Original subtitles

♫ When a man loves a woman ♫

♫ can't keep his mind on nothing else ♫

♫ he'd trade the world for the good thing he's found ♫

♫ if she is bad, he can't see it ♫

♫ she can do no wrong ♫

♫ turn his back on his best friend if he put her down ♫

♫ when a man loves a woman ♫

♫ spend his very last dime ♫

♫ trying to hold on to what he needs ♫

♫ he'd give up all his comforts ♫

♫ and sleep out in the rain... ♫

hey, that looks good.

That sandwich. Looks good.

You on your lunch hour?

♫ When a man loves a woman... ♫

any news in the paper?

Would you like to read a section of this?

No, thanks. I, uh,

I actually read for a living, so it's the last thing

I want to be doing with my lunch hour.

Oh, excuse me. Sorry, excuse me, miss.

You ok?

Yeah.

♫ When a man loves a woman... ♫

what?

Where are you going after this?

Why would you be asking that?

Uh, I am a pilot,

and I'm gonna barely make my flight to Seattle Tacoma,

and I haven't had a chance

to pick up my laundry.

And?

I thought you could pick it up for me.

Heh!

I'd give you the money and everything.

Here's the receipt and $30.

That should cover it.

What do you propose that I do with your laundry

after I pick it up?

Good question.

Here's the keys to my place.

The address is on the, uh, little thing,

and I will be there at about 12:30,

and you can bring it by then.

After midnight?

Uh, excuse me, actually--

no, hold on. One second, one second, one second.

If I could impose one further question...

Ok. Why wouldn't I drop off your laundry

at my convenience since I have your key?

Because then I wouldn't be able to thank you properly.

Oh, I see. And how would you do that?

I would give you something

that you can take away with you.

And what might that be?

Oh, you want to know up front?

Oh, yeah.

Excuse me.

I bake.

You bake.

You bake?

You like...Chocolate.

I'm allergic to chocolate.

Do you like carrot cake?

Very much.

Well, then...

Cream cheese frosting?

My specialty.

Check it out.

Mm!

Cable guy come this morning?

Heh heh heh!

No? Uh-uh.

That's 3 weeks those kids are without adult movies.

What a fucking world.

Hey, that looks good. Is that chablis?

Captioning made possible by buena vista television

All right, take it easy on me.

Does anyone have, like, a towel or something?

Oh! Mm!

Now, this is you inside.

Not inside the dress, inside the body.

How did I get in there?

That's a whole other set of videos.

And they won't let you watch those.

Give me an eskimo.

There you are.

Why wasn't your real daddy there?

You say dumbest things.

I'm 4 years old!

Guys. Mom, can you tell her?

Uhh! I married your daddy

because he made me a cake with cream cheese frosting.

That's how much he wanted me.

How come daddy wanted you?

God, woman, just look at her!

Oop! Late.

Second team take over.

Porsche.

Jesus! One more time.

Amy, Jess has to do her homework tonight

so she doesn't leave it for the weekend.

Let's go. Amy, did you get that?

Which part were you afraid I missed?

Amy.

Sorry.

Happy anniversary.

It's a press-on tattoo!

Ha ha ha!

It's says, "if found naked, please return to Alice green."

It's to wear on trips

so that the stewardesses know you're spoken for.

Flight attendants.

Flight attendants, whatever.

Very thoughtful.

Hmm!

I went over the 20 bucks.

Oh, hey, I didn't go over the 20 bucks.

Really?

Yeah.

You rat.

That's incredible.

Now I'm gonna have to do that thing to you tonight.

I think she wants you, baby.

Ha ha ha!

Hello. How you doing?

Hi. Ooh! Good dancer.

Thank you.

Oh! Thanks.

Happy anniversary.

Oof! Ohh!

Ugh!

What? Porsche again.

Oh, honey, come here.

No, no, no. Alice! Honey.

Goddamn it!

Hey! It's 1:00 in the morning!

People are trying to have sex up here!

Alice, there's nobody down there.

You're talking to a car.

Goddamn it!

Alice.

Alice!

Piece of shit!

Alice!

Goddamn it, shut up!

God! Goddamn it.

Alice! Alice!

Alice, am I gonna like this?

Here, take that.

Ugh! Ooh!

Grr! Ahh!

Shut up! Argh!

This piece of shit!

Ok, ok. Batter up.

Right here!

Hey, batter, batter, batter, batter batter, batter!

Right here. Come on, baby. Let's go.

Aah! Sorry.

Aah! Aah!

Oh! Ha ha!

I'll start your shower.

You're not suggesting I go to work?

Yes.

Can you promise no one will be loud?

600 kids? Sure.

Good.

Get dressed, sugar. We're running late.

See, I'm not sure that Matthew washerman's glance at your breast

rises to the level of sexual harassment.

Well, what if he said, "you know you want it?"

Did he?

No! But what if he did?

Well, that would be closer.

I think if we can get him to lift up your dress,

we can put him away.

So, uh, ahem,

what is the deal with cutting language lab--shit!

Another self-mutilation day.

I'm checking on availability

for end-of-the-day winding.

Oh, come on.

My problem's gotta be more sordid than Shannon's.

Ok, quick one. Michael's got a trip.

Yes.

Hi. Hey.

Where's Alice?

That's right. Where's Alice? Bye.

Amy! Amy!

Amy, Amy, Amy, Amy, Amy, Amy!

Listen, I, uh-- I've got a trip.

I'm late, and Wayne's supposed to meet me.

I've got no way to call him.

He waiting at my lamaze class,

and I just can't not show up, i--

Amy, Amy, this is important. I got a trip.

You're not saying my life is less important?

Of course not.

I didn't think so. Bye.

She didn't come home.

I did notice that.

I have a trip.

What if she doesn't get back?

Well, I'll just go down to the corner

and offer the first person I see

5 bucks to stay with you.

Michael.

Ok, 10 bucks.

You're so pretty.

20 minutes, lights out, ok?

Ok.

You're ok.

I've called everyone we know.

Hospitals. The school.

Heh heh heh! You're up.

I'm supposed to be up.

I'm just supposed to be doing it in Chicago.

Ohh.

Hey. Stop that.

You got a trip?

Really. And I better get a move on.

I forgot that. I'm sorry...

About your trip.

What happened?

We went for a drink.

Pam?

Yeah, Pam. My friend. She needed me.

She needed to talk. She needed me

'cause Joe is an asshole--

well, I'm glad she needed you,

'cause she's the one who got you,

and nobody else got a fucking phone call.

We were just talking.

She was crying, and, uh...

When I looked at the time,

I just figured you were asleep, so...

I--i don't know how I forgot the trip.

I don't know, either.

Christ, Michael.

You don't know what I go through.

You don't have a fucking clue.

What do you go through?

My job, for one.

The girls and...

And running this place,

and I know a lot of women go through the same thing,

but their husbands aren't gone half the time.

I miss you...

When you go.

You got pressures, you come to me.

Well, why do that to you?

What are you supposed to do with all that?

You let me worry about that.

I'm gonna trade ed Buckley

for a trip to Mexico for a week, and we're gonna disappear.

Would you like that?

Like to disappear?

Go get some candy from grandpa.

And mama andretti. You're just--

hello, Casey, Casey!

How are you, honey? Ha ha!

Look what I got for you. See?

We're not staying with her.

Hey, it's gonna be ok, honey.

Yeah, well, she doesn't care about US.

Listen, she's crazy about you, and she's gonna spoil you rotten.

Hi. Hello, Michael dear.

How are you? Thanks for coming.

She still puts you down, and I don't like it.

Hey, you're gonna have to cut grandma a little bit of slack.

She hasn't had the easiest life.

Jessica!

How's my sweet angel?

Oh, just fine, mom. How are you?

Have you lost weight?

No.

I guess you're just tired. Mwah.

Wish I had time to be tired.

Give me a smile. Come on, give me a big smile!

Walter, don't let Michael carry

all those bags in by himself.

I'm sorry.

It's all right, ma. It's only 2 bags.

Well, give him the small one. He likes to feel useful.

I got it. I got it. I got it.

Mom, can I get you anything

before we fly off and leave you with the kids?

The best thing you can do for me

is just have the grandest time in the world

and come home rested, please.

Hey, dad.

When mama comes home,

we're gonna have a big surprise for her.

We're gonna have the whole house clean.

Won't that be nice? Huh?

Thanks. I gotta go. Bye. Bye, girls.

Bye.

Bye. Have fun.

Thanks.

Safe trip.

Bye, mom! I love you!

Love you! Bye!

Ok, let's go.

Don't clean too hard.

It's a press-on tattoo.

Just in case. You never know what might happen in Mexico.

I found a guy at the beach who'll watch US have sex.

Ooh! A local?

Mm-hmm.

Come on, honey.

Ooh! Ok, come on.

Baby, gotta tell you something.

Listen.

I think we should do this more often.

Ahem. I do.

Because they paid you to fly here.

I got a pass.

The hotel is a remarkable discount.

There are meals, as you've said before, Johnny.

Heh heh heh!

You gotta eat anyway, so we can afford this.

Not unless they count the drinks.

Oh! What's that supposed to mean, hmm?

Hey!

You looking for a fight, buster?

No, I'm not. Sit down, Alice.

Wait, wait, wait. I got a few moves here.

Hey! Alice! If you want a fight

I can give you all the trouble you can handle.

I know you can.

Alice, sit down. Sit!

Sit.

Woof.

Alice! Alice!

I'm waiting for my spanking.

I know we have pressures,

and we need to have fun.

But wringing you out at the end of an evening

is less fun than it used to be.

And thinking back, it's been going on for quite a while, Alice.

What's wrong, babe?

Can you talk about it?

You scared me last night.

Didn't you scare you?

Huh? What's gonna happen?

I'm gonna stop drinking so much.

Last night was the best thing that could've happened

to straighten my ass out.

I promise you.

I promise me.

Hey! Jesse! Ow!

Piñatas!

They're here!

Oh, honey, don't get dirty.

Hey!

Hi, pretty girl!

Hi, Casey! Hey!

Oh, my god. I hope those piñatas aren't full of candy.

Yeah. Hi. Hi, daddy.

Good to see you.

Hey, pops. How are you?

Hi, mom.

Hi, honey.

I smell Murphy's oil.

Shit.

Well...

Everything's fine on the curb.

Garbage compulsion. I feel much better now.

Come on, baby. It's late.

Casey.

You're not going to Dana's.

Case, I think we're gonna have to fill out

one of those homicide reports for Felicia.

She's soaking off her makeup.

Oh.

Did I miss something?

She didn't do her book report,

so she can't go to Dana's.

It's not due till Monday.

I told you last night not to save it for the weekend.

Good morning. Good morning!

Good morning.

"Good morning," first words out of our mouth.

I think we have all we can handle right now

with our coffee and our little spoon.

Ok, take her away!

So...

You go to Dana's,

and the report gets done first thing Saturday

and not last thing Sunday, ok?

What's the difference?

The difference between me helping you do it

and me pulling your lungs out

through your bellybutton.

Hooray!

Sorry I'm late.

That's ok.

Um, Casey's taking a nap,

and Jess is teaching Samantha

how to use the computer.

You all right?

I--

oh.

I had--i had lunch at this Thai place, and, uh...

Something in the oil maybe, but...

I'll be fine. See you tomorrow.

Uh, Alice, um, I can call my mom.

I'm sure I can stay and fix some supper.

I said... See you tomorrow.

Alice, I think you should--

uh, uh, Amy...

Go home.

Ok?

Please!

Go home!

You get some rest.

And I'll call you a little later.

Mom, look.

Samantha drew a buick on the computer.

It's green.

Do your homework.

Mom?

Mom?

Mom, are you sick?

I said...

Do your homework!

Mom...

Are you sick?

I did my homework!

That's all I wanted to tell you!

Good girl.

Jess!

Mom?

Mom?

Is there a Michael green?

Michael green?

Switchboard tracking you down, I guess.

Thank you. Hello?

Jess, what's the matter, honey?

Mommy died.

What?!

She just fell through the shower door,

and all the glass is all shattered and on the floor,

and she's laying in the middle of it.

Jess, listen to me.

I'm gonna have somebody over there right away.

Do you understand? Ok.

Ok, and I'm gonna call you right back.

Ok.

I need an outside line.

I need an outside line!

Dr. Warren, line 3, please.

Hi.

You're all right,

doctor says.

Jess.

She's really happy you're ok.

I hit her hard, Michael.

I hit her so hard.

It's all right. She's fine.

And we're gonna get you better

so it doesn't happen again, all right?

God, just don't hate me...

Mm-mmm.

Because I'll die if you do.

That thought would never enter my mind.

I start at 4:00 in the morning,

and it goes all day.

I drink in the John, I drink...

In the closet,

and I drink in the kitchen

when they're not there.

You know how when we go out to the car

and I have to go back inside for a second?

Mm-hmm.

I have to be high to do anything...

And I'm scared all the time.

I drank for case's goddamn birthday party.

So did I.

I drink a quart a day.

It's vodka, so you couldn't smell it.

How come I didn't see this?

Because I hid it.

You were scared.

What am I gonna do?

We'll figure it out.

I don't want you to worry about it.

I'm gonna find you the best treatment,

best in the fucking world.

You're not alone, honey, never.

Never.

Ok, girls, I'll see you later.

Bye.

Amy?

Oh, I'll just wait in the kitchen.

Ok.

So...

We'll talk on the phone,

and you'll come to see me,

and I'll be home.

And we'll go to the beach?

Are you gonna take care of your sister?

I'm gonna take care of daddy.

Sorry, baby.

It will never happen again.

Mommy loves--

Oh, that's great.

We can talk about it later this afternoon.

Watch this.

Hi, uh, we're-- Alice green.

Hi. Welcome.

Alice, before we check you in,

I need to look through your bag.

Is that all right with you?

It's strictly routine.

We've got all your paperwork,

so everything's ready.

Oh, sorry.

So come on, Alice,

and we'll get you checked in.

Just Alice.

Give me a minute.

I'll call you tonight.

I'm sorry. There's no phone calls.

Excuse me. She's my wife.

She can call me whenever she needs to call me.

She'll be in detox until Tuesday,

and she'll be busy getting well.

She'll call you as soon as she can after that.

I love you.

I love you.

♫ I can hear her heart beat ♫

♫ for a thousand miles ♫

♫ and the heavens open ♫

♫ every time she smiles ♫

♫ and when I come to her ♫

♫ that's where I belong ♫

♫ again I'm running to her ♫

♫ like a river's song ♫

♫ she give me love, love, love, love ♫

♫ crazy love ♫

♫ she give me love, love, love, love ♫

♫ crazy love ♫

♫ she give me love, love, love, love ♫

♫ crazy love ♫

Jess?

It's 6:00 in the morning.

Kids are unbelievable.

First she wants French toast,

then she wants tuna,

and then she wants a cucumber sandwich.

Case!

You wanna know what she finally eats?

She ate fruit.

She ate fruit.

Right.

Oh! My hair hurts.

Casey, is that you?

Oh, god.

I did her hair.

Ooh, I like it.

Let's see that hairdo.

Ooh, that's a little tight.

Let me see that.

Ow. Ohh! Sorry.

Mommy does it better.

Oh, mommy does everything better.

She cooks better. She looks better.

She kisses better.

Mommy's a better person.

You know, I'll bet you have a lot of questions,

things you're feeling about mommy.

We could talk about that.

You know, like if you're sad or scared or angry or something,

you could just--

what's a alcoholic?

Someone with a bad habit.

You know, like if you drank stuff that made you sick,

but you really liked it, so you kept drinking it,

and it kept making you sick.

Wouldn't you want to learn how to stop?

What's a alcoholic?

It's why she does all that stuff,

when she does all that stuff

like when she talks like she's sleepy,

forgets stuff,

and when she's sad.

When she cries?

She cries in the bathroom.

She--she did that a lot,

I bet, huh?

Your hair is so pretty.

You know, mommy can't wait

to get back just to brush it.

I got her. Alice?

I'm Dr. Mendez. I'm a counselor.

You know you're supposed to be in community now.

Your nurse said you've got a problem?

No problem.

I don't have any problems.

Do you think I have a problem?

Yeah, at least.

I just want to make a phone call.

I just want to make a phone call to my husband.

If you wanted to make a phone call to your husband,

would you call that a problem?

No, but i'm not in detox

dealing with an addiction.

Look, we'll let you make a phone call--

now!

Now is when I want to call him!

Now, can you understand that?!

Alice, look--

can you understand fucking anything?!

Yeah...

I can.

2 more days, hon.

You can do this.

Hang in.

Come on.

Hello?

Michael.

Alice?

Alice?

Yeah.

You got a call?

Yeah, what do you know? They let me use the phone.

How was detox?

It was nifty, you know?

I threw up like a good girl.

Right.

Hard part's over, baby.

Yeah, the hard part's over.

Party time.

Well, so, uh...

Basically, I just sit around and...

Think of you naked,

'cause you know you have this...

Amazing body.

You still do, don't you?

State of the art.

So you'll be what, 65 pounds now?

Honey?

Alice?

Honey, you there?

Alice?

Yeah.

Everyone here is pulling for you.

Alice, they say they tear you down the first 2 weeks

so they can build you back up.

Alice?

God, I'm sorry, baby.

It's just so hard.

Honey, are you there?

Yeah. I'm here, baby.

I love you.

I miss you.

Listen, I'll see you, um--

I'll see you on Sunday.

Ok?

The kids are so excited to see you.

I can't talk for too long, because there's, um,

one phone and whole line of people, so...

Can you bring my gray sweat suit?

Yes.

Well, I'm just running down my list

of dumb things to say right now.

Good for you.

Jess: You're supposed to wrap it.

What?

In a newspaper or a paper bag

so nobody sees it or something.

Mommy tell you that?

Oh, god.

Hey...

You wanna do one?

Come on,

take your pick.

Vodka, huh?

All right.

Ok, let me see you here.

Now, if mommy cries when she sees you,

it's because you're beautiful.

Ok?

Piggyback?

Oh, the purse. Ready?

Atta horse!

Where is she?

I don't know. She said--

she said she'd be out here.

There she is. You see her in the hat?

Mommy!

Mommy!

Mommy!

Mommy!

Hi, baby.

Hey.

Say hi to mommy.

Hi, beautiful girl.

Hi. Hi.

You want to take 'em for a walk, and I'll catch up later?

See you later.

Thank you. Ok.

Come on, you guys. Let's go!

Excuse me, could you get some coffee in here?

What do I look like, a fuckin' waitress?

Man: Grab that stripe on the side.

Second man: Hey!

I saw you with Alice.

You're her significant other.

Good to meet ya, man. Your wife's amazing.

Malcolm.

Oh, uh, Michael.

Yeah, Michael. Get in here. Come on in.

No. I got the kids outside.

Nah, that's ok. This is Earl.

Hey, I'm Earl.

Hi, Earl. Michael.

Come on in. Watch the game.

No. No. I--i got the kids outside.

Have a seat. Ok.

TV announcer: Myer shooting at 50% tonight.

Second announcer: Well, there's that middle man.

Blaylock is still on him,

moves up the Lane, opens up that wild pass,

clear on the other side there...

Man: Hi, Malcolm.

Been a while since you watched a game without a beer?

Me?

You.

Actually, i--i-- I don't, uh, drink much.

I been there, man.

Denial.

Jesus.

Ain't just a river in Egypt.

Man: Shut up!

Cork it, Danny.

Are you guys sayin' that this dude don't drink?

I'm sayin' shut the fuck up, man!

Fellas-- fellas, I gotta go.

Hey.

It's a cunning, baffling disease, man.

Earl: The man doesn't have a problem, pecker face! You do.

Cunning and baffling disease.

Save it for group, man!

Save it for group!

Save it for group, all right?

Yo, Earl, man--

I like your new friends.

Oh, did you meet Malcolm?

Big black guy.

Cokehead.

We hit it off.

The girls are with him.

Right now?

Aw, come on, Michael. He's not a child molester.

He's an armed robber.

What?

Well...ahem.

Whatever you think of these people, Michael,

think that of me, because it fits.

I thought you'd quit.

I did.

Malcolm and I, um...

Really talk, you know,

talk about everything.

Everything.

We have a lot in common,

and the truth is that right--right now,

I really need these people.

I'm glad you have 'em,

and when you come home, you'll have me.

What's wrong, Alice?

You were fine when the kids were around.

What's wrong?

Long day.

Hey.

Hi.

Gary, this is Michael.

Hi.

I feel like I know you.

Oh, yeah? Yeah.

Your wife's a very comforting person.

Yes.

Very.

So you mind if I talk to her for a second?

No.

Just for a second.

I'll just be one second.

Ok.

Uh--

Bob--Bobby, no, that's not what I said!

I have never turned the company down in an emergency before.

This is a first!

Bob!

Gimme it!

Bob, I am not gonna leave my kids for 4 days with Alice gone!

I'm certainly not gonna bring Alice's mother into the picture

at this point in their life! They have enough grief already.

Amy! Gimme it!

What? Gimme it!

Come on! Gimme it!

Rollbacks? Will you settle down?

Amy? Amy! Ammmmy!

Hello?

What do rollbacks have to do with this, Bob?

Oh, Bobby, why don't you just save the little subtle threats?

It's making me embarrassed for you.

Amy! Listen, hol--can you hold on a second? Hold on.

Hey! Hey!

What is this? What is this, huh?

Get up! Get up right now!

She bit me. She bit me hard.

Did you bite her?

Yeah.

Well, that's no excuse!

This is your baby sister! You could hurt her!

Huh? You're much bigger than her.

You should be loving each other. You understand me?

Now, who spilled this coke?

She did. She did!

Who?

She did! She did!

Right.

In bed right now!

Uh, don't you hear those kids fighting?

I haven't eaten all day.

It's 10:00.

Why don't you put 'em to bed?

I did. They just keep poppin' back up.

They miss their mother, Michael.

They're outta control.

They spilled some coke, Amy.

I'll get it in a minute.

In a minute? It is soaking into the rug!

Don't yell at me. I am workin' overtime to help you out.

Ok.

Where are the paper towels?

There are no paper towels.

Jesus Christ, I am in a crisis here!

I need some help!

I need someone that can look around the house

and when there are no paper towels,

they go to the goddamn store and buy some paper towels!

I mean, how many goddamn stores do you pass on the way home from school

that are filled with paper towels?

I need someone to use a little common sense around here!

Why don't you get somebody else?

Amy.

Amy!

Amy. Amy! I--i was--

Amy, I didn't-- I was kidding.

I--Amy, i'm--

oh, no.

Oh, no. No.

Telephone: ...Dial your operator.

Bob--

...call, please hang up and try again.

Jess: I'm not gonna do it.

I don't have another choice, Jess.

This isn't fair.

Well, you know,

sometimes life isn't fair.

I told you, Jess,

they're tryin' to get rid of the experienced pilots.

They wanna bring in kids.

Kids can't fly planes.

Not kid kids, men kids.

I'm not living with her, and you can't make me.

It's 4 days, Jess. 4 days.

Well, why can't we live with Amy? She loves US.

I tried that. She won't talk to me.

Well, whose fault is that?

Look, now.

This is not a vote. I am your father, and--

no, you're not!

Oh, yes, I am.

I am the only father you got, little girl.

I know things are tough, Jess,

but mommy's sick,

and I'm all alone,

and we need to pitch in.

It's time you understand that.

I'm gonna go to my dad.

Your dad calls you from Oregon

maybe twice a year.

Plenty of time, all the time,

and you don't know!

I'm sorry, babe. I didn't mean that.

I'm gonna go to my mom!

Shit.

Jess.

Jess.

I want my mom!

Jess.

I want her!

I want my mom!

I know that. I know, sweet--

let go of me.

Stop it. Stop it.

Stop it!

It's ok. It's ok.

Stop it. Get off--

we'll work it out. I want my mom.

Ok, we'll work it out. We'll work it out.

I want my--

I want your mom, too.

What's wrong?

It's no fun to eat shit.

So don't.

Then you'd be stuck with grandma.

Let's go in.

Come on.

Wait for me here.

You.

Me?

What did you just say about me?

That you were the one...

With the paper towels.

Guilty.

I'm very sorry I did that.

Can I talk to you a second

in the kitchen or someplace?

Don't bother. Nobody speaks English,

except my cousin vu.

And I'd love to hear this.

Uh...ok.

I got a trip.

If I don't go, I'll get fired.

I don't wanna leave Jess with her grandma.

Why is this my problem?

Actually, it's not.

So you're basically begging?

Well...

It worked.

You gonna leave without sayin' good-bye?

It's ok. You don't have to tell me nothin'.

Ready to go, huh?

I don't know.

I don't know how I'm gonna do anything anymore.

You're supposed to give me an answer here.

You're supposed to say something very encouraging.

This is why you get those big bucks.

No. No.

They tried to tell me that shit when I first went home,

and it never did me a damn bit of good.

When you first went home?

Yeah, that's right.

Two-time loser.

I know you're scared shitless,

'cause I sure as hell was.

There's no easy way through it.

Ya just gotta do the work.

I'm gonna disappoint him.

This is not the person that he married.

I don't know who this is supposed to be now.

Well, who was the other person?

Well, every now and then, let's face it,

she was--- she was a blast.

And--and I'm not gonna be fun.

Mm-hmm.

That's exactly what happened to me

when I first went home.

Exactly.

So everything turned out ok in the end, right?

No.

We got divorced.

Rickie Lee Jones: ♫ oh, sacred Patience ♫

♫ with my soul abide ♫

♫ there's a rainbow above me that the storm clouds hide ♫

♫ and kind words ♫

♫ will never die ♫

♫ because the magic in kindness ♫

♫ Springs from love ♫

♫ love ♫

♫ Love ♫

♫ Little acts of kindness ♫

♫ little words of love ♫

♫ make our earthly home ♫

♫ heaven above ♫

♫ and there is no sorrow ♫

♫ heaven cannot deal ♫

♫ abide within ♫

♫ no cross, no crown ♫

♫ runnin' from mercy ♫

♫ hidden and coy ♫

♫ swim in our sleep ♫

♫ down oceans of joy ♫

♫ die in the arms of natural life ♫

♫ wake in our happiness ♫

♫ drowning in light ♫

♫ wake in our happiness ♫

♫ drowning in light ♫

♫ oooh ♫

♫ oooh ♫

♫ oooh ♫

♫ oooh ♫

wake 'em up.

Come on, wake 'em up. You're dyin' to wake 'em up.

I promised them.

Ah-choo!

Mommy.

Hi.

Michael, you said you'd wake me up.

Mommy.

Casey.

Hey, Jessie, shh. Shh. Shh.

Jess, whispering: Casey, it's mom.

Jess: Casey.

Mommy.

Mommy! Mommy!

Mommy!

Mom! Jessie: Gimme that!

Stop it!

Hold it. Hold it, both of you.

She said I could use it.

Not when she's breaking it!

I'm not the one that broke it!

Yes, she is!

Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey.

Ho. Ho. Ho. What's the baby problem?

First child to say one word loses, ok?

Whatever this is, you don't need to bother mommy about it.

Michael--

all short guys upstairs.

Because we were just-- we're just sorting--

I'll be up in 2 minutes.

We were just-- upstairs.

Did you hear me?

Go!

Yes. Go.

We were just--

we were just workin' it out.

Sounded like it.

Finish your work.

I'll settle their hash.

We've been doin' walkman wars all month.

See, Michael,

I would rather handle their fights lately.

That's all you need, babe.

Oh, what does that mean, I'm not up to it?

Oh, no, no, Mr. District attorney.

My wife is perfect.

She's really perfect.

You hear me?

Thank you for the vote of confidence.

What, I'm being, uh, overly--

attentive. A little bit.

Attentive. Yeah.

It's like I'm pregnant or psychotic

or like I'm made of glass.

You're handling play dates,

polishing toilets, shopping up a storm.

A storm?

Yeah. Have you looked in the freezer lately,

because there's, like, 83 cans of frozen orange juice in there

if you can see past all the frozen waffles.

The kids like 'em now.

Ahh.

Oh. Now.

You mean post shameful incarceration era.

That's what we like to call it.

Sorry.

So...

I was thinking...

About this weekend.

I'd call ed...

And trade him for the Mexico route.

I spoke to Amy.

Amy. Yeah.

Michael, don't you think this is all

just a little bit inappropriate?

What?

I mean, maybe I should learn to live in reality

before I start trying to escape from it again.

I mean, Rachel was in my group.

She's--she's 46,

she taught Russian history at Berkeley,

she has 2 kids, her family has money,

and she was living under a bench

in golden gate park for 3 years

before her sister found her there.

You think that can't happen to me?

Ask me how much I want a drink right now.

How come we haven't talked about this?

How come we haven't talked about a lotta things?

I think-- I think maybe we should see someone.

At--at the place, they said

that sometimes it's good for a couple

to see someone who knows about this stuff.

You mean like a licensed contractor?

You would do that?

Only if you were incredibly grateful.

And this is ever since you've been back?

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm. I'm, uh...

Just agitated and pissed off,

and it seems unreasonable to me,

and i--and it's--

I feel like I'm being unfair

and, uh...

Especially to Michael,

because he's trying to be sweet,

and he's really-- he really, you know,

he just wants to be there for me.

So you're saying that there's a problem in your marriage

and that it's your fault.

No, I don't think that's what she said at all.

I'm sorry, Alice. Is that what you meant to say?

What I heard was that she's irritated

and she can't get a handle on it.

Michael, I can talk for myself.

So, how do you feel right now?

I'm irritated.

I'm irritated

because he does this sometimes. He just does this.

He just, like, he--

I was trying to settle a fight between the 2 girls,

and he kinda came in, he took over,

and it pissed me off.

You know, it pissed me off.

And this is since you've been back?

Yeah. Well...

No, he's-- he's always done that.

Like?

Like the time that Jess wouldn't do her homework,

so I said she couldn't go to her girlfriend's house,

and he came into the kitchen,

and he took over again,

erased everything I did...

Belittled me in front of them.

When was this?

When you told me I had all I could handle

with my coffee and my little spoon.

What was that about, Michael?

It was a joke to begin with,

and...

She was very hung over,

and I was trying to help.

Therapist: So, Michael, how do you feel?

Manipulated. Irritated.

Therapist: Why?

Because we're here to--to be closer to one another.

And talking over your problems isn't getting closer?

Michael...

Have you ever thought about going to an al-anon meeting?

A meeting for families of alcoholics?

Why that face, Michael?

It's the only face I have, Janet.

Robert cray: ♫ but I know I'm a good man ♫

♫ at least I try and understand ♫

♫ when things don't go just like we planned ♫

♫ I'll do anything you want me to ♫

♫ I'll make you happy ♫

♫ if it's the last thing I do ♫

♫ oh, darlin' ♫

♫ darlin', I'm a good man ♫

little slutty.

Slutty?

Yeah.

♫ Don't even doubt ♫

♫ but I know I'm a good man ♫

amish.

Not amish enough.

It's her first boy-girl dance, Michael.

We should let her go as a girl.

♫ I'll go anywhere to help you through ♫

it's like yee-hah!

Did you put that together?

No.

That's a sad little ensemble.

♫ I'm a good man ♫

oh, well. I forgot how good you were at this, Michael.

♫ I'm a good man, baby ♫

it's just that I know 8-year-old boys,

and they only have one thing on their mind.

Oh, right, 14-year-old girls.

♫ Any old time of the day ♫

I feel like an 8-year-old right now,

and you look like a 14-year-old.

♫ And you know I'll be on my way ♫

that's sweet, right?

Yeah.

Gary, so much truth coming out--

Gary: It is. It's just-- it's the depth!

What does it mean?

I think I have to share this tonight.

Are you gonna go to the meeting tonight?

Hey.

Honey, you remember Gary, right?

Sure.

How's it goin'?

Good.

It's, uh, really good. How you doin'?

You got a great house. You really do.

So, yeah.

Excuse me.

I'm sorry. I'm gonna go. I'm sorry.

No, I'm sorry.

Tell him i'm, uh,

sorry if I inconvenienced anything, you know?

Hey. Hey, it's not about you.

Ok? I know.

I'm sorry. Ok.

You take care. Slow down.

Thank you so much. Don't worry.

Ok.

Talk to you later. All right.

3:00. I'm freezing. Ok.

Ok. Bye-bye.

Why would you suppose he dashed off like that?

I don't know, Michael. Could it have been your face?

You looked like we were naked or something.

Do you wanna ask me something?

No.

You think this thing with Gary is romantic?

I don't know what to think about anything.

Well, I'm glad to hear you say that!

We haven't sat close like that

since I can remember, Alice.

Not since I'm back.

And if you think about it,

not since a while before that.

Gary needs me, and that feels good.

And when I'm scared,

he can't help,

and he doesn't pretend that he can.

And it's not just Gary, Michael.

The people that I really lean on

are the ones at my meetings,

and you never even ask me about them.

Don't you wonder who they are

or what we talk about?

I do now.

So why don't you ask me?

Come on, Michael.

Let's talk about it.

Ok?

I'll tell you anything you wanna know.

Do they know how this got started?

How I became an alcoholic?

No.

They don't know that. Nobody seems to know that.

My dad's drinking didn't help.

The way my mother made me feel like nothing,

or maybe it's genetic, or I...

Nobody knows.

Did you think this was about you?

Why would you say that?

Oh, I don't know. You just seem a little defensive.

Well, why--why would I be defensive?

Is somebody attacking me?

No.

Nobody's attacking you.

Michael, I am just hanging on here.

The girls need me really badly.

I am trying to reestablish a little credibility at school.

I'm trying to make my meetings--

so that kind of tells me my place in the batting order...

Of what you need.

I'm so tired of all this shit.

I don't wanna be angry anymore.

I don't wanna...

I don't wanna feel...

Guilty or...

Sad or depressed or...

Frustrated

or confused or--

just once,

for 5 minutes,

I wanna feel good.

My name is Joanna.

Meeting: Hi, Joanna.

I am so grateful for Maria's topic,

uh, emotional abuse.

Until I came to al-anon,

I was not even aware

of how cruelly I was abused

by my alcoholic husband,

because I did not own my own feelings.

Every waking hour was about my husband's feelings.

When he was down, I was lower.

When he was happy, I thought I was, too.

Every day, I walked in that door,

waiting to see what shape he was in

so I could find out how I was gonna feel.

Now, thanks to this program,

I not only have my own feelings,

but I have feelings about my feelings.

And I am so grateful.

Anyway,

thanks.

Meeting leader: Thank you, Joanna.

Ahem. All right, as you know, we have no dues or fees.

So we're gonna continue sharing as Bob passes the basket around.

Hi.

Hey.

You ok?

Never better.

What happened? Something at a.A.?

Uh...

I'll be ok. It's just a really bad day.

You wanna tell me what's wrong?

Something I can do?

Thank you, but...

Can't fix it unless we know what's broke.

How was your meeting?

The first time. I'll get used to it.

There was a lot of people there feeling sorry for themselves.

It's like an alcoholic has ruined their lives,

and they'd rather be a victim than...

Try and fix it.

Fix it, huh?

What did I do now, Alice?

Nothing, Michael.

Nothing.

I'm talking about some losers at my meeting.

You're taking it personally.

The trouble with all these losers at your meeting

is that they're not perfect like some people.

They're married to alcoholics

who are bouncing off the walls,

and they don't know what the fuck to do.

So you might have to be a little tolerant,

give them the benefit of your expertise

in problem-solving.

Good meeting, huh?

You guys drop acid or something?

Like I said,

I'm having a really bad day,

and I don't mean to take it out on you.

What is it?

You want a drink real bad?

That wouldn't distinguish it from any other day, Michael.

One of your friends fall off the wagon?

Nothing happened, Michael.

Nothing has to happen for me to have a bad day.

That's the thrilling part of all of this.

It just comes and hits

and runs me over like a goddamn freight train.

Ok.

When's the next freight train comin' through?

You got a printed schedule?

'Cause I could plan around these things, you know, and...

Give you the space

so you can, you know...

Smoke.

Maybe you shouldn't have to, Michael.

One of the women at my meetings is going to a halfway house

because she-- she's not making it

in her home environment, and i-- what?

You're actually thinking about this?

Oh, no, wait. Don't start jumping to conclusions...

What?

Excuse me for taking my life personally, Alice!

What is wrong with our home?!

Nothing.

Nothing.

You said it. It was something.

What is it, huh?

Is it the couch?

Is it an area rug,

or is it possibly, Alice--Alicia--me?

Is it me?

It's not your problem. No, it's not my problem!

It's just my fucking fault!

Everything is my fault!

My sick wife is not making it

in her home environment, why, exactly?!

I mean, I am not your problem.

I am not your problem to solve!

It was so much more fun in the old days,

wasn't it, Michael?

I'd get drunk, I'd pass out,

and you'd put me back together.

That was the best, huh?

That made you feel good.

And that's what hurts.

Look...

Oh, fuck that!

Fuck making it better, Michael!

It's not getting better!

I don't know how to make it better,

and I swear to god you don't, either!

Baby...

Every time you say that...

Every time you look at me like that, Michael,

I wanna come right out of my skin.

You make me feel like a stupid,

worthless, weak animal.

I don't know how you try anymore.

Not giving up,

sticking together--

isn't that what we're supposed to be trying for?

No, Michael.

We're supposed to try to be real.

And when you feel alone,

you are not together, and that is real.

And when you don't know,

you just don't know.

I think I could love you again...

If you could just for once say, "I don't know."

I don't know.

Didn't work, did it?

I'll go pack some stuff.

Michael, I didn't ask you to do that.

No, Alice? No.

No? No.

Come on, let's be real.

You're clean.

You stay hopeless

and confused.

Keep polishing those skills,

and I'll take the heat,

'cause I got some needs of my own.

When I touch someone,

I like it better when their skin doesn't crawl.

That's not what I meant.

My wife hurts.

I need to say, "what's wrong, honey?

Something I can do?"

And, "I love you."

So fuck me.

Hey.

What's the matter, baby?

You guys were really loud.

Oh.

Where's Michael?

He's out.

So are you--are you getting all excited

about Ashley's sleepover?

I'm not going.

You're not going?

Why?

What changed your mind?

I didn't get to be invited.

Everybody hates me.

Oh...

Hey, sweetheart,

that's not possible.

Is this Ashley barrows?

Ashley cantor?

Ashley goodrich? No!

Ashley whipsneed?

There is no Ashley whipsneed!

There is, too. I can prove it.

Michael moved out.

For a while.

But I'm here,

and we're gonna be fine.

He left US?

Don't blame him.

But how could he leave US?

You blame me.

I messed up, baby.

But I'm fighting my way back,

so you help me.

And don't you blame him.

Not ever.

Hey!

Double trouble.

Where have you been?

I've been on a trip!

Are you ready for the beach?

Where have you been?

I told them you were staying with Peter.

It's only until mommy feels better.

Mommy feels better already.

See how well it's working?

Are you guys getting a divorce?

Hey.

Don't be silly, baby.

You guys go have a great time.

Let's go. Up you go! Uhh!

Bye.

Bye.

♫ When your day is long ♫

♫ and the night ♫

♫ the night is yours alone ♫

♫ when you're sure you've had enough ♫

♫ of this life ♫

♫ hang on ♫

♫ don't let yourself go ♫

♫ 'cause everybody cries ♫

♫ everybody hurts ♫

♫ sometimes ♫

♫ sometimes everything is wrong ♫

♫ now it's time to sing along ♫

♫ when your day is night alone ♫ ♫ hold on ♫

♫ hold on ♫

♫ if you feel like letting go ♫

♫ hold on ♫

♫ if you think you've had too much ♫

♫ of this life ♫

♫ well, hang on ♫

♫ 'cause everybody hurts ♫

♫ take comfort in your friends ♫

♫ 'cause everybody hurts ♫

♫ take comfort in your friends ♫

ahem. Hi. I'm Michael.

All: Hi, Michael.

I've been coming here for...

4 months.

This is the first time I've talked.

My wife is an alcoholic,

and we're separated.

And she's doin' great.

She has her life, uh,

back. She seems to...

Have her life back.

I, on the other hand, am not doing so good.

Which is funny, I guess.

I miss my wife.

And I miss my daughters.

And things at work...

Basically everywhere...

I can't get a handle on things.

Everything's loose and...

Fuzzy.

I look at her now when I drop off the kids at the house,

and I see what a wonderful job she's doin'

with the kids, and I wonder why...

That maybe she'd never really needed me

as much as I thought she needed me.

She thinks the girls need more watching after.

Especially Casey.

She's our youngest.

You think they're growin' up fine

on automatic pilot...

But, uh,

you really have to watch 'em closely,

because, you know, they just...

They're always hiding stuff, even from themselves.

Ahem.

Anyway...

I like coming here.

Meeting leader: Thank you, Michael.

Well, it's, um...

Yeah, I guess it's a speech.

At my meetings, when you have 6 months,

you stand up and tell your story.

That's all.

And it's, uh, a week from Saturday.

And I'd really like you to come.

What?

I'm not gonna say bad stuff about you.

Oh, you're gonna lie, right?

I'm gonna accept responsibility.

That's what it's for.

No wonder I'm confused.

I'd really like you to come.

Well, I'll sleep on you.

It.

You wanna go home with me, huh?

Never entered my mind.

It enters mine.

Really?

Yeah. All the time.

I just don't know what it would be like.

Because I'm really afraid

of that roller coaster thing.

Oh, I hate that. You know, when people break up

and then they make up and they break up--

people can be so immature.

And the very thing that attracts them

is the reason that they shouldn't be together.

And I can't do that, Michael.

I can't do that anymore.

I'm moving to Denver.

They're talking about rollbacks in this domicile,

and if I...

Take the transfer, i--i have a--

I have a better chance to keep flying.

It's either that or change airlines,

and I'd have to start from the bottom scale.

But I told them

that I'd have to talk to you first

before I could commit.

Well, you've worked a lot of years

to just start at-- at the bottom.

I can bid for the San Francisco route.

Then with passes and everything, it's...

This accepting responsibility stuff is really fun.

I better go home.

I...

Don't go yet.

I gotta go. Don't go.

Hey, partner.

Can I see that?

Thought mom was gonna pick me up

after movement class.

She is. I'm just here for a visit.

It's a bug box.

Just wanna see it.

Ooh...

I like a name that tells you what it is.

How come you're here?

Come here.

Well, I came to say I'm sorry.

I'm sorry for the fight we had the other day at the park.

That was my fault.

And I'm sorry for not making it better when mommy was away.

It wasn't so bad.

And I'm really sorry for almost leaving you with grandma.

But mostly I'm sorry for...

The kind of daddy I was or wasn't

all the time since I've known you.

Why are you saying this?

I'm leaving for Denver tonight.

I'm moving there.

You and mommy aren't getting divorced?

No.

No one's even talked about that.

If that were to ever happen,

I'd get lots of free passes,

and I'd call you all the time,

and I'd come to visit all the time.

'Cause Casey would still be your daughter?

No.

'Cause you're my daughter.

And I will always come back to see you.

I will always come back.

Not like my dad?

I love you so much.

Just like your real daddy.

But, uh, I'm really scared.

I'm really scared.

I'm scared that you don't know how much I love you,

and so I'll always have to be doing stuff

so you'll know.

I'll try to do stuff, too.

You have to go there, huh?

Yeah.

Ohh!

I'm gonna miss you so much.

I'm sorry, baby.

You can do it.

You can do it.

You can do it.

You can do it.

Hey, there, buster.

You goin' on a trip?

Boo.

Bad decision.

Cat got your tongue?

It's a long trip this time.

Like mommy's trip?

Maybe longer,

but I'm gonna call you every day.

Every day.

And I'll be back every chance I get,

and when I can't...

You'll come visit me.

Like mommy?

Yeah.

Will there be swans?

Swans? Swans are possible.

Bye, baby.

Bye, baby.

Thank you for the kind appreciation, folks.

It's a lot less dramatic than it looks.

For those of you connecting out of Denver,

please check your monitors for any delays.

For the rest of you...

Welcome home.

I'm Alice. I'm alcoholic.

Audience: Hi, Alice.

I've been sober for 184 days.

I drank my first beer when I was 9 years old.

My dad's an alcoholic,

so my mother liked to blame my lapse on his example.

That way, she could hurt both of US at once.

Anyway, I liked my beer

and the ones that followed.

And about a year ago I got drunk.

I couldn't stop getting drunk.

It had never really happened quite like that,

and I still don't know why.

I've lied to everyone that I know...

Everyone I love, and, um...

I was ashamed and terrified and humiliated every day.

Um, one day, I...

Got out of the shower, grabbed a towel,

and decided to go get the paper,

and nobody saw me go out the front door

or at the curb, which was a very good thing,

because I was holding the towel just folded in my hand.

I know how lucky I've been,

because there were times when I drove my little girls around

just ripped out of my mind.

One Saturday, I took my baby girl on errands,

and when I got home...

I realized she wasn't with me.

I had left her someplace.

And since I couldn't remember where I'd been,

I had no idea where, so...

I spent the next few hours

calling every shop I'd ever been to

until finally a tile guy...

Rang my front doorbell.

They had found my address on a check.

I rewarded him, of course, you know,

by never going back to his store.

My bottom was 184 days ago...

When my, uh...

My little girl watched me...

Wash down aspirin with vodka.

And then I hit her.

And when I passed out,

she was alone with me,

and she thought I was dead.

And all of my life

I will never know what that did to her.

And I know I have to forgive myself for that...

And I have to forgive myself

for what I've done to my husband.

It's horrifying how much you can hate yourself

for being low and weak,

and he couldn't save me from that,

so I turned it on him.

I tried to empty it onto him,

but there was always more, you know?

When he tried to help, I told him

that he made me feel small and worthless,

but nobody makes US feel that. No.

We do that for ourselves.

I shut him out because...

I knew if he ever really saw...

Who I was inside...

That he wouldn't love me.

And we're separated now.

He's moved away,

and it was so hard not to beg him to stay.

And I don't know if i'm gonna get a second chance,

but I have to believe...

That I deserve one.

Because we all do.

Thank you, Alice.

Everyone, let's take a 15-minute coffee break.

Thanks.

I just hope I can do it.

How do you feel?

Like a cigarette?

Yes, thank you, sponsor.

You're welcome.

Thanks for letting me talk.

Alice, you really made me cry.

Me, too.

Me, too.

My wife's an alcoholic.

Best person I ever met.

She has 600 different kinds of smiles.

They can light up your life.

They can make you laugh...

Out loud just like that.

They could even make you cry just like that.

That's just with her smiles.

You'd have to see her with her kids.

You'd have to see how they look at her...

When she's not looking.

You think of all the things she lived through,

and I couldn't help her.

Maybe helping wasn't your job.

The hell it wasn't.

See, I love her.

And I tried everything...

Except really listening...

Really listening.

And that's how I left her alone.

I'm so ashamed of that.

And I couldn't even tell her.

Maybe if I'd tell her, she'd love me anyway.

Oh, more.

She would have loved you even more.

I think you should tell all this stuff to your wife.

Rickie Lee Jones: ♫ hold me love ♫

♫ I can't sleep again ♫

♫ will I have to kiss your nose? ♫

♫ I wanna lay here next to him, love ♫

♫ I remember ♫

♫ walking in the rain ♫

♫ rain was falling on my hands ♫

♫ I don't wanna live through that again, no ♫

♫ outside ♫

♫ the heart, it gets dark now ♫

♫ and I was walking in the park now ♫

♫ children singing songs ♫

♫ that will now make all our dreams come true ♫

♫ I'm in love with you ♫

♫ I know it takes love ♫

♫ love is a healing thing ♫

♫ when you give everything ♫

♫ you're loving the world ♫

♫ the world gives you love to hold on to ♫

♫ remembering ♫

♫ we seldom ♫

♫ remember ♫

♫ somewhere ♫

♫ just give me many chances ♫

♫ far away ♫

♫ I'll see you through it all ♫

♫ remember ♫

♫ just give me time to learn to crawl ♫

♫ just give me many chances ♫

♫ I'll see you through it all ♫

♫ just give me time to learn to crawl ♫

♫ just give me many chances ♫

♫ I'll see you through it all ♫

♫ just give me time to learn to crawl ♫

♫ in September ♫

♫ when the rain comes ♫

♫ and the wind blows ♫

♫ I will see you walking in that coat, oh ♫

♫ just give me many chances ♫

♫ I'll see you through it all ♫

♫ just give me time to learn to crawl ♫

♫ time to learn to crawl ♫