All language subtitles for Fighting.the.Odds.The.Marilyn.Gambrell.Story.2005.1080p.WEBRip.x265-RARBG2_English

♪ Get it right ♪

♪ Unless they describe it ♪

♪ Struggling, surviving ♪

♪ Just tryin' to stay up ♪

♪ Don't sleep ♪

♪ Gotta stay up ♪

♪ Can't sleep ♪

♪ You gotta stay up ♪

♪ Don't sleep ♪

♪ You gotta wake up ♪

[car alarm beeping]

♪ You gotta stay up ♪

♪ We be rollin' and ridin' ♪

♪ Hustlin' and strivin' ♪

♪ Strugglin', survivin' ♪

Why you don't call me
no more?

Why you don't call
me no more?

I'm good for you.

I'm good for you.

I couldn't be more serious.

Come find me, man.

What up?

♪ Don't look down ♪

♪ This one here,
we thuggin' it out ♪

♪ Ridin', you hidin' ♪

♪ Under the couch ♪

♪ Hope the cat don't
come in your house ♪

♪ Like knock knock ♪

♪ Who's there ♪

♪ Open the door ♪

♪ You scared ♪

What's up, man?

Hey, Hey, Jose.

Your urine came back dirty.

[scoffs] No way.

Don't lie to me.

I'm your parole officer.

Ah, I just used
once, Miss Gambrell,

the night Rosa left, okay?

Damnit, Jose.

If I violate you now,
CPS will take your kids,

and dump 'em in foster homes.

Then what the hell is
going to happen to 'em?

I'm beggin' you,
Miss Gambrell.

I won't screw up no
more, okay, I promise.

You got one more
chance, that's it.

Woman: I said don't touch me.

[child crying]

Let me go!

Woman: I didn't do nothin'!

Get your hands off me,
fool!

-I wasn't sellin'!
-Mommy!

Mommy!

Get your hands off me, fool!

I wasn't sellin' that crack!
Get in the car!

-Policeman: Get in the car, go!
-Woman: Get your hands off me!

-Stop your damn cryin'
-Mommy!

[striking child]

Child: Ugh!

-Hey!
-Grandma: I said shut your damn
mouth!

-Hey!
-Grandma: I said be quiet!

-Hey!
-Get in here.

Put down that baby!

Hey, lady, let go of that baby!

Did you see that?

Did you see that?

You gotta do something!

She's with her grandmother.

But she's hurting that baby!

An old lady like that, her
daughter's busted for crack,

now she's got that kid,

what do you expect?

She's hurting your baby!

♪ Years will pass ♪

♪ But will the ocean ♪

[siren blaring]

♪ Hear my silent prayer ♪

♪ Slow down ♪

♪ Slow down ♪

That bad, huh?

I thought I had seen
everything, Perry, you know?

But I just saw this
grandmother hit this child,

right in front of me.

I know, it gets to me too.

The hell with it, Marilyn.

Go home.

It's just the job.

[sad music]

Right.

Go home.

My daughter's out of the house.

My ex is my ex.

I wish I could go home

and forget about all
this, but I can't.

And I don't.

[hip-hop music]

[people talking]

Young Man: Air ball!

Basketball Player: Come
on, pass me that thing.

♪ You better jump on that ♪

♪ When the voices in your head ♪

♪ Sayin' you scared
up in your grill ♪

[doorbell rings]

Hey, lady, what
are you doing here?

I'm checking to see
if the baby's okay.

You know the family
that lives here?

What, the Gainers?

Yeah, Grandma packed up
and moved out last night.

Do you know where they went?

Did they leave any kind
of forwarding address?

What, so they can get
their bills sent to 'em?

I don't think so, lady.

[melancholy music]

Hey.

Perry: How did you
do with Venus Gainer?

Struck out.

Perry: You know what
I like about this job?

What?

Not a damn thing.

What the hell are
we doing here, Perry?

Besides pushing papers?

No clue.

Here are your new intakes,

and don't complain,

my pile is higher than yours.

We bust our butts.

But nothing gets better.

Nothing changes.

Parents go to prison,

and their kids just follow 'em.

And we sit here,
writing it all up.

Something's gotta change.

We need to get to the kids.

[hip-hop music]

[school bell ringing]

[kids talking]

♪ Mark my word ♪

♪ I tell them everywhere,
anywhere, yeah ♪

♪ Mark my word ♪

♪ I tell 'em everywhere,
anywhere, yeah ♪

♪ Mark my word ♪

Perry: Good to see you.

Marilyn: Having a good day?

As I live and breathe,
Perry Beasley.

Welcome to the hallowed
halls of Smiley High.

-Hey, hey.
-How you doin'?

Perry: How are ya, man?

Good, man.

Good, Reg, you know,
Marilyn Gambrell?

How do you do?

Marilyn, this
is Reggie Spivey,

vice principal, educator
and hoopster deluxe.

We want to start
a program at Smiley

for students whose
parents are incarcerated.

Man: Go through, Mr. Spivey.

Student: Lemme borrow
that homework, man.

Reggie: This is what parole's
doing these days?

This is what I'm
paying taxes for?

Marilyn: I quit parole a while
ago.

This is kinda my idea.

And now I'm joining her.

My papers went in this week.

What about your family?

That's what this
is about, Reg.

Listen, I've been
blessed three times over.

These children are hurting.

We want you to give
us one period a day

to work with these kids.

Why are we so lucky at Smiley?

Well, it's like what
Willie Sutton said

when they asked why
he robbed banks.

[chuckles] Trust me,
there's no money here.

But you got the
kids, you know?

We've been workin' this
neighborhood a long time.

I got a caseload of two
generations on parole.

Parents went to Smiley,

now their children do.

That a kid with a parent

in jail is six times more likely

to end up there, too. Six times.

But it doesn't
have to be that way.

What's your biggest
problems here at Smiley?

Gangs, the dropout
rates, drugs.

Well, if you let us,

we will work with these kids.

We will bring their grades up,

we'll even get 'em to graduate.

The two of you,
miracle workers?

Perry: We get these kids to open
up

about what it's like to
have a parent in jail,

then we can give them the
skills to succeed in life,

like we did with our parolees.

And to dream.

We want 'em to dream.

And reach those dreams.

Nobody has ever inspired them.

Nobody's ever taught them
to believe in themselves.

But we have lots
of programs here.

Are they working?

Do you want to sprinkle water

on the forest fire or put
the whole damn thing out?

Even if I thought let's
take a chance on these guys,

we have to go to the
principal, plus the faculty.

How do I convince them?

Let's give 'em the facts.

I don't have any.

Well, we'll get 'em.

See, here are these
surveys I made, you know?

We'll hand 'em out to the kids,

see what's what,

and then we'll go from there.

All right.

Let's talk.

Excuse me, ladies.
Sorry.

[upbeat music]

Before the assembly, fill
out these surveys, people.

And that means you,
you, and you. Everybody.

Is your mother in jail
or is your father in jail?

Who takes care of you?

What type of crap is this?

Hey, Jamal, I think
this is for you.

Your daddy's a lifer, right?

Reggie: How you doin'?

Mr. Spivey.

The principal's on board.

Perry: And the faculty?

They say you're
invading their turf.

Well, we are.

I mean, but if we get
these kids to graduate

and go somewhere, anywhere
other than prison.

They don't want
you in the school.

Check this out.

Your little survey.

Whoa.
Oh my God, this is huge.

One parent, two parents,
stepfather, brothers, uncles,

and probably a bunch

of the ones who said
no parents in jail

aren't telling the truth, right?

Too embarrassed to admit it.

We're doing this class.

You got one year,
on a trial basis.

Now, there is an
assembly tomorrow.

Make your case.

-Reggie-
-Don't hug me,

Marilyn, please.

I don't do hugs.

♪ When the voices in your
head sayin' you scared ♪

[indistinct lyrics]

[kids talking]

-Listen up.
-Male Teacher: Pipe down.

Do you remember the
survey we all took?

Students: Yeah.

Well, everybody
take a good look

at the person on your left.

Now, look at the
one on your right.

One of you has a parent in jail.

That's right, people.

40% of Smiley High has a
relative that's locked up.

Now, I want to introduce to you

Marilyn Gambrell
and Perry Beasley.

Let's give 'em a hand, come on.

[audience applauding]

Thank you.

We are starting a program
for kids at Smiley

whose parents are incarcerated.

Now, just because you
have a parent in prison

doesn't mean that you
have to end up there, too.

Who cares?

Yeah, whatchu know?

I know that if you
have a mother or father

in jail that it hurts,

and it's nothing
to be ashamed of.

And that's what this class is,

a safe place where we can talk

about this or any other
issues that you have.

We'll meet a different
period each day,

starting today, second
period, room 201.

You'll be excused
from class to attend

if you want to be
part of the group.

It's about gettin'
respect and givin' it.

And you have to make up the work

for the classes that you miss.

[some students grumble]

If this is important to you,

then we will see you
second period, room 201.

Thank you.

[students talking]

Are you talkin'
to me right now?

I'm talkin' to you at home.

What you talkin' about, man?

Reggie: Cody, Darnell, step back
now!

Darnell!

If this is gang banging,
Cody, I'll have your ass!

Principal, he dissed me!

I don't care!

Reggie: One more screw up
and you're gone!

[tense music]

Now get to class.

All right, man.

-Female Student: Let's go.
-Male Student: Go on, Cody.

Welcome to Smiley.

Think anybody'll show up?

[bell rings]

[students talking]

Hey, people.

Welcome.

Come take a seat.

Marilyn: Nope, just take a seat
wherever.

No More Victims.

That's this class.

And no matter what happened
to you in the past,

from here on in, it's a new day.

[students laugh]

And you are gonna
learn in this class

that you are no longer victims.

You are survivors.

[students muttering]

Perry: Okay, everyone signs
this,

so your teachers know you
weren't cutting their classes.

Yeah, and put your
phone numbers down.

That's important.

What you want my number for?

You want to call me for
a date or somethin'?

[students laugh]

Well, maybe I do.

Students: Ooh!

Hey.

What's your name?

Jamal.

You got a problem?

Well, Jamal, we're
gonna introduce ourselves

by saying our names, but
we're gonna put a word

in front of it that
describes who we are.

How about badass?

How about sit down.

A positive word.

So should we get in a circle

and hold everybody's hands, too?

[girl scoffs]

Okay, you know what?

I'm gonna go first.

Um, let's see.

I am Marvelous Marilyn.

In your dreams.

[students laugh]

I'm Powerful Perry.

Now you, Jamal.

Jazzy. Jazzy Jamal.

Juiced-up Jamal.

Stupid Sean.

Mighty Miguel.

Cool Chrissie.

Victorious Valerie.

How about you?

Me, I'm King Freakin' Cody.

I didn't realize we
had royalty in the house.

You weren't lookin'
hard enough, babe.

So which family member
of yours is in prison?

Why are you here?

What, you supposed to be like

the great white
hope or something?

I'm not the great anything.

Yeah, I noticed that.
But let's get

what you're thinkin'
out on the table, huh?

What am I thinkin'?

I'm white!

[students cheering]

All right.

And if you have a
problem with it,

then we will
discuss it in class.

But I'm not goin' anywhere,

and my skin color is
definitely not changing.

Your color is not the problem.

Nothin' gonna come of this.

Then why are you here, Cody?

Miguel: He's cuttin' algebra.

I'm cuttin' social studies.

Still y'all came, why?

Well, I think it's

because you all are tired
of hurtin', right, Valerie?

'Cause things aren't goin'
your way with grades,

your family, your life.

Hey, you know what?

If you all don't
want to be here,

then go back to algebra class,

because if we don't
make this work,

then we are gone!

And you all can
go back to become,

what is it they call you?

Smiley's losers, right?

They call you a
bunch of losers, huh?

[hip-hop music]

♪ I contribute to
rap, soul wizardry ♪

♪ None of that cry baby
crap rap with R&B ♪

O.B. is gonna be there.

We have to make sure
everything is there.

And if he isn't, man, period,

we got nothin' to do with it.

♪ What I do with life
throwin' me a curveball ♪

♪ Then I swerved y'all ♪

♪ 'Cause I heard y'all nerds ♪

♪ Wanna show up for the battle ♪

♪ Then I'll hurt y'all ♪

♪ Curtain call
better back on out ♪

♪ While I'm workin' y'all
up against the corner ♪

♪ With no exit out ♪

♪ Now you're stuck like a fly ♪

♪ Between the screen
and the glass ♪

♪ Now you're runnin'
out of air fast ♪

♪ 'Cause you weren't prepared ♪

♪ And you're scared
you're dead last ♪

♪ 'Cause the scorpion was
waitin' in your shoe ♪

♪ For the last laugh ♪

♪ What can you do
and that's that ♪

♪ Now you're outta life ♪

♪ Gunnar McKell, the
art of the strike ♪

[students talking]

Okay, let's say
your daddy's in jail.

What do you do?

Do you call him?

Do you write him?

Do you go see him?

What?

Perry: Okay, all right, Mom's
alone.

She's angry, and
she's on your case.

How do you deal with
these problems at home?

So class, I was up
all night last night.

Doing what to who?

[students laugh]

Thinkin' about
what you all need.

We want to talk
with you guys around.

Tell us what's goin' on.

Okay, you know
what, everybody up!

Stand up.

Everybody up.

Mr. Beasley, please
hit the lights.

Up, get up.

Come on.

Cody! Up, please.

I want everyone to
close their eyes.

Now, we are gonna whisper
something in your ear

that you can keep with
you all year long.

You are beautiful.

You deserve good things.

You are good.

Perry: Nobody and nothing
can stand in your way.

You have a kind heart.

You smell like a wet dog.

You're a dog!

-I'm tired of you, dog!
-Get off me, man.

-[students yelling]
-Perry: Hey, hey, hey.

You're always tryin'
to say something,

you know that?

-You got a big mouth!
-Come on.

-You need backed it up, homie.
-Perry: Knock it off.

-Let go, man.
-Come on.

[boys arguing]

Come on.

Look, this ain't
your streets, okay?

This is class.

Start acting like
you have some.

Mr. Lazar: What is going on
here?

Nothing, nothing.

We have it under control.

Get back in the class, now, now!

Sit down, now!

I don't know what this
is, but I know this.

You fight like that
again, you're gone!

-Now, back in class.
-Man, you a fool, Beasley!

-I'm outta here.
-Come on, back inside.

-Get off me, man.
-Back inside.

-Perry: Back inside, come on.
-Quit this class.

Forget you, man!

What's the problem here?

The problem is,
they're using this thing

as an excuse to cut class.

That's not true.

These kids are trouble, Reg,

and this class is a disruption.

Okay, take it easy.

Everybody retreat
to a neutral corner.

Back to your
classroom, Mr. Lazar.

Are you sure you know
what you're doing?

We will make this
work, I promise.

♪ Right, right, that
ain't what I heard ♪

♪ Fake them words ♪

♪ Steady stack that roll ♪

Yo, yo.

♪ Where you at ♪

♪ I gotta get mine for sure ♪

[girls giggling]

♪ When I make that cash ♪

Uh huh.

♪ I'm gonna do my thing ♪
[school bell ringing]

♪ Make that bling ♪

♪ Shake that ♪

♪ Gone back to that old grind ♪

Why you home?

Me, why you home?

Bars closed or something?

Hey, don't smart
mouth me, boy.

Stay out of there

Man, I'm hungry.

Besides, you ain't
my dad anyway.

Damn right I ain't your daddy.

Your daddy's in prison.

He ain't never gettin' out.

This is my house, my food.

And you keep your
grubby hands off it.

Better get up outta my face,
man.

Yeah?

What you doin', man?

How about I kill
ya, how's that?

Huh?

What you-- What you doin'?

Get off me, man.

Say you're sorry!

Get in there, man.

Get in there.

I'll turn the gas off.

Say you're sorry, say it!

Ain't no one gonna hear ya!

Jamal: I'm sorry, okay?

-Yeah?
-Sorry.

Damn right, you're sorry.

You're one sorry mother.

[dark music]

[pants]

Perry: The class isn't working.

I mean, we give out
love and respect,

and what do we get back?

Maybe we should
go back to parole

and beg for our old jobs.

This has to work!

If it doesn't, I don't
know what I'll do.

These kids, Perry, they're,
they're everything.

Marilyn, you have to have more

in your life than these kids.

I mean, what do you do for you?

Perry, I'm fine.

I just have a lot

that I'm thinkin'
about right now, Perry.

What do you think about?

At night, when you're at
home, all by your lonesome?

That little girl.

[melancholy music]

The one in Settegast
whose grandma slapped her?

No, me.

I think about me.

That little girl wasn't the
only one who ever got hit.

Ain't that a bitch.

Where's Jamal, did he quit?

Probably.

You never quit on something?

This class isn't about me.

Oh yeah, it is,
'cause you started it.

-Male Student: Mm-hmm.
-Male Student: Mm-hmm.

So why don't you tell us
something about yourself?

[students agreeing]

Female Student: That's what
I'm talkin' about.

I was a parole
officer for many years.

So why'd you quit?

I saw something happened
to a child. A baby, really.

I saw this grandmother
slap this baby

so hard right in front of me.

So hard.

Did you arrest her?

What happened to the baby?

I don't know.

Marilyn: And I wish that I did,
so much.

And I thought, what
good am I doing?

Sittin' behind a desk saying,
it's the system's problem?

So you quit?

You thought you'd get
your peeps younger, huh?

-[students muttering]
-Like us.

No more victims.

You know what it means?

You do it to them
before they do it to you.

[students muttering]

Go and hurt them first?

That seems wrong.

You don't get it, Mr. Beasley.

All us guys that
have been beat on

by our stepfathers, fathers.

Police, teachers.

Hell, everybody.

Why you think we in gangs?

We've been getting
hit all our lives.

All of us.

[students all talking]

Is there anyone in here

who hasn't been hit like that?

Raise your hand.

Look at us.

[tense music]

I think no more victims means

maybe we all got a raw deal.

But we choose
not to accept it.

You choose.

Good word, Sean.

Yeah, but man,
it ain't so easy.

Not in my house.

[students muttering]

Right, right.

But to choose
means being strong.

How do we do it?

The answer is we
help each other out.

You all know that
there are people

out there who want
to keep us down.

But that's why we are all here,

to pick each other up.

[bell rings]

[hopeful music]

[lively music]

Oh, yeah, that's cool.

Hey, Jamal, how you doin'?

Oh, you know what,
class is starting soon.

You better get in there,

because we gotta start.

♪ I grew up a young hustler ♪

♪ Chasing dreams out
the door 7 a.m. ♪

♪ My baby pleased ♪

Students: Ooh!

Cody?

Sweetheart, come on up here.

What'd I do?

Nothing, just come up here.

I heard her, man.

Today is Cody's birthday.

So I want all of us to
sing "Happy Birthday"

to him on three.

One, two, three.

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

♪ Happy birthday, dear Cody ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

[apprehensive music]

Blow out your
candles, go ahead.

Marilyn: Come on.

Come on!

Get it, get it, get it.

Yeah!

[students cheering]

Yes!

Are you all right?

He never had no
birthday cake before.

Male Student: Right, Cody?

Well, happy birthday, son.

Okay, let's eat cake.

Cake time, come on, everybody.

You, uh, you need someone
to wipe your tears, cuz?

Hey, you deserve
the first piece.

Happy birthday.

[bittersweet music]

Hey, Lisa, how you doin'?

I'm on my way home.

You want a ride?

Are you all right?

Why don't you mind
your own business?

Just get away from me!

Hey, hey, hey, hey, come here.

-Just get away-
-What is going on?

[tense music]

My dad is getting out of jail,

and my mom, she doesn't
want me to see him.

But he wrote me a letter.

He wants to see me!

Do you want to
see him, sweetheart?

Well,

I never met him 'til I was 12.

And he left us on Christmas Eve.

Not once did he ever
come by or call.

Or say I love you.

Those lousy words.

Come here.

I love you.

Female Student: Who did this?

Does anybody have any
idea who did this?

[dark music]

Hey, man, don't look at me.

I'm lookin' at you.

Look, I didn't do nothin'.

Liar.

This is your crew's
sign on the board.

You wanna be the man.

[chair clattering]

That position is already filled.

Lisa: There's a hole in the
wall called the door.

Why don't you use it
and get your ass out?

This class sucks.

Y'all can go to hell.

Anybody else got a problem?

'Cause you could get out, too.

Hey, if we choose to be here,

then we all need
to make this work.

Otherwise, we are still victims.

I promise you that.

People with none of your guts

are succeeding out
there every day.

And you know why?

They stick with it.

They have the
power to persevere,

and so do you.

[tense music]

Come on, y'all.

Let's clean this mess up.

Yeah.

Lisa: Let's go to work.

Okay, man, you gonna
shed some more tears?

You want to see
some tears, cuz?

Cody: Anytime.

Hmm?

I told you anytime, I'm...

Where are you supposed to be?

No More Victims.

I'm sorry, I'll get to...

-I'll get to class.
-Didn't they meet

first period today?

Oh man, yeah, yeah.

Um, so that means I
gotta get to math.

The only place
you gotta get now

is Mr. Spivey's office.

Look, man, I
ain't goin' nowhere.

I told you, it's a
misunderstanding, man.

-Let me go to--
-You're a stupid thug, Cody.

And you're about
to get suspended.

Yeah, whatever.
Now, let's go.

Hey, don't touch me, man.

Come on, man.

Cody brought
this upon himself.

That's why we're here.

There is an ironclad
rule in this school

that if a student threatens
a teacher, he is out.

-Yeah.
-Mr. Pettit: We're lucky that it
was me

he went after.

Mr. Pettit called
him stupid first.

-Male Teacher: Does that mean
you--
-He was going to hit me.

Yeah, after you demeaned him.

Kids like him,
they're a cancer

on the student body,

and it needs to be cut out.

That's right.

Marilyn: Just throw him away?

Is that your solution?

Mr. Pettit wasn't
wrong, Marilyn.

He dissed Cody in public.

-He knew he would snap.
-Cody was wrong.

And I will talk
to him about that.

Excuse me, but why
would they even listen

to someone like you?

You mean a white person?

Maybe they listen to her

because she has
something to say.

Did you ever think
about that, Alice?

Alice: Ed, this program is
making our jobs tougher!

-They skip classes--
-I walk by that room

-and they don't even--
-all the time,

and I see those
kids participating.

Oh.

[people talking]

Participating in what?

In games, what,
what are they doing?

Look.

We meet once a day, and
that period rotates,

so they don't miss the
same class every day.

Now, they're supposed to
make up the schoolwork.

-"Supposed" is right.
-And we're on 'em about that.

-But-
-Alice: But what?

Is this program helping
these students graduate?

-How do we even evaluate it?
-It's a good point.

Are they passing
their courses?

This is the bottom line.

Oh, they'll all pass, Alice.

Really?

Can you guarantee that?

Will all your seniors
graduate this May?

Damn right they will.

[teachers laughing]

Male Teacher: That's the best
I've heard in a long time.

I am sorry for what Cody did.

And we are gonna talk
to him about that.

But you-- [sighs] you guys need
to give us a chance.

A chance.

Look, why should we even
go along with this at all?

Because, Mr. Lazar, if
these kids don't make it,

they are gonna be
your next carjackers,

drug addicts, thieves
and murderers.

And because you promised
us a year, Mr. Spivey.

A promise is a promise, Reg.

[pensive music]

No More Victim stays.

[teachers groaning]

I am not pulling
the plug just yet.

And as for Cody,

he gets suspended for three
days, starting tomorrow.

That's all.

Thank you very much.

Marilyn.

As for your graduating seniors.

Yeah?

A promise is a promise.

[hip-hop music]

♪ You better jump on that ♪

♪ With the foot roll ahead ♪

♪ Sayin' you scared ♪

♪ Up in the club, side show ♪

♪ You get you step
on up in the club ♪

♪ Crash on, get you step on ♪

Was it worth it?

Would've felt
better if I hit him.

I want you to do
something for me, Cody.

I want you to promise me

that you are gonna
work hard and graduate.

Screw you.

I need you to do this for me.

What makes you think I
care about what you need?

I'm gonna fight for you, Cody,

whether you like it or not.

That's why I stood up
to the faculty for you.

-So what?
-So when has anyone

ever stood up for you
in your entire life?

I put this whole program
on the line for you!

What, are you just
gonna quit on me?

I'm going to get
outta here, man.

And drop out of school,

start selling drugs, get busted?

That's your daddy's life, Cody.

That ain't yours.

Yeah, I know who your daddy is.

Question is, do you?

Marilyn: Now, you have a choice,
son.

You can either end up
in jail, like him, or not.

It's on you.

[hip-hop music]

♪ It's a dirty game ♪

♪ Is the pleasure
worth the pain ♪

♪ I'm trying to maintain ♪

♪ In this dirty game ♪

♪ Hey, it's a dirty game ♪

♪ It's a dirty
game that we play ♪

♪ But this game
ain't got no rules ♪

♪ We just make it up as we go ♪

Hey!

♪ We can do whatever we choose ♪

What you lookin' at me for?

Play!

♪ Somebody gotta do something ♪

♪ It's your turn, ♪

♪ It's best to make
your move and quick ♪

♪ You got brothers waitin'
so see your lights drop ♪

♪ You take too long
to take your turn ♪

♪ You see your life stop ♪

♪ 'Cause brother's
just as crazy ♪

Hey, Lisa.

It's me, baby. Your daddy.

I-- I know who you are.

Well, here I am.

I just got out, and
I came to see ya.

She don't wanna
see you, Lawrence.

She knows you don't
care about her.

Come on, sweetheart.

You know I care about you.

You cared, she'd
have got child support.

I ain't had no money!

Mama, please don't fight!

Only thing you
care about, Lawrence,

is get high, get your next fix,

go back to prison,
abandon your family.

Lisa, baby, say
something, now.

I'm your daddy.

You ain't her daddy.

Jail bait, you ain't
never been her daddy!

Now, get outta here!

Just go!

[panting]

Before we start class today,

I want to introduce
Annette Hughes.

She and I go way back
to the Stone Age.

Marilyn was my parole officer.

Students: Ooh!

And Annette was
a heroin addict.

And in the penitentiary.

-Male Student: Nasty.
-Female Student: Damn.

But, before that,
she was a mother.

Marilyn: And what's important
is that she has put

her life back together
since she's out of prison.

And she is gonna be another
resource for you all.

So I want you to welcome her.

[students cheering]

All right.

All right.

Thank you.

Now, I worked real hard
to get my kids back.

I became a drug counselor.

And now I'm here at
Smiley High for you.

-Male Student: Thank you.
-All right?

-Cody: Hey.
-Male Student: Yo.

I don't know who been
runnin' their damn mouth,

but whatever's talked about
in here stays in here.

I can't have people talkin'
about me in the damn halls.

Yeah, yeah, Cody's right, man.

We can't be cuttin'
classes anymore

and gettin' into trouble.

[students agreeing]

And we've gotta
pick our grades up.

Graduate.

Yeah, man, we need
rules or something.

Yeah, like a secret
oath or somethin'.

Students: Yeah!

That is a very
good idea, Sean.

Okay.

What do we say in our oath?

Look, rule one,
whatever is discussed

in here stays in here.

-Students: Yeah.
-Marilyn: Okay.

Confidentiality and privacy.

What else?

Come on, what else?

Yeah, and everybody
gotta respect this group

and abide by the
rules of this group.

[students agreeing]

Respect, all right?

And we all play by
the rules, guys.

Look, and whoever
break the rules,

get their ass kicked out.

[students agreeing and cheering]

Okay, so everybody
get off your asses

and raise your right hand
so we can say this oath.

I.

All: I.

Lisa Jones.

[all state their names]

Lisa: Promise not to discuss.

All: Promise not to discuss.

Anything discussed
in this group.

All: Anything
discussed in this group.

Outside of this group.

All: Outside of this group.

And promise to respect
everyone in this group.

All: And I promise to
respect everyone in this group.

And abide by the
rules of this group.

All: And abide by
the rules of this group.

All right!

So it is Thanksgiving this week.

[students oohing]

I wanna come back to class.

Is it okay, Ms. Gambrell?

He knows he messed up.

Valerie, it's not up to me.

You guys have to vote on it.

Okay?

All those in favor of Jamal
joining the class again,

raise their hands.

Welcome back to class, son.

[students cheering]

[bell rings]

Hey, what happened to your face?

Bumped into a door.

Marilyn.

-Hi.
-Hi.

Hi, we haven't
really, formally, met.

I'm Ed Rivera.

Well, nice to
formally meet you, Ed.

I want to thank you

for the support you
gave us in that meeting.

Oh, no, not at all.

I've got some of
those kids in history.

I see what you're doing.

Well, thanks again.

Hey, would you like
to go out with me?

I mean, just thought we could
get some dinner or something.

You do eat, don't you?

Um, yeah, I eat, but, uh...

But what?

You know, Ed, I'm dealing
with these kids 24/7,

and I just don't
see how I could.

But how about I try later?

Huh?

Persevere, like
you tell your kids.

How do you know
what I tell my kids?

You're not the only
teacher they talk to.

[calm music]

Female Student: Ms. Gambrell?

Valerie's got a problem.

[Valerie sniffles]

Do you want to talk about it?

Well, if you don't want
to, you don't have to.

But, remember, it
stays in this room.

Students: Mm hmm.
That's right.

It was a week ago.

My step-daddy, Ronald,
came into my room.

♪ Dr. L has got your
hands clappin' ♪

♪ Break the news that
we're killin' it ♪

♪ With no graphic ♪

♪ Break the news ♪

♪ We call the shots
like a damn doctor ♪

♪ You never seen
somethin' like this ♪

Thought you were doing
your homework, girl.

Ugh, I finished.

♪ Then open up your eyelids ♪

♪ Real [indistinct]
rap aliases ♪

You got the beat, don't ya?

I'm not exactly Beyoncé.

I'm gonna show you
how to do this, now.

See, you gotta do
it like this, Val.

You gotta feel the bass.

And, um, somethin' like this.

♪ I keep on movin'
with my checklist ♪

♪ I hang around
like a necklace ♪

♪ Don't let that slip ♪

I gotta read.

You want the music back on?

I take it down like
this, nice and easy.

Where's Mom?

Mom is out.

Don't you worry about Mom.

Will you please stop?

Please stop!

[dramatic music]

Stop!

[Stepdad panting and kissing]

No!

Stop.

[Valerie crying]

This is our little secret.

Tell no one.

He raped me,

and I told my mom.

And she didn't believe me.

Valerie: She slapped my face.

And she's still with him.

-We're gonna smoke his ass.
-Kill him.

[students talking]

Hey, hey, no, you're not!

Sit down!

What do you mean sit down?

You didn't hear
what she just said?

-Sit down, now!
-Yo, look, dog!

Okay, chill.

For one second, use your heads.

-Do the right thing.
-You're one of us, man.

-I know, I hear you, man.
-What you talkin' about, man?

Perry: Listen to me.

Make him pay, but do it legal.

Mr. Beasley is
right and so is Jamal.

We're goin' to the police.

The police ain't
gonna do nothin'.

The police ain't
gonna do a damn thing!

We are gonna make
them do something.

We are gonna put
this man behind bars.

What if he comes after me?

He's still there in that house.

I'm gonna be with
you all the way, honey.

Yeah, we all will.

[students agreeing]

Let me ask you all something.

How many of you have
been victims of rape,

sexual assault or sexual abuse?

[somber music]

Hey, you okay?

Are you sure the police
are going to arrest him?

You bet.

And I don't have to face him?

Not in the grand jury.

He won't be there.

And that grand jury will
indict his sorry ass.

Chances are, he'll plead guilty,

and you'll never see him.

I don't know if I can
do it, Mr. Beasley.

I know it.

When I quit parole,

I was afraid too.

You were?

Yeah, I had my
family to support.

But I knew deep inside that
you guys are worth the risk.

You have so much
courage, Valerie.

And no matter what, I'm
gonna be there for you.

Not all men are like
your stepfather.

It's okay.

It's okay.

This wreath is pathetic.

We have no Christmas tree,

no ornaments or
anything for the kids.

Why even celebrate?

We've got Santa.

["Jingle Bells" tune playing]

This is gonna be the lamest
Christmas party in history.

Hey, Sarah's baking cookies.

Yeah, and I'm
bringing the soda.

It'll be fine, Marilyn.

The kids aren't expecting much.

Sometimes I think
that's the problem.

So you're still here.

Can't get enough
of old Smiley High.

How about breakin' open the
old petty cash drawer, Reg?

Maybe then we could buy
a cake for the party.

We don't have
money for textbooks.

And you bug me about a cake.

Listen, I just saw the
midterm grade reports.

Valerie's grades
are heading south.

Cody and Miguel aren't
exactly lighting it up.

Remember our deal.

If these kids don't graduate...

Oh, they will.

All I can say,
Marilyn, is May 10th is

a lot closer than you think.

What's May 10th?

Graduation.

That's when we'll meet

with the faculty to
decide your future.

So Merry Christmas to all,

and to all a good night.

["Jingle Bells" tune playing]

[melancholy music]

[answering machine beeps]

Answering Machine:
You have no new messages.

[hip-hop music]

[kids talking]

I'm gonna get it right now.

It's nice, right?
It's cool.

Hey, check out what I got.

Cody: That's a great present.

Say, Ed Rivera called me.

Wanted to know
what your story is.

Story?

I don't have a story.

That's what I told him.

He's been asking me out.

And you've been saying no.

Why not?

You haven't been
out since forever.

It has not been that long.

I told him you
were free Saturday,

and he's making plans.

I'm gonna kill you.

-You're a dead man.
-Merry Christmas, ho, ho, ho.

Cody:[rapping ♪ Real hair,
real nails ♪

♪ Chickens head, see ♪

♪ Truth be told,
body that's cold ♪

♪ Top half rock,
bottom half roll ♪

Jamal: [rapping] ♪ I like it
huh ♪

♪ Keep it comin' with
a helluva a show ♪

♪ Dancin' like you married
with someone you don't know ♪

Cody and Jamal: [rapping] ♪ Do you know where you are tonight ♪

♪ 'Cause, baby, I'm gonna
make you a star tonight ♪

♪ Uh uh ♪

Lisa: [rapping] ♪ What you want
me to do with it ♪

Cody and Jamal: [rapping] ♪ Ride
it ♪

♪ Turn around and don't let go ♪

Lisa and Valerie: [rapping] ♪ What you want me to do with it ♪

Cody and Jamal: [rapping] ♪
Shake it till your knees touch
your elbows ♪

I've never seen the
kids have this much fun.

Cody: [rapping] ♪ Ride it, turn
around and don't let go ♪

Where did you get the money

for the tree and the gifts?

Well-

My God, Santa Gambrell.

That's your tree?

Yo, Soul Train line.

Let's get together, man.

-Male Student: Come on.
-Male Student: Yeah, Soul Train
line.

Students: Go, Val.

All: Go Val, go Val, go Val,

go Val, go Val, go Val.

All: Go Jamal, go Jamal, go
Jamal,

go Jamal, go Jamal, go Jamal.

All: Go Lisa, go Lisa, go Lisa,

go Lisa, go Lisa,
go Lisa, go Lisa,

go Lisa, go Lisa,
go Lisa, go Lisa.

Go Cody, go Cody, go Cody,

go Cody, go Cody,
go Cody, go Cody

go Cody, go Cody, go Cody.

-Mr. Beasley!
-Mr. Beasley.

-Cody: Right here.
-Jamal: Come on, Mr. Beasley.

No, no.

We gotta get you.
Come on, Mr. Beasley.

-Come on, Mr. Beasley.
-Cody: Come on.

Lemme show you how to
do it old school style.

All: Go Beasley, go
Beasley, go Beasley,

go Beasley, go
Beasley, go Beasley,

go Beasley, go Beasley,
go Beasley, go Beasley,

-Go Beasley
-Male Student: Come on, Ms.
Hughes!

-Female Student 1: Ms. Hughes.
-Female Student 2: Ms. Hughes.

Let me hear it,
come on, come on.

All: Ms.
Hughes, Ms. Hughes,

Ms. Hughes, Ms.
Hughes, Ms. Hughes,

-Ms. Hughes, Ms. Hughes,
-Cody: Come on, Ms. Gambrell.

-Cody: Ms. Gambrell!
-No, no, no!

Cody: You have do join in.
Come on, Ms. Gambrell.

Cody: Come on, come on,
come on, come on.

[students cheering]

All: Gambrell, Gambrell,

Gambrell, Gambrell,
Gambrell, Gambrell,

Gambrell, Gambrell,
Gambrell, Gambrell,

-Gambrell, Gambrell,
-Cody: Let's go.

When I say no more,
you say victims.

-Cody: No more.
-All: Victims.

-Cody: No more.
-All: Victims.

-Cody: No more.
-All: Victims.

-Cody: No more.
-All: Victims.

I say no more,
you say victims.

-Cody: No more.
-All: Victims.

-Cody: No more.
-All: Victims.

When I say no more,
you say victims.

-No more.
-Victims.

-No more.
-Victims.

[cheerful dance music]

Cody: You see this?

-Cody: Did you see this?
-Jamal: I see that.

I've made the crossover.

Now, I'm no longer handsome.

I'm sexy, see?

Sexy is what this is.

No, this is sexy right here.

-Cody: Yeah, that's sexy.
-Jamal: You know what I'm
sayin'?

-Cody: Yeah, that's sexy.
-Miguel: That's hilarious.

Um, my dad called,

and he really wants to
see me, Ms. Gambrell.

Will it be okay?

That's up to you.

But if you want,
I'll go with you.

No, I'll be okay.

Merry Christmas.

[horn honking]

♪ It's early, and the
party's just begun ♪

♪ Me and my girls tryin'
to have some fun ♪

♪ Might be stayin' till
the break of dawn ♪

♪ Everybody, I say come
on get up off the wall ♪

Hey, Dad.

Hey, baby girl.

I'm glad to see you.

[lively music]

♪ Move to the dance floor ♪

Mm.

I haven't had one of
these in a long time.

Yeah, they're really good.

Mm.

I made this in the prison shop.

It's for you.

Oh.

Daddy, it's beautiful.

Thank you.

Eat up, honey.

Just wait here, honey.

[ominous music]

Hey, you like that, man?

That's what I'm talkin' about.

What's goin' on?

Yo, come here, girl.

What are you talkin' about?

Go ask your daddy.

I just got out, baby.

Daddy needs a fix, that's all.

Chill, he made me a deal.

Come on, you're
mine for an hour.

Let's go party.

Lisa: No, get off of me!

Let me go!

Dealer: Ooh!

I hate you!

No!

I hate you!

I never want to see you again!

[phone rings]

Hello?

Oh my God.

Where are you?

I'll be right there.

[solemn music]

My God, Lisa.

What happened?

[crying] I was so
excited to see him.

And he seemed so
happy to see me,

but I'm so dumb, Ms. Gambrell.

He wanted to sell me for drugs.

I am so sorry, sweetheart.

You are not dumb.

And you did not
do anything wrong.

You are gonna get past this.

I'm right here.

God, I wish I was dead.

No, no, don't
you talk like that.

Lisa, you have so
much to live for.

Like what?

College, career, family.

Your future is so bright.

I need sunglasses just
to think about it.

You really believe that?

Oh, with all my heart.

I want you to believe it too.

No more talk about
killing yourself.

And no more cutting yourself.

You're gonna be all right.

It's gonna be okay.

Would you like
to order now, sir?

Uh, you know, I was
waiting for someone.

But I'll just grab the
bill for the wine, please.

Okay.

[phone rings]

[gentle music]

Hello.

I'm so sorry, Ed,

but something came up.

One of the girl's dad's
just got out of jail,

and, um, he tried to
sell her for drugs.

He tried to sell her?

And she really needed me,

so I'll see you around school.

I'm sorry.

Let's get you home.

Okay, how many of you
guys have been studying

hard, keeping your grades up?

Great.

Where do you see yourselves
five years from now?

College.

A doctor.

A mom.

The army.

An artist.

Marilyn: What are you doing?

What are you, cuttin'
throats and shootin'?

Come on up here.

I want you to talk.

Marilyn: Now.

What are you doing?

Killing people.

All I can see myself doing.

Why do you want
to kill people?

Because our
boy's full of hate.

I don't like people.

You need to get a dog
with your crazy ass.

Cody, stop!

Where does this come from?

I don't know, my dad.

What did he do to you?

Nothin'.

Got himself locked up forever.

Wasn't around to protect me.

Tell her how your mom
lets your stepfather

put your head in the oven
and beats you and stuff.

You gotta tell her.

Marilyn: Did what?

What the hell's that all about?

Who knows?

You know, when you
be nice to people,

they think you're weak.

You're nice to me, J.

You help me when
I got a problem.

That's not weak.

Did people pick on you
when you were little?

Or beat the crap out of me?

Perry: And now you feel like
you don't fit in, right?

Well, that happens to
everybody.

Even me, Miss
Gambrell, Miss Hughes.

Well, now I'll be the
one doing the hittin'.

I know, deep in your heart,

you're not a violent person.

You are not a killer.

Mr. Beasley's right, Jamal.

That's why you came to
class after you quit.

This child is so
filled with wisdom

and love and the
ability to communicate.

Do you remember
when Valerie came in

and told her story,

and you all want to
go get her stepfather?

Who was the one who
told you you needed

to do it the right way?

Jamal.

You are so awesome.

And even though he doesn't
fit in through all that pain,

it's cool with me.

[gentle music]

I never fit in either.

All that stuff
goin' on out there,

I'd rather be my own island.

And I know what it's like

to have a daddy
hit me,

like Jamal.

And that is why we are
gonna get behind him,

and we are gonna love
him and hold him up,

because I guarantee you,

love will conquer hate
every day of the week.

So if you could do
anything in this world

you wanted to do, Jamal,
what would you do?

Talk to my stupid father.

Come here, my friend.

It's okay, baby.

[crying]

Mr. Carson: Why am I here?

Mr. Carson, you're here

because this boy is
your flesh and blood,

and he has something
wants to say to you.

I ain't got nothin'
to say to him.

Sit your ass in that
chair, and you listen.

You're in love with that
crack pipe, ain't you?

You killed somebody to get
money for drugs, right?

Didn't you?

They took you away when
Jamal was five years old,

and you haven't gotten out yet.

Now, that's the truth.

-Tell him.
-Yeah, so what?

So talk to your boy.

I ain't got nothin' to say.

Jamal: Well, I do.

You know, after
they took you away,

Mom got busted too.

For three years, I
get bounced around

from one white foster
home to another,

getting my ass beat and
whupped every damn day!

You know, no one taught
me how to fight back!

I didn't have no father.

And when Mom finally
gets me back,

oh, she has somebody new.

Oh, but Stepdad is worse than
any foster home can ever be!

You know, I tried to kill myself

with pills when I was 12!

I was 12 years old.

And he tried to kill
me too, many times!

You know, the only thing

in life I thought I could do

was kill people or be killed.

Somebody made me like this.

Somebody hurt me like this.

And it was you.

You got a lotta makin' up to do.

Guard.

[door buzzes]

It took a lot of guts for
Jamal to come here today.

I only hope you have as much.

Maybe someday you'll
talk to your boy, huh?

[hip-hop music]

Think he heard me?

I do.

Ms. Gambrell, I'm glad I came.

♪ P-R-I-D-E, that's the key ♪

♪ P-R-I-D-E ♪

♪ Gotta have pride ♪

Perry: You go over everything

until you understand it,

-Okay?
-Jamal: Okay.

Perry: If you
have any questions,

now is the time
to ask, all right?

Jamal: See what happens?

We study, we get it done.

Perry: Remember, all
the terms are explained

in the back of the
book, right here.

Make sure you understand this.

I'll be right back.

Girl: Okay.

♪ Are you goin' to see ♪

♪ To earn the respect ♪

-Owen.
♪ That you want from me ♪

♪ It's the feelin'
of the power ♪

♪ In pride and salvation ♪

♪ When you're doin' right ♪

Hey, Darnell.

Something wrong?

My girlfriend's
at Mercy Hospital.

She's pregnant.

And she tried to
kill herself, right?

Don't surprise me none.

Not if you're the daddy.

Cody, move on now.

Over there.

Get back to work.

I'll see you around, man.

Now!

Darnell, they have really good
doctors at Mercy Hospital.

I'm sure your baby's
gonna be just fine.

Think so?

I do.

And if you need anything,

I mean, you know, diapers,

a ride to the doctor, anything.

You give me a call, okay?

Here's my cell phone number.

You call me anytime.

[cartoon music]

I'll pay you back for
the groceries, Ms. G.

Um, I don't know where my
mom is, and we're hungry.

And I just found there's
going to be a trial.

And I have to testify.

I'm sorry, honey.

Ronald's gonna kill me.

You know?

And if he doesn't, my mom will,

'cause she hates me.

And she thinks I'm lying, so.

And she still loves him.

Oh.

[doorbell rings]

Hey Jamal, could we come in?

Jamal: Uh, yeah.

Announcer On TV: It's
our professional model.

Hey, Ma, some teachers

from Smiley are here to see you.

Jamal do something wrong?

Marilyn: Not at all.

Jamal's a wonderful young man.

Is Jamal's stepfather here?

Yeah.

Frank?

Frank?

Some people from
school are here.

Marilyn: How you doin', Frank?

I'm Marilyn Gambrell.

This is Perry Beasley.

You don't care how I'm doing.

Why are y'all here?

We need to talk
to you about Jamal.

We love Jamal, a lot.

Anything happens to him,

I mean the slightest thing,

one hair gets touched
on his head again,

and I will personally make
your life a living hell!

What do you mean?

You touch another
child again,

and you will see.

You got that?

She's serious, brother.

And I'm very serious.

Consider yourself warned.

Warden: You want to bring
teenage students

in here to meet
with the prisoners?

You got the parents,
I got the kids.

Let's bring 'em in

and let 'em tell the
prisoners how they're feelin'.

I appreciate your creativity,

but these prisoners
are pretty hard guys.

And these kids aren't?

They have been raped,
abandoned, beaten.

They haven't been
arrested and sent to prison.

Not yet,
and that's the point.

I wanna to get to 'em

before that even
happens, all of 'em.

These fathers need to hear
what these kids have to say.

And the kids want to do this?

Oh, the truth is I don't know

if they'll freak out or not.

But I saw what happened in there

with Jamal and his dad,

and that's a good thing, right?

We're gonna be pioneers, Warden.

You'll be Lewis,
and I'll be Clark.

And this may be the first prison

in this country to do
something like that.

Think of how good
you're gonna look.

[somber music]

We're the group from
Smiley High School.

[door buzzes]

[door buzzes]

[door buzzes]

[door buzzes]

[people talking]

How y'all doing?

[prisoners mutter]

My name's Marilyn Gambrell,

and I'm gonna ask
you a few questions.

How many of y'all have children?

Well, I'm gonna ask
you to say the names

of your children and their
birthdays out loud all at once.

Go.

Um, June 3rd?

[prisoners answering]

Some of you don't even know

your own children's
birthdays, do you?

Look at these two
beautiful children.

This is Cody.

And this is Lisa.

Yeah, take a long look at 'em.

Check 'em out.

Because, like it or not,
these are your kids.

See, these kids have
a daddy in prison.

So who do you
think's raising 'em?

Grandma.

And she's real mean.

Or a step-daddy.

Ooh, he's worse.

How many of y'all
have another man

taking care of your kids?

Don't play me, raise your hands.

Come on.

Marilyn: Do you think he's
protecting her,

or do you think he's
beating her and raping her?

You know what,
Lisa, you go first.

Come on up here.

Talk to these gentlemen.

Say what you want to say.

My name is Lisa Jones,

and I'm a 12th grader.

And I'm gonna
graduate this year,

and I plan on going to college.

And you, y'all are
a bunch of liars.

You break promises,

and your plan is wasting
the rest of your lives.

You don't know me.

I'm not your daddy.

Yeah, but you're
somebody's daddy.

And I've been
there for my kids.

Oh yeah, I could tell,

sittin' here on your
orange jumpsuit,

livin' behind bars.

Yeah, you're totally there.

How many of y'all had parents
who were incarcerated?

Then why put your kids

through the same
stuff that hurt you?

I didn't.

I think that's ignorant.

I really do.

In fact, I think y'all
all are ignorant.

And I'm telling you
that to your face,

because I'm not one
to bite my tongue.

I've been hit and
beaten and abused,

and the only time my
daddy was there for me

is when he tried to
sell me for drugs.

He missed every birthday
and every holiday.

[solemn music]

And I cut myself,
just so I could feel.

I cried myself to sleep
every night of my life.

Nobody deserves to cry
like I did, not even a dog.

Then I joined No More Victims.

And, although it wasn't easy,

I realized I deserve all
the love that I can get.

And I found other
kids there like me,

your kids, maybe.

And I started to think

that maybe I can make
something in my life.

And that I am.

That I've been in the rain

for so long that I'm gettin'
ready for the sunshine.

I'd like to tell
y'all who my daddy is,

but when he got
sent up to prison,

I realized that he was
just a sperm donor.

Had a mother though.

She took care of
me and my sisters

until one day she
got herself involved

with one of those
gangster, violent type,

kind of like y'all.

One night he comes
home screaming

for his dinner, and
she gives it to him,

only it's cold.

So he spit it in her face,

and she's yelling at him.

And then he hit her,

and he choked her,

and he choked her
until she shut up.

He killed her.

And where was I?

I'm out on the street,
ripping and running.

Trying to be a bad-ass like
y'all.

And I wasn't there
to protect her.

[somber music]

And I hate myself for that.

[crying]

If I was there, I'd
of killed his ass.

And I'd be in here with you.

But, instead, I found
No More Victims,

or maybe No More
Victims found me.

Maybe I'm the lucky one, right?

And now, a fool like me,
I got a chance at life.

Look, I get out next week.

Now, I ain't seen my
daughter in three years.

What do I do?

Let's role play it.

You knock on the door.

Lisa'll pretend to
be your daughter.

How old is she?

16.

Huh, 16, and I hate his ass.

The hell are you doing here?

Does mama know?

I told her I was comin.

You didn't tell me!

Lookit now, I've
been gone a long time-

You've been gone forever!

Listen to me.

No, get out.

Why don't you go?

I hate you!

-Why don't you just get out!
-You can't talk

to me like that. I'm still your
father, damn it.

Bull, I would know my father.

But I don't know you!

I never had birthday
cake with you!

I never had turkey with you!

We never went to the zoo!

Did you ever walk me to school?

No!

You didn't do nothing!

Look, I want to start over.

It's too damn late!

Now, this child is on fire,

and what did he do?

He poured gasoline all over.

What should he have said?

Mr. Beasley.

-Hi.
-I hate you!

Just get outta here!

Why don't you just go?

You're allowed to hate me.

I deserve it.

But I'm gonna love
you and love you.

Just, just go!

You're a fool, man!

I'm gonna write
you a letter, Lisa.

And I hope you read it.

And then I'm gonna be back,

because I want to
be in your life.

I do.

Now, what did he do right?

He said her
feelings were cool.

He gave her time.

Showed her some love.

Exactly.

See, these kids need to learn
to trust you all over again.

I just want to say that
I'm sorry to these children,

like Cody here.

Don't apologize to me, man.

When you get out, you
take care of your kids.

[gentle music]

Male Lawyer: The people call
Valerie Levens.

Valerie, where were you on
the night of November 11th?

I was home.

Male Lawyer: And what, if
anything, happened that night?

Valerie, please tell us
what happened that night.

Try again.

Uh, Valerie,
you need to focus.

Now, what happened on the
night of November 11th?

Judge, if she can't testify,

get her off the stand.

And I'll move to
dismiss the case.

Sit down, please.

I'm going to give
this witness a chance.

Please tell us what
the defendant did.

[anxious music]

You have to answer the question.

He...

He, uh...

Well, I think this is a
good time for our lunch break.

One hour.

Either you answer the
questions put to you,

or I'm declaring a mistrial

and dismissing the defendant.

It's your choice.

Mama.

Mom!

Hey.

Hey!

Why are you doing
this to your daughter?

Ronald's my man.

I've been with
him a lotta years.

I need him.

For what?

To pay the rent?

Is that what Valerie's
worth to you?

Watch your mouth.

If that girl lies on Ronald,

she's got a wish she was dead,

and you will, too.

Ms. Gambrell,
you need some help?

You need to back up, man.

And why you wanna do that?

Because if anything
happens to Ms. Gambrell

or Valerie, same thing needs
to happen to us, and quick.

Because if we're
still breathin',

you're gonna be dead.

[gentle music]

[Marilyn sighs]

Well, sweetheart,
this is your moment.

You know we're all pretty
much scared all the time.

There's no shame in it.

You, too?

Oh, my God, scared to death.

But sometimes, you
just have to dig deep

and find the courage.

Because if you don't do this,

that bastard'll
get away with it,

and you are the only
one who can stop him.

Do you remember our class?

What's the name of it?

No More Victims.

You're no longer
a victim, Valerie.

You are a survivor.

Could you talk about
it if you were me?

Could you?

Could you stand up in front

of the whole world and
say, "I was raped."

And tell everyone what he did?

I don't know.

Oh, Valerie, if
you believed in me

the way I believe in you,

then maybe I could.

Now Valerie, what happened
on the night of November 11th?

Male Lawyer: Valerie, can you
answer the question?

Your honor, this
witness is not going

to identify my client.

I moved to dismiss all charges.

Young lady, it's up to you.

I was in my bedroom,
kind of dancing.

And he came in.

Male Lawyer: Who came in?

That man there, Ronald Larson.

He pinned me back on the bed,

and he entered me.

I tried to scream.

I said no!

He raped me.

That's right, Mama.

I don't care what you do to me.

[sad music]

He did it.

Who has something to share?

Yeah, I'd like to share.

What's so hard about
coming up with a verdict?

Yeah, how come
they don't call?

'Cause they haven't decided.

In my case, it was only minutes,

but you never know.

So is there anybody who
has something to share?

Anything?

Mr. Beasley, I have
something I want to share.

Something I've been
holding in for a long time.

When we were in court,

Valerie asked me if it were me

could I stand up in
front of the entire world

and say that I was raped?

And I told her
that I didn't know.

But the truth is, I couldn't.

Till now.

Three years ago, on
my way home from work,

a man grabbed me from behind,

and he told me if I screamed
that he would kill me.

He had a knife,

and he stuck it in my face.

This animal made
me feel like dirt.

He raped me repeatedly,

and I buried it deep inside me.

And afterwards, I felt ugly

and unattractive, and
I just wanted to die.

But it made me
do something else.

It made me look inside myself

and think and ask myself the
reason I was put on this earth.

It's us.

We're the reason.

See?

I was hoping that you
all would open up to me,

but you all have
made me feel so loved

and supported, that I ended
up opening up to you all.

So I want to thank you for
giving me courage, you know?

Because I'm no longer a victim.

I'm a survivor.

[uplifting music]

[phone rings]

Hold on, hold on!

They have a verdict.

Guilty!!

Perry: Guilty, guilty, guilty!

Guilty, guilty, guilty!

Ronald's goin' away
10 years, hard time.

I told you.

[uplifting music]

[students talking]

Hey, hey.

Hey.

You nervous?

Why should I be?

I'm not taking exams today.

Did you forget about
that little guarantee

we made to Reggie?

What do you mean we?

We guaranteed that all
our seniors would graduate.

Oh, that guarantee.

[upbeat music]

You have 60 minutes
to finish this exam.

Go.

♪ We gonna play the game ♪

♪ We gonna do our thing ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Yeah, Chico ♪

♪ We gonna change the game ♪

♪ We gonna change the game ♪

♪ We gonna do our thing ♪

♪ We gonna change the game ♪

♪ We gonna change the game ♪

♪ We gonna change the game ♪

♪ We gonna do our thing ♪

[students talking]

So which part was the hardest?

The math, but the
verbal was not bad.

Oh, good.

It was multiple choice, so-

So you feel good?

Hey, Darnell, you
could say excuse me.

Well that's
'cause I don't show-

You ready, fool?

Anytime.

Darnell: Come on.

I told you, anytime, man.

What's up?

Man, I don't know
what his problem is.

I heard his baby's in
the hospital, real sick.

Ms. Gambrell?

What?

You gotta come quick.

Keep talkin', what's up?

I'mma keep talkin'.

What's up?

-I'm finished talkin'.
-What's up?

You think I care you got a gun?

Shoot, shoot, shoot!

-Cody, calm down.
-Shoot.

-Hell, no!
-Please, Darnell!

-Man, I'll shoot her and you.
-Let her go.

-Cody: Let her go.
-Darnell, you do not

-want to do this.
-Cody: Let her go.

-You here to play, man?
-Cody: Let her go!

-Back up!
-Cody: Let her go!

Let her go!

-Darnell!
-Come on, man!

Let me help you!

Bitch, shut up!

-I don't need no damn help.
-Let her go!

Darnell, you're gonna end
up in jail like your daddy.

Think about your baby, okay?

Think about your baby.

-Think about me.
-Marilyn: Cody!

Remember when we
talked about your baby,

and I said that
I would help you.

-I will.
-Let her go.

I will, okay.

But you gotta be responsible.

Okay, you're a daddy now.

You want your son to have
more than you had, right?

All you want is some
help and some love.

You thought you were
gonna find it in a gang,

but you didn't.

I promise you, you will
not find it in prison.

Okay?

Marilyn: I will help you.

Let me help.

Please.

You better mean it.

I promise.

I promise.

Now, give me the gun, son.

[dramatic music]

Cody, no!

-Come on, man.
-Marilyn: No!

-Cody: What, me?
-No!

Come on, damn!

[Marilyn gasps]

Move!

-You cuttin' class again?
-Not today, man.

Get off my case, man.

-Let's go.
-Let me go!

You are a loser, Cody.

You're gonna end up in
jail like your daddy

or dead like your mother.

Cody.

Don't you ever
talk about my mother.

-Cody!
-Look at me, ever.

-Marilyn: Cody, what happened?
-Ever, do you hear me?

-Marilyn: Cody!
-You are through!

Ever!

[dramatic music]

All of you.

[people talking]

We were going to
evaluate our participation

with No More Victims
after graduation,

but this expulsion
of Cody Williams

has hastened the process.

Mr. Lazar.

Our mission here is academic.

So why do we have a program
that has no real academic value

and allows children to run wild,

missing real classes
day after day?

These students need
special handling.

Is that what
Cody Williams got?

Cody made a serious mistake,

and he's paying
the price for it.

But let's not forget, this
boy's attendance was up,

his grades were up,

and he's fighting
to overcome habits-

Yeah, he was
fighting all right.

Look, I have students
from that class

who are doing a hell
of a lot better now

than they were before.

And I think they
deserve credit for that.

Mr. Lazar: What about blame
for problem students

who use No More Victims
as an excuse to cut class?

And violent
students attacking-

-Reggie: Enough.

Cody's expelled.

he's not the issue anymore.

I want to know what
your proposal is.

You gave 'em a year.

It's over.

Let's cut our
losses and end this.

[some teachers clapping]

Before we make any decisions,

someone else has asked to speak.

Come on.

I've been chosen to
represent the students.

And there's one
thing I want to say.

And it's not that I
expect to graduate,

and it's not that
I'm going to college.

And Valerie is and Jamal
and maybe Miguel too.

And all our grades are up,

and that there's less
violence in the school.

That's more than one thing.

Yeah, that's this rhetorical
trick I've been practicing.

[some people laugh]

I've had Lisa in class.

She's a bright and
personable student

who would do well with or
without No More Victims.

You don't know me, Mr. Lazar.

And when you see me,

I'm wearing a mask.

And the only place
I get to take it off

and be myself is
with No More Victims.

It's like you're
muggin' on the outside,

but, really, you're
dyin' on the inside.

Ms. Gambrell, she saw that.

Lisa: The one thing I wanted to
say

is that since I've been
with No More Victims,

I've done things that I
never thought I could do.

I met my own daddy and
faced my worst fears.

And I survived.

I went into a prison and
told inmates what was what.

And I survived.

And I spoke to my mother
like I never have before.

And I'm so much better for that.

We're all gonna make
something of our lives.

You should give other
kids that chance too.

[uplifting music]

Thank you.

As you know, I
have been skeptical

of Miss Gambrell
and this program,

but I've seen these
students grow this year,

and it's been good.

But that's not what
I wish to share.

I have a father who's been
in prison my whole life.

[gentle music]

And although I survived
relatively well,

my brothers did not.

And maybe if there
had been a program

like No More Victims for them,

maybe their lives would
have turned out differently.

Miss Gambrell, I would
like to hear what it is

that you have to say.

Everyone said that
these kids were hopeless.

But I knew, we knew,
that there was hope.

And these kids proved it
right here at Smiley High.

Some of 'em have been raped,

beaten, threatened with death,

abandoned on the street.

All of 'em have had
a parent in prison,

parents dead, siblings murdered,

and still they survive.

See, for them, it's
hell in the family.

That's where our pain is.

We all talk about the
violence on the street,

but the monster did not come

from the street into the home.

The monster came from
the home onto the street.

And these kids come
to school every day,

and they fight that monster.

All they want is to be loved

and live life to the fullest.

That's their dream.

That's what we all want.

Here are their grades.

All the seniors are
passing, some on honor roll.

But that's not enough.

Hmm?

You want us out, we are gone.

But when we walk out of the
doors of Smiley High School,

we are gonna have
our dreams with us.

And you know what?

I know they're gonna
come true, kids.

I know.

[uplifting music]

Oh, I thought you don't do hugs.

Did anyone ever tell you
you are a pain in the butt?

Oh, not once, never heard it.

[people laughing]

I'll see you next year.

Oh!

[people cheering]

♪ You can do anything ♪

♪ You can do ♪

Students: Whoa!

Jamal: Yo, is this for us?

We got Dimensions by
Dan to donate the limo

for you graduates
on your big day!

You guys earned it.

You deserve it.

Remember that conversation
we had back in parole?

Well, things can get better.

Things can change.

This ain't real.

Ah, ah, ah, seniors only.

The rest of you
wait till next year.

[students grumble]

You guys goin' downtown?

We goin' to the hood, yeah.
We goin' to the hood.

that's where we goin'.

You goin' with us.

-Marilyn: Ah!
-Come on, Ms. Gambrell.

♪ You are different
for a reason ♪

-What up, Bobby?
-No More Victims right here.

What up, Bobby?

Man on Street: Congratulations,
man.

Man 2 on
Street: Congratulations.

♪ Just keep marching on ♪

♪ Don't give up ♪

♪ Don't give up ♪

Are you Destiny's Child?

Are you Beyoncé?

Hell no.

We're from Smiley High,

and you could ride
in one of these, too

if you graduate.

♪ You can do anything ♪

[horn honking]

Jamal: Yo, Cody,
Cody, come on, man.

This is y'all?

Jamal: This is it.

Ah.

Man, I wish I was with y'all.

You still can, baby.

Come on, let's go.

No.

I, um...

I'm sorry, Ms. Gambrell.

I know, Cody.

Next year, huh?

Next year.

Proud of you, boy.

Thanks, man.

You look ridiculous.

Yeah, I know. [laughs]

Take care, though.

Cody: I'll be
seein' y'all, man.

[upbeat music]

Yo, stop the car.

Settegast projects.

Miguel: I used to live in this
hole.

Let me soak it up again.

We did it, baby.

We graduated!
Smiley High School.

-We did it.
-Yo, Pee Wee.

Check this out, man.

Yo, pass the rock, dog.

You know this
place, Ms. Gambrell?

Yeah, I know it.

Hey, we did
something, didn't we?

Yes, we did.

And it started right here.

♪ Anything that you
wanted, you can do it ♪

♪ All you gotta do is
just put your mind to it ♪

Ms. Gambrell,
it's just beginning.

♪ To see a whole see
of possibilities ♪

♪ Hold onto your dreams ♪

♪ Reach for the stars ♪

There it is.

There it is.

There it is.

♪ You gotta believe your
future's so bright ♪

♪ Oh, don't you worry ♪

♪ Tomorrow's a new day ♪

♪ You can make it if you try ♪

♪ Any goal you want to reach ♪

♪ You can achieve it ♪

♪ All you got to
do is dream it ♪

♪ And to believe it ♪

♪ Visualize it in your
mind and freeze it ♪

♪ Every opportunity
you got to seize it ♪

♪ Gimme that ♪

♪ Work hard, give
it all you got ♪

♪ And watch, one day you'll
be sitting at the top ♪

[peaceful music]

[baby laughing]

[light music]

[static buzzing]