Original subtitles

What are you doing up here?

I'm just showing my fiancée the tie.

Kate Miller, Peter McDermott.

Nice to meet you.

Congratulations, Christine Francis. Meet Kate and Rick. Welcome to St. Gregory.

Thank you.

Well, you look great in the playoffs.

Until that last game.

Everyone has an off day, even player of the year.

Look, we got a meeting.

Let's have a drink later. How about six in the Cavalier Bar?

Great.

Nice to meet you.

Nice meeting you. Thank you. Bye -bye.

Old friend?

Before Victoria hired me, I worked in San Diego.

A bunch of us played ball every Saturday, and Rick hung out at the

Moved like a ballerina. Made shots most players only dreamed about.

And he just dropped out of school.

That's where you came into the picture?

I convinced him to go back and graduate.

College recruiters were lining up to get him.

He was one of the top five scorers in the NBA that year.

Might have been you if you hadn't torn up that vehicle now. Well, I had

hands and some pretty good moves.

Oh, still do as far as I'm concerned.

The wines for that French trade fair representative.

Oh, he's very particular.

75 Bordeaux. Doesn't get much better than that. When did you become such a

connoisseur? Oh, I'm a pretty particular guy myself.

Your room's ready, Mrs. Gordon.

Hello.

I'm sorry?

I think we just saw each other at the airport.

You have my deepest condolences.

Oh, yes.

Not the easiest day.

For either of us.

Thanks. Nice to see Rick taking a rest from basketball.

Losers rest, Peter.

Winners keep on working.

Give your son a break.

He just finished a long season, a great season.

Good season.

Great still a ways off.

Well, you never let up, do you?

Never will.

That's my boy.

See you later.

Fans, the pressure of this game is beginning to mount.

Rick Stoner has the ball, shoots from 20, and misses again!

Stoner's performance in this crucial game has been very disappointing.

This young athlete in the past has shown great promise. Scouts had him touted.

You're driving yourself crazy with that tape.

I gotta analyze my mistakes.

Get to the bottom line. You sound just like your dad.

Besides, I thought we left San Diego to get away from him.

Well, I still gotta think about next season.

Come on.

Next season will be fine.

Besides, the bottom line is that you dragged me up here to have a good time.

Tell him I'll call when I get back to New York.

Yes, I picked up my wife's bag this afternoon Thank you, I'll try

So glad you finally tore yourself away from Silicon Valley.

Well, my daughter needed me.

I didn't feel much like going anywhere.

I only came here for this.

Oh, Victor's.

I can't believe the airline took six months to recover the luggage.

The plane crashed in a blizzard. They were lucky to get the bodies out.

Want some help sorting through the past?

Part of me still can't accept the fact that he's gone.

I'm like an amputee who thinks the limb is still there.

Sometimes I can feel him in the room. I even start talking to him.

You know how sorry I am.

As if losing him weren't enough, there's all these other feelings to contend

with.

Denial, anger, loneliness.

I'm always negotiating each day's emotions.

Getting the luggage must bring it all back.

Can I open it?

I tried.

It's the last month rusted in the snow.

I can call our handyman.

To hell with it.

There I go again.

Mood change number 49.

Why did Victor have to go to Mexico City anyway?

We could have gone together after the holidays.

Why?

Stoner. S -T -O -N -E -R.

Never mind, I see him.

Hey, big guy.

Where you off to?

Dad, what are you doing up here?

You took off without telling me, but that's okay.

Look, I told you I needed a vacation.

You think Larry Bird's on vacation?

I was player of the year.

You bet you were.

But that's ancient history now. You got work to do.

Your brother Tommy would have been out on the court the day after the season

ended. Can we talk about this later? Peter's expecting me.

Sure, you go ahead.

I'll see you later.

We meet again.

Yes.

Hello. Feel like coming?

Sure, why not?

Carter Wells.

Ellie Gordon.

I guess the airline flew you in to claim the effects?

I live down the peninsula, so I just drove up.

New York.

Combining this trip with seeing some West Coast clients, I'm a literary

Strange, isn't it?

We barely know each other's names, but...

We already know each other's saddest secret.

My wife was on the plane.

My husband.

Have you unpacked her things yet?

Couldn't get my nerve up.

Me neither.

Good book?

Reading's become a wonderful escape these past few months.

If you like thrillers, this one's terrific.

I hope so. My client wrote that.

And I'm buying you another cup of coffee with the commission, if that's all

right.

I'd like that just fine.

To being 21 and to success.

All right.

I owe a lot of it to you, Peter.

Maybe I should offer you a finder's fee.

The payoff's watching you play.

So how do you like the life?

Oh, the game's terrific.

Except for Dad's recap of every play.

He wants it all for you. You can't blame him.

Especially since your brother Tommy's... Half the time, Dad seems to think I am

Tommy.

What was a real loss to him?

Tommy was a three -time All -American, a war hero, too.

War hero?

Dad doesn't know the half of it.

Doesn't know the half of what?

It just gets harder and harder living Tommy's life for Dad, that's all.

You're good.

Thank you. Any plans for breakfast?

Not really.

They have a lovely outdoor restaurant here.

Is 9 o 'clock too early?

9 o 'clock's just fine.

Night. Good night.

room does take out like nobody's business.

You sure it's not the company?

You can stimulate my appetite any time.

Sorry you missed dinner with Ellie tonight.

But we've got to get our strategy set for these union negotiations.

Oh, no problem.

Goodbye. You passed up dinner with a basketball superstar.

Boys got problems.

Funny, I'd have given anything for a dad who took that kind of interest in me.

But Rick's suffocating from all that attention.

Why can't there be a happy medium between parents and children?

I'm sure there will be.

When you're a father.

Hey, let's not get ahead of ourselves here.

Why not?

We've got the strategy, and I'm willing to negotiate.

You know, if we rent a car, we can get all the way to the wine country

I bet the concierge could work out a quick itinerary. Sure.

Hey, Kate.

Looks like I'm just in time for dessert.

Mrs. Stoner?

Kate?

Mind if I sit down, son?

Why would I mind?

Oh, I don't know.

I have the feeling you've been ducking me.

Just need a little breathing to pay.

Hey, we've got a training program.

This wine doesn't help.

I've been watching the playoff tape.

Watching isn't doing.

Mr. Stoner, can't you and Rick talk about this in the morning?

Maybe I should talk to you, Kate.

You seem to be the one who's making Rick neglect his practice. Cut it, Dad.

She has nothing to do with this.

Then what's with your attitude?

You used to love basketball.

I still do.

But you're pushing so hard I can't catch my breath.

I'm not a machine, Dad.

No, you're an athlete.

But if you don't keep applying yourself, striving to be better, you're gonna be

yesterday's news.

For my dearest Victor.

For dancing into my life when I needed it most. I'll never forget you.

All my love, Barbara.

Barbara.

Who the hell is Barbara?

What's wrong?

Talk to me. I want to help.

How can anybody help?

All the dreams Dad had for Tommy.

I'm living in my brother's shadow every day of my life.

You're your own man, Rick.

a little kid when Tommy died.

But he's always there, looking over my shoulder.

Your dad loved him.

He doesn't want you to forget Tommy. That's all it is. No, it's more than

Tommy could have ducked the army, gone straight into the pros.

But he wanted to do the right thing for his country.

Well, he sounds like a wonderful brother.

Yeah.

Doing the right thing got him across in the VA cemetery.

it looked up to him.

I mean, he used to get so excited when he talked about basketball.

I mean, he adored the game.

That end to a dream.

What end?

Dad just put the dream on me.

You can't let Tommy's memory keep haunting you like it haunts your father.

Made me a first -round draft pick, didn't it?

Cut me that big fat contract.

Made you a nervous wreck.

You keep pushing yourself and something's got to snap.

Don't tell my old man that.

As far as he's concerned, it's part of the drill.

Hello?

Kate? Frank Stoner.

Good morning.

Rick's just getting in the shower. Let me see if I can catch him.

That's all right.

You're the one I want to talk to.

Me?

Could you meet me downstairs?

Sure.

Thanks.

I can't believe Victor would do that to me.

There must be another explanation.

Victor's dead.

I've been through hell.

Now I find out he was carrying on with someone. That's the explanation.

You don't know enough about this woman. I know I've been a fool.

I've been faithful to his memory. He wasn't even faithful to me.

I've had plenty of chances to meet someone since his death. Well, maybe

the time to take advantage of him.

You should be meeting new people, yes.

But if you do it out of anger, you're only going to be hurting yourself.

I've got a date.

I'm not going to feel guilty about it either.

Sorry, I was rude last night.

Just worried about my boy.

I worry about him too, Mr. Toner.

These last few months, he just hasn't been himself.

That's why I'm glad you're seeing each other.

You are?

I thought you didn't approve of me.

Oh. I'm sorry, Kate. I never meant to give you that impression.

I have a lot of respect for you.

Well, maybe we can all try a little harder to get along in the future.

You're good for my boy, Kate.

Stable.

He talks about you all the time.

I was hoping we could double -team him in order to protect our mutual interest.

I'm not sure I understand.

Aren't you interested in seeing Rick get to the top?

I love Rick, Mr. Stoner. My only interest is in his happiness.

Rick is happy.

When he was a kid, he loved to watch his brother play. All he talked about,

being just like Tommy. He loves the game.

Not the way you make him play it. The only way to play is to be number one.

But Rick's not a number. He's a person.

He wants to please you, but if you keep pushing him, he's headed for a

breakdown. What are you talking about? Rick's the toughest kid I know.

Sorry I'm late.

Thanks.

I was afraid you weren't coming.

I almost didn't.

Rough night.

You were unpacking your husband's things?

I couldn't bring myself to finish opening my wife's bag.

There's something about sorting through the past.

Could we not think about that for a while?

Doesn't help us get through the present.

It's a beautiful day.

The present's looking better all the time.

You ever been to Stinson Beach?

I'm ready to play tourist if you're ready to play tour guide.

Well, eat up, Mr. Wells.

We're about to embark on a great adventure.

You and Rick have to work out your own problems, Mr. Stoner. Putting me in the

middle is terribly unfair.

What's the topic for today?

New game plan for my emotional and professional future?

I'll be upstairs.

I was just trying to help.

Get a fix on what's bugging you.

You are, Dad.

Ten pounds of blame for every ounce of praise.

Made you player of the year, didn't I?

Huh?

I never could have done it without you.

But no matter how good I play, all you talk about are my mistakes.

I think it's time for us both to ease up.

You're acting like a quitter.

I'm sure glad your brother isn't here to see you like this.

Actually, I did write a great American novel. The only problem, I was the only

one that thought so.

Well, working with writers and the excitement of finding new talent, that

be really challenging.

Is that why you decided to become an agent?

I like working with writers.

Finding new talent. Now, that is the most exciting feeling in the world.

Like Maxwell Perkins.

Have you found your Thomas Wolfe yet?

Well, a firm fanny in five minutes a day was a triumph.

Already sold the video rights.

My seventh graders would like it a lot better than Silas Marner.

Especially the pictures.

It's really been a wonderful day.

I wish I could turn my watch back so it wouldn't have to end.

We're not running out of time, Ellie.

We've got all the time in the world.

It's been so long.

I don't know.

I'd rather I said goodnight.

Until you're ready to leave.

Hold me very tight.

I want to feel loved again and needed.

You are needed.

And I won't stop till I prove it to you.

Rick Stoner has the ball, shoots from 20, and misses again!

has the ball, shoots for 20 and misses again!

Rick Stoner has the ball, shoots for 20 and misses again!

I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever feel this way about anyone again.

With all those bright, sophisticated women in New York.

I only had eyes for one of them.

You never said why your wife was on the plane.

Business?

She designed computerized toys.

A company out here did the microcircuitry.

She was on her way to see a client in Mexico City.

Are you all right?

What was her name?

I thought we weren't going to talk about the past anymore. Your wife, what was

her name?

Barbara. Why?

Victor designed microcircuitry for toys.

Well, I don't understand.

Now, your husband... Was your wife's lover.

I had dinner with an old friend, but I'm sure Rick's still up. We'd love to have

a nightcap.

Oh, here we are.

Your stoner might do a swan dive into Never Never Land.

Rick, don't talk like that.

You're right.

Who wants to talk when you can float?

Floating down must be an amazing feeling.

Probably the loneliest feeling in the world, Rick.

Not as lonely as being out in front of everyone, missing every shot.

That was just one game.

Come on back.

Every night I play that game in my dreams.

Over and over again.

20, 30, 40 shots, and they won't go in the hole.

And after every one, I look over and there's death, knowing I'm a loser.

Let it go, Rick.

Come inside, honey. Don't come near me. Just stay away. It's okay, Rick. Take it

easy. Don't! Oh, I swear, Stone is history, man.

That was just one game, one quarter of one game.

By the time next season's here, who'll remember?

Stone will remember.

Worse, Stone's father will remember.

He'll never let me forget.

You're the one who's important, not your father. tell him that tell him that

whatever i do is not enough for him he'll always see tommy doing it better

then you have to help him see the person you really are come on down from there

please you gotta get some help a shrink can't turn my life around no one can

you're wrong you can change and so can your dad but jump into oblivion and

you'll never have a chance to find out

Please, honey, listen to us.

For God's sake, I love you.

Doesn't that mean anything?

You're lucky to have someone who cares about you.

You're not a kid anymore, Rick.

You got to start being responsible to people who love you.

Come on down, son.

Please.

I'm still in shock.

My husband and Carter's wife.

Oh, Ellie, I'm so sorry. I don't know what to do.

It's hard enough accepting that Victor had an affair, but with Carter's wife,

how can I see him again without thinking about that?

Maybe he can't.

Damn it.

First I lose him.

Now I'm going to lose someone else because of him?

I feel guilty.

Embarrassed.

I can't help wondering who else my husband was playing around with. Oh,

It couldn't have been like that.

Sure you didn't know about Barbara?

Maybe they used to check in here when they were in town.

Ellie, how could you think that?

I'm sorry, Christine. I don't know what I'm saying.

I feel cheated.

Aren't I entitled to fall in love again?

To have some happiness for myself?

Give yourself a little time.

You've only just met.

Don't make the mistake of loving one man just to get back at another.

I feel great.

Ready to take on the world.

Everything's going to be different from now on.

Rick, you've got to face up to what's happening.

You nearly killed yourself last night.

It's all right.

I'm okay now.

Whatever made you think about suicide doesn't go away overnight.

I thought you guys were my friends.

I mean, why are you giving me such a bad time on this? I love you. I want to

stand by you, but I can't if you don't get help.

You're letting your father drive you crazy.

Hey, don't say that.

Dad loves me.

Some things come out of his love that's very destructive for both of you.

I can handle this.

I don't need someone telling me what to do.

Therapist won't tell you what to do.

He'll try to help you understand what's happening.

Rick, talking about this can't be any more painful than what you feel right

What you did last night was a call for help.

We're answering that call.

Don't turn us down.

Carter, we have to talk.

I know.

Come on in.

Is that hers?

Yeah.

Haven't you unpacked it yet?

I tried.

Maybe you should try again.

You find a love letter from your husband?

We can't do this to ourselves. It's not right.

Ellie, please.

Why do we keep punishing ourselves? I don't know.

It's just not right.

Shoot some hoops, eh?

Yeah. Meeting Peter for some one -on -one.

Just like your brother.

Couldn't keep Tommy off the court either.

Dad, I'm not my brother.

You're getting there.

You know, sometimes he'd play eight hours straight, and then we'd go and sit

around the kitchen table making plans, dreaming what it'd be like when he was

the pros, how he was going to conquer the world.

I'm not him, Dad.

Someday you're going to have everything that he missed out on.

You know what it's like for me, seeing you out there on the court being number

one?

I feel like somebody.

Like my life has meaning.

Then why do you make me feel like a failure every time I miss a shot?

So you'll do better.

Be the best.

But I'm doing the best that I can.

It just doesn't seem to be enough for you.

And you know what kills me?

For all your dreams, you never think about mine.

You don't have the slightest idea who I am, do you?

You're a hero, like Tommy.

Someday I'll tell you what kind of hero Tommy was.

What are you talking about?

Forget it.

Hey, it's going great.

What do you think about getting some help?

I think you're on my case, just like my old man.

Your parents always after you like that?

My old man was always too busy working the farm or chasing the bottle.

Left a lot of wounds.

Didn't heal by themselves. I needed help from my friends.

I got friends.

Kate, you.

This ball that does whatever I want it to.

Kid's hot. There's no stopping it.

Yeah, and when he's cold, he needs an assist.

Someone to pass off to.

Give him a hand.

I don't need an assist.

Not the way I play.

Then you better get used to playing on a team of one.

This is all that counts.

Try and stop me, old man.

You're hurting in more ways than one, kid.

A torn ligament, a busted ankle, and you'll be holding a bag of hot air.

Another superstar. I thought he could do it all by himself.

I don't need the sermon, Peter. You need a lot more than a sermon.

If you don't have the self -respect to do something for yourself, at least

about the kids that look up to you.

All I'm saying is, you don't have to make a lifetime commitment to a new man

after just one day.

Take your time.

Enjoy yourself.

I've got to get back to work.

I had to see you. After you ran out, I just... Christine Francis Carter -Wells.

My pleasure. How do you do?

Excuse me.

Time is on your side now, Ellie.

Don't forget that.

I won't.

Thanks.

And what we're feeling, this betrayal and the anger, we can work through that

together.

I already came to the same conclusion.

Besides, the attraction was there before we found out about it.

I want to wake up every morning and see you next to me.

I want that so much it's starting to hurt.

Hey, Rick.

I've been waiting to talk to you. What about?

How I'm not the hero my brother was?

Rick, Tommy was a special boy.

Like you. If you just try to understand... Maybe it's time for you to

about your war hero.

What are you talking about?

He won the Silver Star.

And six months later, he died.

With a needle in his arm.

Oh, I've heard that story before.

Lies. Lies from that so -called buddy of his. He was jealous of Tommy's talent

and his bravery. Jealous or not, the story is true.

I checked it out.

Tommy was an addict. You're a liar.

Dad, that doesn't make Tommy bad.

I mean, a lot of good guys got hooked in Vietnam.

But don't make him into a hero. Shut up!

What the hell's the matter with you two?

Can't you talk this out?

What good would it do?

Till he hears what he wants to.

He was a hero!

Tommy was a hero!

Sounds as if you're ready to move to New York with Carter.

If he asks me, and I think he will.

24 hours and you're ready to change your life?

Don't you approve?

You don't need my approval, Ellie. You're a grown -up.

But wouldn't it be more sensible to give yourself a little more time to sort out

your feelings?

Aren't you being a bit condescending?

Little Ellie should stew for another year so she can make a rational

All I'm trying to say is that I need to escape from the memories.

You're old enough to know you don't escape from memories.

You have to learn to deal with them.

I'm sorry, Kate.

I just need to be left alone for a while.

I need time to think.

The room's all paid for, and you have your ticket home. Why are you trying to

hurt me? You know how much I care about you.

That's my dad. I don't want to see him.

Save the lecture, Peter. You know, you really did screw up in the playoffs.

I know.

I'll do better next season.

You tried to play the game all by yourself. Forgot about assists.

So I missed a few shots.

You could have passed off to someone in better position, but you had to be a big

shot, didn't you?

That's a pretty good analysis.

You ever thought of coaching? You let your teammates down.

Now you're doing the same thing with Kate.

Look, I know you mean well.

I just want to be left alone, okay?

Well, you want to be left alone.

Fine.

You've got someone right here to give you the assist you need, but you're too

dumb to admit it.

Bottom line, kid, you can't cut it in basketball without being a team player,

and you can't make it in life on your own.

Miss Francis, come in, please.

Thank you.

I hope I'm not disturbing you.

I've been sorting some things out.

Some for the goodwill, some to save.

A few for my wife's family.

It's a difficult job.

Starting fresh always is.

But it's time to get on with my life.

I guess you're worried about Ellie.

You've both been hurt very badly.

You afraid of what might happen if she moves to New York with me?

I didn't come up here to interfere.

I just wanted to wish you the best, whatever you decide.

I'll let you get on with it, then.

Wait, wait a minute.

Saved a couple of surprises for us.

know what to say.

I realize it doesn't change what they did. But it does.

They were gonna... Stop seeing each other.

Because of us.

They were ending their affair because they loved us.

But then why were they on the plane?

Way of saying goodbye to each other.

They did love us, didn't they?

I didn't want to leave it like that, the way we turned on each other.

Guess we both got a little hot under the collar.

Dad, I'm sorry what I said about Tommy.

I mean, I just got upset, and I said it to hurt you, that's all.

You were hurting just as bad.

Seems we always strike out at the ones we love, don't we?

Tommy was a hero.

Must have been tough, keeping that secret all these years.

Protect me, right?

Yeah.

Yeah.

I'm done with instant replace.

I understand.

You're not quitting basketball.

No.

I'll keep playing as long as I can.

But I'm through torturing myself.

I'm gonna see a therapist.

Make some sense out of my life.

You're right, son.

It is your life.

Not mine.

Thank you, Mr. Wells. Come again. Thank you.

I can't stop thinking about all the little things I did to push my wife

Me too.

Supermom sometimes forgot to be a good wife to Victor.

The important thing is not to let bitterness destroy the good memories.

I want to do something just for revenge.

Your cab's waiting, Mr. Wells.

I'll be right there. Thank you.

Now we've got to sort through the emotional baggage.

Ever get to New York?

Next summer.

My little girl wants to see the Statue of Liberty.

I'm a hell of a tour guide.

Go.

That is it.

They'll be okay.

Together or alone, they look pretty resilient.

At least they're able to help each other.

Well, that's what it's all about. In basketball or running a hotel, you can't

succeed without an assist.

Not to mention those terrific hands and great moves.