Original subtitles

And believe me, it's turning into the biggest family reunion we've hosted in

years. Getting a fast count on new arrivals?

Yes. I'm keeping in close contact with Christine, and the chef set up to

a lot more food. Gorno Blue all the way.

What? After a good meal, you can forgive anybody anything. Even relatives.

Then you don't know my relatives.

And tell McPherson I'm recommending a Chicago office with responsibility for

shipping building materials to the Midwest.

Got it.

And don't forget, Houston's ready to talk shopping mall.

But not at my price.

My decision's maybe, and that's final.

Since when did you ever say maybe to anything, Michael?

Well, that is the fine art of negotiation.

Always think twice before saying nothing.

Care to negotiate another room?

Don't tell me. Aunt Roz arrived.

With a cabload of blankets and hot water bottles. You didn't tell me she was 92.

Well, that's one woman who owes her long life to a good time instead of a good

reputation. Oh, well, good for her. Just wish I can keep all your aunts and

uncles straight. My family is a lot like the Army. They all complain, but they

all keep signing up to reenlist.

Happy anniversary.

Here's to 35 wonderful years.

35 years.

Isn't that something?

Yeah, it's like yesterday we first met.

Right here in the old lounge.

I spilled coffee all over Nell's dress.

That must have been about... Oh, now, let's not count all the years.

Just the best ones.

The ones yet to come.

To the future and new challenges. Oh, you sound as if you're building a new

mountain. Adam thrives on climbing bigger and better supermarkets.

None of it would mean a thing without you and the kids.

Oh, say, how are the children?

Have they both arrived?

Michael's here. Joanna flies in from Paris today.

Can't wait to see her. I hear she's become a designer.

Or something.

We tried to get her to come home after her last divorce, but... It wasn't

convenient.

You know, I keep thinking of her the way she was.

My little girl.

She loved balloons.

Big, bright ones.

There was hardly a day that I didn't bring her home a new one.

Remember now?

Balloons burst, Adam.

Sooner or later.

Every parent knows that.

What's going on?

Oh, it's all under control. The kid wanted to see how many magazines the

could take.

Where's my daughter?

She's in there.

Been trying to get in touch with you.

I can't believe she did this.

Well, I'm sorry for butting in, but it's not a good idea to leave a ten -year

-old without supervision.

They get bored easily.

I'm sorry.

I'll take care of any damages.

I can't believe it.

How could you do a thing like that?

I just wanted to see what would happen.

What's with you, Jesse? You are not some dumb kid.

I'm sorry, okay?

Don't okay me.

Yesterday you were doing your ticker tape parade thing out the window.

When are you going to stop doing this crazy stuff?

If you're so bored, why don't you finish this?

You're supposed to give it to your grandparents tonight.

You said you'd help me.

I'd love to, sweetheart, but you know I haven't had the time.

You never have time.

Look, I know I haven't been around much.

Tomorrow when this is over, we'll take the cable car to Ghirardelli Square and

I'll get you those funny little trolls you love.

I don't want a stupid troll.

It's all you've talked about for days.

I don't want anything from you.

Wouldn't it be nice to get a formal portrait of the whole family?

Yeah, sure. Why not?

Didn't I promise you that everyone would turn out in full force?

I remember another promise.

You go right ahead and take care of it, sweetheart.

I promised to take time off when we had more money than we needed. We were going

to sail down the Nile like Antony and Cleopatra.

Yeah, just give me a few more years and I'll buy you the Sphinx itself.

A few more years, Adam.

How many more years do you think we have?

Are you serious? We got plenty of time to think about the rest of our lives.

The trouble with the rest of our lives is that it keeps getting closer and

closer.

I'll get it. We'll talk about this later.

Oh, Walter.

I know. Come on in, Walt.

Well, are you ready to go over those contracts?

Up my queue to leave.

Oh, no, darling.

You stay. This won't take long.

Tonight, I'll be all yours. I just want to clean up a few things.

I'll take Jesse down to the ballroom. I promised Michael to take her off his

hands for just an hour or so.

What was that for?

For later.

So, Walter, these farmers finally organized enough so they can sign a five

contract?

I think we're getting very close.

And I thought you might like cherries flambé served with a ballroom -like

Now, who told you Mom and Dad had flambé on their honeymoon?

Too great!

That's who I bumped into.

Jessie, how is my favorite little girl, huh? And Michael.

So good to see you, too.

Ray, this is Christine Francis. She's with a hotel. This is Dad's brother,

Pleased to meet you, Miss Francis. Well,

I guess I'll go on ahead and see if I can find us a table.

Bye -bye.

Jessie, what are you doing there?

Looking for my present.

This is not Christmas. You keep out of Santa Claus' bag.

I bet you brought one, though.

I'll tell you what.

Why don't we take a sneak preview of the ballroom and then see what's in here.

Okay. Hiya. Hi.

I ordered coffee.

Good.

Oh, I'm not so sure I'm looking forward to tonight.

How do you take it?

Black.

Come on. Your family's really very lovely.

Maybe we could stretch this all the way to dinner.

I'd like that.

So would I.

If I could find someone to take care of Jessie.

Every sitter in Marin County has her on their hit list.

It's hard growing up without a mother.

Oh, she is a mother.

Would you like me to paint that picture for you?

Is it any of my business?

Phyllis walked out a year ago when it looked like my business was going under.

Jessie thinks she left because she didn't want her.

Maybe you and Jessie need to...

We get to know each other better.

Maybe we know each other too well.

Do you?

Do you know why she does those crazy things?

Does she know why you bury yourself in your work?

Maybe you're right. Maybe this isn't any of your business.

I thought you opened a space for me.

Not to lecture me about my own kid.

Her mother walked out on her, the most important person in her life.

Now, it's going to take a lot more than well -intentioned advice to straighten

her out.

You're right.

I was just well -intentioned enough to think we were friends.

Harry, I just wanted to thank you for taking the double shift at Mrs.

party last night.

Quite a shindig.

Sometimes we get some major parties going right in here.

On cork lunch early.

I'll see you later, Harry.

I'm really not a messy drunk, you know.

Well, who said you were?

Saw you watching me. You're the hotel dick, right?

Does it really show that much?

Relax. I jump at the chance.

to talk to a good -looking man who doesn't answer in French.

Well, is welcome home in order?

No, this isn't home.

I just couldn't face April in Paris.

Can I buy you a drink?

Thanks, but no thanks.

I guess nobody in this hotel is going to be friendly.

Well, I'm sure you'll find somebody.

Well, there's my family.

They're having a command performance in the ballroom tonight, and I have been

commanded to be there.

Well, then you better go easy. You've got a long night ahead of you.

Haven't you heard?

One drink is just right, two are too many, and three aren't enough.

Sorry, I stopped that kind of arithmetic a long time ago.

So then I'll go and find Adam and I'll bring him here. And all you have to do

signal the band when you're ready. I suppose it's very corny. Not at all. No

anniversary is complete without Auld Lang Syne. We'll have the handkerchiefs

ready.

How about?

Oh, no, thank you. Cool.

Chocolate? Oh, no, you better get some exercise or you're going to eat that.

I jogged all the way to the candy store.

Sorry to keep interrupting now.

Don't be silly. You know Walter, don't you?

Adam's lawyer.

Nice to see you again, Ray.

You don't mind if I steal her away, do you? No, I'm sorry. I can't leave right

now. I promised to look after Jesse.

Well, I'll watch her for you. Adam just asked me to get your signature on these

papers. I suppose I'd better find her before I wipe these out. She'll never

forgive me.

I didn't know I had to sign anything.

You know, you've been putting off committing yourself way too long.

How's this for a deal?

You let me act like an idiot for five minutes a day, and I promise not to

the limit. No, I'm the one who exceeded the limit.

By sticking my nose where it didn't belong.

But it's such a lovely nose.

How about letting it lead you to the party with me tonight?

Well, I accept your apology.

And your invitation.

Oh, please.

I'd like you to meet Michael Korsak, Peter McDermott. Of course.

Christine's mentioned you. You know, I think I just met someone else in your

party. That wouldn't surprise me.

Michael,

it's our security man. He's been trying to reach you.

Hello. Hello, Mr. Korsak.

I wonder if you'd mind coming down to the arcade. It's about your daughter.

What's wrong?

I'm afraid it looks like Jesse's been caught stealing.

I do need that power of attorney thing signed.

Oh, I don't know.

Maybe I won't buy any stocks after all.

Haddon's the deadliest person in the family.

No.

I do recommend the move very highly. And I think it's about time that you

committed yourself.

I still want to think about it, Walter.

No. I promised you you'd never regret it, didn't I?

Am I going to regret this?

Well, you know how I feel.

The decision is up to you.

Yes or no?

Oh, yes.

Oh, baby, it's so good to have you home again.

Oh, how could I ever miss your anniversary, Dad?

But you look so tired.

Maybe you ought to catch a little nap later this afternoon.

I'm fine.

It's just a little jet lag.

Yeah, but you never know. There's a lot of stuff going around.

You've got a doctor here and... Oh, come on, Adam.

She's over 21.

Way over 21.

Come on, I want to hear all about Paris.

I don't know why she'd steal anything. She has everything she wants.

Oh, Michael, you can't buy her good behavior.

Well, I don't know what to do anymore.

And where is my beautiful little granddaughter?

She's with the other kids.

Adam, aren't you proud of our family? All these generations and Michael's

wonderful success.

Yeah, sometimes Mike's a bit too wonderful.

Good old dad.

Always paying compliments as if he expected a receipt.

No, I mean it. But you can, uh...

carry independence too far.

You know, there are a lot of sons who'd be happy to go into business with their

fathers. I'm going to check on Jesse.

Excuse me.

My children.

A pain in the neck when they're around and a pain in the heart when they're

But your mother says you're doing fabulously.

Sure.

Designing clothes is interesting enough.

Only three things I lack to get to the top.

Talent, initiative, and ambition.

Why don't you tell an old friend?

I think I might understand.

There's nothing to understand.

I love my work. I love Paris. I love the glamour. What glamour? Two divorces and

6 ,000 miles away from home.

Please, Daddy, don't start.

I'm sorry, baby. I just want to know that you're happy.

Joanna!

Is it really you?

Uncle Ray.

Oh,

don't you look all grown up and just lovely.

Lovely, but exhausted. Now, you can't tell me you're not overworking.

For God's sakes, I'm okay.

Oh, leave her alone, Adam.

She's just fine, aren't you? You might think about staying a while.

It'd be wonderful to have my little girl home again.

Your little girl is about to get herself a big drink.

You're so unhappy, Joanna.

Why don't you ever come home?

I don't know. I just can't.

Something happened, didn't it?

Nothing much.

I just broke up with a guy.

I'm sorry.

Did you love him?

I thought so.

But he went back to his wife. I guess he got tired of me.

I had an abortion.

Well, without the father, there didn't seem to be much point.

And you went through all of that without telling us.

If only we'd known.

I couldn't exactly tell Daddy that his darling little girl had an affair with a

married man and had an abortion.

But I'm your mother.

What about me?

I'm sorry, Mother. I just couldn't.

But what's kept you away for five years?

Oh, you haven't got it, have you?

The only way to live with that man is to lie. I can't keep doing that.

He's your father.

And all he wants is his good little girl.

Well, she died a long time ago, and there's nothing anybody can do to bring

back.

What's wrong now?

You look a million miles away.

I was just thinking about lies.

Don't blame yourself.

Neither of us meant this to happen.

I just don't think I can go on like this anymore.

Then don't.

Leave him.

I'll walk away from 35 years.

That's exactly what you should do.

I have to get out of the shadows, too.

Oh, don't talk to me about love.

I don't even like myself very much anymore.

There have been too many deceptions in this family.

No, Adam's done his share.

No, that's not true.

Sure it is.

He's having an affair with those damn supermarkets of his.

And now tell me, what's the worst lie?

The one you say or the one he lives?

I cleared my business calendar until Tuesday.

Thought maybe we could go sailing or something if you'd like that.

Hmm?

Why'd you do it, Jess?

I don't know.

Did you think you had to do it to get my attention?

I didn't mean to steal that pin.

I didn't even like it that much.

Sweetheart, it was more my fault than it was yours.

But I'm with you now.

We're going to be spending a lot more time together.

Can I still go to the party tonight?

You bet.

Grandma and Grandpa are going to love your present.

It's not finished yet.

Why don't we go back and we'll finish it together?

Are you sure you're not too busy?

I'm never going to be too busy for you again.

Don't tell me you're still checking up on me.

Oh, it's time to own up. I'm really not the house dick.

You know, you really didn't fit the part.

Peter McDermott, general manager.

Seems I've struck gold.

Joanna Strickland.

Maybe I ought to let you buy me a drink.

Don't you think you've done enough damage for one day?

I'll drink if I damn well feel like it.

I'm not your wife.

No, you're not my wife.

Martin, you should sleep it off.

With an enchanting stranger.

Will that bring the magic back?

Come on.

Hey, Adam.

Ray.

Here, I'm just putting out a few fun toys for the kids here.

Is there something wrong, Adam?

I don't know. I just saw something and I'm trying to make sense of it.

It's hard to make sense out of anything these days.

Look, um... Well, I know this is not the appropriate moment, but, uh... Well,

the pharmacy... It hasn't been doing too well.

These big chains really ought to cut into a little guy.

Money? I know you've been more than generous these last years.

It's just that I'm not the success you are.

Gee, Ray, you know I'm always happy to help you out.

What are brothers for?

I just don't want to see you get in so deep.

Look, I know I owe you a few bucks, and you know I'm not going to stick you for

it. I'll sell the place if you tell me.

Don't worry about it.

God, you were always there for me and Mel, pitching in with the kids when we

were trying to get started.

Kind of a shame Fay and I never could have any. We always loved children.

I suppose I always have thought of Michael and Joanne as my own.

Yeah, I guess I did help raise them, didn't I?

Hey, look, we'll go into all this tomorrow. Right now, I've got to find

Sure, sure.

Maybe we'll split a bottle like the old days.

Just us brothers.

Just us brothers.

And I feel I'm going to need a brother real soon.

Got to grab a couple hours of sleep before the party, huh?

I only sleep when it's time to get up.

You keep hitting on that stuff and you might as well have stayed in Paris for

all your family's going to see of you.

Come on.

You seem to have a lot of experience playing nursemaid.

Too much.

Oh.

Don't tell me.

The wife.

Excellent.

So what?

You're here, aren't you? That's all that matters.

Goodbye, Mrs. Strickland. I'll leave a six o 'clock wake -up for you. Wait!

I know you're just trying to help me.

Can't you believe it if I told you I haven't had a drink for six months until

now? Who are you blaming it on this time?

My family, the bad influence on me.

You're a little old for that one.

The trouble with guys like you is you have all the answers.

But you just don't have anything to take the pain away.

Hi.

Is there a drink around anywhere?

Just the way you like.

You're not upset, are you?

You'd tell me.

Of course I would. Why?

Well, I saw you with Walter.

I guess you were trying to decide whether to make those investments, huh?

I'm sorry, Adam. I should have told you.

Told me what?

I really... I don't know what to say.

It's not that I want to leave you.

What are you talking about, for God's sake?

You and Walter?

It's just that I can't go on being the family referee and

your faithful attendant.

I... I need something more for myself.

But haven't I given you everything?

Everything but yourself.

Do you really think Joanna's going to go straight back to Paris?

I don't know. It's not really my business.

She drinks, doesn't she?

Like a fish.

But come on, Victoria.

Her name is Joanna Strickland, not Kathy McDermott.

I'm sorry, Peter.

I didn't mean... That she reminds me of my ex -wife?

You're right.

But don't worry, Victoria.

She's just a guest in my house. She needs a friend.

It's funny, you know.

Stephen used to say that.

He always said this hotel was his home. Just had spare beds for his friends.

You think your damn resignation makes everything okay?

I guess I did deceive you. I'm very sorry, Adam.

Pretending to be my friend.

And all the time, you're committing adultery with my wife.

I was your friend.

But I was also in love... I mean, I do love Nell.

The two people I trusted most in the world.

We didn't mean to hurt you.

People don't plan these things.

You're a lousy thief in the night.

You turned Nell against me.

No, I didn't. You did that all by yourself.

I love Nell more than anything else in life.

Now, who's deceiving whom?

It's all been onwards and upwards for the greater glory of Adam Corsack, with

Nell bringing up the rear.

Don't try to justify what you did.

All I worked for...

It was a good life for my family.

And I feel sorry for you.

A miscalculation like that at the office and you wouldn't be able to get a job

selling tomatoes on the street.

Wait a minute. Wait a minute!

Don't you walk away from me.

I'm sorry, Adam. I don't work for you anymore.

I've asked Nell to marry me.

And I intend to keep on asking her until she says yes.

Come in.

How are you feeling?

Much better.

Oh, it shows.

Thanks.

Look, I'm sorry about the way I acted earlier.

No problem.

I'll tell you something else.

I really do like you.

Well, I'm glad I made an impression.

It's funny, isn't it?

You were a stranger I was going to use.

Now you're not a stranger and I can't use you But I'm glad why don't we just

chalk it up to bad timing?

You know something I think you really do want to come home.

I Hope you make it

Did you have a date?

Guess I'm having second thoughts.

How can I like a man who lets his daughter play pick and fiddle with his

account? Sounds like a hereditary disease.

It's taken him ten years to wake up and see how desperately his daughter needs

him.

A word from the wise.

You have to be careful in this business.

It's very easy to get sucked into the drama of other people's lives.

Tell me about it, oh great sage.

I understand you've been doing some hand -holding yourself.

Huh?

Michael says his sister thinks you're pretty wonderful.

I got her fooled.

I'd say she's got it just about right.

Hello, you two.

Oh, I couldn't help admiring you from across the room.

How you doing, Uncle Ray? I haven't got a complaint.

Well, Joanna, I must say you look simply beautiful.

I think Paris agrees with you.

We've all missed you, you know that.

Really? It's nice to hear.

Although I expect there are a lot of more interesting things to do there.

Perhaps that's why we haven't seen enough of you.

Well, you're about to see less of me.

I seem to say the wrong thing all the time.

Ray, excuse this, will you please?

Oh, sure.

Mike, do me a favor.

Keep everybody happy.

I've got to work something out with your mother.

What's wrong?

I don't know what's happening to the women in this family.

Is Mom all right?

I'll handle your mother.

Why don't you take care of your sister, for God's sake? I don't know what's

bothering you, but don't take it out on me.

Don't you care that your sister's not well?

Wake up, Dad. She's not sick. She's drowning in booze and self -pity.

What are you talking about?

She was just kicked out by her married lover and had to abort his baby.

Why didn't you tell me?

Come on, Dad.

You spent your whole life being bigger and better than everybody else.

When did you ever take the time to think small and listen to your own family?

Please, Joe, I need you to talk to your mother.

What are you doing?

What does it look like?

Oh, please, honey, don't go.

You don't have to.

Mike told me about...

What you've been through.

I'm sorry. I wish he hadn't.

Don't you know that I'd always have been there for you?

When were you ever there for me?

How can you say that?

You know I love you.

Maybe in the old days I had to work too hard. Sure, you had to work too hard.

Isn't that why you were always too busy for me?

Isn't that why you were always so glad when Uncle Ray was around to take me

places?

What?

Why don't you ask him?

Ask Ray how much fun we used to have.

What has Ray got to do with any of this?

I tried to tell you.

I didn't want to go with him.

But you...

Kept telling me to behave myself and to listen to nice, sweet Uncle Ray.

I don't have a clue what you're talking about.

Well, here's one.

Your damn brother raped me when I was eight years

old.

Until you finally sent me away to boarding school.

I can't believe what you're saying.

Exactly.

That's exactly what I thought you'd say then. I knew you wouldn't believe me.

Nobody would.

never said anything how could i i didn't know what to do i

felt so guilty guilty but why because

i knew you'd blame me i knew you'd think it was my fault

Christine, you look absolutely beautiful.

Thank you.

I think it's the company I keep.

I want you to know that I'm aware that I haven't been a great father.

But I'm working on it.

I know you're doing what you think is best for Jesse.

And what I think really isn't very important.

Yes, it is.

It's important to me.

Thank you for being my friend.

Now all I have to do is stay friends with Jesse.

I think I realize that I'm not the man that Dad wanted me to be, and worse, I'm

not the man that Jesse needs me to be.

Glad to hear you admit that.

I couldn't have before.

Not ever in my life.

Can you wait here for me a second?

Sure.

But where... There's just one more person I have to admit that to.

My daughter.

Excuse me.

Has it really been that bad?

Oh, I don't know.

I suppose what it really comes down to is a failure to love our

children enough.

Oh, I can't believe that.

Can't you and Adam get together and talk this...

get together.

Our entire family is all together for the first time and all I see about me

is pain and separation.

Hello again.

And goodbye.

Time for the prodigal daughter to move on.

Someday, uh, look me up?

Make any discoveries?

Yeah.

But I really need a lot of help before I can deal with all of them.

Thanks.

No need to thank me.

For not taking advantage of me.

Ah.

And for being the friend that I didn't deserve.

Goodbye, Mrs. Strickland.

I'm sorry you didn't make it home.

The ballroom. World War III just broke out.

You lousy, stinking bastard!

She was eight years old!

Adam! Adam, stop it!

So am I.

It's 20 years too late.

Did you do this for me or for yourself?

Dave, do you think we'll last another 33 years?

Why? Is that when your Christmas club matures?

Come on, I'm serious.

You still love me as much when I'm old and gray.

Honey, I promise you, right now... that we're going to celebrate our 35th right

here at the St. Gregory.

In the ballroom or the lobby?

The truth?

It doesn't matter as long as I'm with you.

I've been no use to you at all, Heather.

I managed to get by alone.

That's the worst thing.

You thought you were all alone.

I always loved you.

I want you to know that.

Oh, baby, I love you, too.

Please, try not to be bitter.

Give yourself a chance.

Mrs. Strickland, your taxi's here.

I'll be right there.

Say goodbye to Mom and Michael.

I'll call them.

I'm grateful to you.

I've never talked this honestly to anyone else in the family.

Then we'll talk again.

I promise we will.

She's gone.

I know.

I failed her.

We both failed her.

I'm her mother.

And she couldn't come to me.

Oh, she'll get back on the track. I know she will.

I hate the thought of her being...

Alone and in pain.

She's not alone.

She's not alone. She's got us.

Well, we'll give her some time and then go get her.

You know, we've never been to Paris.

That implies a future.

Oh, Adam.

Do you know how to face the future?

Yes. And it has nothing to do with supermarkets.

Just us.

Do you think you can change the way you are at this point?

If you help me.

Will you help me now?

What happened? Did the band go on strike? There was a little unscheduled

excitement. Your father and your uncle had a fight.

About what?

Seems like my whole family's falling apart right in front of me. Excuse me.

Michael, the musicians want to know if it would be in bad taste if they started

playing again.

Well, they might as well. The silence is deafening.

Your mother wanted Auld Lang Syne.

Happy anniversary, Mom. Oh, thank you, darling.

Okay, everybody, quiet down

now. A speech, a speech.

Oh, no.

Well, then, a toast?

Come on, Adam, give us a toast.

Well, there's only one toast.

Now, you give it. Well, Adam and I

both want to thank all of you for coming.

35 years.

A lot happens in 35 years.

Some of it wonderful.

Some of it terrible.

The important thing...

is to love and to understand and

to forgive and to keep the family alive.

A toast to all of our friends and the family

and to my dear husband, who had more faith

than I did.