Original subtitles

BASED ON A TRUE STORY

I'M GLAD MY MOTHER IS ALIVE

The vacation rush starts today.

If you're going on vacation today and you're not working,

the earlier you leave, the better.

After 2 PM, traffic will be heavy on all major roads.

Tomorrow it'll be even worse as the August vacation gets underway.

Tailbacks are expected from 3 PM...

Ah! I can see it!

Kids, look!

I can see the sea, too!

- Let's go. - Sure.

I'll go with him.

- Why can't I go? - I'm putting sun cream on.

The water's great! Come on in.

Take your sandals off and come in. Let's have fun!

It's always the same temperature.

Incredible!

Give me the board!

It's salty though!

- Can you touch the bottom? - I don't know.

Thomas, wait for me.

Thomas!

Thomas, wait for me!

Sit down.

Let go.

That wasn't clever.

Were you scared?

Yes, I was.

Of course I was, you imbecile!

Imbecile...

Sorry.

What was my mother like? Was she pretty?

I have no idea.

I really don't.

I never saw your mother.

She didn't want to meet us.

I remember. She was really pretty.

So, why ask me?

OK, you remember.

- You were 5 years old. - I do remember.

OK.

Thomas! Are you coming?

- Taking the bus? - Yeah.

Well, I gotta go. Bye.

- See you. - See you.

Were you really adopted?

Maybe. So what?

They're not your real parents.

Mathieu say that? Did he?

You're looking for your real mom.

Your name's not Jouvet.

I wish my mom wasn't my real mom. I'm sick of her.

- What's your real name? - Drop it!

- You're not cool. - You're dumb!

- How dare you! - He's crazy!

- Don't swear at my friend! - Beat it!

Get your fat asses on the bus!

Go on, beat it!

What've you been saying about me, you jerk?

Let go of me!

What've you been saying about me, huh?

Why did you open your big mouth, you jerk?

You motherfucker! Shut the fuck up!

I didn't say anything! Let go of me!

Hey, Thomas, calm down! Let go of him.

- Let go of me! - Calm down first.

Calm down! Cut it out!

Again.

Lower.

Again.

Sweet.

Hi. Where are you? Oh, you're at choir practice.

I just had a call from school.

Thomas had a fight. Can you pick him up?

- OK, I'll go. - Hurry up.

- Bye, honey. - Yeah, bye.

This is the third time, Mr Jouvet.

I know you're doing your best.

What about a boarding school?

It's not like in the old days.

The distance can help. Think it over.

- Mrs Wolf... - Coming.

Goodbye, Mr Jouvet. Goodbye.

Will you stop it, dammit?! Leave me alone.

You can't have kids. All you can do is hit kids!

You've taken 2?

Take 12 -that'll help!

What's going on?

Last summer,

Thomas asked me what his mother looked like.

If she was pretty...

When I said I couldn't explain what she looked like,

that we'd never met her,

he looked at me like I was shit.

I'm beat, Annie. I've had enough.

- What? - I'm going for a pee.

Go pee outside.

What are you doing?

You're crazy, you are!

Stop it.

- Are we going out? - No, you're going to go to bed.

- In our clothes? You're crazy. - You'll be ready tomorrow.

- What're you doing? - Going to work.

Don't pull a face.

You sulking?

You can sleep in my bed.

You'd like that, huh?

Quiet, Patrick. I can't sleep 'cause of you.

Quiet. You're annoying me.

- What's the mother's name? - Julie.

- Julie what? - Julie Martino.

- Julie Martino, right? - Yes, Julie Martino.

Leave it alone.

Well...

Me and my pals had a plan.

I've got lots of pals. We could make a lot of money.

Working in... in a club.

But it wasn't in Paris. It was near Dijon.

It lasted 4 days.

It was a lot of money, I thought it'd be good for us.

Maybe I didn't realize...

Tommy's looked after his brother lots of times, so maybe I thought...

he was bigger than he really is.

You have to sleep now, Patrick.

Here, Patrick.

The papers are ready, Miss.

Are you OK?

Yes.

I can't really do any better.

- Better? - Than before.

When I think I won't see them again, I don't feel good.

So, I try not to think about them too much.

It's not easy... It makes me...

You should go and speak to them now.

Now?

Yes, like a regular visit. You don't have to explain.

Be vague.

Mommy!

How are you, honey?

You haven't washed your face today.

I can't stay long.

So, little Tommy and little Patrick.

Are you Patrick?

Want some help? Want to make an animal?

Go on.

Wait...

Hello, Tommy.

You OK?

Nice ball...

Say hello, Tommy?

Move your hand away.

Say hello.

Bravo, lad!

Here!

Happy birthday, Patrick!

Party on, folks!

Stop it, Thomas! Give to me!

Give that to me now.

- It's mine! - Give it to me!

You trying to make life hell?

Make your brother's life hell?

We don't have the same father. It says so.

Enough, Thomas. I'll explain later. Go to your room!

Half-brother! And you and Dad,

you're half-parents!

You're not half a jerk! You're mean. That's nasty,

it's disgusting.

Keep annoying your brother and you're a loser.

- That's what you are, you shit! - I don't care. You're the losers!

Thomas, stop that!

You're not my dad! You're not my parents!

I can go if I want!

- Yeah, beat it! - What d'you want? Get lost,

you lot! And you!

Thomas, stop it!

Get off me!

- You're crazy! - Leave me alone! I hate you!

- Calm down. - I don't wanna see you!

You're not my real parents!

- Calm down. Stop it. - Get off!

- Where's the exit? - That way.

- Aren't you feeding him? - Oh, go to sleep, Tommy.

Hello.

Where's the Register Office?

It's not here, it's at the Prefecture.

Where are you going?

- The Register Office. - Mezzanine floor, Section 2.

A month in Mauritius!

Lucky you!

- Will you be on time? - I'm in a bit of a hurry.

Call me. Don't miss your train.

Hello.

I wrote to you. Thomas Jouvet.

- Do your adoptive parents know? - Know what?

- That you're looking for your mom. - They know.

They are mad with it.

Know what being an official means?

- No. - I'm a state official.

I'm not allowed to tell you just because you ask me

where your mother or anyone else is.

I have to follow procedure. There are laws.

Understand?

Yes, I understand. You need time to think.

He'll get used to it.

Boarding school's not so bad. I went to one and it didn't kill me.

Now your husband needs plenty of rest.

- Goodbye, Mrs Jouvet. - Bye, Doctor.

- Where's my stuff? - In the little bedroom.

Fran�ois always wanted your room.

Where is Fran�ois?

At judo.

Look, you're only here at weekends...

What about vacations?

You don't have to watch.

All they teach me at school is to put my stuff away!

What's got into you, Grumpy Pants?

- Pain in the ass! - Don't talk to me like that!

If that's all you can say, I'll go back!

Go see your dad. He'll like that.

Dad...

So... your mom's called Rispal.

Not Martino?

She married a Mr Rispal.

I'm not allowed to do this.

Here's her address.

But that's it.

Forget we ever met.

OK?

MY MOTHER

Where's the key, Laurent?

Laurent?

- Who is it? - Dunno.

What?

I got the wrong floor.

I went to see you yesterday.

I said I'd got the wrong floor. It wasn't true.

I'm your son, Thomas who you abandoned.

I'm writing to say I don't want to see you again.

I hate you. You're a slut.

Don't bother parking.

Hi, Fran�ois.

If you don't know the way I'd rather drive.

Pass me the map. I'll direct you.

Mom, we leave the freeway soon.

Less gloomy than St Cl�ment.

Here...

Not now.

Hello.

- You OK? - Sure.

The number is 0145134656. Want me to connect you?

OK.

Is this Mrs Rispal's?

Yes. Why?

Is she there?

Yes, she is.

Can you get her for me?

Mom! Phone!

Hello.

I'm Thomas.

Your son, Thomas.

Well, come in.

Not going to kiss me?

You should've phoned.

- Who is it? - Your big brother.

Get out of there, Fr�d�ric.

Get out of there now!

Say thank you.

Thank you.

What's your name?

Thomas.

This is for you.

Put it on the table. Sit down.

Say goodnight, Fred. It's bedtime. It's 8:30.

Goodnight.

Go to bed.

Lights out in 10 minutes.

Should we open it?

Yes, but it's for you. I...

- Sure you don't want any? - No, it's OK.

Go to bed, Fr�d�ric!

Lights out in 10 minutes.

I'm sick of him.

Never wants to go to bed...

Where's his dad?

We split up. He takes him every other weekend.

Do you mind if I?

Have you given up?

You should, too.

You haven't asked after Fran�ois?

Fran�ois?

Patrick.

He's called Fran�ois now.

Fran�ois Jouvet. And I'm Thomas Jouvet.

Are those people nice to you?

Yes.

My dad... Mr Jouvet

is in a convalescent home.

She's OK. She's gone back to teaching music. I think it does her good.

Are you interested in all this?

Yeah, I guess.

Want a drink?

I've only got beer and Coke.

- I wouldn't mind a glass of water. - Hang on.

He was very nice to me at first.

- Who? - Rispal, Fr�d�ric's father.

He helped me. He had a good job in civil engineering.

But then...

he went with someone younger.

He wants the kid back. I refused.

I'll defend myself.

What about you? What do you do?

Got a job?

Yes, I'm a mechanic.

In a garage?

Are you still a nurse?

No way, I'm not a nurse. I'm a cleaner.

Talking of which...

I'm glad you came to see me...

It's really nice of you, but life goes on and tomorrow,

I have to get up at 6.

Sure, sorry, I'll be going.

There's no hurry, Tommy, but...

my hours change all the time.

Next time, phone first.

I'll give you my phone number.

Oh, yeah.

Write it on there.

Last month, I saw a psychic. She said:

"You'll meet someone from the past".

You've become a handsome young man.

Having dessert already?

He wolfed it down. Tell your brother off.

You shouldn't.

Sorry, but I'm really late.

See you.

- Which one is it? - Louise.

- I don't believe it. Not her! - So what?

Oh, well, if it's Louise...

She's a sex bomb!

Gotta run.

Has he mentioned her?

He doesn't discuss girls. You don't, do you?

Tomorrow is sunday. What do you want to do?

- Do you want to go to the movies? - I have lessons tomorrow.

Go out like Fran�ois.

Don't take your mother to the movies.

You're not my mother though.

- Your maid? - My maid, right!

Make me a nice strong cup of coffee!

Know what? I have a girl too.

Really?

Pleased to hear it.

That's right.

See you on Monday.

Wait a minute.

- Here. - I don't need it.

Buy your girlfriend flowers.

Oh, cut it out!

Well, see ya.

I taught you to say "goodbye".

Goodbye. Next week, I'll go see Dad.

Hello.

Annie Jouvet, 5 rue Jean Monet, St Gratien.

They'll be sent today.

And I'd like a bouquet like this.

- To deliver too? - No, I'll take it with me.

- Thomas! - Where are you going?

- Here. - Thanks.

Where are you going? Where's Julie?

At work.

- Who are you? - And you?

My brother.

Your brother?

I'm Chantal, the neighbor. She's working this weekend.

So, his father or I look after him.

- Is that true? - No, it's not.

- Why do you say that? - It is true!

You scared me. What're you doing?

You can't come here...

Are you crazy, leaving Fred alone?

What's happened?

- You leave him with anyone! - With Chantal?

Yes, he's with her.

One day, his father will come for him.

He'll take him away for good.

- Is that how you protect him? - What do you want?

Nothing. Let's just calm down.

Tommy, I'm busy. So, just go home.

Why didn't you phone?

What's that smell? It stinks.

See you next week? I'm working nights.

Well, I can't. See you.

Know who I saw yesterday? Julie Martino.

- Who? - Julie Martino, your mom. My mom.

I recognized her at first sight.

Dunno how you managed it. I wouldn't recognize her.

- Did you talk? - I was too far away.

It was in the subway, on the escalator.

- I know you don't care. - Yeah, you're right.

OK, but she's still our mother.

- You never think about her? - No.

And when I see your face, I still have less desire to think.

- Hello. - Tommy?

It's Julie, your mother. You OK?

I wasn't very nice to you the other day at the hospital.

That's OK.

I'm calling, because I have to work late.

Could you pick up Fred from school at 4?

It's near my place. Can you note down the address?

And the neighbor?

She can only look after him at weekends.

10 avenue De Gaulle. Got that?

You can forget De Gaulle!

All of a sudden, I'm your babysitter!

OK, OK.

- Unbelievable! - OK, forget it. See you.

- I wanna say something else. - Well, I don't give a damn.

My brother's here!

- You've come for me? - Yeah, get in.

- You're taking him? - Yeah.

What is this?

Seat belt!

Does Julie know?

- Is it yours? - What do you think?

I know it's not yours. You got it from work.

Tell me where to go.

OK, turn right at the lights, then, second right.

Slow down. Tell me as we go.

Then, go straight on.

Do you like your job?

Yeah, I like it a lot.

- Does it pay well? - Not bad.

What do you want to be?

I don't know.

You don't know what you want to be?

What don't you want to be?

I want a job with lots of mates.

- Know what a mate is? - Sure I do.

Wait, don't say it. Let me tell you the answer.

- A mate is a friend for life. - Oh, OK.

And playmates... Know what playmates are?

I'd say they're even closer friends!

Steamed mice?

- What? - There's Mommy!

Careful how you cross.

Here he is.

- The seat cover. - To hell with that!

Where were you?

- Somewhere. - We've been waiting for 2 hours!

Take that. I'm outta here.

What's your problem?

Do you get all this crap, too, Mr Albert?

They're not there.

They've gone to Le Tr�port.

Where's that?

The sea. They'll be back in 2 weeks.

Thanks. Enjoy the film.

- One, please. - Got the card?

No.

It's a special screening. Cards only.

Have they got a card?

What's the film?

A war film, I think.

- Are you seeing it? - I have to check the register.

See that?

You got a gray hair.

'Evening.

Wait up.

I wanted to apologize.

- Why? - I said you had a gray hair.

It was 'cause of the card. It annoyed me.

You're easily annoyed.

That's true.

Walk with me. I get scared at night.

I live 2 blocks down.

OK.

- You from Bonneuil? - No, I have family here, that's all.

But you'd rather walk around?

Dunno.

Do you like your job?

Yeah, it's cool. I get to see lots of films.

Wanna come in for a Coke?

Yeah, OK.

Actually... no.

You don't wanna?

I'm already seeing someone.

Why did you wait for me, then?

Hadn't you been waiting for me for an hour?

- No. - No?

See you, then.

Damn...

You in one piece?

- Yeah! - Streets aren't just for whores!

- Keep still... - God, look at you!

Get lost!

What a mess!

- What's wrong? - You're taking forever.

Why? You in a hurry?

What's with you?

You get fired, bashed up, come home late...

What next?

I spoke to your boss. He's willing to forget.

He's prepared to take you back.

I don't give a shit!

- That's enough, Thomas. - Fuck this!

Mind your own business!

Hello?

Who is this?

Well, come in.

- You in trouble? - No, it's nothing, it's over.

I'm applying for a job in Bonneuil.

- Can I sleep here tonight? - Say yes, Mom!

- Did you bring me another present? - Not this time.

- Hope you don't mind. - No. Have you eaten?

I made stuffed tomatoes. Do you like them?

You bet!

What's your job interview?

Same old thing. Mechanic.

A garage here?

A Peugeot garage?

- Good vacation? - There was a sand castle contest.

- Did you win? - Yes, but I didn't win.

How is it?

Not great.

Yeah. Why didn't you open a packet like usual?

Yeah, we prefer packet food!

Very funny!

- You make fun of your mom. - "Our" mom.

Anyway, you make fun of her.

Come here, Fred.

Come on.

I got a job, Mom. I got a place, too.

No, I'm not coming home.

I'm a long way away.

Le Tr�port.

Dunno.

By the sea.

I'll call in next week sometime.

Look, I gotta go, Mom.

Don't worry, I'm fine.

"Get out, let me have no more of you.

Scram, you sworn pickpocket."

What does "scram" mean?

- "Scram" means..."get lost". - It means "drop it".

Yeah. Go on, read it. Don't drop it!

"I never saw anything more wicked than this cursed old man

and I truly believe that he is possessed with a devil."

Did you get the job?

No. I forgot to tell you.

I got the time wrong.

It's next week actually.

So, you're staying?

"What are you muttering?"

"Why do you send me away?"

"You dare ask my reasons, scoundrel?

Out with you now."

- I don't believe it. - It's true, I tell you.

Caroline Stefanini and Muriel. Both of them!

You can't be in love with 2 girls in your class at once.

That depends.

Well, my father...

your grandpa...

went off with a younger woman.

She spent all his money. Bad news...

My mother never got over it.

What can you do?

My mom wasn't much fun in bed.

Or so I gathered.

Can't have been a ball.

Where's the coffee go?

Up there, see.

I'm joking, but... that stuff is important.

Want some?

- Want some? - Oh, sure.

I won't sleep though.

I was thinking...

You're older than I was when I had you.

I was pregnant at 17. I was younger than you are.

I was so young.

I liked the boys.

What with you, Patrick and Fred, I only had boys. Funny, that.

In France, we did, of course,

because we hoped the 'yes' vote

would win in the referendum, and it didn't.

So, what that means is...

I don't understand a word.

It's in code so we don't get it.

He's great.

Want to dance?

Do you want to dance?

Hello, son.

There's my brother.

- Hello. - I'm Fred's dad.

- Where are you taking him? - To the movies. Why?

To see "Pirates of the Caribbean"!

Back in 3 hours. His mother knows.

Didn't she tell you?

You allowed to do that?

What did she say?

Don't start. I'm his dad.

I have the papers to prove it. He bears my name.

- OK, I'll check. - You do that. Check...

Come on, son. Ask the principal.

Bring him back by 7.

Yeah. 7 o'clock sharp!

I said 7 PM. It's gone 8 o'clock.

Oh, so it's normal?

He didn't say he'd eat there.

I've made his dinner.

Oh, you'll eat it?

What is all this?

You'll eat it...

Yeah, no problem...

This is so fucked up.

It's normal...

Normal!

You OK?

- He could've come up with you. - He doesn't like to.

Look what he bought me. Cost a lot.

Next time, tell me if you eat there.

Tell me, OK?

OK!

Hi, I'm home!

You didn't call. You staying?

No, I can't, Mom. I'm just here for lunch.

I've got stuff to take.

- How's your job going? - OK, and yours?

Has your girl got a kid?

No, it's for her kid brother.

You've got a vivid imagination.

You don't tell me, so I imagine things.

How old is she? What's she like? Blonde, brunette?

I don't even know her name.

Annie.

Like me.

I don't own the copyright!

There's a stain. Change your shirt.

Who cares?

Yeah, who cares?! You in love?

No, I'm just going out with her. Just drop it, will you?

- Is Fran�ois home? - No, he's...

he's girl crazy, too.

Turn it on, off it goes.

The doors open. You can hide treasures inside.

- He's already got one. - It's not as big.

Hide it in your room.

Take your jacket off.

- Don't spoil him. - Oh? Why not?

- He'll get used to it. - No reason for him to have

- less than other kids. - I can't pay.

Anyway, his dad wants him back, so he can eat steak everyday!

He wants the kid back?

That jerk with his SUV?

- What do you wanna eat? - I don't give a damn!

I thought you couldn't stand him. I saw you kiss him.

- So? You're young! - Wait, we need to talk.

I'm busy.

I'm talking. Look at me.

I'm your son, so look at me.

I'm your son...

I know you are! Careful with that cigarette.

Why did you keep Fred and not me?

What now?

Why did you keep him, not me?

- You're sick of me. - Yeah.

Well, I like annoying you.

Who's my dad? You never mention him.

You didn't ask.

- Do you know who it was? - Yeah.

What he looked like, his job, where he was from...

Answer me. Don't you see I need to know?

- I do. - Answer me!

Look it's Fr�d�ric!

- He didn't want kids? - No.

- What about you? - I loved you.

I didn't ask that. Did you want me?

Why did you have kids? You're not a mother.

Do you understand me?

I can't even call you Mom. It feels wrong.

Not much point knowing you.

I know you don't like me.

I can't be that bad... you're here.

Know what?

I got a letter from the judge.

Guess what? I won.

I can keep Fr�d�ric.

I'm pleased.

You're keeping him?

We don't come often enough.

So what?

He doesn't even know who we are.

We still have to come.

Go tell her it's ready.

Mom, come on. It's ready.

- No more apricot jam? - You finished it.

Why didn't you buy more? It was delicious.

I'm seeing the ENT doctor at the hospital.

He likes me.

He doesn't even want me to pay.

Can you be here when he gets home?

Yeah.

It's Chantal!

Don't rush.

Hurry up. We're late, as usual. Give them a kiss.

Bye, folks.

Bye, lovebirds!

It's OK, Mom.

Stop it!

Can you turn the radio down a bit?

Turn the radio down a bit please, Tommy.

Hello, this is Bonneuil Hospital.

Mrs Rispal had an appointment at 6 with Dr Imbert.

Come at once. I just killed her.

I said I just killed her. Come at once.

Take me back.

I'm Annie Jouvet. I raised your children.

Hello.

Look, if you wanna talk, sit down.

I just wanted to see your face.

I'm not sure I want to talk.

Then, leave me alone.

He looked everywhere for you, all the time.

Guess I wasn't the woman of his dreams.

Think you're better than me, "Mommy"?

He could've been someone.

Maybe not. Look where he is now.

Didn't you raise him?

Think you did a good job of it?

I hoped you wouldn't get out of intensive care.

Mrs Martino, you explained from the start

you wouldn't take part in this court action.

You don't want to press charges,

so you are here as a witness.

As you are the accused's mother, I won't ask you to take the oath.

But you should tell the Court what happened in your own words.

Mrs Julie Martino, please rise and come to the stand.

Are you Mrs Giulia Maria Rispal, n�e Martino, born February 20, 1970?

I am.

Tell us the circumstances in which you saw the accused again, 2 years ago.

There were no circumstances.

I mean, I'm here to say something...

very precise.

The Court is listening.

It's like this.

Everything that's happened during Thomas's life...

Everything bad...

It's all my fault.

I admit it.

I came here to tell everyone that.

I wasn't a real mother to him.

All I want is to see him free and...

for him to forgive me.

Forgive me, Thomas, for all I did to you.

Thomas Jouvet, you heard the witness.

Do you have anything to say?

I'm glad my mother's alive.

I won't take a photo of you like that.

You got a camera?

Look.

Miss?

- Can you take our photo? - Sure.

Come... Patrick.

When are we going back with you?

Look at the camera.

I'll come for you.

Here are the jury's answers to the Court's questions.

To the question, "Did Mr Thomas Jouvet

deliberately attempt to cause the death of Mrs Giulia Martino?"

The jury's answer by a majority of at least 8 votes was: Yes.

To the question, "Was there premeditation on Mr Jouvet's part

in his attempted murder of Mrs Martino?"

The jury's answer by a majority of at least 8 votes was: No.

As a result,

the Court finds you guilty of attempted murder of your mother

without premeditation

and after due deliberation, sentences you to 5 years in prison

of which 2 years are suspended.

As you have already spent 1 year in custody,

you have 2 years left to serve.

Guards!