The Starling Girl (2023) - full transcript

- Dear Lord...

thank You for the opportunity
to come before You

in Your holy presence
here today.

I hope to glorify You
in all I do.

Let it not be me they see.

Let it be You.

I want to reflect
Your Holiness.

Come into this space
and fill it with Your spirit.

We want to be moved by You,
be glorified and honored.

Guide us in Your
righteousness.

Pour out Your blessings on us.



In Your name, Amen.

- ♪ All creatures
of our God and King ♪

♪ Lift up your voice
and with us sing ♪

♪ Alleluia, alleluia ♪

♪ Thou burning sun
with golden beams ♪

♪ Thou silver moon
with softer gleam ♪

♪ Oh, praise Him,
oh, praise Him ♪

♪ Alleluia, alleluia ♪

♪ Alleluia ♪

- Thank you, thank you!

Holy Grace dance troupe!
Finest in all of Kentucky!

- Look what Dad gave me.

- Oh, nice.

Where are they?



- With Pastor Taylor.

I bet Ben Taylor is going
to ask to court you.

- No, Dad's just talking
to him about being an elder.

- Jem.

- Hey, Jem.

- Hi.

- Ben was just saying

how much he enjoyed
y'all's performance.

Isn't that right, Ben?

- Yeah.

- Thank you.

- Um, Ben, maybe you could
teach Jem and her siblings

how to fish.

- Oh, yeah, Ben loves fishing.

- I know how to fish.

- Um, oh, I was hoping
to catch your eldest tonight.

We haven't seen him
since his return.

- Hi.
- Hey.

- I'm sorry to interrupt.

May I speak with you ladies
for a minute?

- Sure.

- ♪ When the roll is called
up yonder I'll be there ♪

I just want to be helpful.

Mrs. Stone here noticed that

the bra that you chose
is visible through your dress.

- O-oh.

- You're right.
- Oh, I'm so sorry.

I'm so sorry.

- I'm just
looking out for you.

- Yeah.

- Teachable moment.

- Right, thank you.

We try to be very conscious,
but sometimes things slip.

- You mind
not telling anybody?

You okay?

- Yeah.
Welcome back.

- Thank you.

- ♪ And now I'm a-going up ♪

- ♪ I'm going up ♪

- ♪ On Calvary's mountain ♪

♪ For my soul ♪

- I love how humble
Ben Taylor is.

You just know he walks
a close path with Jesus.

What do you think of him, Jem?

- I don't know.

- You don't have to know yet.

- 17 is the time to start
thinking about these things.

- ♪ Were you there ♪

♪ When they crucified
my Lord? ♪

- ♪ When they crucified
my Lord? ♪

♪ ...Crucified my Lord? ♪

- ♪ Sometimes he causes me ♪

- Hey, Dad, can we please
roll down the window?

I'm hot.
- You rather hear...

Wee-ooh, wee-ooh!

That's cop cars chasing us,
because Jem's going too fast.

- ♪ Were you there when
they crucified my Lord? ♪

Out, Satan, out.

- Ow! Stop it!
- Y'all behave.

- Stop it!
- Jeremy, that is enough.

How many times
do I have to tell you?

- Stop!

- Y'all, the back seat's
covered with popcorn.

- Hey, Mr. and Mrs. Starling.
Hey, Misty.

- Hey, welcome home.
- Thank you.

- So happy to have y'all back.

- Me, too.
You've no idea.

I've gotta go grab
the hubby from the car,

but let's talk more inside.

- How about your purse?
You've got your purse?

- Yeah. Thank you.
Thanks, Dad.

- Thank you for helping, girl.

- Good to see y'all.
- You, too.

- She's an angel.
- Oh, sure.

- Pastor says
Owen's already talking

about another missionary trip.
Another one.

- Wow, yeah, he's doing
God's work all over the place.

- And he's 28.

They should have
a family by now.

- That's true.

♪ Redeemed--
how I love to proclaim it ♪

♪ Redeemed by the blood
of the Lamb ♪

♪ Redeemed
through His infinite mercy ♪

♪ His child,
and forever I am ♪

♪ Redeemed, redeemed ♪

♪ Redeemed by the blood
of the Lamb ♪

♪ Redeemed, redeemed ♪

♪ His child,
and forever I am ♪

- Thank you.
Please sit.

Amen.

Redeemed
by the blood of the Lamb.

Amen.

Amen.

- Alright, folks.

Open your hearts.

Alright?

Edmond--Edmond is here today,

and he has something he wants
to talk to y'all about.

He has a few words.

Let's listen.

- He's back
from King's Valley.

- What's King's Valley?

- It's this kind of camp
where the Lord works on you.

- Yeah, where you do
hard labor

and sleep in the dirt.

- Hey.

- T--today, I speak to you all
a cleansed man.

A few months ago,
I turned away from God.

I now know how lost I was,
and I reject that sinful life.

I ask God for His forgiveness
and for yours.

May I be pliable clay
in the potter's hand...

And permit You
to shape me into the person

that You would have me be.

- Amen.
- Amen.

- I just can't believe
Edmond's back.

Do you know what he did?

- He was watching porn
on Dad's computer.

- Watching what?

- He's all quiet now.

- Yeah, well, he got whupped
real good there.

I mean, did you see his hand?

- That's why you got to be
so careful with technology.

It's the easiest way
for Satan to reach you.

- Plenty of easier ways.

Hi, guys.

Real happy to see y'all.

Hopefully, you won't miss
my dad too much.

- How was Puerto Rico?
- Hey, bro.

- Yeah, how was it
being gone for so long?

- Oh, man.

It was incredible.

Yeah, it's beautiful,

and the people from my church
were all amazing.

Got real into farming.

Got myself
a little green thumb.

So...

some parts of service
were a little intense, huh?

- Mm-hmm.
- Yeah.

What I ask of you guys
is that...

we don't judge him
too harshly.

Because all of us
have done things

that we're ashamed of, right?

I had--

I had a plan for today,
but I'm thinking, let's, uh--

maybe we should change it up.

Let's all stand.

And let's get on the ground.

Move the chairs to the wall.

- What's with him?
- I don't know. Let's see.

- Can you spit that out,
please?

Alright.

Find a little special space
for yourself on the ground.

Everyone, lay down.

Get down on the ground.

There we go.

It's just--
it's just linoleum tiles.

Lie all way down.

Yep, just like you're in bed
sleeping.

There we go.

All the way.

There we go.
Yep.

Eyes closed.

And put your hands
on your belly.

Just feel the ground
underneath you,

holding you up.

- Do you want us to pray?

- If you want.

We all share this ground
that God gave us.

God is giving us
the gift of others

who can share our burdens

and whose burdens we share.

- What was that?

- I don't know, but
Puerto Rico made him weird.

- Remember when you
said if you were a boy,

you wanted to look like Owen?

- Becca.
- What? You said it.

- No dance troupe this week.

- Yeah, I heard
she had the baby.

- No, Mrs. Baker decided she
can't do it anymore at all.

- Wait, really?

So it's just no more?

- We don't know.

- Why don't we just find
someone else to teach it?

- Y'all, my mom said Owen's
in charge of church programs.

Maybe we could just ask him
if we could still do it.

- Oh, man, yeah!
Let's.

- I think Kelsey
should choreograph.

- Oh, no.

- You should!
You'd be good at it.

- You think so?
- Yeah.

- Hey.

- Hey, what's up?

- Hey, I was just delivering
some eggs to Mr. Garson.

I guess I got turned around.

- Three houses down that way.

- Right.

Heard you're in charge
of programs.

Some of us were thinking
we could maybe

still do the dance troupe
without Mrs. Baker.

- Yeah, I could try and find
someone else to teach it.

- How long would that take?

- Uh, I don't know.

It ain't my expertise.

- It's just, we usually
do something for Labor Day,

so we need some time
to put it together.

- It'll happen
when it happens.

- Maybe we could
do it ourselves.

- I'm sorry.
My answer's no.

- I liked that thing we did
yesterday on the ground.

- Nice try.

- For real.
I...thought it was cool.

- Yeah, well, I reckon
I freaked everyone else out.

- Maybe.

- Yeah.

It was an exercise

one of the pastors
in Puerto Rico had us do,

but it doesn't translate here,
I guess.

- I don't know.
I like changing it up.

- Since the secret's out
with you.

My wife would kill me.

- What if we got one
of the older women

to sign off on everything?

Make sure the moves
are worshipful, God-focused?

- Uh...

bunch of teen girls coming up
with their own dance?

You know how much grief
I'd get?

- You'd freak everyone out.

Alright.
So who'd be in charge?

- Well, I've been
in the troupe for a while.

- Alright.
Yeah.

Your dad's got
to be cool with it.

Okay.

- Your shoe.

- Oh.

- Just--

Thanks.

- Sarah!

I'm in charge
of dance troupe.

Did you hear that?

Okay, fine!

- Wait, wait, stop! No, no!
Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop!

Is he okay?

- Just leave him be.

- What happened?

- Someone he used
to play music with died.

Walt. They were real close.

- Never heard of him.

- Well, it's before your time.

Before I met your dad,
before he got clean.

- How'd he die?

- He, um...

took his own life.

He was a troubled man.

What's this I hear
about dance troupe?

- Oh.

Owen Taylor asked me
to be in charge of it.

- Huh.

- It's only 'cause
Mrs. Baker can't do it,

but he thinks
I'm kind of good at it, so...

- Is this for God
or for vanity?

- It's to praise God.

- Can't interfere
with home duties.

- It wouldn't.

- I'll talk to your dad.

- Y'all have fun today?
- Yeah, sure did.

- Kelsey, you're the
car pool queen today?

Alright, drive safe.
- Yep.

- How'd I do today?

- Slightly better.

Hey, um, I just realized
I have a flat tire,

and I was wondering
if I could get a ride.

- Yeah, sure.

- Thank you.
- I'll put the seat down.

- Oh, sorry.

It's for a Daniel fast.

You ever done one?

- No.

I like Mexican food too much.

- Mexican food.

Now I'm hungry.

- Is that Puerto Rico?

- Yeah.

Here, look.

At this beach,
you stick your head underwater

and you can hear the dolphins
clicking and whistling.

Wild.
- It looks fake.

- I know, right?

This is the, uh--

this is the church's farm,
which I managed.

Anyway.

- Why don't you go back?

- Not the time.

That and
Misty would wring my neck.

- You should start
a farm here.

- Hmm.

- I'm serious.

- Yeah, I bet you are.

So, uh,
any cool new dance ideas?

- Um, I don't know yet.

I want to do something cool
for Labor Day, but...

- You should look online
for inspiration.

There's tons of cool
worship dance videos.

- Yeah.

- Why were you
crying that night?

At the ball?

- I wasn't being mindful.

- Well.

I'm sure that ain't true.

Okay.

- Could you, um, show me
one of those dance videos?

- Uh, yeah, sure.

Wow.

They look so good.

- Are you chewing gum?

- No.

- Spit it out.

- Spit it out.

- Jem?

- I had a flat tire.

- Oh.

- Uh, I hope
you apologized for imposing.

- Oh, it's really no problem.

- Jem, inside.

Gotta give Becca
her history test.

- Thank you.

- Owen, say hi
to your mom for me.

- Yeah, will do.

- "Though I speak with the
tongues of men and of angels,

"but not love,

I've become a sounding brass
or a clanging cymbal."

- It means even if you have
the most beautiful gifts,

it doesn't matter if you
don't have love in your heart.

- Jem Starling.

Come here.

Please?

Sit.

- Something wrong?

- No, no.

Uh...

- Ben Taylor asked your dad
about courting you.

- Oh.

- Dad prayed on it, and...

he feels that this is the path
God wants for us.

- Yeah.

He's leading you
to fulfill your purpose.

- We're so blessed to
bring our families together.

- I never really talk
to Ben.

- Well,
you'll get to know him.

- It's just before,
you said I didn't have to--

- I thought you were excited
to start down this path.

- I am.

I'm--I'm just surprised.

- Proverbs 3:5, "Trust in the
Lord with all thine heart."

- Um...

Can I pray on it?

I need to lie down.

- Alright, you guys!

We're going to meet back here
in an hour and 45 minutes!

Don't lose sight
of your buddy!

Buddy system works
for a reason!

What do you want to play, Ben?

- Fuck you!

- Those are your--
those are your words, Misty.

Misty, I--I can't talk to you
right now, alright?

It's just feeling--
it's too loud in here.

I can't even hear you.

I'll call you later.

Eavesdropping, huh?

- I don't care about
your phone calls.

- Ooh, ooh!

- Yeah!

- Here.

One, two--

- Hey!

- Alright, ball.

Oh!

Oh, you've got
to be kidding me!

Alright, well,
you're all warmed up already.

- Don't burn it.

- I like it burned.

Is this all the firewood
you got for the whole night?

- Yeah.

- Okay.

We're gonna need a little
more wood than that.

Here.

- Gotta pee.

Need help?

- Sure.

- It's a fun night.

- Yeah, I like
when church is like this,

not getting all hung up
on doctrine.

- Yeah, totally.

- Dancing is allowed, though.

You ever wanna be
a pro dancer?

- No.

- Why not?

That's the stick
you're gonna choose?

- I'm gonna have
to find a new helper.

- You know, the--

that's something
I struggle with.

Sometimes I worry I'm...

enjoying it too
much for myself

and like I'm doing it
for vanity

and not to praise Him.

- What, you think God
will strike you dead

if you're enjoying dancing?

- I mean...

- You're experiencing joy
in His creation, you know?

And that's--
that's honoring Him.

- Well, either way,
my mom would kill me.

And anybody can do what we do.

I ain't like a real dancer.

- Yeah, right.
I've seen you.

Here.

Show me something.

- No.
- Come on.

If anybody can do it.

- No.
- Come on.

- I'm not--

- Got your own stage
right here.

- What?
- Come on.

I'm serious.
Put that wood down.

- Here, I'll take those.

Bug on you.

Sorry. Uh...

better get back.

- Anybody else want some?

- Hey.
How was it?

- It was good.

Lord, I come before you,
humbled and ashamed.

Satan tried to take a hold,
but I'm pushing him out.

I know I've given in
to lustful thoughts

and actions that take my focus
away from You and onto me.

I know that's wrong.

I'm going to keep
You at the center

of my thoughts and actions.

Amen.

- Thank you, Jemima.

Courtship...

is a commitment made
for the purpose

of getting
to know each other better

and seeking God
with the aim of marriage.

Romans 12:13 says,
"Let love not be deceit.

"Abhor all that that is sinful

and cleave
to that which is good."

- You ever think
about preaching?

- Mm.

Maybe.

- It's cool
that your brother...

preached in another country.

It'd be cool to go to, like,
South America or something.

- Lotta rape there.

- Oh.

- My friend Simon
has chickens.

- One time, this one chicken
was like--

Just wouldn't stop pooping.

It was like this
brown and white,

just kind of foamy liquid
kept coming out and coming out

everywhere it walked.

It was so funny.

And it got on all the
other chickens, too.

Want to barf.

- It was probably sick.

- ♪ I just know I was destined
to be something more ♪

♪ I was born
with an ace up my sleeve ♪

What do you want?

- Nothing.
- Oh. Hey, come on back.

Sorry, sorry.
Come on back.

It's okay.
Come on.

Hey.

Sorry.

- What was that?

- You don't recognize me?

- That was you?

- Mm.

- I didn't know
you played music like that.

- Yeah, yeah.

Played a little secular music.

It was a long, long time ago.

- With the man who died?

- Yeah, we used to write
some songs together.

You excited
about your courtship?

- Yeah.

- Yeah, right.

Do not tell your mama.

Shh.

- Hey, walk like a lady.

You slump like your dad.

- Is he bad again?

Mom.

- Sometimes Satan
tries to take hold.

He's okay.

- Are you going to tell
Pastor Taylor?

- Ah, that's murder.

It's not like the last time.

He just needed to unwind.

- But what--what if it--

- Look, he's fine.
Okay?

I'm not dwelling on this
with you.

Got plenty of other things
to concern yourself with.

- ♪ Lord of Lords,
King of Kings ♪

♪ My God, how can I have
no song but Thee? ♪

Oh.

- I'm sorry.
- I'll take this one.

Here.

- Thank you.

- Such a nice service, right?

Giving you two ideas?

Jem, we're so excited to hear

you're running
the dance troupe.

Can't wait to see what you're
going to do for Labor Day.

- Yeah, it'll be good,
I think.

- Gosh, it's been so long
since I've seen a dance show.

- There's much dance
in Puerto Rico.

- When would I have seen it?

- Jem is lovely to watch.

- Thanks.

- Welcome.

- Hey, Owen.
- Yeah.

- Can I speak to you
for a sec?

- Yeah.

- Oh, Jem,
you're a youth grouper--

you don't want to work
on some old farm, right?

- Um, I don't know.

- Oh, you see?

No need to get
all experimental.

Bible's enough.

Right?

"The book of the law shall not
depart out of thy mouth."

- ♪ Lord make me humble ♪

♪ Lay down my pride ♪

♪ With my heart open ♪

♪ Arms stretched wide ♪

♪ Heavenly Father ♪

♪ Praise to Thee ♪

♪ Your love's the flame ♪

♪ That sets me free ♪

♪ You are the fire in me ♪

♪ You are the fire in me ♪

- And that's all I got so far.

- The spins look so pretty.

- Real honest,
ain't into the music.

- Yeah.
Is it a hymn?

- It's a Christian song.

- Real intense drums.
- The elders won't like it.

- I just don't know why
she gets to choreograph.

- Really.

- She was dancing?
- Did you see her spins?

- Oh, sorry.
I'm sorry.

- That's okay.

- No, you don't have to--

- No, it's okay.

I've got to go home.

- I was just grabbing food,
thought I heard something.

I didn't mean to spy.

- No, it's okay.

- Do--do your thing.

Unless you want noodles.

- What?

- You want noodles?

- You're here late.

- Congratulations
on your courtship.

- Thanks.

- How's dance?

- Fine.

Well, a lot of the girls
don't like my ideas.

Is that why you were praying?

Kidding.

Who cares what they want,
you know?

Just do your thing.

- I don't know.

- Sure you do.

- Hot.

- You like seashells?

I was clearing this out today.

It's all years old.

Found these.
Thought they were pretty neat.

- They're pretty.

- Well, lucky there's two.
You want 'em?

- I'm not allowed.

- Ah.

Guess they're all mine.

- Yeah.
I was praying about my dad.

I think he's drinking again.

- Mm.
What makes you think that?

'Cause I saw him.

- Does your mom know?

- Yeah.

- But she acts like
she doesn't?

- Mm-hmm.
- Yeah.

Alright.

I'm gonna do it.

- Mm-kay.

- Ready?

Ready...

Three, two...

- Wait, don't.

- Don't?

- No.

- Yeah.

- I wanna do it.

- Yourself?

- Ah!

- Are you okay?

- Ow, ow, ow, ow.

Ah.

- Let me see.

Oh, man.
Yeah, you--

You did really good.

Yeah.

Reckon you got to be good
about cleaning 'em.

- Mm.

- Oh.

- It might be my mom.

- Should I answer it?

You okay?

- Yeah.

I really should go.

She's going to kill me.

- Yeah.

You still got another ear.

- I know.

- You need a ride?

No, I got the van.

- No!

- Can you tell me
the first ten books?

- Mom, when's dinner
gonna be ready?

- I don't know.

Not happy with you.
- I'm sorry.

- She threw up.

Can you please
give her a bath?

- Okay, Jeremy,
I'm sorry, honey.

But unless you want
to go in your room,

if you want to be
out here by the TV,

then it's gonna be loud.

- When is it ever
gonna be ready?

- I have no idea, Rebecca.

Can you salt the water,
please?

- How many of y'all know

that if you met God
in the next 60 seconds,

that you'd be ready?

That you could say,
"I'm good, Pastor Taylor.

I'm saved.
My sins are forgiven"?

Raise your hand up there.

To the heavens.
Come on now.

Now, those of you
who couldn't assuredly

raise your hand up,
you got some hesitations,

some lingering doubts.

Who'd say,
"If I died and met God,

"I don't rightly know
if my sins would be forgiven,

but I know I don't want
to go to hell"?

I invite you to come up
to this altar for your sins

and for your soul's salvation.

Please, come on up right now.

Come on up, come on up.
It's a short walk.

Jesus died on the cross
for you!

Jesus! That's right!

That's right!
Here we go, here we go!

Praise God, praise Jesus!

That's right. Strength of God.

- Round, duh, duh,
duh, duh, duh.

Duh, duh, push and down.

Step together.

Duh, duh, duh, duh, duh, duh.

That was good.

That was great.

- ♪ Fire in me ♪

- Sorry.

Some costumes came.

I haven't opened it
up yet, but there

should be seven in there.

- Thank you.

- It's looking great,
you guys.

- Hey.

- Hi.

- You took it out.

- It was getting infected.

- Whoa, whoa, hey.

Jem.

What are you doing?

- I'm hot.

- Jem!

Hey!

Jem.

Jem.

It's pitch-black!

Jem?

Will you just talk
to me for a minute?

- Jem.

What's wrong?

Hey.

Hey.

- Stop.

- Hey!

- Stop!

- Stop!
- Okay.

Hey, okay, okay!
- Stop!

- Hey, you stop!

You stop!

I'm done if you're done.
- Stop!

- Okay, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

Okay, okay.

We're done.

Okay, okay.

Thank you.
- Stop.

- You got me.
- Stop.

- You got me.

You got me good.

- Do you think I'm wicked?

- No.

You're the furthest thing
from it.

I'm sorry I got lost in it.

- I did, too.

Do you feel guilty?

- Uh... I mean, yeah.

I don't know.

A lot before.

Less now.

- Why?

- I don't know.

I've been praying on
it a lot, and I just--

maybe I'm crazy, but it just--
it don't feel like a sin.

Swear as the sky covers me,
it don't.

- But you're--

you're married.

- Yeah, and we can't
stand each other.

We can't.

I mean, she's all, like,
gossip and babies, and I'm--

we ain't never felt
connected, ever.

We misread the signs.

I know it.

But with you, I just--you
know, I see so much for you.

And when I'm with you,
I want so much for me, too.

I ain't never felt
that with anybody.

How could God not want that?

But if you want to stop,

I more than get it,
completely.

Let's stop.

- I don't.

- It's really okay if you do.

- I--I feel it, too.

"Though I speak with the
tongues of men and of angels

but have not love,
I am nothing."

Is it possible
to love too much?

All I feel is Your love, Lord.

The most beautiful gift
You've given to us,

that draws us even
closer to You.

So I want a heart full
of love.

I want it to fill me
to the brim.

- Hey, if there's anywhere
you could live,

where would it be?

Anywhere?

- Mm.

I'm not sure.

- Come on.

If you could go literally
anywhere in the world

outside of Kentucky.

- I'm not sure.
I don't know.

- So what, are you just
going to stay here?

There's a whole lot more,
let me tell you.

- I like the skies
and the trees,

and my dance troupe,

and my siblings.

What?

- You just don't know
what you're talking about.

- Hey.

Did I wake you?

- Um, I was just
getting some water.

You're a baby.

Come fly with me.

- What was the name
of your band?

- Deadbeats.

- Were you famous?

Mm, we got around.

We had a record deal.

We had a residency
at Arleen's.

- What's that?

- Arleen's?

In Memphis.

Everybody played there.

You wouldn't know it
from seeing it,

but all kinds of legends
came through,

and that was my favorite spot
to play.

- Why'd you leave?

- After I got saved,
I didn't want

to be selfish no more.

Everything was always
about me,

my songs, my struggles.

- Do you miss it?

When God asks you
to give something up,

it's just so you got
more room for Him.

Go to sleep.

- Oh--here, let me help you.

- I got it.

- There you go.

There you go.

You okay?

- Okay.

- I don't get
a fancy touch one?

- Mm-mm.

- Do you want to...

meet tonight?

- My parents are coming
over for dinner tonight,

so probably not
the best night.

It's okay.
Nobody died.

- Hey, y'all.

- Hey.

Here you go.

And you know how to put
those things of CDs in there.

And, uh, yeah, Misty's
going to sit in on your, uh--

your Labor Day choreography.

- Sure am.
- Yup.

So.

- I can't wait.

- Yep.

- Thank you.
- Yeah.

- She's
just the sweetest girl.

- I know.
She'll be good.

- ♪ Fire in me ♪

♪ You are the fire in me ♪

♪ Heavenly Father ♪

♪ You are the fire in me ♪

♪ You are the fire in me ♪

That was real nice, girls!

Thanks.

So reckon there's just
a couple of things in there

we got to correct.

- Really?

- Yeah, just a few.

- Like what?

- Well, there are
some moves in there

where I'm worried
they focus a little too much

on the individual.

So let's go through it
without music

and make some adjustments.

- Okay, we'll just go
from the elbow bit.

Five, six, seven, eight.

One, two, three, four,
five, six, seven, eight.

- Stop a sec.

I know you didn't mean

to draw attention
to your legs.

Let's do the turn
without the leg, okay?

Let's see it.

- Okay, we'll just do
that turn bit

and keep your leg in.

Five, six, seven, eight.

One, two, three, four, five,
six, seven, eight.

- Yeah.
Keep going.

Keep going.

- One, two, three, four, five,
six, seven, eight.

One, two, three, four,
five, six--

- And stop.

Again, a little too
individual-focused.

Don't you think?

- Why?

- Well, you're the only one
standing right now.

All eyes are on you.

- But my attention's to God.

- Yes.

But it almost looks
like all these girls

are worshipping you.

- That's what I was saying.

- I know that's not
what you were intending.

Of course.

So let's make it
so everyone stands together.

Okay?

What's the matter?

- I just...

we're praising God,
and if you take

this whole thing apart,

you're just ruining
this worship.

- Listen.

I reckon you're
making this about you,

and it's not about that.

- She's used to being
Owen's favorite

and doing what she wants.

That's not true.

- You got to choreograph.

- We barely even talk.

I'm just trying
to do a good job.

- Alright.
Uh, Jem...

Will you please just be
a grownup

and work with me on this?

- Okay.

I'll kneel down
like all of you guys.

- Thank you.

You can take it from the top.

- Girls, I'll be right back,
okay?

Paul, where have you been?

- Hmm?

- You got off work six
and a half hours ago.

Five-hour-long way home?
- Uh-huh.

- And you haven't been
answering your phone.

- Frank let me go.
And it's--it's--

that we
just have to figure out.

- He let you go?
I don't understand.

You've been there
for eight years,

and he just let you go?

Nothing happened?

Paul, give me your keys.

Just give me your keys.

- Leave me alone.

- We've got to talk
to Pastor Taylor about this.

- I am tired!
Leave me alone!

- Are you sure you don't
want your dad to stay?

I wouldn't particularly mind.

- No, it's okay.

- Okay.

We'll be back late afternoon.

Rest up.

Boys, come on.
Let's go.

Everybody else is
already in the car.

- Alright.
- Thank you.

- Come on.

Did you scratch Misty's car?

Jem, you can't do that!

She told me
what happened at rehearsal.

I had to talk her down
from calling your folks!

- She was trying to take over.

- That doesn't matter!

It's on the road
to giving us away!

- I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

- Just trying to figure
this out for us, alright?

You're getting jealous.

- You really don't want
to be with her?

- No.

- It's unbiblical to divorce.

Owen.

- Not if God never wanted
us to be together.

You're getting bold,
little wolf.

Go!
Go, go, go, go, go!

Come on!

Back here.

To the right!
Through here!

Stay here.

Okay?

Hey!

Hey, you.

- I got sick.

Threw up all over Mona's car.

- Oh, no!

- Poor thing.
We gotta pay for it.

Maybe it's something I ate.

- Hmm.
Yeah.

Wait, wait, don't...

- What?

- Nothing.

- I'm so sorry, baby.

- I think that's it for now.

We're out of Pepto.
Will you get me some?

- Yeah.
Yeah.

You bet.

Let's get you into bed.

- I need Pepto.

- Okay.

Wait till I come get you.

- Just a sec!

Oh, my goodness!
The Starling girls?

What a surprise!

- We brought cookies.

- Well, that is
just so thoughtful!

My tummy is being
a little squirrelly,

but I bet Owen will love them.

Girls, why don't you come
inside for a bit and cool off?

I've got some lemonade
in here.

Get some lemonade
fixed for you.

- Where've you been?

- I needed some air,
so I went out,

and I fell asleep
in the grass.

- You felt good enough
to ride bikes today, huh?

- Well, yeah, I was just--

- And you just fell asleep?

- Huh?

- You think I'm dumb?

- Why--
why would I think that?

- You're done dancing.

- What?
Dad.

- You flat-out lied
to my face.

- No, I didn't.
- Yeah, you did.

- Dad, come on.

- I can't have you pursuing
a life of self-centeredness,

Jem.
- Dad, I've put--

I've put time into this.

You can't just take me
out of it.

- This is better for you.
Trust me.

- Our dance is in a few days.

You can't take
this away from me!

- Enough of the back talk!

- You lie, too!

- What were you doing there?

- It was crazy--
- Don't lie.

I'm not asleep when you leave.

- I know what it looks like.

But Owen and I--

we've been
praying on it a lot.

And we're gonna figure it out.

- Figure out what?

- We're meant to be together.

God wants us to be together.

- That doesn't make any sense.

- Becca.

Becca, we prayed on it,
and we know.

And I promise you.

I promise you,
it's gonna be okay.

But you cannot tell
anyone right now.

Okay?

Please. Please.

Rebecca, please.

Just not right now.

Becca, look at me.

- I told you to wait.

That was so stupid.

- You left me for hours.

- I had to go
to three different places.

Alright?
She could have seen you.

- Well, my dad knows I lied,
and I have to quit the troupe.

- I'm sorry.

Hey.

I'm sorry, it's just--

it got so messed up, and I...

- I have
to tell you something.

Rebecca saw me.

- What?

- She brought y'all food,

and she saw me climb
out the window.

And...

she knows.

- What do you mean she knows?

- Well, I had to tell her.

- You didn't have
to tell her anything.

Oh, shit.

Shit.
Shit.

- Owen.
- Oh, no.

No, no.

Wait, wait, wait,
wait, wait, wait.

Okay.

- Maybe it's God.

Maybe now it's time.

- For what?

- To tell everyone.

- What?
No.

- Why not?
- You--you don't understand.

It's not--
- No, I do understand.

- I just need--
I just need a minute

to think, okay?

Okay.

So...

Jem...

I reckon we should stop,
just for a little while.

- What?

- Yeah, I just need
some time to think,

and just reckon it would
be better to be delicate.

- I--what--
what do you mean?

- I mean, let's pray on this.

- No, I don't wanna stop.

- Just for a little while.

Okay?
- Owen.

No, no, no, no, no.

- Just for a little while.
- I don't--

- I really gotta
get back, Jem.

I really gotta get back.

- Owen, I don't wanna stop.
- I gotta get back.

We'll talk more soon, okay?
We'll talk more soon.

Okay?
Okay?

Jem!

I gotta get back!

We'll talk more
soon, alright?

I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.

- Hey, Jem.

Hey.

- Uh, Dad.

- I'm sorry
about the other day.

- Dad?

Dad.

Dad.

Dad!

- Hey, hey, Paul?

Paul, hey, hey.

What'd you take?
- What happened?

- Did you take something?

- Paul.

Hey, come on.

Let's get him up.

Get him up.

Okay, okay, okay.

Okay.
Hey, Jem, go call 911.

- Is he dying?
- You're okay, Dad.

- Just go.
Now.

- You're okay.

- Okay.
- You're okay.

They don't know if--

if he's gonna wake up.

He took some of my pills.

And they think he
accidentally took too many.

Gotta get back
to the hospital

and relieve Noah.

- Mom, it wasn't an accident.

- Oh, Jem.
- It wasn't.

- Shut up!

I'm going back
to the hospital.

Don't say anything to them.

You take them to that cookout,
and you pretend

like everything is normal.
- No!

No!

- Stop being selfish!

Do it for them.

- ♪ I'm in the glory-land,
glory-land way ♪

♪ Telling the world
that Jesus saves today ♪

♪ Yes, I'm
in the glory-land way ♪

♪ I'm in the glory-land ♪

♪ Glory-land way ♪

♪ I'm in the glory-land,
glory-land way ♪

- Hi.

Brought you some cookies.

You nervous?

- I'm not in the troupe
anymore.

- What?

What happened?

- ♪ Glory-land way ♪

♪ Wanderers, come home,
oh, hasten to obey ♪

- See you around.
Yeah.

- I've
been trying to call you!

- No, no, no.
- My dad is--

- Go back to your family.
Stop.

- Owen.
Please, can we talk?

- ♪ Glory-land way ♪

♪ I'm in the glory-land ♪

- ♪ Lord make me humble ♪

♪ Lay down my pride ♪

♪ With my heart open ♪

♪ Arms stretched wide ♪

♪ Heavenly Father ♪

♪ Praise to Thee ♪

♪ Your love's the flame ♪

♪ That set me free ♪

♪ You are-- ♪

- Hey, Jem, what's going on?

- I'm fine.
I just wanna be alone.

Please.

- What happened?
It's alright.

- I just wanna be alone.
- Talk to me.

- Please, go.
- It's okay.

- Go.
- You can talk to me.

Jem!

I--Jem!
Come on, let's go back!

- Let go of me!
- Let's go back!

- Let me--
- No, we're going back!

Come on!
Let's go back!

We're going back!
- Stop!

- Please, don't--

You psycho!

- Where is everyone?

- Mrs. Stone's house.

- Is it Dad?

- Pastor Taylor called

about Ben--

on top of everything else--

and I said that must have
been some kind of joke.

She wouldn't do that.

And then I found this.

It's Owen Taylor's
number, right?

What did you do with him?

Tell me.

Did you have sex with him?

I feel like I don't know you.

You're--you're ruined.

- We're connected.

It's God's plan.

- What was that?

Did you--does your dad
know about this?

Was it 'cause of you?

- No.
- Was it?

- I--no--

- Every word out of your mouth

is Satan flapping your tongue.

He's sifted you like wheat!

- I'm sorry!

Mom!

Mom!

Mom!

Please!

Mom, I'm sorry!

- You should get cleaned up.

This is a trying time.

And there's no denying,
given my sons are involved,

the personal, sensitive
nature of this.

I need to, uh--

I need to discuss
some things with you.

- Okay.

- Before Owen, did you have
impure thoughts?

Did you feel overtaken
by them?

- I don't know.

- When did this thing
with Owen begin?

And...

whose idea was it?

Who started it?
- Where is Owen?

- I don't know.

Why would you ask?

- He and I talked about it.

And if we could just explain--
- Explain what?

- That we--we're meant
to be together.

- Stop it.
- Woah, enough, alright.

You've let Satan
into your heart.

- I haven't.

- No, you have.

Why do you think
you're hurting

the people that love you?

Listen.

If you think that God wanted
you and Owen to be together,

how are you so certain
that wasn't Satan

whispering into your ear?

- If you'd just get
Owen here--

- Owen doesn't want
to talk to you.

His life is ruined.

He's got to give up
his position.

Misty wants to leave him.

- Your son had
a big part in that.

- Certainly, but, uh...

but he says that

Jem brought him to sin.

He says that she inhibited

his ability
to control himself.

Jem, is any of that true?

I mean, I ain't saying that he
ain't at fault, okay?

That's clear.
He is.

But we're here, and we're
talking to you about this.

And it is clear to me that
Satan has got his hold on you.

This--

this is a spiritual attack.

You've tumbled
down a very dark hole, Jem.

I tell you something, though.
We can still save you.

God is our strength,
our victory over Satan.

Do you want to be saved?

- Yes.

- I tell you, I think this
family needs a big reset.

Alright?

And I think the best thing
for everyone

is for you to go away
for a little while.

Now, your mother and I have--

we discussed it,

and we decided
that it's best for you

to spend time
at King's Valley.

- Please, no.

- Your father
and I've let y'all down.

I won't make
that mistake again.

- Please, Mom.
Please.

- You gotta do this.

Or you can't be part
of this family.

I just--

I can't have that influence
on your siblings.

- We have an incident
to bring to you all today.

Someone who would like
to talk to everyone.

Jem.

Jem Starling needs our help.

So we're gonna
help her, right?

Yes, sir.

- Alright.
Come on.

Jem.

- To my fellow congregants,

I--

I come before you,
humbled and ashamed.

I admit that I am a sinner.

I repent
all of the wrong deeds

that I have carried out
in my body,

and the lustful
and immoral thoughts

in my mind.

I want to recommit to pure--

purity.

And I humbly ask
for your forgiveness.

As unworthy as I am,
I ask the Lord to forgive me,

and I ask you to help me
walk with him again.

Thank you.

- Alright.

Now, anyone who would like
to approach Jem,

offer your forgiveness,
please approach.

- I forgive you, sweetheart.

- I forgive you.

May God forgive you.

- I forgive you.

- I forgive you.

- I forgive you.

- Jem.

I'm an idiot, okay?
I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.
- What are you doing here?

- Will you come walk
with me just for a second?

Please, please.
- Why? Why should I?

- Please, just listen to me.

- I thought you didn't wanna
see me.

- I need to explain
myself to you.

Please, listen.

I let my dad get
in my head, okay?

And I got scared.

- Well, he's gonna be here
any second, so you should go.

- But please, just hear me.
Just for a minute.

I'm going back to the church
in Puerto Rico,

and I want you to come
with me.

- Are you serious?

- Yes, I'm serious.
I love you.

I wanna be with you.

You are the only one
that sees me.

I don't wanna be without you.

- What about Misty, huh?
- None of it matters.

- What about your family?

- As long as I have you,
none of it matters.

Alright?

Jem, look at me.

- What is this?

- Mrs. Starling, I--

- You get away from her!

You knew exactly
what you were doing.

Get off my property.

- Jem--

- Now!

It's okay, Jem.

Let's go inside, honey.

Jem!

Jem!

Jem!
No!

- Jem!
- Go!

Go, go, go!

- No, no!
Jem!

- Oh, my...
You're...

- Thanks.

You okay?

- Mm-hmm.

- That was unforgivable,
what I did to you.

I'm so sorry.
- It's okay.

- No, it's not.
And with your dad--

- I don't really wanna think
about that right now.

- I just wish
I could take it back.

- It's okay.

- None of this will matter
when we're out there.

I can't wait to show
it all to you.

Well, whenever
is good for you, you know,

I'm just an hour out,
so you let me know.

Yeah, that works perfect.

That works perfect.

There's new tires on there,
so you won't have to go back

to the shop any time soon.

I think you'll be happy.

Perfect.
We'll see you then.

Thanks, Andy.

Found someone to buy my car.

So we can leave tomorrow.

Whoo!

Aren't you hot in this?

- Hmm.

- Hmm?

Should we grab some lunch?

- Um,
I think I'm gonna shower.

- I'll bring you
back something?

- Sure.

- Yeah?

Burger? Fries?

Milkshake?

Chili cheese fries?

Does that sound good?
That's what I'm bringing you.

- Okay.

- Alright.

Don't drown.

- Lord, help me to be content.

Please quiet my heart.

- ♪ I get by on
the dreams I conceive ♪

♪ I defy my bad luck ♪

♪ With the will to believe ♪

♪ I just know
that I'm destined ♪

♪ To be something more ♪

♪ I was born
with an ace up my sleeve ♪

♪ Take my hand ♪

♪ There's an ace
up my sleeve ♪

♪ All I know is
I'm gonna stay until I go ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Wish me well ♪

♪ I will play
with what I'm dealt ♪

- Hi.
- Hi.

- Do you have a phone
I could use?

Thank you.

- You want anything?

- I'm okay.
Thank you.

- ♪ Lasting kind ♪

♪ The gift I hold
is believing ♪

♪ That you will always
be mine ♪

♪ Take this love I am giving ♪

♪ For it's truly
the lasting kind ♪

♪ The gift I hold
is believing ♪

♪ That you will always
be mine ♪

♪ Well, it's a sweet dream ♪

♪ That keeps me close to you ♪

♪ And it's a sad thing ♪

♪ When we're apart
I'm blue ♪

♪ And there are times that ♪

♪ Only heaven knows ♪

♪ How I love
my Tennessee rose ♪

♪ Oh, I need
my Tennessee rose ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪

♪ Ooh-ooh-ooh ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪

♪ Ooh ♪