Original subtitles

Come on baby, mama loves you.

I love her, too.

It's just, it's starting to get a little crowded in here, honey.

Hey, shh.

Are you going to pick her up? Baby, she can afford her own place. What is she

doing here with us? Hey, hey, I love my mom, okay? I love my mom, too, Philip,

but I don't think I'm allowed 24 hours a day.

Remember

the

good old days, Tiff?

Which ones?

When all the generations of a family would live together under one roof.

Parents and grandparents and children all taking care of each other.

Yeah, I remember those days.

I think it's wonderful that someone still cares enough about his mother to

a tradition like that alive.

That man downstairs is not interested in tradition.

He's interested in himself.

He's got all kinds of reasons to keep his mama in this house.

and none of them have anything to do with the good old days.

Oh, dear.

Then I feel sorry for her.

Abigail Peabody Jackson might need an angel or two, but she does not need

anybody to feel sorry for her.

Now, you've got to respect a woman with this much style.

Now, those were the good old days.

That's cute.

Morning, Mama.

Morning, son.

Coffee's in the pot.

Yeah, boy, do I need some.

Pour me one, too.

Mother Abby, when are you going to try using these gourmet beans that I bought,

huh? I've always used this coffee, and Philip loves it.

Besides, that fancy coffee is too expensive.

Maybe you can afford it, but I can't. I remember when we used to use the coffee

bean twice.

Oh, Mother Abby, I love you. I really do. But I just can't listen to those

stories about the Great Depression this morning.

Well, maybe not.

But when those stocks and bonds you put so much faith in go to pot, you'll be

saving every coffee bean you can find.

Mama, I'm a professional.

Now, I'm not worried about it, and you shouldn't be either. You are a day

trader, son.

Might as well be betting on horses.

You don't even know what day trading is.

Oh, yes, I do.

I watch TV.

Which reminds me, the electricity bill was a little high this month.

I thought you didn't care about spending money.

That's okay.

Got my own money. Can get my own place.

Can pay my own electricity.

Mama, nobody wants you to leave.

You can watch all the TV you want. You can make any kind of coffee you want.

I'm going to work.

No offense, Mother Abby.

We just have a big sale and I got a lot on my mind.

See you.

Bye.

Mama, you know I love you.

Yes, I love you too, son.

And you're my first girl.

And I don't know how to live without you.

Oh.

Oh, man, look at this mess.

We're going to be late. I'll go ahead and clean it up right now. Oh, no, no,

no, no. You just go on to your job. I'll take care of it.

I got it.

Okay, if you're sure.

I'm sure.

Okay.

Thanks.

Have a good day, son.

That's the way it is every morning.

Hello, Mama.

Thanks, Mama.

Goodbye, Mama.

Hard to say who's wrapped around whose little finger.

Well, into each family a little dysfunction must fall.

Time to cut the apron string, huh?

Time to take the apron off altogether.

When you walk down...

Heavy burden, heavy load I

will rise and I will walk with you I'll

walk with you Till the sun don't even shine Walk with

you Every time I tell you I'll walk with you

Believe me, I'll walk with you.

Edmund, this is not what I need.

Don't you marry that man.

Don't you, don't you do it.

Listen to what he's saying, can't you hear? Eureka.

What? Bottle champagne.

Hello.

Hello.

Wait a minute, wait a minute, hold on.

All right, now what is it?

What?

Now what makes you think I want to maximize my portfolio by impacting my

investment strategy? My investment strategy has been the same for the last

years. Earn it and save it.

And by the way, young lady, impact is not a verb.

Goodbye.

Which one?

She's dead. Go away.

Mrs.

Jackson, my name is Monica and... I'm not interested. Go away.

I thought you were dead.

Now you're just not interested.

What's your point?

Well, my point is that we're actually moving in the right direction.

I figure if I stand here long enough, you might open the door.

Well, you can stand there until kingdom comes. I'm not opening this door.

I need some help, please.

Hello?

I'll handle this, baby.

Abigail Peabody Jackson, I know you're in there.

Open the door, please.

Nobody's going to try to sell you anything or steal those pretty hats you

in your closet.

We just want to talk to you.

What about?

My name is Tess, and this is my friend Monica.

And we're collecting for our fundraiser. What kind of fundraiser?

It's for the Living the Rest of My Life Retirement Center.

We're collecting any old clothes that you don't need.

Scarves, gloves, hats.

You know about my hats?

How do you know about that?

Well, you gave a lecture for the Ladies' Missionary Society in St. Louis.

Hats. My hobby, my vocation.

That was 35 years ago.

It left an impression.

You made all of these.

Now, this one, it's really special.

I brought my baby boy home from the hospital in this one. You say you're

collecting for one of those old folks' homes?

Sad, isn't it?

All those lonely people.

Oh, no, no, no.

Our people are not like that.

Everybody's lived a marvelous life.

They've done interesting things, and they want to keep on doing them.

Like sitting in front of the television watching soap operas all day, yeah? No,

they're much too busy for that.

They're on field trips or taking cooking classes.

Some of them are even volunteer grandparents down at the local daycare

And at night, there's great conversation and concerts and ballroom dancing.

I haven't danced so long, I wouldn't know what to do.

Why don't you come for tea this afternoon with us, Abby?

Oh, I don't know. I think you'd really enjoy it.

There's the dining room, and over there is the recreation room.

This is the family room.

Oh, and nothing says family like a gang member painting graffiti on the wall.

Oh, this is Ramon. He's not a gang member, but he is serving community

time. He painted graffiti on a highway overpass, and the judge sentenced him

here to help us out.

He's painting a mural to brighten things up.

And this is his punishment?

Well, we all have our specialties. Yes.

And no one should be wasted.

Of course.

Why don't you let me show you the apartments while you're here?

This has just become available.

Mrs. Campbell moved on.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Oh, no, ma 'am. She didn't die. She just moved on.

She met a man from Florida on the Internet.

Abby, this is Andrew. Andrew, this is Abby.

How do you do? Nice to meet you. I think you'll like it here.

But who said I was moving in?

Uh, wait.

Excuse me.

Nice to meet you.

Just take this back.

And you tell that kitchen that's the worst pecan pie I've had in my life, and

believe you me, I've had some garbage.

Can I get you something else?

Why would I want more from that kitchen?

I'd rather eat socks.

Lois, what brings you out today?

Self -preservation.

Lois, this is Abby.

Hello. How do you do?

Did you paint?

Those paintings, did you paint them? Oh, yeah, she's a great painter. You two

probably have a lot in common.

You have been trying to sell me on this place from the minute I made the mistake

of opening my door for the both of you.

Well, I'm not buying.

All right.

You just go sit in that house and watch your soap operas, if that's what you

really want to do.

Let me just understand this.

You have a cranky old woman who will not come out of her room except for pecan

pie, which she hates.

Ex -convict painting pictures on the wall.

People who cannot bake, let alone bake a good pecan pie.

And you think that's all right for me?

Oh, no. No, no.

I'm leaving.

And I'm not coming back.

Mama? Philip, what are you doing home in the middle of the day?

It's four o 'clock in the afternoon. I've been here since two.

Oh, well, you bet.

Have you lost your mind?

How dare you talk to me like that? I'm sorry.

I think everything's been so...

Hello?

Yeah, she's here.

She's fine.

I'll talk to you later, baby. Bye -bye.

So, Mama, where were you? I mean, I called and I called and there was no

And finally I come home and you're missing.

Oh, Philip, what's missing?

I'm not a dog that jumps over the fence. I wanted to get out and I got out.

Okay, but Mama, you need to understand that you're precious to me.

So if you need to go anywhere, shopping, to the bank, anywhere, you let me know.

I'll take you, okay?

Dancing. Would you take me dancing?

Mama, don't be crazy. You're 70 years old.

70.

Lois, we have a surprise for you.

My name is Abby.

We met yesterday.

No visitors.

No.

What is that?

Probably the best pecan pie you will ever eat.

I doubt it.

Put it over there.

Philip.

Did you ever notice that place down on Grand?

What place?

It's called Living the Rest of My Life.

I've seen that. It's a retirement home or something like that. No, no, no, I'm

thinking about it. Those places just rip off joints.

Not this one.

How do you know that?

Because I've been there.

You what, Mama?

And I saw a painting that your father and I fell madly in

love with on our honeymoon.

Oh, we wanted to buy this painting so badly, but we just didn't have the

And the artist lives right there in that place.

Really?

Very interesting.

Philip, I'd like to have my checkbook.

For what?

Well, lots of things. I might want to make a contribution to their fundraiser.

I might.

I just might. You might want to buy that painting.

Where are your checkbooks and the safe deposit box, Mama?

It's not here.

Mama, you can't just leave it around the house. Some plumber or repair guy might

lift it.

Well, I'd like to get it.

Sure. Next time I'm at the bank, I'll pick it up for you.

Thank you.

You know, I think there's a lot to be said for living the rest of my life.

Mom, when you're doing that, right here, right with your son, where you belong.

Excuse me.

Good night, son.

Good night.

Good night, Mom.

Hey, Mark.

Phil.

Listen, sorry to call you at home. I just wanted to know if the deal was

Nothing. Nothing's wrong.

I'm not looking to back out, Mark.

I'm just checking.

Just checking.

All right. See you.

Mama?

Hello, son.

What's the matter?

Days seem to get longer and longer, and you're running twice as fast. You stay

in one place.

You're working too hard.

I try to make this a nice place, Mama.

I do.

I know you do.

What's bothering you?

How did you know?

Motherly instinct. You know I'm going to be 71 years old tomorrow.

I don't know what I would do without you.

Everything is going to be just fine.

Oh, by the way, I don't want you making any plans for tomorrow night.

Okay?

I won't make any plans for tomorrow night. I'll save some just for you.

Okay.

Good night, Mom.

You don't know what you're missing.

Would you like some cake?

Birthday cake?

No, but maybe Ramon would like some.

Well, we tried everything else. I might as well try sugar.

Oh, my goodness. Oh, please, excuse me.

Gosh,

look at the time.

What time do you have?

You can't leave now. We're just getting started.

Oh, but Philip asked me not to make any plans for tonight. I think he has

something special in mind. You know I can't let my son down.

But I want to thank you all for such a wonderful surprise.

It was a wonderful... Abby.

I'm sorry I missed the birthday party.

Oh, Lois, I missed you.

I can't bake a pie like you, but I know what to do with the pan.

I painted it myself.

Lois, it's beautiful.

Oh, it's nothing, really.

This is turning out to be such a wonderful birthday.

Well, happy birthday to you. Well, thank you so much.

Bye -bye.

the TV up loud again.

Uh, I hope you can hear the doorbell. I have the phone guy coming by between the

hours of five and eight.

I want you to let him in, okay?

Judith and I are both working late tonight, and then we're meeting for

So don't wait up. See you in the morning. Bye -bye, Mama.

End of message.

To erase this message, press twice.

Everything is in the trunk.

Thank you.

Happy birthday, baby.

Oh.

Well, well, well.

Looks like somebody's celebrating.

Chase, I have those papers ready for you. All right, darling.

Now, let me see.

That's fine.

Now, you give us one month, and then when you have your finances settled with

your son, you give us the rest.

You're sure that's all right? Oh, it's perfect. Don't worry about it. Good.

One, two, three.

Wonderful. I'll get you a receipt.

There you are, Mama.

We wanted to surprise you.

Well, you see, a present.

Well, what is it? It's the universal remote.

Now, you can run the TV, the stereo, and the cable with that.

It's all there when you come home. But you don't have cable, Phillip.

We do now.

Ah, we got it just for you.

It's sort of a late birthday present.

I'm afraid I don't live there anymore.

Do you like it here, Mother Abby?

Yes, I do, Judith.

There are folks here who remember things that I remember.

And then there's a lady here that I think really needs me. No.

I need you, Mama.

You know, I don't understand what's gotten into you.

I mean, Daddy's not even cold in this grave, and you turned away from

and everyone who's ever meant anything to you. Your father has been dead for

over a year.

And there isn't a day that goes by that he is not in my first, last, and every

thought.

After 47 years of love, I don't expect that to change.

But he's not coming back.

And it's not my time to go.

And I intend to live my life until it's time for me to graduate to glory.

How did you pay for this?

I gave him cash for once.

Cash, Mama?

Now, where did you get that kind of cash?

Well, you don't suppose that a lady would live all this time and not put

little for a rainy day, do you? How much?

Enough.

But... I do need my checkbook.

I think what you're doing is wonderful.

Thank you, Judy.

Congratulations.

I tell you what, Mama. When you come to your senses, you know where to find me.

Come on, baby.

No!

Here's your checkbook.

I got it out of the safe deposit box yesterday afternoon.

You just keep living your life.

What is

it?

What's it look like?

It look like somebody let a first grader loose with a magic mark.

What is this?

Supposed to be windows?

Are those people in there?

What they think of being stuck in this garbage?

Get out of my face, all right? This is my art.

It's not art.

Look, don't be ragging on my life just because you have nothing to show for

yours.

Ramon, that boy doesn't know half of what he think he knows.

Oh, he's young.

He'll learn.

Not from me, you won't.

Washed up has been.

Never was too good to begin with.

What?

Everything I had, I had because of Ben.

He was the talented one to discover.

I used to love just sitting near one of his pieces, listening to the

book. Oh, and all over his work. I was so proud.

So proud.

I didn't care if anybody ever thought a thing I did.

Being my sculptor.

I certainly understand that.

That's the way we women are.

We always put our men first.

Vincent.

Whenever he was about to close a big deal, we would just sit up all night.

All night long, just talking, talking.

I think this is it.

But you know, it always made me feel so good when he turned to me and said, I

couldn't do it without you, Abby.

Oh, he was far from perfect, but he was alive, full of life.

And he didn't leave any pitiful widow behind.

He left a healthy, fulfilled woman.

And I intend to stay that way until it's time for me to go on.

Now, don't you think Ben would like you to do the same?

I miss him, Abby.

I miss him so much.

I told you how much Vincent and I

love this painting.

I'd like to buy it.

Really?

Would you take a check?

No.

Ramon,

what are you doing?

Erasing a mistake.

Yeah, I thought you were a tough guy.

Andrew, get her out of here. Mona, what?

What is it this time? It doesn't matter, because in a couple days, I'm out of

here. All artists care what people say about their work. It's the reason they

paint or sculpt or carve.

If you an artist, and you hear me, you feel the same way.

That's why what I said hurt you.

I don't care what you think.

Ramon, you've never had anyone apologize to you before, have you? It didn't

sound like no apology.

Huh?

I'm sorry.

I had no right to tell you your art was wrong.

Now, how's that?

I forgot for a while that what we paint.

is who we are.

And your work is good.

Thank you.

You're a pretty woman.

Look to the back.

Thank you so much.

You have some big success. Isn't that wonderful?

Yes.

Oh, my.

You know, I made several telephone calls to Philip, but he hasn't returned one.

Oh, don't you worry about it, baby. You just hang in there. You're doing the

right thing. Thank you.

Hey. Oh, yeah.

We wouldn't have missed this for anything.

It's what? The hats are going fast. Come on. You have to pick one out for

yourself. Pick out any one you want. Any one.

I think this is it. What do you think?

Oh, I like that. Don't you like that? What do you think, Bill?

Yeah, it's nice.

Oh, it's better than nice. Come on, and guess what?

I can give you the best deal. Yeah?

I know the designer.

That's the painting I was telling you about.

It's beautiful.

You can't trust anybody these days.

You don't know.

Excuse me.

Thomas?

What are you doing?

Repossessing my painting.

Your check bounce.

Oh, there must be some mistake.

Philip, how could my check bounce?

I have my life savings in that account.

Philip.

Philip?

It's gone, Mama.

It's all gone.

Mama, I invested it for you.

I was trying to set you up for the rest of your life, and the company went bust.

There's nothing left.

Oh, Philip.

I saved pennies for 40 years.

And now it's gone.

All gone.

Mama, everybody said it was a sure thing.

Okay? And I thought I did good.

But when the bottom fell out, I felt sick, Mama.

What's important is the way your mother feels right now, Phillip.

I'm sure he supposed he was doing the right thing. Yes, I did, Mama.

And you gotta forgive me.

Because I don't know if I can live without you.

I don't know what to say.

Well, I suppose I'll just have to move back in.

I sure can't afford to stay here anymore.

I'm sorry.

I guess I'll go start packing up your things.

I'm sorry, Abby, but...

It's like I told you. There's nothing left for us.

We'd been better off if we'd have died with our hoods.

Now, Lois, you can't start talking like that. There were people here today who

thought your painting should be in a museum.

That's the problem.

We all belong in a museum. We all belong there.

So I got you all packed up here.

I can see that.

Mama, I haven't told you this yet, but we lost a lot of money, too. Now, we

aren't going to lose the house, but the car.

We're going to lose a lot of things.

Just give me the book and get out.

What is it, Mama?

I saw what you did, Philip.

I'm sorry you had to see that.

I am, too.

Ellis, he makes mistakes, but everybody does, especially if they're desperate.

Abby, that was not a mistake.

That was a deliberate theft.

I wouldn't expect you to understand.

Why do you always run from me when you know I'm right?

You are not right. I am right.

Angels always are.

Yeah, but you're no angel.

I am an angel.

Sent by God to help you, Abby.

Help me. Of course he's going to help you. But he's going to help you more

you think.

This is not just about the money, Abigail.

God says it's time for you to say some things about your child that you've been

putting off for a long time.

But it was a mistake.

He's a good boy.

Everybody makes mistakes.

And God understands how disappointing children can be.

His children steal from him and lie to him.

And break promises to him every day.

But he doesn't stop being who he is.

He doesn't bend his rules.

He lets them face the consequences of their action. Because that's the only

that they're going to grow.

And you're going to have to do the same thing.

It's time for you to stand on your two feet. And Philip has got to stand on

How did he get this way?

Listen to me now, Abby.

And listen to me good.

God loves you as much as you love Philip and more.

He loves all his children.

He wants you to be strong so that Philip can become strong.

You've got to live the rest of your life whether you do it here or somewhere

else.

You're so wonderful with people, Abby.

You take care of them.

But sometimes, baby, the best thing you can do for people

is to let them take care of themselves and trust God to take care

of the rest.

Thank you. It'll be all right.

Mama, what's your suitcase?

I'm not going anyplace with you, Philip.

Now I know why you kept me in that house.

Why you wouldn't let me go anyplace by myself.

You were afraid I'd get to the bank and find out what was going on.

You stole money out of my bank account.

You stole money out of this book.

Philip, you... You stole money out of this book and you didn't even look to

what it was.

This is your baby book, Philip.

Look at it.

Look at this sweet baby boy God gave to the world.

Lovely,

innocent, happy.

Look at it.

It's all there on these pages.

Along with my prayers for you.

What is happening to you?

You owe me $100 ,000.

Mama, why did you do this to me? Deep down inside me, I knew that all of that,

love you, Mama, and you're my best girl stuff, was just that, stuff.

Just your way of keeping me making your coffee, answering your telephone,

waiting for the plumber, waiting for the telephone company.

Philip, I am not your maid.

I am your mother.

I want my money.

And I want all of it.

Now, how am I supposed to come up with that kind of money?

That is not my problem.

Mother Abby.

I'm so sorry.

I'm so sorry for all of this.

I know, Judith.

Lord knows I pray for you.

Pray for me too, Mama.

I'll always pray for you, Philip.

You'll always be in my heart.

But you can never be in my life unless you get your life together.

That's a lot of money, y 'all.

Hey, Miss Abby?

What you got there, Miss Abby?

Oh, you know they used to call this a grip, Mr. Wilbur?

Well, you aren't going to be needing it.

I can't afford to live here anymore, Lois. I don't see why not.

I just paid in advance for your upcoming year here.

What are you talking about?

You don't have any money. She does now.

I looked up Lois in the internet.

Better known as Chloe.

And check this out. Although a minor regional figure, Chloe's mature work

remains highly valued.

They think I'm dead.

You mean your paintings are worth that much?

Minor figure.

I don't like being minor. I don't like being dead.

But I sure like being expensive.

Would you like to do the dance of joy, Miss Abby?

I knew I should have bought that page.

I think the apron strings have been cut.

Not only have the apron strings been cut, I think she's left the kitchen.

The father never ceases to amaze me. Whenever he sets something free, he sets

all the way free.

So, anyone else for the dance of joy?

Child.