Camilla Dickinson (2012) - full transcript

Fifteen-year-old Camilla Dickinson (Clemens), leads a sheltered life in New York City until her parents' marriage begins to fall apart. When Camilla meets her best friend's rebellious brother Frank (Sulkin) she finds a way to escape her troubles. As her relationship with Frank deepens, Camilla discovers a world outside of her own and begins to understand a little of what it means to grow up.

Good afternoon, Miss Camilla.

[piano music playing]

Camilla.

Good afternoon, Camilla.

I bought you a little gift.

Jacques came by just to see you.
He brought you a present.

Your mother tells me you're
learning to sew this year,

and so I thought...
well, please.

Why don't you go and open it?

Camilla, do you have homework to do?

All that Latin.



I can't think how
you keep it in your head.

I never could.

Thank you very much for the doll.

It was stupid of me to get it.

No, it's beautiful.

[kissing]

I just came back to get
the box for the doll.

[door opening]

Father!

Camilla.

Evening, dear.

Darling.

Nissen.

Rafferty.



What...what time is it?
Or are you early?

I'm early.

Jacques brought Camilla a doll.
Wasn't that nice of him?

It's in my room.

A doll?

I just came back to get the box.

Really, Rose.

Why would anyone buy Camilla a doll?

She's not a child anymore.

No.

She loved it.

Fix you a drink, Nissen?

Oh, thank you, no.
No, I...I must be going.

So soon?

Yes, I have a rendezvous across town.

And I just stopped by to deliver
the present for Camilla.

I'm sorry if it seemed a bit juvenile.

It's beautiful.

Good night, Rose.

Bonsoir.

Rafferty.

Good night.

[door closing]

Well?

I have such a headache.

I'm so sorry.

I didn't know you would be
coming home so early.

Well, I stopped by Etienne's and
booked us a table for tonight.

Well that was sweet of you.

If only I didn't have such a headache.

It's fine.

Rain check.

[sighs]

Seems a pity though
to let the table go to waste.

Do you mind if I take
Camilla in your place?

No, she might like that.

And you're sure you wouldn't mind?

Of course not.

[knocking on door]

Camilla?

Yes?

Your mother has a headache,
so she's going to bed.

I thought it might be fun
for us to go out.

How about it?

All right.

Quick as you can then.

You have beautiful eyes.

Have I ever told you that before?

All of a sudden you've changed
from a funny looking baby

into a beautiful young woman.

I wish I could look exactly like you.

How would you like to wear
my silver shoes tonight? Hmmm?

If you wouldn't mind.

If...if Rafferty asks you

Ready, Camilla?

Almost, Father.

Except for these.

Come on.

Thank you.

Our first dinner out together.

Do you feel grown up?

I suppose I must.

Pascal I'll have a martini.
And

I think since this is our special evening,

a small celebration is in order.

Vermouth cassis for the lady, please.

Luisa and I want to go to the planetarium.

They're doing a show on Betelgeuse.

I love Betelgeuse.
It's Orion's shoulder star.

You can see it all through the winter

and sometimes into spring.

Thank you.

I think we'll have the filet
mignon and yeah,

a salad, please.

Very good, monsieur.

You've always been honest with me,

haven't you, Camilla?

Of course.

Do you like the doll that

that Jacques Nissen gave you?

I...I don't care for dolls
very much.

No, I didn't think so.

Do you like him?

I don't know him very well.
We...we don't talk very much.

Well, what do you talk about?

I...I talk about school.

Luisa and I got in trouble last week

for writing on the blackboard.

We wrote, from Plato,

"All learning that is acquired
under compulsion

has no hold upon the mind."

That was why I had to
stay after class that day.

Do you and your mother and
Nissen have tea together?

Sometimes.

They're more than just friends,
aren't they?

Aren't they?

Come on, Camilla.
You're not a fool.

You can tell me the truth.
It's all right.

Excuse me.

[knocking on door]

Camilla, are you all right in there?

[knocking on door]

Camilla?

You all right?
Are you sure?

I should never have let you drink.

It's all right, Father.

There's...there's no reason to
tell your mother about this.

Okay?

So, you had a nice dinner
with your father?

Yes, thank you.

What did you talk about?

We talked about school.

Did he mention Jacques?

He asked if I liked the doll.

I love you so so much.

I love you too.

[phone ringing]

[phone ringing]

Dickinson residence.

Hold one moment, please.

Miss Camilla.

Hello?

[muffled conversation]

Luisa?

[muffled conversation]

Breakfast is on the table.

[muffled conversation]

Okay, where?

[muffled conversation]

Okay, I'll get there as fast as I can.

[muffled conversation]

Bye.

Who was that on the telephone?

It was Luisa.

Would you mind terribly
if I met her for breakfast?

For breakfast?
Good heavens, no.

She seemed upset about something.

She always seems to be.

We have a perfectly good
breakfast ready for you

right here.

Please, Mother. I have
just enough time to make it.

Will you be home right after school?

I dunno. I...I guess so.

Morning, Pumpkin.

Goodbye, Father.

Goodbye?
What on earth?

At Ashley Hall, they would
never allow this sort of thing.

[knife scraping]

[knife scraping]

Ladies.

Hi, Jake.

I'll have an egg salad sandwich, please.

BLT, please.
And a chocolate milkshake.

It's them again, of course.
Mona and Bill.

What now?

They had a fight last night
when they came in.

At first they tried to whisper

so that Frank and I wouldn't hear.

And then they whispered louder and louder

and finally they yelled.

And Mona ended up throwing an
entire Beethoven Symphony

at my father.

From the number of crashes
it sounded like the Ninth.

Oh golly.

And the worst part

was when people stuck their
heads out of windows

and told them to shut up.

How're yours?

Oh, all right I guess.

That means all wrong.

The evil Jacques again?

I caught them yesterday.

Oh, eww. Were they kissing
or something awful?

And then he...he gave me a doll.

I hope you threw it in his face.

Do you think your parents
wanted you to be born?

What?

My dear child, lots of parents
have accidental children.

Frank and I were planned, but
I think it was a great mistake.

Were you planned?

I dunno.

Do you love your parents?

Of course.

I don't mean the 'of course' kind of love.

I mean really, as people.

Yes.

You're lucky.
I don't like either of mine.

Thanks.

I brought the doll for you.

It's really a lovely one, as dolls go.

For me? Really?

Thank you!

You don't think I'm an awful
dope still liking dolls, do you?

Frank thinks I'm a dope.

I wish Frank were back at
boarding school this year.

I don't think you're a dope.

I don't think Frank thinks so, either.

You don't live with him.

Let's always be friends,

even when you're a famous astronomer

and I'm a famous doctor.

And maybe you'll let me finally
psychoanalyze you.

You really should, you know.

We have exactly six minutes till class.

[knocking on door]

Who is it?

It's me, Mother.

Come in, darling.

You're home late after all.

Be an angel and get me that throw.

I think I have a cold.
I'm freezing.

How was school?

And what was wrong with that
odd Luisa after all?

Not much.

Well then why did you have to go
racing out like that?

Carter was very put out.

Please don't hate me.

I don't hate you.

I love you, Mother.

I know I'm not very mature sometimes.

But how can you please a person
when you seem to be

the very opposite of what he wants.

I...I don't have a brilliant
mind the way he does.

And I want so much more
affection than he does.

What if we have a tea party?

Hmmm?
They way we used to.

Don't you think that would be nice?

I have homework.

I...I remember I...I left my
Latin book at Luisa's place.

So I have to

I have to get that because
I have a test tomorrow.

But you just got home, and...and
we have this nice tea.

And can't you stay for a bit?

I'm sorry, Mother.

I don't like all this
disappearing. It will not do.

Why can't you be a little more
responsible? Just a little.

What am I supposed to cook for
dinner, the curtains? Huh?

What are you talking about?

You!

You drank all the food money!

And that makes you the Queen of Virtue?

How dare you!

You

What is it?

Is Luisa home?

No, she's not here.

Why don't you call
before coming all this distance?

I'm sorry.

I'll call Luisa later.

I'll tell her.

Hey!
Camilla Dickinson?

Is that you?

Hi, Frank.

What are you doing?

I came to get my Latin homework.

Luisa's not here.

Please let's get out of here.

Sure.

Sorry about Mona.

She gets her moods.

It's all right.
Luisa's told me.

Luisa says you're
very close to your mother.

We used to be.
We...we played like kids.

It's different now.

Luisa says you're
planning to be an astronomer.

Yes.

What made you want to be one?

Well my...my Grandmother used to

teach me about the stars when we
were up at her summer cottage.

You can see so many more in the country.

When I was little I decided that

all I wanted was to learn
more and more about them.

Doesn't it sort of give you a
shivery feeling to realize that

about half the stars we see
aren't there any more?

It's just their light we see.
They're gone.

Never thought about it.

It's as if God put them
in the sky just for us.

Do you believe in God?

It's the only thing Luisa and I
fight about.

She always says I'm a dope
to believe in God.

Yes.

Well, you know, oddly enough,

so do I.

But I very much doubt if the God
I'm talking about is

the same kind of God that you believe in.

I don't believe in an old man in
a nightgown

and long white whiskers,
if that's what you mean.

Well, what do you believe?

Well, I think God is blamed

for a lot of things
that aren't really his fault.

It's really one of us that's
done something wrong.

But I...I don't think he plans
it when people are good.

I think he makes it possible

for people to be much bigger and
better than they already are.

But we have to do it for ourselves.

God's not gonna do it for us.

You know,

usually girls don't want to talk
about important things.

Poor old Luisa's a bore.

And she's ugly as a mud fence, isn't she?

She is not!

She's...she's the nicest looking
person I know.

[laughing]

Loyalty.

Oh, I didn't mean any harm to
your precious Luisa.

You have to admit she's no glamour girl.

I never said she was.

I...she's far more attractive
than they are,

and far less

cheap looking.

It's getting late.

I should go.

I'll take you.

Please don't bother.
I'll...I'll be all right.

Taking the subway?

I've done it frequently.

I know.

But you're way too pretty
to be going on subways

and walking alone this late.

How gallant.

Oh, here it is.

Could we maybe go to a movie
or something sometime?

Oh, yes please.

What about Friday?

I'll have to check.

Okay. Well, let me know.

Maybe meet you here around 7.

Okay. Okay.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Where have you been so late?

I was

I was out
with Luisa's...brother, Frank.

The rules are that you
are to be here before dinner.

You know that.

I have been sitting here,
worrying myself sick,

wondering if you had been hit by a taxi or

[thud]

There is a thing called a telephone.

Some well-bred children
even use it even use it

to call their parents to let them know

whether they're alive or dead!

Now, Rose.

There's no need to get hysterical.

And you, young lady,

don't you have something
you want to tell your mother?

Hmmm?

I'm very sorry, Mother.

Father. I...I really didn't
really mean to worry you.

It won't happen again.

Two tickets, please.

Thank you.

[door opening]

Luisa!

I didn't do it!

Get up!

Well, what's the matter?

Don't you have school?

It's Sunday.

I don't approve of people
spending the day in bed.

Please Get up!

let me sleep.

Jeez, deaf.
Get up! Now! It's an order!

[slam]

Well, I'll help you wash the dishes.

I want coffee.

I'll go downstairs and get you some.

Can I have some money?

(whispering)
Turn around.

Here.

You are not a bad kid.

I don't care what everyone says.

(moaning)
Why do we have these parties?

Where is everybody?

Your sister's gone to get coffee.

Where were you last night?

Want some fried eggs?

I have had about as much as I can take

from your sister this morning.

I have tried to treat you both
like reasonable human beings,

like partners in an interesting
venture in living,

but all I get from either of you
is disrespect and vulgar cracks.

[knocking]

[knocking]

Come in!

Idiot.
Your arms can't be that full.

Is...is Luisa home?

Well, how are the
chipper Dickinsons this morning?

[door opening]

Very well, thank you.

Coffee!

Lord, have mercy.
Make it, and soon.

Camilla. I'm sorry to keep you
waiting, but as you can see,

it was an emergency.

I'll make the coffee, Mona.

[crash]

(Mona)
Why can't you be more careful?!

Get the hell out of my sight!
Leave me alone!

Both of you! Go!

[slam]

Sorry about that.

It's not your fault.

(Frank)
See you, Camilla!

So

you went out with Frank Friday evening.

Yes.

So spill it. Was he nice to you?
Are you in love?

I think it's a little early
for that. One date

More than I've had.

Did he try to kiss you?

Please.
Don't be ridiculous.

Well he is 17.

We went to a movie.

But was it nice?

Yes.

[both giggle]

Very.

You look all romantic.

[giggling]
I've never seen you look this way.

[both laughing]

I wish I could get my parents
to feel like this again.

The way they used to.

When they first met.

Maybe a mooovie!

Stop it! This is serious.

Okay. Okay, I think
it may be time for some lying.

Pardon me?

Tell them sweet lies, like in the movies.

Make them think the other one said it.

I can't do that.

Look, do you want them back together,

or do you want them divorced?

Not so loud.

Divorce. Divorce.

Better get used to the sound of it.

So I heard Mother say
something funny the other day.

Oh?

She said that you were her
knight in shining armor.

Are you certain she was referring to me?

Oh yes, she said your name.

Mmph.

I heard Father say something
rather lovely the other day.

What, darling?

He said that you were his rose,

like the flower.

He said it all lovey-dovey.

So...tell me something
about the stars.

What's the difference
between a planet and a star?

How do you tell them apart?

Well the easiest way is that

a star twinkles and a planet doesn't.

So...tell me about planets.

Well Mercury is closest to the sun,

and then there's Venus, Earth,
Mars, Jupiter, Saturn,

Uranus, Neptune, Pluto.
And

Kepler thought that there ought to be

a planet between Mars and Jupiter,

and that's how Piazzi found
the first planetoid,

looking for a star...
planet there, looking

looking for a planet.

Well I'm glad you know
what you want to be.

Most girls have no idea.

You'll probably discover
a new star or something.

I hope so!

I think I'd like to be a doctor.

I used to want to be a pianist,

but you got to be a lot younger
than I am to really get anywhere

A doctor like Luisa wants to be?

No.

Not like Luisa.

What kind then?

I hate death.

I want to be on the side of life.

I want to heal.

What do you mean?

It's kinda hard to hear.

That's okay.

Johnny Stephanowski was my best friend.

I'd known him since we were kids.

His folks own the record store
Mona always goes to.

Last year when Mona
sent me off to boarding school,

the Stephanowskis sent Johnny too.

It meant a lot to them,
being able to do that.

A prep school meant

that they were opening
some kind of door for him.

One of the kids on our hall

got hold of a gun,

a real one.

Johnny was fascinated by guns,

so he went over to look at this one.

But as he held it,

it went off.

I ran down the hall
as soon as I heard the shot.

He didn't die right away.

He just kept saying my name,
over and over.

They let me stay with him until he

I haven't talked about this to anyone.

Not the Stephanowskis of course
cuz they miss him so much more.

Would you come meet them with me?

I think they'd like to meet you.

Sure.

Franky!

Good to see you.

And you.

And who is this little lady?

This is Camilla Dickinson.

Very pleased to meet you, Miss Dickinson.

Pleased to meet you too.

Well Franky,

why don't you take Miss
Dickinson into one of the booths

and give her a little concert?

Thank you.

Perfect.

Camilla?

Do you know Holst's
'The Planets?'

No.
What is it?

It's kind of odd, but wonderful.

It sounds like planets grinding
against space or something.

I can't believe
I haven't heard this before.

So then, my darlings,
we worked in a hotel.

I was the sous-chef in the kitchen,

and I was very good with the borscht.

No, she was better than good.
She was magical.

She made magic.
Always.

We will talk more

about these silly
quarreling parents of yours.

I know a thing or two about romance.

[both laugh]

Thank you.

Oh maybe the two of you
will stay for dinner? Hmmm?

Sure.

I'd love to.

I'll...I'll have to check
with my parents though.

Make a call.

(voice on phone)
Dickinson residence.

Hello, Carter.

It's Camilla.
Is Mother there?

I'm afraid that she wishes for
you to come home right away.

Please let her tell me that.

Please come home right away.

I have to go.

Oh, that's too bad, dear.

But we'll take a rain check on that.

Could you get all your weekend
homework done tonight maybe?

Sure.

Then maybe we could meet?
Say around 10?

Absolutely.

Well,

good night.

Good night.

We do not like you seeing this
young man so much.

Two dates

And you've come home late
from both of them.

We have heard some things about him.

They say he was mixed up in a boy's death.

That's a lie!

With a gun.

He had nothing to do with that!

He is a dangerous and shiftless
boy with no responsibility.

He has a job!

He should be in school.

He was!
But he

He was expelled.

We know.

Not the sort of boy you should be seeing.

Besides you're

you're far too young for this.

You're only 15 years old.

Do not walk away from me, Camilla!

Camilla!

[door closing]

How are you this morning?

I don't know.

I don't know how I am either,
so that makes two of us.

My parents don't want me to see you.

[sighs]

They think you're dangerous.

What do you think?

Maybe a little.

Maybe I am a little.

Maybe you are too.

[laughs]

Me?

Don't know anyone like you.

How am I dangerous?

Only in a very good way.

And only to me.

[sighs]

I think I need to explain
something to you.

Because of the rumors you probably heard.

About how I got kicked out of school.

Yes, please.

We used to have chapel every morning.

After Johnny died,

the headmaster preached
this stupid sermon.

He said that it was

God's will that he was taken
and all of that junk.

If I thought God made that gun go off,

I would not believe in him.

I'd do everything I could

to obliterate his name from the earth.

But I don't believe it.

I'll be damned rather than believe that!

I walked out of the chapel

while the headmaster was still talking.

I slammed the chapel door.

The next day I was called to his office,

and I told him he was trying to
make God in his own image

instead of the other way around,
like it should be.

And he called me arrogant and

threw me out of the school.

Mona gave me hell about it.

It was sort of like Galileo, wasn't it?

Only Galileo recanted.

He shouldn't have.

Well I have to say I'm glad
I got expelled, now.

Even if I have to go back to school soon.

Even if Bill and Mona get that divorce

and I never see Mona again.

It's worth it.

I just wish they could be more

well more like the two of you, really.

What can we learn from the sages
about Camilla's parent problem?

Hmmm?

"The way to a man's heart
is through his stomach?"

(Mr. Stephanowski)
[laughs]

[laughs]
Good boy.

"If music be the food of love,
play on." Shakespeare.

Yes.

"Love conquers all things."
Virgil.

Yes, it does.

And heals all.

Who has the box of Russians?

I need some Tchaikovsky right here.

Thank you, my dear.

Is there anything I can do to help them?

Can you cook?

No.

It's time you learned.
[laughs]

What are you children doing
tomorrow night?

Hmmm?

Do you have pink roses?

Here. Thank you.

Okay.

They can't have any blemishes.

Why?

Part of the magic.

[bell ringing]

Thank you.

Cheers.

Cheers.

So?

They're smiling at each other.

(giggling)

Shush. Shush.

This is a fancy restaurant,
not the Saturday Matinee.

[sighs]

Did you have a good day?

Same as usual.

Work? Good?

Thank you.

Bon appétit.

Borscht.

You went to a lot of effort.

I didn't do anything.

There's no need to be modest, Rose.

Hiring the extra help,

nice touch.

But I didn't.
I thought

I thought you did.

Camilla.

That little

darling. That little darling.
Right?

[whispering] Yeah.

That was very sweet of her.

She must have spent a fortune
on those roses.

[whispering] Yes.

I was truly hoping that you might have

What?

That it might have been you
with the presents.

And I thought

Never mind what I thought,

(Camilla) This has to work. They just need
a little more time together.

It will work.

Start on the whipping cream.
It's mousse time.

I do want to know what you
thought, of course.

Really?

Thank you.

And now dessert.

No.

I don't think so.

I trusted you.

And you betrayed that trust.

Please, Raff.

That little escapade,

Jacques.

But that's all over now

Yeah, so you say.
I think we both know better.

I've been wondering

when we might consider a divorce.

[crying]
I'll be better.

No.

No, you won't.

(whispering)
Rafferty, please

[crying]

[screaming]
No! No! Let me go!

Be still. Be still.
Rose, darling.

Mother?

Miss Camilla!

[screaming]
Let me be!

[crying]
Let me be.

Get her out.
Get her out.

[crying]
Let me be.

Okay. Come with me.
Oh God. What's going on?

Your

Your mother needs you

to be strong.

Sometimes when things are
too much for some people,

they try to solve their problems

by trying to get out of them altogether.

It's not a solution

Fortunately it doesn't always work.

Your mother

tried to take her own life tonight.

I thought

you tried to kill her.

Camilla.

How can you say such a thing?!

You don't really mean that.

Look, I realize that you're upset.

But Carter found her in time.

She's gonna be all right.

[whispering]
Okay.

Your mother is

really still a child in many ways.

She has

loved and adored you, but

you've been more like a

a wonderful doll than a child to her.

I am not a doll.

[whispering]
I know. I know.

She doesn't have a lot of sense.

She doesn't think,

she merely feels.

Like tonight.

I'm gonna go check on her.

You wait here.
Okay?

[phone ringing]

[phone ringing]

[phone ringing]

[phone ringing]

[phone ringing]

[phone ringing]

Hello?

Camilla?

Yes.

May I speak with your mother?

No.

What's wrong, Dear?
Is Rose okay?

You can't speak to her.

I'm sure that you've realized

how she and I feel about each other.

I think it's time that you and I
had a talk.

For your sake and for your father's sake

as well as Rose's and mine.

I can't.

Please, Camilla.

Come to my office tomorrow.

There are things that must be said.

No. No!

I will keep calling then
until I speak to Rose.

Don't...don't call.

Okay. A ce soir.

I love you.

Oui, d'accord.
Je t'aime. Bye.

Hello, Camilla.

I'm so glad you could come.

This little meeting

is our secret?

Yes.

I won't tell Rose if you won't.

You can't. Mother
isn't gonna see you ever again.

You hate me very much, don't you?

Hmmm?

I will try to explain things.

Your mother

I can't stay very long.

Your father has always

worshipped your mother from a distance.

That is not what she needs.

She needs warmth and affection
and tenderness.

Your father

your father is a cold man.

Father is not cold!

Have you ever seen him,

I dunno, put his arms around your mother?

Of course.

You don't hate Rose, do you?

How could I hate Mother!

Then you

you understand her?

Children are not supposed to
understand their mothers.

Mothers are supposed to
understand their children.

There is a French expression

to understand everything

is to forgive everything.

Mother isn't gonna see you ever again.

That is not what she said
just now on the phone.

You're lying.
That...that wasn't Mother.

It was.

She said

If Rose loved me enough

to try to do what she almost did
the other night, then please.

You...you had nothing to do
with that!

I think I did!

Don't flatter yourself.

Please, Camilla!

You must understand that a woman
as beautiful as your mother

Shut up!
I hate you!

If you want to psychoanalyze me

do it while the going's good.

I won't offer again.

Oh! Absolutely.

Okay. Lie down. Lie down.

Okay. Let's begin.

Okay.

What is your name, please?

Camilla Dickinson.

And your age?

Fifteen.

[giggles]

Place of birth?

Manhattan.

Miss Dickinson,

what man has had the most
influence on your life

in the past few months?

[giggles]

I don't think a real psychiatrist

would start a therapy session like that.

But if you must know,

his name is Frank Rowan.

[giggles]

[laughs]
I don't think a real psychiatrist

would giggle either.

What is your very first memory?

I remember

going into my mother's bedroom
in the evening

before Carter put me to bed.

Mother would be sitting
at her dressing table, and

her evening dress would be
laid out across her bed.

It would still be
smelling of the hot iron.

She would tie a blue
velvet ribbon into her hair,

and she would be smoothing
the tiniest bit of rouge

into her cheeks.

Strong influence of mother image.

What's the matter?

Nothing.

I don't want to be beautiful.

I don't want to look like a rose
or a camellia

or any kind of flower.

I wish that people
were still telling me what

what a pity it is
I don't look like my mother.

I think you have to stop
repressing everything you feel.

That's what Freud would say.

I don't think he's right about that.

[door opening]

(Mona)
So the conquering hero returns at last.

Where did you spend the night, the gutter?

(Bill)
Don't be ridiculous.

Oh! You stink!

Don't you care

that your children are out
wandering the streets?

How can you be so unfeeling?

Out, please!
Oh, get away from me! Stop!

[sounds of fighting]

(Bill)
[coughs and laughs]

(Mona) Stay away from me.
Oh! Owww!

Just stay away from me, you stinking hobo.

Camilla?

Frank.

What's wrong?

I...I can't

Come on.

My mother, she

What?

Hello, Mr. Stephanowski.

Hello, Camilla.
Frank.

Is Mrs. Stephanowski here?

Yes, she's right upstairs.
Pamela!

Franky, give me a hand with this
box of Beethoven, will you?

Angel girl. Come here.

I was wondering about your borscht recipe.

I just happen to have some beets.

Come, let's go upstairs.
We'll make some.

Madame.

[giggles]

[both laughing]

Good bread, good beets,

good God, let's eat!

To my bride.

As lovely as the day she married me.

May she always dance.

To my prince.

[clink]

To young love.

Indeed.

[door closing]

So

you're finally home.

Sorry to be late.

You missed supper.

So did your father.

He had to work late.

Oh. Sorry, Mother.

Carter made roast lamb

with mint.

I had dinner.

With who?

Camilla, this is unacceptable.

Your behavior is
completely out of control.

I'm not the only one
out of control, Mother.

Why astronomy?

Why not bricklaying or opera?

Why that?

Because

because the stars give you hope,

in something bigger than
all the nonsense on this planet.

What do you know about sex?

I don't know.

Enough.

Well, didn't your mother
tell you or anything?

Of course.

Probably about all the birds

and the bees and all that stupidness.

Well, sort of.

There was this

book.

Do you know what a man looks like?

Naturally.

I mean undressed.

No.

That's too bad.

I do think one should be prepared.

Hadn't you better
get on with psychoanalyzing me?

Do you think you'd like it?

Doing...you know...that?

I don't know.

Maybe it's sort of like ripe olives.

They seemed repulsive at first,
but now I'm mad for them.

Mona went through a phase of
drinking nothing but Dark Eyes.

That's a martini
with two black olives in it.

Camilla?

Tell me about you and Frank.

That's really none of your business.

You know, if you need analysis,
Frank needs it worse.

He's just as apt as not to
throw you over tomorrow.

I beg your pardon

Has he kissed you yet?

No.

Well, I'm surprised.

Frank loves kissing girls
on the first date.

What's wrong with you today?

It doesn't sound a bit like him,
protecting you like this.

If you were five years older,

I'd say it was
the mercenary streak in him.

What do you mean?

Oh, just that I might think he'd come to

"wive him wealthily in Padua."

Clever, aren't you?!

You're a dope

if you let yourself be at
Frank's beck and call, you know.

No man wants a girl he can have easily.

And how could you possibly know that?

Let's just forget it.

Let's...let's go for a walk
or to a movie or something

I can't.

Why not?

[door opening]

Hi.

[whispering] Hi.

What are you doing home?

Got a date with Camilla.

You said you would spend the day with me.

I just spent the whole morning with you.

Well, fine.

You two deserve each other.

Come on, Camilla.
Let's get out of here.

[door closing]

What's with her?

I think she's beginning to
realize that we might be a

thing.

A thing?

And she's suddenly jealous.

[laughs]

A thing?

She implied that

you don't usually stick
with girls very long.

I haven't before.

Hey, Franky!

Who's the new one?

Um, Camilla, this is Pompilia.

So, coming over to lunch soon?

No.

I won't be coming over any more.

I told you that.

I'm sorry.

Hey! You'll be back!

You know you like the way that I cook!

Hey, you don't got to be so mean!

Come and see me soon, Franky!

(Rose)
Forgive me, Rafferty.

Soon we'll be gone and it will
be better. I...I...I promise.

Camilla.

You're...you're going away?

Where were you this time?

I was seeing...a friend.

A friend?
Don't you mean Frank?

Yes, I mean Frank.

I am in love with Frank Rowan.

Oh, in love.
I see.

Well, I'm delighted you've
finally decided to let us know.

Come with me, please.

[door closing]

Let's sit.

I don't understand your behavior lately.

I'm sorry.

It's not your fault.

I blame myself for this.

No, you shouldn't.
It's...it's not you.

You know, after what

what's been going on with your
mother the last couple of days,

it's been less than kind of you,
to say the least,

to constantly be running off
to the Village.

And Frank, I mean you're far too young

to be so...so serious.

Everything's gonna be all right.

Why don't you go in there?

Tell your mother you're sorry

and that you love her.

How can I tell her I love her
when I don't?

Camilla, you don't know
what you're saying.

I know it's awful.

I'm numb.

I just...I just can't.

I can't.

Well, can...can you at least

try to say you're sorry?

I mean can you do that much?

[whispering] Okay.

[door opening]

Mother

Yes?

I'm sorry if I've made you unhappy lately.

I have to go.

So soon?

I'll be back as soon as I can.

Look,

I know I've been a little
disagreeable, of late.

Too much to do.

All right, honey.

Mother, what is going on?

We're going to Italy.

Italy?

When?
Will we see Grandmother?

That's just it, darling.

Rafferty and I are going alone.

Oh. Oh.

We've both felt that
you've changed this winter.

Luisa and Frank Rowan

haven't been good for you.

It hasn't been Luisa and Frank.

But you have changed.

Don't you know why?

You of all people?

You didn't want to have me, did you?

Camilla!

You mustn't say such things
like that, ever! I love you!

Mother

You mustn't ever say anything like that.

I don't mean you...you don't
want me now.

I mean

you didn't want me then.

Of course I...I wanted you,
Pumpkin.

Do you mind terribly
about us going to Italy?

Well, I will...I will miss
seeing Grandmother.

I don't mind staying in New York.

Darling.

You're not staying in New York.

What?

We both feel that

it would be best for you to
spend the rest of the year

at Ashley Hall.

Oh,no.

Ashley Hall was one of the
happiest times of my life.

You will love it there.

It's all decided.

I...I don't want to leave
New York!

I...I like my school!

Please get me a

a governess or a companion
and...and...and let me stay!

Something!

[whispering] There's nothing
Please, Mother!

Camilla,

you know that I want to give you

everything in the world that you want.

You know that. But

Rafferty...it's all settled.

You're sending me away
because of Frank and Luisa?

That's part of it.

But we thought that you would like it.

I was terribly excited to go to
Ashley Hall.

Excited?!

Are you serious?!

Just because for the first time ever

I have a social life, you
have to send me away to prison?!

Is me being happy so dangerous
that that you have to wreck it?!

I hate you!

[crying and screaming]

[crying and screaming]

May I speak to Frank, please?

It's Camilla.

I...I...I need to see you.

Camilla!

What's wrong?

I have to go away

in a week.

Mother and Father are...are
going to Italy for the winter,

and so they're sending me to
this girly boarding school.

Oh, no.

I feel like

my real life just started.

And now it's over.

You've got a week.

Let's make it amazing.
Let's see each other every day.

Yes.

Well, what should we do?

I haven't got much money, so it
can't be anything too terrific,

but let's not waste time in the movies.

You want to ride on the
Staten Island ferry?

That's...that's one of the
classic things.

(Camilla)
[laughs] "We were very young,

"we were very merry,

we rode back and forth
all night on the ferry."

Are you cold?
Do you want to go inside?

No, I like it out here.

Me too.

We could be going out into the open sea.

I can't see anything, can you?

It's like we're in a fairy tale.

Under a spell or something.

Oh!

[both laughing]

You know, I can't make sense
of any of this.

How can God let things like this happen?

Maybe what we need is a new God

that people like me or you or your parents

could really believe in.

We need a God who's big enough
to deal with things like this.

To make it okay.
Somehow.

Maybe it isn't God who needs to be bigger.

Maybe it's us.

What do you mean?

You might think it's silly.

Tell me.

Well, I've always wondered

What if before we were born on earth

we were on another planet
where no one could see.

We hadn't the slightest idea
what sight was.

So what if after we die,

we move onto a new planet
with a new sense,

just as important as sight

but something which we
could never conceive of now.

And then after we'd finished
on that planet

we'd move onto another planet,

and...and....and so on and on,

planet after planet,

learning and growing

until at last maybe

we'd be ready for heaven.

Ready to be part of an eternal being.

Part of God.

I could believe that.

What would you think of someone

who tried to commit suicide?

What?

No, not me.
Someone else.

They say it's the unforgivable
sin. It's murdering yourself.

Do you think it's truly unforgivable?

I don't know.

You worry me when you talk about
things like that.

It was my mother.

My mother tried to...
A couple of weeks ago.

Oh.

I don't understand my mother or my father.

If being grown up means

screaming at each other all the
time and trying to kill yourself

I don't want to grow up.

I know what you mean.

She has scars now.

On her wrists.

Let's not go home yet.

Let's go somewhere special.

Yes, let's.

We can't go in here.

Yes, we can.

I know a guy.
Come on.

If any cops come in,
we'll just go out the back.

But they hardly ever do.

You come here a lot I guess.

A time or two.

With Pompilia?

Once.

Oh, and with Mona and Bill.

But this time, I want to dance.

I don't know how to dance.

Come on, I'll show you.

Trust me.

[upbeat jazz music playing]

[clapping]

[slow jazz music playing]

♪ The heavens tonight

♪ are filled with the light
of glimmering rings of gold.

♪ Tell me, am I too old

♪ to wish on a star.

♪ Whirling above

♪ the galaxies glide

♪ Our stars have crossed
at the perfect time

♪ they fill our worlds
with a perfect rhyme

♪ but love isn't perfect

♪ and like the inconstant moon

♪ will change

♪ hearts rearrange

♪ and stars grow dim

♪ Out of the dark

♪ we'll learn how to fly

You okay?

♪ 'cause you're the wish
that I wish to fall in love with

I think it may be time for me to go home.

I think I've done enough
growing up for one night.

I hate to go though.

Me too.

♪ Wish I may and wish I might
have the wish I wish tonight ♪

Tomorrow we could go to a planetarium.

Would you like that?

I'd love that.

I'd love to look at the stars with you.

Why have we wasted so much time?

I know.

I better go in and get this over with.

See you tomorrow?

Yeah.

I'll be waiting by the school
steps to walk you home.

Good night.

[elevator dings]

To understand everything is to
forgive everything. Hmmm?

[crying]

[door closing]

[crying] Camilla.

[crying] Where have you been?
I thought you were asleep.

Don't.

Don't judge me.

You have your whole life ahead of you.

Stop!

Really, it wasn't as awful as it seemed.

Why not?

Because I'm never gonna see him again.

And I don't love Jacques,
not the way I love your father.

[door opening]

[door closing]

Luisa.

Where's Frank?

He's gone.

Gone?

With Bill.

To Cincinnati.

But he

Mona and I aren't going to Cincinnati.

We're staying here.

Oh.

Excuse me.

So Franky's left,
and your little heart is sore.

I know, my darling.

I just...I don't see why
he didn't

Oh.

He came by this morning to say goodbye.

It's a bad thing he's going through.

Yes.

He left something for you.

He wanted to give you this himself.

He waited for you, but then he had to go.

Thank you.

[door opening]

Your friend Luisa
is waiting in your room for you.

I don't want to see her.

I think that you do.

Here.

Frank told me to give this to you.

I wasn't going to.

I almost threw it away.

Frank told me to take the letter
up to you at school.

He told me to be sure to give it
to you before school was out.

But you...
How could you do that?!

How could you?
I thought you were my friend!

I'm sorry.

I guess I just wanted you to hurt too.

Well it...it worked.

And now he's gone.

I'm so sorry.

I could have said goodbye.

When did you start hating me?

When you picked him over me.

You're my best friend.

Were.
And...and then you weren't.

I never stopped being that.

Well it felt like you did.

It felt like you

It felt like you loved him
more than you loved me.

I loved you both, you idiot!

[crying]

Can you ever

[whispering]
Come here.

I...I have to go back to Mona,
now.

But I'll see you at school tomorrow?

At least for the next few days?

[whispering]
Yeah.

(Frank)
Camilla,

Bill and Mona busted up today,

so that means I have to
go with Bill to Cincinnati.

Luisa's staying with Mona.

Please come to the record store
after school

so that I can explain,

and we can say goodbye.

I'll be waiting.
Love, Frank.

[piano music playing]

I need to talk to you.

What is it, darling?

You know that school
you want to send me to?

I have something to say.

That's already all been decided, Camilla.

I know you need to go away,

and I know I have to go to school.

But not a school for gracious living.

Not Ashley Hall.

Mother, I'm not you,

and...and I would just wither
there.

What if the school were a science school,

somewhere where I could
learn more about astronomy?

Not Ashley Hall?
Camilla

I don't think it's such a good idea.

You never consulted me
when you made these plans.

I...I think you at least owe it
to me to listen to some of mine.

What difference does it make
which school I go to,

as long as it's a good one?

You can afford any school.

And Frank and Luisa will not be there.

Well, that is true.

I am going to be an astronomer.

And I'm going to start now.

Please think.

You will be away in Italy.

Let me choose where I want to be.

(lecturer) Betelgeuse
is in the constellation of Orion,

the Hunter.

It is the first star
whose diameter was measured.

It is 215 million miles in diameter,

and it is 190 light years distant.

(Camilla)
I understand why Luisa did what she did.

As awful as it was,

I'm not sure I could have
said goodbye to your face.

But what I would have tried to say

was that if I had never met you,

I wouldn't have been able
to stand up for myself.

Thank you for that.

And for the ferry,

and the record album,

and the dancing.

This won't last forever.

Someday I'll be home.

And maybe I will see you then.