick?

No, I saw it
on Donahue.

This woman said a UFO landed
and took away her husband.

A UFO?

And the UFO's name was probably
Jennifer or Sophia.

No, but she saw something,
you know.

And I think there are things in this world
that are mysterious and unexplainable.

Yeah. Like remember
when they had one calorie Tab?

I was always wondering why the need
for that one calorie at all.

Oh, there you are.

Ellie made the lunch.

Ah!

Since Ellie made the lunch
let's make her an honorary Minnie.

Oh!

Oh, yes, honey.
Come on in and sit down.

I'm going to the library.
I got some work to do.

Oh, come on.

Let's make Ellie
an honorary Minnie.

Come on in. Come on.
Bring the cake when you come.

A cake?

Why, she did
all this by herself.

- She made a cake?
- That is dear.

I slept on the couch
all morning.

That's really nice,
but I really have to finish my article.

I couldn't be a Minnie.
There's really nothing Minnie about me.

Oh, don't be silly.

I don't even
like Christmas.

Oh. Ellen, Ellen could help Kate
with her Christmas tree.

Welcome to the Minnies.

Now, moving on to
other Minnie matters.

It was...
It was awful.

It was awful.

- Hmm.
- I guess that that world it, um,

it just felt small to me.

And, uh, and sometimes I felt like
I was going crazy.

But since my mom
was so good at decorating

and doing those creative things
around the house,

I suggested that she do
something with her talent,

like, uh, like decorate
professionally.

Start her own business.

You're kidding?

No, it would be fun.

Ellie, this is the Minnies busiest season.
You know that.

We have the
Halloween festival for the kids,

we have Thanksgiving,
a benefit for the older people,

and then we have to decorate
all the Christmas trees in the town square.

Okay.

Well...

Why, why...
Are you gonna make coffee now?

Uh-huh.

How are you gonna
get to sleep tonight if...

It really doesn't
affect me.

Mmm-hmm.

We could...

Do, um, a project.

- Project?
- Mmm-hmm.

You and me.
Something we could do together.

- Together?
- Yeah, something different

that you would like.

Like...

A book club.

Book club?

Why do you keep
repeating everything I say

as if it's the most remarkable thing
that you ever heard?

I'm sorry. Okay.
No, a book club. That's good.

- Who else should we have?
- No one.

No one?

There you go again.

Okay. A book club.

Mmm-hmm.

I hate what Jane Austen does
in this book, too.

What? What?

Well, she, the way she makes
Jane the sweet and domestic one.

The good one.
She makes her second fiddle to Elizabeth,

the one who's the outspoken
and smart one.

They do it at
the college, too.

Women professors, they say,
"Oh, you keep house.

"That's terribly interesting."

Yeah, but I don't see...

Oh, there's another book that does that.
Little Women.

Yes, the writer sister?

Um, she puts her in opposition
to the other one that has babies.

- But what...
- Meg.

So, you wanted to
get back to New York?

Right.

You felt like you were wasting
your time?

Sort of.
She seemed okay.

Your anger and resentment
were building up.

Yes. Well, I mean...

No, um,

the one thing that I never wanted
to do was to live my mother's life.

And there I was doing it.

- Oh, this is my favorite.
- Oh!

- Oh, not Bette Midler, Mom. Please.
- That's great.

- Oh, you like this one.
- It's just...

You don't like Bette Midler?
What are you, nuts?

I'm gonna get me
some of them

'Cause you've got to
have friends

Friends

- Harmonize with me!
- You do the harmony.

But you're doing so
nicely on your own.

Friends

Friends

Mom, when are we gonna turn around
and head home?

I told you, we have to go get yarn,
sweetheart.

Remember?

Thank you, Kate.

Okay, sweetheart.

Come sit up with me.

I'll see you next week
if I'm spared.

Thank you again.

I love your mother!

Bye!

Well, I think she had fun, though.
Don't you?

I have no idea.

- Honey, give me a pill, will ya? In there.
- Yeah.

Look, we've been driving around for hours
wasting time.

There's a thermos
down there, too.

You don't feel well and I need to meet Dad.
Okay?

Mmm-hmm.
Mmm-hmm.

You know where
we are?

Canada.

We just dropped Clarice
off at her mother's house.

That's because she's been
living there for four months

since her husband left her
and she hit rock bottom.

And she stays inside all day,
with the shades drawn, every day.

So, one of us
comes up once a week

and takes her out to have some fun,
you know?

Have some laughs.

And that's what
we did today,

I hope.

Partly cloudy skies,
and wind will be coming in

from the northeast at 10 miles per hour
with occasional...

What am I supposed to do?
I have no money.

You could always do work study.

Right.
And do what?

You can work in the library.
That's easy.

He's not here.

So, who's he doing now?

Probably Celine,
his new T.A.

You mean T and A.

I'd do him.

Not me.
He's way too critical.

I mean, can you imagine?
"You have real talent.

"But you must reach
goddamn it."

- Hello?
- Hi, Kate.

Uh, George, uh,
wanted me to give you a call...

- Harold?
- Yeah, hi.

- Oh, hi. Yes.
- Hi. Uh...

The...

Ellie, is that you?
I have it.

Sorry.

So, when you worked
with James Sullivan,

would you say
that he was driven?

Oh, absolutely.
I've never worked with...

Uh-huh. How about voracious?

- Voracious in what sense? I mean...
- Ellen? Ellen?

Well, what about
his drug use back then?

- I'm sorry. I can't comment on...
- Ellen?

- Did you find it?
- I'm coming now.

- Thank you very much. You've been really helpful.
- Ellen?

- Coming.
- What?

- Could you come now, please?
- What?

I'd given her
two, um, Percocet

- about an hour ago.
- Uh-huh.

And they don't seem
to be taking an effect.

- I can't give her any more now.
- Really? No, absolutely not.

You've been on the phone for long time
and I was supposed...

- What's going on?
- I can't find the, the heating pad.

I need it.

Can you look?

I need the heating pad.

- We can't find it.
- You want the heating pad? Okay?

She's in horrible pain.
She hasn't slept all night long.

- You woke Ellie up. I told you not to...
- Oh, baby. I'm so sorry.

- ...wake her up. Why did you wake her up?
- Come on, baby. Shh.

I think I...
Oh, I hung it.

Shh. Ellen, please.

Here, here, here.
Here we go.

Now, I just have to plug, plug it in.
All right.

- Has she got it?
- Yeah.

Turn it on. Yeah.

Yeah, she got it.
It's good.

- You can go now. You can go to...
- You think?

Yeah, go to class now.

All right, all right.
All right.

- It's okay.
- What else now? What else?

- I'll wait for Dr. Cohen to call.
- And, um...

I'll cancel the reservation
at the Porchlight tonight, Kate.

- Yeah, that's good.
- Yeah.

- Here you go.
- Go.

Go!

The pill didn't
work yet, baby.

Just wait a little longer.

- Is it getting warm?
- Yeah, somewhat.

Yeah.

I'm giving her
Dilaudid for her pain.

It may make her
a little groggy.

And she shouldn't drive.

Her speech may be
a little slurred.

Even though you may see some transient
periods of improvement,

she still shouldn't drive while she's
on this medication.

Okay.

I want to send a nurse to monitor
her vital signs.

In fact, this afternoon.

No, we don't,
we don't need nurse.

- I can handle this.
- I insist.

Your mother's in
a great deal of pain.

She needs someone
she can be open with about it.

Well, she can
be open with me.

Can she?

Still beating?

Loud and clear.

Now, what can I do to help you,
Mrs. Gulden?

- Mmm.
- Tell me about your pain.

Is it constant?

Mmm-hmm.
Pretty much, yes.

But, um, this medication's
really helping me out.

Okay.

Are you having trouble
bathing and dressing?

Well, sometimes
I have a little trouble

getting in and out of the tub.

You didn't tell me that.

Why didn't you
tell me that?

Oh, Ellie.
There's so many things for you to worry about.

I...

Well, let's go upstairs.

I can show you some easy ways to get
in and out of the tub.

Okay.

Mmm.

Mmm-hmm.

Thank you.

Are you having problems with
anything else?

Mmm-mmm. No.

I guess, uh...

Sometimes bending down.

You know, it's hard,
hard to get my trousers on sometimes.

Mmm-hmm.
- And, uh...

And my bed
is nice and high,

so I have no trouble
getting in and out of there.

- All right.
- Hi.

Kate, I have a surprise.

- You have to close your eyes.
- Mmm.

And keep them closed, please.
No cheating.

Ellen, you, too.

What are you doing?

What have you done?

No, no. Don't open
your eyes just yet.

- Ready?
- It's so...

Open.

Oh, it's so...

If you can't go
to the Porchlight,

the Porchlight
comes to you.

It's...

Fabulous.

Oh, my!

Here.

Oh, it's so beautiful.

Thank you.

And after dinner,
I've rented your favorite movie.

Jem, are you awake?

- Go back to bed.
- I can't go to sleep.

Go back to bed.

What you got
in the box?

Nothing.
Go back to bed.

I guess she doesn't
need her pill.

No, she's looking
a lot better now.

She's gonna be just fine.

- Dad?
- Yeah?

I was just thinking
that maybe

you could cut back
on your classes.

Help out a little.

Ellen, I'd like to, but this is
the busiest time of the semester for me.

I've got midterms,

which means I've got
evening tutorials.

Didn't you see her
this morning?

She's getting worse.

No, she's not.

Don't you ever
say that again.

But, Dad, I...

Ellen.

Look, I have
essays to grade.

And I've got
a deadline.

Dad, if I don't
finish this article,

I'm never gonna get
my job back.

Don't you
realize that?

Ellen, enough.
Midterms!

I can see why people would think
that I didn't care.

But I just didn't know
what to do.

My mom would have
couple of bad days,

and then she'd be fine.

And, uh, she was still doing
the things that she'd always done.

So...

Well, I was just wondering
if you could tell me

when he's gonna be
released from rehab.

Well, you know,
I'm just trying to be a friend here,

which I'm sure that
he needs right now.

Is friend of yours
in trouble?

- I'm sorry, can you hold on just a second?
- All right.

It's a work thing.

Oh.

I thought
you said a friend...

So anyhow,
the reason why I'm asking

- is because I'm sure that he's gonna need...
- Are you...

Are you gonna
get ready soon?

Uh, I'm sorry.

Uh, I'm kind of in
the middle of something.

- It's kind of important.
- Okay.

Okay?

So anyhow, um,
I need to know because I think...

Well, you don't have to come if you
don't want to, you know?

- Honey, you really don't have to go. It's fine.
- I'm really sorry.

- Just one second.
- All right.

You do know that this is exactly
what the Moonies do?

They take your shoes,
your clothing, your identity.

You sure the Minnies
aren't just an offshoot of the Moonies?

Well, at least you're wearing
your favorite color.

Next goblin, please.

Come on.

Look, two more Madonnas.

Hey, Kate!

Whoo,
there's Clarice.

Go back to work.
Go back.

Louisa, give me pie.

- Oh, no!
- I got to go for it.

You stand over there.
You just stand over... Stand over...

Shh. Kate,
don't make me laugh.

- Home?
- Yes, darling.

Thanks.

Let me see.
No, maybe not.

Oh, my! Evelyn!

You know,
I really should get home.

Okay.
We'll go pretty soon.

I just want to go
around one more time.

Okay, one more time.

- But...
- What?

- Only one.
- One more.

Okay, one more time.

Okay.

Whoo! Whoo!

Whoo! Look at
the little leaves.

Like they're in big hurry
to get somewhere.

Those Minnies
go all out.

Yeah, they do.

They go all out.

Very creative women.
Hmm?

Yes.

- More is more.
- What?

You know,
your dad always says less is more.

Mmm-hmm.

To me, more is more.

Oh, I love walking
in Langhorne.

My gosh, look at what
Evelyn Best has done here.

Uh-huh.

It's such
a beautiful night.

Are you okay? Mom?

Uh-huh.
You hear that?

What? Hear what?

That.

What?

Oh, I guess
it's the rumble

of the furnaces
or something.

You know, Langhorne kind of,
I don't know, hums.

Even in the summertime,
you can hear...

Maybe it's
the air conditioners.

Crickets or the bees.

Mmm.

No, I think it's something more.
You hear it?

No.

You can feel it.

No.

Trick-or-treaters.
Oh, my gosh.

They're gonna
beat us home.

You go get your dad up at the college.
Tell him to hurry up.

- Are you sure?
- Yeah, I know he's doesn't want to miss this fun.

- Okay.
- Trick-or-treat.

- Trick-or-treat.
- Trick-or-treat.

Dad.

...something
you have to remember.

Yeah, I can see that.

Hi.

Hi.

Well, you missed all
the trick-or-treaters.

They were so cute.

Hmm.

Remember when
Brian dressed up like a dice?

And he tipped over
and you wouldn't help him up

because you were
so busy laughing at his little legs

scrambling around
in the air like a bug.

Did you find your dad?

The secretary said
he had a late class.

Oh. That's too bad.

You okay, Ellie?

Uh-huh. Great.

Good.

I love this movie.

Do you think about
politics much?

And if so,
what do you think about politics?

Do you mean my...
Do you mean my political philosophy?

I think
that's what I mean.

Well, you know
how some of these meetings can go.

Some of the faculty and...

Uh-huh.

You know, one of the students
had a little, you know?

- Well, whatever.
- Oh.

Uh, so he, uh,
he just wanted me to call.

Okay.

He thought you...
Yeah, he thought you shouldn't...

He didn't want you
to worry.

All right.
Thank you, Harold.

Yeah, it's just another one
of those meetings.

Ellen?

Ellen?

Hmm?

I was asking
about your father.

You haven't really
mentioned him.

Was he not around
that much?

No, he was around.

Um, he was busy
with his classes,

but he managed to spend time at home.
Mmm-hmm.

"I looked at my American Express
bill one January

"and went into
ring failure."

"I was so opposed
to name tags,

"that once when woman
slapped a gummed label

"over my left bosom that said,
'Hello, my name is Erma,'

"I leaned over and said,
Now, what shall we name the other one?"

What are you reading?

"Aunt Erma's
Cope Book.

"How to get from
Monday to Friday in Twelve Days."

- Huh.
- Hey, guys!

- Up here.
- Should I put it away?

You better.
Or else he'll call the thought police.

And they'll come in
in tweed jackets

and pummel us with rolled up
New York Times.

Whoa!

Is this dissention
in the ranks?

- Should I do my reading from this tonight?
- No.

No readings
this Thanksgiving.

Nobody even likes the readings.
It's just gonna be us.

- Mmm, and Jordan.
- Wait a minute.

You're gonna buck
26 years of tradition?

You're gonna take away
Frost and Whitman,

and all those other
exciting dead guys?

- Are you feeling all right?
- Shut up.

You are not
going to believe

who's downstairs
with Harold.

Oliver Most.

Poet laureate
in our house.

- What is that book?
- Oh, it's mine.

Ellen, could you
put out, like,

some hors d'oeuvres
or something for them?

Are they staying?

Yeah!

- Aw.
- Mmm-hmm.

Great.

Dad?

Yeah?

It was just supposed to be Jordan and us.
Just family.

Well, I mean...

They have no place
else to go.

Oliver's down from Harvard for a book
signing tour.

He's all by himself.

Come on. You know your mother loves
Oliver Most's work.

You promised.

Well, I can't very well
disinvite them now, can I?

And we could all use a little holiday cheer
around here now.

Couldn't we?

Oh!

Get up!

Okay. Thank you.

- Oh, Ellen. Oh, you did this?
- Uh-huh.

- Oh, Ellie.
- It's beautiful bird.

Thank you.

You don't
have to be concerned

with things like that,
there's plenty of time.

I have to pay my father back
when I get back.

What am I gonna do?
I don't know if I feel good about it.

Would you
like some wine?

Well, you know,
there is plenty of time.

A writer writes something.

He calls his friend.
He says,

"I've finished writing a little something
and it's not very good.

- "In fact it's terrible.
- Right.

"The worse part about it
is it's the best thing I can do."

And that was Steinbeck,
Grapes of Wrath.

Wow.
That's my favorite book.

Your father tells me you write
literary reviews from time to time.

Mmm-hmm.
That's right.

That's interesting.
Like father, like daughter.

Tell me, have you ever had the opportunity
to review any of my work?

Um...

I want to say grace now.

Oh, good.

Uh, no, George.
I want to say my own grace.

Of course.
Of course.

"Thank you for
the world so sweet

"Thank you for
the food we eat.

"Thank you for
the birds that sing.

"Thank you, God,
for everything."

And thank you, Ellie,
for making

such a beautiful
Thanksgiving dinner.

Mmm.

Sure.

Bravo.

To Chef Boyardee.

Shut up.
That's terrible.

Well, to our great
surprise and delight,

tonight has become a night to go down
in our family's history books.

We have the honor
to have with us Oliver Most,

whose work means
so much to me

and who was the first
to encourage me with Comeback Inn.

He's agreed after dinner
to read to us from his new book,

for which I am...

I am very grateful.

Ah, well, George, you know,
I'm happy to oblige, but...

You're gonna have
to remind me.

What in the hell
is Comeback Inn?

It sounds as if I've encouraged you
to invest in some sort of,

uh, roadside motel.

Honey, would you pass
the vegetables around?

Yeah.

Want some carrots,
sweetheart?

- It's my novel.
- Oh!

My novel.

Yeah, no.

Well, Jesus, George,
I'm sorry. I forgot.

As Thurber says,
"With 60 staring me in the face,

"I've developed inflammation of the
sentence structure..."

Everything looks beautiful.

"...and definite hardening
of the paragraph."

- Asparagus?
- Oh. Oh, um...

Up in my blue room

Fools rush in
and not to bed

I am the rain trippin'
weird dead head

Sure I'm gonna love you
one more time

A little bit of whiskey
running 'round my mind

Well, you don't know
the things I see

Hey, did you see
my dad tonight?

He just kills me.

You know, he doesn't
say one word to me about dinner

and then he just
goes off to his study.

Like we're servants there
to serve him or something.

Hello! Another round.

- What, what are you, Janis Joplin?
- No. No.

Just take it easy
on the sauce, okay?

I have not been out
in two months.

I know.

- I deserve another drink.
- I know.

I deserve another drink.

Especially since it's been like that
since the beginning.

Do you know
he doesn't do anything?

He really doesn't.
He doesn't do anything. I do everything.

- I do! I do everything!
- I realize that.

But I think in situations like this,

you have to be
sympathetic with people.

I mean, everybody has
to deal with bad stuff in their own way.

- You know?
- What?

Whenever you guys say that people
deal with stuff in their own way,

it means that you don't
deal with it at all.

We deal with it.

We make the meals
and we clean up the messes,

and we listen
while you guys talk about

how you're gonna
deal with stuff in your own way.

Well, what way is that,
Jordan? Hmm?

What way is that?
What way?

See? No way.

And what the fuck are you looking at?
Huh?

Hey. Hey, hey, hey.
Hey.

Stop it.
What are you doing? What are you doing?

- No, no, no.
- What's the matter with you?

- Why are you acting like this?
- Oh, I'm sorry.

I'm being rude.

Well, you know what
I think is rude?

- I think it's rude...
- Hey, stop it. I'm trying to talk to you.

- ...when Little Miss Delta Delta Delta over here...
- Stop it. Stop it!

- ...is trying to pick up on my boyfriend...
- Will you stop it?

- ...in front of my face.
- Why don't you just lay off of her? Huh?

Your sister's losing her mind.

Do you think I look invisible?

I am not losing my mind!

I am not losing my mind!
I am just tired, Jordan.

I am tired.
I am tired.

Ellen, let's go.

Being my mother
is very tiring.

Oh, come on.
There's nobody more different

from their mother than you.
Come on. Let's go.

That is the stupidest
thing that you have ever said!

- Okay, great.
- That's the stupidest thing you've ever said!

Oh, God.

Hey, Ellie?

Yeah?

Are you all right?

Yeah, I just have a headache.

What happened to Jordan?
I heard Brian go upstairs to...

Yeah, he has to work tomorrow.
So he just took the train back.

Mmm.

You sure
you're all right?

How do you do this?

Every day,
all day in this house?

And no one notices.

Doesn't that
drive you crazy?

But this is
my family, Ellie.

These are
the people I love.

Maybe it's time for you to start thinking
about going back to New York.

Maybe you should go
back to the city,

your work, and your writing,
and all the things that you like to do.

That's what's important,
sweetie.

I'm gonna...

You know, we can get somebody to
help out around here.

That's not...

But you did a great
job tonight.

You should be proud
of yourself.

Night-night, sweetheart.

Good night.

- Hello?
- Gulden, is this you? Tweedy.

Mr. Tweedy, hi.

Sullivan's having
a press conference at 4:00.

A press conference.
Where?

Harvard Club.
44th Street.

The next train's
not till 5:00. Shit!

Then Casey...

No, don't send Casey.
I'll be there.

- Excuse me.
- Yeah.

Excuse me, ma'am.
I'm sorry. Excuse me.

Excuse me.

"Too late"
is unacceptable.

You said you'd
get the story.

And I will.
I'll find him.

Look, I've got a contact
at Sullivan's office.

Now, he's getting
on a plane tonight at 9:00 at JFK.

Oh, no, no, no.
I've worked on this thing for three months!

He's staying at the Plaza Athene.
I can check it out.

Anyone could figure that out.
No, I will meet him there!

I'll meet him at the Plaza Athene
before he leaves!

This is my story,
goddamn it!

This is my story!

Good night, sir.

Taxi!

Hey!

Don't I know you?

- I don't think so.
- Yes!

We went to Harvard together.
Ellen Gulden.

You were couple
of years ahead of me.

I wrote for the women's magazine,
Peeved Eves.

I remember Peeved Eves.

Well, it's nice
to see you.

Yeah, yeah.
Nice to see you, too.

Got to get to JFK in time for the last
commuter shuttle.

It's my daughter's
birthday today.

Oh!

If you're going to JFK,
I can give you a lift.

They moved to Seattle
a couple of months ago

to get away from
all the cameras,

my ex-wife
and my, uh, ex-kids.

Mmm.

Yeah, you know, I think
I saw something about that on television.

How horrible.

You know what's strange?

- One minute you're in school...
- Mmm-hmm.

...and the next minute
you look up

and your life's all turned around
and screwed up.

Yes, I know.

You try and you try
to get ahead.

- Yes...
- Somewhere in it all, you just, um...

You lose yourself.

- And you never know when it's gonna come.
- Mmm-hmm.

Comes out of
nowhere, bang.

It's just, uh, your
life is a disaster.

Yep.

Well, I just hope I can make it up
to my wife and kids.

You know, that's
all that counts.

That's all that counts.

Yeah, you're right.
They're the ones who love you.

That's what counts.

I'm reading, Mom.
And baby cows are calves.

You're right.

G.A. Tweedy, here.
Leave message after the noise.

Mr. Tweedy, it's Ellen.

Um...

Listen, I waited for Sullivan
outside of his hotel,

and, um, well,
he never showed.

Damn.

There we go.

There's several reasons
why I asked you here today,

one of which...

- Hi, John.
- Hi.

- George.
- Peter.

One of which is to ask you

why you were so hostile
with me at Thanksgiving.

I know this is not the best situation
for any of us, but...

But I'm trying, Ellen,
I'm trying to be patient.

I have some questions
that I'd like to discuss with you.

- I don't think I wanna talk about the interview.
- I do.

Okay, Ellen.

How come Mom
waited so long?

Why didn't she go
to the doctor sooner?

What are you
talking about?

Was it maybe because
you didn't want your world disrupted?

Because you needed her
to keep your life running smoothly?

Like you need me now?

What the hell
are you doing, Ellen?

Because she can't
do it all?

Well, do you have
any idea what it takes

to keep your life
running so smoothly?

- Ellen, have you lost your mind?
- Maybe!

Keep your voice down.

This is
inappropriate, Ellen.

It is appropriate!

Everything at our
house has changed!

But you don't
know about it.

Because you're behaving
as though life goes on as usual.

Well, life as we know it is done!
This is real life!

Fuck fiction!

Less is not more!

You have taken sabbaticals for
the great American novel.

Why not one for Mom?

Why won't you participate

in the most important thing
that has happened in your life?

She needs you.

Why is it always
more important for you

to hear what some writer
has to say than me?

And Brian?

Hey!

Hey, what other
tricks do you use

beside your
fucking apples

to get your writing
juices flowing, Dad?

Cheating on Mom,
is that one?

I will hire a full-time nurse.
You are going back to New York.

What other tricks?

Several people
have mentioned

a heated argument
that you had with your father.

Outside the campus cafe?

Uh, it was shortly
after Thanksgiving.

Do you recall the incident?

Mmm-hmm.
Yeah, I remember.

It was a stressful time,

and there was a lot to do,

and it was hard.

So, there was no problem between you
and your father.

No.

Or your father
and your mother?

My mother and my father?
'Course not.

It was a busy time.
I mean, I was a full-fledged Minnie.

I remember, um,

we were making
the ornaments,

the craft ornaments with the feathers
and the sequins for

my mother's Christmas tree
in the square.

And, um, I would climb up the ladder
and she would tell me where to put them.

So, it was fun.

Was a lot of fun.

I did good,
don't you think?

Yeah, it's really
not that bad.

Yeah, it's okay.

You know, I always used to try
to get you to go see Santa.

For years and years.

And then when you
were eight years old,

you got in line and you went
to the very front

- and you pulled his beard off and...
- Pulled his beard off.

...yelled, "Fraud!"

Your dad was
so proud of you.

Well, guess what.

I'm getting in the line.

- Oh, now you want to.
- Yes.

Oh!

A new pair of skates, some skis and some...
Is that right?

Uh-huh.

Good girl.
Go on. Be good.

Merry Christmas.

Ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho.

- Hello.
- Ellen Gulden.

- Uh-huh.
- I know what you want.

A new computer and
Diane Sawyer's job.

That'd be okay.
Well, okay, here we go.

Uh.

Well, nothing for me,
Mayor.

Oh, Santa.

Well, I guess maybe it is for me.

- Ma'am?
- Are you all right?

I really... Oh...

Can you breathe?
Do you want to try and sit up on the bench?

Mom?

Mom?

Excuse me, is there a phone
that I can use, please?

Sure.

Just use this line right here.
Press nine to get out.

Answer the phone, Dad.

Ellen?

Mom's in the hospital.

The cancer
has progressed

much more quickly
than we had expected.

I'm sorry, but I think it's best
to stop the chemotherapy.

Uh, you know what?

Um, I'm not ready
to stop the chemotherapy.

I'm afraid there's
no more we can do.

We all need now to focus on
helping her through this next part.

I'm putting her
on morphine.

You'll need to give her one tablet
twice a day for the pain.

They shouldn't be
chewed or crushed

because they might
become toxic.

I am sorry.
I'll get you the prescription.

So, what do you
think of the wheels?

Oh,
they look wonderful.

Oh, gosh, it's like
what we used to do

- to the bikes when you were kids.
- Uh-huh.

- You look beautiful.
- Oh, Brian.

You do.

No coat?

No, I don't need one.
I'm layered, honey.

I just wanna show off
my new sweater.

Oh, I love Christmas.
I love it.

- Hey. Hi.
- Hey, folks. Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.
- Hi.

Hi.

Oh. Everybody's
out tonight.

Are we late?

Ah, they should
shovel that, you know?

They should shovel that
more carefully than that.

Well, honey, you should do it.

- Hey, you guys!
- Merry Christmas!

Hello.

June Fortier.

Get up here, you.

Clarice Mitchell.

There she is.

- Oh! Hi, Kate.
- Hi, Ellen.

- How are you?
- Hi, Brian, George.

- Kate.
- Melissa Jamison.

Well, you just look wonderful.
You look wonderful.

Well, thanks.
Don't go get mushy on me.

- I just love the sweater.
- Oh, thanks.

Evelyn Best.

Kate Gulden.

Oh!

Oh!

And Ellen Gulden.

We see you, Ellen.
You can't hide.

- Come on. We need all the Minnies up here.
- Come on, Ellen.

And now for the moment we have
all been waiting for.

Happy Holidays,
Langhorne.

Silent night

Holy night

All is calm

All is bright

Round yon virgin

Mother and child

Holy infant

So tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly

Peace

Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night

Holy night

Shepherds quake

At the sight

Glory streams

From heaven afar

Heavenly hosts
sing hallelujah

Christ our Savior is born

Christ our Savior is born

- Wait for me!
- I'm going first!

Oh, there you go, Mom,
there you go. Oh.

I'm having trouble
juggling everything.

Gee, I haven't
dropped one yet. Oh!

No, no, no.

- No, no, no!
- Oh, I couldn't help it. It was a reflex.

- I couldn't help it.
- Oh, what?

Oh, here.

- Hey!
- Oh, hi.

- Whoa! My God!
- Whoa!

Hi. Nice hat.

- Oh, thank you.
- How you doing?

And you
didn't tell your mom?

How could I tell her?
She's never known about my dad's little flings.

God, he's still
doing it, you know?

He's got this friend,
this fucking Harold guy,

who calls and makes
excuses for him.

And this woman, she dropped him off
right in front of the house.

God!

Oh, God,
why won't he answer?

This is the third time
I've tried to call him today.

The red and gold one
is ours.

- Mmm. Hey, it's beautiful.
- Mmm-hmm.

My mom says with a tree that size,
the key is "gaudy".

- More is more.
- What're you doing?

Ellen, don't call him again.

I don't want him to worry.
He's still really upset about Thanksgiving.

And I think that
he was afraid

to come and visit me
for the holidays.

- Oh, please.
- No, I'm serious.

I was really,
really hard on him.

- Ellen.
- Hello?

Hi. Is Jordan there?

Yeah, he's paying for
the Chinese food.

Do you wanna hold on?

No, no, no, that's okay.

Some girl answered and said that
he was paying the Chinese delivery guy.

Okay, Chinese food
at home.

- It's New Year's.
- Shit.

- Shit!
- Shit.

Don't call him again. El.

Come on, Jordan, just pick up the phone.
Answer.

- Hi, this is Jordan. I'm not in right now.
- Oh.

Puts the
answering machine on.

Okay, good, then hang up.

Hi, Jordan, it's me.

Just calling to say
Happy New Year's.

And to tell you that, um, I've really been
thinking about what you said

about how we needed
to talk about our plans.

And, yeah,
we do need to talk.

I just...

I wanna talk.

And, uh...

If you get a chance,
uh, call me. Okay?

And I really hope that you have...
Happy New Year.

Okay.

Sorry.

Is everybody ready?

Um, would you...

Kate? Darling?

- Oh!
- What?

- It's almost time for the big moment.
- New Year's resolutions.

- Okay.
- Another great Gulden Family tradition.

Can't dwell on the negative.
Gotta talk about all the great things

- that we're gonna accomplish next year.
- Ellen...

- Please.
- Wouldn't it be a lot easier

if we could just admit to our failures,
the things that we fucked up on?

Ellen, would you not use that word
in the house, please?

Sorry.
Used the "F" word.

Failure isn't allowed
in the Gulden house.

You know, maybe...
Maybe we should break tradition this year.

And since I've got a hell of
a good list of failures, I'll start.

- I don't think that's a good idea.
- No, no, no.

- Come on. Come on, I'd like to.
- I don't think so either.

- You'd like to?
- Yeah, I... I'd like to.

Lost my desk
at the magazine.

Uh, really fucked up
the Sullivan interview.

So, I'm not gonna
get that job back.

- And by the looks of things...
- The Sullivan interview?

What are you talking about?
Why didn't you say something?

...have really ruined
my relationship with my boyfriend.

So there we go, Happy New Year.

I failed my English class
last semester.

I'm on academic probation.

And I got kicked off
the tennis team.

- Happy New Year.
- Jesus Christ, Brian!

- I could get a tutor. I could help you.
- What's this?

Mom, I got a job at the
Cambridge Racquet Club.

- Oh.
- And I don't wanna go back to school.

You got a job?
That's great.

- Ten, nine, eight...
- Isn't it?

- You like it?
- ...seven, six, five, four...

- Yeah, I love it.
- That's wonderful.

That's what you
should do then. Good.

- God, you only live once.
- Welcome to '88!

The holidays seemed
to take a lot out of my mother.

It was right after New Year's
when her health

really started to decline.

And this guy
in my class was going on and on

about how selfish she was and how
of course she would leave.

So, my professor,
who's a woman, said,

"Anna Karenina would have
left her husband for her lover,

"but would never
have left her son.

"And had Tolstoy been a woman,
he would've understood that."

What do you
think of that?

I haven't been reading
Anna Karenina.

No more whipping. That's enough.
Just drain the cherries.

We have two hours
till Brian leaves.

You know I wanna have his pie ready
for him when he goes.

I think the crust is probably ready, too.
You better check that.

It should probably bake a little longer,
but I can...

I can't read
anything anyway.

My eyesight's gone like an old lady.
Let me see.

- Uh, I don't think...
- Let me see.

Let me see...
Damn it!

I hate this stupid chair!
I hate it, I hate it.

I wish I could just roll it
down the street.

Right through
Evelyn Best's front window.

She pet me like a cat at Christmas.
Did you see that?

Don't do that. Just leave it.
Get another pie plate.

There's another one over
in the left-hand cubby.

Have time to make
another one.

- Left. Left-hand cubby. Right there.
- Mom, actually,

I put them in here.

And, you know, Mom,
there's handicapped access everywhere...

I am not handicapped!

Oh, God, I'm not!

What are you doing?

I am not an invalid!

- Stop that!
- I am not! I am not!

It's my house, you know!

You can't tell me what to do!
I'm still a mother!

Still a mother here.

Mom, I know that.

Hello?

Ellen, I'm going to be
working late tonight.

Sorry I didn't
make it home for supper.

Mmm-hmm.

I'll get there
as soon as I can.

Yeah, I'm sure
you will, Dad.

- Who was that?
- It was your husband.

Seems he's working
late again.

Well, it's a tough job running
that whole department.

Not that tough.

Whatever you're doing, stop,
and come in here.

Right now.

Yeah?

What has happened between you
and your father?

What do you mean?

You've been so angry
at him ever since you came home.

I don't know. I mean,
there's some stuff that...

Well, I mean,
it doesn't have anything to do with you.

Pretty soon he's all
you'll have, you know.

Please, Mom, stop.
I don't...

No, you stop.

He's gonna need you.
You're gonna need each other.

And my God, you used
to be so close. What...

The two of you
are so alike.

Please don't say that.

Why? Because
he's not perfect?

Because he's not the man you thought he was?

No, I...

No, I can't. I can't talk
about this with you.

- Come back here. Come on.
- I can't.

I want you to sit down here.
I wanna...

I wanna talk to you.
Sit there.

Now, you listen to me
because I'm only gonna say this once,

and I probably
shouldn't say it at all.

There is nothing that you know
about your father that I don't know.

Nothing.

And understand better.

Okay?

You make concessions
when you're married a long time

that you don't believe
you'll make when you're beginning,

when you're young.

You say, "Oh, I'll never tolerate this
or that or the other thing."

But time goes by, darling.

And when you've
slept together a thousand nights,

and you've smelled like spit up
from the babies when they're sick,

and you've seen
your body droop and get soft,

and some nights
you just think,

"Oh, God, I'm not gonna put up
with it another minute."

But you wake up
in the next morning

and the kitchen
smells like coffee

and the kids have their hair brushed
all by themselves,

and you look
at your husband

and know he's not
the person you thought he was.

But he's your life.

And the kids and the house and everything
that you do is built around him.

And that's your life,
that's your history, too.

And if you take him out, that's like
cutting his face out of all the pictures.

It just makes a big hole,
and it ruins everything.

You can be hard, Ellen.

And you can be
very judgmental.

And with those
two things alone,

you're gonna make such a mess out
of your life, you wouldn't believe.

And I wanna be able to tell you
these things in 10 years.

And when I think how most of what you've learned
so far came from your dad,

- it just, it hurts my heart to think how little...
- No. No.

- ...I have gotten done. Yes, yes.
- Don't, Mom, don't.

Just... Shh.
Let's not talk about that.

Will somebody
let me speak?

I wanna talk. You let me talk.
Now, let me talk.

Your dad won't let me talk
because he says I'll upset myself,

and you won't let me talk.

"Oh, Mom,
please don't talk."

Brian's the only one who lets me talk.
He's never here.

I wanna talk before I die.

I do. I wanna be able
to say the things.

- I wanna say the deep thoughts.
- Okay, okay.

Without you shushing me because
what I say hurts you.

Oh, Mom.

Tired of being shushed.

What do you wanna say?

I already said
everything I wanna say.

Except I'm sad.

- Why?
- I'm sad that I won't be able to...

...to plan your wedding.

So, promise me
that you won't have

a ring bearer
or a flower girl,

because those kids
always just misbehave

and then they distract
from the bride.

And don't invite
too many people.

Well, you know,
I might not even get married, so...

Whatever.

If I knew that you would be happy,
I would close my eyes now.

I would.

It's so much easier
to be happy, my love.

It's so much easier to choose to love
the things that you have.

And you have so much.

Instead of always yearning for
what you're missing

or what it is you're imagining
you're missing.

It's so much more peaceful.

We've gotta
reinstate the mental tests.

Thank you.
That's very nice.

You're too kind.
Stay that way.

You know what it is?

I thought about it today.
It takes six months.

What time is it?

I can't see the clock.
What time is it?

It's 11:35.

- Did Harold call yet?
- Uh-uh.

Ellie, I need you to go get your father
and bring him home.

Where?

Yeah, can I
get another beer?

Okay. Yeah.

...rising young star
among the heavyweights.

He connected with that tremendous
right toward the end of the fifth,

then lobbied Johnson
and had him holding on at the bell.

He is a crafty veteran.
He's been here before.

I'm sure that he's got a lot left
in his bag of tricks.

Dad.

Who's that?

You weren't
supposed to see this.

You shouldn't have...

He didn't...
I mean, he didn't even remember my book.

Didn't even remember it.

The narcissistic son of a bitch.

Thinks just 'cause
he teaches at Harvard, right?

He didn't even
remember it.

Let's go home.
Mom's waiting.

Ellen, the first time
I saw your mother,

she was
so filled with light.

She lit up
everything around her.

Even me.

I just can't imagine
the light going out.

I can't imagine it.

I think it's time
to go home. Come on.

Let me get my...

Okay. Yeah.

Okay.

Harold?

Ellen,
I was gonna bring him.

I was just gonna call.

Here, let me, let me.

Ice cream monster.

The ice cream monster!

It's the ice cream monster! Good day.

Your brother
was back at his new job in Cambridge

and your father was back full time
at the college.

Right.

So you were responsible
for giving her her medicine?

Yeah. Mmm-hmm.

Teresa?

Teresa?

Teresa?

Mom, the nurse isn't here.
It's me. Are you okay?

Oh, I'm fine.

Well, do you
need me to get...

I said I'm fine.

I need you to help me.
I can't get out.

Okay.

Okay, come on.

Put your arm around me.
Okay, ready?

Look up. Okay, ready?

- Okay, lift.
- Put your arm around me.

Put your arm
around me. Good.

Good. Okay, here we go.
Here we go.

Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

Oh, I need a pill, Ellie.

It's not time yet.
Can you wait?

No.

No. Please.

Oh, I don't wanna live like this.

Here.

You'll be better tomorrow.

No, I won't.
This is not living. This isn't living.

Why can't this be over, baby?

Please help me.

Will you help me?

You're my girl.
You help me, please.

Ellie, promise me
you'll help me?

Please,
please, please.

We all made
this for you, honey.

See, it's got our names all over it,
embroidered.

Oh, it's beautiful.

I hope you like it.

How beautiful.
What's that smell?

That's that Indian Summer
potpourri, isn't it?

Mmm-hmm.

- It's your favorite.
- Mmm, lovely.

Who's making a racket out there?

Oh,
she brought the baby.

You girls do
good work, you know.

Are you available
next Tuesday?

Oh, here he is.

He says, "I want Kate."
Here's Kate.

- Oh, I thought I'd never... Aw!
- There she is.

Hello, little man.

- Can you sit down for me?
- Oh, my gosh.

Ellen, I...
I'm so sorry.

I know it must be very hard for you,
seeing her like this.

It's okay.

It'll be over soon.

I have a bib, too.

I do remember telling Mrs. Best
that it would all be over soon.

But everyone knew that.

Ellen,

did your mother ever ask you to
help her out of her pain?

Mmm-hmm. Yeah, I gave her
her medication every day.

No.

Did your mother
ever ask you

to help her take her life?

If she did, Ellen,

I can say with some assurance
that no one in this office...

I did not help
my mother take her life.

Where was your father
on that last night?

He had a class.

He didn't come home
until she was already sleeping.

- George.
- Yeah.

Mmm-hmm.
You came home so early.

- They canceled my class.
- Oh.

Hi, you pretty girl.

Did you miss me?

Oh, no.

I wanna talk
to George now.

- George?
- Mmm-hmm?

Did you feed her?

No one should have
to live like that.

No one.

Mom said that.

She was right.

Hey.

I finished the table.

Love you, Ellie.

I love you.

I knew that.

I always knew that.

We're gonna
go back to the house.

Here, why don't you
hold onto my arm?

Take care, sweetie.

Very meaningful,
the work that you've been doing.

El?

- Hey.
- Hi.

Hi.

I'm so sorry.

I don't know
what else to say.

I'm so sorry.

Let's go
through this way.

How are you?

Yeah? You okay?

Never knew I could
miss someone so much.

Oh, God.

I know.
I missed you, too.

I know this isn't really
a good time to talk,

but, you know,
when you're ready, we should...

We should figure out what we're
gonna do this year, you know?

- Don't you think?
- You know, Jordan,

a lot has happened
that you just don't understand.

And I'm sorry, but I don't think
you can understand.

What?

What are you
talking about?

Thank you for coming.

El?

Ellen,

your mother died
of an overdose of morphine.

Can you think of any possible
explanation for that?

Do you think your father might have
some idea how it might've happened?

I really don't know
how he could.

Like I said, he didn't come home
until she was sleeping.

Have you discussed
any of this with your father?

No.

Well, only because I went
back to New York right after the funeral.

And I really haven't talked to him since then.
I've been really busy.

New job.

- You're writing again?
- Mmm-hmm.

Feature writer,
for The Voice.

Hmm. Congratulations.

Thanks.

I may want to speak to your father.

Anyway...

- Thank you.
- Sure.

I'm sorry
for your loss.

Thank you.

How long
have you been here?

Not long.

I can smell the lilacs
and the hollyhocks under the soil.

Your mother used to say
she could do the same thing.

How'd it go today?

All right, I guess.

He's gonna wanna
talk to you, too.

Ellen, I just want you to know
how much I admire your courage.

And I wish I'd done it.

What?

I wish I had.

I would've.

Couldn't.

Dad, I didn't do it.

I didn't do it.

I thought that...

All this time,
I've thought that it was you.

- Oh, my God.
- No.

- It's impossible.
- Oh, my God.

She was too helpless.
She was too frail.

The pills.

How could she...
Jesus!

Ellen, I...

I loved your mother.

I don't suppose
I'm ever gonna stop loving her.

But because
she could do anything,

run the house,
run our lives,

keep everything
so beautiful and so warm,

I only thought of
what she meant to me.

My muse,

my lovely wife,

my one true thing.

Of course she did it.

Who else would've
had the strength?

No, you have to go
deeper than that.

You have to go four inches.

- Four?
- Yeah.

Yeah, so that they
don't rot in the snow

- or so that the animals don't get them.
- Mmm-hmm.

And then four inches apart
so that the roots don't tangle,

and they'll just
look prettier.

What are these plants?

Daffodils.

- These are daffodils?
- Yeah.

Yeah.

And now

Is it too late to say

How you made
my life so different

In your quiet way?

I can see

The joy in simple things

A sunlit sky

And all the songs
we used to sing

I have walked

And I have prayed

I could forgive

And we could start again

In the end

You are
my one true friend

For all

All the times
you closed your eyes

Allowing me to stumble

Or to be surprised

By life

With all its
twists and turns

I made mistakes

You always knew
that I would learn

And when I left

It's you who stayed

You always knew

That I'd come home again

In the end

You are my
one true friend

Though love may break

It never dies

It changes shape

Through changing eyes

What I denied

I now can see

You always were

The light inside of me

I know, I know, I know
I know it was you

I have walked

And I have prayed

I could forgive

And we could start again

In the end

You are my
one true friend

My one true friend

I always, always knew

I always knew
that it was you

My one true friend