Original subtitles

♪ I wasn't looking for any answers ♪

♪ To the questions in my mind ♪

♪ I wasn't looking for any answers ♪

♪ To the questions in my mind ♪

♪ I wasn't looking for any answers ♪

♪ To the questions in my mind ♪

♪ He made his fortune of being idle ♪

♪ Catching fish until the dusk ♪

♪ I couldn't live outside of city walls ♪

♪ So scared of getting in alone ♪

♪ And oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ If I could go back in time ♪

♪ I know that I will try and change his mind ♪

I know most people go to Rome or Venice,

I am not those people.

I'm just saying, you can't go

all the way to Italy and not see the Colosseum.

Any place that was good enough for Oscar Wilde or D.H. Lawrence

is good enough for me.

Yeah, I don't know who any of those people are.

Never mind.

Wait, Oscar Wilde, didn't he write that book?

- Famous playwright. - Anyway,

just promise me you'll at least check out Venice.

I think it will be really good for you.

Well, I just, I just wanted to let you know

- that I made it. - Hurry back,

I'm pulling double duty at the shop.

Ooh, yeah, about that, I think

I might just stay here forever.

So plan accordingly.

Yeah. Yeah.

Hey, Hal?

I'm really proud of you for what you wrote.

- People are still talking about it. - Hey, we're pulling in now.

Uh, give Stella a kiss. I'll talk to you, all right?

All right, man. Well, be good or be good at it.

Will do. Later.

♪ ...change his mind ♪

♪ I know this time ♪

♪ This time I won't be mad ♪

Okay, Mr. Flynn,

uh, single room?

Uh, do you have, uh, a double or something?

- But you are single. - Yeah,

but I mean, you don't have anything bigger?

Like piu grande, or?

You are two person?

No, I am... It's just me, but...

Then the single room is good.

Okay. Great. Single room it is. Thank you.

Perfecto.

Perfecto.

You're welcome.

Huh.

♪ The leaves are changing now that summer's gone ♪

♪ And all the city folks rush ♪

♪ Sometimes I wonder why he's doing that ♪

♪ If you see him say hello ♪

♪ And oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ If I could go back in time ♪

♪ I know that I will try change his mind ♪

♪ I know this time ♪

♪ I know this time ♪

♪ I know ♪

♪ Oh, this time I'll love you ♪

Oh, I'm not playing for tips.

It's just for fun.

That's a great cover. It sound eerily close to the original song.

I'd hope so.

You take any requests?

Nope, I only play originals.

Well, yeah, but...

Oh, wow.

Okay, yeah, I feel like an idiot.

Here I am offering five euros to famous musician.

Oh, that's a bit of a stretch. I'm not famous.

Oh, wow. You're Josie Day.

I think so.

Wow. I am Hal. Hal... Hal Flynn. Just wow.

Stop saying wow. Wait, you're not one of those cruise ship people, are you?

- I'm sorry? - How'd you get here?

Planes, trains and automobiles, in that order, actually.

You know, you missed tourist season.

It, like, just ended.

No. I'm not a tourist.

You're definitely not a local.

Well, I'm not here to do touristy things.

Then what are you here for?

Hmm.

Hate to interrupt your playing, but would you do me a courtesy

and take my photo, just like this?

Courtesy? Why, yes, sir.

Oh. Beautiful. Who is she?

There you go.

Well, let me do you one better.

This was definitely not shot on an iPhone,

and I happen to know a cute, little Mom and Pop shop

down the road that still develops. Can I?

Uh, yeah, sure. But if you can still

get one on the phone too, if you don't mind?

Yeah. Of course.

- I think she stood there. - Okay.

Okay.

So I take it you've been here before,

uh, Taormina?

Once or twice.

Well, I've been in Sicily for a couple of hours

and I haven't eaten which is a cardinal sin

if I am not mistaken. Uh, any recommendations?

- You wanna know a secret? - Of course.

Wander into any one of these places

and you will have the best pasta and wine

you've had in you're entire life.

Hmm.

And there we go.

Think I got a few good ones.

- Great. - Your stuff.

Thanks. Um...

thank you for the... the photo and the song. I'm...

- I'm a fan. - Of course.

Uh...

Hey, Hal?

This place is pretty dead.

Yeah, people don't go out till late here.

Restaurants don't even open until 7:00.

Ugh, I'd wither away.

Where are you staying?

Uh, Hotel Victoria.

Mm, Oscar Wilde.

Precisely, how'd you know?

Oh, they put signs around for the tourists.

Mm. This is seriously amazing.

Oh!

- So you're a writer? - Uh...

That's a pretty big leap.

You're not here for touristy things,

you're staying at the Hotel Victoria,

- you carry around this notebook. - Okay, okay. Sure.

Not a writer, but more, um, aspiring.

So you're modest.

No, realistic. I enjoy it,

but there are just so many out there that...

Mm. This is seriously life-changing. It's... it's...

- What you got? - I think it was a Tagliatelle.

No, I mean your notebook. Read me something.

What, now?

No, in 15 minutes. I'll set a timer.

Yes, now.

No way, you're a famous musician.

Oh, my gosh. I am not a famous musician.

I have one semi well-known song,

and nothing since.

And nobody even knows who I am

except for you, apparently.

Okay. People know who you are.

Hal, I'm getting impatient.

Okay, fine. I have this... this poem of the day.

It's stupid short stuff, but...

Sounds perfect.

Normally, I wouldn't share these with anyone.

Well, normally, you wouldn't be in Taormina.

Okay. But you have to promise me something.

Okay. You can't do that thing where you pretend to like it

even if you don't, okay? I'll know.

Why are you not talking? It's just making me even more nervous.

Hal, you're stalling.

Oh, gosh, okay.

Um...

"I waltz through this wave of strangers.

Their conversations,

they topple over each other and it sounds somewhat like,

well, like rain.

For now, I'm lost and well, that's okay.

See, I'm happiest when I'm lost

because I learn to be happy with myself.

I'm reminded of a thought though,

of the time my parents were children too.

On the topic of children, there they are over there,

a few playing soccer on the piazza,

two restaurant chairs as their goal

and that's enough for now.

The town is big while they're small,

it will grow small as they grow taller.

And, hey, it really does. You're right.

The sun shines differently here

effervescent bright."

- Hal, I need you to look at me. - Nope.

Right this instant.

- You're good. - You promise you wouldn't...

You're good.

- You're just being nice. - No.

But I am a little buzzed.

And that jet lag is not gonna cure itself.

You should get some sleep.

Of course. Right.

Do you want me to walk you?

Yeah, I'd like that.

Could I have your coaster?

Sure.

Grazie.

Oscar Wilde arrived in Taormina in 1898.

Well, there you have it.

Uh, I'll get these photos to you tomorrow?

Who needs the time, thank you.

Should we meet at the fountain at four?

Uh, yeah, I think I should be awake by then.

Okay. Here.

Hmm.

All right. Think I have a little something here.

There you go.

"To now, the memory of tomorrow."

Hey, so, should we exchange numbers or something?

Just in case, you know, anything comes up or...

Let's do this the old fashioned way, Mr. Oscar Wilde.

We have a time and a place and I'll be there.

- Buona sera. - Buona sera.

- Anche tu. - Gesundheit.

Hey, you better show up.

Oh, I'll show up.

♪ To now ♪

♪ To now ♪

♪ It's the memory ♪

♪ Of tomorrow ♪

You're early.

You're early.

Well, I wanted to get here before you got here.

Me, too, I guess.

Okay. So, don't be mad,

but the photos aren't quite ready yet.

- Oh, that's fine. - But they said they can get them done

in like, two or three days. When do you leave again?

Uh, I'm here for a week.

Quick question. What are these, like extra, extra small or...

That's how they do it here. It's an America no.

This is as big as it comes.

Quality over quantity.

Yeah.

Okay. Let's go. I wanna show you something.

Is it the Greek theater? I wanna see it so bad.

I though you said you weren't a tourist, Hal.

- What do you mean? - Okay. Well, yeah,

we could go wait in line

and we can listen to tour guides ramble on and on,

but I really wanted to show you one of the best views in Taormina.

- Okay, fine. - Okay.

Let's go.

Hey, uh, quick question.

Are you taking me to Narnia or what?

Okay. It is right up here.

You told me it is the best view of Taormina

and I'm training for a triathlon, Josie.

Oh, you are fine.

This is... this is just incredible.

Told you.

Hey, what's that?

It's a little turn of phrase.

- Poem of the day? - Maybe.

Okay, well, share.

- No, no way you're putting me through that again. - Come on.

Well... I just started. All right?

Maybe a little bit later.

- Okay, I'll hold you to that. - Yeah.

If you won't share, I will.

- Really? - Mm-hmm.

I cooked up this little melody last night.

Might sound familiar.

Okay. I much prefer to be on this side of things, by the way.

Shut up.

- Uh, there's no chorus. - Okay.

No chorus yet. Just the verse.

♪ To now ♪

♪ To now ♪

♪ It's the memory of tomorrow ♪

♪ The memory of tomorrow ♪

- Why'd you stop? - I don't know,

hearing it again, it's no good.

Are you kidding me?

No, it's no good.

Josie, look at me.

You're good.

- No. Back to the drawing board. - Ugh, you're out of your mind.

It was really good though.

I mean, I wrote it, so...

I want 50 percent.

You'll get 49.

How'd it go?

♪ To now ♪

- ♪ The memory of tomorrow ♪ - Okay.

Is that how it went?

- It's close. It's close. - It was good. I liked it.

- I thought it was pretty good. - Lived it better

Well, I'm this way.

I'm that.

Look, Hal, I know you didn't come all the way to Sicily

- to hang out with me. - I didn't?

But if you're free tomorrow,

I do happen to know a cool spot.

And I still have to get you those photos.

Let's see, tomorrow, I'm doing a lot of wandering around,

um, just staring off into the distance aimlessly.

Yeah. I think tomorrow could work.

Should we finally exchange info?

Um, no. Old-fashioned.

Then we need a time and place.

Let's do... noon at my hotel.

You better show up.

Well, yeah, I'll show up.

- Buona sera. - Anche tu.

- Very good. - Thank you.

Oh, hey, I finished it, by the way.

The poem, it's called "Luca." You want to...

"From here, I saw hundreds of honey-gold street lamps.

They were tripled along the stones,

hundreds, but I only thought of one.

A trail of blue fogged by the smoke of Signore Lucas Monticarlo.

He smirked as two young lovers shared their first kiss.

A first, he knew,

for both said 'Whew' right after.

He lowered his eyes to his wing tip olive-green shoes,

and blinked.

That blink was a minute and that minute turned two.

Tomorrow turned yesterday and time already flew.

The boy was him and this day when they first met,

he recalled how he missed her

and she wasn't even gone yet."

Such a cool guy, huh?

If you say so.

Come on, keep up.

Come... Oh, yeah.

Where the hell did you come from?

So this is one of my favorite spots to write, in all of Taormina.

Anyone can come here, free of charge,

and just enjoy the scenery and ruins.

And there is the amphitheater, it's right up there.

Oh, my goodness. This is crazy.

I mean, I never read anything about this place.

Sounds like you need a good tour guide.

Well, it looks like I found one.

Mm-mm-mm.

Another ten out of ten on the cuisine.

I mean, do they have bad food around here?

If there is, I haven't found it.

Oh, my gosh. And the architecture.

I mean, you have this...

This ancient Roman sculpture

right next to a building with all these new additions.

- I mean, it's nuts. - Greek.

- I'm sorry? - Well,

it was Greek for five centuries

before the Romans came over.

So you know a lot about this stuff.

- I've overheard a lot of tour guides. - Well...

I mean, you go to a place like Boston

and they're just so reverent with the history.

But here, it's sort of like they can pay respects

without being too precious.

I never thought about it like that.

It's just like you said. Perfect blend of old and new.

Ah. All right.

Oh, before I forget.

Oh, my gosh.

All right. Inspection time.

Wow. You weren't lying.

These do beat the hell out of a... out of a phone picture.

- I told you. - Thank you.

You're welcome.

So, Hal, I've been thinking.

Uh-oh.

- We both are here to write. - Well, I don't know if that's exactly...

And I find you interesting.

So I was thinking that...

You know what?

It'd be easier if I just showed you.

Come on. Let's go.

What... What? There's so much good food left.

There's plenty more where that came from.

All right.

What's with the coaster thing?

By themselves, just flimsy cardboard,

but a little chicken scratch, they become mementos.

You know it's weird, right?

It's normal, right?

- This is where you're staying? - Yep.

Oh, my God!

I am sorry.

I did not know you were roughing it like this.

- You're hilarious. - No, I mean,

I seriously would have offered any assistance.

I mean, are you okay? Do you need me to call someone?

- I'm laughing on the inside. - Oh, here's actually...

Here are those euros I offered you before.

Just take them all. I mean, you need them

more than I do. You know? I...

Wow.

Uh...

I'm speechless.

How much does a place like this go for?

Sorry, inappropriate question. None of my business.

No, honestly, I have no idea. My boyfriend's parents bought it a few years back.

Oh.

I guess I forgot to mention that.

That's a pretty big thing to forget.

Look, I think you should stay here for the rest of your trip.

Wait. What? Okay, back it up.

I know it's not exactly in Taormina,

but there's so much cool stuff here.

The real non-touristy kind of stuff.

And plus, you could save money on your hotel.

There's so many things wrong with this idea.

- I don't see any problem. - Okay.

Uh, let's see. Uh,

What about the boyfriend I just found out about?

- What about him? - I don't think

he'd like the idea

of a strange man with you

in his parents' villa.

He doesn't have to know.

I need to process this.

Look, Hal, I don't even know what's going on.

We were supposed to go to Switzerland together,

and then we got in this big fight,

and he left and we had a falling out.

He left you quite the bail here.

There's so much space here to spread out and write,

we might not even see each other.

I don't know. It doesn't seem...

Can it just be what it is?

Depends on exactly what it is.

A writers retreat.

A perfectly innocent writers retreat.

Two friends hanging out,

looking for inspiration and writing.

Sounds more like you are convincing yourself here.

I like spending time with you.

Do you like spending time with me?

- Yes. - Then it's settled.

Writers retreat.

- You're very bossy. - Thank you.

Why do I feel like we're gonna regret this?

Ah. Grazie, Signori.

- Beautiful. - Arrivederci, signor Flynn.

Grazie.

Comfortable?

Uh, are you kidding?

I, I feel like a king.

Good.

Um, I'll have to show you how to make the coffee.

Here, they do it differently. Moka pot.

But other than that, make yourself at home.

Okay. Um, well, this is nuts.

- Uh, but thank you. - Of course.

Wait till you see the view we have for sunset.

- It gets better than this? - Yes.

Okay.

Oh, wow!

Well?

Uh...

unbridled awe doesn't seem to do justice.

But it is the best I've got.

I told you.

I mean, come on, it's not real. I mean...

I expect a really good "Poem of the day" out of this.

Consider it done.

So when's the last time you talked? You and your...

Capture it quick before it disappears.

Come on. Chop, chop.

♪ A young, single guy comes to Sicily ♪

Who said I was single?

♪ Black and white photo in hand ♪

You know, it's really hard for me to write with all this musical...

♪ A beautiful, mysterious woman ♪

♪ Is painted against the lamp ♪

Wow, you are nosy.

Nosy Josie, that's what they call me.

All right, well, Nosy Josie, I think it looks like

we both have things we'd prefer not to talk about.

To magical sunsets!

Thank you for sharing it with me.

Cheers.

Hal?

Hal?

Hal!

Hal!

- Hal! - Oh, jeez.

- Oh. - Oh, my God!

Oh, I am so sorry.

Oh, my God.

I think you just gave me a heart attack.

Um, okay.

How about a little tutorial?

Okay, so don't tamp the grounds. Let them settle.

Okay. Got it.

Couldn't sleep?

Literally the most comfortable bed ever

and I couldn't stay still. My mind was just racing.

- Uh, anyway, so just screw this on here? - Mm-hmm.

- Okay. - Okay

Yeah, I know the feeling.

Plus, I never heard your sunset poem.

So it didn't feel quite right to go to sleep.

Uh-huh. Sure.

There we go.

Okay. Good.

Now you're gonna let the water gurgle.

It's gonna push... Steam's gonna push the water

through the grounds to the top.

And voila!

- Science. - Mm-hmm.

The last time we spoke was right before he left.

No calls or texts since.

Nothing.

Are you okay?

I mean...

It's a two-way street.

I haven't exactly reached out either.

What did you guys fight about?

Uh, well, he brought up marriage,

which to his credit, we've been together for a years

and that's something couples should talk about, but...

But?

But every time he brings it up,

I get so uncomfortable and squirmy, and

then he gets mad and here we are.

To cap it off, his last gesture before he left.

He slipped this on the counter and went to Switzerland.

Oh, wow.

Yeah.

- Do you love him? - Of course I love him.

Okay, then why did you get uncomfortable?

If I knew the answer to that, I...

- I don't think that... - Sorry, sorry, sorry.

No, it's fine.

It's none of my business.

There's something about 2:00 a.m. that makes

the hard conversations easier.

What about you?

- Uh... - You know, sometimes,

it's good to get everything off your chest.

Uh, I put it on paper.

- But if no one ever reads it? - Stop...

...making sense. Okay?

Okay. Here we go.

How did we do?

- Okay. - Okay?

- You know... - Beautiful.

This makes about a quarter of the portion

of the average size in the United States.

Remember,

quality over quantity.

Okay, I think it's about time for that sunset poem.

Nope. That's not any good.

Oh, my gosh. Quit apologizing. Just read it.

Okay, Ms. Back to the drawing board.

That's different.

- How's that different? - It's different.

Following up expectations,

trying to write something that people like.

Seems like a great poem to have.

You know what else is a great poem to have?

Being a talented writer.

Okay, let's pump the brakes on the whole writer thing.

Being a talented writer who just has to take a leap.

Okay, so we both think the other's talented.

- Now what? - Sunset poem.

You're relentless.

"Perhaps it's that twisted lemon,

slice of heaven, meringue fluff,

with golden crusted constellation crumbs

or sherbet rays,

the twilight souffle, who knows?

Or perhaps the sigh of the breeze

pickpockets secrets and tucks them in the clouds

on their fly-by.

Perhaps it's the hoodwinked clairvoyant horizon

that knows when one day comes and another one goes.

And perhaps the sun blows kisses to the moon as it departs,

they work two separate shifts with one beating heart.

Perhaps.

Perhaps the snoring mountain turns in her sleep

to dream in peace or wish upon a star

by the hecks of your hum and the strum of your guitar.

Perhaps."

Ow!

What do you mean "ow?" It's a pillow!

I feel like that's the general reaction

when someone throws something at you.

Get up, sleepyhead.

- What time is it? - Just after 11:00.

Well, good news is I had a perfectly comfortable bed

about 20 feet away, and didn't use it.

Did you sleep out here too?

Nope.

Hey, you ever see The Godfather?

Have I seen The Godfather?

What do I look like? An idiot?

Okay, put some clothes on.

Quit hitting me.

What are you...

Ah. I see chivalry is not dead.

What are you...

Oh, come on!

So a few miles up the coast,

there is this little town called Savoca.

It's where they filmed some scenes from The Godfather.

Oh, my brother's gonna love that.

He thinks I should be seeing the Colosseum

or touring some winery and testing them.

I mean, this place has so many gems.

So you have a brother?

Yeah. Older.

He has a family and all that,

my little niece, Stella.

We actually run the family print shop together.

Look at you opening up. We should road trip more often.

Oh, hush, don't get used to it.

Hey, you know it's rumored

that Shakespeare is from Messina.

Oh, I know. It's part of the reason I'm here.

I think every writer knows that.

Hal, I'd like to point something out.

You just called yourself a writer.

Mm.

I present to you the location of Michael Corleone's wedding.

Oh, a little slice of history.

To go with our pizza.

- Works by the way. - I know.

Amazing.

Hey, you know, I got to tell ya, uh,

I feel like this writer's retreat is off to a great start.

We're getting tons of writing done.

Inspiration is a part of the process.

- It's always good to change up the scenery. - Okay. Let me ask you this.

- Mm-hmm. - Since we aren't doing much actual writing today.

I beg to differ.

- You're a folk singer. - Mm-hmm.

What exactly makes a folk song a folk song?

I mean, folk is kind of a broad term, but

folk songs are songs of the people.

You can debate genre,

or even instrumentation,

but I think a good folk song tells a story.

- Hmm. I like that. - Mm-hmm.

My turn.

- For what? - To ask a question.

Oh, boy.

The relationship is so lopsided.

I don't know anything about you.

That's not a question.

Hal, I'm just... I'm curious.

Hey, listen, I told you my whole life story on the drive up here.

You told me that you had a brother.

That barely scratches the surface.

- You are so demanding. - Why are you in Taormina?

Well, uh, we're not actually in Taormina right now, so...

Why do you have to be so difficult?

Okay, you're right. But...

- two stipulations. Okay? - Okay.

One.

If I tell you, you have to promise me something.

- Okay. - No, like promise.

Okay, I promise. No

sympathy at all. None. Got it?

- Okay. - Okay.

And two, since we are in front of

The Godfather landmark, it only makes sense...

that I get to do it in my perfect Brando impression

- that I know you just love so much. - No.

- Nope. Absolutely not. - Yep. It's the only way.

No.

Okay, fine.

Well, that's...

So...

you may remember the woman in the photograph.

Right? The one you helped me recreate?

Well, you probably guessed it. I mean, that's my mother.

Right? And, uh...

about two weeks ago,

she died of cancer.

And everybody who knew her said

she was just made of light, you know?

I mean, she always had the smile a mile wide

and she was known to just live for her children.

She was the only one...

that really gave me confidence, especially in this stuff.

Right? And, um...

Anyway, so, she left us all a bit of money, and...

for me, she told me to do something special,

you know? Something real meaningful.

And that's a big pill to swallow.

So I...

decided to come to her favorite place in the world

to figure out how best to honor her legacy.

And it's the first time I've ever had any money.

I didn't know what to do with it, so...

I figured I'd try to find the answer here, you know?

Sorry.

- I am so sorry. - No. No sympathy,

- you promised. - How will I not...

I think my Brando slipped into Mike Tyson at the beginning there.

How's your dad handling it?

Well, depending on what you believe,

they've been reunited as it were.

So my brother and I, we're orphans now.

Wow. That's my first time saying that out loud.

♪ Let us pause in life's pleasures ♪

♪ And count it's many tears ♪

♪ While we all sup sorrow with the poor ♪

♪ There's a song that will linger ♪

♪ Forever in our ears ♪

♪ Oh, hard times, come again no more ♪

♪ 'Tis the song, the sigh of the weary ♪

♪ Oh, hard times ♪

♪ Hard times, come again no more ♪

♪ Many days you have lingered around my cabin door ♪

♪ Oh, hard times, come again no more ♪

♪ While we seek mirth and beauty ♪

♪ And music, light and gay ♪

♪ There are frail forms waiting at the door ♪

♪ Though their voices are silent ♪

♪ Their pleading looks will say ♪

♪ Oh, hard times, come again no more ♪

♪ 'Tis the song, the sigh of the weary ♪

♪ Oh, hard times ♪

♪ Hard times, come again no more ♪

♪ Many days you have lingered around my cabin door ♪

♪ Oh, hard times come again no more ♪

♪ Oh, hard times come again no more ♪

♪ Oh, hard times come again no more ♪

I like that.

That's an old one. That's not one of mine.

But... it kinda reminds me of you.

I have successfully

used the moka pot.

You should be proud.

- Okay. - Nice.

I think I've got something.

What? No way.

Oh, my gosh, you are not gonna bail on me this time, are you?

- Bail on you? Okay. - Okay.

Okay.

Think of like a...

- A train in the background. - Okay.

- Just do that the whole time. - Okay.

All right. Okay, I'm done.

♪ I can almost hear them calling ♪

♪ Out across the blue ♪

♪ Three of them smiling harbor views ♪

♪ If I touch my skin so lightly ♪

♪ He is warm against me still ♪

♪ Oh, it's long forgotten ♪

♪ I've had my fill ♪

♪ We learn about a lot of things ♪

♪ No one to pull me down ♪

♪ All of my memories How they haunt me ♪

♪ Haunt me now, oh ♪

Have you had their pizzas here yet?

Mm-hmm.

- Hello. - Hello.

- Molto grazie. - Prego.

Look at you speaking in Italian in style.

Oh, yeah, very impressive. Practically fluent.

- Mm-hmm. Yes. - Both of you?

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Uh, sorry. You make a beautiful couple.

Grazie. We're actually on our honeymoon.

What? No?

No, no, no. No.

No, no. Uh, friends.

- Uh, Amici. - Yeah, amici.

- What no say... - Yeah, she actually,

uh, she kidnapped me and took me to her villa.

It's kind of like Sunset Boulevard.

I did not. He is crazy.

Guys, there is such a, you know,

peace between you.

You seem like friends to have spent many years together.

- We actually just met. - Just a few days ago.

No. First time here in Sicily?

Uh, first time leaving the States.

Hal here, he's a pretty impressive guy.

He came all the way from... Wait.

- Where are you from? - Okay, Iowa.

Look at that. Practically neighbors.

Um, he came all the way to Sicily

from Iowa for inspiration.

Um, inspiracion?

Well, you seem to have found it.

Oh.

Tony, here.

We have a phrase for this.

What you are doing.

A leap of faith, salto mortale.

A leap of faith, so they're artists.

Ah, okay, I don't know if that's the case with me.

But she's the one.

I mean, she's the one who writes songs

and then shares them with the world.

If anyone's brave, it's definitely her.

Mm. I think I am just lucky.

Oh, let me go to cook something

for this nice couple. They look hungry.

- Grazie. - Thank you.

Uh, my father. Sorry.

It's okay.

How about this? Simple.

There is much beauty in what you do.

Both of you.

Molto Bella.

Grazie.

Oh, hon, don't forget. We need to get one of those

bottles of wine for your mom before we go back.

- Shut up. - It's your favorite.

- We both know that. - Stop.

♪ We learn about a lot of things ♪

♪ And no one to pull me down ♪

♪ And all of my memories How they haunt me ♪

♪ Haunt me now ♪

♪ They all got so sick of me ♪

♪ Wouldn't look at me in the eye ♪

♪ And all of my memories How they haunt me ♪

♪ Haunt me now ♪

Okay.

If you don't think that's good,

- you're officially insane. - I don't know.

No, come on.

No, I don't know. I don't know if it's like...

fully honest or... that might not even be the right word.

Wow, wow, look. I am an idiot

when it comes to music, but I know what I like.

- You're biased. - Who cares?

I care. Do you know how hard it is

for musicians to write a second record?

Uh, no idea.

But I'd, I'd like to think that,

you know, maybe it has something to do with them

being too scared to follow up

with something successful.

Well, maybe it's because they forgot

why they even started in the first place.

Or what people connect with.

I don't know. That just...

That seems like a recipe for misery.

I'm gallivanting around Sicily,

staying in this luxurious villa and wasting time,

who can relate to that?

Hey, don't knock this villa.

Someone once told me it's a perfect place

for a writer's retreat.

Shut up.

No, but I mean, come on, all right. Let's...

Let's go back a little bit.

There's a... There's a great quote, okay?

Um, "Comparison is the death of joy."

- Mm-hmm. - Right?

So you gotta stop being so hard

on yourself and comparing

everything you do to loving right.

I mean, it's legitimately a tiny fraction

of what's going to be a gargantuan career.

- I don't know. - I do.

It's easy for you to say, Hal.

Everything is so effortless in that notebook.

And then you're totally fine with just keeping it all to yourself.

There's nothing wrong with being unknown.

But there is something wrong with not trying.

Writing makes me happy.

If nobody reads it...

Uh...

Who said that? Comparison is the death of joy.

Probably Abe Lincoln or Mark Twain.

Did you fact-check that?

I don't know.

According to the internet, they said everything.

Ever stood on an active volcano?

Nope. This would be a first for me.

Are you scared? Oh.

No, more impressed.

I mean, isn't it crazy to imagine the amount

of destruction that thing can cause?

But it's just sitting there, peacefully,

biding its time and growing wine.

You know, if you look over there,

you can see the spot where we had the perfect view

of Etna. And now we're here.

- It's weird how that works. - Yeah.

It's also weird that... I keep thinking,

weren't we supposed to get bored today

to get some actual writing done?

Mm. It's what I'm doing.

How can you get bored with all this around?

I mean, you shout have stayed in Minnesota

or come visited me in Iowa.

You'd definitely get bore there.

- Did your parents live there too? In Iowa? - Mm.

Did you get to spend time with your mom

before she passed?

Whoa, look at that. You see that?

- What? - That's the mood.

It just died 'cause you killed it.

Okay, Mr. Destructive Volcano.

Yeah, I sat with her every day.

Good talks?

Sometimes. Sometimes we'd just...

sit in silence and...

actually, I read her a poem every day.

We never had that all revealing talk

where she imparts her wisdom on how to carry on without her, but

I will never forget the way her hands looked.

Mm.

I can't imagine losing a parent.

- Let alone both. - Yeah.

That's what I thought too, but if there is any

glimmer of positive thing,

it's actually when I walked into the funeral hall

when I realized that...

it brings us together as people.

You know, all the petty stuff goes out the window because

we all lose loved ones. Um...

we all face our own mortality.

It kind of snapped life into focus for a second.

I just wish they...

could've seen their grandchildren grow up, you know.

We all want more time. We don't appreciate what we get, so it's...

Wow, I'm so sorry I dragged on there.

Um, I'm sorry.

You lose someone close to you?

Yeah. My grandpa.

He was pretty magical.

World traveler, always curious and...

he had this spark that, like, not most people have.

You kinda have it.

Oh, I have a spark? What does it look like?

Shut up. It was a compliment.

Jerk.

No, seriously, though,

he sounds like an amazing man.

He was. Definitely something

to aspire to, for sure.

Hey, Josie. Um...

Can you come out here, I have an important question

for you, please?

About something I found.

Yeah. I need you to clear something up for me really quick.

What exactly makes a love song...

- obscure? - No, no, no, no.

- Put that down. - Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.

Oh, no, no, no. We're definitely playing it.

Oh, my gosh. It was confusing times in college.

Don't you play that.

You know, this is amazing.

Don't you dare apologize for this.

- My gosh. - Uh-huh.

And by the way, you look...

What's the occasion?

No, I just felt

like dressing up.

- Is that okay with you? - Yeah.

It's definitely okay.

But I feel like a lonely peasant.

Well, it's our last night to go out.

I thought we had tomorrow night.

You have an early flight the next morning.

Well, I'll go get ready then.

Until then, exclusive.

♪ Good night, my ladies ♪

Ooh, I like it.

♪ Good night, my ladies ♪

♪ I am so sad to see you go ♪

♪ Merrily we roll along ♪

You clean up nice.

Why, thank you.

We're gonna dance to it. Absolutely.

There you go. There you go.

- That right. - Uh-huh.

Very nice.

Not too shabby.

You do look beautiful.

You also look beautiful.

I do declare.

Okay. Let's go.

♪ Farewell, ladies ♪

♪ Farewell, my ladies ♪

♪ Oh, farewell, my ladies ♪

♪ I am going to leave you now ♪

♪ Merrily we roll along ♪

♪ Merrily... ♪

We try so hard as musicians

to put something good into the world,

and this is what people like.

I can't believe Dean's brother said he likes this place.

You want to go somewhere else?

Oh, no, no. It's fine.

I am just being a cranky old lady.

Okay. How about this? We do one drink

- and then we'll leave. - Okay.

What drink do old ladies drink around in these bars?

Um, Camapri, neat.

Okay, I'll make that two.

Hey, Jo, this is Elizabeth and Kenny.

They're studying abroad in...

- Florence. - ...Florence.

And they heard about Taormina

and wanted to come here for the weekend.

Art history majors.

Yeah, they... This is Josie Day,

the famous musician.

Oh!

Oh, my God, no way.

Hi. Josie, uh, not famous.

Oh, Elizabeth. Like he said.

- And you're Kenny, right? - Yeah.

You're sure it's okay that we're with you?

We're not interrupting date night?

Oh, no, you're totally fine.

Okay.

- So, Josie, what do you play? - Uh, folk.

Oh, also like country.

Uh, no. Like Dylan.

Cool! Cool!

Yeah.

You know, could I just say it's so nice

to run into some fellow Americans here.

Yeah, not too many this time of year.

Shots!

Let's do shots.

Shots?

You know, like the best part about living in Europe

is that you can fly, like, anywhere for dirt cheap.

And, like, see all these beautiful, hidden little gems.

Yeah, this is my first time overseas.

Shut up. No way!

Way.

So this is, like, the...

The only place you've been in Europe?

Yeah, he just said that.

Guilty.

Oh, my God, that is so cute!

Okay, well, you have to at least visit us in Florence, right, Kenny?

- Right, Kenny? - Totally.

What about you, Josie?

I've been to a few places.

What's been your favorite?

I mean, honestly, as beautiful as it is over here,

one of my favorite places to go...

Oh, my God! I love this song.

Come on, Hal. Join me for a dance?

Come on. You look like you can dance.

- Let's go. - Okay.

Come on.

So you were saying?

Uh, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Never mind.

So I take it you two aren't together then?

No. She's hot but we're just friends.

Cool.

Kenny, it's been an absolute pleasure,

but I think I'm gonna go.

Do you want me to walk you home?

Oh, no. No, thanks.

Cool.

Hey, it's Dean. Leave a message.

Hey, Kenny.

Did, uh... did Josie go to the bathroom or what?

Uh, unless the bathroom is out the front door,

I don't think so.

Oh, shit.

Oh, I should go.

What? No. Come on, we're having so much fun!

No, I can't, I can't, I can't.

All right, all right. Well, just give me your phone.

- Huh? - I said give me your phone.

Oh.

- There you go. - Thank you.

Text me sometime about Florence.

Okay.

I didn't think you were coming.

I know.

Sorry.

Jose?

Excuse me, Signorina,

I hate to presume,

but you seem like someone who appreciates poetry.

Mind if I share a little something that I concocted?

Does it describe in detail what Elizabeth's, uh,

tongue felt like down your throat or...?

No, that would be tomorrow's poem.

Oh, yes.

If you don't mind, it's more a poem of the week.

I guess I'll let that slide.

It's called "Jokers."

"I think time and space are privy

to the same inside joke that fate

has been telling for years.

The punchline usually involves my constant clear miss,

or a wrong-call coin toss.

It's on this little island that they finally agree.

Let's be kind for once,

leave it up to the boy.

Let's give it to him.

Give him the melody that summons the sea,

or else he'll walk a different path

and so, so shall she.

Give them the hours times breath

and cobblestone magic, fate's embrace.

Teach them salto mortale,

that leap of faith."

Okay, that was actually pretty sweet.

But I didn't ask for you to come find me.

Hey, you left a note. Anyone who leaves a note wants to be found.

I'm trying to get bored.

Okay, look,

I get that you're upset.

I'm not upset.

There's nothing to be upset about.

Okay.

Well,

can we at least address the obnoxiously

large elephant in the room?

We're not technically in a room,

we're actually in an ancient garden.

Okay, that's a very new way of dodging things,

but it's my last day and I'm trying to apologize.

I don't want things to be weird.

What's the elephant in the room?

The elephant, let's call him Gustav,

is that you're pissed I hooked up with someone,

which leads me to believe that maybe,

just maybe you share the same feelings about me

that I do about you.

Okay, look. Elizabeth may be tiny,

but she packs a hell of a punch.

I mean, very forceful.

No. No impersonations, no grunts,

no whatever it is you always do to keep things light.

Did you ever think for a minute

that maybe that's not what I'm upset about.

Maybe I'm upset that you have all this talent

and you're gonna go back working at a print shop in Iowa.

Oh, okay, I have to pay the bills, Jose.

Plus, it's not like I'm just gonna stop writing.

What are you gonna do with the rest of your mom's gift?

I don't know. I'm still figuring that out.

Oh, my God, Hal, it is so obvious.

Take the money to have time off,

to invest in yourself, to write a book.

- I can't do that. - Why not?

Because it would be a waste of her gift. Okay?

Where are you going?

You're too chickenshit

to believe in yourself and I was wrong.

What... About what?

About you.

Okay, hold on. This coming from someone

who's afraid to write a new song because, what, she has one song

that people like already? It's a blip in your career.

It's not like you're trying to follow up "Bohemian Rhapsody."

At least I try, Hal.

You're totally content with never putting yourself out into the world.

And living under this guise

of being some "undiscovered" talent.

Okay, maybe you're right. Maybe I'm okay with that.

But at least I confront the real problems of my life.

What is that supposed to mean?

You're still with some guy

who left on a work trip to Switzerland

after an epic argument,

who you don't really want to marry. I mean, come on,

we, we have a phrase for this.

It's called prolonging the inevitable.

- It is not that simple. - It is.

Leave him or be with him. Pick one.

You're just... Okay, listen, you're just stuck in this warp.

Okay, this no man's land

and you can easily get out of it

if you just make a decision.

Here's a decision. Pack your things and go back to the hotel.

This is too muddy.

- But it's my last night. - I know.

You know what the worst part about all this is?

I can tell just by the look on your face,

you don't believe a word of what you're saying.

I'll...

I'll, uh, I'll keep my ears open

for that next hit song.

You're not gonna need it, but in case you need

any concert apparel or...

Well...

Yeah.

- Shit. - What?

- He's back early. - Who, your boyfriend?

- Obviously. - Told you this was a bad idea.

- You have to go. - No shit.

You have to hide now!

I'm not James Bond. What are you...

I don't care who you are, just go!

- Damn it. - Go!

- Oh, shit. - Go!

You scared me.

I caught the early flight home.

I can see that.

Uh, I tried calling.

I know.

Do you want me to help you with your bag?

No, it's okay. Thanks.

- Go. - Where?

This way!

Quietly.

Will I see you again?

I don't know. Just go.

♪ He didn't seem to care about my past ♪

How was Switzerland?

♪ I didn't ask him much about... ♪

Exhausting.

How are you? Did you get much writing done?

Not really.

♪ ...where it's cold but I don't care ♪

♪ We will show that we ♪

♪ Were the clever ones ♪

Oh, almost forgot.

♪ The world breaks everyone ♪

Thanks.

♪ And afterwards I'm... ♪

I think I want to go for a walk.

I just got here.

Don't you think we need to talk about this?

It's waited a week. It could wait a few more hours.

Thanks for the chocolates.

♪ And we would never be happy like this ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Then money started to roll in ♪

Here's to your last night in Italy.

- Thanks for joining me. - Of course.

Okay, so I still don't know anything about you.

- Art history major. - Right.

Well, truth be told, I didn't exactly know

what I wanted to major in,

so I just kind of picked one.

Okay. And you get to come to Italy

- and immerse yourself in the culture. - Mm.

And the wine.

Don't you just love the architecture here? It's...

a perfect blend of old and new.

Mm, mm. Yeah, like,

like the imprint of history.

I mean, isn't that what art is all about?

And, you know, it looks cool.

Hey, uh, would you mind holding down the fort for a minute?

Aye, aye, captain.

Hey, Jose.

Uh, I'm sorry I missed your call. Uh...

I don't know if you got all my texts or...

I don't know, maybe... Maybe I'll see ya.

- Well, welcome back. - Mm.

- Sorry that took so long. - That's all right.

Where were we?

I mean, tell me about yourself. Will you?

Uh, shit. Uh...

- Uh... - Is everything okay?

Yeah. Yeah, I'll be right back. Sorry.

Okay.

Josie!

Hey, Josie.

- Hey. - Sorry I missed your call.

How's Elizabeth?

Okay, that's...

- You worked fast. - I just wanted

some company for tonight, that's all.

I just felt like we left things on a bad note

and I think we both said things we didn't mean.

Oh, no, I think we both said exactly what we meant.

And that's why it sucks so much to hear.

I can't just forget about a three-year relationship.

I'm not saying you should.

It was a perfectly innocent writers' retreat.

Just two friends bouncing ideas off each other,

writing. Your words.

You make it sound so simple.

Be with him or leave him.

It is that simple. But don't do it because of me.

And quit dragging the guy along if you're not gonna marry him.

- Who says I'm not going to marry him? - Are you?

Okay, look. You're right about me, okay?

I'm a chickenshit. I don't believe in myself

and putting anything of mine out in the world

absolutely terrifies me.

But I think everything we're losing sleep over at night,

isn't that complicated.

Write a new song, write a new poem.

Take some time off. Figure out what to do with your guy.

One day, we'll wake up,

and right now will be 50 years ago.

So by that standard, today's pretty important, no?

Quit being so poetic.

If losing my parents...

If losing my parents has taught me anything,

- it's the time we have left is... - I know.

We all want more, we don't use what we've got.

I remember.

- Look, I told Dean that I... - Yeah.

No, I get it.

I do have a little confession to make

about the photos.

The photos didn't take two or three days, they were,

mm, pretty much done right away.

Well, that seemed to work out all right.

I wanna see you tomorrow.

Before you leave.

It's an early flight, Jose.

Don't care.

Okay, then the piazza. 7:00 a.m.

Ooh, 7:00 a.m. doesn't exist.

Unfortunately for you, tomorrow it does.

Hal, I, I realized on the way over here

why I haven't been able to get any writing done.

You better show up.

I'll show up.

- Hey, sorry about that. - Yeah, is everything okay or...

Yeah.

Are you okay?

Yeah, I'm good. You good?

Yeah, I'm great.

Sorry.

- Long day. - No worries.

♪ Sometimes I wonder how he's doing that ♪

♪ If you see him say hello ♪

♪ And oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ If I could go back in time ♪

♪ I know ♪

♪ That I will try change his mind ♪

♪ I know this time ♪

♪ I know this time ♪

♪ This time I'll love him more ♪

Right.

- Hey. - Late night.

- Everything okay. - Mm-hmm.

Um...

- I have to go, but... - Mm-hmm.

I want you to have this.

But all your stuff is in here.

I want it back eventually,

but in the meantime...

it's a mess, so don't judge.

Was the trip worth it?

I don't think that quite sums it up.

Have you, uh, figured out what you're gonna do with your...

I think I'm going to take the advice of a pretty smart girl.

Gonna take some time to write something.

Mom would like that.

Whoever said that was a genius.

Will I see you again?

I hope so.

Poem of the day?

Uh, there's something on the last page, but...

actually, I wanted to share something else

to make this a little less lopsided if that's okay.

It's, uh, the only thing I've ever shared

outside of with my mom. It was at her service.

Um...

"A letter from all those

who have lost to those found somewhere else.

A child told me you're in the clouds.

I like that very much.

For if you are in the clouds,

I believe you're a part of many things.

The wind is not just the wind but a whisper.

The sun is not your son but your smile.

A flower in bloom, your laughter,

the butterfly that flutters by, your dance,

the moon and stars, your embrace good night.

And as you tip-toe amongst the stars

as to not wake me,

as you dance through constellations

to a symphony of sounds we're not yet aware,

as you sail through the oceans of the universe

toward that place which holds you in comfort,

I ask you, to guide me through my dreams,

as I will dream of you doing such things."

Oh, cool. Fantastic.

I see you just let yourself into people's homes nowadays?

Come on, man, what's a guy gotta do

to get a day off of work around here, huh?

I know, I know.

A package came for you at the shop and...

I figured you'd want it right away,

hence the return address.

Wha...

Give me that.

That's her, right?

What're you waiting for, man? Open it.

Give me a second.

What's that say?

Sssht! just one second.

Am I allowed to...

- Yes. Mm-hmm. - Okay.

Thank you.

- That's a heavy chair. - Argh.

Very clever, by the way.

I thought you'd appreciate that.

- So you're playing a show here tonight? - Guilty.

It's a pretty obscure part of the world for a folk singer.

I may have pulled a few strings.

Um, so I have a new single coming out tomorrow.

- Wow, that's amazing. - Mm.

And you're kind of a co-writer on it.

So I thought I should probably play it for you first.

Okay, well, aren't I gonna hear it tonight at the show?

Not good enough.

Oh, um, it's called "Molto Bella."

♪ Black and white checkers The day that we met ♪

♪ Someone special stumbled in ♪

♪ Of course I ♪

♪ I'll take your picture ♪

♪ Black and white checkers The day that we met ♪

♪ Wanted to ask but I blushed a bit ♪

♪ Was I your honey-gold lamp ♪

♪ In the calm ♪

♪ By time and space along for a day ♪

♪ And olives sing sing their songs of grace ♪

♪ Let's be kind for once ♪

♪ Oh, let's be kind for once ♪

♪ And leave it to the boy ♪

♪ Black and white checkers The day that we met ♪

♪ It's all Molto Bella the words in my head ♪

♪ And all those lady names ♪

♪ That turned in the dark ♪

♪ And time and space along for a day ♪

♪ And olives sing sing their songs of grace ♪

♪ Let's be kind for once ♪

♪ Oh, let's be kind for once ♪

♪ Oh, let's be kind for once ♪

♪ And leave it to the boy ♪

♪ Black and white checkers The day that you left ♪

♪ Let us pause in life's pleasures ♪

♪ And count its many tears ♪

♪ While we all sup sorrow with the poor ♪

♪ There's a song that will linger ♪

♪ Forever in our ears ♪

♪ Oh, hard times, come again no more ♪

♪ 'Tis the song, the sigh of the weary ♪

♪ Oh, hard times ♪

♪ Hard times, come again no more ♪

♪ Many days you have lingered ♪

♪ Around my cabin door ♪

♪ Oh, hard times, come again no more ♪

♪ While we seek mirth and beauty ♪

♪ And music, lights the day ♪

♪ There are frail forms fainting at the door ♪

♪ Though their voices are silent ♪

♪ Their pleading looks will say ♪

♪ Oh, hard times, come again no more ♪

♪ 'Tis the song, the sigh of the weary ♪

♪ Oh, hard times ♪

♪ Hard times, come again no more ♪

♪ Many days you have lingered ♪

♪ Around my cabin door ♪

♪ Oh, hard times, come again no more ♪

♪ Oh, hard times, come again no more ♪

♪ Oh, hard times, come again no more ♪