A Brighter Tomorrow (2021) Movie Script

Where's fatso?
He's not answering.
You went round?
So?
We drop it?
You oiled it?
Yeah, sure.
Why insist?
We can't do it alone.
Don't worry.
OK?
Yeah.
Why are you outside?
I owe them money, I can't go in.
So why hang there?
Waiting for my mates.
Speak up, I can't hear.
I'm waiting for my mates.
- They're inside?
- Yep.
And you're outside.
- Know how to use this?
- Yeah.
Come here.
I'm going in.
Where?
Don't worry, come on.
Yes, all OK.
It must have been a bird or something...
Tell me if it goes off,
I'll check later if need be.
See you.
It's easy, you see a car like that,
you warn us.
Anything unusual,
a man walks by, you tell us.
Use channel 3.
If you hear a voice,
say "2, 2, 2" on channel 2.
Got it?
Sure?
Go on, then.
Are you scared?
No, I'm cold.
- OK?
- Yeah.
Keep your eyes open.
Go on.
Guys, you're noisy.
Repeat.
You're noisy!
Is anyone there?
No, no-one.
So shut the fuck
Well?
We've seen better.
He's fast asleep.
Wake up!
What is this?
Here.
You can go now.
Whassup?
What?
It's not enough.
Say what?
Get the hell out.
Pass my jacket, get out.
Out!
Crazy fuck.
It's not funny, Mehdi...
Have you seen the time?
Seriously...
Ask him over there for one euro.
Hello, here you go.
They're from Portugal.
I'll take 3 kilos.
Coming right up.
- They're good?
- Delicious, from Portugal.
Good for juicing?
The best.
For juicing, eating... everything!
Enjoy your evening girls,
you were great.
Thanks Sarah.
See you tomorrow.
Bye!
Here.
- I come early tomorrow?
- No, usual time is fine.
- Get home safe.
- Have a good evening.
Sure you don't want any?
- No thanks.
- It's yummy.
I said no.
What's up?
I'm trying, aren't I?
I don't see you for 2 months
and all you do is eat.
Are you seeing someone?
You would know.
Always spying on me in your car.
So it's been less than 2 months.
Great.
How's the new job?
Fine.
Is he alright?
Why don't you visit?
It's complicated, with your parents...
They know full well
I'm the one who left.
Got any photos?
No battery.
What?
No battery.
- Are you kidding?
- No.
Look!
It's OK, I believe you.
I don't care, look!
I believe you.
Put the phone away.
Believe it or not,
you can see it's true!
Thanks for the ride.
Wait...
Can I see him?
I thought you wanted to avoid my folks.
Bring him down here.
Not now, I'm tired.
When?
Next week on my day off, OK?
Bye, then.
Where were you yesterday?
Why didn't you come?
Forget it.
What?
Why didn't you pick up?
I was busy.
Busy...?
Doing what?
My dad was in hospital, OK?
What's wrong with him?
Heart pains...
Trouble breathing.
Forget it.
I don't get it.
Your dad was in hospital?
With doctors to look after him, huh?
Why the big deal?
I had to help my mum.
Take her there, you know?
You didn't show up to be with your mum?
Is that it?
Why didn't you come?
I had a bad feeling.
I didn't want to risk it.
I just wasn't up for it.
Chickenshit.
Don't say that.
You're chickenshit.
Big deal, it happens.
No worries.
What do I tell Thibault?
The truth.
That my dad's in hospital.
The truth is you're chickenshit.
You're chickenshit, but I'll say
your dad was in hospital.
- So what now?
- I'm going home.
- Want a ride?
- No, I'll walk.
Eat up, Saad.
Here.
Saad, please.
I'm warning you,
eat or you can't get down.
One spoonful.
Check out the food, it's not...
What? It's healthy.
It looks yuk.
Come here, I'll show you!
Look!
Please Saad, come here.
Go get him, please.
Come here, you don't want it?
Mum...
I know it won't work.
Here, for mummy!
Not for you!
Here!
Not for you!
Well done!
More?
So cute! Beautiful boy.
Are you watching?
No, you can change it.
How's it going?
Alright?
Here.
Come on...
- Have a good evening.
- You too.
Mummy
I'm here.
Mummy's there.
Can you belt him in?
Well?
It's nice.
It's for you?
It's for us!
It's our business, in our 2 names.
Leave it out.
Leave what out?
A pizzeria here.
The counter...
The oven...
The extractor...
The fridge for drinks.
Little chairs...
Can't you see it?
With a cook here.
We can add chairs, tables...
A TV for the sport, of course.
Football, rugby, tennis...
Or no, we'll do delivery only.
We're the only ones on the block.
It's a great deal
What are you doing? Wait!
Wait! Chill.
I have the keys.
And it works!
So?
Say something!
What?
It's good, it's crap, it's...
What can I say?
What can I say, Mbarek?
It needs work, plumbing, electricity...
who knows what!
But we have the cash!
- You do accounting?
- No.
- Know how to cook?
- No.
So get off my case!
What are you, Top Chef?
Open the door.
Open up, I hate being locked in.
- When's your dad discharged?
- I don't know.
How will you manage?
Mum and I will take turns.
And your brother?
He's a waste of space.
Him and his dog!
It's his whole life.
Protein, calcium, vitamins...
He doesn't walk it, it walks him!
What breed?
- A hunting dog, German.
- German shepherd?
No...
Yo, it must be a German shepherd.
I know how they look,
it's not a German shepherd.
So what then, a poodle?
- No!
- I can see him with a poodle.
You too! A little Yorkie...
Stop it.
Careful not to sit on it!
I've thought it through.
The pizzeria's a great deal.
Paperwork and accounting
can all be learned.
We'll see.
See what?
Food's good business,
why be afraid?
I'm not afraid.
We'll see.
Work went well?
Where's the gig?
Just nearby.
We'll wait for nightfall.
It's crammed with CCTV.
What is it?
An auto parts joint.
I get my spares there.
Will you go chickenshit again?
Just kidding, I know about your dad.
I hope he'll be OK.
He walks well!
Well done!
Come on, shall we try?
Try to walk?
Careful!
Can you put him back?
In the stroller.
Are you tired already?
Let's put you back.
Will you come home?
What home?
I don't want to live at your mum's.
Come on, how did people live before?
Before.
That was before.
When you got pregnant
you were glad I'm old school.
I did what I had to.
That's a horrid thing to say.
No, it's the truth.
I could have aborted.
Look at me, I'm serious!
You wanted the baby, I didn't.
What?
You forgot that?
You don't remember?
So why didn't you want an abortion?
I know nothing about that stuff.
How can you ask?
I don't know..
I was afraid for you...
it might go wrong,
or something could happen...
That's all.
Don't worry, I'll carry him.
You can put the stroller inside.
- Here?
- In the hall.
When do I see you?
I don't know.
This weekend?
No, it's tricky.
Next Wednesday, if you like.
Fine.
Give daddy a kiss?
Let's go.
Thanks.
What's up?
It's been off since this morning
I told you already...
look.
It's gone wrong over here.
- Where?
- Here, this wire
But that's the video plug, mum,
video's over!
It was fine, now it's complex.
No, it's not.
Look, I'll explain.
You just need to listen.
Pay attention, OK?
You press "source",
the top right button.
See, when you press "source"...
See what appears?
Then you choose HDMI 2.
Look at the telly, not me.
- There.
- It's not working
Ah yes, I see!
I've got it.
521...
Thank you.
The coffee's disgusting!
It's yesterday's.
You think that's normal?
Jeez, you're such a miser.
Enough Mehdi, we're good.
I'm not going to burn cash.
I'm far away already.
You're saving
Yes.
Good for you.
How much you got?
Why do you ask?
You want to rob me?
Yeah, like really.
I'll pull a gun and pinch your dough.
Mbarek pitched me a business deal
and I thought: "why not?"
What is it?
A pizzeria.
Where?
Close by, at the station.
That's cool, lots of people.
Why hesitate?
I'm out of dosh.
What's so funny?
Really, I'm clean out.
I mean, maybe I've got...
20, 25 tops.
What did you do with it?
I bought mum a house
back home, to retire to.
That's nice.
She wants to move there?
No...
She won't budge from here.
Mbarek's right.
He looks long-term,
thinks about his dad.
Tell him, he'll front you.
He's a good guy.
I'm all alone, Mehdi.
My brothers and sisters are married.
My folks are dead.
Nothing's keeping me here.
I'm going to go far away.
Invest in a cafe, a grocery, a garage,
whatever, something small.
Something simple that ticks over
and brings in the dough.
What? I'm serious.
I know you are.
So why laugh?
Because you guys... it seems so easy
when you talk about it.
We know so many guys
who tried to run a business,
it's not easy.
Let's say I give all my money to Mbarek,
we open his pizza place.
What if it doesn't work?
What do I do?
Forget the money and live
at home with my mum?
No...
Yes!
Stop it,
you're painting everything black.
Painting it black... you can talk.
Mehdi!
Fuck, Mehdi!
Don't make a noise!
The cops are here, 2 cars.
A man on a bike.
Repeat: A man on a bike just arrived.
Get out!
Repeat, Mehdi?
Are you serious?
You can't be serious?
Don't pack up, leave it there!
Mbarek, you hear me?
You've got to do it now.
Now, please!
You deaf or what?
I said leave it!
Fuck!
Mbarek, they're not inside yet.
Do it, please, or we're dead.
OK.
Stop!
Stop!
We're on the bridge!
Stay there!
Shut up! You got something?
You armed?
You got something?
What is it?
- That hurts!
- Shut up!
That hurts.
Don't worry.
If he keeps quiet, he's out in 6 months.
I hope he doesn't grass on us.
Don't be stupid.
He has good reason.
His dad's sick...
His brother's whacko...
I'm serious.
I'll get this.
We can't hang together for a while.
I'm happy.
Overtime pays 25% extra.
An extra day a week
will help at the end of the month.
One colleague gets 200
for 6-day weeks. Not bad!
Mega.
I'm sorry, I should have told you.
It happened so fast,
I had no time to think.
I grabbed the chance.
You're right, don't worry.
It's great.
I'll treat myself to a real holiday!
I always said you could go on holiday.
You know that.
This is different.
Are you sure it's OK?
OK sweetie?
Ready to spend the day with daddy?
Ready to spend the day with daddy?
There... good.
Miss you already...
Bye!
Want a go on the scooter?
Can he have a go?
On your scooter?
Will you lend it to him?
Look! He'll lend you his.
Can he have a try?
It's for big boys.
He's big!
He's a big boy... Can I try?
Thank you, very kind.
On you go.
Off we go! Go on
Get on it.
Hold tight.
Go on...
And we're off!
Now say thank you.
Here.
- It's hot.
- It's not hot.
Yes it is, for a baby.
It's not hot, it's fine.
See for yourself.
It's not hot.
There!
Relax, don't stress.
Here.
- Sure?
- Totally.
- Right.
- Can I feed him?
Not today...
Come to daddy.
He's so cute!
You're not hungry
Hang on...
Thanks.
Here...
We put this on to be clean.
Easy, it's coming!
You'll wake him.
- What?
- You talk loudly.
He's sleeping?
Yes. He's heavy!
All OK?
- Yes.
All went well?
Yes, great.
He ate well?
Yes.
He's not difficult..
Like his dad!
You're OK?
- Did it go well?
- Very.
Would you like to go get an ice cream?
Now?
Yes.
I can't.
Why?
Can't your parents babysit?
Yes, it's just...
I open the salon tomorrow,
I have to get up early.
Sure?
Next time.
- Sure?
- Yes.
- Want some help? It's heavy!
- I'm fine. I'm used to it.
- Night.
- Thanks.
You OK?
What are you doing here?
Are you serious?
I'm just checking in.
I'm OK.
What's up, are you crazy?
Why the paranoia?
I told you...
They'll let you stew for days,
weeks even.
You'll see,
when they break down your door
with a search warrant.
Know what that is?
Have you been to Mbarek's?
Any news?
No, none.
What do you mean, "none"?
Have you visited his brother?
I'm serious, we can't be seen
together, we're done.
Done.
- Did I scare you?
- I didn't see you leave.
You can't see everything.
Are you drunk?
Just having fun, for once.
Drinks with the boss.
I didn't comment.
At all.
On the contrary.
I'm glad to see you like that.
You can't go home.
Your parents will go mental!
I think I'm drunk too!
I can't...
- Shall I help?
- It's fine.
I think the car's drunk too!
- Want some?
- No thanks.
Eat, you need it.
It's really good.
Really?
It's why I told you to get it.
Want some more?
You're good?
I've got tons at home.
Really?
Does it smell?
Still does.
Fucking hell.
It's not your mouth,
it's your sweat!
And I stink of cigarettes!
Want some?
What?
No-one's here, don't worry.
It's not that...
You don't want to?
Yes I do...
but not here, not like this.
Shall I get a room?
Forget it.
What am I to you, a babysitter?
You only need me for the kid?
You said you didn't mind.
Of course I don't!
I love it, he's my son!
It's about us.
We never do things together.
We're not together any more.
What do you mean?
You decide?
I didn't decide!
That's not what I mean, it's just...
I don't have time to think about us.
It all happened so fast,
it's not what I wanted...
I need to think of myself too.
I'm so tired.
That's totally normal.
You work hard,
you should rest.
I don't know why you left our house.
I won't live with your mother,
can't you get it?
I don't want to, I need my own home.
You need a home and so do I.
We all do, it's normal!
It's not about that,
I can't rent a place,
I can't buy, it's too expensive,
so what do we do?
The plan was for mum to go back home,
we'd get the flat.
Stop going on about it!
- Same old story, change the record.
- It's true!
Move on!
You're not viable, not credit-worthy.
Get a job.
Do like me. It's tricky at first
but now I'm great, my boss says so.
What's so funny?
She's proud of me, she trusts me.
What is it, a sect?
- You're poking fun.
- Sure, I am!
Listen to you!
My boss this, my boss that...
Get real, you're hairdressers.
Stop swallowing shit.
I'm moving forwards, Mehdi.
Building a life.
So am I.
Oh yeah?
What are you building
A business with Mbarek.
A pizzeria.
Our own joint, as our own bosses.
Why the look?
Go on, I'm all ears!
What can you do on your wage?
- Nothing! Zero.
- Yes, I can.
No, you're a slave.
I can ask for social housing.
Now I've heard it all.
Do you know what it takes?
You think they hand them out like candy?
It takes 3 years at least.
What about single mums?
You're no single mum.
Yes I am.
- You, a single mum?
- I ended up...
- You, a single mum?
- I'm on my own with the kid.
Because you left.
So what? I'm a single mum.
Are you kidding me?
A single mum?
You know what?
Get out. Out!
- Calm down!
- No I won't, get out.
Please Sarah, get out.
You're a single mum? Out.
You're nuts! Fucking loser.
Eat up.
Tell grandma it's good
Give him his food.
For Kacim!
More!
Careful, he'll bite!
You could have eaten with us.
Family meals matter.
For llyes...
Ask Sarah to let him visit on Sundays.
He should come more often.
It's not normal.
He'd live here if you'd gone back.
What? Am I wrong?
Am I?
Go on, tell me...
Am I right or wrong
You wanted a house over there, right?
Didn't you?
Hello, sir.
Are you well?
I'm a friend of Mbarek's.
Remember?
We were schoolmates.
Hey, Mehdi! How are you?
I'm sorry,
I wanted to come sooner, but...
That's OK, it's cool.
How's Mbarek?
You know how it is.
It'll take some time.
Don't worry, he'll be OK.
Dad, it's Mbarek's friend!
Recognise him?
Sit.
Isn't he a beauty?
Police!
Fuck you, arsehole.
It's OK, no-one followed me.
Chill.
Faggot.
What's up?
You're moving?
I'll go at the end of the month.
Why? Need a sofa?
Where are you going?
Don't know.
How come?
I don't know bro, I'll see when I go.
I dont know.
Want to do a last heist?
You don't get it.
Can't you see it's over?
Your 10-grand break-ins.
Look where Mbarek ended up.
I'm too old for this shit.
And so are you!
It's time to stop, bro.
It's over.
I'm getting out of here soon.
I can ask my boss to give you my job.
It's crap work,
but it pays the bills.
Let me know.
What's the occasion?
My step-sister's wedding.
Cool!
Should be good.
Going with someone?
My fiance, we've teen engaged 3 years.
That's great.
Am I tugging?
No, it's fine.
That's lovely, a nice party...
Hope it's my turn soon!
You'd like that?
Yes, he's taking his time!
Sorry, I'll be right back.
Why are you here?
You don't answer my calls,
how can we talk?
I don't want to.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, OK.
I shouldn't have left you there.
Say sorry too.
Not now, Mehdi.
When then?
Sarah, are you OK?
She's fine.
Are you sure? It's cool?
Yes.
- When?
- I don't know, later.
When? I want to know.
When's later?
I need to think, OK?
About what?
You've been thinking for 3 days
You didn't answer my calls!
You'll just walk back in there
and forget me?
When?
Come here, I'm talking!
Let me go, I'm at work!
Get out of here!
- Clear off!
- What? You talking to me?
No, he can't come in!
Don't let him in.
- Get out!
- I won't go.
Brahim, please! Help her!
- Get out!
- What?
- Get going.
- Are you serious?
Beat it.
Dounia?
Don't ever let him in when he's drunk.
He gets violent.
He's pretty strong.
And he never pays his tab.
Who does he think he is?
What?
You'd rather hang here like a loser?
Put the helmet on.
Put it on and get on!
I'll explain:
to open it, do this.
To close it, hit it against a wall.
Try.
Close it.
Again.
Close it.
That's right.
Stop it, you'll draw attention.
Keep it with you.
You got what I said?
That's her.
Seen her?
- Who is it?
- Girlfriend's boss.
Go on!
Now! What are you waiting for?
She'll drive off!
Arsehole.
Go on!
Let go of the bag!
He stole my bag!
He took my bag!
Motherfucker!
Fuck.
See that? It was close!
See?
What're you doing?
Stop!
There's no point crying.
It's all your fault.
If they find out, I'm in for.
Screw your job.
Listen to me, OK?
Your job is shit.
Do you get that?
Your job is shit!
You're not a single mum, OK?
Did I desert you?
Did I?
- You left me!
- That's-not...
I'm not done!
Who do you think you are?
Have I ever hurt you?
Have I?
So why be like this?
Why leave?
Why sigh?
There, see... why?
Can I get a word in?
Go on, talk! Feel free!
What do you want?
Talk! Go on!
Nothing to say?
Know why?
Because I'm talking the truth.
The truth.
Look at me when I speak.
Go see what he wants.
Oh it's you, Mehdi. All OK?
I'm good. And you?
Fine. Is your mother well?
Yes, thank you.
Sarah didn't say you'd be over.
No, it's just...
she likes this bag and...
I wanted to surprise her.
That's kind.
Very kind.
Is he here?
Do you want to see him?
No, that's alright. Thanks.
Bye.
Let's see?
I'll take a look.
It's your insurance premium?
Have they reimbursed you?
Not yet, I was going to do
I'll do it.
No buts, I'll do it.
That's fine, I'll do it myself.
What's this?
Come inside, Mehdi.
Come inside.