Once Upon a River (2019) - full transcript

Mom always said
she never belonged here

with me and Daddy, that the
river stink drove her crazy.

She had to go find
herself, she said.

And she couldn't do that here.

Daddy and I were doing
our best to get by.

I know it was hard for him,
taking care of me on his own.

He quit drinking the
day we found mom's note.

Maybe what happened
was bound to happen.

Like destiny.

A year had gone by,
I had just turned 15

and I missed Mom all the time.



The way she smelled of
cocoa butter and white wine.

But Daddy and I
couldn't talk about it.

Not bad, kiddo.

You're starting to scare me.

What's the main rule again?

Only make the good
shot, not just any shot.

That's right.

Listen to your
breathing, to your body,

it'll tell you when
the time is right.

It's an art form,
not just sport.

Murrayville,
Michigan, was a company town.

My dad's half-brother,
Cal Murray,

pretty much ran the place.

We lived right next
door to the Murrays.



Go, Margo!

- Good luck, river nymph.
- Woo!

That is unholy.

Your granddad
would be so proud.

Here.

Try that.

Hold up.

- That was beginner's luck.
- Yeah.

This will be good.

Hey.

You wanna come hunt
with me for opening day?

You're gonna go
hunting with her?

Are you kidding me, Dad?

- Billy.
- Are you kidding me?

Shut it.

She's family.

Well, think about it.

It'll be fun.

Give me that.

Think it over and
tell me tonight.

It's mine.

You know, you're lucky
we even help you.

- Come on, Billy.
- Shut it, Junior!

It's the truth.

And don't you forget it.

This is it, Margo.

Hunting season hasn't
even started yet.

We'll get fined.

I'll get you whatever
target you want, okay?

Just no more kill.

You hear me?

I heard you.

That dress looks nice.

Having fun?

You know, sprite, if
you wanna go huntin'

you better learn
how to skin a deer.

Teach you right now if you want.

Coming with me at
five a.m., right?

I'd like to, yes.

You're so lovely, Margaret.

Is this your first time?

Uncle Cal.

Uncle Cal?

It's all right, I was careful.

But, Uncle Cal, did you see...

You dirty son of a bitch!

Dad!

Dad!

- Mom!
- What's going on?

The devil's slut
lured me in there,

but I swear I never
touched her, Jo.

Guess she's just
like her mama, huh?

You shut that mouth of yours.

Margo!

What the hell...

What the hell are you doing?

Stay away from my family!

Margo.

Come on, now.

Let's go.

Hey, nympho, why don't
you meet me in the shed?

I have something to show
you later, all right?

I'll see you there!

Tomorrow I
wanna talk to you about

another creepy
crawly animal that's

found right near Pronto Valley,

and that'll be tarantulas.

Now, tarantulas are
types of spiders

that are related to
things like black widows,

brown recluses, wolf
spiders and jumping spiders.

Spiders belong to a group of
animals known as arachnids.

All arachnids are
invertebrate animals,

which means they
lack a backbone.

Vertebrate animals
include mammals, reptiles,

fish, and amphibians and birds.

All insects and arachnids
are invertebrates,

- which means-
- I'll bring him right up!

Well, I hope you
come visit us in California.

Mighty glad to see
you, especially Pearl.

Pearl, you got the green cov-

Margo, you know,
you're the only reason

I'm alive and sober
in this world.

I know that, Daddy.

Margo!

Margo!

Dad!

Margo,
where are you?

I'm right here.

Why do you have your gun?

They told me you
weren't at school.

Just stay where I can
see you from now on.

Sparkler.

Do mine.

Because I was always... okay.

All right, then,
I'm going to work.

If I catch you going
over I'm dragging

you back by your ears.

More of this, Nicholas!

You're doing it!

Your dad said you've become
quite the hunter, Maggie.

Crackshot with the rifle.

That's my brother, Paul.

Paulie, meet my dream girl.

The prettiest
thing on the river.

I'm keeping him off
the junk, Maggie.

No need for speed out here
unless it's in your boat,

- right?
- Hey, don't tell her that

for Christ's sake.

Come on.

She ain't gonna tell anyone.

Just about got him cured, too.

Will you shut
the fuck up, Brian?

There you go.

You know, I just can't get
enough of a girl who don't talk.

That's right, baby.

Yes, yes!

Margo!

Dad?

Are you over there, Margo?

Put that down, Billy.

You shot my dad, you asshole.

- What are you talking about?
- Billy, no.

- Don't point that at me.
- No.

Put that down before
somebody gets hurt.

Margo, are
you okay in there?

Just give me a second.

Sheriff's here.

You gotta talk to him.

I'll be right there.

Who's out there?

Shit.

Brian, what's a girl
doing here holding a gun?

Paulie, open your eye.

Maggie Crane.

Get in here and
put your gun down.

Hey, you came just in
time for my winning hand.

Just have a seat.

Shit.

We heard about your
dad and we're so sorry.

None of them Murrays
are fit to lick

your father's boots, you hear?

You remember that.

Where you headed, Maggie?

Trying to get to my mom.

I have this.

Mentions Heart of Pines.

Well, I can drop you at
Heart of Pines tomorrow.

We'll find your mom.

What if they
report her missing?

You are asking for trouble.

Well, I'm not asking for
your opinion on anything, so...

You stay here tonight,
make yourself at home.

I was thinking
about it last night.

So, why would your dad
have shot Cal like that?

He mess with you?

He did, didn't he?

Wish I could tell
you where Luanne is.

She ran off with a
guy I used to know.

That's all I got for you.

She may be out to
Florida by now.

That was her plan.

But so was Lake Lynne.

Hey.

We will find her.

So, what are
we hoping to find here?

To see if somebody's
home, ask some questions.

Come on,
we'll come back tomorrow.

Margo the river nymph.

I've been looking for you.

Get away from my boat.

It's not your boat.

A Murray boat does not belong to

a part-Indian bastard like you.

Grandpa gave me that
boat, and you know it.

You going to find your ma?

I mean, I guess
that makes sense.

You two should stick together
seeing as you're both whores.

Shut up.

I saw her with my dad
a bunch in the shed.

He said not to tell you, but
I don't really give a fuck.

And then she ran
off with some man.

She didn't care about you.

Shut up.

You don't know anything.

Aren't you even sorry
that you killed my dad?

I didn't have a choice.

He shot my dad.

I was the one
who shot your dad.

No.

- No, everybody saw-
- I...

I was the one who shot your dad.

You is being crazy.

You can kill me if you want.

Kinda wish you would.

Hi, I'm looking for Luanne.

I'm Margo, her daughter.

Yes.

Now, why on Earth
is a girl skinning

a rabbit in a picnic park?

I'm not afraid of protecting
myself when I have to, okay?

Listen, if that meat's
safe, I'll pay for it.

Deal.

Tell me when they're gone.

They're gone.

What tribe?

I'm not sure.

Somewhere out west.

I'm Cherokee from Oklahoma.

I'm studying the routes
from Canada on down.

Why?

What's your name?

Margo.

Let me tell you
something, Margo.

People who came to this
country and took over,

they never intended
for us to survive.

That's what I've been learning.

My name's Will, by the way.

This is really good.

Thank you, Margo.

You're welcome.

Tomorrow I can
fish us some trout.

If you're still here, I mean.

You know, the problem is
that the river's polluted.

The same everywhere, I guess.

Everything's poison.

My dad used to try and
clean it up whenever he could.

When we'd go fishing.

Is he the one who
taught you all this stuff?

It seems like you know a lot
about living on your own.

Yeah.

I can get you
closer to Lake Lynne,

but if you start
to change your mind

I'm not bringing you back.

That's fine.

I don't know what I'm
getting caught up in.

Are you sure you're not
running away from home?

Hey, were you really gonna
hitchhike the whole way?

What?

Nothing.

I wish you
could stay longer.

In one week I'll be at school.

They're letting me
help teach a class.

Why aren't you in school?

Guess I quit.

You need to go
back and do that.

My sister quit and school and
wishes she could go back now.

You wanna clean houses
the rest of your life?

That's about all she can do now.

No, I guess not.

Have you thought
about what you wanna be?

Seems like you could do just
about anything you want.

I have to leave in the morning.

I know.

Hey!

I'm stuck!

Are you okay?

Yeah, I'm okay.

I mean, except for the fact
that I'm dying of emphysema.

What's your name?

Smoke.

Smoke, I'm Margo.

Margo, huh?

Well, know this, Margo,

sometimes life is, it's
a lousy goddamn business.

Oh, that's Fishbone's deer hyde.

Who's Fishbone?

Well, he's the man
that oughta be here

by now with my smokes.

Instead I get stuck and a
stranger comes by and saves me.

Now, don't mind him, that's
just Nightmare saying hello.

Well, come on.

Can I buy that pot from you?

Sure.

Kid, you are filthy.

Don't you ever take a bath?

Well, I was camping.

Camping alone?

A girl your age should
be with her family.

Well, I'm trying
to find my mom.

And I had to hitchhike.

If you want a shower, you
don't need to ask for it.

You're
supposed to be hooked up

to your oxygen all the time.

You're not even using it.

I use it when I
need it, Shelly.

Don't bother about it.

Kim, just leave me be, please.

Do I bother you
about your lives?

Come on,
it's time to go.

Thanks for stopping by!

It's been a real pleasure.

This another niece?

He sees me five days
a week, that thing.

I don't care.

You said you'd take care
of Nightmare when I'm dead,

you better keep your promise.

Oh, you ain't going
nowhere anytime soon.

Ya grouch.

Oh yeah, by the way,
here's your death sticks.

I was hoping I could sleep
in your camper, Mr. Smoke.

I don't need a kid sleeping
and hanging around here.

But I'll clean
and cook, chop wood,

meat, anything you want.

I just need to save
up enough money

to make my way further north.

Ain't you supposed
to be in school?

I saw your skins,
Mr. Fishbone.

I could sell you skins.

Pelts need to be perfect.

I shoot 'em in the eye.

Where'd you get
this girl, Smoke?

Shooting critters in the eye.

Real throw back here.

Fishbone's a funny name.

I like it.

Smoke, too.

Yeah, well, Terry here
don't know any better

that Smoke's a black man's name.

Go to hell.

See, Smoke wish he
was black that way

he'd have more to
complain about.

Where's your mother?

Lake Lynne, I think.

Well, why can't you
just, you know, go to her?

I'm not even sure I
have the right address.

Please, it wouldn't be for long.

Yeah, you should
take her in, Smoke.

I don't like seeing a
girl out there all alone.

All right.

You don't need to
pay me for anything,

you can shoot me in
the head instead.

You know, if you
had been in the war,

you wouldn't say such things.

You're getting to
be a real church lady

these days, ain't ya?

Now, kid, when the time comes,

you better live up to
your end of the bargain.

Or send me away.

I'm not gonna die in there.

Right, kiddo?

Can kiss me farewell then
blow my fucking head off.

This property has had
a number of complaints

and the county has sent letters.

He knows.

Okay, so what
do we need to do?

This is your last warning.

Clean up your act over
here or we will have to.

All right, we'll
take care of it.

Thank you.

Sure.

Let's go.

You see the way people
can just strut in and

take away your right to
live the way you want?

Remember this.

No more freedom in this country.

Wish you'd keep your promise.

I know you joke about
this, but I don't like it.

I'm not joking.

I've shot someone before.

So what?

You're turning yourself in?

Probably a lousy son
of a bitch anyway.

It doesn't matter.

I still wish I never
did those things.

Maybe my dad would
still be alive.

I'm impressed.

You got a shotgun?

No, I used my rifle.

Well, you're still
gonna need traps.

Smoke got some he ain't using.

Hey!

Will you stop giving my shit
away while I'm still alive.

Smoke told me to ask
you where a girl goes

to get rid of a baby.

What do you mean?

Girl's pregnant.

She doesn't want it.

I don't like that
kinda business.

I can't take care of a baby.

Fishbone.

I'm asking as a favor to me.

Help her.

Or just take me to my mother.

I have an address, I just
don't know if it's right.

I think that's the idea.

Here.

You all right?

I wonder if that's
what the ocean looks like.

Well, you'll know
when you see the ocean.

This is beautiful
country up here.

Well, your ma's a rich lady.

Wouldn't of guessed it from you.

I wish I had my rifle.

Not around here.

No, rich folks get uneasy
about poor folks and firearms.

Thank you for bringing me.

Yeah, well...

Who is it?

Margaret Louise.

Did you hear what happened?

Yeah, no, come in.

I, you just... you caught
me by surprise, that's all.

Come in.

Can I get you anything to drink?

Isn't this an amazing view?

I missed you.

I'm so glad I had
the right address.

Oh, Margaret.

I really wanted to see you.

I would've given anything,

it just wasn't the
right time, you know?

Why not?

When I met Roger I told
him I didn't have any kids.

Now, if I change my story
he'll think I'm a liar.

But you are lying.

Look, Roger is my fiance.

He's a lot of fun, really.

He's a great guy,

it's just he's a little
opinionated, that's all.

Your fiance.

Yeah.

Oh, Margaret, it really
is so good to see you.

Come on, come sit with me.

Roger's away until Friday,
I can run around how I like

as long as I keep a low profile.

So, what do you think?

It's big.

It's really nice.

Yeah, Roger hates the
geese, but I don't mind 'em.

How's Cal doing?

He ever ask about me?

I'm pregnant.

What?

Sweetie, how far along?

Not too far.

Who's the father?

His name's Will.

He's a school teacher somewhere.

Well, don't worry, I'm
gonna take care of you.

I didn't when I should have,

but I'm gonna take
care of you now.

You know, I was about your age
when I was pregnant with you.

I'm so sorry, Margaret.

So, why don't you
rest up in here.

You can take a shower,
there's a robe in here,

and I'll call the clinic
before they close.

Sound good?

Watch and listen.

Some day I'll take
you to the ocean

and taste the difference between
saltwater fish and these.

No, honey, no one...

I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Okay.

I love you, too.

Bye.

Hey, there, sleeping beauty.

You were out cold
for four hours.

I got Chinese food.

You want some wine?

I usually try not to
drink during the week

but today's turning out to
be quite the surprising day.

Why'd you leave?

Listen...

Leaving you was the hardest
thing I've ever had to do,

but I would have died
or drank myself to death

if I would've stayed.

I really did try.

I thought you
left because of me.

No.

I know, I know it seems selfish,

but I had to find
happiness somehow.

I was miserable.

Do you hate me, Margo?

No.

You should live how you want.

Why are you looking
at me like that?

You're so pretty.

Well, I can show you
how to do all this.

That's something I can
help you with, at least.

Okay.

Well, you ready?

Do you wish you hadn't had me?

Of course I'm
glad that I had you.

But I had a husband to help me.

You're all alone, sweetie.

I'm not completely alone.

Do you wanna have this baby?

Okay, then.

Save yourself.

Oh, go to hell, you freaks.

I'll run your asses over.

I got mace!

You're making the
right decision.

I'm gonna go to the bank and
I'll be right back, okay?

Is this your first visit?

Okay, here you go.

Just fill this out.

Someone will come
get you shortly.

You can come with me.

Undress and put this gown
on, let it open in the back.

It'll just be a
couple minutes now.

This is not normal.

You're gonna raise a baby? Here?

Why do you care so
much about normal?

I never had any kids, but
I could help that girl

live how she wants.

She is going to have a
baby, it's not just about her.

Will you stop talking
like I'm not evne here?

We will be okay.

Plenty of people are
worse off than this.

I'm fine.

Something does not
smell right in here.

It's you.

You feeling okay?

I'm fine.

You need to take a bath.

I would stay, but I have a
house full of family and guests.

Why won't you let your health
aide come and help you bathe

like she's supposed to?

My body is none of
them bitch's business.

However, it has been a couple
of weeks since I've bathed.

Let me help you.

You need to be look for
your nieces tomorrow, right?

I don't
want the lights on.

Okay.

Why does Fishbone
look after you?

Why do you help me, kid?

Why does anybody help anybody?

We were in a band
together for years.

You ever play still?

No, not so much.

I'd love to hear
you play sometime.

You're a good girl.

Even your crazy mama
always knew that.

How many cards?

What do you need, what
do you want? How many?

- Two.
- Two?

Oh, less than two weeks.

This could be our last
supper before prison.

This place is... and they
know what they're doing,

and you'll have help.

They're doing it out of love.

Oh, save me from
their fucking love.

I like being alone.

Well...

I'll see you soon.

Huh?

Margo.

What's this?

No, you've already
given me enough.

I should give you
my shotgun, too.

Only, use it on me first.

You need to stop saying that.

I deserve to die
with some dignity.

But I'll come visit
you all the time.

I mean, you're my best friend.

Then you better
make some friends.

Margo, listen.

I don't know if I'd of made it

these last couple of
months without you.

♪ I came home from no place ♪

♪ I just left it all one day ♪

♪ We've all got our miles ♪

♪ But you're much younger
than your lovely weary eyes ♪

♪ Stay here where
the river runs ♪

♪ And true love never dies ♪

♪ We're all home from nowhere ♪

♪ From that busy world alive ♪

You missed it.

A beautiful sunrise.

Pink sky over a storm.

My favorite.

Go get my jacket and smokes.

I'll be right here.

Smoke!

Smoke!

No.

Please.

Smoke!

Smoke!

Don't leave me.

I have some skins for you.

You didn't come
to the funeral.

They asked if I thought
it was a suicide.

As it was a favorite
topic of conversation,

they ruled it as such.

You know, he called me
that morning all wheezy.

Scared my wife.

I wonder what he
wanted to tell me now.

I have a good guess.

Hey, you know you
need to have that baby

at the hospital, right?

Baby needs shots
and a certificate.

I'll take you.

You don't have to.

Well, maybe I have a
soft spot for a baby.

Is that okay?

You can go to
the river to remember,

and you can go to
the river to forget.

Spring is here and I
wanna tell you my story

because it's yours, too.

I welcome you to the river.