The Follies (2025) Movie Script

1
-[pen scratching on paper rapidly]
-[woman breathing heavily]
THE FOLLIES
["Que Va A Ser De Ti" by
Joan Manuel Serrat plays on cell phone]
1. CRIME AND PUNISHMEN[song stops]
[woman panting]
[cord plugs in]
[siren wailing distantly]
-[indistinct chattering outside]
-[traffic sounds]
[treadmill beeping]
[door unlocks, opens]
Renata, what's going on?
Please, you're gonna wake up
the whole neighborhood.
[Renata] Right, "neighborhood."
More like a colony. [panting]
Pa,
did you know that in an ant colony,
the organized
-Will you get down? Get off that thing.
-movement of thousands of individuals
-is so so specific
-Please, get down.
that it's used to model algorithms?
-[window closes]
-[Renata] It's that efficient.
On the other hand, we're using algorithms
from artificial intelligence
to manage currency in the crypto market.
-But cryptocurrency is an act of faith.
-[Pa] Uh-huh.
It exists solely because
we accept that it has value.
-[Pa] Lift your leg.
-Essentially, it's a new religion.
Led entirely by laws
established entirely by intelligence
-that is neither human nor divine.
-[Pa] Now the other. Come on.
Okay.
-Ants have no idea what an algorithm is.
-[Pa] No.
Because, well, their movements
are all spontaneous
-[Pa] Sure.
-for optimizing the colony.
Whereas we created our own algorithms,
and we did it on purpose,
but we're losing control of it all.
"Development," they call it,
"evolution," they call it,
but it's really the beginning of
a complete and total breakdown.
It's like the progress that just
keeps feeding on itself, like
-like some kind of cannibal that...
-Will you get off that thing?
-Auto Autophagy!
-Would... would you please come down?
-Please, Renata, just
-That's the truth, Pa.
-If you have the courage
-Please get down.
to face the truth with clarity,
because clarity is actually terrifying.
-Vital
-Will you get off that thing?!
and terrifying. [panting]
My mouth is dry.
I have something to tell you.
[Renata] Pa
-I think it's important that
-It's my turn now!
[Renata] Mm.
-I just wanna say one thing.
-Yeah! Yeah, yeah.
Okay! I just wanna say one thing,
that's all.
May I do that? Do you mind?
All right.
Would you please unlock my phone?
Even if it's only for texting.
Yes, I suppose I could.
But if the judge finds out,
you'll end up back in some jail cell,
like, this week.
How would she hear anything?
[Pa] Ah, Renata, for God's sake.
-Did you sleep at all last night?
-Yes, four or five hours.
Three really solid hours for sure,
I swear.
I don't know if it was continuous, but
-Sometimes you have that kind of sleep...
-The psychiatrist messaged me about today.
And she said she's busy this afternoon,
so she'll be here in a half an hour.
So what's the rush?
[treadmill creaking]
Mm? Pa?
Ismael! Come on!
Listen, I'm
I'm perfectly fine, all right?
Pa, I'm doing great.
Things are going well right now.
Energetic?
I'd say.
Inspired?
Sure!
I mean,
you have no idea how much I'm writing.
But I'm not out of control.
And I won't be, okay? [kisses]
I got a little bit agitated
that time, yes.
But that's all it was, okay?
I haven't experienced a full episode
or anything like that.
The previous episode you had
didn't last this long.
And that's a bad sign. [kisses]
Pa, just wait, come here!
No, really, I feel like it's passing!
I'm able to distract myself with stuff.
Last night I was watching cartoons
and laughing, and and having fun.
And I may have thought
about how problematic the
The representation
of the show's female characters...
Can you please clean up
a little around here?
And hey, just take a second
and wash your face, would you?
Oh! [laughing]
[door closes]
[comical music playing]
[motorcycle engine revving]
[Renata screaming] Help! Help me!
Get me out of here!
Please get me out!
Anyone! [groaning]
[dog barking]
[sighs]
[panting]
[imitating monkey grunting]
[imitating monkey whooping]
[imitating monkey screeching]
-[woman] Are you okay, miss?
-I need a phone.
Can you help me out, friend?
[sighs, sniffs]
[exhales] You're really gorgeous,
you know that?
Miss, I thought you were a hostage.
[Renata] Milady.
I imagine you've been trying
to reach me quite urgently.
Please call me here at this number
within the next five minutes.
Sixty seconds, actually, if you could
Or, better yet, come see me
in San Miguel Chapultepec.
26 Matamoros is the address.
I'll be here for the rest of the day.
And listen, when you get here,
don't go to the front door.
I'll meet you at the back window.
Just go around.
-Oh, and he's quite handsome, huh?
-[man chuckles]
What a pair you guys are!
-What do you guys do, huh? [sniffles]
-We're veterinarians.
[Renata] Oh yeah? What flavor?
Dogs or pigs or ducks
or parrots or panthers or peacocks?
-Uh, wow. [chuckles]
-[Renata] Roosters, chickens, gorillas,
-macaws, seagulls
-Actually, euthanasia on wheels.
At-home euthanasia, oh
Well, yes.
We're saving up to open a clinic.
But it's going well for now.
It's our specialty.
We provide tact, efficiency.
And this is work you like doing?
There's something fascinating about it,
I guess.
That's not true. Don't say that.
-Yeah, it is true, Aurelio.
-[Aurelio] No.
So, point of contention for you guys.
Which of you is more scared of death?
Yeah, that tracks.
Sounds like you manage
your own fear of death
by maintaining a sense of control
with your work.
Aurelio.
Great name you got.
And you?
Penlope.
[Renata] And you two are colleagues?
Or a couple?
I guess we're, um
We're lovers.
Adorable! You're together,
but you're not, am I right?
Um
[Renata sighs, sniffles]
[Renata] My friend
The last thing a dog thinks before death
what is it?
[motorcycle engine turns over]
[engine revs]
["Que Va A Ser De Ti"
playing on cell phone]
[treadmill beeping]
-[door opens]
-[woman 2] Knock, knock!
[Renata] Hey! What's up, sis?
What're you doing here?
Papi asked me to come
and keep him company.
[Renata] Oh, why? What's wrong?
You've got that same sweet face,
just like always. [kisses]
-My sunny little Sol!
-Oh, jeez.
-Yikes. You're gonna get hurt, come on!
-[Renata] I have loved you from day one!
Your favorite doll.
Wasn't that what you'd say?
Not favorite. The most cherished.
And the only one that grew up.
All the others stayed like
Dried butterflies, stuck in time forever.
How's the actor's life going?
Well fine.
Uh, I'm in this incredible workshop.
The techniques are classical and modern,
post-Stanislavski.
-And my teacher is just...
-I've got no clue what any of that means.
But I really feel like it's amazing,
you know, your career.
The art of pretending
like you're actually sophisticated.
It's more than just pretending. It's...
[Renata] Living and feeling
someone else's experiences as your own.
It's more than that too.
Really, the experience
can be transcendent.
[Renata laughs]
[singing in Latin]
[laughs wistfully]
"Nancy!" That monologue you did
was so stunningly good.
Which one?
[Renata] "Life."
"What a beauty you are."
"Too beautiful to realize it
while any of us are even alive."
"Goodbye, world."
"And goodbye
to the ticktock of the clock."
"And to all of the the sunflowers."
[exhales] I mean it, you were amazing,
Sol, really, just so good!
I'm I'm serious. Wonderful.
That was so long ago.
I'm shocked you remember.
Renata
No coffee?
No.
No, no, no, no.
Papi said it'd make you too excited.
You know what? [clears throat]
There's really no better acting
than being a human. Right?
Always hiding what we feel and think.
Pretending to be relaxed.
Faking empathy.
And joy!
Orgasms, Sol!
"Come and get it!"
"Mattresses! Or any other random scraps
that are here for sale!"
Or acting sane! Or insane
You can fuck off.
You give me all these compliments,
then tell me anybody can act, so
So I'm crazy.
-Hey, you tried to set fire to a...
-Context, Sol!
You were not there, missy! No context.
Motivation, circumstances.
Relax.
Why not tell me what happened?
No. Too late. You failed the test.
-Oh, come on, Renata, just
-Solidarity! Listen up.
For a great actress,
no human act is incomprehensible.
Maybe you're just not as good
as you claim to be, Soledad.
Now you can go fuck off,
okay, you bitchy cunt!
-All right, bitch. Okay.
-You can go and get fucked, you bitch!
-Shut up!
-Fine, but
-You're a fucking crazy bitch, all right?
-Get out! Get out!
-You're crazy as shit!
-Get out!
I'll get out, but you know what?
-You have to stay locked up in here!
-You're a stupid bitch!
["Que Va A Ser De Ti" continues playing]
[knocking on door]
[Ismael] Please, come on in.
Ren, Dr. Irlanda is here.
Nice to meet you.
You're a bit early, doctor.
Uh, my pop said this room is a pigsty.
-Hey, no, I never said that.
-[song turns off]
What's that you're working on?
Just writing down my thoughts.
Are they about something specific?
The interconnectedness of my life,
how everything is everything
You don't have to lock the door.
You scared to be
locked up in here with me?
Not at all.
You won't try to run away, will you?
No. But not because I'd rather stay.
Wait, look
[door closes, locks]
[Renata] Samesies!
And how long have you worked on, um
Our lives should be told in reverse
so there's more suspense.
How would that work?
Well, you'd discover what
the original problem was at the very end.
Some big event's always the cause.
Isn't it? In therapy?
I can fill you in here
it'll save us both some time.
Your choice.
[Renata] Uh [sighs] Okay.
My mom left when I was only five
and my sister was two.
Uh, never came back. Didn't look for us.
How is it possible that the sound
created by one door closing
could quietly reverberate so long after?
But this appointment
has nothing to do with that.
How am I supposed to pull
this shitty thing the hell off?
If I understand correctly,
you were arrested, uh
-[Renata] On Monday.
-Yes, last Monday.
According to your father,
he apparently managed,
with a great deal of difficulty
and a lot of help,
to have you placed under house arrest
until the beginning of the trial.
I'm not bipolar.
I've been like this before, but it passes.
I've never had hallucinations.
Never heard voices.
Any idea what could have
triggered this crisis?
Crisis?
Wow.
Okay, chill, doc.
-[chuckles] How would you say it?
-[Renata] I had a momentary episode.
Like a [sniffles]
a cloud passing over a
A field of wheat.
Immense and magnificent, pregnant
With thunder and rain.
But in a peaceful way.
And full of love.
Anything happening that's been
causing you stress in particular?
No.
[pen tapping on table]
[birds chirping]
This past Friday was
It was one week since
No it's been 30 years
since, uh, my mom left us.
And I confess,
it hit me pretty hard. [scoffs]
More than the previous years?
Why, do you think?
[vehicle approaching]
'Cause now I'm pregnant.
-[vehicle engine idling]
-Congratulations.
Could that have caused
[vehicle door closes]
[Irlanda] What do you think?
-Well, I mean [laughs]
-[tapping on window]
[woman] Renata?
[Renata gasps]
[laughs incredulously]
[Irlanda clears throat]
[bells tolling]
[Renata] Hold on, okay? Wait a sec.
Pa!
Papa!
Papa, my friend's outside.
-What did we agree on? Get inside.
-[Renata] Can you open the door?
-Let's go, come on! Back inside, now!
-[Renata] What's wrong with you? Relax!
It's my friend. She's outside.
Can you open the door for her, please?
Don't be rude to her. Be nice.
She's not a wacko like me.
[sighs, sniffles] Where was I, Irlanda?
You're pregnant.
[Renata] Oh, right.
Science fiction,
that one human can grow inside another.
[scoffs]
Like, what options
even exist for my situation?
I could declare you mentally fit,
and you'd be okay to go to trial.
And a guilty verdict means prison.
If I diagnose you as bipolar,
you would be prescribed medication,
and punishment would likely be minimal.
And are there risks with the pregnancy?
That would need to be evaluated
to determine all the risks and benefits.
-But most likely, you'd be fine
-"Risks and Benefits." Great title, doc.
The medicine makes you a little bit slow,
doesn't it? Hm?
It could be at the very beginning
you'd get a drowsy feeling.
But with time and adjusting your dosage,
you'll be all right.
So, it's crazy in prison,
or I'm free and brain-dead?
It's Hamlet.
In San Miguel Chapultepec.
[thoughtful music playing]
2. SLEEPING BEAUTY
So, what do you think about
what that woman said?
About the fact that I'm killing pets
'cause it makes it easier
to control my fears.
You're not murdering them.
It's euthanasia.
-But then why would she ask that?
-Penny.
It's done.
[music fades out]
Come on, now.
Do not spiral.
You let an idea fester in your head,
and it runs out of control.
It's obsessive compulsive.
Got two people trying to tell me who I am,
and it's not even lunch.
How lucky am I?
Sorry.
Sorry, it's not you. I just
All I'm saying
is it hurts me to see you in pain.
That's the sweetest thing I ever heard.
[elevator creaking]
[kisses]
[door opens]
[Penlope] Hi. We're from the clinic.
Rita!
Rita!
Rita, they're here!
There's just one thing.
Will you be disposing of the body
when it's done?
-Generally, that service you'd request
-Oh, yeah, course.
earlier, but yes.
-If he's small and fits in here
-Well, it's a she.
She's small. She'll fit.
Good morning.
-Hi, how are you?
-Good morning.
[Penlope] What a sweetheart.
How old are you, my dear?
Thirteen.
Oh, I can see it.
You're so tired.
It's time to sleep, right, little one?
May I?
-I'm not quite ready yet.
-No, there's no rush.
I just wanted to cuddle her.
-Be careful, be careful.
-I got her.
[dog whines]
[Aurelio] What a sweet girl.
How long has she been sick for?
Uh, it's been a year since we got
the diagnosis of bone cancer.
-Well, that's very painful.
-[Penlope] Mm.
[dog whines]
I know. This is difficult.
[bag unzips]
[Aurelio] Penny.
What's going on?
[upbeat music playing faintly]
[bag zips]
Penny, hey.
Please, don't start with your nonsense.
You watch it, all right?
Just don't start bossing me around.
That thing smells like
Some kinda detergent with talcum powder.
Smells like my grandmother.
At her wake, it smelled like
Johnson & Johnson baby powder.
I've never had an odor
remind me of someone so, uh
So intensely like that.
It's incredible.
You've felt it with music, right?
Yes, with music, Penny.
It's badass.
They dress up and have fun
like they're a couple of kids.
What? It's cool.
It's one thing to dress up
and have fun like children,
but it's another
to act completely infantile.
It feels a little bit pathetic, honestly.
You're so judgmental.
-No, I'm not.
-No?
No, that's not what this is. I'm just
Being reasonable?
I'm ready.
-Where should we put her?
-Anywhere you'd like. Yeah.
[man] Over here is fine.
Put that wherever.
[Penlope] The Lion King.
This is really cool.
Oh yeah, Rita creates those.
She's really talented.
We have to model them later today.
We're already running late.
[dog whimpers]
Well, should we wait for her?
Your your wife?
She can't do it.
[Aurelio] But she has agreed to proceed?
Of course.
Generally, it's much better
when all the parties can agree.
[man] Yeah, we both agree.
She agrees. I agree.
But your wife Rita,
she didn't seem like she was...
Excuse me? What's your name again, pal?
My name is Aurelio.
-Dr. Gmez.
-I think she should be here.
If not,
we should at least get her consent.
She's my dog. Miss, go ahead.
-This is my freakin' pet, dude! Mine!
-You're in a hurry to get somewhere!
-What, are you kidding? This...
-Just a minute, all right, sir?
What's wrong with you?
The wife, Rita, has to agree to it.
He's lying. I'm sure he is.
She's on her deathbed!
She needs to be put down now,
regardless of what anyone wants.
-No.
-It's what our job is, okay?
To give some peace
to those who are suffering.
-I don't see the problem.
-Why are you in such a damn hurry?
Is it the reason you told
that chick earlier? It's fascinating?
You're a piece of shit.
Don't say sorry to me.
You sad bastard.
You good now?
[man] Let's give you to Mama.
[Rita] You're gonna be okay, princess.
You'll feel better than ever now.
Okay.
[electric razor buzzing]
[liquid spraying]
[tape unrolling, tearing]
Don't worry. This isn't going to hurt her.
First, we'll give her a small dose
to make sure she's sedated,
and then we'll do the rest.
If you would like to say goodbye,
now is the time to do it.
Go ahead, my love.
Say goodbye.
[Rita sighs]
The night before we came to pick you up,
we received a call,
because the puppy we chose
was no longer available.
However, there was another dog.
But I was so upset.
It was super last-minute.
I couldn't believe they would
do that to us the night before.
'Cause I was already attached
to the other one.
Without meeting it or anything. [sniffles]
But Gastn said,
"Let's go see it." [sniffles]
"Just to see." [sniffles]
"And if it's not meant to be,
we'll look somewhere else." [sniffles]
He's such a smart papi, right?
Because he knew as soon as I saw you
Our need for each other would be obvious.
And as soon as I saw you,
I thought I'd die from
how much I loved you, immediately.
[chuckles sadly]
Sure, you're not the prettiest,
but you were such a bundle of affection.
With your sweet breath,
and your clumsy, awkward paws,
and your little puppy trembles
of excitement. [crying]
My whole life changed
when you came into it.
[sobbing]
How beautiful.
That was very sweet.
[Rita breathing deeply, kisses]
Are you ready for the first dose?
[Rita breathes deeply]
[clicks tongue] Yes. [sniffles]
[Penlope] Okay
[Rita breathes shakily]
[sobbing]
[dog whimpering]
[Gastn] Shh, shh.
-It's done.
-[Rita sighs]
In a minute, she won't feel anything.
[Rita breathing emotionally]
[pensive piano music playing]
I love you.
Sweet dreams, Penny.
What?
-Sorry, what's her name again?
-[Rita sighs] Penny.
Penlope.
[thunder rumbling]
[Rita sniffles] Sweet dreams, my love.
Doctor.
Doctor, go ahead.
[Rita crying softly]
I'm just going to check her.
She's at rest now.
[thunder rumbling]
That was easy.
How's that part so easy for us here?
She was with us,
and now she's gone. Just like that.
Where did the winds take you,
my sweet little Penny? Hm?
Is it sunny where you are now? [sniffles]
How are your first few minutes
in the beyond, my love?
[sniffling]
Just don't forget
about your mom and papi, okay?
We're never going to forget about you.
Not ever.
And maybe if we [breathes shakily]
if we both think about each other,
and we do it at the same time,
we'll all feel vibrations in our ears.
[kisses]
[sighs]
[Gastn sniffles]
[kisses]
[Rita kisses]
[sniffles]
[Aurelio] We offer cremation services
if you want.
You can pick up the urn
whenever it works for you.
I appreciate it.
Are you all right?
[Penlope inhales sharply]
[Rita] May ashes return to ashes,
and may dust return to dust.
[bag zips]
[upbeat music playing through wall]
You feeling better?
Yeah, I'm I'm perfectly fine.
Low blood sugar's all.
As you recall,
I didn't get to eat breakfast
'cause you were rushing.
[keys jingling]
[Rita] Hold the elevator.
Sorry, guys.
Sorry.
[Gastn] Excuse us.
[Rita blows air]
-I love you, sweetheart.
-And I love you, sugarplum.
[elevator dings]
[rain pouring]
Arigato matane!
[Aurelio] We have to wait this out.
It shouldn't be long.
[Penlope] I don't wanna be here.
I have to go pee.
There's a Starbucks five minutes away.
Wait. You won't take me there?
No.
No, my dear, as you know,
motorcycles and rain don't exactly mix.
It's a miracle we're alive.
And we've got all this stuff, and the dog
You thought I was being ridiculous.
Wasn't the most professional moment
we've had,
but I guess these things happen.
That "we've" had? You mean me.
[sighs] Look, it was a shitty coincidence,
the dog having the same name as you do,
and it got under your skin a bit.
I get it, but it's done.
-Next. Let's move on.
-You gotta be kidding me.
How do you live life like that?
-Like what?
-Like this!
Like, just completely, totally closed off
from the moment that you're living.
I'm very present, okay?
I was present in there
when you were having your moment.
But it's done now.
Yep, it's done.
It's all over, just like that.
Just like what?
Listen, if I let every little thing
that happens ruin my life,
I would not get up in the morning.
What are you saying? That I'm weak?
I asked you a question, Aurelio!
Penny, no, you're not weak.
You're not, okay?
But you love a crisis.
It's like they're your fuel,
they give you strength,
they give you energy...
What about you, then?
Nothing's ever a crisis?
No, as long as you're here,
everything's a crisis.
I have to go pee, Aurelio.
Knock on a door.
Right, like I'm homeless?
Do what you want.
You know, you're a real son of a bitch!
You make me feel like such a lunatic!
-You know what your problem is?
-I bet you're gonna say it!
You're too level-headed!
Too good-natured!
It's driving me fucking nuts!
It's demented!
You'll end up shooting yourself, you know.
That'll be some day for you, right?
So much grief and just black everywhere.
And all the nonstop blah, blah, blah
[dramatic music playing]
[tapping on window]
I'm sorry!
Please forgive me.
[horn honks]
3. SENTIMENTAL EDUCATION
You feel all right?
-[older woman moans]
-How bad is it? Is the pain getting worse?
They say it's
worst just after the surgery.
-Where are you on a scale of one to ten?
-Which question should I answer?
-Take it easy! Enough already.
-[woman scoffs]
This whole week
you've been a nightmare, Miranda.
-Whatever.
-[older woman] It's like you're unhinged.
Jesus, would you quit with that?
Thank you.
[Miranda sighs] Why?
It is irritating.
Wow, okay, irritating.
Irritating, unhinged
I should probably
get you one of these, huh?
-Just what I need.
-So you can relax.
No, that's all right. I'd rather be dead.
And why do you need to relax, huh?
From your massages and your Pilates
and your facials? I don't get it.
[sighs]
No
I have this awful sense
of anxiety, seriously.
Like, it's almost as if
I were blind, I guess.
Freaking stupid cataracts.
Young man,
would you open the window, please?
Young man, the window.
-Hey! Open the window now. I'm too hot!
-[driver] Yeah, okay, it's open.
-Stop.
-Open it!
-[driver] There you go.
-[inhales]
Great, thank you, thank you!
-Mama, would you just relax? Jesus!
-[mother breathing heavily]
-Oh, sure. It's just that easy.
-You ever heard of the 444?
-[mother] I'm nauseous.
-Inhale four seconds,
-hold for four, exhale for four.
-[Miranda] Yeah, try that.
[mother inhales deeply]
[driver] That always works for me.
-Thanks for that. There you go.
-[mother exhales loudly]
[cell phone vibrating]
-Mm. I want a clonazepam.
-[Miranda] No, not yet.
I'm not sure you're allowed.
You just had surgery, so I'm not sure
[mother] Of course it's allowed.
It's cataracts,
not heart surgery, Miranda.
Take it easy, Mama.
By the time it kicks in,
you'll be home, relaxed. Okay?
Will you give me the pill now? I gotta
jump out of the goddamn window
to get your attention? God!
Find them, will you? [exhales loudly]
Fine, here.
Take your pills, all right?
Jeez. Go ahead.
[mother] I can't take it anymore.
I just can't.
I have anxiety attacks all the time.
I can't take it.
-[Miranda chuckles]
-[mother] There's no point, Miranda.
The only thing that truly works for me
has been those clonazepam pills.
It comes with age.
Existential anxiety.
The older you get,
the more you fear.
Did you know that all fear
is actually fear of death?
Oh, we need to take a small detour
to drop off paperwork.
It's for my job, okay? Ten minutes.
Okay?
What's going on?
What do you mean?
-[mother] You're hiding something.
-Seriously? What are you saying?
I mean
Why is it so hard for you to comprehend
that your daughter is a
A hardworking businesswoman,
who spent her morning
bringing you to an operation,
and that as a result,
there's a million things on my plate.
Okay, I'm asking for ten minutes
of your time. Is that so much?
Oh, you're lucky
that I'm half-blind right now, honey,
because we both fully know
I'm able to spot when you're lying
with a good look at you.
-Well then, I guess we're both lucky.
-[mother] Hm, yeah. [scoffs]
Sir, I'm sorry, we need to just make, um
a very fast detour, but it's close, okay?
You'd have to add it on the app.
And that'll adjust your fare.
But, I mean,
you can wait a couple minutes, can't you?
[driver] Five max.
-The fare could still go up.
-The fare doesn't matter to me.
It's fine if it does.
[sighs] Thanks a lot.
[exhales heavily]
I'm divorcing your papa.
-[Miranda] What?
-No, it's all copacetic.
It's something we both want.
Well, really, I want it more.
Hang on a minute.
Hang on,
what're you telling me here, Mama?
I should've married a Latin American.
[Miranda sighs]
And that would've left me where?
What would have happened to me?
I mean, I guess that you would
Well, you'd be stardust.
[both laughing]
I want more life.
And I need more from life.
[Miranda] You need more from life?
Mm-hmm.
And what? Is that the reason you
you went platinum?
Of course.
Sure, yeah, you're reinventing yourself.
No, I'm not reinventing myself.
I'm discovering.
And that's very different, honey.
Look, Mama, Papa can be difficult,
but it wasn't as if your relationship...
[mother] No, he's easy, really.
A little boring is all,
but really, that was it.
-[mother sighs]
-So, then
Listen, Miranda.
He's getting senile.
Have you seen the way he drags his feet?
He takes just hours,
hours and hours, to chew his food,
and when he does it,
he's got his lips slightly open,
and you just hear [gurgling sounds]
Oh, Mama, that's
-Wow, you're so harsh.
-No! Okay, listen, honey!
You're not living with your dad, okay?
And plus, every time he breathes,
there's this whistling
from his nose that's like [hums]
All right.
[continues humming]
-[Miranda] Mama, shh.
-[mother] I can't take it.
Nope, can't do it anymore. No.
And on top of that, he has no sex drive.
And what, you do?
Uh... [blows raspberry]
[mother] And as soon as
my other eye's done,
I'm going on a trip
and taking my lubricants
-[Miranda] Oh my God.
-and my anxiety pills.
I think I'm gonna begin in Cuba
or the Dominican Republic
[Miranda blows air]
[sighs] TMI.
I don't recognize you, honestly.
I don't know who you are.
How's your marriage going?
Fine.
What's that have to do with anything?
I mean, it's
Well, I'm glad it's fine, honey,
but listen,
don't ever let your guard down, okay?
What are you even saying? For God's sake.
It's fine, it's nothing, nothing.
Just watch out is all I'm saying, honey.
-Just watch it.
-[laughs] I should watch it?
And this is the advice I get
from the lady headed to fornicate
with Caribbean randos?
-I should watch it?
-[mother laughing]
Oh, honey, please. [chuckles]
Talking like that [sighs]
It just makes my neck sweat! [laughing]
[Miranda] You know what, sir?
I think it's this blue house.
Right over here is fine.
Yeah. All right.
-I won't be long, okay?
-[mother] Mm-hmm.
I'll be quick.
[Renata] Well, I mean
Renata?
[Renata gasps]
[Miranda and Renata laugh]
Hi
[Renata laughing incredulously]
Hey.
[moaning, kissing]
[mother] Mm, fuck me.
-[Renata] Hold on, okay? I need a sec.
-Okay.
-[Renata] Pa!
-[Ismael] What happened?
-[Renata] Open the door?
-[Ismael] Get inside.
-[Renata] Relax. It's a friend.
-[Ismael] Come on!
It would do me good to see her.
-You can go around. Around the front.
-Okay.
-[Miranda] Keep an eye on her, all right?
-Don't take long. This lady needs to rest.
Good luck, honey. [laughs]
Okay, thank you.
Can I get you a glass of water
or some coffee?
No, no, I'm fine.
I can only stay a minute.
[Ismael] All right.
You'll have to wait until she's done
with the doc... with her, uh, meeting.
Oh, okay.
-Do you know if she'll be much longer?
-[Ismael] No, I really can't say.
[sighs] Well, a... a glass of water's fine.
[exhales, sniffs]
[pops lips]
[woman] Good morning.
-[Miranda] How are you?
-Alba.
-Are you the doctor?
-No, no, no, just a
Um, I'm a friend of Renata.
-Here it is.
-Okay.
Oh, right, thanks. Thanks.
[Ismael] And where did you
meet my daughter?
I Well, she works with my husband.
Not, uh, directly with him.
They work at the same brokerage firm.
And they had an event,
uh, over at the company,
and, uh, so I went with him, and
There she was! And that's how I met her!
Oh, long ago?
[Miranda] No
It was about a week ago maybe longer.
I'm sorry,
it's just that I've tried to reach her,
and I'm not sure
if her phone can't get a signal
or it's broken or what, but I, um
I haven't been getting her.
Renata is having a little bit of a crisis.
What? She's having a what now?
Miss, there's a possibility
that my daughter
There's a risk that Renata could be
in the middle of a psychotic episode.
So for now, she can't leave the house.
But is she all right?
Is she all right?
I mean, I was just with her
the last few days,
and she seemed great,
relaxed, and she was
Well, she seemed joyful,
very charismatic,
and, I mean,
her sense of humor is amazing.
-[Alba] What's your sign?
-[Miranda] My sign?
Uh-huh. On the zodiac.
[sighs]
I'm a Virgo.
I'm gonna ask that your visit stay brief,
if you wouldn't mind.
And if you do that for me,
later, I'll allow you to speak
to my daughter on the phone, hm?
Well, that's a decision for us,
seeing as how we're two grown adults.
With all due respect.
It's a condition for the visit.
Renata is under my legal guardianship
at the moment, so I make the decisions,
for better or worse.
Is that understood?
[sighs] Okay, that's fine.
I mean, it's not, really, but whatever.
Okay. Oh, will you
will you please excuse me a minute?
I won't be long, okay?
I'll be right back. Thanks.
[Ismael sighs wearily]
I feel like I've been hit by a truck.
-You're as strong as an ox.
-[Ismael chuckles]
[driver humming in monotone]
Forgive me.
But, um, I need to stay longer.
Would that be all right?
Sure, I'll call you if anything comes up.
-Okay.
-[driver] Mm-hmm.
[mother snoring]
[Miranda] Thank you.
[door closes]
[Ismael] Is everything okay?
Yes, yes, I just had to check on my
Everything's fine.
Doctor?
I talked to her about her options.
I think she took it in.
She's quite intelligent.
Let's give her the rest of the day.
We'll talk in the morning.
-Sound good?
-Perfect.
There's time to keep things
you know, from escalating.
Paranoia, delusions of grandeur,
she could begin to hear voices.
[footsteps departing]
Remember what we agreed on, please.
[Miranda exhales]
Pa
The door is wide open,
and I'm still here, so
Please, don't lock my door.
[whispers] Thanks a lot.
[door locks]
Hello, milady.
[Miranda exhales]
I thought I'd never see you again.
I thought you were done with me.
Yeah, right.
[key clatters on floor]
Then what's going on?
And why are you here?
Hm?
-[Renata moans]
-What happened to you?
[kiss]
[both moaning softly]
-[Miranda exhales]
-What is it?
[Miranda panting]
It's just, before you,
I'd never been with a woman. [laughing]
It's like being with a man,
but it's better.
No.
I've never been so
So in love with anyone.
No one.
-I can barely breathe.
-And why's that so bad?
[both laughing]
There's nothing bad about it.
There's just
There are a few details, Renata.
'Cause I'm married, and I have kids.
Plus, I've never cheated on anyone.
-Never.
-This isn't cheating, though.
[Miranda gasps]
You drive me completely crazy.
-Wait a minute [yells]
-[crockery clanks]
Um, give me two seconds.
Two seconds!
[mother snoring]
[Renata] What do you see?
-[skateboard rolling]
-[bangs car]
What a bastard!
I have to get back to the Uber.
-[Renata] Get another one later.
-All right.
Give me an hour,
and I'll come back, okay?
-[Renata] I might not be here in an hour.
-Just one hour What is that?
Wait Are you under house arrest?
-Renata?
-[Renata] It's a mistake.
It's going to be cleared up.
That's why I disappeared.
My dad was ordered by the court
to lock my phone. A female judge!
[Miranda] But what did you do?
Don't kill the moment, please.
[Miranda] Come on Renata.
What did you do?
Huh?
[sighs] Look, okay, it's not important.
Just forget about it, all right?
Every single night,
I dream that we're making love,
and when I wake up,
I have to touch myself all day.
[exhales] Renata, my God.
Oh, Renata, why are you saying all that?
I'm a huge mess already.
My God.
[kissing]
Where did you come from?
To think I had no clue at all you existed
ten days back, it's just
[breathes deeply]
It doesn't terrify you?
-No.
-[Miranda laughs]
Aren't you scared that everything
can change in a heartbeat?
I love you.
I love you.
And I love you.
And that's why we're gonna make love
right here on this mattress
like there's no tomorrow.
[Miranda breathing deeply]
[lively music playing]
[knocking on door]
[Ismael] Renata, open the door!
Pa, we still need
a couple of more minutes here to talk.
-Okay
-[Ismael] Open the door immediately.
Give me the key, damn it!
-[Renata] What the hell? I'm an adult.
-[Ismael] You're not acting like it!
-[Renata] I need some time with my friend.
-[Ismael] I told you no. Open the door!
-[Renata] Pa, you eat breakfast yet?
-[Ismael] What?
[Ismael] No, I have not
eaten breakfast yet.
[Renata and Ismael
continue arguing indistinctly]
[Miranda sighs heavily]
Okay.
[skateboard approaching]
Hey! Hey!
[sighs]
[sighs]
[rain pouring]
4. JOURNEY BACK TO THE SOURCE
[man 1] Oh no.
[woman 1] Here, let me help.
-Ay!
-[items clatter on floor]
[man 2 sighs]
[woman 1] It's okay, just leave it.
Put it over there next to the blender.
You're here just in time
to jinx everything.
[man 2] Do you happen to have
any chocolate frosting?
[woman 2] Chocolate frosting?
I'm not sure.
-But I have vanilla
-[man 2] Okay
[woman 2] Look on the third shelf
in the pantry.
-Over on the right-hand side.
-[man 2] That side?
[woman 2] That's the baking stuff.
-If I have any, it'll be there.
-[man 2] Gotcha.
Oh, hey, sis. How's it going, hon?
-[both kiss]
-[Irlanda] Fine.
Mami, look who it is.
It's the apple of your eye.
[mami] Ah!
Hi, Mami.
[mami] Hi, there!
Almighty Father,
thank you for the blessing
that my daughters are.
Thank you for protecting
and guiding them, Lord.
And thank you for allowing
all three of them to come here
and celebrate
the life of their father. Amen.
Amen.
How are you, Ma?
I'm fine. Just tired. I don't sleep much.
But the big sleep is approaching, I think.
[Irlanda] Ma, you've been
predicting your death for 20 years.
It's close!
[all chuckling]
Irlanda, please allow me
to introduce Gertrudis.
She's scar's youngest sister.
-[Irlanda] Nice to meet you.
-She's a leader at the church.
[scar] Good to see you, sister-in-law.
-Pleasure to meet you, Doctor.
-Seorita, would you like a drink?
Would you like a beer?
Do you remember Homero?
Of course I remember your husband.
Have a drink.
Come on, we got Mama's permission
to have just one beer each.
The way our papa did on his birthday.
Galicia.
Still not drinking?
-How long have you been on the wagon?
-It's gonna be like this?
If you would rather I left, just tell me.
It's really fine. No hard feelings.
-Then we don't ruin anybody's day.
-Come on.
[laughing] Don't be so dramatic.
Don't worry.
That's just her menopause talking.
That's what we call over sharing.
Sorry, I forgot that female anatomy
is a terrifying thing for a grown man.
Enough!
[woman 3] All right, I'm sorry.
[liquid pouring]
[woman 3] Here.
Thank you.
[Gertrudis] I started nursing school,
but, um, I had to quit, actually,
because of a job I got.
Because psychiatry, it takes years, right?
Yes, plus the time for your practicum.
So what types of patients do you help out?
I used to take on
more complex types of cases.
Schizophrenics, the psychotic and violent.
And are they institutionalized forever?
That happens much less
with newer medications,
but, sadly, yes, for some.
-It is sad.
-[Irlanda] Yes, very.
And, now what?
Therapy mostly.
For patients with minor problems
or less extreme ones.
-[Gertrudis] Mm.
-The kind that are normal.
Well, to be fair,
there's no "normal," technically,
with any patients. Just pathologies.
So then, why do they need therapy?
I don't mean to be rude,
but it's just that I've never
met a psychiatrist before.
[chuckling] Right.
[Gertrudis] But, I guess
what I mean to say is
If they're normal,
why do they need to see a psychiatrist?
It depends on the person.
Sometimes it's because of strong emotions
of sadness or anger
And therapy is
it's sort of like an investigation.
It helps us explain
unknown things about ourselves,
to discover ourselves.
And to be on medication.
[Irlanda] Sometimes, if it's necessary.
It's not my first line of attack.
Attack?
-Sorry, I wasn't saying
-[Gertrudis] Isn't that... No, sorry.
I interrupted you.
A second ago, you mentioned that
it can be used in self-discovery, hm?
So then does does that mean you think
that we live our lives hiding who we are?
Sometimes we live without realizing
why we do many things we do
or have certain feelings that we have.
[scar] So, then, we live in darkness.
Well, you could say that in part.
Missing a little light.
[chuckling]
[Homero] A bit banged up, but alive.
-Nicely done, brother-in-law.
-Thank you, Homero.
It looks absolutely perfect.
-[Homero] No problem, mother-in-law.
-Yes, my dear husband's full of surprises.
Mm, yeah.
Um, when everyone's here,
I'll serve the food, Ma.
[Irlanda] Who are we waiting on?
Just Facundo.
He and your father
loved each other very much.
Is that a problem?
[Irlanda] Why, Mami?
If it was,
would you tell him he's not invited?
[mami] If that's what you wanted, yes.
You didn't think to maybe ask me?
It was Mami's decision.
Italia, seriously, you too?
Hey, don't leave yet! You can't!
Who is Facundo? I'm sorry.
He's my ex.
Your husband.
I mean, look,
why don't we all just call him what he is?
Yes? It's what you want. Facundo is a...
Don't you dare ruin this!
We're celebrating your father's birthday!
Don't look him in the eyes.
Don't say hello to him
if you don't want to.
Leave or stay.
But now is not the time for your nonsense.
Go on.
Bitch, you got this. Stay strong.
-[Gertrudis] Nice to meet you.
-[Facundo] scar. How's it going?
I'd rather you weren't here right now,
but that's how it goes.
[upbeat music playing on stereo]
-[Homero] Jamaica Agua Fresca, Facundo?
-[Facundo] Yes, please.
Facundo's been sober for
How long has it been?
[Facundo] Three years.
Thanks to our Lord God for that.
-Amen.
-[mami] Amen.
Praise be the Lord.
-Praise him.
-[Italia and mami] Praised be the Lord.
-Praise
-The rain's passing, and the sky is clear.
Should I set up the table outside again?
-And if it starts back up?
-Then we'll come back in. So lazy.
Oh, the fresh air after a storm
is just glorious.
-Come on, let's go.
-[Gertrudis] It is nice after the rain.
[Italia] Pass me those.
[mami] Wonderful.
[Italia] Mamita.
-[Gertrudis] Here you go.
-Thank you, dear.
Can we eat already, or
[mami] Sweetheart, what's the rush?
Sit down. Try to have some fun.
-So, how are things, Facundo?
-Very good, seora.
I would say better than ever.
[mami] And your mom?
[Facundo] She's fine. A few minor
health issues, but she's in good spirits.
-[mami] Praise the Lord.
-[all] Praise him.
[Italia] Lord, glory lies in your hands.
What are we celebrating, Seora Paz?
[mami] The ninetieth birthday
of my Efran,
may he rest in peace.
You're welcome to join us.
[woman] Thank you,
but I have to fix my husband his lunch.
He can't even turn on the kitchen light.
[mami] Bring him too.
-And tell Daniela and Paulina to come.
-[woman] All right.
I don't know if there's
enough for everyone, Ma.
[Italia] Of course there is.
If anyone overeats,
I'll make them stop, that's all.
What a generous mother-in-law.
Good fortune is something
that should be shared.
Generosity and gratitude
and giving thanks,
they're key virtues.
And forgiveness, of course.
You look very well, Irlanda.
Thanks for the invitation, seora.
Cake is my drug of choice!
[mami] It shows.
Bring over some chairs from my house.
Oh, those fish tortas really look amazing.
Irlanda's favorite, isn't that right?
Right, honey?
-Yes, Ma.
-Her favorite for our mother's favorite.
[mami] Of course.
-Afternoon, Doa Paz.
-Thank you.
Thank you for having us here.
Sheesh, I mean,
you saved me from my wife's cooking.
Okay, that's enough.
Let's eat.
Let's first say grace.
Facundo, would you, please?
Yes. It would be an honor.
Thank you, Heavenly Father,
for all of your blessings.
For bringing us together.
For this wonderful meal.
For your infinite mercy.
For indulging us,
the sinners, with your presence.
And for giving us the opportunity
to repent and seek redemption.
Bless our sister, Doa Paz,
who has been a a second mother to me,
and to many others.
Amen.
[all] Amen.
Irlanda, my love, I...
Don't call me that. Got it?
-[Facundo] Irlanda, my sister in Christ.
-One more word, and I'm leaving.
Everyone deserves the chance to be heard.
You know, you have to listen.
That's what you've always said.
-Irlanda, why don't you...
-You part of this fucking sneak attack?
Don't curse. Do not speak that way here.
I am begging you Irlanda, please.
-It's not necessary, sister.
-Can it, kiddo.
-I used to wipe your ass.
-[scattered chuckles]
I'm gonna listen, then I'm leaving.
Don't you act like that.
You're so
Stubborn.
Arrogant.
I can hear him out first,
or I can leave right now. Your call.
I was hurtful to you.
And
I attacked you verbally
and physically back then.
I lied to you. I deceived you.
I stole money from you.
I was unfaithful.
And who knows the countless other things
I'm surely not able to recall at all now.
[Irlanda] Hm.
The years, the decades,
dealing with alcoholism, it... it
[inhales]
Well, I've forgotten a great deal.
I ask that you forgive me.
I hope that God, our Lord, the Almighty,
can grant me salvation
And provide time to earn your mercy.
Is that all?
You left out a few details.
I'm not surprised.
You were never detailed
unless you were inflicting pain.
Irlanda.
You say you hurt me,
verbally and physically.
Let's see, one time you screamed
that I was a cocksucker at a baptism.
[Facundo] Irlanda.
[Irlanda] That same night,
you split my face open
with one of my high heels.
[Facundo]
I'm trying to tell you I'm sorry.
Don't move! Sit down.
Stay and learn something.
You were unfaithful.
[chuckles ruefully]
That's an elegant way of putting it.
You slept with anyone
that said yes to you.
Actually, by the way, today,
I... I ran into one of the girls. Alba.
Remember her?
One night, in our own living room,
while I was recuperating from a surgery
in our bedroom...
Irlanda, stop it. This is awful.
-Enough.
-Shut up. You guys were also screwing.
Or did you think I wasn't aware?
Did you know too, brother-in-law?
Yes.
But I showed her forgiveness.
And Facundo as well.
It's useless to forgive you now.
The things you did to me,
no one could recover from.
-There was that 15-year-old you had sex...
-[Italia] Enough!
[Facundo] Irlanda, we were drunks.
"We" were?
Are you asking me to forgive us both,
you and me, as a unit,
for everything you alone did?
No, no, no. I didn't say that at all.
It it was a rough period.
[laughs mockingly] Eleven years.
[Facundo] Help me out.
You need to help yourself out, little man.
-[Italia] Everyone needs help in life.
-What's the big deal?
Why do any of you care if I forgive him?
He's your husband before God.
There is no God.
God doesn't exist.
And everything, both good and bad,
comes from us. Wake the hell up, already!
Irlanda, I want to talk now.
But you need to give me your word
you won't interrupt me until I'm done.
[Irlanda] All right.
Promise me now.
I won't move a muscle
until you tell me to, okay? I swear.
To a god you don't believe in?
[Irlanda] I didn't say
I didn't believe in him.
I said that God doesn't exist.
He never has and never will exist, ever.
I swear on the memory of my father.
And his absence hurts every day.
I was just too cowardly
to reveal who you really were to him.
I know if I had, he would've
murdered you with his bare hands,
ripped you to shreds,
eaten you up, and shat you out.
My turn?
Don't kid yourself that it's easy
for us to get together with you.
To share your bitterness.
And we don't do it out of love, either.
Because other than Italia,
who, despite everything,
still cares about you,
I don't think anyone in this family
is able to love you.
I tried to,
with my whole heart and soul.
But even before your marriage,
before your alcoholism
and your lustful choices
All of us were at the mercy
of your superiority,
your arrogance, and your selfish motives.
You were bossy as a child.
A sullen, moody teen.
Brilliant, as far as school,
but not at all a generous girl.
You always felt like
you were better than all of us.
I don't know exactly what your work is,
but
I think that if you need
to show sympathy for others,
I'd bet everything
that you're terrible at it.
And you really shouldn't bring up God.
He exists, not you.
And do not swear on your father.
You don't have any clue how hard it was
for him to pretend to love you.
He was determined
to make sure you felt loved.
Apparently, he succeeded.
That's good.
For him.
As far as today's invitation
Out of mercy,
this was our final attempt
to pull you out
of this sick and sinful dream
you seem to be caught in.
But obviously, it was a complete failure.
[somber music playing]
[family laughing outside]
[can opens]
[can clatters on floor]
[can opens]
[family chattering indistinctly]
[conversations stop]
[serving utensil clatters]
Homero is gay.
Try to deny it, bro.
And guess who he's fucking?
This guy.
[tabletop items crashing]
[dogs barking]
[laughter, indistinct chatter]
5. THE SOUND AND THE FURY
Yeah.
Since when does Martina
allow visitors in here?
[Martina] I face myself
without any prejudice,
naked, in front of the mirror.
My own body and my voice
are my instruments.
Symbolism and metaphor
are my tools.
Nothing human is strange or alien to me.
[all, in unison]
Nothing human is strange or alien to me.
Nothing human is strange or alien to me.
Nothing human is strange or alien to me.
[Martina] I am all women and men,
anyone
That has existed and will exist.
Mm. Let's begin.
Constant space, in constant motion.
Now make eye contact.
Don't rush it.
Maintain that eye contact.
Faster.
Keep the eye contact going.
Good, everyone in.
No touching.
Squeeze in now.
Squeeze in as much as possible.
Continue holding eye contact.
Squeeze tighter.
I saw you pressed against that guy.
You know how lucky you are?
[exhales heavily]
For real, his intensity is off the charts.
Yeah, even his breath left me, whoa
Wet, right?
Well, he's totally giving "wild animal."
Smells like a man too.
Oh please, come on. How patriarchal.
Don't confuse toxic masculinity
with the beauty of manliness.
What does a "real man" smell like, anyway?
Pretty good.
It makes me want to
ask him for permission.
Permission to do what, dude?
Why do you have to ask so many questions?
Since when do you ask for permission,
Soledad?
Since it started making me hot
when I don't get it.
[friend sighs]
[man imitating monkey]
[class making soft animal noises]
[Martina] Bring your movement from here.
And relax.
That's it, from there.
[animal noises continue]
[animal noises grow louder]
[Soledad yelps loudly]
[yelps]
[Martina] That's it.
Use your head to articulate.
With repetition.
[panting, sniffing]
Martina, what's the deal with that guy?
Hello, Soledad. I'm great. How are you?
I'm sorry. I'm good, thanks.
Are you upset about what happened?
[Soledad] You don't think
that crossed the line?
-[Martina] Do you?
-[Soledad] He put his face in my crotch.
[Martina] I'll ask him to leave
if you want.
Another option is to accept
the creative space and its spontaneity,
understanding that were it anywhere else,
it would have been regarded
as totally unacceptable.
Safe spaces,
or gentle trigger warnings.
I'll give you guys what you like.
Want me to burp you? Change your diaper?
-But I don't breastfeed anymore.
-[both chuckle]
[Soledad breathes deeply]
Sol, part of the essence
in the dramatic arts
is creating honest reactions
to all of life's unexpected situations.
Martina, you really don't have to treat me
like I'm new to your class.
Your reaction said it all.
In response to your discomfort,
he leaned out.
Wanna leave it at that?
Or would you rather the three of us chat?
[groans]
Why is he in here?
He's a friend of a friend,
and just passing through.
He studied under Moni Yakim at Juilliard.
He's very talented.
[Soledad exhales]
-What's the word from Mother Superior?
-[Soledad] Basically, suck it up.
That woman is all heart, isn't she?
[Soledad exhales heavily]
Check it out.
[Soledad] Poor guy.
Poor guy?
No, it's just
well, it's sort of endearing.
Come on, he's a deaf guy.
Not a deer
you found wounded in the woods, dude.
I know that.
But he awakens,
like, a protective instinct in me.
Oh God.
Are you like from the nineteenth century?
[scoffs] Such a brat.
[both laughing]
[Martina] All right, Soledad and Valentn.
[Soledad grunts]
[continues grunting]
[grunts]
[continues grunting]
[continues grunting]
[grunts]
-[Valentn gasps]
-[class tittering]
[Soledad moans]
[moaning]
[laughs mischievously]
-[class laughing]
-[Soledad grunts]
[groans]
[fan flapping]
[Soledad grunts]
[grunts again]
[moaning]
[class titters]
[kiss]
[kiss]
[Valentn moaning]
[Valentn grunts]
[Soledad grunts playfully]
[Soledad] Stop!
Stop it!
Stop! Stop it! I said stop!
Stop, you prick! I said stop!
Stop!
Martina, what the fuck? What the fuck? No!
Fuck this! [exhales angrily]
All right, thank you.
Next up, Nstor and Esther.
You all right in there?
[Soledad] I got claustrophobic
being pinned under that guy.
He's pretty talented.
It doesn't take talent
to suck a mask on the nose
like it's a prick in his mouth.
[friend] Well, I just thought his work...
Since when can we touch
each other's masks, you know?
Honestly, it's like he's only here
to try and reinvent the wheel.
[friend] Sol, he was letting
his instincts guide him.
Amaranta, you've always
been impressed easily. Always.
Soledad!
You cannot run away
in the middle of an exercise like that.
So just endure even when it's living out
my partner's rape fantasies?
Don't exaggerate.
That little reality was constructed
by the two of you.
And you built it very well, by the way.
It was some of the best work
I've seen from you.
-Thank you.
-[Martina] But you need to keep working.
-Sometimes you seem blocked.
-[Soledad] Not at all. I'm always game.
No, just to a certain point, Sol.
The instant something's uncomfortable,
you decide to quit.
And it's really a shame
because that, right there,
that's where the learning is.
True learning lies in the hurt.
What did you feel
when you couldn't get him off of you?
Like he was exerting
his illusion of control
using gender violence.
Well, that's cute.
But that's not really what I'm asking.
Think, when you were in that moment,
how did it feel, Sol?
I really didn't like his attitude.
[Martina] I'm not asking for your opinion
about him, his motives, or his actions.
I want to know about you.
I wanna know about
what was happening to you.
I was scared.
What made you scared?
Maybe losing control.
[Martina] Control over what?
Over my body.
And what would happen
if you lost control of your body?
What is the worst that would happen?
I'd enjoy being dominated.
[dramatic music playing]
Why did you partner me up with him?
Was it just to corner me?
You impressed him.
-He told you that?
-[Martina] Yes.
-See you later, Sol.
-Will he be here tomorrow?
[Martina] No, just today.
[horns honking]
DO NOT TRESPASS
EXIT ONLY
[machines beeping]
Hey!
Keep your fucking hands off me,
you creepy-ass predator!
[man] I'm not doing anything, miss.
You fucking piece of shit!
What's wrong with you?
-Miss, settle down.
-Keep your hands off me, son of a bitch!
[thunder rumbling]
6. THE TEMPES[intriguing guitar music playing]
[woman] Thank you.
-[Ismael] Was that your last one?
-For today, yes.
Man, she had me read
her cards three times.
She's the type to keep switching doctors
until she hears what she wants to hear.
Such a perfect Aries.
-Want me to make something?
-[Alba] No, thanks.
[thunder rumbling]
-[Alba chuckles]
-[kisses]
-You know, you're a real saint of a man.
-Nah.
[Alba] Mm-hmm.
She's very intelligent brilliant.
But she's an emotional disaster.
Yeah, well intelligence
can help with many things,
but by itself, it's worthless.
[Alba] Mm.
-Know what she asked me about?
-What?
She wanted to know
if we'd ever sell this house.
-Is that right?
-Mm-hmm.
It's it's falling down.
She wants to give it to a man
she's desperately in love with.
[Ismael] Does he love her back?
She'd pay whatever price you ask,
I'm sure. Without blinking.
Well,
it would be kind of nice to end up rich.
[Renata] Pa!
Papa!
Ismael!
Pa!
[Ismael] What is it?
[Renata] Open the door.
No, no. You already pulled a fast one
with the keys.
[Renata] Well, open the window for me.
-Can't you do that? I'm suffocating.
-[Ismael] No, no, no, darling.
Good night.
[Renata] Pa, wait!
Please, please! Pa!
-[Ismael] What is it?
-I wanna take the meds now.
[Ismael] Good decision.
It's for the best. You're right as always.
Thanks for always bailing me out.
[Ismael] You're welcome, princess.
[Renata] Can we talk for a moment?
Talk about what?
[Renata] I want to explain something.
I just don't want to explain it
through a closed door.
["Que Va A Ser De Ti" plays on cell phone]
Hey, come on! That's fucked up!
You're being such an asshole!
[pounding on door]
[loud, continuous rapping on door]
[Renata] Pa!
[banging on door]
[loud, continuous rapping on door]
Know what my ex always used to say?
[Alba] Hm?
Every relationship is a jail cell.
Well, I mean [scoffs]
[laptop keyboard clacking]
I've had every career you can think of,
but here I am.
Sixty-five, and I'm living
in my grandparents' house
like I'm a child.
[inhales deeply] And still no money.
Would it be melodramatic to say
that I'm a failure?
Melodramatic and wrong.
My whole life,
three really good things happened.
One,
my parents.
Two,
the girls.
They're both such great daughters.
It's a shame about
this fucking breakdown, damn it.
And three,
and just in the nick of time,
best for last,
was getting together with you.
[both chuckle warmly]
Well, I probably could've done
a little more in my life, hm?
Something more useful.
Yeah, well, there's still time.
Yeah.
You know something I don't?
No, I can't.
Ismael, you know I can't do that.
[Ismael chuckles]
You're not a little curious? Hm?
You never tried to give me
a palm reading while I was asleep?
Not once?
No. Ridiculous!
You know the most mind-blowing thing
about all this,
is that I haven't learned a thing.
Well, you know, I've learned
a lot of practical things about life,
like how
How to deal with people,
and life's day-to-day crap and all that.
But all the larger-scale things,
what the world is,
and where it comes from,
what is a reason for being?
We just don't know.
It's so sad.
[doorbell buzzes]
[Alba] Who's that?
[Ismael] I'll go check.
Pardon.
I... I was just with Alba. I was, um
-I think I left my earring here.
-Please, yes.
Thank you.
Alba, I took off an earring,
and now I can't find it.
May I run into your bathroom
and look for it?
[Alba] Of course, please do.
Jeez Louise, I'm a disaster.
[Alba] Don't even.
You're anything but a disaster.
[woman scoffs]
No clue why I even took it off.
-[Alba] Let's see here
-[Renata] Pa!
["Que Va A Ser De Ti" playing]
Papa!
-Would you not yell?
-[Renata] Who's here?
[Ismael] One of Alba's clients.
At this hour?
[laughs] Fuckin' crazies, right?
[Ismael] Hey! Listen to me!
Turn that song off, for Pete's sake!
Turn it off!
-[thunder rumbling]
-[night chirping]
[Alba sighs]
-Any luck with that?
-No.
How silly of me.
Oh, well, it's not here either.
-That's really so sad.
-[woman] Mm.
[banging on door]
[rapid banging on door]
That's my daughter.
She's not exactly well.
-I have two girls.
-[Ismael] Ah.
They're little.
[Ismael] Oh, I miss those times.
It was exhausting,
but it was also a lot less complicated.
[banging on door]
[rapid banging on door]
Keep it up, and I'll cut the power.
Got that?
One scream, one more word,
one more freakin' kick, lights out!
[laughing] Yeah.
Then you're gonna be in the dark!
[Ismael] I can just pull the breaker
on this side of the house!
Your call.
["Que Va A Ser De Ti" continues playing]
Calm down.
Watch, it'll turn up
where we looked the hardest.
That's always the way.
-Well, let me know. I'll send the driver.
-[Alba] Mm-hmm.
Alba tells me that you like the house.
It's lovely, yes.
[Ismael] It was.
With the right makeover,
it could be spectacular.
Sorry, a what now?
-A little cosmetic touch-up.
-[cell phone vibrates]
[Ismael] It needs more of a facelift.
[chuckles] You would live here?
No.
It'd be, like, a fun project.
I'm always doing something
to stay busy. Right, Alba?
[Alba] Mm.
Otherwise, I get distracted,
and I get a bit crazy.
You know, a little fantastical. [laughs]
Idle hands being the devil's playthings
and all.
[Alba] Oh, come on.
You're not idle at all.
Serena's the director
of her own brokerage firm.
I'm very lucky.
Um, but I didn't inherit anything.
-I earned it all myself.
-[cell phone vibrates, dings]
[thunder rumbles]
[cell phone continues vibrating, dinging]
Can I bring you something, or
A coffee.
-A coffee would be lovely, yes.
-[Alba] Black?
Okay.
My daughter does work
at a brokerage firm as well.
-You don't say.
-[Ismael] Mm-hmm.
You know which one?
Oh, I'm not really sure.
She worked for a long time at Tritn,
but then received an offer
that was a lot better.
Is she an analyst?
It's got something to do with risk.
Oh yeah, risk control.
It's a great area.
Thanks, love.
Maybe I'll meet her one day.
How many rooms are there?
[Ismael] Six.
And we added bathrooms.
There are five full bathrooms here now.
[Serena] Mm.
There was even a chapel in this house
when my grandparents came to this country.
He has the original plans.
They're in Renata's apartment, framed.
You think you would sell?
If the price was right?
-And possibly if it's wrong. [laughs]
-[Serena] Mm. Okay then, good to know.
I think I should have it appraised.
[Serena] Of course. Get an appraisal.
And where is the living room?
Can I see it?
Oh, jeez. Well, I don't think
it's in any condition
for you to see at the moment, so
But if you'd like, I'm happy
to arrange a real tour of this place
for you to see it properly.
Whenever you want,
whatever day of the week...
It really doesn't matter
what condition it's in.
Honestly, the worse it is, the better.
I'll tell you what.
Let me see that room.
I've already got a good idea
about the rest of the house.
You go ahead and hire an appraiser.
When we meet next week,
at that point,
we'll be ready with contracts.
I could give you a deposit today
in good faith,
and no strings would be attached,
if that'd be all right?
[Alba] Ismael.
-What?
-[Alba] Hey
Aren't you getting ahead of yourself here?
With what?
You hadn't even thought about
selling this house until a second ago.
Listen, my love,
I spent the last of the savings I had left
earlier this week
bailing Renata out of jail.
And the worst thing in the world
is to be old and poor, right?
And that, right now, is where I'm headed.
I'll support us both. It'll all work out.
Thank you. That's nice.
But no.
-["Que Va A Ser De Ti" playing]
-[door unlocks]
[Renata] Finally!
[Ismael] I have to show this room
to someone right now.
[Renata] To who?
To a client of Alba's
who wants to buy the house.
[Renata] Who is it? What kind of person
buys a house on a stormy night?
[Ismael] The rich kind. They're different.
Help me pick up a little bit.
She runs a brokerage firm.
[Renata] What's her name?
Uh, Serena something.
-[Renata] Serena?
-Yes.
-[Renata] Serena Lpez Luna?
-No idea.
-[Renata] Let me see your phone.
-No.
-[Renata] To see if it's her!
-No.
[Renata] It's important, Papa!
Fine.
[music turns off]
That's her.
She says she wants to meet you.
-[Renata] She's a badass.
-[Ismael] Oh yeah?
They say she banged Bill Gates
and left 'cause he was boring.
Who's Bill Gates?
Ugh, Papa.
-Who is he?
-Enemy of the state.
My God, it smells bad in here. Shit.
Open the window.
Hey.
You're being sorta sneaky again.
Give it here.
And brush your hair.
And don't bogart the conversation.
All right. Yeah, fine.
Don't shut the door.
She'll probably think I was kidnapped.
[Ismael] Good call.
[rain pouring]
Hey! Cover that damn thing!
[Renata sighs]
Hello there.
-Renata. Nice to meet you.
-Serena.
-Oh, I'm a fan!
-Thank you.
I hear you're in finance. Uh, where at?
At Omega.
Oh, with Ariel? I love him.
We went to grad school together
in Chicago.
He's created a great little company
for himself.
Well, with some assistance
from his father, but anyway
Oh, you know,
men always need a little bit of help
to overcome their disadvantages.
Exactly right. [chuckles]
And you work in risk control?
-Who runs that department?
-It's me.
I'm sorry.
[both] It's unconscious bias.
I assumed incorrectly
that the person in charge there
wasn't a woman.
Patriarchal internalization.
Unforgivable.
And how's he treat you?
Ariel is very demanding.
They're all scared of me.
-I love her.
-[Ismael chuckles]
Well, this once was
the living room of this house.
It was sort of a sacred space,
the only room where visitors were allowed.
[Renata] There aren't many houses
like this left.
There were two adjacent like it
a few streets away,
and now it's a giant private community
with tennis courts.
-[Serena] You wouldn't mind leaving it?
-I don't live here now.
I'm just spending a couple days
with my pop.
[Serena] What a great daughter.
-You're very lucky.
-[Ismael] Mm.
You don't have any kids of your own?
No, but I will in about seven months.
-[Serena] Ah, congratulations.
-[Renata] Yeah.
Thanks.
So how much
are we selling the house for, Pa?
Well, Serena will make us an offer,
and then we can consider it.
And those two houses I had mentioned
were about to be torn down
and sold for 24 million pesos, each one.
Three years ago.
The smaller house was about this size.
All right, well, we can
We can make sure the offers
start in that range.
This is a nicer street,
much quieter one-way street.
No public transport comes by here.
The house next door is a foundation.
It's protected 'cause it's historical,
so it's impossible to tear it down
and build newer condos.
Perfect, then.
Listen to her.
And how do you know all this?
The houses were bought
by a client of Omega,
and we helped with all of the financing.
And there are subjective considerations
as well.
Leaving a house that has helped shape the
well, the entire life of my father.
Not to mention
starting over in a new location,
for someone his age
Those types of changes
can take years off someone's life, huh?
Renata, don't be frightening
the client, okay?
No, not at all.
I like a girl that's fierce.
I'll send an offer like we talked about.
Discuss it amongst yourselves,
and let me know.
Here we go.
I'm sending the offer right now.
[cell phone vibrates, dings]
Oh
This thing right here?
[sighs] Last week,
I was at the supermarket,
and witnessed the employees
single out this woman.
The woman had dark features, of course.
Low income.
Said she was stealing.
They surrounded her, humiliated her.
So I started to get combative
so they would respect her.
At least until it was proven
that she stole anything.
And then I heard someone call her
"India." [scoffs]
And that's when I started to,
uh, well, to freak out.
All of this happened in front of
of her daughter,
who just would not stop crying.
Then, they locked her in an office, and
And then they made her undress
in front of her little girl.
So I was there because
I asked if she wanted a
A witness there.
And the store didn't like it,
but I stayed anyway.
And when she got naked,
it was clear that she didn't
have anything on her
That was theirs.
So, when one of the cashiers
said that they would have to do
a cavity search,
I exploded!
Fully went off!
I made such a huge scene
that they let her go,
without even saying
they were sorry or anything. [laughs]
Basically, they kicked her out of there,
right on her ass.
And so then, I was out for blood.
At which point I was threatened
the police would come,
and I'd be arrested!
So I started to run around
and throw things in all the aisles.
And then I found the liquor aisle,
and I threw it all over,
and I lit everything on fire!
'Cause fuck that!
I'm not sorry at all.
At any rate,
this is the result.
[laughs]
Was I wrong, Pa?
The only thing you did wrong,
if you ask me, was not burn it all.
Because those racists, goddamn them,
can go straight to hell for all I care.
It's the same old story.
Nothing will ever change
while this continues to be a world where
The poor are just ignored,
and the rich are just bastards!
Bastards! Bastards!
Don't be scared.
When it comes to business,
I'm very serious.
I won't be here
when you take over the house, and, uh
I'll just get right back into,
uh, the world of finance,
with all its lies and fakery.
Good.
Well, then.
Pleasure, Renata.
So is it true that you're pregnant?
-[Renata sighs]
-I don't believe it.
Whose is it?
One of two candidates,
who are both awesome dudes.
Oh, Renata.
Papa, since the Big Bang,
the universe has concocted
A plan so this one sperm could get
To this one egg of mine.
[Ismael] Will you be able
to take your meds?
Now I'm getting pissed. [laughs]
[thunder rumbling]
-[Ismael] Where is she?
-The bathroom.
You really think she'd pay that amount?
Who knows?
What?
Nothing.
[dog barking in distance]
[horns honking faintly]
Hey, look, I found it.
Oh, terrific.
I'm glad I came back
and spent enough time here
to have to use the restroom again.
They say everything has a reason.
Thank you for opening up your home.
There's nothing more interesting than
the life of another. Don't you think?
-Good night.
-[Ismael] Good night.
So am I gonna see you
on the first of the month?
You know, I
I might actually be out of town then.
But, I'll I'll confirm.
Sure, whenever you can.
[car engine turns over]
[keys jingling]
Renata?
[knocking on door]
Renata?
[compelling piano music playing]
Renata!
Renata!
FOR A DR I ANITA
[music continues]
[music ends]