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Woven (2016)
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Shush, please, please, everybody quiet. Hey, Mom, how you doing? Ever since Dad passed away, you've raised us both like a mother and a father. In honor of your birthday, I made a small home video of the recording you made of Elenie and I growing up. And Mom, you don't look a day older than 55 years old. Love you, Mom. Mom, what are you trying to say, a woman can't be married and have a career too? Is that what you're saying? What is the point of owning a house if you don't have anyone to live with? So, Mom, I'm gonna marry a burger-loving, pale American man and share my home with him. Hey, here we go again. Well, find me a burger-loving Ethiopian man. Your father was a great man. They don't make men like that anymore. You are not going to sleep with his accent. Oh, Mom. Abell, you're leaving? Honey, honey! Feel like I'm drowning here. Nah, you're not drowning, just got a little water-logged. Hey, talking about my weight? No, I know I'm fat, but you can't do that. All right, sweetheart. Lena, if you were married, there would be more pleasurable way to work out a sweat. Mom, that is so disgusting, you know? And could you please knock the door when you come to my room next time? There are no boundaries in this household. Elenie, Elenie! No, not Yohance. Kiss me! Mom, I grew up with him! He's like my brother, and he saw me pee in my pants when I was five, no. You know, he works with his hand. He's a surgeon. Oh, no, yuck, that is not right, no! You should date him 'cause you're single. I'm gonna arrange it, it's settled. Elenie Tariku. Hi, Mrs. Tariku. This is Officer Freedman with the NYPD. You know, it's funny. When Abell and I were in college, he used to irritate the hell out of me, 'cause it seemed like he had this fascination with hammering nails in the most random places to hang his pants. So of course, I'd wake up and hit my head on those things every morning. When he moved out, he took all his nails with him. This morning, I woke up having the urge to start filling all the holes back with nails. Then I realized I wouldn't have anyone to blame for my clumsiness. Your brother, he didn't mind taking the blame for other people's faults. If you ever need someone, call me. Thank you, Yohance. Charley, you hit Madison pretty hard. She had to go and see a doctor, she was hurt by you. I should apologize for him, but I've never been very good at apologies. I'm the dad, I'm Logan. Think your mom let me in. Oh, yeah, sorry about that, my mother is helping me out today. Come on in, I'm Elenie Tariku. Hey, Logan Thompson. Nice to meet you. Charley, I need to speak to your father privately. Do you mind waiting in the hallway? He's gonna tell me what you say anyways. Wipe that tone of voice off your face, bud. Come on, come on. I don't know what's been going on with him these last few months. Oh, he'll be fine. You know, when kids move to a new school, a new environment, they tend to act out. My wife and I are from here. We actually went to the same school, good old Larsen Hill, except I was the one beatin' up on kids. So where did you move from? Troy, Michigan. My wife got this great job opportunity at, and I got laid off. Mr. Thompson, it is your right to refuse counseling, but considering this is Charley's second outburst, if he continues this way, the school will expel him. You can call me Logan. Your eyes are so expressive. It's because they're big, isn't it? No, they're beautiful. Isn't it funny the things you were teased for as a child, you always get complimented on as an adult, right? Where are you from? I mean, if you don't mind me asking. I'm from Ethiopia, do you know where that is? Of course you do, I'm sorry. If I'm not mistaken, it's the birthplace of coffee? Wow, I'm impressed. You know, most people would jump straight to the famine we had back in the '80s. I got some good jokes. No, I'm totally... I'm kidding, that's ridiculous. Anyways, I recommend Charley and I meet twice a week. Doctor knows best. I'm not a doctor, I'm just a counselor. Six seconds, you ready for this? He dribbles, he dribbles, six, five, dribbling really quietly because the neighbors are asleep. All right, oh, he's makin' some fancy moves! All right. Two, one. Yes, and the crowd goes wild! Yes! So Kobe, how do you feel about talkin' to a counselor? It's whatever. So are we gonna talk about this? Well, I was looking forward to having a long conversation... Being serious, buddy. You know, you don't have to tell her everything. You just want to be careful, you know, for me, for you, for us. I know. Cool. Oh, I forgot something. What? This. No! Put me down! No, no, put me down! He's a winner! No! He's a winner! Mila, Mila Thompson. Wally? What are you doing here? I transferred. Wally, I can't breathe. You moved back without calling me? I know, we just moved back last month. You look as good as the day we graduated high school! Well, on that day, I was six months pregnant. Wally, how are you? Oh, you know, I'm good, fine, perfect. Unemployed, per usual, and always looking for a story. You know, I sent cover letters and articles, but people must use it to wipe their ass 'cause I don't get so much as a you suck. On top of which, Mom left, so now I'm raising my sister with Dad. Sorry. Oh, it's fine. Life is what it is. What are you doing here? Oh, I'm just visiting my sister, Maddie. Why? Oh, you know, the school said Charley Thompson, and I just didn't put it together. Charley, my Charley? Yes, he was involved in an altercation with Maddie, some schoolyard tantrum, you pick on me, I pick on you thing. I'm sorry, I had no idea. Doctor said she'll be okay, she'll be out in no time. How have you been here a month and not called me? My mom got really sick. And actually, she died. Geez. I'm sorry. It's fine. I haven't really been talking to anyone about it. I don't know what to say, really. We moved back so Logan could fix her house before we sold it. He's still doing construction. Cool. It's hell. Wally, I wish I was back in high school. You're sweet. Logan, didn't tell me anything happened with Charley at school. Well, maybe he didn't know. Yeah, likely story. They cover for each other. Thank you, Lenie, but not tonight. Really? No, no, no, stop, stop, stop! Hey, honey, honey, it's okay. Baby boy, hey, it's okay, just a bad dream. Go brush your teeth. I don't want to brush my teeth. Goodnight! Goodnight. I said I'm doing it. What? What are you... Love you, babe. Shave if you're gonna do that. Were you planning on telling me about what happened with Charley at school? I was waiting until you were relaxed, which is what I'm in here trying to do. Oh, Mrs. Thompson, you have, quite possibly, the very best knees of anyone I've ever seen. Logan, you haven't put me in the mood to come home to this. You're Charley's dad, it's a school night. What kind of rules are you settin' for our son? Yeah, I'm not perfect, established that when I flunked algebra. And just to be exact, it's been three weeks, four days, five hours. What? Since what? Since the sausage went in the biscuit. Charley was playing with your phone again. Huh? I said Charley was playing games on your phone again, and now, your phone is cracked. Oh. Since the ham went in the sandwich. Dammit, Logan, have you fixed anything in this house? Yeah, you know what, I've been painting the walls in every room. But if you want, why don't you give me a prioritized list, you can sign off on it at the end of every night. How does that sound? I wish you and me got married, 'cause you and I know how to have a civilized conversation without it ending in someone saying something retarded. Well, you know, I'm still available. Get off the phone, you're keeping your sister up. Slamming my door's helping! I have to move out, I'm too old for this shit! I know, you're so pathetic. You should move in with us, but I actually don't think living here can be any better. The school called about Charley's behavior again today. Charley knows we've been fighting. I'm sorry, that sucks. Wally, I miss our moms. It's awful living here. Death is so shitty. I hear ya, death is lame. I got you some food. You've gotta eat. Remember, you like the food from this place, Ma. You know, Emai, I lost him too. You know that? He was my best friend, my best friend. Now I feel like I'm losing you. Okay, okay, okay, listen, Emai, I made a big decision, okay? I'm going to let you set me up. But only on one condition. You have to take these black clothes off. No! Oh, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! No, no, no, no, no, no, no! It doesn't mean you're losing him. These are just clothes, Ma! Come on. Believe me, Abell and Pa would be more upset to see you wearing these clothes than out of them. You have to do it for them. Okay? Fine. But this is our deal. Okay, our deal. Beyonce's tits. Excuse you, Charley, we're not talking about Beyonce here, so you're gonna have to think of something else besides a celebrity, okay? Your mom. Charley, you are out of line, you need to apologize. Is he gonna be okay? Ask him yourself. You're the freakin' therapist! Charley! Hey, Lenie! How can I resist this whimsical spirit? Hey, you want a ride? I guess so because I'm freezing. My feet are cold. Thank you. So, how's Charley? Unpredictable. No more notes, right? Yeah, so far, so good. Chocolate? I'm all right. You look really good. Women don't wear dresses anymore. I guess a dress makes you feel like a lady, right? Totally. What if I dared you to wear jeans? Course I do, it's all I used to do when I was a kid. I was a tomboy, you know? Really? Yeah. I would have never ever guessed that. Yeah, I was. Like, tomboy like you used to play sports? Of course. I was in every team you can think of at school. You look so uncoordinated. Oh, my God! Turn left here. Why'd you point right, though? Oh, sorry, I'm dyslexic, you know? Oh, that makes sense. You know, I have the same problem with my mom's ring that she gave me, it's a little too big. Yeah, I got mine when I was 17. Fingers were all ballooned up from taking too many steroids. Wow, that sounds unhealthy to me. The marriage or the steroids? Why so young? You remember that 11-year-old in your office? He pretty much sealed the deal. I don't know, it's hard, but it's good. It's right over here. Really, you live right here? Yeah. That's crazy, I live right around the corner. What a small world! I mean, it's Brooklyn. Nice digs. Thank you, but it's kinda too big for the two of us, you know? It's just the two of you? I just recently moved back home with my mom. You've reached Doctor Abell Tariku. I can't come to the phone right now. My God! I'm so. Okay, try not to... Oh, grab this. Message, I'll get back to you as soon as possible. If this message is urgent, please press three to have... Stupid door never works. Well, all right. Bye. Take it easy. Hi, Mom. Embarrassed, Mom? He made me feel so cheap! I know I made this decision, but you know what? It's very hard for me. Enough. You have no idea how hard it is for me, Mom. I know it's not easy for you, but it's not easy for me either! Hello? Who is it? Hello? Hello? Answer me, hello? Answer me, please, hello? Who is it, you know my son? Hello? How's school? Pretty good. Hey! Oh, what a surprise, look who's here! Hi. Oh, your mother was in this morning. She had breakfast with my wife. Yeah? Rama! Yeah? Look who's here. Hey, Lenie! So, somebody's answering your brother's phone? Someone picked up the phone? I've been wanting to cancel the account but I know Mom likes to call and hear his voice, that's why. She must be hallucinating, huh? Stop it! It happens. Stop! Oh, hello! Hi. I'm Wallace, I'm Madison's brother. Oh, I'm Samara, Elenie's beautiful mother. Are you hungry, Mr. Wallace? Okay, cool. Ooh! Holiday is a great deal to me, and Christmas is a big holiday in Ethiopia. Oh, it's a big deal here too. Your wife needs to feed you better. You are too skinny! Ah! Well, that would be tough because she doesn't exist. Oh. My son is your age. Oh, does he live nearby? No. He died in a subway accident six months ago. I'm sorry. That's awful. I'm... He was a doctor, Doctor Abell Tariku. They called him Doctor AT. That's good, Doctor AT. I called his cell phone and somebody answered. That's random. His cell phone is still working? Somebody's using it. Oh! Are you all done, Madison? Yeah, let's go. All right. Bye, Maddie, Merry Christmas. Bye. Bye. Merry Christmas. Thank you. Got your stuff? How's the shrink? She showed me these pictures, these splat things, Rasherzees? I don't know. Rorschach? Ah, yeah, well, they were stupid. Everything cool? Yup. You gotta get a new phone, man. Hey, if she asks you something, you know, anything that you don't feel comfortable answering... Dad, I watch CSI, I'm not stupid. Oh, smartass, huh? No, stop, come on, Dad! What we have here is the rare South African donkey known as the smartass. No, you're weird. You're weird. To be perfectly honest, you do look pretty stupid right now. I am not stupid. No, you look super stupid. You're stupid. No! Thank you for your call. Sorry we couldn't meet in my office, is everything okay? I got this note from Charley's teacher. Oh, another note? She seems like a really nice lady. What strike now? I don't know, I could use some advice, I guess. So are you and your wife ready to start family therapy, or? I think his teacher's overreacting, I mean, don't you? I mean, come on, Charley's not, you know, he's not a bad kid. Then you should give it some time. Time will tell, things will change. I just want him to be happy, you know? Sure. Are you all right? I'm just hungry. Me too. Oh, here comes our food, cool. Oh, wow! It's colorful. Enjoy. Thanks. She forgot the forks. Oh, we don't have forks, we use our hands. All right. So you're gonna have to try something new. Okay. Sounds fun. This is what we call Injera, it's like our bread. Injera. It's made with a tiny grain that grows in Ethiopia only. It's called Teff. It's gluten-free. And then you just put it in your mouth. What's this, is this lentils? Mm-hmm. I'm learning more about this. No, it's okay. That is so good! You like it? Wow, that is amazing! Yeah? Yeah! Hey. You know what I miss? What? Being your girlfriend. What do I have to do to get you to take me out on a hot date? Ask. I... Didn't he, like, light his textbook on fire, or something? Logan, grow up. I'm just saying, you know, let's just not leave him alone, let's stay home. Two hours of TV. Mom! Thank you so much. Don't Mom me. Listen to me, you see this guy right here? If you see him with a book, I want you to go to the neighbor's house... Neighbor. You look slamming, Mila. Oh, thank you for noticing. I noticed. Yeah, sure you did. I noticed! Only let me have two. I've heard that before. What is that supposed to mean? It means you are your own boss, baby. Hey. Hi, how you doing? Great, how are you? Very well. Two tequila shots, please, chilled. Coming right up. Thank you. Come on. That's two. Hold that thought. I have to pee. Are you sure you're allowed to have these before dinner? I won't tell if you won't tell. Did you do this crash drawing? Yeah. Sucks to be that subway. Hey. Oh, my God! Hey! Logan Thompson, hey! Hi, buddy, this is my spot. Are you serious? I come here too all the time. Well, we live right around the corner. Brooklyn for you. Brooklyn! What are you doing here by yourself? No, I'm not by myself. My wife is in the bathroom. Oh, okay, okay. Yeah. I'm here with my girlfriend as well. How's Charley again? Charley's good, Charley's good. So you know how to dance? How's your mom? Good. I want to see you do some moves! I can do some moves. Come on, show me. You want some of these moves? Yeah. Oh, wow, '80s, huh? Oh, my God, I'm so sorry. Don't let me dance. I don't know, I'm sorry. Mila! Mila, hey! This is my wife. Mila, this is Elenie. This is Charley's counselor. I'm really sorry that I haven't been by to see you, but I started a new job at the hospital and it's just been so busy. I'm a bad mom. No, no. That's not true. Okay, I need another drink. Oh, this is my friend, Ayana. Hi. Hey. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson. How are you? Very nice to meet you. I'm propping her up with my elbow. Oh, okay, would you like another drink? I do. Yeah, okay, come on. I want another drink. What happened to two? Two happened to you. Be social. Wow, you... She's just being social. Maybe I should do that. Why not? I can let go a little bit, but it's kinda hard when you're a psychologist, you know, or a counselor. I bet you could find a way. Sure, once in a while, but not always. What? Not always! Okay, this is my bad ear. Not always! Yeah, did you make that dress yourself? No, I bought it. I don't know, I'm sorry. Why? Do you think I make dresses all the time or something? No, I just... Just because I wear 'em? You just look talented. That's very nice of you. Oh, no worries. I'm ready to go right now! Kidding, both are for you. That's great. I'm gonna give you the better one. Okay, thank you. Cheers. Cheers. Cheers. Cheers. Cheers. Cheers. Cheers. Cheers. Cheers. Oh, cheers! Cheers. You don't need it, come on. Baby, eh! What happened to two drinks? What happened to being my own boss? Right, no, come on! What are you doing, what are you doing? What are you doing? I'm really sorry, I'm really sorry. What are you sorry about? Come on, come on. What? What happened to two drinks, huh? Don't touch me! I'm trying to have a good time. Every time I have a good time, you shit on it! I shit on it? Look, I'm sorry. What are you fucking apologizing for? I haven't been out since my mother died, Logan! Who are you apologizing to? Fuck you! Fuck it! I think the heat's broken! Yup! Oh, man. No way! Oh! The king. Oh, man! Oh, I miss this. Doctor AT. Shit. Hey, can I get my tab closed out? Hey, is everything okay? She left her purse. Thank you for walking me home. Are you gonna be okay? I always am. You sure? What? You should go. You're right. You're right, this is, this is a horrible idea. I just, you're right, I should go home. This is really good. I'm sorry about last night. I guess I'm a piece of work, huh? Hey, did you see my purse from last night? I love you. Charley, what are your soldiers looking for? Hmm? Are they looking for something cool? Charley, I know you're sad about your grandmother dying. Someone close to me passed away too. Would you like to see a picture? This is my brother, Abell, he was a doctor. Charley, are you okay? Charley, you don't have to look at this picture. We'll do something else, we'll try something else. You okay? What? Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. The door was open. No, you didn't, you didn't, I was just... Are you finished? Can I have a word with you, Elenie? Sure, of course. Charley, we'll be right back, okay? It's been really busy at the hospital every night, and all of my spare time, I just try to spend with Charley, and I'm just giving you excuses. You don't have to give me excuses. Logan wants what's best for Charley. I think that he wants to be everything for him. What's wrong with my baby? He has anxiety and suffers from depression. He's 11. He shows tendencies. I'm so bored, my brain hurts. I know, honey, one minute. Go. Listen, I'm really sorry about last night. I guess Charley's not the only one acting out. No, you were fine, absolutely fine. No, I wasn't fine. I was a nightmare, but we all make mistakes, so. Okay, thank you. I know you're afraid of marriage, it scares you. Okay, I'm gonna go home, I have cramps. Elenie, please sit down. Please, sit. I don't want to own you or tame you. I want to give you the space to be who you are, but also give you a place to come home to. That was a good dinner, wasn't it? It was, it was lovely. It was too expensive. Yes, it was. I had a really nice time tonight. Thank you. You're most welcome. Johance has my approval, your dad's approval, and Abell's approval. Okay? Yup? Hello, Mr. Thompson, this is Elenie Tariku. Yeah, I know who you are. You don't need to be so formal. I'm actually calling to let you know that I will no longer be Charley's therapist, so starting tomorrow, I will be handing his case over. Oh. Okay. All right, thank you very much. All right. Where's Dad? I don't know, honey. Ow! Mom? Brush your teeth before bed, honey. Are you okay, Elenie? Are you okay, Elenie? Are you okay, Elenie? You hungry? Mommy. I'm fasting. Mom, you better close your virgin eyes! What? Your boy was not so innocent after all. He had a nudie magazine! Look at all these boobs! I wish my boobs were like that. Oh, see? Mom, I'm gonna marry him. Marry who? Who do you mean who? Johance, of course. Really? Yes! My only daughter is going to get married to a good man who loves her right. Okay, okay, okay, okay, do you know what? I have saved my wedding dress for you. You're gonna wear that, yeah, yeah! Let me call, let me call him up and tell him that you said yes! No, no, no, Mom. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! I'm gonna call him, I'm gonna call him, I'm gonna call him! Oh, God, no need for him to ask me, Mom, no need for romance. Goodnight, baby boy. Hi, Charley. Can I get a hug? How are you? Hey. Hey. What happened? Mila, you home? In here. Man, traffic was bad, and Charley had to pee, so I dangled him out of the window. You should have seen this woman. Hey. Where you been? What's he doing here? What do you know about someone named Abell Tariku? Hey, bud, why don't you go take a shower, wash up before dinner? Cactus. Say something so I know it's not true. I didn't know what else to do. No, no! No, no, Logan, no! No! I appreciate you coming. I understand that you don't want to press charges. I just want to say that I'm very sorry. It was an accident. You are Charley's father? Lenie? Lenie. What? Oh, I see. Oh, dear Jesus. I want to choose my words carefully before I speak. If we don't say the words out loud, it will harm us. I want to know what happened before I decide how I feel. Charley, when somebody drops their phone, you give it back to 'em, it's called not being rude. That's okay, he could play with it, I don't mind. Say hi. Are you recording this? Yeah, you're in my movie now. Say hi. I'm really sorry about him. That's all right. I'm Logan. Abell, nice to meet you. Nice to meet you too. No, no, no, say that to the camera. Hi, I'm Abell. Let's go! I'm Dad. Dad? Look behind you, there's, Dad! No, Dad, no! Dad, no! Run, Charley! Oh, God! Charley, please get up. My God! Run! Run! Oh, my God, no! What did you do? It was an accident, Charley, run, run! Don't look back! I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry. I didn't know that he was your brother, I swear. Doesn't matter! Lenie... No! No! Stop, Ma. Please, I'm sorry. I didn't want them to take Charley away. I've been holdin' on to this. It's killing me. It's destroying everything, my family... Your family? You've destroyed my family! You don't deserve to look at my mother in the face. Yes, I would like to cancel a service, please. We'll find something nearby. What about Dad? He'll be nearby. Promise. Okay. Do you want some breakfast? No. I can't get another thing in my stomach. I'm so ashamed, Ma, and I'm disgusted in how much I embarrassed you. I'm sorry, so sorry. I'm really sorry, I hate myself for it. Don't hate yourself. You don't embarrass me. You make me proud every day. I'm the one that is sorry. You're stronger than me. I don't understand how you could forgive him, or me, for that matter. When they killed your father, I was so angry. The rage burned me inside, and I let it. For the last 25 years, it prevented me from doing anything. All I had was you and Abell. And if you don't turn out the way I planned, I told to myself, I'm a failure again. I don't know how to say it in English. A whispering guilt, a voice that keeps tugging at you. It haunted me. It's with me when I'm awake, when I sleep, all the time. You know what it says to me? No. You must be at peace. Find peace, choose peace. I have not been listening to that voice for many years. I don't want to hold you responsible for my joy. Like I did with your father, sweet love. I want to walk down the streets wearing beautiful dresses and feeling attractive, the way I felt with your dad. I'm serious. I'm serious! I hope you'll forgive me. He strum the guitar light, the way he stroke my back 'Cause he's shy sometimes I ask him to dance but, oh, he won't dance No, he don't know he's beautiful He pull back the veil and show the color of his heart Is blue, so blue, so blue But yes, I know you're leavin' soon Oh, baby, no, don't come so close, you're leavin' Leavin' soon Baby, no, don't come so close, you're leavin' Leavin' soon He take me to the roof and show me the moon Near full tonight And there we lay with my guitar and play, oh Lovely My dear, my dear, so far from here You'll be, you'll be, you'll be Maybe you can stay with me Well, baby, no, don't come so close, you're leavin' Leavin' soon Baby, no, don't come so close, you're leavin' Leavin' soon Well, your eyebrows, they arch softly Like branches toward the water And your fingertips, they remind me of the moon Well, time, it passes quickly Been years and years already I am glad you are leavin' He take me to the roof and show me the moon Near full tonight And then we lay with my guitar and play, oh, oh, oh Lovely My dear, my dear, so far from here Oh, you'll be, you'll be, you'll be Well, maybe you can stay with me Well, your eyebrows, they arch softly Like branches toward the water And your fingertips, they remind me of the moon Well, time, it passes quickly Been years and years already I am glad you are leavin', oh |
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