Original subtitles

- CALVIN: Mama, I need to talk to you.

- CURTIS: He about to tell you off.

- Tell me off for what? - Talking to Miranda.

- What am I supposed to do, baby? Abandon her?

- Are you really seeing other people?

- Yes, I am.

- I am so mad.

- It's about Miranda.

- I love you...

from the bottom of my heart.

- How did we get in his divorce?

- The families are always

in the divorce. - [groans]

- We're never getting back together.

- I want liquor. - What?

- Brown liquor. - Oh, Lord.

- Do you miss me? - I do not.

- I think you do.

- ♪ Sing a little bit

♪ Sing a little bit for Jesus, sing a little bit ♪

- [knocking at door]

- ♪ Knock at the door, knock at the door ♪

♪ Knock at the door for Jesus ♪

Who is it? Come on in.

- Hi! - It's not Jesus. [laughs]

Hi, you look great. - Thank you.

- It's good to see you. - You too.

It's so good to see you. - Mwah, mwah, mwah.

- How are you? - I'm doing good.

How are you doing? - I am wonderful.

- Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Are you dropping the baby off?

Where's the baby? Where is he?

Are you dropping him off? Where is he?

I'm sorry, he's a big boy now. Are you dropping him off?

- No. - Good. [laughs]

- No, Calvin's picking him up from school.

- Oh, now that is so good. That's really good.

- Wait, wait, wait--hold on, why do you say that?

- Well, Miranda, I just think you all should be civil enough

to make the exchange with your kid

without having to have somebody there all the time.

I mean, ain't y'all grown?

- Miss Ella, I am civil. It's him.

- I know it's been rough, but I also know that you two

still love each other. - [sighs]

- ELLA: Yes, you do. - You would be wrong about that.

- If you weren't in love, you wouldn't get so upset

every time I mention his name.

[chuckles] - Miss Ella. Upset.

Who gets upset?

- Calvin! - Where?

- Come here, Calvin. - What is he doing? Where is he?

- Hmm. Love, love, love.

See? Why you shaking? - I'm not shaking.

- Why are you moving around? - I'm fine, Miss Ella, I'm fine.

- No, you're not. Why can't you stand still?

- I have to pee.

- No, you don't. - You don't know my bladder.

- [laughs] No, but I know your heart.

♪ And you're in love

So, let me ask you something. - Yes?

- When was the last time you saw him?

- I mean, you know we don't talk, Miss Ella.

I haven't seen him, I don't know.

- Okay, then why are you here?

- We're having an office party and I need--

- No. - MIRANDA: What?

- No. - Plates?

- Okay, plates. - I need plates.

- ELLA: You need plates. - Yes, ma'am.

- Are you cooking?

- Yeah. - [laughs]

Oh, Lord, oh, Lord.

That whole office is about to be sick.

You trying to get sick pay for everybody?

- You got jokes today, Miss Ella, you got jokes.

- Okay, alright. - [laughs]

- Yeah. I know you're gonna need more than plates.

You want me to cook it?

- It's so funny that you ask...

- Come on, come on, come on.

You don't wanna lose your job poisoning people.

Now, Miranda, this is a kitchen.

Walking, we're walking, we're walking.

- You know I know it's the kitchen, Miss Ella.

- Well, show me where the stove is.

- ♪

♪♪

- [laughs] - Thank you, you have no idea.

- Sure. - Yay.

- I can help you. - Okay.

- Wait, wait, wait, what--what are you doing?

- I'm--I'm--I'm gonna watch and--and keep you company.

- No, ma'am.

I am going to teach you.

- Now, Miss Ella, you know we've tried this before,

you saw how that worked out.

- This time I'm going to teach you.

And you're gonna learn. - [laughs]

Okay, okay, okay. - Okay, okay.

What--what--I don't know these strangers,

I'm not cooking for these strangers.

- I appreciate you, thank you. - ELLA: You're welcome.

- Yay. - ELLA: You're welcome.

So. - Mm-hm.

- Alright, you're gonna need eggs, that's for sure.

- Eggs. - Always egg--wait--what--

- Done. Got the eggs. - Wait, wait, wait a minute.

- Those are my eggs.

You didn't even bring ingredients.

- No.

I will pay for the groceries, I will reimburse you, okay?

- I'm about to "burse" right here.

- Well, the Bible says,

"They will know you by your cooking."

[laughs]

- You gotta read the Bible

before--before you can quote the Bible.

- That's what my Bible said.

- ELLA: [laughing] - So, um...Miss Ella.

- Yes? - Is, uh, Calvin seeing anyone?

- [pots and pans clanking] - What--I'm sorry, what? What?

- Uh--that means yes, that means yes.

- No, no, no. No, no. It means I'm wondering

why you are asking.

- You know, just-- just wondering.

- But you wonder for a reason. Hmm?

- Just asked. - Are you thinking about him?

- We have...a kid together, and...we really did have

some good years.

- Yes, you did. - I--

I've been on a couple dates,

and...what I'm realizing is that everybody has something.

And when I think back to Calvin...

- Hmm. You feel like you made a mistake?

- I feel like I'd love to see...if I made a mistake,

you know? - Okay.

Well, call him. - Yeah, no.

- You have to call him. - You know what?

I'm just gonna--I just gotta let it go.

- Well, CJ and Janine got back together.

And, whew, they are doing great.

- So...do you want us back together?

- Well, you know what? I would like to see

the both of you happy.

- So you're saying he's not happy.

- No, what--how do you get that from that?

I said both of you.

- I mean, he's your son, you should know.

- All I know...

is that you two need to talk.

- [sighs] Okay. - Good.

So call him. - Nope.

- Yeah, yeah, yeah, call him. Right now call him.

- Okay-- - Good, okay, well, when?

- Okay-- - Okay, well, when, then?

- [stutters]

- I mean, I'm just saying when.

- It's a process, Miss Ella, it's a process, like cooking.

It's a process. - [laughs]

- One step at a time. - You ain't ever gonna call him.

No, it's a process.

I understand that.

Just like cooking is a process.

- Hey, CJ.

- Man, why you doing all that screaming?

- Oh, my bad. Where's your dad?

- I'm in the kitchen. - Oh.

- Man, you gotta learn how to knock.

- Boy, we never knock.

- Alright, I will remember that when I come to your house.

- And I'll remember that when I come to your house.

Wait, you don't have a house.

- [sarcastic laugh] Oh, that's funny.

- You know, at some point, you're gonna have to move out.

- You talking to me?

- What? - How long did you live at home?

- He got you there. - Exactly. And he shuts up.

- Well, what's going on, man? - So...

you remember that girl I was telling you about?

- Laura. - Yeah.

- Yeah. - Well, I really like her.

- [scoffs] We hear that a lot.

- I'm not talking to you.

- My bad.

- So anyway.

I think it's that time to introduce her to Mom and Dad.

- Oh, you're that serious. - Yeah.

- Wow, Calvin. - What?

- I mean, that's a big step. - I know, I really like her.

- But what about--

- What about what?

- Miranda. - Well, what about her?

We're over and done.

- Well. [sighs]

- Wait, wait, wait, what do you mean, "Well"?

- Look.

Don't be surprised if she just...shows up.

- What do you know? - I don't know nothing.

- Has she been talking to Janine?

- No, no. No, no, no, no.

- Are you sure? - Not that I know of.

- Where's Janine? - She's at work.

- Well, I'm gonna go to her job and ask her.

- Well, uh, look, I don't know nothing, per se.

I'm just trying to say that I think maybe

you should talk to Miranda.

- Miranda and I are done.

Now, I'm in love with Laura, and I'm moving on.

- Okay. - So...

can I borrow that designer cologne that you paid

all that money for but you never wear?

- Calvin, if I let you borrow this cologne,

I know I'm never gonna see it again.

- Come on, man, I'm trying to impress her.

- Man, you are too old to be trying to impress somebody

with something that ain't yours.

- CJ.

Get your son.

- Nah, man, I'm serious.

- Yeah, yeah, you can borrow it. But look, Cal...

I want it back, man. - Okay.

- Wait. You going on dates in public places?

Just make sure you don't take her

to none of you and Miranda's spots.

We know you'd do something like that.

- Wait, what are y'all not telling me about Miranda?

- [scoffs] You got a stalker on your hands.

- What? - A stalker.

- [muttering]

Look, look, look, watch, here he comes.

- Curtis, I don't wanna watch this.

- Yeah, you better run! You better run!

- You run. You run. - [laughs] That is dope, baby!

- Look, baby. - What?

- Why are you covering your eye?

- I'm not covering my eye.

- Well, what do you call it?

- Baby, this adds to the suspense.

- Okay.

- You're supposed to watch it like this.

- Okay. [laughs] Okay.

- [growls] - [yells]

- Curtis! - CURTIS: [unintelligible]

- [laughs] I scared you. [laughing]

- No, you did not.

And I was about to light you up.

- Light him up? As you ran into the kitchen?

- That wasn't no running, nobody running.

- What kind of man just leaves his wife

in the midst of danger?

- A smart one.

Somebody gotta live to tell the story.

I mean, who gon' call Al Sharpton?

- You need to stop. You need to stop.

- What are you doing here? - Well, I came by because

I want you two to meet someone.

- Oh, hell no.

- No, Pop, I met someone.

- Oh, Lord.

[scoffs] - Go on, tell him, baby.

- Nothing. Nothing. - CURTIS: Go on, tell him.

- Well, Calvin, I have-- - Do it, baby, go on, tell him.

- I'm trying to. - No, you ain't telling him.

Tell him, tell the truth.

Go on, tell him, you got this one.

- Well, Calvin, see--[sighs]

- Look, you bring someone every damn week,

you bring another girl.

I'm tired of looking at these -- .

- Curtis, I wasn't gonna say that.

- You was thinking it.

- Look, Calvin, you've been separated from Miranda

for a long time,

and I'm glad that you're getting out,

but you keep bringing all of these women around, baby,

you really have to finalize things

before you can start dating.

- I get that, but how else would I know which one's the one?

- Well, son.

Let your dad tell you what's up.

If she goes to work after midnight...

If she gotta put on tassels before she go...and glitter.

If she can make it clap... probably not the one.

- Oh, well, I better tell this one to go home.

- Uh, yes. - No, tell her to come in.

I wanna meet her. - ELLA: Curtis.

- Is she a good girl?

Bring her here, B- your momma can pray for her.

Ella, you can pray for her.

- Stop. - We can lay hands.

At her hips.

Lay hands.

- Look, Pops, she's not a dancer.

Her name is Laura, and she's amazing.

- ELLA: Oh. - Oh, forget her.

- How did you meet her?

- Oh, Mom, you're gonna like this.

She's a volunteer at my son's school.

- Boring.

- Okay. - So can I bring her in?

- Yeah, please. - No.

We watching TV. - Bring her in.

Go and get her. Bring her in. - I will.

Why is she sitting out there anyway?

- She probably putting her tassels on.

- She better not-- - Hey, I'm not gonna like her.

I'm not gonna like her, I already know.

- That doesn't matter. He just wants you to meet her.

- [clearing throat] - CURTIS: Don't wanna meet her.

- Mom, Dad, this is Laura.

- How many of these girls we gotta meet?

How many he gon' bring?! - Curtis!

- I'm not looking at her.

- Hi. - Hi. [laughs]

- Come on in, come on in. - You must be Miss Ella.

- I am. - I've heard so much about you.

- Well, I am-- - You what? About to lie?

- No. - Don't lie, Ella.

- Curtis, I wasn't about to lie.

I was about to say, "I'm glad to meet you."

- Oh, I thought you gonna say you heard of her,

'cause I know he ain't ever said nothing 'bout her.

Hi. I'm Curtis.

- Mr. Curtis. - Yeah. Curtis C. Payne.

- Nice to meet you. - The C is for "Clap."

In case the lights go off. - Oh.

- Come on, would you like to have a seat?

- Thank you. - Baby!

- What? - What are you doing?

- What do you mean, what am I doing?

We're having a seat. - We're watching the movie.

- Curtis, I don't wanna watch that foolishness, sit down.

- Baby, you're gonna--look, Ella.

Now look, this is our--our time together!

- Oh, if we're interrupting, we can come back another time.

- No. - Yes.

- No. You're not interrupting.

- Ella. Baby. - Hmm?

- For the last time. We on our date night, baby.

- Curtis, you have got to spend money on a date night.

- That's with the girlfriend, not the wife.

Come on, baby. Come on, baby.

- If you don't sit down...

- We can come back another time, we really can--

- No, no, no, no, don't-- - CURTIS: Yes, thank you.

You can come back-- - Don't worry about it.

- Are you sure? - Yeah.

- No, it's not. Y'all can go.

- You know what? We'll just talk to my mother.

- Okay. - Block him out.

- So, how long have you been dating?

- Well...are we dating? - Well, I hope so.

- Wait, y'all don't know?

You don't know if you dating?

- No, I mean, it's only been two months, so...

- Wait a minute, who was the girl you brought

two weeks ago?

- Curtis. Don't do that.

- Baby. Don't do what?

- It's okay. [laughs] It's okay.

- [laughs] Y'all one of 'em. - Oh, no, no.

We were both seeing other people

up until last week when he decided to make it official.

- You two really like each other.

- Yes, we do. - Aw.

Well, let's you and I go into the kitchen

and continue to talk. - Okay, I'd like that.

- ELLA: Okay. - Yes.

- This way. - CURTIS: [laughs]

Want me to make the lights go out?

They're still on.

- You have a lovely home. - Thank you.

- I love the colors. - Uh, we've been here

a long time and it needs to be painted.

- Well, I like it. - Thank you.

Would you like some coffee? - No, thank you.

- Tea? - No, um, I just wanna talk.

- Okay.

- [clears throat] - I'm really glad we get

this time to talk alone.

- Me too.

- Miss Ella, I really like your son.

He's so special.

- Yes, he is. I like him too.

Sometimes.

- [chuckles]

And, um, I really want him to like me.

- Okay. - And, uh, well--

- Well, I think he does.

- But he doesn't know everything about me.

- Can I tell you and you not tell him?

- Okay.

- Okay, well-- [inhales, exhales]

- She got the exhale? Lord.

- This ain't my real hair.

- Girl, who got they real hair nowadays?

- But this isn't my eye color either.

- It isn't? - Hmm-mm.

- Uh, well, that's alright, I think he still likes you.

- I have cellulite. - Eeh.

That's a deal-breaker.

- Is it? - [chuckles] I'm joking.

I got a little bit.

I mean, for real, I mean,

just like, right around my ankles.

I got a little.

- So--so you think he will still like me?

I mean, after he sees all this?

- Yes, calm down, calm down. - Okay.

- You've gotta be yourself. - Yeah, but--

- But what? - He's your son, right?

And--and you know him really well.

- ELLA: Yes. - So you really think

he will still like me?

- Oh.

Calm down, baby, yes, I do.

- Okay. I'mma try that.

- Are you for real?

Well, you do that. - LAURA: Okay.

- You try that. - Thank you, Miss Ella.

- Let me get us some tea. - Okay.

- Or would you like coffee? - Tea is good.

- Tea. I love tea. - Thank you. [chuckles] Me too.

- Ooh. Hi!

Oh, Miss Ella, this food was so good,

and the plates were beautiful. - Yes.

- Laura! - Hi!

- Hi. [nervous laugh] You two know each other?

- Yeah, we work together. What are you doing here?

- [nervous laugh] Oh, Lord.

- Okay, wait, wait, wait, what's going on?

- ♪

- Careful.

- [whooshing]

- ♪