Original subtitles

Dusty, I am still your father. You will do what I say.

Yo, babe, this is looking real fine.

I thought you sent me up here to learn something. You were asking for trouble,

Reggie. If it were up to them, you'd be cleaning out your locker.

I'm probably to blame here, so... I'll handle it, Mr. Seeger. I blame you for

everything. Blame me for what? Tell me, did anybody here get the point?

She's undoppable.

Young lady, I think you better get up.

that I still respect her in the morning.

And she bought that.

Hey, style over substance works every time. No, Jeff.

Goodbye, son, you know.

What are you doing?

I heard you guys talking yesterday about, you know, all the girls don't

understand the guys, so I thought I'd check it out.

Any insights?

Nothing to understand.

I'm going to change.

Guys, wear these tight pants.

Jillian. The rain scene from Barefoot in the Park.

Barefoot in the Park.

What'll it be?

I was gonna do Barefoot in the Park, too.

Fine. But I changed my mind.

Uh -oh.

Okay, well, what are you gonna do?

I don't know.

For years, kids have sat in this classroom and done scenes from Barefoot

Park. So what's wrong with that? It's a good play.

Look, Reggie, do whatever you want. Stretch yourself.

Try O 'Neill, Pirandello, Beckett.

Still the same thing, though.

The audience sits out there and the actors are up on stage and everything's

and safe.

I'm not interested in doing that.

Oh, you'd rather walk through the halls doing James Dean imitations?

At least it's something different.

Here we go again, another lecture on performance art. Why are you so

It's not that we're threatened, we're just bored.

I like this. A little angst in the classroom.

Richie, your stuff doesn't make any sense.

Hi. I like what she does.

That's one.

Who else?

The audience is always right. Yeah, well, this audience is asleep.

Okay, you can either go on to your next class or you can stay and you can fight

this out.

Nobody likes a good argument anymore.

Mr. Seeger, how do you feel about performance arts?

It's tricky.

Most performers need the structure of the play. They're lost without it.

I'm not.

I like performing without a net.

Then go for it.

We need someone to shake things up around here.

Dusty, what's this?

Hi. My dad.

He's one of the organizers.

I come into town and... What's the matter? You don't like my shirt?

No, no, really. You look fine.

It's just that, well, my dad, he's kind of conservative.

Well, you know, he's a minister.

So, could you please wear a nice, simple dress tomorrow?

How about down to my ankles?

Perfect. You got it.

Thanks, my folks.

Would you help me get that down?

Yeah, it's too heavy for me.

What are you going to do, take a bath?

Come on, Jesse.

You're so big and strong.

I'm so weak.

Give me this. It's getting a bit thick in here. Okay, thank you.

What's going on out here?

Mr. Durenforth, you're nice and tall.

Will you help us get the wash tub down?

Are you taking a bath?

Everybody's looking at you. Let's see what we can do.

That's it.

Marcy Blue.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Mr. Velasquez, what are you really going to do with that tub?

Wash your cat.

anybody shortly for it?

No. Well, neither have I, but if I did, I'm sure they would look exactly like

this. Let me try. It's not... No, look. All right, I'll prove it to you. Excuse

me, sir.

Does this look like a bullet hole or a flesh wound?

A bullet hole.

I told you.

Reverend Tyler?

I thought you said you weren't coming till tomorrow.

Welcome to New York.

Oh, um, I'm Gillian Beckett.

Oh, Ian, where?

Yes, I, uh...

I do seem to recall Dusty mentioning you two in her letters.

Could you direct me to her dance class, please? Oh, yeah. It's right down the

hall, second door on the right.

Thank you.

Seems like a nice guy.

A bit taint, sir.

Oh, hi, baby.

Hey, it's not tomorrow yet.

I wanted to surprise you.

And I guess I did. I will understand that you did.

Mr. Kelly, how was your flight?

Bumpy. I sat next to a baby who cried from takeoff to landing.

And they fed us fish, some pineapple thing on it.

I missed you a lot.

I missed you too, baby.

But tell me.

Do all the students dance like that? Like what?

So provocative.

Danny, please.

They're classically trained dancers.

Come on. Don't bite me so much.

And I'll show you one of my English classes.

It's not at all provocative.

In conclusion, women in love seems to be a very personal statement of Lawrence's

frustration at not being able to fully express his love because no perfect

partner exists for his...

Spiritual union.

An interesting treatment, Julian.

See, Daddy, what did I tell you? It's just as normal as any school back in

Colorado. Reggie?

Reggie?

What is

going

on here?

Hello, Charlie?

Charlie Tuna?

They don't understand why you're upset, but it's all taken care of. They're

finally going to hear your side. Trust me.

Ciao.

They're taken.

They're taken. This is not a book report. Most reports on this book

on the old man's feelings, but what about the fish?

Doesn't he have a point of view?

Not anymore.

and so did the fish. You want to know how the marlin felt?

I'll show you. This is my last warning.

Take your fish. How would you have a fish sucker stuck in your side?

That is enough.

Sure. Sure, Hemingway can talk about the old man's struggles, all that

existential pain.

But you know something?

Philosophy doesn't mean a thing when you swallow one of these babies.

What, you don't believe me?

Hear it from the fish's mouth.

and victims.

He was swimming along, minding his own business, when all of a sudden this

crabby old man decides he wants to get physical. All right, show's over.

Young lady, just what do you think you're doing? My book report.

With that?

He's not a that, he's a this. Put it down!

Mr. Durenforth, all I'm trying to say is that there's a different way to look at

Hemingway's book.

Miss Higgins, come with me.

They don't understand.

Everyone here at the School of the Arts has a simple, easy, down -to -earth way

about them.

Take Ian Ware.

The Walking Dead.

You couldn't find a sweeter boy with a more gentle sense of humor.

Or Nicole Chapman.

Here's a girl who sews her own clothes.

Bakes her own bread and still finds time every day to reread Homer.

Dusty, no one rereads Homer.

She did bake her own bread once.

And you worked as a candy striper once. But that doesn't make you Florence

Nightingale.

Reggie Higgins knits sweaters and works ten hours a week helping others.

Fish, no doubt.

Dusty, I knew this letter stretched the truth when I first read it.

But I never knew how much until today.

I know this school is not like I described it.

Okay, so it's nothing like I described it.

I didn't want you and Mom worried about me.

Dusty, I don't see how you can feel comfortable in this school.

I'm not here to feel comfortable.

I thought you'd send me up here to learn something.

And I'm learning a lot here.

It's not what you're learning that I'm afraid of.

It's what you might be forgetting.

Daddy.

I have not forgotten whose daughter I am.

And I haven't forgotten all that you ever taught me.

I taught you to be honest.

All right, so was it really worth it? Tell me, did anybody here get the point?

What was clever and made me think.

What can you ask for?

Finally, a good review.

I kind of liked it, too.

I don't understand what you're doing.

I said I liked it. I didn't say I understood it. Come on, what's to

I'm not sure, but I don't think they get it.

Make sure the stables go all the way through.

Oh, I see.

Here's a plate of Virginia Woolf. Boy, there's going to be a lot of acting. Oh,

I can remember when Virginia Woolf was considered daring.

Of course, there aren't any fish in it.

Why, you were the one who told me to take Rick.

Yeah.

I feel responsible for you getting into trouble. I'm sorry it happened.

I'm also sorry I didn't get a chance to see it. Yeah, well, according to most of

my friends, you didn't miss much.

Oh, no, maybe I should just forget the whole thing. It would be a waste of an

interesting talent.

I guess you keep trying.

I'm looking forward to what happens next.

Do yourself a favor, huh?

Leave Miss Elliott's class out of it.

Fitzgerald, I realize your company has had a tough year, but we were still

counting on your support.

But you see, the benefit for the homeless could accomplish so much if

all could... Yes.

I know.

I would like to meet with you and discuss this further.

Two o 'clock would be fine.

Thank you.

I don't understand those people.

What's wrong?

We have worked so hard.

We are so close.

And now we're about to lose our corporate support.

They can't do that. They can do whatever they want.

What about the media?

Do I have to strap on a guitar to get them to listen?

Daddy.

Those people just get to me.

You know, you always tell me not to lose the faith.

Right?

You're absolutely right.

And faith is about all we've got left now.

Five dollars.

I'll take one.

Oh, thanks, bitch.

You know, my dad is really going to appreciate this. The way things have

going, we need every dollar we can get.

Yeah, we look like they could use it.

How do people end up that way?

I don't know.

It doesn't seem real, does it? Hey, it's real.

You don't know what it's like living in the streets.

But that doesn't mean I can't help.

So how do you help people you don't even know?

He's right.

You go easy on these until you get used to them.

Okay?

Okay.

Good to see you.

Damn feet.

Walk around in shoes don't fit worth a damn.

Who's your friend, Jesse?

This is Reggie and Dudley.

This is Sylvia. She's kind of like a street angel around here.

You got my connection.

Are you two hungry?

I know the guy who runs this place. No, we already ate.

Smart move. It's bologna.

Well, don't let us stop you.

I'm going to make my rounds.

Maybe you want to come with me.

I'm a professional beggar.

I'm kidding.

Well, it isn't much, you're thinking.

Although there have been times.

These people here need all sorts of stuff.

Shoes, clothes, sometimes a ticket to the opera, and I can get that to them.

Been trying to get them together.

They can accomplish something with even a bit of organization.

Place to live, a job, couldn't hurt.

Only they felt they deserved it.

Excuse me?

They're still serving lunch back over in the kitchen. It's bologna.

You're catching on, kid.

I tell you, kids, the things I've seen, whole family living in a burnt -out car,

little kids playing with garbage, people with no hope.

How do you like our little walk through Wonderland?

Why does it have to be this way?

Don't you see, kid?

These people are a little short on dignity.

They don't even know how to ask.

So, here we stay.

Maybe it's time that we tried something a little different.

I'm not so sure about this.

Well, that was a negative.

Look, Nicole, you said you wanted to understand performance arts, and it's

chance.

I must be crazy.

I think this is the best idea I've had yet.

Hey, miss, you got a dollar?

Fifty cents.

I'll sell you my sculpture for a quarter.

Hey, lady, lady, what do you think? It would make a delightful conversation

piece. Fifty cents. You can take it home right now.

I don't want to tell it, but I'm starving here. You can't eat sculpture.

once. I broke all my teeth.

I can tell that you're thinking about buying.

Look, if there's something you don't like, I can change it.

Huh? What do you think?

I don't know.

I kind of like it.

But it changes the whole perspective of things.

Miss, you got a permit for this demonstration.

I know I needed one.

All right, kids, come on.

Rick it up.

Hey, you want to end up in jail?

You're destroying my sculpture.

You can build a new one.

Yeah, I will.

Young lady, I think you better get up.

Why do we have to be so temperamental?

Yeah, she's going to let the guy.

No.

You should stay.

Good morning.

Want to bet?

I have been on the phone.

With the Board of Education for over an hour trying to explain this latest

incident. Why should they be involved? I did this on my own.

Have you read the article?

It sounds as if the whole thing were a publicity stunt for the school. That's

not what I had in mind. I know that.

And I told that to the board. If it were up to them, you'd be cleaning out your

locker.

Well, thanks for your help.

Don't thank me yet.

Was that my cue to sit down?

If you are to stay in this school, there are boundaries you must observe.

No more dead fish or living statues.

You will stick to auditioning for school shows just like all the other students.

Don't do that.

You have no choice.

Neither do I.

Well, a man's got to do what a man's got to do. Oh, Miss Higgins.

I didn't like that when Gary Cooper said it, and I don't like it now.

Don't force me to suspend you.

Reggie. How did it go?

Well, I'm still here.

For now.

Look, about yesterday... Look, don't you tell me I screwed up too, okay? I'm

not. I'm trying to tell you that I finally understand what you're doing.

You're kidding.

Look.

I'm apologizing.

You're just trying to get people to see things in a different way.

What do you got me?

I don't know how much I need to hear that right now.

It's been a long time since I've heard you sing, Dusty. I've forgotten how

beautiful it sounds.

I thought that meeting for the benefit was today.

The benefit's off.

Danny.

I'm sorry.

We lost our corporate support.

My plane leaves on Friday.

I want you to come home with me.

Home?

You don't belong in this school.

We were only trying to... When you put on those rags and stood in front of that

museum, you made a mockery of everything I believe in, everything I thought you

believed in.

This school has changed you.

You can't make me leave here, Daddy.

Honey, I will get you the best music teacher in Colorado.

I'm not gonna be the same.

Dusty, I am still your father.

You will do what I say.

I blame you for everything.

Blame me? For what?

When you got me into this teaching thing, you didn't tell me how tough it

going to get. Oh, this is about Reggie, uh -huh. I talked to her about art, and

she winds up arrested.

I'm sorry, but Jim has no point.

The school is an institution. We have to establish some kind of order.

She was using her art to make a statement.

A statement.

The girl dressed her friends up in rags, created a human sculpture, then she

blocked the entranceway to the Guggenheim Museum. Please tell me, what

mean?

You remember when you were young? Don't try it. You could do anything, you could

be anything, and you were always right?

Well, touch me on a good day, I still feel the same way.

That's Reggie. She's got spirit.

And I'll be damned if I'm gonna crush it.

But there's gotta be some happy medium between expressing yourself and getting

arrested. So how do I help Reggie find this happy medium?

I don't know if you can, Paul.

You can teach her, you can guide her.

But the bottom line is that she's going to have to find out for herself.

It's hard to accept.

It's what every teacher has to accept.

And you're a good teacher.

Maybe.

Now I've lost the one student I finally reached.

Reggie's going to be fine.

She's a tough cookie. A little bit like you. In fact, a lot like you.

Thank you.

I get the point.

You always have an answer, don't you?

And you also have a considerable amount of chili on your chin.

What? You let me walk around... You know, you don't just identify with this

group. You are this age group.

Race you to the waterworks?

Falls for it every time.

Henshaw.

Higgins.

Reggie. I haven't seen her today.

Really?

Jacobson.

I don't believe this.

Go,

Reggie. She's unstoppable.

Nice of you to drop by.

We were just talking about you.

Would you like to say anything to the class?

What are you, a fugitive from a chain gang?

How does it feel to be silenced?

Would you care to elaborate on that?

Well,

I have to shake that home with that.

Wait, Reggie, Reggie, I think it's better if you leave the performance. No,

no, no.

You sure about this?

Yeah.

Think. Think about what you're trying to do to me.

Think. Let your mind and self be free. Ain't nothing you could ask.

I'll tell you what I want.

I won't go to change you because I'm gone if you keep on doing things I

Things I don't. I don't.

You know, you really, you really make me want to shout.

Think about what you're trying to do to me.

Think. Think, think. Let your mind and self be free. Think. People walk around

every day playing games, making sports. They try to make you lose your mind.

Make sure you don't lose yours.

Don't lose yours.

Lose yours.

I'll leave it here.

Higgins, come down, please.

Mr. Denforth, there's room for one more up here.

Come down, please.

Miss Higgins, you leave me no choice.

Lift it down and you'll come.

Don't you worry what the future holds.

We've got a hero to teach us

all to never give up on a dream.

What do you propose?

Talk to Mr.

Derringford.

I tried that.

Try harder. You're the one that told him not to give up.

That was real good advice, wasn't it?

I thought it was.

Yeah, it's not the same without you.

Nobody pulled a crazy stunt all day.

Yeah. A bunch of kids passed around some petition asking Darenforth to

reconsider your case.

That's pretty crazy.

I guess.

I find it.

Just he shouldn't have.

Oh? Why not?

I don't know. Maybe I'm not such a brilliant artist after all.

Now you tell me. Maybe it's still time for me to cross my name off the

Hey, I was kidding.

I'm not laughing. I noticed.

Come on, you won us over. You can't quit now.

Jesse.

Face it, I've been suspended and arrested. What could I possibly do for

encore? Reg.

Oh, my God, I found you.

Hey, Jess.

I have got some serious problems. Yeah, join the club.

The benefit's been canceled.

And my dad, he wants to take me back to Colorado.

a root beer, kid.

I don't need a root beer.

I need a plan.

I need to get people's attention.

I need to do something creative, something outrageous, something

Stupid?

Look, help me out, okay?

But, Reg, all my dad's hard work will be for nothing if I don't do something.

And I can't do this alone.

Come on, face it, Reg. You're the one with the talent for stirring things up.

That's what I need. Come on, don't make things worse.

We're already at the bottom.

What have we got to lose?

She's got a point.

I know you can do it.

We can do it.

Here you go, Mr. Seeger.

Thank you very much. Here you go.

All right.

Here.

You be sure and go, all right?

Here you go.

Oh,

you all packed, baby?

It's going to be great having you home.

Daddy, I'm not going back with you.

Well, don't talk nonsense, baby.

I know what's best for you. No, you don't.

Being here is what's best for me.

And I'm staying.

You would disobey your father?

I don't want to.

Maybe this will help you understand.

What is this?

It's an invitation.

Why does it say eviction notice?

Dusty?

Great. You got one, too.

Reggie Higgins strikes again?

Jesse filled me in. Bob, I think she's on to something this time.

Doesn't she ever quit?

Artists don't.

They make mistakes along the way, but they don't quit.

The school pays the price for their mistakes. Well, that's part of the game.

Bob, art is about risks. If we stick to playing it safe, then what's the school

for? Do we reward originality, or do we just crank out sausages?

What am I supposed to tell the Board of Education?

That we condone her behavior?

No. That we encourage it, but that we also guide it.

Look, all I'm asking is just keep an open mind, huh? Don't give up on Reggie

Higgins.

I have the right to be whoever I want to be.

Nobody can take it away from me.