Passionata (1992) - full transcript

(MultiCom Jingle)

("Sonata in F, 3rd Movement"
by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)

(audience applauds)

- [Pianist] Thank you,
thank you very much.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

(speaks French)

I can't, I couldn't possibly.

There you go, thank you,
okay, just one more.

Just one more.

I'm glad you liked it, there you go.

Thank you, thank you,
this is the last one.



No, I can't, thank you very much.

- Your encore was beautiful.

- Thank you.

Would you like me sign that?

- No, no, I don't think so.

- Well, I'm sorry, I didn't
mean to imply that, um...

Well.

Goodnight.

- Alan?

- Liana?

It is you!

- Yes, yes it's me!

- Hi!
- Hi!

I heard you were in town
and I had to hear you play.



Oh, it was beautiful, breathtaking.

- [Alan] Thank you.

How are you?

- Well, I'm well.

Do you know it's been 10 years?

- God. (chuckles)

- So, are you still living in France?

- I am.

(Liana chuckles)

Look, I've got a little time.

Would you like to get a
cup of coffee or a drink?

- Sure!

Sure.

I know a place just down the street.

They have great cappuccino.

But if you'd rather go for a drink--

- No, coffee, coffee's fine.

Well, hop in.

- But it's just down the street.

- This is LA, you're not
supposed to walk in LA.

You're supposed to drive
everywhere, aren't you?

- Alan.

- What, you don't wanna
go for a ride with me?

- No, I can't get in
there to go half a block.

You haven't changed at all.

- Actually, I have.

- Really?
- I'm older.

- You're also married.

- Yes, well actually, no.

I was married.

- Then what's the ring for?

Oh no, I'm being nosy.

- That's okay.

What about you?

- His name is George.

(Alan speaks French)
(Liana chuckles)

(Liana speaks French)
(Alan chuckles)

- Do you remember when
I beat you at juries?

- No.

- Oh, come on.
- Nobody ever beat me.

Shh, shh, shh, keep it down.

How could I forget?

- Okay, here's your latte,

and here's your cappuccino.

Can I get you anything else?

- No, I'm fine.

- Thank you.
- Okay.

- You're always so competitive.

- Me?

- Yes, you.

- I was not half as competitive as you.

And you've made it, you're a star.

- No, I don't know about that.

- You are.

You're terrific.

- How about you?

- I'm fine.

Maybe a little bored.

I'm not a famous concert pianist.

- But what do you do?

- Well...

- [Alan] Well, what?

- I have a husband.

- So?

But what about your music?

- I play piano at home.

- But what about your music?

- Don't be obnoxious.

- Sorry.

Did we ever like each other?

- (chuckles) I don't know.

You were such a monster.
- Me? (laughs)

- Yes, you.

You were always on my case.

I always had to watch out for you.

- I thought you were admiring my body.

- Oh, spare me.
(Alan chuckles)

So, that's why you kissed me.

- I kissed you?

- Yes.

- I don't remember that.
- Oh, Alan, please!

- Oh, I remember.

Right before graduation.
- In Washington Square.

- Under the bridge.
- In late spring.

- I caught a cold.
- You did not.

- I almost died.
- You're a liar.

- And you look great.

- I do not.

Thank you.

- Why did you stop playing?

- I play.

- Not seriously, not with those nails.

- Yes, I do.

You know, I would have
thought that maybe by now,

you would have changed just a little bit.

You're still, kind of...

- A jerk.

- Yes.

No.

You're commanding.

It works for you on stage,
you're very commanding on stage.

Off stage, it gets tiring.

- I know.

It's a show, Liana.

Underneath it all, I'm
really a regular guy.

- Who loves motorcycles.

A Harley-Davidson, wasn't it?

- You remember that?

- There's still a certain
charm to the image.

(chuckles)

It's good seeing you again, Alan.

- It's good seeing you, too.

I've often wondered what became of you.

- Really?

- Really.

I'd like to see you again, before I leave.

Lunch, maybe.

- How about my place?

- I'd like that.

Well...

(sighs)

Am I gonna meet your husband?

- Who, George?

- You have more than one?

We haven't even talked about him.

- I know.

- I'd like to meet him.

- Maybe you will.
- What're you doing?

- This is my treat.

- Okay.

Can I give you a lift?

- This is America, Alan, I have a car.

I'll call you.

(door bell rings)

(knocks)

(door bell rings)

(sighs)

(knocks)

(sighs)

Hi!
- (chuckles) Hi.

Come in!

- I brought these for you and George.

- Oh, they're beautiful.

Thank you.

George won't be here.

- Oh, that's too bad, I was
looking forward to meeting him.

- Well, maybe next time.

Well.

- [Alan] Hey.

(high-pitched piano notes)

(Liana chuckles)

- Well, let's go eat.

- Wow!

- I hope it will do.

- Do? It's a, it's a feast!

- Are you hungry?
(Alan laughs)

- Mm-hm!
- That's a yes.

It's a beautiful day, let's eat outside.

(peaceful orchestral music)

- Mind if I play?

- I'd be honored.
(Alan laughs)

- Here.

("Waltz in A Flat" by Johannes Brahms)

- That was nice.

- I love Brahms.

One of Catherine's favorites, too.

- Who's Catherine?

- My wife.

- Oh.

- She died three years ago.

- I'm sorry.

- (sighs) You play something.

What's the matter?

- I...

- Liana?

- I can't.
- Why not?

- I don't know, Alan, please.

- What's wrong?

(footsteps approach)

- George.

My husband, George.

(Alan chuckles)

George, this is Alan Spencer,
my friend from Juilliard.

- I understand you're doing
quite well for yourself.

George Buckman, good to meet you.

- Alan Spencer.

- May I talk to you a minute?

In private?

- Now is not the time.

- Well, I think we
should make it the time.

With Mr. Spencer's permission.

- Uh, well, I'm late as it is.

I've gotta go, um...

It was a wonderful lunch.

And I'll see you tomorrow.

- Tomorrow?

- Tomorrow?

What are you doing tomorrow?

- We're going on a picnic.

- A picnic.

- A picnic.

- So, I'll pick you up at 11, huh?

Bye.
- Bye.

- Nice meeting you.

- Mm-hm.

I don't like him.

I said, I don't like him.

- I heard you.

Why are you here, George?

- To get the rest of my stuff
and to leave you the keys.

- And to spy on me?

- No, but I didn't expect this.

- What are you concerned about, a scandal?

- We're not divorced yet.

They might ask me to run again.

- Get your stuff and get out.

- Look, can't you understand
my position in this?

- How dare you walk in on me.

- You and your friend
didn't hear me knock,

because of that damn piano!

- It's nice to hear it played again.

- Oh sure, especially
by your pal, Liberace.

- Oh, stop it.

My friends are my business now,

and don't start with the piano.

- I'm not!
- You are!

You hate that piano, you always have.

And you hated me when I used to play.

- I never stopped you from playing.

- Oh, yes you did.

You made it very clear.

Every time I played for
anyone, it led to a fight.

- You only did it to hurt me!

- George, that's not true.

I tried to be good to you.

- Well, maybe you just
didn't try hard enough.

- Maybe I just got tired of being

window dressing to your career.

- Politics demands
sacrifices, you know that.

- I made sacrifices, George.

I gave up a lot for you.

My music.

Everything.

(melancholic orchestral music)

- I gotta go, I've got a
meeting in the morning.

- George, before you go.

- Oh no, you keep it.

- No, it was your grandmother's,
it belongs in your family.

- And I thought you belonged to me.

For better or for worse?

- George, that's not fair.

Do you want the divorce or not?

- Enjoy your picnic.

I'm sure he will.

("Piano Sonata No. 11" by
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)

(jurists applaud)

(restrained piano music)

(motorcycle engine purrs)

(peaceful orchestral music)

- Where did you get that?
- I bought it.

They're outrageously expensive in France.

I thought I'd ship it over.

Get on, you're wasting time, come on!

You ready?
- Yeah.

(upbeat pop music)

(peaceful electronic music)

- That rock's a little slippery.

No, no!
(Liana yelps)

(Liana chuckles)

- Don't you dare.

Don't try it.

(giggles)

- Picnic?

(upbeat pop music)

(peaceful electronic music)

- [Liana] Thanks.

(giggles)

- You hungry?
- Yes.

It's nice here.

A Harley rider.

- Huh? What?

- I said, that bike was fun.

- Admiring my body again, huh?

- No.

No.
- "No."

"Oh, no, no, no."

Hold this.

- Alan, this is wonderful.

I can't believe you brought all this.

- I hate to bring this up, but um...

- [Liana] George?

- Yeah.

- We're in the middle of a divorce.

- [Alan] Thought as much.

- Actually, he's divorcing me.

But he's acting like he wants me back,

but I don't want him anymore, it's weird.

I don't know.

I've been smothered, Alan.

My dreams were smothered.

And everything that has to
do with us is falling apart.

I don't know, C'est la vie.

(Alan speaks French)
(Liana chuckles)

- I'm sorry.

- You don't need to be sorry for me.

- Yes, I do.

You deserve better.

- You're a very gentle man.

- What are you doing?

- [Liana] It's illegal
to drink in the park.

- But that's champagne.
- I know, but--

- It's French champagne.
- Alan, shut up.

We can get arrested.
- Oh, right, of course.

Only in America.
- Hush, hush!

Now, just act normal, okay?

- Hello.

- Hi.
- Hi.

- Nice day for a picnic.

- Very nice.

(Liana sighs)

What were you so worried about?

(Liana giggles)

- Alan, we'd better go.

I'm still...

- Yeah, I know.

You're not finished with the divorce.

- Yeah.

I don't want today to end.

- Neither do I.

(peaceful orchestral music)

- Wow.

- And viola!
(Liana laughs)

- This is amazing!

Where did you learn to cook like this?

And don't say it's because
you live in France.

- But, it is.
- Come on, where?

- Actually, my wife
was a Cordon Bleu chef.

- Really, a woman Cordon Bleu?

- Very rare, especially
for a French woman.

- She must have been very special.

- [Alan] She was.

- [Liana] I need to
ask you something else.

- About Catherine?

- Mm-hm.

- About how she died?

- Am I prying?

- No, no.

- Oh, I shouldn't have asked.

- No, it's okay.

She died...

She died three years ago in a fire.

A gas line ruptured.

Our whole apartment building burned down.

- Oh, Alan, I'm so sorry.

(Alan sighs)

("Nocturne No. 1 in B-flat
Minor" by Frederic Chopin)

- I was out buying a paper.

And I was just, down the street.

(sighs)

It only took me a few seconds to get back,

but I was already too late.

The whole building was engulfed in flames.

Can you imagine what it's
like to be so close and yet...

I was just a few feet away.

- [Liana] Oh, Alan.

- I shouldn't have told you this.

- I'm glad you did.

- Play something for me.

- I can't.
- Please.

Something simple.

From the heart.

("Plaisir d'amour" by
Jean-Paul-Egide Martini)

(Liana sings in French)

♪ The joys of love ♪

♪ Are but a moment long ♪

♪ The pain of love endures ♪

♪ The whole life long ♪

(both sing in French)

(door bell rings)

- Shh.
(knocks)

(door bell rings)

- [George] Liana!

- Oh, no.

- [George] Liana, I need to see you.

(knocks)

Come on, Liana, open up.

- George, not now, okay?

I'll call you tomorrow.

- [George] No, I need to talk to you now!

- Can't it wait?

- [George] It's important!

(knocks)

Come on, Liana!
- You have no choice.

- (chuckles) You're right,
this could go on all night.

(sighs)
(knocks)

- Liana!

(knocks)

I had to see you.

- Well?

- They want me to run again.

- Who?

- The election committee.

They're talking about a
whole new strategy this time.

Back to traditional American values.

Hard work.

Integrity.

Family.

The things that matter.

- Really?

Congratulations.

- Yeah, it's great.

This could be a new beginning.

For us.

- George, I don't think so.

- (chuckles) Come on, it
could be like old times!

A winning strategy, a cause to believe in.

Working together.

- Sure.

Traditional values, family.

A supportive wife.

I understand.

- This is my chance, Liana.

Don't let me down.

- George, don't play games with me.

I'm not your wife anymore.

- Yeah.

That's for sure.

Hey, we're still friends, aren't we?

Aren't you gonna let me in?

- No.

- (chuckles) Why not?

- Because she already has company.

- Well, well, if it isn't Liberace.

- Leave us alone, George.

- What am I interrupting?

A piano lesson? (chuckles)

- George, please.

- You just couldn't wait, could you?

Even if it ruins me.

- Don't do this.

- Why don't you leave?

Before somebody gets hurt.

- Hurt?

Before someone gets hurt?

Oh, I think somebody is
definitely going to get hurt.

Au revoir, maestro.

(dark orchestral music)

- What does he want?

Don't look at me.

- Alright, let's start at the beginning.

Why did you marry the man?

- Well...

When I first met him, George was...

I don't know.

Dynamic.

He seemed to have this vision.

He wanted to change the world.

And I wanted to be part of that.

It was exciting.

And then he was elected to state senate

and looked like we were on our way.

I guess I was seduced a little by

all the energy and the
excitement of politics.

And so was George.

But with him, it became an obsession.

After a while, all he
cared about was winning.

Not about helping people.

And then two years ago,
he wasn't re-elected.

Since then, he hasn't cared
about anything important.

It's as if he's lost his soul.

- Or stolen yours.

- He wasn't mean at
first, just disappointed.

But now he's different, he's bitter

and he's blaming me for everything.

I don't know whether he
loves me or he hates me.

It's scary.

He's been such a bastard.

- I've noticed.

(Liana sighs)

Do you want me to stay a while?

- I'd like that.

Alan.

I...

- Shh, shh.

(Liana sighs)

My last concert in Los
Angeles is tomorrow night.

Be my guest?

- Oh, with pleasure.

(Alan chuckles)

So, when are you leaving
for San Francisco?

- Early the next morning.

- Oh.

("Sonata in F, 3rd Movement"
by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)

(audience applauds)

(footsteps approach)

("Nocturne No. 1 in B-flat
Minor" by Frederic Chopin)

(peaceful orchestral music)

- Why don't we go back to my hotel?

(peaceful orchestral music)

- [Liana] What time is it?

- Three o'clock.

- Is something wrong?

- I've gotta go.

I've got a five o'clock flight.

- [Liana] I'll ride
with you to the airport.

(sighs)

(thunder claps)

(dark electronic music)

(gasps)

- Whore!
- Let her go!

(thuds)
(George groans)

- Damnit!

Get in the car.

Drive!

(car starts)

- Well, you've got a hairline fracture.

Nothing to worry about, it'll heal fine,

but we should put a cast on it.

- For how long?
- Six weeks.

- Oh, Alan, your tour.

- Can we have a minute alone?

- Of course.

- Thanks.

(doctor chuckles)

- Ow!

- Oh, I'm--

- Honey, no.

- No, stop, stop, what are you gonna do?

- What can I do? I'll call my agent.

His life will be hell
for a couple of days.

He'll finally have a chance
to earn his commission.

- What about all your fans?

- We'll reschedule.

Besides, I could use a little time off.

- I've made such a mess of things.

- [Alan] It's not your fault.

- Yes, it is, I feel awful about this.

- It's not bothering me at all.

Hey.

Maybe we could go somewhere together.

- What?

- Get out of the city.

If it wasn't for George, we
wouldn't have this opportunity

to find out more about us.

- (chuckles) Wait a minute.

Are you sure about this?

- Trust me.

(energetic piano music)
- (chuckles) Not today.

(upbeat rock music)
- (chuckles) Alright.

Oh, look!

- Oh, this is beautiful.

(Liana sighs)

- I think we're up here.
- Up there?

- [Liana] Yeah.

Come on, I'll race ya.
- (chuckles) I don't think so.

- Why not?

Oh, come on.

It's great.

(Alan chuckles)

(gasps)

"Dear Liana.

"To our first kiss in
Washington Square 10 years ago.

"You were beautiful then, you
are even more beautiful now."

Alan, you're the one who's beautiful.

- I'll make us a fire.

- Great.

(low-pitched piano notes)

- No.

No piano, I'm on vacation.

- Sorry.

(peaceful pop music)

- [Alan] Very romantic.

- Uh-huh.

(fire crackles)

- So, what are you gonna do
for the rest of your life, huh?

(Liana chuckles)

- I don't know.

Sometimes I've dreamed of
having my own music school.

- You can still do it.

- Yeah.

I love children.

- You really are wonderful.

(waves crash)

Catherine.

I've lost so much, Liana.

- She was beautiful.

- Like our son.

- You have a son?

- He's six now.

He's in school, I never see him.

I'm gone so much.

The kid's growing up without me,

and I feel like I'm losing him.

- Oh, that's awful.

- I couldn't tell you
before, I don't know why.

- How did he survive the fire?

- He was with me buying the paper.

- What's he like?
(Alan chuckles)

- He's a boy, he's a handful.

(melancholic string music)

I'm not holding the torch for her.

I know she's gone.

- I did notice you took your ring off.

- Yeah.

Liana, this is part of who I am.

Every time I see Robert,
it reminds me of Catherine.

Which is maybe why I
don't see him that often.

- You've gotta spend more
time with your son, Alan.

- I know.

- Come on, let's go to bed.

(waves crash)

- Yeah, I'll be back soon, Robert

(speaks French)

I miss you a lot.

What?

(speaks French)

I'm bringing you a present.

(speaks French)

Take care.

(speaks French)

- How was he?

- He misses me.

But he's okay.

- Good.

Come on.

("Piano Sonata No. 11" by
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)

(Alan claps)

I did it.
(Alan chuckles)

- Okay?
- Okay.

Well?

Aren't you coming?

- Yeah.

Yeah, I'll catch up.

- What are you doing?

- Never mind, just go
ahead, I'll catch up.

Shoo, go.

- Shoo? (chuckles)

Okay.

(Alan hums melodically)

(Alan whistles melodically)

(melancholic orchestral music)

(ominous tones)

(water splashes)

We need to talk.

- I'm happy you're playing again.

- It's like I have a part of my life back.

- I knew you could do it.

- Yeah. (chuckles)

- You haven't lost your touch.

Not in here.

- I know.

- But we're not really talking about

what you wanna talk about, are we?

- No.
- No.

- Catherine and Robert
are part of who you are.

- Yes.

- The question is, am I okay with that?

- Are you?

- I don't know.

I wonder if I'll ever measure up

to your memory of Catherine.

- That's what she's
become, Liana, a memory.

You helped me realize that.

You are my here and now.

- What about Robert?

- He'll love you as much as I do.

- Look.

- It's lovely.

- [Liana] I've been so
happy being here with you.

But does anything ever last?

- I don't know.

Nothing is ever perfect.

It's like playing Mozart.

You never get it exactly right.

But if you're willing and practice,

it gets better and better.

(peaceful music)

I love you, Liana.

- I love you, too.

(ominous tones)

- Bitch.

(fire crackles)

♪ You are my sunshine ♪

♪ My only sunshine ♪

♪ You make me happy ♪

♪ When skies are gray ♪

♪ When skies are gray ♪

♪ You'll never know, dear ♪

♪ How much I love you ♪

♪ Please don't take my sunshine away ♪

- Aww.
- Aww, yeah, thank you.

Thank you very much. (laughs)

- Here.

- No, that's enough.

- Hey, any park rangers around?

- No, but there's a boogie
man out there just waiting

for you to take a drink.
(ominous music)

- George, what are you doing here?

- Enough is enough.

- My business is with Liana.

- How did you know we were here?

- You left the address on your phone pad.

- You broke into my house?

- It's not your house yet.

- Let it go, George!

- I want you back.

- It's too late for that.

- I want you back!

- No!
- It's too late!

- Well, if I can't have you...

Nobody will!

- What are we gonna do?

- Call the police?

- I can't.

- He's obviously crazy.

- I know, but...

- I think we'd better get back.

(suspenseful music)

Dearest Liana.

The soul of this old piano has awakened

to your loving touch.

And so has mine.

Je t'aime forever and ever.

Alan.

(George grunts)

- No!

No, no!

No!

No, no!

No!

(glass smashes)
(fire roars)

(tense music)

(fire crackles)

- [Liana] Our house.

- Come on.

(fire roars and crackles)

- Help!

(wood creaks)

Help!

(coughs)

Help!

- It's George, he's inside!

Alan, what are we gonna do?
(George screams)

- [George] Help!

- I don't know.

No, stay here!

(fire roars and crackles)

- Help!

(melancholic piano music)
(fire crackles)

(fire roars)
(suspenseful music)

Help!

- Alan, don't.

(fire roars and crackles)
(dramatic music)

- Help!

Help!

Help me.

(fire roars and crackles)

(muffled radio chatter)

(muffled radio chatter)

I'm sorry.

- So am I.

(muffled radio chatter)

- I love you.

("Plaisir d'amour" by
Jean-Paul-Egide Martini)

(singing in French)

♪ The joys of love ♪

♪ Are but a moment long ♪

♪ The pain of love endures ♪

♪ The whole life long ♪

(singing in French)

(peaceful pop music)