A Chance Encounter (2022) Movie Script

♪ I wasn't looking for

any answers ♪

♪ To the questions in my mind ♪

♪ I wasn't looking for

any answers ♪

♪ To the questions in my mind ♪

♪ I wasn't looking for

any answers ♪

♪ To the questions in my mind ♪

♪ He made his fortune

of being idle ♪

♪ Catching fish until the dusk ♪

♪ I couldn't live outside

of city walls ♪

♪ So scared of

getting in alone ♪

♪ And oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ If I could go back in time ♪

♪ I know that I will try

and change his mind ♪

I know most people

go to Rome or Venice,

I am not those people.

I'm just saying,

you can't go

all the way to Italy

and not see the Colosseum.

Any place that was good enough

for Oscar Wilde or D.H. Lawrence

is good enough for me.

Yeah, I don't know who

any of those people are.

Never mind.

Wait, Oscar Wilde,

didn't he write that book?

- Famous playwright.

- Anyway,

just promise me you'll at least

check out Venice.

I think it will be

really good for you.

Well, I just, I just wanted

to let you know

- that I made it.

- Hurry back,

I'm pulling double duty

at the shop.

Ooh, yeah, about that, I think

I might just stay here forever.

So plan accordingly.

Yeah. Yeah.

Hey, Hal?

I'm really proud of you

for what you wrote.

-People are still

talking about it.

-Hey, we're pulling in now.

Uh, give Stella a kiss.

I'll talk to you, all right?

All right, man. Well, be good

or be good at it.

Will do. Later.

♪ ...change his mind ♪

♪ I know this time ♪

♪ This time I won't be mad ♪

Okay, Mr. Flynn,

uh, single room?

Uh, do you have, uh,

a double or something?

-But you are single.

-Yeah,

but I mean,

you don't have anything bigger?

Like piu grande, or?

You are two person?

No, I am-- It's just me, but...

Then the single room is good.

Okay. Great. Single room it is.

Thank you.

Perfecto.

You're welcome.

Huh.

♪ The leaves are changing

now that summer's gone ♪

♪ And all the city folks rush ♪

♪ Sometimes I wonder why

he's doing that ♪

♪ If you see him say hello ♪

♪ And oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ If I could go back in time ♪

♪ I know that I will try

change his mind ♪

♪ I know this time ♪

♪ I know ♪

♪ Oh, this time I'll love you ♪

Oh, I'm not playing

for tips.

It's just for fun.

That's a great cover.

It sound eerily close

to the original song.

I'd hope so.

You take any requests?

Nope, I only play originals.

Well, yeah, but...

Oh, wow.

Okay, yeah,

I feel like an idiot.

Here I am offering five euros

to famous musician.

Oh, that's a bit of a stretch.

I'm not famous.

Oh, wow. You're Josie Day.

I think so.

Wow. I am Hal. Hal--

Hal Flynn. Just wow.

Stop saying wow.

Wait, you're not one of those

cruise ship people, are you?

-I'm sorry?

-How'd you get here?

Planes, trains and automobiles,

in that order, actually.

You know, you missed

tourist season.

It, like, just ended.

No. I'm not a tourist.

You're definitely not a local.

Well, I'm not here

to do touristy things.

Then what are you here for?

Hmm.

Hate to interrupt your playing,

but would you do me a courtesy

and take my photo,

just like this?

Courtesy? Why, yes, sir.

Oh. Beautiful. Who is she?

There you go.

Well, let me do you one better.

This was definitely not

shot on an iPhone,

and I happen to know a cute,

little Mom and Pop shop

down the road that

still develops. Can I?

Uh, yeah, sure.

But if you can still

get one on the phone too,

if you don't mind?

Yeah. Of course.

-I think she stood there.

-Okay.

Okay.

So I take it

you've been here before,

uh, Taormina?

Once or twice.

Well, I've been in Sicily

for a couple of hours

and I haven't eaten

which is a cardinal sin

if I am not mistaken.

Uh, any recommendations?

-You wanna know a secret?

-Of course.

Wander into any one

of these places

and you will have

the best pasta and wine

you've had in

you're entire life.

Hmm.

And there we go.

Think I got a few good ones.

-Great.

-Your stuff.

Thanks. Um...

thank you for the...

the photo and the song. I'm...

-I'm a fan.

-Of course.

Uh...

Hey, Hal?

This place is pretty dead.

Yeah, people don't go out

till late here.

Restaurants don't even

open until 7:00.

Ugh, I'd wither away.

Where are you staying?

Uh, Hotel Victoria.

Mm, Oscar Wilde.

Precisely, how'd you know?

Oh, they put signs around

for the tourists.

Mm. This is seriously amazing.

Oh!

-So you're a writer?

-Uh...

That's a pretty big leap.

You're not here

for touristy things,

you're staying at

the Hotel Victoria,

-you carry around this notebook.

-Okay, okay. Sure.

Not a writer, but more,

um, aspiring.

So you're modest.

No, realistic. I enjoy it,

but there are just

so many out there that--

Mm. This is seriously

life-changing. It's-- it's--

-What you got?

-I think it was a Tagliatelle.

No, I mean your notebook.

Read me something.

What, now?

No, in 15 minutes.

I'll set a timer.

Yes, now.

No way,

you're a famous musician.

Oh, my gosh.

I am not a famous musician.

I have one semi well-known song,

and nothing since.

And nobody even knows

who I am

except for you, apparently.

Okay. People know who you are.

Hal, I'm getting impatient.

Okay, fine. I have this...

this poem of the day.

It's stupid short stuff, but--

Sounds perfect.

Normally, I wouldn't

share these with anyone.

Well, normally,

you wouldn't be in Taormina.

Okay. But you have to

promise me something.

Okay. You can't do that thing

where you pretend to like it

even if you don't, okay?

I'll know.

Why are you not talking?

It's just making me

even more nervous.

Hal, you're stalling.

Oh, gosh, okay.

Um...

"I waltz through this wave

of strangers.

Their conversations,

they topple over each other

and it sounds somewhat like,

well, like rain.

For now, I'm lost

and well, that's okay.

See, I'm happiest when I'm lost

because I learn to be

happy with myself.

I'm reminded

of a thought though,

of the time

my parents were children too.

On the topic of children,

there they are over there,

a few playing soccer

on the piazza,

two restaurant chairs

as their goal

and that's enough for now.

The town is big

while they're small,

it will grow small

as they grow taller.

And, hey, it really does.

You're right.

The sun shines differently here

effervescent bright."

-Hal, I need you to look at me.

-Nope.

Right this instant.

-You're good.

-You promise you wouldn't--

You're good.

-You're just being nice.

-No.

But I am a little buzzed.

And that jet lag

is not gonna cure itself.

You should get some sleep.

Of course. Right.

Do you want me to walk you?

Yeah, I'd like that.

Could I have your coaster?

Sure.

Grazie.

Oscar Wilde arrived

in Taormina in 1898.

Well, there you have it.

Uh, I'll get these photos

to you tomorrow?

Who needs the time, thank you.

Should we meet at the fountain

at four?

Uh, yeah, I think I should be

awake by then.

Okay. Here.

Hmm.

All right. Think I have

a little something here.

There you go.

"To now,

the memory of tomorrow."

Hey, so, should we exchange

numbers or something?

Just in case, you know,

anything comes up or--

Let's do this

the old fashioned way,

Mr. Oscar Wilde.

We have a time and a place

and I'll be there.

-Buona sera.

-Anche tu.

-Gesundheit.

Hey, you better show up.

Oh, I'll show up.

♪ To now ♪

♪ It's the memory ♪

♪ Of tomorrow ♪

You're early.

Well, I wanted to get here

before you got here.

Me, too, I guess.

Okay. So, don't be mad,

but the photos

aren't quite ready yet.

-Oh, that's fine.

-But they said

they can get them done

in like, two or three days.

When do you leave again?

Uh, I'm here for a week.

Quick question. What are these,

like extra, extra small or--

That's how they do it here.

It's an Americano.

This is as big as it comes.

Quality over quantity.

Yeah.

Okay. Let's go.

I wanna show you something.

Is it the Greek theater?

I wanna see it so bad.

I though you said

you weren't a tourist, Hal.

-What do you mean?

-Okay. Well, yeah,

we could go wait in line

and we can listen

to tour guides ramble on and on,

but I really wanted to show you

one of the best views

in Taormina.

-Okay, fine.

-Okay.

Let's go.

Hey, uh, quick question.

Are you taking me

to Narnia or what?

Okay. It is right up here.

You told me it is

the best view of Taormina

and I'm training

for a triathlon, Josie.

Oh, you are fine.

This is-- this is

just incredible.

Told you.

Hey, what's that?

It's a little turn of phrase.

-Poem of the day?

-Maybe.

Okay, well, share.

-No, no way you're putting me

through that again.

-Come on.

Well--

I just started. All right?

Maybe a little bit later.

-Okay, I'll hold you to that.

-Yeah.

If you won't share, I will.

-Really?

-Mm-hmm.

I cooked up this little melody

last night.

Might sound familiar.

Okay. I much prefer to be

on this side of things,

by the way.

Shut up.

-Uh, there's no chorus.

-Okay.

No chorus yet.

Just the verse.

♪ To now ♪

♪ It's the memory of tomorrow ♪

♪ The memory of tomorrow ♪

-Why'd you stop?

-I don't know,

hearing it again,

it's no good.

Are you kidding me?

No, it's no good.

Josie, look at me.

You're good.

-No. Back to the drawing board.

-Ugh, you're out of your mind.

It was really good though.

I mean, I wrote it, so...

I want 50 percent.

You'll get 49.

How'd it go?

♪ To now ♪

- ♪ The memory of tomorrow ♪

- Okay.

Is that how it went?

-It's close. It's close.

-It was good. I liked it.

-I thought it was pretty good.

-Lived it better

Well, I'm this way.

I'm that.

Look, Hal, I know you didn't

come all the way to Sicily

-to hang out with me.

-I didn't?

But if you're free tomorrow,

I do happen to know

a cool spot.

And I still have to

get you those photos.

Let's see, tomorrow,

I'm doing a lot of

wandering around,

um, just staring off

into the distance aimlessly.

Yeah. I think tomorrow

could work.

Should we finally exchange info?

Um, no. Old-fashioned.

Then we need a time and place.

Let's do... noon at my hotel.

You better show up.

Well, yeah, I'll show up.

-Buona sera.

-Anche tu.

-Very good.

-Thank you.

Oh, hey, I finished it,

by the way.

The poem, it's called "Luca."

You want to...

"From here, I saw hundreds

of honey-gold street lamps.

They were tripled

along the stones,

hundreds, but I only

thought of one.

A trail of blue

fogged by the smoke

of Signore Lucas Monticarlo.

He smirked as two young lovers

shared their first kiss.

A first, he knew,

for both said 'Whew'

right after.

He lowered his eyes

to his wing tip

olive-green shoes,

and blinked.

That blink was a minute

and that minute turned two.

Tomorrow turned yesterday

and time already flew.

The boy was him and this day

when they first met,

he recalled how he missed her

and she wasn't even gone yet."

Such a cool guy, huh?

If you say so.

Come on, keep up.

Come-- Oh, yeah.

Where the hell

did you come from?

So this is one of

my favorite spots to write,

in all of Taormina.

Anyone can come here,

free of charge,

and just enjoy the scenery

and ruins.

And there is the amphitheater,

it's right up there.

Oh, my goodness. This is crazy.

I mean, I never read anything

about this place.

Sounds like you need

a good tour guide.

Well, it looks like

I found one.

Mm-mm-mm.

Another ten out of ten

on the cuisine.

I mean, do they have

bad food around here?

If there is, I haven't found it.

Oh, my gosh.

And the architecture.

I mean, you have this--

this ancient Roman sculpture

right next to a building

with all these new additions.

-I mean, it's nuts.

-Greek.

-I'm sorry?

-Well,

it was Greek for five centuries

before the Romans came over.

So you know a lot

about this stuff.

-I've overheard a lot of

tour guides.

-Well...

I mean, you go to a place

like Boston

and they're just so reverent

with the history.

But here, it's sort of like

they can pay respects

without being too precious.

I never thought about it

like that.

It's just like you said.

Perfect blend of old and new.

Ah. All right.

Oh, before I forget.

Oh, my gosh.

All right. Inspection time.

Wow. You weren't lying.

These do beat the hell

out of a...

out of a phone picture.

-I told you.

-Thank you.

You're welcome.

So, Hal, I've been thinking.

Uh-oh.

-We both are here to write.

-Well, I don't know

if that's exactly--

And I find you interesting.

So I was thinking that...

You know what?

It'd be easier

if I just showed you.

Come on. Let's go.

What-- What?

There's so much good food left.

There's plenty more

where that came from.

All right.

What's with the coaster thing?

By themselves,

just flimsy cardboard,

but a little chicken scratch,

they become mementos.

You know it's weird, right?

It's normal, right?

-This is where you're staying?

-Yep.

Oh, my God!

I am sorry.

I did not know you were

roughing it like this.

-You're hilarious.

-No, I mean,

I seriously would have offered

any assistance.

I mean, are you okay?

Do you need me to call someone?

-I'm laughing on the inside.

-Oh, here's actually--

here are those euros

I offered you before.

Just take them all.

I mean, you need them

more than I do. You know? I--

Wow.

Uh...

I'm speechless.

How much does a place

like this go for?

Sorry, inappropriate question.

None of my business.

No, honestly, I have no idea.

My boyfriend's parents

bought it a few years back.

Oh.

I guess I forgot

to mention that.

That's a pretty big thing

to forget.

Look, I think

you should stay here

for the rest of your trip.

Wait. What? Okay, back it up.

I know it's not exactly

in Taormina,

but there's so much

cool stuff here.

The real non-touristy

kind of stuff.

And plus, you could save money

on your hotel.

There's so many things

wrong with this idea.

-I don't see any problem.

-Okay.

Uh, let's see. Uh,

What about the boyfriend

I just found out about?

-What about him?

-I don't think

he'd like the idea

of a strange man with you

in his parents' villa.

He doesn't have to know.

I need to process this.

Look, Hal, I don't even know

what's going on.

We were supposed to go

to Switzerland together,

and then we got in

this big fight,

and he left and we had

a falling out.

He left you quite the bail here.

There's so much space here

to spread out and write,

we might not even

see each other.

I don't know. It doesn't seem--

Can it just be what it is?

Depends on exactly what it is.

A writers retreat.

A perfectly innocent

writers retreat.

Two friends hanging out,

looking for inspiration

and writing.

Sounds more like you are

convincing yourself here.

I like spending time with you.

Do you like spending time

with me?

-Yes.

-Then it's settled.

Writers retreat.

-You're very bossy.

-Thank you.

Why do I feel like

we're gonna regret this?

Ah. Grazie, Signori.

-Beautiful.

-Arrivederci, signor Flynn.

Grazie.

Comfortable?

Uh, are you kidding?

I, I feel like a king.

Good.

Um, I'll have to show you

how to make the coffee.

Here, they do it differently.

Moka pot.

But other than that,

make yourself at home.

Okay. Um, well, this is nuts.

-Uh, but thank you.

-Of course.

Wait till you see the view

we have for sunset.

-It gets better than this?

-Yes.

Okay.

Oh, wow!

Well?

Uh...

unbridled awe doesn't seem

to do justice.

But it is the best I've got.

I told you.

I mean, come on, it's not real.

I mean...

I expect a really good

"Poem of the day" out of this.

Consider it done.

So when's the last time

you talked? You and your--

Capture it quick

before it disappears.

Come on. Chop, chop.

♪ A young, single guy

comes to Sicily ♪

Who said I was single?

♪ Black and white photo

in hand ♪

You know, it's really hard

for me to write

with all this musical--

♪ A beautiful,

mysterious woman ♪

♪ Is painted against the lamp ♪

Wow, you are nosy.

Nosy Josie,

that's what they call me.

All right, well, Nosy Josie,

I think it looks like

we both have things we'd prefer

not to talk about.

To magical sunsets!

Thank you for sharing it

with me.

Cheers.

Hal?

Hal!

-Hal!

-Oh, jeez.

- Oh.

- Oh, my God!

Oh, I am so sorry.

Oh, my God.

I think you just gave me

a heart attack.

Um, okay.

How about a little tutorial?

Okay, so don't tamp the grounds.

Let them settle.

Okay. Got it.

Couldn't sleep?

Literally the most

comfortable bed ever

and I couldn't stay still.

My mind was just racing.

-Uh, anyway, so just

screw this on here?

-Mm-hmm.

- Okay.

- Okay

Yeah, I know the feeling.

Plus, I never heard

your sunset poem.

So it didn't feel

quite right to go to sleep.

Uh-huh. Sure.

There we go.

Okay. Good.

Now you're gonna let

the water gurgle.

It's gonna push--

steam's gonna push the water

through the grounds to the top.

And voila!

-Science.

-Mm-hmm.

The last time we spoke

was right before he left.

No calls or texts since.

Nothing.

Are you okay?

I mean--

It's a two-way street.

I haven't exactly

reached out either.

What did you guys fight about?

Uh, well,

he brought up marriage,

which to his credit,

we've been together for a years

and that's something couples

should talk about, but...

But?

But every time he brings it up,

I get so uncomfortable

and squirmy, and

then he gets mad

and here we are.

To cap it off,

his last gesture before he left.

He slipped this on the counter

and went to Switzerland.

Oh, wow.

Yeah.

-Do you love him?

-Of course I love him.

Okay, then why did you

get uncomfortable?

If I knew the answer

to that, I...

-I don't think that--

-Sorry, sorry, sorry.

No, it's fine.

It's none of my business.

There's something about

2:00 a.m. that makes

the hard conversations easier.

What about you?

-Uh--

-You know, sometimes,

it's good to get everything

off your chest.

Uh, I put it on paper.

-But if no one ever reads it?

-Stop...

...making sense. Okay?

Okay. Here we go.

How did we do?

-Okay.

-Okay?

-You know...

-Beautiful.

This makes about

a quarter of the portion

of the average size

in the United States.

Remember,

quality over quantity.

Okay, I think it's about time

for that sunset poem.

Nope. That's not any good.

Oh, my gosh. Quit apologizing.

Just read it.

Okay,

Ms. Back to the drawing board.

That's different.

-How's that different?

-It's different.

Following up expectations,

trying to write something

that people like.

Seems like a great poem to have.

You know what else

is a great poem to have?

Being a talented writer.

Okay, let's pump the brakes

on the whole writer thing.

Being a talented writer

who just has to take a leap.

Okay, so we both think

the other's talented.

-Now what?

-Sunset poem.

You're relentless.

"Perhaps it's that

twisted lemon,

slice of heaven,

meringue fluff,

with golden crusted

constellation crumbs

or sherbet rays,

the twilight souffle, who knows?

Or perhaps the sigh

of the breeze

pickpockets secrets

and tucks them in the clouds

on their fly-by.

Perhaps it's the hoodwinked

clairvoyant horizon

that knows when one day comes

and another one goes.

And perhaps the sun blows

kisses to the moon

as it departs,

they work two separate shifts

with one beating heart.

Perhaps.

Perhaps the snoring mountain

turns in her sleep

to dream in peace

or wish upon a star

by the hecks of your hum

and the strum of your guitar.

Perhaps."

Ow!

What do you mean "ow?"

It's a pillow!

I feel like

that's the general reaction

when someone throws

something at you.

Get up, sleepyhead.

-What time is it?

-Just after 11:00.

Well, good news is I had

a perfectly comfortable bed

about 20 feet away,

and didn't use it.

Did you sleep out here too?

Nope.

Hey, you ever see

The Godfather?

Have I seen The Godfather?

What do I look like? An idiot?

Okay, put some clothes on.

Quit hitting me.

What are you--

Ah. I see chivalry is not dead.

What are you--

Oh, come on!

So a few miles up the coast,

there is this little town

called Savoca.

It's where they filmed

some scenes from The Godfather.

Oh, my brother's

gonna love that.

He thinks I should be

seeing the Colosseum

or touring some winery

and testing them.

I mean, this place

has so many gems.

So you have a brother?

Yeah. Older.

He has a family

and all that,

my little niece, Stella.

We actually run

the family print shop together.

Look at you opening up.

We should road trip more often.

Oh, hush, don't get used to it.

Hey, you know it's rumored

that Shakespeare

is from Messina.

Oh, I know. It's part of

the reason I'm here.

I think every writer knows that.

Hal, I'd like to

point something out.

You just called yourself

a writer.

Mm.

I present to you the location

of Michael Corleone's wedding.

Oh, a little slice of history.

To go with our pizza.

-Works by the way.

-I know.

Amazing.

Hey, you know,

I got to tell ya, uh,

I feel like this writer's

retreat is off to a great start.

We're getting tons

of writing done.

Inspiration is a part

of the process.

-It's always good

to change up the scenery.

-Okay. Let me ask you this.

-Mm-hmm.

-Since we aren't doing

much actual writing today.

I beg to differ.

-You're a folk singer.

-Mm-hmm.

What exactly makes

a folk song a folk song?

I mean, folk is kind of

a broad term, but

folk songs are

songs of the people.

You can debate genre,

or even instrumentation,

but I think a good folk song

tells a story.

-Hmm. I like that.

-Mm-hmm.

My turn.

-For what?

-To ask a question.

Oh, boy.

The relationship is so upsetted.

I don't know anything about you.

That's not a question.

Hal, I'm just-- I'm curious.

Hey, listen, I told you

my whole life story

on the drive up here.

You told me that

you had a brother.

That barely scratches

the surface.

-You are so demanding.

-Why are you in Taormina?

Well, uh, we're not actually

in Taormina right now, so--

- Why do you have to be

so difficult?

Okay, you're right. But...

-two stipulations. Okay?

-Okay.

One.

If I tell you, you have to

promise me something.

-Okay.

-No, like promise.

Okay, I promise. No

sympathy at all. None.

Got it?

-Okay.

And two, since

we are in front of

The Godfather landmark,

it only makes sense...

that I get to do it

in my perfect Brando impression

-that I know you

just love so much.

-No.

-Nope. Absolutely not.

-Yep. It's the only way.

No.

Okay, fine.

Well, that's--

So...

you may remember the woman

in the photograph.

Right? The one you

helped me recreate?

Well, you probably guessed it.

I mean, that's my mother.

Right? And, uh...

about two weeks ago,

she died of cancer.

And everybody who knew her said

she was just made

of light, you know?

I mean, she always had

the smile a mile wide

and she was known

to just live for her children.

She was the only one...

that really gave me confidence,

especially in this stuff.

Right? And, um...

Anyway, so, she left us all

a bit of money, and...

for me, she told me to do

something special,

you know?

Something real meaningful.

And that's a big pill

to swallow.

So I...

decided to come to her

favorite place in the world

to figure out how best

to honor her legacy.

And it's the first time

I've ever had any money.

I didn't know what to do

with it, so...

I figured I'd try to find

the answer here, you know?

Sorry.

-I am so sorry.

-No. No sympathy,

-you promised.

-How will I not--

I think my Brando

slipped into Mike Tyson

at the beginning there.

How's your dad handling it?

Well, depending on

what you believe,

they've been reunited

as it were.

So my brother and I,

we're orphans now.

Wow. That's my first time

saying that out loud.

♪ Let us pause

in life's pleasures ♪

♪ And count it's many tears ♪

♪ While we all sup sorrow

with the poor ♪

♪ There's a song

that will linger ♪

♪ Forever in our ears ♪

♪ Oh, hard times,

come again no more ♪

♪ 'Tis the song,

the sigh of the weary ♪

♪ Oh, hard times ♪

♪ Hard times,

come again no more ♪

♪ Many days you have lingered

around my cabin door ♪

♪ Oh, hard times,

come again no more ♪

♪ While we seek mirth

and beauty ♪

♪ And music, light and gay ♪

♪ There are frail forms

waiting at the door ♪

♪ Though their voices

are silent ♪

♪ Their pleading looks

will say ♪

♪ Oh, hard times,

come again no more ♪

♪ 'Tis the song,

the sigh of the weary ♪

♪ Oh, hard times ♪

♪ Hard times,

come again no more ♪

♪ Many days you have lingered

around my cabin door ♪

♪ Oh, hard times

come again no more ♪

♪ Oh, hard times

come again no more ♪

♪ Oh, hard times

come again no more ♪

I like that.

That's an old one.

That's not one of mine.

But... it kinda

reminds me of you.

I have successfully

used the moka pot.

You should be proud.

-Okay.

-Nice.

I think I've got something.

What? No way.

Oh, my gosh, you are not gonna

bail on me this time, are you?

-Bail on you? Okay.

-Okay.

Okay.

Think of like a--

-a train in the background.

-Okay.

-Just do that the whole time.

-Okay.

All right. Okay, I'm done.

♪ I can almost

hear them calling ♪

♪ Out across the blue ♪

♪ Three of them smiling

harbor views ♪

♪ If I touch my skin

so lightly ♪

♪ He is warm against me still ♪

♪ Oh, it's long forgotten ♪

♪ I've had my fill ♪

♪ We learn about

a lot of things ♪

♪ No one to pull me down ♪

♪ All of my memories

How they haunt me ♪

♪ Haunt me now, oh ♪

Have you had their pizzas

here yet?

Mm-hmm.

-Hello.

-Molto grazie.

-Prego.

Look at you speaking

in Italian in style.

Oh, yeah, very impressive.

Practically fluent.

- Mm-hmm. Yes.

- Both of you?

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Uh, sorry. You make

a beautiful couple.

Grazie. We're actually

on our honeymoon.

What? No?

No, no, no. No.

No, no. Uh, friends.

-Uh, Amici.

-Yeah, amici.

-What no say--

-Yeah, she actually,

uh, she kidnapped me

and took me to her villa.

It's kind of like

Sunset Boulevard.

I did not. He is crazy.

Guys, there is such a,

you know,

peace between you.

You seem like friends to have

spent many years together.

-We actually just met.

-Just a few days ago.

No. First time here in Sicily?

Uh, first time

leaving the States.

Hal here, he's a pretty

impressive guy.

He came all the way from-- Wait.

-Where are you from?

-Okay, Iowa.

Look at that.

Practically neighbors.

Um, he came all the way

to Sicily

from Iowa for inspiration.

Um, inspiracion?

Well, you seem

to have found it.

Oh.

Tony, here.

We have a phrase for this.

What you are doing.

A leap of faith,

salto mortale.

A leap of faith,

so they're artists.

Ah, okay, I don't know if

that's the case with me.

But she's the one.

I mean, she's the one

who writes songs

and then shares them

with the world.

If anyone's brave,

it's definitely her.

Mm. I think I am just lucky.

Oh, let me go

to cook something

for this nice couple.

They look hungry.

-Grazie.

-Thank you.

Uh, my father. Sorry.

It's okay.

How about this? Simple.

There is much beauty

in what you do.

Both of you.

Molto Bella.

Grazie.

Oh, hon, don't forget.

We need to get one of those

bottles of wine for your mom

before we go back.

- Shut up.

- It's your favorite.

-We both know that.

-Stop.

♪ We learn about

a lot of things ♪

♪ And no one

to pull me down ♪

♪ And all of my memories

How they haunt me ♪

♪ Haunt me now ♪

♪ They all got so sick of me ♪

♪ Wouldn't look at me

in the eye ♪

♪ And all of my memories

How they haunt me ♪

♪ Haunt me now ♪

Okay.

If you don't think that's good,

-you're officially insane.

-I don't know.

No, come on.

No, I don't know.

I don't know if it's like...

fully honest or-- that might

not even be the right word.

Wow, wow, look. I am an idiot

when it comes to music,

but I know what I like.

-You're biased.

-Who cares?

I care. Do you know

how hard it is

for musicians to write

a second record?

Uh, no idea.

But I'd, I'd like to think that,

you know, maybe it has

something to do with them

being too scared to follow up

with something successful.

Well, maybe it's

because they forgot

why they even

started in the first place.

Or what people connect with.

I don't know. That just--

that seems like

a recipe for misery.

I'm gallivanting around Sicily,

staying in this luxurious villa

and wasting time,

who can relate to that?

Hey, don't knock this villa.

Someone once told me it's a

perfect place

for a writer's retreat.

Shut up.

No, but I mean, come on,

all right. Let's--

Let's go back a little bit.

There's a--

there's a great quote, okay?

Um, "Comparison is

the death of joy."

-Mm-hmm.

-Right?

So you gotta stop being so hard

on yourself and comparing

everything you do

to loving right.

I mean, it's legitimately

a tiny fraction

of what's going to be

a gargantuan career.

-I don't know.

-I do.

It's easy for you to say, Hal.

Everything is so effortless

in that notebook.

And then you're totally fine

with just keeping it

all to yourself.

There's nothing wrong

with being unknown.

But there is something wrong

with not trying.

Writing makes me happy.

If nobody reads it...

Uh...

Who said that?

Comparison is the death of joy.

Probably Abe Lincoln

or Mark Twain.

Did you fact-check that?

I don't know.

According to the internet,

they said everything.

Ever stood on an active volcano?

Nope. This would be

a first for me.

Are you scared? Oh.

No, more impressed.

I mean, isn't it crazy

to imagine the amount

of destruction that thing

can cause?

But it's just

sitting there, peacefully,

biding its time

and growing wine.

You know, if you look

over there,

you can see the spot where

we had the perfect view

of Etna. And now we're here.

-It's weird how that works.

-Yeah.

It's also weird that--

I keep thinking,

weren't we supposed

to get bored today

to get some

actual writing done?

Mm. It's what I'm doing.

How can you get bored

with all this around?

I mean, you shout have

stayed in Minnesota

or come visited me in Iowa.

You'd definitely get bore there.

-Did your parents

live there too? In Iowa?

-Mm.

Did you get to spend time

with your mom

before she passed?

Whoa, look at that.

You see that?

-What?

-That's the mood.

It just died

'cause you killed it.

Okay, Mr. Destructive Volcano.

Yeah, I sat with her every day.

Good talks?

Sometimes.

Sometimes we'd just...

sit in silence and...

actually, I read her

a poem every day.

We never had that

all revealing talk

where she imparts

her wisdom on how to carry on

without her, but

I will never forget the way

her hands looked.

Mm.

I can't imagine losing a parent.

-Let alone both.

-Yeah.

That's what I thought too,

but if there is any

glimmer of positive thing,

it's actually when I walked

into the funeral hall

when I realized that...

it brings us together as people.

You know, all the petty stuff

goes out the window because

we all lose loved ones. Um...

we all face our own mortality.

It kind of snapped life

into focus for a second.

I just wish they...

could've seen

their grandchildren

grow up, you know.

We all want more time.

We don't appreciate

what we get, so it's...

Wow, I'm so sorry

I dragged on there.

Um, I'm sorry.

You lose someone

close to you?

Yeah. My grandpa.

He was pretty magical.

World traveler,

always curious and...

he had this spark that, like,

not most people have.

You kinda have it.

Oh, I have a spark?

What does it look like?

Shut up. It was a compliment.

Jerk.

No, seriously, though,

he sounds like an amazing man.

He was. Definitely something

to aspire to, for sure.

Hey, Josie. Um...

Can you come out here,

I have an important question

for you, please?

About something I found.

Yeah. I need you

to clear something up

for me really quick.

What exactly makes

a love song...

-obscure?

-No, no, no, no.

-Put that down.

-Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.

Oh, no, no, no.

We're definitely playing it.

Oh, my gosh. It was

confusing times in college.

Don't you play that.

You know, this is amazing.

Don't you dare

apologize for this.

-My gosh.

-Uh-huh.

And by the way, you look--

What's the occasion?

No, I just felt

like dressing up.

-Is that okay with you?

-Yeah.

It's definitely okay.

But I feel like

a lonely peasant.

Well, it's our last night

to go out.

I thought we had

tomorrow night.

You have an early flight

the next morning.

Well, I'll go get ready then.

Until then, exclusive.

♪ Good night, my ladies ♪

Ooh, I like it.

♪ Good night, my ladies ♪

♪ I am so sad

to see you go ♪

♪ Merrily we roll along ♪

You clean up nice.

Why, thank you.

We're gonna dance to it.

Absolutely.

There you go. There you go.

-That right.

-Uh-huh.

Very nice.

Not too shabby.

You do look beautiful.

You also look beautiful.

I do

A Chance Encounter (2022) - full transcript