Original subtitles

So have I described this place to you?

It's a cabin.

It is a log cabin with this great big stone fireplace and about five minutes

from the best downhill slopes in the valley. Connie, I don't think I'm going

to be able to get away this weekend.

What, are you kidding? We've been planning this weekend for a month.

This is our first weekend away together. There's a cabin waiting for us up there.

I know, but I have to prepare for Kingsfield Seminar.

So bring your bricks along.

Think you're the only one in the world who's got work to do? And I also have a

sinking feeling Golden isn't going to be overwhelmed by my note from Law Review.

Law Review.

Where are we going?

Come on. Golden's waiting for us. Wait a minute.

I've got to get to class. It's on the way.

Have you ever noticed that wherever you're going, there's always on my way?

This will only take a second. There are two feet of fresh powder as of last

night. Another storm system on its way. Plus...

The cabin has its own sauna.

What about your paper for Kingsfield? It's all through. I handed in today.

But you've got other work to do. I never went on a ski trip during my first year.

That's because nobody ever asked you.

Look at this.

There's a reception next Wednesday here to bring a guest.

I promise, when the work is finished... All the snow will be melted. Then we'll

swim in it.

Okay?

Hart?

Did this place turn you on?

Uh, no. We were just, um... I didn't think so. Here's your note.

What does this say? It says that it's unacceptable.

Oh, listen, Golden, I'd like another crack at it. We've got a deadline coming

up. I'm going to give it to Zeiss.

What? Yes, let him take a crack at it. What are you talking about? You're not

giving this to Zeiss. This is mine. Hart, I gotta get to class.

Oh, right.

But you're coming over later, right? Yeah.

See ya.

You can't do this to me.

I don't care about you, Hart.

I care about the law review. That is mediocre work.

I'd like another chance.

I'll fix it.

Tell me what I'm doing wrong.

Look, your personal life is none of my business, but I hope it is not getting

in the way of the work.

It's a minor hassle, Golden.

Let's just stick to the article, okay? That's exactly what I'm talking about.

Law review takes everything you've got.

No leftovers, no distractions.

It's a minor hassle. Get to be major hassles.

Okay. Night.

Let's get to it.

Let's get specific.

Okay, Hart.

Fine.

Let's get specific.

Now then, suppose I promise you...

One thousand dollars.

I make a commitment to give it to you.

And then suppose I don't give it to you.

If you sued me, would you collect one thousand dollars?

You will not find the answer in your case book. You may sit down.

Miss Lehman?

No, it is a gratuitous promise.

Well, now, let's assume the same hypothetical, except that you go out and

you buy yourself $1,000 worth of furniture based on my promise to give

you $1,000.

In that case, could you collect?

Well, sir, that case might be distinguishable, because you could argue

that my buying the furniture in reliance on your promise is a form of

consideration.

Exactly.

Now then, I suggest that you all read Kirksey v.

Kirksey, Alabama Supreme Court, 1845.

Those of you who have not yet turned in your papers, this is your last chance to

do so.

Ms. Lehman, I would like to see you after class, please.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Professor Kingsfield, if it's okay with you, I'll turn it in on Friday instead

of today.

I've done all the work. I just... There are no extensions.

Well, it's all right here.

If I could explain.

I've done all this work.

Mr... Bennett, sir.

Edwin Bennett III.

Mr. Bennett, do you know the definition of the word deadline?

No, sir.

It is a line drawn around a prison.

It's a line which, if the prisoners cross it, they face disaster and sudden

death. And you are about to cross that line, Mr. Bennett.

This must be a pretty big thrill for you.

I mean, you've been picking on me since the day I got here.

I know you want to see me flunk out.

I know you'd like to see... I know you'd like to see that!

I know you'd love to see my... love to do that to my family.

Wouldn't you?

Miss Sleeman?

Miss Sleeman, you seem to have digested the material we were discussing today.

I'm preparing a brief on the enforceability of gratuitous promises

and its relationship to implied contracts.

And I'm going to need a list and summary of all recent cases in that area.

The research will involve long hours of...

Precise investigation.

With no exemption from the normal responsibilities of law school, of

course.

Would you like the job?

Sir, it would be an honor to work for you.

I shall expect to see the research on my desk a week from Monday. In the

meantime, this material should answer any questions you might have.

Now, I suggest you get busy.

Hi, Law Review?

Is James Hart there, please?

Oh.

Okay, um...

Can you give him a message? Please tell him that Connie can't meet him until

later on tonight. I've got work to do.

Thanks.

Hey, if you want to listen to that garbage, keep it to yourself.

I've got to talk to you. It's important.

Listen, I was supposed to turn this paper into Kingsfield. Hey, Mazzullo!

This isn't the slum tenement you grew up in. You do your laundry in the

laundromat. Who do you think you are?

You think you own this place?

No, but I run it.

Bell, listen.

I talked back to Kingsfield. I cracked.

I lost control in this class right in front of him. Anything like that ever

happen to you?

No, never, Bennett. I don't know why I'm having this problem. I've got law in my

blood. There are judges and lawyers in my family back in the Civil War.

Telephone for you, Bell.

Bell, uh, I'm this generation's last hope. They're counting on me, Bell.

Thanks.

Yeah? Mr. Bell, have you forgotten?

Forgotten what?

The meeting of the housing committee.

All the members are here except for you.

Oh, my God. Yeah, I'll be right over.

Bell, what do you think I should do? Would you get away from me?

But you're our dorm advisor.

I thought you'd have a little advice for me. Hey, my advice to you is leave me

alone.

Hey, Bennett.

You're asking that guy for help?

You've got to be kidding.

You are all aware of the purpose of this committee meeting.

It is to discuss...

The faculty is represented by myself and Professor Talbot, the administration by

Dean Perry, and the board of trustees by Dr. Mercer.

And for the first time, the interests of the student community will be

represented by one of their own,

Mr. Willis Bell.

Yes, Mr. Bell?

Oh, no, sir, I was just saying...

Hello.

Well, you must have familiarized yourself with the proposal, so perhaps

you would formulate an opinion representing your community.

Yes, sir.

Will you give us that opinion?

Now?

Now?

Yes, sir.

You want my opinion on the proposals that we have before us?

Well, first of all, I'd like to say that it's a great honor to

be asked to speak in front of such illustrious company.

And I've given these issues a great deal of thought.

And I welcome the opportunity to discuss these matters.

And that's all I have to say at this present time.

Dean Perry, the dean's office approves in concept this set of proposals

creating off-campus housing.

There may be some problems securing some of the property rights. However, there's

a critical shortage, and it's only going to get worse.

from your performance that the student body shows absolutely no interest in its

own future?

Here

is

a case where the court held that a boyfriend's promise to send his

girlfriend to medical school, even after they were no longer living together, was

still enforceable.

They held it was an implied contract.

It's amazing what you can find out at 1 o'clock in the morning when you're

sleeping with a fanatic.

I still cannot believe Kingsville asked me to do this research.

I just want everything to be perfect. I don't want to disappoint him.

You won't.

Time to go to sleep.

Okay, okay.

Keatsfield, I am ready for you.

The question is, are you ready for me?

I thought you wanted to go to sleep.

I do.

Maybe this is the beginning of a dream.

No.

I don't think so.

Yeah, it must be.

That skin, that smell.

This can't be happening to me. Art, I really don't think I have the energy for

this. This doesn't take energy. This gives energy.

Haven't we had this discussion before?

God.

Have I ever told you how much I love the way your neck curves right here?

What are you doing?

I am really not into this tonight.

Just have to relax.

I'm trying to relax. This isn't helping. Art, I can't fake it.

Hey, no one's asking you to fake anything.

No, something's definitely different with Connie. I can feel it.

Where is she?

Slept at 6.30 this morning. Said she wanted to be the first one in the

library.

I believe we have some silverware.

I'm not hungry.

What's your problem?

You've had some good times with each other. Now you're getting tired of each

other. I mean, don't get too bogged down in this thing, Hart.

Obviously, it's time to move on.

The gospel according to Ford.

Am I being too blunt for your hopelessly romantic sensibilities?

Would it be easier for you to stomach after you've suffered over it for a

couple weeks?

Don't you understand?

Ford, this isn't one of your revolving door affairs.

This is a real relationship.

Please, James, not in the middle of breakfast.

Why do you think it's so hard for people to stay together?

The question never occurred to me.

It's because people aren't willing to stick around for the hard work these

things take.

Personally, I'd rather put that hard work where it's truly needed, which I'm

told is not such a bad idea.

Such as in your note for law review?

You just have to rewrite it.

Gotta get the things wrong, that's all.

No personal problems getting in the way of your devotion to the law?

It's your bacon.

But don't you see, Professor Kingsfield, that is precisely the point I'm trying

to make.

That is precisely the point I'm trying to make.

What are you guys looking at?

And make sure you leave the joint the way you found it.

Al! Have you seen Connie?

Not since this morning.

It's supposed to be the law review reception.

Listen, Hart, I need your help.

I got assigned to this university committee on housing.

Guess who's on it?

Kingsfield.

I thought I was done with that guy for the rest of my life.

Come on, Bell.

You're a second-year student. You can handle it.

So what? I've been going to a bunch of classes, stuffing my head with all these

laws. I'm in my second year, and still each time it's my turn to talk, it's

like I'm nothing.

I'm nobody, Hart.

How am I gonna stand up in court if I can't even stand up to Kingsfield?

Bell, can I talk to you a minute?

Who gave you the right to come in here?

Well, the door was open. I just thought... Well, you thought wrong.

Get out of here. Can't you see I'm in the middle of a conference?

I tell you, Hart, these 1Ls got absolutely no respect whatsoever. It's

kind of an emergency, Bell.

Everything's an emergency with you. You're supposed to be my advisor.

I got nowhere else to go.

Okay, make it fast.

Where are you going, Hart? This will just take a second.

I'm just going to leave a note on Connie's door. I'll be right back.

I found this in my box.

Kingsfield wants to see me.

He can't kick me out, can he?

Kingsfield can do anything he wants in this school.

What do you think is going to happen to me?

Just go to the meeting. You'll find out.

You know what my family would do if I got kicked out of law school, Bill?

Look, Bennett, I'm sure everything will work out for the best, but right now I'm

in the middle of something here with my friend Hart, okay?

It'll be all right.

Uh,

breaking and entering is a criminal offense, you know, Hart. Where have you

been?

At my new home, the library.

Would you give me a hand with these books?

Thanks.

We were supposed to be at the law review reception 20 minutes ago.

Nobody told me anything about it. I gave you the flyer when we were at the

office, don't you remember?

We never talked about it.

If we hurry, we can get there for the last hour.

I'm not going anywhere.

I had to beg to get these books out overnight.

It's all the material Kingsfield wants.

Oh, there you are.

Listen, I didn't get a chance to talk to you... Wait a minute.

You want me to go by myself?

What's wrong with that?

It's a party. You're supposed to bring someone.

So take Belle.

Take me where?

Is that supposed to be funny?

Hart, this isn't senior prom.

It's only law review.

Hart, listen.

I... Hart, where are you going? We need to talk.

We're your friends when you need them.

Ward, have you seen my dictionary?

Is it in here?

What would your dictionary be? James,

are you going to be around here tonight?

No, I've got work to do in the library.

Good.

For I shall be entertaining the enchanting Miss Nadine Robbins on the

premises. Ah.

Speaking of which...

I haven't seen much of good old what's-her-name around here lately.

Connie?

How quickly we forget.

Sometimes I think it'd be better to find a simple woman who wasn't a law student.

Connie is so bogged down in this research she's doing for Kingsfield,

it's insane how much time she's devoting to it.

Oh, come, come, James. You remember what it was like, don't you?

The first blush of infatuation.

the slavish devotion to his every need, the yearning for the smallest morsel of

praise. Ah, to be a first-year student again, in love with the law and

Kingsfield. Yeah, that's all I ever hear.

Do I detect a note of jealousy in your voice?

Jealousy? Of whom?

Who else?

Following the Civil War?

we perceive a gradual change in the Supreme Court's decisions.

Slowly, the court began to realize that it could not leave the protection of

individual liberties and due process to the states.

Excuse me.

Gradual change?

The 13th Amendment, the 14th, the 15th, all were written before 1870.

That would not seem to me to be a gradual change.

Mr. Hart, have you read Barbier v.

Connolly, 113, U.S. 27?

And Justice Miller's opinions in the Slaughterhouse case, 83 U.S. 36?

No, I haven't read those cases.

When you do, Mr. Hart, you will clearly see that it is one thing to enact a

constitutional amendment and quite another to interpret it.

I suggest you do some relevant reading prior to expressing such very forceful

opinions.

Hey, Hart.

Listen, finally we can talk.

Oh, Bill, I've got to get over to Laura. Why don't you call me?

I call you all the time. You never answer my calls. You said you were going

to help me. Maybe you should come by.

When? Anytime.

Tonight?

Tonight?

Okay.

You good?

It's good. Better be.

Buried alive in a tomb filled with contracts and torts, she sits

chewing the end of her pencil, wondering if she'll ever be rescued by

the white knight.

Hark, it is I.

Come to free you, quick.

Before the tavern closes, let us away for a beer.

Oh, I can't. I'm in the middle of this.

Never. We've been working all night. We deserve it. You can come right back. It

won't go away, I promise.

I don't have the time.

For a lousy beer?

White knight?

You know how it is.

Thanks for asking.

Yeah, sure.

So you'll be coming over when you're finished?

I'm not going to be here until they throw me out. I think I'll just go back

to the dorms.

Oh, well, it's been lots of fun. Be sure to drop me a card the first time you

argue before the Supreme Court. Come on.

I just can't deal with a lot of distractions.

Oh, is that what I am now, a distraction?

You know what I mean.

No, I don't think I do.

I don't want to take up any of your time for an explanation.

You've been through this. You know what this is like.

I'd at least think that you could show me a little understanding.

Yeah, I've been through it. You know what I learned?

That it gets real lonely if you cut everything out of your life except law

school.

That's why we got together, remember?

Because we both agree that there's a lot more to life than doing what Kingsfield

wants you to do, like other people and their needs. So what do you want me to

do? Drop everything and come running whenever you call? What about my needs?

I'll tell you something.

This research is the most important thing in my life right now, and if you

don't like it, I am sorry, but that is just the way it is.

Well, it's obvious from what you're saying that you're not ready for any

kind of a commitment. A commitment to what?

To me, to us. I am, but I don't see why you are pushing it right now.

I'm not pushing anything. I thought it was implicit.

This is my first year.

I can't juggle things the way that you can. You just can't expect that much of

me now.

I don't expect anything from you, okay?

You've got everything you want. Enjoy it.

Would you please listen to me?

We almost killed him. A drunk.

You would have known about it anyway.

It would have been murder.

Uh-huh.

And you know why I tried it, Judsy?

Because I damn well felt like it.

That's why.

I can't believe you've never seen a compulsion.

Never.

It's a classic.

I must have seen it at least five times.

But never with anyone quite as distracting as you.

Who the hell is that?

Hart, have you forgotten your key again?

Bell, what are you doing here? Hart told me to come over. We gotta talk.

Hart's not here.

It's okay. I'll wait.

Well, I don't know if Hart's gonna be back tonight.

Look, you can trust Hart. If he says he'll be here, he'll be here.

Man, I tell you, Ford, that Kingfield's really got me by the... Oh, you got

company.

Nadine, this is Willis Bell.

That's took okay. Don't get up.

Do you think you can cure the hatreds and maladjustments of the world by

hanging them? Tell me what I missed.

It just started.

Oh, perfect timing.

Got any popcorn?

It's getting late.

I think I'd better be going.

Well, uh, would you like me to see you home?

No, it's okay. I'll call you in a couple of days. Goodbye,

Bill.

Nice to meet you, Nadine.

Thanks,

Willis.

The world has been one long slaughterhouse from the beginning until

today.

Why not read something? Why not think?

Instead of blindly shouting at them.

Kill them.

Because everybody's talking about the case.

Because their parents have money.

All right, come on in.

Well, that... What are you doing here?

You told me to come over, remember?

We're going to talk about Kingsfield.

Please do not. Tonight, Bill.

Some other time.

For a time when we could... Oh, that's all right. We don't have to talk right

now. I'll take care of it.

We can learn that all life is worth saving.

And that mercy is the highest attribute of men.

So you say Kingsfield's out to get you.

What makes you so sure?

Kingsfield hates my family.

A long time ago, my grandfather was appointed to the state bench instead of

him. My dad and Kingsfield are on the board of trustees together, and they

never agree.

Interesting.

Yeah.

Now, on the day of the incident, was this before or after class?

After.

Good.

You gonna help me?

You must recall the exact words as spoken to you by Professor Kingsfield.

Tell me everything as it occurred.

Do not leave out a syllable, a gesture,

an innuendo.

On this subject of commitment, let's take the case of Benjamin Yeomans versus

the estate of Walter Birch.

Facts of the case, please.

Mr. Housen.

Yeomans was a servant employed by Birch and his wife for a period of 22 years

until the Birches were divorced.

At that time, Yeomans went to work for Mrs. Birch. When Mr. Birch died three

years later, there was absolutely no mention of the servant in his will.

Thank you.

Miss Lehman?

Yeomans claimed that he had been offered a pension of $20,000 a year by Mr. Birch

for his service, and that he had been cut out of the will because of his

loyalty to Birch's wife.

Yes. Go on, Miss Lehman.

The court ruled that he was not entitled to any compensation due to the dead

man's statute.

And does the court's decision seem just to you... that Mr. Yeoman should be

punished and repudiated by one party... because of his unswerving commitment to

another?

We are waiting, Miss Lehman.

Was it just?

That is the law.

Quite right, Miss Lehman.

As cruel and heartless as it may seem at times, that is the law.

You may sit.

Mr. Bennett, Professor Kingsfield will see you now.

Mr. Bell, he does not want to see anyone else.

Thank you.

After you, Bennett.

Mr. Bell!

Professor Kingsfield, I am here at the request of my fellow student, Mr.

Bennett. whose current predicament has been brought to my attention in my

official capacity as dormitory advisor to first-year students.

First of all, Mr. Bennett would like to apologize for any remarks he may have

made. The hot-blooded passion of youth.

Now, as you are well aware... Mr. Bell, were you informed by my secretary that I

wished to see Mr.

Bennett alone?

Yes, sir. She delivered the message. However, I... In that case, would you

kindly remove yourself from the premises?

Sir, if I may just... Ed! Ed Ponce!

Yes, sir.

Bennett, if you need to confer with me, I'll be in the next room.

That's a lovely ensemble you're wearing, Mr. Nottingham.

Have a nice day.

How'd it go?

Hey, Bennett, slow down.

What happened?

Listen, I'm sorry, man. Just stay away from me, will you?

What happened?

I trusted you. That's what happened. I thought you were gonna defend me.

Well, you saw how mad he was getting. What was I supposed to do?

You act so tough.

You push us around all the time, but when I really needed you, Bell, where

were you?

Where were you, Bell?

Not kicking me. Just opened the door and said, that's the way out, Bennett.

What do you mean?

He said he thought I should take some time off to mature a little.

Not cause my family any more embarrassment.

That's all he said? That's just a warning. Yeah, he said he felt he owed

it to my family.

I thought you said he hates your family. Yeah, well, I guess I was wrong.

I'm getting out of this place.

I already am.

Hey, Bennett.

Bennett, look.

Look, man.

You're gonna make it.

I'll help you. Yeah, I know all about your help.

Come on, man.

I've never been a dorm advisor before. I'm learning.

Look, wait.

Wait a minute.

Wait.

The thing about Kingsfield is, he's symbolic.

The guy's not such a monster, really.

Yeah? Well, how come you're so scared of him, then?

It's a good question, Ben.

Ford, have you seen my sports jacket?

Well, you might always try looking in the closet.

What would I do without you, Ford?

You'd have lots of wrinkles.

This is more life than I've seen out of you in a long time.

Does this mean that the period of mourning is officially over?

That is exactly what it means.

Hallelujah. May it rest in peace.

How long am I supposed to sit in there feeling sorry for myself?

Want to go get a beer? Oh, I would love to.

But, believe it or not, duty calls.

Unless, of course, Nadine calls.

I'll get it.

No, it's probably for you.

Hello.

Oh, hello, Nadine.

Yes, I was just thinking about you.

Oh, no, just lying around. the apartment, sipping a little cognac.

Whatever it is, I'm buying.

If that's okay with you.

A beer.

Me too.

Thank you.

Oh.

I feel I owe you one for that last song.

Oh, you mean goodbye?

Yeah.

Got me right where it hurts.

Recent.

Yeah, about two weeks.

Well. I've been alone a lot longer than that.

Here's to all the goodbyes and all the hellos.

Hello.

Well, well, what have we here?

You must be Ford. And you must be a friend of hearts.

Good guess.

I recognize the shirt.

My name's Carolyn.

I'm really looking forward to getting to know you.

Did you sleep okay?

In a totally satisfied bliss.

Yeah, that was nice.

That was nice?

I can't wait to see what great is.

What would you like to do today?

Ah, well, um, I've finished this article for Law Review.

What's Law Review?

It's a publication. It's put out by the... Oh, no, no, no, no. Don't

explain.

You just do whatever you want to do.

Oh, uh, by the way, what would you like for dinner?

Dinner? Oh, sweetheart, look at you.

I'm sorry. You just woke up.

Oh, I'm going too fast, aren't I?

I have a tendency to do that whenever I get excited.

It comes from playing all those quick little notes on the guitar.

It's just that it's been so long since I met someone that moved me the way you

do.

Oh, God, I'm so embarrassed.

God, no, that's all right. It's all right. It's okay.

No, it's fine. It's fine.

And that doesn't bother me. Go ahead.

Here.

We can talk about that later.

Nice to meet you, Mr. Ford. The highlight of my morning.

And, uh, as for you, Mr. Hart, whatever goes on behind those mysterious

blue-green eyes of yours, I want to hear all about it.

Thank you.

What have I done?

I think you've just caught the big one.

What am I going to do?

Sit back and let the good times roll.

How am I going to tell her?

Tell her what?

I don't want to see her anymore.

Are you serious?

Did you see the way she was looking at me?

She's a nice person. I just don't feel anything for her.

James, she is everything you've been looking for.

Breakfast in bed?

I haven't seen devotion like that since... I don't want it.

What is your problem?

I don't know. Maybe it's too fast or something.

I know I said that's what I wanted.

But maybe... Maybe nothing's good enough for you anymore.

Connie. Hi.

Listen, I was just at the library.

Trying to figure everything out before I went up to your room

to tell you why I did what I did.

But, um... I don't know.

It's okay.

See, when I was a first-year student, it all made sense to me how hard you have

to work.

That's what it's all about.

But when it started happening to you, well, that was different.

Don't ask me why.

Pretty stupid.

Look, I don't know how much harm I've done.

But I'm really sorry.

You haven't done that much.

We had it pretty good there for a while.

I'd like to keep going. I mean, if we could.

So would I.

I don't know exactly what that would mean.

Neither do I.

Just figure it out.

One of these days.

So which way are you walking?

Oh.

It doesn't matter.

Which way are you walking?

Had he never said one single word about that research I did for him? He probably

thought it was fine.

You think so?

Yeah, how could you tell?

Well, you could ask him.

Maybe I'll wait till I graduate.

Go ahead, take a deep breath.

Professor? Uh,

excuse me, Professor Kingsville?

Hi. I was wondering, have you had a chance to look over the, um, the

research that I did for you?

I have read it.

Oh, you have?

It'll do.

Thank you, sir.

Great.

Great?

Don't you understand?

You did a good job.

All he said was, it'll do. What does that mean?

It means it'll do.