All language subtitles for The Shell Seekers (1989)

You shouldn't go home.
You're a sick woman.

I don't feel sick.

I just feel tired.

- Mrs. Keeling, you had a heart attack.
- I had a hiccup.

- You need to rest.
- I've rested enough.

We will not accept responsibility
for anything that happens to you.

Look, I don't expect you to.

It's my life,
and I'll do what I please.

...

Here we are.

This way.

Would you mind putting
the suitcase down there?

I shall.

Thank you.

Fine.

I'll just put these on the table,
shall I ma'am?

Yes, that will be fine.

Would you like a cup of tea?

I bought some biscuits.
Actually, I like to make my own,

but that'll be for tomorrow.

No, thanks.

Nothing else I can do?

No, thank you.

I'll be fine now.

You've done enough already.

There we are.

- Thank you very much.
- Thank you, ma'am.

- Can you find your way out?
- Yes, certainly, ma'am.

...

Mother!

What in heaven's name's going on?

Hello, Nancy.

I've just spoken to Dr. Maurice.

- He says you've discharged yourself!
- No.

I escaped on a rope of sheets.

Honestly, mother.

You can't leave hospital
without telling us.

- Well, why not?
- You're a sick woman.

But I feel fine.

Not according to Dr. Maurice.

Please, Mother, go back.

Look, I'm sorry, but you're gonna
have to carry me out of here feet-first.

Mother, you've reached an age and
a state of health that demands care.

Now, if you won't return to hospital,
you've no choice but to move in with us.

Nonsense, I'm staying here.

Have some consideration for others.

I worry about you.

I can't come over here every day
just to see if you're alive.

Would you like some lunch?

George and I love you.

I'm not talking about
staying with us forever.

Just for a few weeks
till you get your strength.

I won't be able to sleep at night
knowing you're alone.

It's my birthday at the weekend.

George thought
we might have a party.

Mother, please,
won't you come stay with us?

I've asked Noel down.

He is anxious to see you.

Perhaps we'll even hear from Olivia.

Mother, please.

It's doctor's orders, not only mine.

Do it for me.

All right.

And thank you for looking after
the house while I was away.

- Happy birthday to you... -

- Happy birthday dear Nancy -

- Happy birthday to you -

Did you make a wish?

Oh, no, I forgot.

I did.

It's not your birthday, stupid.

Melanie.

I wish you'd turn into a big fat pig.

Rupert.

They're only teasing, Grandmama.

Your great-grandmother has come a
long way to be with us tonight, Melanie.

Show her what a nice
young lady you are.

I hear you discharged yourself from
hospital, Mrs. Keeling, just like that.

Just like that.

- Did you pull out tubes and things?
- Oh, no.

Is that what Noel told you?

I thought you'd be impressed, Ma.

Melanie, tell me,

did you like the new riding habit
I had made for you?

Yes, Great-grandmama.

- And it fits you well?
- Yes, thank you.

You do spoil her, Grandmama.

Noel tells me your father was
Lawrence Stern, the painter.

Well, yes.

I think my grandfather had
one of his paintings somewhere.

Really?

Rupert, did you enjoy
the Treasure Island I sent on?

It was your granddaddy's copy,
you know, when he was a boy.

Yes, I got it.

Thanks.

I think we've got it
somewhere in the country.

I met your grandfather when he first
entered the house of lords, my dear.

He was a charming man.

A bit old-fashioned in his tastes.

I can't believe he approves
of your dressing like that.

Oh, don't worry.
I think it's delightful, really.

You know, I do so like
your new girlfriend, Noel.

She's much nicer
than the last one.

I so approve of young people
these days, for the most part.

Cake, Grandmama?

Mother baked it herself,
one of Sophie's recipes.

I tried to stop her,
but she insisted.

Oh, I loved it.

It was so good to be
back in the kitchen again.

No, thank you.

Your mother's pastries were
always too French for me, my dear.

I wish I'd known my daughter-in-law
would be here, Nancy.

Penelope and I haven't
seen each other since forever.

No, darling. Not quite forever.

Your coming was such a surprise,
Grandmama.

Why didn't you telephone me
and tell me you were coming?

It's your birthday.

I wanted it to be a surprise.
I made Noel promise not to tell.

It's a shame about you're
being so ill, Penelope.

For a time there,
I thought we'd lost you.

Oh, Dolly, it isn't that serious.

It was kind of Nancy and George

to take you under their wing,
wasn't it?

We try keeping her off her feet,
but she won't listen.

Given your condition,
I would've thought the best thing

would be for you to take
to your bed permanently.

Oh, no, Dolly.

I'm feeling fine, thank you.

In fact, I was telling Nancy, I think that

my constitution is almost
as tough as yours.

Coffee, everybody?

- I'll do that.
- I insist, Nancy.

...

Did you see in the times today,

one of your grandfather's
paintings is up for sale?

Really? Does Ma know?

Yes.

I can't imagine
they'll get much for it.

Lawrence Stern's been
out of vogue for years.

Whenever one of his paintings
comes on the market nowadays,

it's greeted with rounds
of critical sneers

and sell for tuppence,
it's quite embarrassing.

Noel, I don't like you talking about
Grandfather's work like that.

I remember him.
You never knew him.

Does your mother
have much of his work?

No, two unfinished panels.

Truly hideous. Oops.

Sorry, Nancy.

And his last one, "The Shell Seekers."

It's lovely.

Well, it's not bad.

'Tis a bit old-fashioned, you must admit.

She only keeps it because
it's of her and Sophie.

Her mother.

She died in Cornwall
during the war.

- Oh, I'm sorry.
- Yes.

Ma never quite got over that.

We used to spend the summer
in Cornwall. It's lovely there.

Yes, Mother used to spend the summer
there too, when she was young.

And she lived there
during the war.

I was born there.

Yes, Ma's forever talking about it.

In fact, she told me this evening
she means to go back.

There you are.

Would you like a hand?

Oh, no thank you.

I'm rather enjoying straightening
up after a big party.

Sort of puts life in order.

Are you going to
drive back tonight?

Yes, Dolly insists.

Oh, what a difficult woman.

How do you put up with her?

She's my mother-in-law.

One learns.

What was he like, your husband?

Ambrose?

Oh, very charming.

Very handsome.

Dolly absolutely adored him.

I don't think she's ever
forgiven me for taking him away.

Noel's a little bit
like Ambrose, actually.

He could charm you into anything.

Nancy takes after Dolly.

Family first.

She knows her own mind.

I think it's Olivia, really,
who takes after me.

I'll be back in a minute.

You refuse to be concerned,
don't you?

I mean,
consider the possibilities.

What possibilities?

She can barely manage
the expenses of the house now.

What if something else
were to happen to her?

She could live to be 90.

And where does that
leave George and me?

We've got this house to keep up,

two children to put through school,
and now an invalid mother

to take care of,
without any help from... Olivia.

You choose to live
in this barn of a house

and wheel your children
off to expensive schools.

Hello?

Yes, I will.

Hello, Olivia!

Yes, well Nancy did write
to you when it first...

Well how could we?
You've no phone.

No, she's discharged herself.
She's staying here.

Well, the doctors.

Yes, all right.

Oh, thank you.

Hello?

Olivia?

Oh, it's so good
to hear your voice.

She reversed the charges,
of course.

No, I'm fine now, really.

There's no need to come.

Let's not make it long, Penelope.

Calls from that part of the world
can be very expensive.

No, please, don't come.

No, I'm really fine now.

I just need some quiet.

Well, it's difficult to get in a hospital.

Or anywhere, for that matter.

Yes?

Thank you for the cake.
It was lovely.

Not at all.

I'm sorry about this evening.

Dolly was as much of a surprise
to me as she was to you.

Well, it's over.

How's Olivia?

Basking on the beach,
I suppose.

She wants me to visit.

Naturally, you said no.
You're not well enough to travel.

I'm going, Nancy.

Mother, no.

I want you here.

I overheard
your argument with Noel.

I'm not an invalid.

I'm 63.

And I have survived, if I'm to believe
that idiot doctor, a heart attack.

Yes, but I can still
touch, see, hear, smell.

I can look after myself

and discharge myself
from the hospital, and

if I so desire,
I can go and visit Olivia.

I'm searching for something,
my darling.

I don't know what it is,
but I do know that it isn't here.

I appreciate your concern.

But I'll be fine.

...

Mama!

Mama!

Oh, darling.

I can't believe I'm really here.

You look wonderful,
my love. You look so well.

- Did you manage the flight?
- Oh, yes, it was lovely.

You look wonderful, too.

Oh, I look terrible, but
I look better than I did before.

I'm just not at my best.

There's someone
I want you to meet.

Uh-huh.

Mama, this is Cosmo.

Oh.

How do you do, Mrs. Keeling?

- Hello.
- Penelope.

Penelope.

Welcome to Ibiza.

Oh, thank you.

...

All those years I was
absolutely chained to London,

I couldn't imagine
living like this.

But there is quite a little British
community here. You'll meet them all.

Cosmo's been here,
what, 15 years?

Mm-hm.

- Fell in love with the place.
- First sight.

Here we are.

Cosmo rents the house
from a man in town.

Yes, all the conveniences.

But the plumbing's a bit erratic,
so just keep flushing.

- He grows his own vegetables.
- And I've got a vineyard, animals.

He's an absolute wonder.

She never tells me that.

Isn't it beautiful?

Oh, it's lovely.

It's years since I've seen the sea.

Antonia!

Hello!

My daughter.

She simply lives in the water.

I think she has gills.

- Have some more wine.
- Oh, yes, please.

It's delicious.

- He makes it himself.
- Really?

God makes it.

I merely supervise.

Excuse me.

Look at those figs.

That's a lovely dress.

Thank you.

Rose Pilkington brought
it back from Morocco.

I hope it's not too special.

This is a special occasion.

- May I?
- Oh, of course.

- Would you care for one?
- No, thank you.

Cosmo used to be a
50-cigarette a day man.

Mm-hm.

I worked in a London bank
for over 20 years,

and one day the old heart
said, "enough."

And I came here to recover.

Brought Antonia with me.

And we've simply never left.

I used to wonder
he didn't get bored.

Oh, I've got a thousand things to do.

The boat, the house, the vineyard.

Shelves full of books.

Six goats, 3 dozen chickens,
minus one.

Heart attack was the best thing
that ever happened to me.

No.

No, second best.

I thought he was a dreary sailor
when I first met him.

He was running his boat, showing
pale British tourists around the island.

Then he showed me around the island,
and I changed my view entirely.

Of course, he's a bit older than I am,
but Lawrence was older than Sophie,

- you've always said they were happy.
- Oh, 30 years older.

Yes, I know.

-It must have been a remarkable marriage.
- Oh, it was.

You're happy, too, then?

Oh, yes, Mama.

I do miss London sometimes.
I miss my work.

But we can't have everything,
can we?

Oh, look at those.

Now, would you like me
to buy you one?

Oh, I'd love one, just like that.

...

You know, I love the sound of bells.

I was never very religious,
but as the years go on,

I do love the bells.

Come on, they're waiting
for us at the dock.

All right.

Here we go.

All right, I'll wait for you
in the boathouse.

Okay.

Hi.

Hi!

I'll see you tomorrow.

You look as if
you had a good time.

Oh, yes.

- I could've stayed all afternoon.
- Mm.

Look what I made.

Oh, I used to collect shells
like that when I was a child.

"Our souls' abandoned holes,"
my mother used to call them.

I thought we could shrink
in size like Alice and

slip back into them again.

I know what you mean.

I feel as if I were
born in those waves.

I used to dream I had
a fish's tail sometimes.

- Isn't that silly?
- No, not a bit.

I longed for one.

Mermaids must feel so free,
I always thought.

You know,
like flying underwater.

That's what the sea reminds me of.

Some special sort of...

happiness.

My parents had it.

And...

looking at Cosmo and Olivia,

I think of them.

She's lovely.

I worry about her, though.

Well, all good parents
worry about their children.

So do the bad ones.

You've managed to
raise her very well.

Oh, I spoil her.

She forgives my faults, you see,

whereas my ex-wife couldn't.

It's been very difficult for Antonia.

Her parents being apart.

She only sees her mother
once a year.

Yes, well, divorce is
very hard on everyone.

That's why I'm so glad that
Olivia's here with us.

Antonia needs a woman's influence.

- Uh-huh.
- Well, so do I, of course.

- And I'm glad you're here, too.
- Oh, so am I.

Oh, you know, it wasn't until
I felt this lovely warm sand

between my toes
that it all came back to me.

I love the sea.

- Stay, then.
- Oh,

I can't.

I'm absolutely determined this year

to make my garden
into something special.

I only hope I can
still do the work.

Why not hire someone?

Well, I'm not sure that
I could manage the expense.

Olivia says you were
always splendid at that.

Bringing up three children
almost single-handed,

taking in boarders,

soup always simmering
in the kitchen,

constant visitors.

It wasn't all like that.

Well, that's what she remembers.

You know how little girls
always dream of fairy tale princes

whacking their way through
the thorns to rescue them?

Little boys dream, too.

But they're brave sailors, you see.

They dream of the siren who will someday

trap them and tame them.

This particular sailor

has been caught
in your daughter's net.

And you know something?

I rather like it.

- Dad?
- Hello?

Emily's got plenty of milk today.

Good, see if you can get her
to feed those two little ones, eh?

Well, the big one's
getting more.

Well, I'll come and give you a hand
when I've got enough lemons.

What is it, my darling,
what's wrong?

They want you
for managing editor.

And Cosmo won't leave the island.

Never.

Does he know about this?

No.

- Don't you think you should--
- Mama,

this is the first time in my life
I haven't been working.

I think some part of me
needs to work.

But I thought that
you were happy here.

Yes.

But not complete.

You may not be
complete without him.

I need to prove to myself
that I can handle this job.

I've worked so hard for it
all these years.

Sounds as if you've
made your decision.

I want you to talk me out of it.

Oh, no my darling,
I can't do that.

I want the best for
my children, yes, but--

Love isn't always
the best, though, is it?

You loved Daddy,
look how that turned out.

You loved your children,
and look at us now.

Nancy trapped in that
miserable marriage.

Noel climbing social ladders
without a thought for anyone.

Mama, if I turn this down,

I may grow to resent Cosmo.

And if you love him and leave,

you may have
nothing but regrets.

You ask my permission
to be happy,

you have it.

You ask my advice,

I have none to give.

You must talk to Cosmo,

not to me.

...

- You all right?
- Oh yes, I'm just a bit tired.

Not far to go, Mama.

- Shall we have some ice cream?
- Yes.

Oh, none for me, thanks.

All right, come on, you.

Why don't we just sit down
over here for a few minutes?

Listen, Mama, we could
go back if you want to.

Oh, of course not.

Come along, sit down.

Whew.

They were Sophie's.

Lawrence's gift to her,
instead of an engagement ring.

I've been meaning
for you to have them.

I tried to think
what my mother would've done.

Mama, I can't.

Take them.

And know
that whatever you decide,

no matter how difficult it is,

it'll be the right thing.

Oh, Mama.

...

If I ask you to marry me,

will you stay then?

Darling, please understand.

I can't continue without you.

No, don't say that. It's not forever.

I'll be back for weekends
and holidays.

I need you here.

Cosmo, please...

Don't make it so difficult.

That's my job.

Oh, Mr. Plackett.

Oh, hello, Mrs. Keeling.

- Hello.
- I hear you've been ill.

Oh, I'm very much better,
thank you.

I'm looking for a gardener.

Mr. Plackett.

Be right with you.

Dotty old bird.

I need someone part-time,
really, on a regular basis.

What sort of work?

Oh, everything, weeding, replanting,
clearing out, all that sort of thing.

Talk to him, then.

Danus!

Danus Muirfield.

Oh, Penelope Keeling.

- Sorry.
- Oh, that's all right.

Mr. Plackett!

Coming.

MY DARLING,
WITH ALL MY LOVE, RICHARD

- Is it good?
- Yes.

Like home.

- And where is home?
- Edinburgh.

Oh.

How did you end up down here?

I was in university up there.

Well, what were you studying?

I was going to be a lawyer.
Didn't like it.

Prefer this.

But why here, so far from home?

Oh, there's someone here.

Hello, Nancy.

How nice to see you.

Hello, Mother.

You look well.

Well, Ibiza worked wonders,
everyone's envious.

- How are the children?
- Oh, fine.

- And George?
- Mm.

- What is it?
- Have you seen this?

Oh my goodness.

200,000 pounds.

I can't believe it.

Suddenly everyone likes them.

You've got a fortune hanging in
your house, Mother, and we didn't know.

Oh dear, yes, well,
that's very nice, isn't it?

George thinks
you ought to sell.

And if you don't,
he says they must be insured.

And that costs a fortune.
You can't afford it.

- So George thinks--
- Surely I must have a say in this.

Yes, of course.

But the point is, they're much
too valuable anymore to keep.

- So George thought that you might like--
- But the paintings are mine.

I must decide what
I'm going to do with them.

I'm all set.

I'll see you next Thursday.

Thank you, Danus.

Who's that?

My new gardener.

How can you afford him, mother?

Really.

Now please,
you've got to listen to reason.

Nancy, I'd rather not
discuss this just now.

Just sell the panels, then.
You can keep "The Shell Seekers."

Six weeks ago, you couldn't have
cared less what happened to them.

Yes, but things
have changed, Mother.

You're a wealthy woman now,
on canvas.

All right, if you sell the paintings,
you can have a gardener,

a housekeeper, a nurse.

But you can't do anything
until you've sold the paintings.

200,000 pounds is more
than enough for a gardener--

Yes, and the money you
give away when you're alive

is worth twice what
you give away dead.

Meaning I should give it to you.

Better us than the government, yes.

And what would you do with it?

Well, the children's
school fees are due.

Melanie needs new clothes,
and George's club fees are late.

- And I've--
- George put you up to this, didn't he?

Well, I'm not paying
George's club fees,

and I'm not sending your children
to those expensive boarding schools.

If you'd been a little less
ambitious for yourselves

and spent a little more time
teaching your children simple manners,

perhaps they'd been
a little more happy today.

Mother,

be fair.

You show more interest in your
wretched garden than you do in me.

If it's money you need,
go to Dolly.

She's been more
than generous so far.

She bought you
all the clothes you wanted,

gave you horses,

big coming-out parties,

the big white wedding
you said you needed.

Fine.

I couldn't afford those things.

I tried to help you then,

but you said that you
didn't need my help.

If you need help now--

When did you ever
help me, Mother?

It was always Dolly who was
around for me, never you.

You can't believe that.

It's true.

I thought I was unwanted
until Noel was born.

Then I saw you neglected him
as much as you did me.

I didn't neglect you.

Olivia was the only one of us
you ever really cared for.

That's simply not true.

I wanted that love,
but it was never there for me.

Was it?

Was it?

Nancy.

Nancy!

- Phone on two, Miss Keeling.
- I'll call them back.

- It's a young lady.
- Oh, just take a number, will you?

Long distance from Ibiza.
She says it's urgent.

Yes?

Mother, it's me.

I'll have to call you back,
my darling.

No, wait.

It's Cosmo.

He's had another heart attack.

Mama...

he's dead.

...

Oh, dear.

Come in.

Come in.

And what did you do then?

Oh, Lord, well,
why did you tell her that?

Because it's a really
stupid thing to say.

You have to learn to
keep your mouth shut.

Nancy?

Na-- oh.

Now what's happened?

Ma won't sell the paintings.

Why should she?
Can't say I blame her.

Look what I found
in the cupboard.

Where'd you get it?

It was Grandfather's.

I nicked it from Mother's
when she sold the London house.

Oh, it's wonderful.

- Oh, I couldn't keep it, could I?
- No you cannot.

Only for tonight.

Ah, right, come on,
that's my driver, we better go.

Hello Olivia, it's Noel.

Call me when you get in, please.

- Oh, what's this?
- What?

Hole in the pocket.

Perhaps something's
fallen down into the lining.

- Some money.
- I doubt it.

Not in our family.

Ah, here we go, a piece of paper.
Maybe it's a fiver.

Oh, no, a letter.

Lawrence Stern.

Give it to me.

The house wasn't ours.

If you hadn't offered,
I wouldn't have any place to go.

But I won't stay long.

You will stay as long as you like.

My children have been
screaming at me for living alone.

They'll be very pleased.

And I love your company.

I never knew anyone
who died before.

I loved him so much.

Time passes.

You'll come to terms.

She'll sleep now.

You've been very good
to her, Olivia.

Oh, Mama.

No regrets, my darling.

No regrets.

...

This time, I think you're
going too far, Noel.

Oh, come on, Nancy.

No.

Well, you can't expect me
to do it all on my own.

Well, what are we supposed
to do if you find them?

They may not exist at all.

Just because the letter said so.

We've got to get them first,
then we can decide what to do.

We don't know how many there are,
what their value might be.

Of course, if they bring in a
great deal, we'll share it with her.

I don't think it's fair.

Nor is she.

Honest, Ma. I'm worried.

I mean, the papers are full of it.

Elderly people living alone,
horrible things happening.

Only last week, I read of
two fires near Sirencester

in places just like this.

Well, I don't smoke.

Oh, Antonia, this is my son Noel.

Antonia is staying
with me for a while.

Yes, Olivia said.

Oh, I'm sorry about your father.

Thank you.

Anyway, one of the fires
started in the woman's attic.

Two much clutter,
old wiring.

- You really ought to clean yours out.
- I don't have time.

Danus is in the garden.

Why don't you go
and introduce yourself?

Why don't I do it myself, then?
I've got the whole weekend.

I promise not to throw anything
away without your approval.

I just don't want you going
up in flames, Ma, that's all.

Hello.

I'm Antonia.

And I'll wager anything
you're Danus Muirfield.

Would you like a biscuit?

No, thanks.

It's a perfect name,

for a gardener, I mean.

Some people have names that
are exactly right for who they are.

Don't you agree?

Charles de Gaulle,
the saviour of France,

Benito Mussolini,

a big brute of a name.

My father's name was Cosmo,

man of the world.

It was nice meeting you.

When I was a boy, we had a rector
in our church called Mr. Paternoster.

...

Oh, remember Bear?

Couldn't go to sleep
without him.

Oh, what a dreadful mess
this all is.

Goodness gracious.

Oh, look.

Well, you never were
a champion speller.

My goodness.

Oh,

here are your letters from Eton.

My, but you were so homesick.

I remember your first letter.
You'd only been gone 2 days.

I was so upset, I almost went
and brought you back home.

Don't, Ma.

It's in the past, please.

There's no sense
in keeping them.

Noel.

Go through those other boxes.
See if there's anything you want.

The rest we can
cart away or burn.

These can start the fire.

How could anyone do this?

Destroy such memories?

I could never burn mine.

Could you yours?

I wouldn't know.

Some of these things,

we'll have to drive them
to the dump, I suppose.

You'll have to, not me.

What?

I don't drive.

Here.

I had to do this
with my father's things.

Throw them away.

It's difficult,

just tossing them out.

Things that mean nothing to you,

meant a great deal
to someone else.

Sorry.

...

I want you to meet
a new friend of mine.

Richard, this is
my daughter, Penelope.

How do you do?

Richard's training for the front.

He also plays chess.

I've wondered what you Americans
do here for entertainment.

- Who's this?
- Nancy.

- Say hello, darling.
- Hello, Nancy.

Penelope's husband
is missing in action.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Dodging German tanks,
I imagine.

Yes, I'll be doing that myself soon.

Could I take a picture
of you, Nancy?

No.

- Do you mind?
- All right.

You know, you needn't be
as wary of German tanks

as you should be of British cars.

I beg your pardon?

I saw you last week nearly
knocked off your feet.

Hello, Mother.

Nancy.

I was just looking at
an old photograph of you.

Remember?

No.

It was such a long time ago.

Olivia says her friend's daughter
is living here with you.

Yes, Antonia.

So you needn't worry.

And Noel's here.

Yes, I know.

He told me he wanted
to clear out your attic.

- Is he upstairs?
- Yes.

Nancy?

Would you....

would you like to go back
to Cornwall with me?

I know it's all changed and
I shan't know anybody, but

I'd love to take you back.

I'd love to share some memories.

I'm sorry, Mother, I can't.

I can't leave the children.

And I've got so many things
to do around the house.

And George is helpless
when I'm not there.

Perhaps...

later on, when things are slower?

I'll be upstairs if you need me.

Did you find them?

Oh, hello.

So you decided to come after all.

Most likely she threw them away.

She never threw away
anything in her life.

I know, it's all up here.

Look at this.

She even saved your baby clothes.

No, he must have sold them.

Sold what? What are you looking for?

Memories.

Don't lie to me, Noel.

- Ma, it's nothing in particular--
- Don't lie to me.

Show her the letter.

It's from one of
grandfather's clients,

about a sketch
for the Tratso garden.

Well, he most likely made
sketches of all his paintings.

They'd be worth a small fortune
if they still exist.

And what were you going
to do with them if they did,

sneak them out behind my back?

Of course not, Ma.

You've got to sell.

The money you give away
while you're alive is worth twice--

Yes, yes, I know.

But why?

How much do you need?

Just a share of it.

I mean, you've got 3 children.

You could unload a certain amount.
Obviously keep a bit for yourself.

And what would you do with it?

Ah.

Commodity broking.

Well, I need a bigger flat for that.

One that I can work from.

And then there are certain
circles I have to break into.

I'd have to entertain--

So I'm expected to sell my
paintings for your advancement?

Ma.

I can't believe what I'm hearing.

I could be talking to
your father instead of you.

Please.

You don't give a hoot
about me, do you?

About my house,
my father's paintings.

They're all that
I have left of him, Noel.

Lawrence is dead
and we are not.

We are your children.

You owe an obligation to help.

I don't owe you anything.

Well to love us, then.

Mother, we only want you to make
the right decision, for yourself.

You want me to do
what you want me to do.

Well, I'll sell the paintings
when I choose.

Just the sketches, then.

Have you seen them?
Ma, did Lawrence sell them?

Thank you for
clearing out the attic.

You really went too far
this time, Noel.

Oh, don't make me
feel like a criminal.

You're as bad as she is.

- What?!
- I need the money.

So do you.

Yes, but that's no excuse
for sneaking behind her back.

Oh, stop being so noble.

At the end of the day,
it comes down to cold cash, right?

She has it, we need it!

But there's such a thing as subtlety.

Choose a side, Nancy.

Stop sitting on the ruddy fence!

...

Hello.

I have an appointment
with Mr. Brookning.

- Penelope Keeling.
- Yes, he's expecting you.

Penelope.

Oh, Roy, how are you?

It's been a long time.

Well, I've been rather
reclusive in the country.

I was a student of her father's when
I first met this woman, Miss Lieman.

My libido was in its prime,

and I hadn't the least idea
what to do with it.

- Let me take this.
- Thank you.

And how are the children?
I haven't seen them in years.

Oh, they're doing quite well.

And so are you, Roy.

Well, Lawrence always said I'd make
a better dealer than a painter.

As usual, he was right.

- Sophie?
- Mm-hm.

The last he did of her
before she died.

He could never bring himself
to put it on canvas.

- Where did these come from?
- Well, I've had them for years.

They were hidden in
the back of my wardrobe.

I'd quite forgotten that I had them.

Hidden?

Well, I didn't want
Ambrose to find them.

I mean his gambling
got so bad,

he was selling everything
that he could lay his hands on.

I have no idea what
you saw in that man.

You were mother and
father to your children.

Admit it.

Yes, well,
we all managed somehow.

Now what do you think
that I could get for these?

5,000, a piece.

How soon?

Six months.

We'll auction them in New York.

Ah.

Roy, I need some money now.

I'm going to make a journey.
I'm going back.

I don't know why,
but I simply must.

How much do you need?

Thousand or so.

I wish I could talk you
out of selling.

They'll be worth more in a year.

No, I've made up my mind.

Thank you.

Are most men like you, Danus?

What's that supposed to mean?

Hard-working, quiet,
so single-minded.

Some.

Most are better.

You see, you're the first man
I've really spent time with,

other than my father, I mean.

- Are your parents still alive?
- Yes.

Don't you get on?

Average, I suppose.

Why don't you drive?

Was it an accident or something?

And most girls,
do they ask as many

personal questions as you do?

Some.

Most ask more.

I never learned to drive.

No reason in particular.

Olivia?

Mama.

Hello, my dear. How are you?

I finished my meeting
with Roy Brookning.

You know, insurance
on the paintings and such.

And so I thought I'd come along,
but if you're too busy--

No, no, no.
Come in, please.

Roy sent his love to you,
incidentally.

Oh, yes. How is he?

As always, a dear friend.

Would you like some tea?

I'll finish this presently and
then we can go out to lunch.

No tea, thanks.

Isn't this an interesting office?

Yes, it's a mess at the moment,
but we're approaching deadline.

You all right?

Yes. I'm fine.

And Antonia, she's happy?

Yes, I think she is.

She spends a lot of time
in the garden.

Didn't know she
liked gardening.

Well, she doesn't really,
but she does like the gardener.

Olivia, I wanted to ask you a favour.

Anything, Mama.

I'm going to Cornwall.

Cohn cottage, Papa's studio, all of it.

Could you get away
and come with me?

When?

Well, right away.

Oh Mama, no, I couldn't.

The issue is due by the 15th.

- I'd be in trouble if I--
- Yes, yes, of course.

I just thought perhaps you--

I could come in the autumn.

No, I want to go now.

Well, perhaps Noel
could go with me.

If he drove, I'd be there
in three quarters of an hour.

Mama, I'm sorry.

Don't be.

No regrets.

Remember.

Noel?

Hello, Penelope.

Dolly. What are you doing here?

Where's Noel?

He's picking up the car
at the garage.

I'm taking him out to an early dinner.
What are you doing here?

He didn't invite you too,
did he?

Your children keep inviting
both of us to the same functions.

No, I just happened
to be in town and I--

He called me here
for a financial discussion.

He says you refuse
to sell the paintings.

Well.

I only hope you know
what you're doing.

Dolly, I'm not here
to discuss my finances.

You've never discussed
them with me in your life.

But it's none of my affair.

It's just that I feel
I'm continually expected

to bail Nancy and Noel out of
their financial difficulties

whenever their mother--

You're not expected
to do anything of the sort.

Well, somebody has to.
They're helpless, my dear.

They're perfectly capable of
looking after their own finances.

Penelope.

I cast no aspersions. I'm simply
saying that in their upbringing

you never taught them
discipline and responsibility.

If it hadn't been for me--

Dolly, that's enough, I simply
can't sit here and listen to this.

What I thought was important
is what I was brought up with.

That is what I gave my children.

Not money, love. I loved them.

I still do.

Oh really, Penelope!

You were always the most
irresponsible woman

I have ever known,
for heaven's sake.

You didn't even come to
your own husband's funeral.

Oh, that's past history.

- I'm not interested--
- No, it's not past.

It's never past.

Look at your children.

If they're unhappy it's because
of the selfish bohemian way

- you raised them.
- Dolly!

Not to mention the thoughtless way
you treated their father.

I never thought you
worthy of Ambrose,

and you proved me right,
didn't you?

I loved him.

You scarcely knew him.

That was the war, Dolly,
not me.

We met in the war,
we married in the war.

That was Ambrose
missing in France,

me living alone
all those years in Cornwall.

And after the war,
after he came back,

it was you never
leaving us alone

that led to his debts
and his drunkenness.

It was your indifference
made him that way.

No, it was your
constant interference.

I simply put up with
what you had created.

Dolly, I tried to be friends with you.

After Sophie died,
I needed a mother.

But you never approved of me--

Why should I approve of you?

Ambrose was meant
for better than you.

He might as well have thrown
his future in the river as marry you.

It was his choice
to marry me.

And as for his poor children--

You stole his children
away from me

the moment that
you had the chance.

Showering them with gifts,
that's your sort of love.

I never gave them any of my--

If my children are poor,
it's only because

of the empty money
you used to win them over.

Penelope.

It's a wonder you haven't learned from
the mess you made of their father.

Why didn't you stop it, then?

Because my children
are not my possessions.

They must do what they want,
see whom they want to see,

make their own mistakes.

And they've made plenty,
haven't they?

That's not mothering. That's neglect.

It's more of your
bohemian independence.

I never neglected them!

Yes, you did.

Your own parents'
reckless way of living,

that's what makes you
so irresponsible.

My parents loved me, and I won't listen
to you say another word against them.

That's what drove
Ambrose away, you know.

Is that what you think?

Didn't he ever tell you why?

Oh, my dear, he didn't need
to tell me, it was perfectly clear.

It wasn't me, Dolly.

It was Noel.

Noel?

I was pregnant with him

and the last thing that Ambrose
wanted was another child.

So what does he do?
He runs home to Mum,

leaving me alone to do
what I've been doing all along,

raising his children without him.

Now, look at the boy.

He's becoming like his
father, empty, shallow,

wallowing in the same
self-centred shallowness

that killed Ambrose.

And that's your doing,
not mine.

But love can't hold out
against the likes of you.

Noel?

Noel?

Oh.

...

- Are you all right?
- Yes.

Just bad dreams.

What about?

My mother, and me.

She had...

something, some...

feeling for life.

A gift for mothering.

But she died before she could...

pass on the secret to me.

I'm 63 years old, Antonia,

and my children are grown,

and I'm still searching.

Would you...

would you like to come
with me to Cornwall?

I've asked the others,
and they're all too busy.

I'd love to.

Danus, too. I want you both.

I'm not sure if he will.

He's so private.

You get so far with him, and it's
like a gate slamming in your face.

Well, we can ask him.

He can only say no.

I don't drive.

Penelope and I
will do the driving.

We'd like your company,
that's all.

It's just for the weekend.

We'll be back by Monday.

I'll think about it.

Why do you have such a chip
on your shoulder about everything?

Hasn't it occurred to you that
she actually wants you on this trip?

- Do it for her.
- You're going, aren't you?

That's enough.

She asked us both!

...

My goodness.

I know, of course,
it's changed a lot,

but in many ways it hasn't.

When looking at it from up here,

it could be half a century ago.

I've come here so often
in my dreams,

I can't believe it's real.

The same buildings,
the same streets.

Somewhere inside, I...
I still feel like a little girl.

But this is terribly extravagant.

Yes, it was meant to be.

...

Hello.

Lawrence is out for a walk.

I said I'd stay here.

- Where's Nancy?
- Asleep in the cottage.

She's fine,
I just looked in on her.

I've got my orders.

How long?

Three weeks.

Where?

I can't say.

I hate this war.

I want it to end.

Who would've thought
it would touch us here?

They said we were so safe,
and then Sophie...

And now you're going, too.

I wish it would
leave me something.

Do you hate me for saying that?

No.

I don't hate you.

...

I'm sorry.

Pen.

Hello, Pen.

Richard?

I never dreamed I'd find you here.

I don't believe it,
I simply don't believe it.

Me, neither.

But you haven't changed.

Oh, of course I have.

...

And then what did you do
after you left the service?

Well, after the war,
I met someone,

went into my father's business,
and made a life.

Uneventful sort of stuff.

And you?

Still with your husband?

No.

And how about little Nancy?
I bet you're a grandmother by now.

Twice.

Why did you come back, Pen?

I don't know.

To find something.

Something that I once had.

And since lost.
Something elemental.

Something that I still have, but
I can't remember where I put it.

You know,

I'm almost twice as old
as Sophie when she died.

I could be her mother now.

- Isn't it astonishing?
- Hm.

And you?

I retired.

My son thought it'd be a good idea
for me to have a vacation.

A group of us old soldiers
came back, looking for memories.

But for me, not so much sights, but...

I felt so much here.

I came back

to remember the feelings.

What went wrong, Richard?

What became of my life and
the babies that I bore and loved?

I can bear anything for myself,

but to see my children

so lost is unendurable.

- It's not your fault.
- Isn't it?

I woke up in that hospital bed and
I thought, I can't leave them like this.

They're so miserable.

I mean, there were times in my life,

well, with Sophie and
with Lawrence and you,

when everything was so bright.

But my children, they have
none of that joy in their lives.

Sophie had it. And Lawrence, too.

Why is it that I can't
pass it on to them?

Oh, perhaps it's not something
you can pass on.

But why not?

Why is it that all I have
to pass on to them are these?

I mean look, look, look at these.

Ambrose and me.

Never really together.

Sophie, gone before her time,

leaving my life so empty.

Their lives, empty too.

I was no Sophie to them.

Nothing very precious
or valuable here.

I dreamed of the exotic.

And all I'm left with

is the common collection
of the seaside tourist,

and that is what
I have given my children.

You could've given them us.

No.

It was impossible.

It was your choice, not mine.

No, it never could've been possible.

I only had Nancy then.

Dolly would've taken her
away from me.

It was never an option for me
to give her up for you.

We met in such
difficult times, Richard.

The war, deprivation.

Life was a day-to-day
circumstance.

We had so little choice.

But my children grew up
in relative abundance,

and yet the choices
that they've made

have brought them
nothing but misery.

I love them so much,

and everything that I have
done has been for them.

And yet, now it seems that

none of us

has anything.

...

They're grown now. Let them go.

It's not what they want.

Well, forget what they want.

The greatest gift you could
give them is your own happiness.

You know something?

Coming back, I've been
struck by the peace,

and the colour.

The gold of the sand,
the green grass,

the sea is blue.

I feel a bit like Lawrence.

And, you know, what was so
remarkable about Lawrence

was that he took responsibility
for his own life.

He surrounded himself
with his colours,

his work,
and the people he loved.

He was free, Pen.

Because the choices he made
were happy ones for himself.

That was his art.

And I'd forgotten
how much I loved you.

Past tense.

It's all in the past today,
Sophie, the war,

you.

But you can't stop us,
can you?

We're like the sea.

We just keep roaring on,
don't we?

...

Hello, my darling.

I'm sorry I kept you so long.
Met a friend.

Did you have a nice day?

Oh.

We wandered round the village,
Danus and I.

It's beautiful here.

And where is he?

Sulking.

We had an argument.

He's so sullen.

It's as if he can't love anything.

I told him that caring for him
was like loving a block of ice.

May I join you?

Yes.

I used to sit here
when I was a little girl,

counting the boats coming in
from a night's work,

wondering which fish from which boat
I was going to have for dinner.

It's hard work,
seeing into the future.

What about you?

Hm?

You know, the garden that you've made
for me is blooming so beautifully.

Do you hope to work
for yourself someday?

That's a dream, not a hope.

Well, what is your dream, then?

I won't tell anyone.

A garden centre, my own,

good business, hard work.

A family?

I don't think so.

Why not?

Tell me why not, Danus.

I have epilepsy.

I've been hospitalised.

My family thinks it's
some mental disease.

I take medicine, but

it's not a cure.

Can't drive.

I'm still afraid to have children,
although I know it's not inherited.

My greatest fear is to be lost

in the arms of the
woman I love when...

My mother's ashamed of me.

My father also.

And in spite of all my
scientific understanding of it,

I'm ashamed of it, too.

Antonia isn't ashamed of it.

She loves you, Danus.

Don't turn away from
somebody who loves you

so unconditionally.

Don't deny yourself
the possibility of happiness.

You deserve it. We all do.

I don't expect you to love me.

I don't expect anyone
to love me knowing this.

I mean, you might say
you love me now,

but wait till you see me
when it happens.

Do you understand
what I'm saying?

I don't know how to love you.

It's been so long.

I don't know how to love anyone.

Danus.

Danus.

...

Hello, darling, is it true?

Oh, congratulations.

I can't wait to meet him.

- Where's Ma?
- She'll be down in a minute.

Would you like any tea
or coffee or anything?

No, we'll be fine.

I'll be off then.

Hello, Nancy, George.

What's wrong?

You look as though you're at
a funeral. Where's the body?

There is none.

What?

Hello, everyone.

Thank you all for coming.

Hello, George.

Penelope.

Where is it, Ma?

I think you'd better sit down, Noel.

Did you sell it?
How much did you get?

No, no, I didn't sell it.

It hasn't been stolen, has it?

No.

What then?

I've given it away.

- Oh, good Lord.
- Mother, how could you!

- You've got to be joking.
- To whom?

To a gallery in St. Ives.

And what in heaven's name
induced you to do such a thing?

Do you know what
that picture's worth?

Well, I know what
it's worth to me.

I mean, you've all
lived with it for years

and scarcely looked at it.

You told us you
couldn't live without it.

Yes, and now I want to share it.

Completely out of her mind.

You seem to forget, George,
that the painting was mine.

I mean, it wasn't yours,
it never belonged to you.

You can't afford it, Mother.

You've little enough as it is.

I promised the panels
to a private collector

for 300-odd thousand,

and the sketches will
go on sale in January.

The sketches?

You mean you knew
about them all along?

Well, I hadn't thought
about them for years.

I'd been hiding them
from your father.

And what about us?

What about your family,
your grandchildren?

How can you stand there and
happily give away their inheritance

when you know very well
that it's the only thing--

You can have the money.

I'll take what I need
from the panels.

The rest is yours,
all three of you.

Divide it as you wish.

Mother.

But I don't want to be treated
as an invalid anymore.

If I fall down the stairs
and land in a heap for weeks,

that's my business, it's not yours.

We only worry
because we love you.

What I've done you've been
urging me to do for months.

So I spent a little money on myself
and returned to Cornwall.

Is that what's bothering you?

I invited you all.

Oh, good reasons, Mama.

Excuses.

But I think it's just as well
that you didn't come,

because I learned something.

I may not have been the
best wife or the best mother,

But I gave you all
that I had to give,

and now it's my turn.

To make my own decisions,
to live my life as I see fit.

I know all of your virtues
and your shortcomings,

and I love you all very much,

but I'm not responsible
for you anymore.

Well, I thought we might
have some lunch.

What about the sketches,
who gets the money from those?

I'm giving it to Antonia.

Oh.

Mother.

She's not even one of the family.

Well, she is to me.

And if I can get her and Danus on their
feet, well, that's the very least--

She wants to squander every penny
on any stray dog that comes along.

Don't be condescending
to me, George.

For the very first time in my life,

I've experienced the joy
of giving to someone

other than my children,
and it's made all the sweeter

because of the grace and gratitude

with which it has been received.

Oh, and that's what
you want from us, is it?

Endless thanks.

I want you to take your
money and be happy.

I wish the very best
for you, Noel.

But what you do with my love
is as much up to you

as what you do with my money.

You have so much going for you.

Why do you always want more?

I only want what I deserve.

You want what
your father wanted.

If I seem wary of you
and your schemes,

it's only because I lived
through it all with him.

And that's why you
dislike me so much.

I don't dislike you.

I love you.

You have an odd way
of showing it.

I am not my father.

My life has very little
to do with him or you.

You always succeeded in making
me feel that I'd failed you.

I think you have.

Well.

Well, I'll see you later,
Nancy, George.

Would you like a lift, Olivia?

No, I'll take the train tomorrow.

Noel.

Please.

Bye, Ma.

Nancy,

I think we best be going, too.

I think you're foolish, Penelope,
to say the least.

Likewise, George.

Nancy.

I'll be waiting in the car.

- I think you're terrible.
- No, she's not.

She's generous to a fault,
and as far as I'm concerned,

we should be more than content
with what she's given us.

It's easy for you to defend her.
She's always loved you.

- Oh, don't start that again, Nancy.
- She never tries to understand me.

Perhaps because you never try
to understand anyone else.

She's always had time for you.

She's never given me anything.

She gave us all a magic childhood

and a terrific start in life.

You can't blame her
for your life, Nancy.

That isn't her fault,
you did that to yourself.

Who are you to say that to me?

The beautiful, perfect Olivia.

Perfect life, perfect looks.

You've never had to make
a difficult decision in your life.

You think I'm so different from you?

You think my life's so perfect?

You think that I don't want
a husband and family too, hm?

You were the perfect one growing
up, you were the pretty one.

Dolly's favourite.

I had to work for what I have.

So I made different
choices than you,

and some of them were right
and some were wrong,

but they were my choices, and at least
I don't blame them on my mother!

Olivia, that's enough.

Nancy's right.

She has good reason for feeling
about me the way she does.

I wasn't the best mother
to you at first.

I was very young,
and I tried to cope

in the very best way
that I knew how, but

it wasn't enough, and

I'm very sorry.

But you know, Nancy,
there was a time

when you and I
were alone together.

Never that.

Remember?

Playing on the sand all day.

Sleeping together at night.

We'd walk out at dusk,

and we'd watch the waves

crashing against the rocks below.

Your grandfather was there.

And there was another man.

He used to take you down
to the sea on his shoulders.

Daddy?

No.

His name was Richard.

Remember?

He used to give you chocolate
out of his rations.

Sand castles.

We used to build sand castles.

We were very happy together, then.

I let him go.

I gave him up for you

because I loved you, my darling.

I still do.

...

- Nervous?
- Yes.

No.

I don't know.

Danus is petrified.

When he saw me this morning,
he turned wedding white.

I'm so happy George
agreed to give me away.

There.

You look beautiful...

except for one thing.

They belong with a bride.

I love you, my darling.

My daughter.

Dearly beloved, we are gathered
here in the sight of God

and in the face of this congregation

to join together this man and
this woman in holy matrimony,

which is an honourable estate
instituted of God himself,

signifying unto us the mystical union

that is between Christ and his church,

which holy estate Christ
adorned and beautified

with his presence and first miracle

that he wrote in Canaan of Galilee,

and is commended in holy writ
to be honourable among all men.

Ma.