A Host of Sparrows (2018) - full transcript

♪ Beneath the thunder ♪

♪ The sky cracks like bone ♪

♪ And lightning lights up my sin ♪

♪ When this road I wander ♪

♪ Becomes gravel and stone ♪

♪ Who's gonna save me then ♪

♪ Who's gonna save me ♪

♪ I cannot let this pain define me ♪

♪ I must not let the darkness in ♪

♪ As long as the past remains behind me ♪

♪ I will push back against the wind ♪



♪ I will push back against the wind ♪

♪ I built these cages ♪

♪ I bolted this door ♪

♪ I raised the walls that close me in ♪

♪ Well I can't remember ♪

♪ What I built them for ♪

♪ Who's gonna save me then ♪

♪ Who's gonna save me ♪

♪ I cannot let this pain confine me ♪

♪ I must not let the darkness in ♪

♪ As long as the past remains behind me ♪

♪ I will push back against the wind ♪

♪ I will push back against the wind ♪

♪ That howls through hollow promises ♪



♪ The wind that stirs the troubled air ♪

♪ The wind that shakes
me from my memories ♪

♪ The wind that blew me here ♪

I haven't got a lot of time,
Councilman, so pay attention.

I'm only gonna go through this once.

This is how it breaks down.

Remember when I told you I was 18?

Well, I meant 18-ish.

As in 17.

As in underage.

Which makes you, how
shall I put this nicely?

A disgusting perv?

A loathsome child molester?

Let's just settle on utterly unelectable.

But I'm not here to judge.

We all have our little weaknesses.

Mine is Little Debbie snack cakes.

Yours just happens to be underage girls.

Now, I'm not sure how your wife

or daughters might feel about that,

but I'm pretty sure the
voters of Franklin County

would be more than a little disturbed

if they saw this vivid,

if not graphic, recording of
the entire nasty business.

Especially the part where
you call me Brittany,

which I'm pretty sure is the
name of your oldest daughter.

How old is she now, 16?

What the fuck?

Relax.

I've already uploaded it to the cloud.

All right, here are your three options.

One.

I upload the video online
for the world to see.

I'm just gonna assume that's not

an option you'd be interested in.

Two.

You accept responsibility
for what you've done,

and pay for your sins.

You know like a sin tax.

$500 to be deposited into a
private internet bank account

on the 1st of every month.

You bitch.

Oh that reminds me, there's
also a penalty for insults.

So now that's 1,000 plus 500 per month.

I'm not giving you shit, you slut.

Keep going, I'll have college paid for

before I leave the room.

All done?

Okay, so 2,000 plus 500 per month.

Wait.

Wait.

You said there was a 3rd option?

You introduce me to someone

with more money and more at stake.

Another politician,
someone at the state level.

Preferably a senator, but
a representative will do.

It just has to be someone
with your same, uh,

nasty little inclinations.

I'm sure you know someone.

Birds of a feather, and all that.

You expect me to pimp
you to my colleagues?

That's 3,000.

I'll email you the bank account number.

Wait a minute.

Wait a minute, just wait a minute, okay?

I find you someone and that ends this?

And I don't owe you anything?

Well, you still owe me $3,000,

I mean let's face it,
you were pretty rude.

Shit!

He didn't show.

You want me to pick her up?

No, get him to the Inn

and set things in order there.

I'm so sorry I'm late, Donna.

I tried to get back by five.
You said you'd be back

by five.
I know.

I know and I'm truly sorry.

And you are
behind on your payments.

I know.

I know and I'm working on it.

I'll have it soon.

They're gonna cut his services

if you don't settle your account.

I know, I'll drive
over a check tomorrow.

What you playing?

Looks fun.

Norman Foley?

Yeah?

Here.

What is it?

How the fuck should I know?

Who's it from?

Finn.

Tiring, motherfucker.

Have you seen her yet?

What's the point?

She's the only family you've got now.

I've got you.

If I could just convince you to retire.

Oh, I could never leave the business.

Your father and I built up
that place up from nothing.

It's where I want to be when I go.

Uh mom you've already done that.

I know, it's not enough.

Well maybe try it first?

It's fine.

Have you seen her yet?

There was something important
I was going to tell you.

Leonard said something.

Leonard?

You know, Leonard.

No.

Finn sent him to help out at the Inn.

That was years ago.

I've been gone a long time, mom.

It hasn't been that long.

Now what was it he said?

I remember.

It was about that man.

The man, the one who had something to do

with what happened to Lauren.

Hello?

Mr. Pee-or-sorry?

I'm Norman, Norman Foley.

It never ceases to astonish me,

the ease with which western
tongues mangle my name.

I'm sorry, I just...

Relax, it's an observation,
not a condemnation.

For what it's worth to you,

the name is pronounced
Pure-ray-ah-sah-ray.

But you can call me Finn.

Most people find it easier to manage.

Why Finn?

Because I'm Finnish.

Oh.

The reason I wanted to talk to you...

Concerns certain creative liberties

you took with your employer's accounts

and some unprincipled opportunist

stumbled upon your plan and is seeking

to make his fortune at your expense.

I'm not a bad person.

Please. Mr. Foley.

None of that is necessary.

I'm not the type of man

who's encumbered by moral judgment.

So you can help me?

I can.

How much is that going to cost?

Now, what kind of man would I be

if I took financial advantage of someone

who is already being taken
financial advantage of?

But if you aren't
gonna charge me anything?

Well it's quite simple, really.

I do a favor for you now

and then sometime in the future,

should the need arise,

you return the favor.

A universe set in balance by
a simple, equitable exchange.

What would you want me to do?

Well, there's no way of
knowing until the need arises.

Which might not ever happen.

But if it does, I can assure
you that I what I ask of you

will be no more than what I'd do for you.

So you may just want me
talk to somebody for you?

If that's what it comes to.

But in the interest of full disclosure,

I need to make one point very clear.

Should a man come to you
with a request from me

at some point in the future,

I expect you to do me that favor.

Should you refuse, I would
be obligated to take action.

Please understand that I
don't traffic in good or bad,

I don't concern myself
with legal or illegal.

Those are just constructs,
man-made concepts.

They change from moment to moment,

depending upon who's in power

at any given point and time.

But justice?

Justice is part of the
fabric of the universe.

It's what maintains equilibrium.

One set of actions balancing
another set of actions.

The sparrow eats the wheat.

The hawk eats the sparrow.

That's justice.

Without it, everything
would be out of kilter.

So if we reach an agreement today,

you need to make sure you hold
down your end of the bargain.

Otherwise,

everything you cherish
and everyone you love...

Calculating, Florida.

I've got nothing to say to you.

That surprises me.

I thought you'd be anxious to meet the man

behind Lauren's tragedy.

He's an accountant.

Leads a rather nondescript
life, as I understand.

I've arranged for him to be

at your mother's bed and
breakfast this weekend.

Well you can undo it

'cause I'm not going
anywhere near the Inn.

I'm done.

I had to call in a
lot of favors, you know.

And that's your bad luck.

As far as I'm concerned, we're square.

As soon as you return the
revenue from Spring Grove.

Well that money's mine, I earned it.

I don't see how you
can justify that claim.

13 years in peels.

Fair enough, keep 10% for your trouble,

we'll call it even.

And tell me where you are and...

I think I got to a way to get him there.

Leave this to me.

That was quick.

I'm always serious.

Yeah, a senator will work, which district?

Are you fucking with me,

'cause I don't like to be fucked with?

The United States Senate?

You'll forgive me if I don't believe you.

The whole weekend?

And he deposited this
for incidental expenses?

All right.

When?

Okay, I'll wait for your email.

Understand, you will be there

to make sure what is supposed to happen

does, in fact, happen.

If I thought the accountant was capable

of fulfilling his obligation,

I wouldn't even be sending you,

but frankly, I don't
think it's in his nature.

All that matters is that she is handled

and that Tom thinks the
accountant is responsible,

and then Tom avenges his loss

and we have him where we want him.

No, no, please don't.

Please.

Oh no.

No, no, no, no please!

Don't, don't hurt me, please!

Take whatever you want.

I swear I won't call the police.

You'd like young girls.

I could get you a girl.

I could get you...

She'll be there.

Hey, I'm on the road right now.

Can I call you back?

No, out of town, why?

Say that again.

Did you invite her?

Did you?

Never mind, I know who's behind it.

I'll be there.

I'll be back Sunday night.

If you anything, just call or text.

And I left his doctors
number on the fridge.

Hey I've got to go, sweetie, all right?

But I'll be back in a couple days.

You be good.

Where are you going?

I've got something
I have to take care of.

What do you
mean, you have something

you have take care of?

I can't explain it,
just trust me, all right?

And don't ask questions.

Have you lost your mind?

You don't expect me to
sit back and say nothing

while you run off without
a word of explanation?

Yes, Martha, in this
one singular instance.

That is precisely what I expect.

Well forget it because I want to know

what's is going on.

Please.

Martha, if I could tell you anything,

I would tell you everything,

but I can't tell you anything.

Since when do we keep
secrets from each other?

Listen, I know what this looks like.

You just have to trust me.

I have to do this for you.

For the kids, for the
life we've built together.

Well if that's true,
then I'm a part of it,

and you can damn well
tell me what it's about.

I can't.

What was I going to do?

Prep dinner.

That's it.

Because Finn has people coming, right?

We're not supposed to mention that name.

Remember, Peggy?

Of course I remember.

But,

Finn has people coming, right?

People are coming.

Right.

I knew that.

Shit.

Thanks for stopping.

Sure.

I didn't know what I was gonna do.

I'm Margo.

Tom.

Well, Tom, if you could just drop me off

at a gas station or a convenience store,

I'd really appreciate it.

There are no gas stations out here.

No convenience stores.

Anyplace with a phone,
then, would be great.

I can't get any service on my cell.

Well this whole area is a dead zone.

There are no phones and we're too far away

from a cell tower to get a signal.

I'm afraid you're a long way from nowhere.

There's supposed to be a
bed and breakfast somewhere.

Yeah, the Inn at Birches Gardens.

Yeah, that's it.

Would you mind just dropping me off there?

That's where I'm headed, but,

to be honest, there's a Holiday
Inn just off the highway

and it's much nicer.

I'd be happy to give
you a lift over there.

I appreciate the offer, but
I'm actually meeting someone.

So, if it's not too much trouble.

You're not gonna make me walk

all the way in this storm, are you?

What am I saying?

I'm saying I packed it.

It's here, I promise you that.

Maybe you put it in the trunk.

I didn't put it in the trunk.

I would remember if I put it in the trunk.

I'm just saying maybe.

There's no maybe, you know.

You know how I know?

This hip, that's how I know.

Here we go with the hip.

It's like a barometer, this hip.

And this morning it was
aching like a son-of-a-gun.

And you know what that means.

I know what that means.

Rain, and boy
do we have the rain.

So why would I pack the
umbrellas in the trunk

if I knew it was gonna rain?

I wouldn't, that's the truth of it.

Okay.

Okay, I believe you.

Okay, maybe I
left it in the trunk.

You two are drenched.

Leonard, grab some towels.

Oh please don't bother,
it's just a little water.

We'll dry off when we get to our room.

We better get you two checked in then.

Name?

Rosenbaum, Walter and Carol.

We have you in room two,

just at the top of the stairs.

Leonard can show you the way.

Once you get all settled in,

come on back down and
Leonard'll mix you up

a nice cocktail before dinner.

I could go for a good Gin Rickey.

You know that one, Leonard?

It is Leonard, right?

I mean I hope you don't
mind me calling you Leonard?

Hey, did I tell you I had a
friend named Leonard once?

He lived in Pittsburgh.

Have you been to Pittsburgh?

Thanks for the lift.

Oh.

Oh dear, let me help you.

Oh well.

You don't look any worse for the wear.

Leonard'll get you a towel
as soon as he gets back.

Meanwhile come on in,
make yourself to home

while I get you checked in.

I'm Margo.

Margo Simpson.

I know who you are, dear.

Can I get you something
to warm your bones?

Jack and coke?

A hot chocolate
would be more appropriate,

don't you think?

Hmm.

And so you are.

Ah, that's what I'm looking for.

You know, I've slept in hotels

in every major city in the world

and I am here to tell you that the bar

is the heart of every last one of 'em.

Hey, haven't I always said that, Chooki?

What's that dear?

That the heart of
every hotel is the bar?

Name your poison.

Gin Rickey.

Don't be particular, Walter.

Maybe I'll have a brandy instead.

Brandy, that I can do.

And you?

Wine, any color, any year.

For mercy's sake, close that door.

Hey, get you gentlemen towels.

You don't mind, do you?

Oh, gosh.

That's enough to set
your heart cross ways.

Seems like we're missing someone.

Are we?

Did we set too many?

No, the table's right.

Of course it is.

That's the bearded
fellow, came in earlier.

What was his name?

Oh you know, it was one of those names.

I believe his name was Norman.

Oh yes, of course, that's it.

And we're expecting one more?

I don't think so, just the five.

Just five, right?

There you go.

I'm afraid you missed the soup.

Sorry, I was trying to a call.

Oh you won't find much
fortune there, I'm afraid.

Our guests usually prefer

to avoid contact with the outside world.

But you do have a computer, right?

No computers, no phones
and only one road in.

It's part of the charm of the place.

This is quite a storm we're having.

You'll get plenty of
sun on the ship, Walter.

Ship?

We're taking
a transatlantic cruise

to celebrate Walter's retirement.

A whole month.

What are you retired from?

Work.

He's just being cute.

Don't pay any attention.

Walter is in public relations.

And what do you do, Norman?

Numbers.

You mean like gambling?

No, no, I'm a bookkeeper.

You know receivables, cash
flow, profit and loss.

I'm the one who balances the accounts.

I know someone just like that.

Keeps things in balance.

He does very well for himself.

He lives in a huge...

Peggy.

So you're an accountant.

It's my own recipe.

The secret is nutmeg.

Where'd the guy with the beard go?

He's on the back porch,
checking out the rain, I guess.

I'll let him know dessert's ready.

Why is she here, mom?

Why is who here, dear?

Margo.

Finn didn't say.

He just said to expect her.

I thought he was doing it for you,

as a favor.

Are you him?

Who?

I know it's not the Irishman

because he has too many rough edges.

And I know it's not the old man

because he brought his wife with him.

That leaves you.

I know you're married

and I know you left your wife at home.

Wait, wait, wait.

How do you know I have a wife?

So, is it you?

Are you him pretending
to be an accountant?

I'm sorry, I don't know
what you're talking about.

So he's not here.

You need anything else?

No, you go on to bed, Leonard.

See you tomorrow.

Sweet dreams.

What in the world?

Jesus Christ, have you
been there all night?

I bet there's a story there.

What are you fussing about?

I was thinking we could
whip up some mimosas,

but there's no orange
juice, there's no champagne.

No ice.

Good morning.

Morning.
Good morning.

Is there coffee?

Nothing's been laid out.

Will breakfast be soon?

And some champagne

and orange juice would be welcome.

What's this?

Oh.

Mom, mom!

Oh my god, what happened?

She's been shot.

I need towels and tape.

I've got tape.

All right, let's get her to a couch.

We need blankets and something
to keep her head elevated.

Is she gonna be all right?

Well the bleeding's stopped,

but there's no way to know how much damage

the bullet's done on the inside.

We need to get her to a hospital.

You can use my car.

We can't risk it.

Those bullet fragments
are like razor blades

and if we move her too
much it could kill her.

Hey, where's the accountant?

Did you shoot her?

Oh God, he sent you, didn't he?

No one sent me, I'm here
because of what you did.

You mean what I didn't do.

I'm just not that kind of person.

I'm an ordinary, run-of-the-mill,

mow-the-lawn-on-Sunday kind of guy.

Maybe you could explain that to him.

To who?

The guy that sent you, the Finnish guy.

Finn?

Finn, that's him.

Look, I don't care what happens to me.

But my wife and kids, they
had nothing to do with this.

Finn sent you here?

To kill someone.

Who?

So it was you that shot her.

Didn't shoot her, didn't shoot her.

I couldn't do it.

Then why is she lying downstairs

with a bullet in her gut?

Wait, what?

Someone shot Peggy?

Yeah, you shot her.

I didn't, I swear.

You expect me to believe
that Finn sent you here

to shoot my mom and my mom
got shot and it wasn't you?

It's the truth.

Where's your gun?

Bedside table.

This hasn't been fired.

That's what I've been telling you.

So why would Finn send you?

To return a favor.

What favor?

He said he could help.

I thought that meant he was just gonna

send someone to talk to the guy.

You know, put the scare into him.

Make him back off.

But he took it further than that.

Much farther.

And now he wants me to
do the same for him.

And the woman?

What woman?

I don't know her.

That your family?

Yeah.

Downstairs, let's go.

How is she?

The same.

All right, first things first.

We're gonna need to get
an ambulance for my mom

as quickly as possible.

She's your mother?
That means someone's gonna

have to drive far enough
to pick up a signal

and call 9-1-1.

I'll go.

I'd prefer someone I can trust.

What the hell's that supposed to mean?

Do you mind going?

I would, but my car's broken down.

If you're looking for
someone you can trust,

Carol and I can go.

Norman can take you.

You don't mind, do you Norman?

Norman?
Huh?

Yeah, yeah, I can go.

Just drive until you get service,

call an ambulance and
then come right back.

How do you
know you can trust me?

Can't I?

You can, but why don't
you just go yourself?

Because I can't trust them.

Do you think she's really his mother?

Of course, why would he lie?

I don't know.

I used to lie about it
when I was in school.

You lied about who your parents were?

I used to say my mom was a teacher

who worked with underprivileged children

and my dad designed bridges.

It helped explain why
they were never around.

Where were they?

They were dead.

Sorry.

It was a long time ago.

How did, you know?

An accident.

A fire.

I was nine years old.

My brother and I were in the bedroom.

He was only two at the time.

Anything?

We'll have to try the other direction.

Peggy said there was only one road in.

People say a lot of shit.

They should have been back by now.

I'm going to check on them.

Sit back down.

What?

Who the fuck you think you are?

You don't tell me what to fuckin' do.

Whoa, whoa, Tom,
there's no need for that.

Tell that to my mother.

You don't honestly think Leonard...

I don't think anything.

But somebody shot her.

But not him.

Are you confessing?

How about you, Carol, did you shoot her?

Don't be absurd.

Then that limits the
possibilities then, doesn't it?

Well if you ask me, you
let the most likely suspect

drive out of here with your blessing.

That would explain why
they're not back yet.

My money's on the accountant.

The road's flooded.

How badly?

The only way you're
getting across is a boat.

So we're trapped?

Well we could wade through
the water and walk out,

but there's no way an ambulance
is getting through it.

Tom, you look like a
man who could use a jolt.

Whisky, isn't it?

Mom?

What did you do?

I'd shut the
fuck up, if I were you.

Good.

You're awake.

Let's not mix words, Tom.

Are you trying to mince words?

What?

Because the phrase is mince words.

Don't be a prick.

We both know how this has to play out.

You can't keep the money

from the Spring Grove job, Tom.

You know that, I know that.

It belongs to Finn,

and one way or another,
Finn's gonna get it back.

So why don't you just tell me where it is

and put an end to this

before people start getting hurt?

Did you kill my mom?

I didn't kill your mom.

But I will kill you if you don't tell me

where the fucking money is.

What's the matter?

Just realize you've got no leverage?

Look around.

There's leverage everywhere.

But I don't need all of them, do I?

I just need her.

She doesn't know, does she?

What are you talking about, I'm nobody.

I don't know him.

You may not know him, but
he sure as hell knows you.

What do you say, Tom?

Enough leverage for you?

If you kill her, you'll
never see that money.

Can somebody please tell
me what the hell is going on?

He's your father.

My father is dead.

Not yet, he isn't.

He died in a fire with my mother.

Well this is a con, isn't it?

Well, it won't work.

It's no con.

Apparently, Tom here had
a thing for your mother.

You're a liar.

Am I?

Let me show you what I found
when I searched his room.

You knew my mother?

Well he knew her, all right.

Bullshit.

Even if he knew my mom and
this wasn't photoshopped,

that doesn't make him my father.

What kind of creep are you?

How long have you been stalking me?

I'm your fath...
Don't say it.

Don't say it, you are not my father.

You never were and you never will be.

What do you say, Tom?

Money

or flesh and blood?

Like I said you can't kill her.

Maybe not.

But I can hurt her.

No, not enough to convince you?

Well, you know, there are
lots of ways to hurt someone.

All right, all right, stop!

You can have the money.

Where is it?

It's hidden.

It's hard to find, I'll
have to take you there.

You don't quit, do you?

Where's the fucking money?

Black Gap Road.

Point eight miles north of the I-81 exit.

Abandoned farmhouse in a
field across from the park.

Second floor bedroom.

It's in the fireplace.

Toss the gun away.

What the fuck are you doing?

Son, I've killed more men

than you've met in your life,

so if I tell you to toss your gun away,

you should listen to me.

Oh, thank God.

What are you doing?

I was gonna untie him.

Get back where you were.

Sit down.

Well,

none of this went the
way it was supposed to.

The only thing we can do now
is try to set this right,

as best we can.

What the fuck are you talking about?

Eh, eh, eh.

Okay.

Peggy's dead,

so we have to make it look

like the accountant was
responsible for that.

Wait, what, me?

Quiet, I'm trying to think.

And then, Tom.

Walter, what are you doing?

I'm doing what Finn wanted done.

Finn?

Finn doesn't want this.

He just wants the money.

This is your gun, right?

Walter, listen to me.

Okay, Norman shoots Peggy.

Tom finds out and,

What have you done?

You shouldn't be too upset, sweetheart.

After all, your pal there was responsible

for your mom being shot.

Well, aren't you going to go after her?

With these knees?

My father is dead.

Not yet, he isn't.

You shouldn't
be too upset, sweetheart.

He died in
a fire with my mother.

She doesn't know, does she?

After all, you pal there

was responsible for you mom being shot.

Tell me she got away.

Tell me you didn't...

Relax, she's fine.

I had no intention of hurting her anyway.

I had no intention of hurting him either.

What do you think you're doing?

We're supposed to make it look

like he shot Peggy,

Chooki, remember?

That's his gun.

Yeah, I know.

Oh, right, needs to be my gun, huh?

So what are you
planning on doing with me,

if you don't mind me asking?

I don't know.

Finn didn't say to kill you.

Finn didn't say not to kill him either.

That's true.

Drop the gun.

Listen, you don't...

Drop the fucking gun!

How did you know?

How did I know what?

How did you know that
my mother was shot?

You told us.

No, I didn't.

I said she died in a fire.

You're confused, you're
not remembering clearly.

Did you shot my mom?

Like he could make that shot.

What?

Walter has always had terrible aim.

He would have died a dozen times.

If I didn't have his back.

She's not gonna shoot.

She doesn't have it in her.

Trust me, dear.

Look at her, she's like
a frightened child.

I'm warning you, I'll shoot.

Don't!

I should listen to
you more often, Chooki.

Yes, you should.

I'm sorry about this.

I really am.

You're not dead.

Close enough.

It would be easy for me to kill you.

God knows you deserve it,

but,

I don't like the thought of what

that might do to my daughter.

And right now,

that's more important
to me than getting even.

Where are they?

Gone.

What about Finn?

Don't worry about Finn.

We are dealing
with something greater

than you and me.

You must see that.

The universe demands equilibrium.

You can't just change that with a...

How are we doing?

It's great, I love it.

Good.

Can we have ice cream for dessert?

We're all out of ice cream, honey.

Well maybe dad could
take us to Frosty Squeeze.

Please, daddy, please.

I can get you Frosty Squeeze.

But you'll owe me.

And some day I'll expect
you to return the favor.

♪ The moon ♪

♪ Engages me in rays ♪

♪ The sun ♪

♪ Beats upon my face ♪

♪ The earth ♪

♪ Is my gravity ♪

♪ With roots ♪

♪ Lifting me ♪

Pretty.

♪ I believe ♪

♪ Sky ♪

♪ Would you teach me how to fly ♪

♪ Sky ♪

♪ Would you show me how to fly ♪

♪ Sky ♪

♪ I'm really a child ♪

♪ Who needs her hand held ♪

♪ I'm really a dog ♪

♪ Whose nest fell ♪

♪ But I am a warrior ♪

♪ Centuries, centuries old ♪

♪ Traveling through the nights ♪

♪ My feet bold ♪

♪ Sky ♪

♪ Would you teach me how to fly ♪

♪ Sky ♪

♪ Would you show me how to fly ♪

♪ My toes bent over the ledge ♪

♪ My arms are outstretched ♪

♪ I close my eyes ♪

♪ And wish for wings to lift ♪

♪ Sky ♪

♪ Would you teach me how to fly ♪

♪ Sky ♪

♪ Would you show me how to fly ♪

♪ Sky ♪

♪ Teach me how to fly ♪

♪ Sky ♪

♪ Show me how to fly ♪

♪ Sky ♪