Fathers & Daughters (2015) - full transcript

Potato Chip.

Potato Chip?

I'm here!

Here I come!
I'm hungry now!

Go! Run, run!

I want the Potato Chip!

Guess who's home.

You know, I saw the way
you were looking at her.

Come on, there was a room full of writers.
I was just talking to her.

Oh, come on! I know the difference
between talking and flirting.

I wasn't flirting. You shoudn't've had
that third glass of wine.



Oh really? Yeah, listen,
once you've been betrayed...

...there's no way in the world
that I would ever...

Once, Tricia, once!
Seven years ago.

Once?

Once is enough for me! And...

Daddy!

Daddy!

Potato Chip...

Daddy!

Daddy!

The problem now is that
now you're experiencing...

...a manic depressive psychosis

brought on by the accident,
the brain trauma, the loss of your wife.

What concerns me, Jake,
are the seizures,



because those seizures are definitely a sign
of something far more serious.

And if you don't at least try treatment
and give yourself a chance,

you will end up
with a much worse condition.

Like what?

Psychotic breaks.

I would like to strongly suggest
that you consider staying at St. Francis.

I know doctors there. I really recommend
you get treatment for a few weeks.

Maybe even a few months.

A mental hospital?

Come on.

I can't do that. I have a...
I have a daughter to raise.

And that's exactly why you need to,

because you have a daughter to raise.

Still your favorite, isn't it?

Yeah.

Hey...

Katie...

I have to go away.

What?

Just for a little while.

How long?

I don't know, just a while.

I wanna come.

Not this time, baby.

You know...

the accident's made me a little bit sick
and I have to get fixed.

I need to be stronger
so I can take care of you.

You do!

Not the way I need to, baby. Okay?

You're gonna go stay with Aunt Elizabeth
and Uncle William

and your cousins ​​in West Chester.

But I don't want you to go!

When I come back
it'll be for good, forever.

It's gonna be fine.

- Hey.
- Hi, sweetheart!

Jake. Hi!

Oh, I'm so happy you come to
stay with us.

Say goodbye.

- I have to go now.
- No!

I'll be back soon as I can.

You're my Potato Chip,
You and nobody else, okay?

I love you so much.

- Okay okay...
- He'll be back, sweetheart.

I love you, Katie!

Dad!

Go ahead.

Please drive.

7 Months Later.

Jake, it's time.

I'm proud of you, Jake.

You need anything,
you know where to find us.

Let's get you out of here.

Goodbye, Jake. Good luck.

Thanks.

You look good.

I guess electroshock agrees with me.

Oh, they'd better not
have scrambled those wires.

You got a Nobel Prize
in that head of yours.

You mark my word.

If Bellow can win it,
so can you.

Thanks for the pressure.
It'll be out in five minutes.

Oh, you know, I've made an effort.

Well, it hasn't been an effort,
it's been a great joy for me.

I've seen her,
at least once a month.

Sometimes even more.

You're gonna be absolutely...

Gonna see Katie later?

Yeah.

Now you nervous?

She's my daughter.
Why would I be nervous?

You want me to come with?

You really are a full-service agent.

I'm a friend.

We'll be fine.

- Yeah?
- Yeah, thanks for picking me up there.

Thanks for the lift.

Take care!

- Daddy!
- Potato Chip! Hey!

- I missed you! I missed you!
- I missed you too.

I told you I'd come back
and now I'm back, you see?

- Well, I know. But I waited for ever.
- I know.

- Are you here for good?
- For good.

For ever and ever.
A big yeah.

- Hey, Jake.
- I love you!

- Hey.
- Welcome back.

Love you too!

I have coffee and cake
on the inside.

- Do you drink coffee?
- Come on in.

No.

Well, I'm glad to hear
you don't drink coffee.

- But you eat cake?
- Yes.

Okay. So let's go and
have some to take.

- Hey, William.
- Welcome back, Jake.

- How's the law?
- Oh, always good.

And she's been doing better
and better in school.

We're very proud of her.

- Dottie.
- Yes, ma'am?

Could you please take Katie
to her room?

Why?

We're just gonna have a little chat
with daddy, okay?

It's okay.

Boys! Not in the house.
Go up to your rooms.

What's up?

Almost a year away.

Seven months.

Look, I, uh... I wanna
thank you both

and let you know how much I appreciate
you looking after Katie. She looks terrific.

I'm indescribably grateful.
Thank you.

- Well, we have a safe, happy home here.
- Yes.

I guess it's been quite an ajustment,
like being back.

Well, I missed her terribly.

Oh yeah?

Miss Patricia?

Being back doesn't solve that.

Did you know that we were gonna have lunch
the day of her funeral?

You're finally going to discuss some of the
things that have been keeping us apart.

- Elizabeth...
- And...

...there's not a day that
I don't think about that, Jake.

She was my only sister
and I never got the chance...

- Look, Elizabeth...
- I...

We'd like to make a proposal, Jake,
and just hear me out.

We'd like Katie stay here tonight,
and you get settled.

You'll get you sea legs,
so to speak.

And then, you know, in a week or
whenever you're ready,

then have Katie come with you.

That won't be necessary.

- Well, it's no hardship for us.
- We'll be fine.

- We enjoy having Katie here.
- We like having her here.

You got late.

Katie.

We'd like to adopt Katie!

What?

Elizabeth, God damn it!

Listen, I don't want the
kids to hear us. Let me just...

What are you talking about?

Look, Jake, I've never been comfortable
hiding our intentions.

Look, Katie is happy here.
She loves Andrew and Michael.

I mean, you should see the way the three...

Katie is my daughter!

Well, yeah, of course she is.
But we're very comfortable.

Staying at St. Francis for a year,

I imagine you ran through
most of your money.

You could see her
whenever you want,

and this is gonna free you up
to concentrating on your...

- Katie!
- Jake.

- Come on, we're going.
- Jake! Jake!

Potato Chip.

So I thought we rehearsed this.

He killed my sister, not yours.

Jake.

- Say thank you.
- Thank you.

- Say goodbye.
- Bye.

Honey, I love you. Bye.

25 Years Later.

Hey, Katie, wait up.

- What's going on?
- Studying.

I Can't believe you're getting a
graduating degree in psychology,

sitting around listening to people
whine about their problems all day.

I like helping people.

You can help me.

I'm lonely as hell.

What could I possibly do
to help you, Evan?

I don't know. We could go out
for a date sometime.

You're a confident man, huh?

Am I? I think so.

So tell me,
what do you really want?

Do you wanna date me,
or do you wanna fuck me?

'cause I'm fine either way.

What happened to your confidence?

Can I see you again?

No, man.

Why'd you do that if you don't
wanna see me again?

I didn't have to time
to work out today.

See you around, Evan.

- Hi, Mariah.
- Hi.

- You staying out of trouble?
- I'm trying.

All right.

A case just got transferred to us.

A 12 year old girl.

Lucy Carter.

Her father died when she was an infant.
Drug overdose.

His mother was a prostitute
murdered by a John almost a year ago.

Where's she living?

Foster parents' on 133rd.

She hasn't spoken a word
since her mother's funeral.

She hasn't spoken for a year?

How was her speaking before?

Just normal.

Any physiological?

Not a thing.

Thought you might be interested.

Definitely.

Good.

Which one's your favorite?

You can just point.

I like the cat.
But that's just me.

Lucy, I know you're scared.

But you're in a really
safe place, okay?

And I wanna be here to help you.

I promise you that.

I...

...don't love.

But you have loved.

Yeah, a long time ago once.

So you know that you can love?

I'm... There's nothing in here.
There's nothing.

It's like... It's an empty well.
It's...

just dry and barren.

Is that why you sleep with all these men?

- No.
- So what is it you want?

- I don't want anything.
- Well, you must want something,

you continue to do it.

So how does it make you feel?

- Happy?
- No.

Pretty?

- No!
- So what?

It makes me feel...

It makes me feel... something,

because most of the time
I feel nothing.

And these are men that
you don't even like.

Right.

So what would you do if you met a man
that you actually did like?

I don't know.

Probably make him regret the day
he laid eyes on me.

Hey.

How are you doing?
What's your name?

Katie.

Katie, I'm Brian.
Nice to meet you.

You study here? I think I've seen
you around before.

Yeah.

- Awesome. What are you studying?
- Psychology.

No way!
I got a buddy over there..

who's just shooting pools
also studying psychology.

I just took an intro course once.
I love that shit, it's like... pooh.

You know.

So what are you drinking?
A Beer?

Can I get you a drink?

I may get you a drink.

Hey, can we get two beers,
One for me, one for Katie over here?

- Got you.
- Thanks.

So...

Hmm.

Three beers already, Katie.

Brian, you must be a math major.

That's good, that's good.

So tell me Katie,
what's your story?

Well, Brian, I have very
self-destructive tendencies.

Hello...

- William.
- Hey, Tim.

Thank you, sir.

- Jake.
- William.

- Scotch, neat.
- Right away, sir.

Elizabeth can be difficult.
Nobody knows that better than I do.

Jake, it hasn't been two years
since she lost her sister.

I mean, they were very close.

Tricia hated Elizabeth.

Well, sisters sometimes say things...

Out-of-controlling, selfish, judgemental.

Yeah. Okay. Right. Well, listen,
we're both fairly bright guys.

Let's just be frank.

We proposed something that
you've got us know you had no interest.

I'm not gonna bring that up again.

But the reason
I asked you here today is...

Thank you.

Worthington called me, and they said
you're planning to pull Katie out of the school.

Well, that's a mistake.

I mean, if there's a better girl's school in
the country, that'd be news to me.

I simply can't afford it.

Please, that's our pleasure.
You're never gonna see a bill.

I promise.
It's the least we can do.

You've done enough already.

Well, the public schools are a jungle.
Is that what you want for Katie?

I'll figure something out.

Well, like what?
There's public and there's private.

Those are the options.

You all right?

I mean that...

You know how difficult it is to get a kid
into a good private school in New York?

Everybody's rich that applies,
and they're connected and underhanded.

I'll figure something out.
Let me buy you a drink.

- You'll not...
- Jake.

You'll not be raising
my daughter by committing.

You like my bike?

I used to have a pink bike
when I was a little girl.

Do you know how to ride?

Do you know how to ride a bike?

Do any of your friends have bikes?

If you want, one day I can take you out
and teach you how to ride.

We could go out to the park
one of these days.

It could be fun.

So how's it going with Lucy?
She talking?

It's a process.

So she's not talking.

Look, I'm going to transfer
the case to Dr. Weinberg,

she's a very experienced
psychologist.

I just need more time.

And I need something to put
into her sixty-day report.

Look, this isn't about trying
to impress the state agency

that just so happens to fund us
at a time of severe cutbacks.

It's about helping this little girl...

who's suffered such severe trauma
she can't even speak anymore,

and will live an unbearably bleak life
if we don't connect with her, and soon.

Now we've failed her,
and we have to fix it.

We've not failed her.

Katie, you're a very
bright young woman.

You're gonna be an exceptional
psychologist someday.

But you need to know when
to admit defeat, and move on.

Let me take her to the park, okay?

- I think a different environment should just...
- There's no environment, as therapist.

You know we can't let you take her off grounds.
But you got your week.

Thanks.

Katie? A week is a week!

Yep.

- Jake! Hi.
- Hey.

Ah, it is so good to see you again.

- Pleased to meet you again.
- Yeah, of course, of course.

Why don't you come on back?

I just wanna tell you again
how sorry we all are about Patricia.

That was a... It was just a
big loss for our whole community.

- Thank you.
- Yeah.

How's Katie doing?

- She's fine.
- Yeah?

When she left Copen, she moved in
with her aunt and uncle?

- Yeah.
- Yeah?

- But she's back with me now.
- Oh, good, good.

And, uh... I would really like her
to come back to Copen.

Well, it's the middle of the year,
you know.

Do you really think pulling her out of
Worthington is the best thing right now?

I already did.

Oh! Uh... Gosh!

Look, Jake you know we would really love
to have Katie back with us,

but... we're completely full.

Always room for one more.

Ah, it's just, um...

I'm sorry.

What about faculty?

- What about them?
- The faculty get priority for admission.

Ah, yes and free to...

I will teach creative writing
for seniors.

Ah, okay. Well, I don't think we're
budgeted for something like that.

For a dollar a semester.

Jake, I appreciate it,
I really do.

Um, the craft of short story?

We'll focus on student work,
study of the masters,

Twain, Hemingway, Roth and...

maybe a piece
I'm currently working on.

Okay, you really wanna teach
creative writing to 12th graders?

I really want my daughter
to go to Copen.

And you'd write recommendations
for the college applications?

If any student shows,
then talent them.

Talent being generously defined.

Katie can start next week.

Can you start next semester?

I can indeed.

Thank you.

Do you know what my
favorite part of the day is?

- What?
- This part, taking you to school.

I'm working.

Hello?

Hi, Jake, it's Elizabeth calling.

Hey, Elizabeth.

Hi. Um...

I'm calling to invite you and Katie
over for dinner.

What day would work for you?

How does Thursday sound?

Uh, no. Look,
Thursday I'm on a writer's panel.

What about Saturday?

Dottie's making her meatloaf,
it's Katie favorite.

Yeah? Oh, she would love that.

You know, but Saturday, you see,
we're going to the park,

she's gonna get
really tired afterwards.

Listen Jake, stop playing games
with me, all right?

Katie lived with us for a year.

The boys miss her terribly,
as do William and I.

Now are you going to come
to dinner or not?

I said yes.

All right then, we should set a date
that works for you.

Hey...

Elizabeth, look, I'm writing at the moment.
Can I call you back? Thanks.

Come in.

- Hey.
- Well, hey there.

I have a gift for you.

But that's not necessary.

You didn't think I spent the whole time
in the hospital basket-living, did you?

Bitter Tulips?

Hmm. I like it.

Any good?

Best thing I've ever written.

- Really?
- Mm-hmm. I'm sure of it.

You son of a gun!

I'm gonna get this sold by lunch.

Good, because I'm broke.

I thought it'd be nice
to take a break from the office.

Sit here and watch the ducks
go about their day?

In my next life,
I wanna come back as a duck.

You can fly, you can swim.

You can quack.

Pretty nice.

She sat there and held my hand.

She held my hand.

Where did this happen?

In my office.

- But... she didn't speak?
- No.

So I'm transferring her
to Dr. Weinberg.

- We are on the verge.
- What does "on the verge" mean?

A week? A month?
A year? What?

It means that we are
making progress.

I'm sorry, Katie.

- That's not fair!
- It's completely fair.

Now you're to inform Lucy
that Tuesday's session will be your last.

And at the end of the session, Dr. Weinberg
will come in and introduce herself.

We're done here.

Will you please put this back
on the shelf?

Thank you.

Um... Lucy, I've had the best
couple of months with you.

Oh boy! It's been such a pleasure
to get to know you,

and to read, and play
and draw pictures.

It's been so fun that I told my friend Carla
who works here, she's super nice,

how much fun it's been.

And she want's to play with you too.
So she's excited to meet you.

She's actually gonna come by
in a couple of minutes to say, Hi.

And... next time you come here, you're
gonna hang out with her, instead of me.

No.

I wanna stay with you.

Daddy! Daddy!

Daddy!

- Hey!
- Hi!

How are you doing?

- I've got some great news.
- What?

Daddy sold a book today.

- Is that good?
- Is that good? Are you kidding me!

It's the greatest news in the world!

That means you can have any toy
on the entire planet.

- I want a bike, pink with a basket and bell,
- A bike! Pink! Basket!

- and streamers dangling from the handlebar.
- Those streamers, Okay!

Let's go and get that!
That's what you should have!

Keep your balance.
Keep your balance by looking forward.

That's it!

You're going great!

It's all you. It's all you!

Now accelerate.

Here you go!

Here you go. Keep your eyes up!
Keep looking where you're going.

That's my girl!

Oh, yeah!
She's got it.

She's got it!

Go, Katie!

Go faster!

Go, Katie!

That's my girl!

♪ Why do birds suddenly appear ♪

♪ Every time you are near? ♪

♪ Just like me, they long to be ♪

♪ Close to you ♪

♪ Why do stars fall down
from the sky ♪

♪ Every time you walk by? ♪

♪ Just like me, they long to be ♪

♪ Close to you ♪

♪ On the day that you were
born the angels got together ♪

♪ And decided to create
a dream come true ♪

♪ So they sprinkled moon dust
in your hair ♪

♪ And golden starlight
in your eyes of blue ♪

♪ That is why all
the girls in town ♪

♪ Follow you all around ♪

What are you writing?

I am writing a new book.

What's it about?

It's about you.

Me?

Mm-hmm.

I've called her Potato Chip
for as long as I can remember.

I've no reason why I like the name.

What do you think?
You like it?

Could it be about us instead?

- Can it be about us?
- Yeah.

You know, kiddo, you are a genius!

My daughter is a genius!

Yeah, it can be about us.

♪ So they sprinkled moon dust
in your hair ♪

♪ And golden starlight
in your eyes of blue ♪

Hey.

You know...

Normally I would never approach
someone like you, but...

I heard a rumor.

What rumor?

Um... That my literary idol and
your father are the same person.

I don't know if that's true.

So they lied to me?

Who?

My friends, they're liars.
You're not Potato Chip?

Sorry.

I can't really hear you.
Can we move?

Yeah.

Where...

What were you babbling about?

Nice. Um...

Jake Davis,

he wrote my favorite book,
of all time, "Fathers and Daughters".

Wow. It's a popular book?

Yeah.

I know. It's just been with me
ever since I was a little kid.

It...

literally changed my life. So...

Hi. My name's Cameron.

I'm Katie.

Katie?

Yes.

As in, "Kate Davis"?

You're the real Kate Davis?

How close is the book to what
actually happened?

It's a lot funnier in the book.

Okay.

Is this your thing?
You go out, alone, no friends?

- Yeah.
- Yeah?

Sometimes I really just...
I prefer being alone.

It's a lot easier.

So what do you do?

I'm a social worker.
I work with kids with problems.

- Wow.
- Yeah.

I like it.

So how do you get by?

I'm a freelance writer
for a few newspapers

and starting my first book.

What's it called?

- You really wanna know?
- Yeah.

Uh... "Two is the Perfect Number."

- Two is the Perfect Number?
- Yeah.

Is that a love story?

Uh... Yeah. Kind of.

This is me.

- This is you.
- Yeah.

Wow, this is really nice!

Perfect for a Potato Chip.

Well, you're never seeing
my apartment.

I'm... well, not the would...
This is a... date or... anything but... uh

What are you doing tomorrow?

Why?

Well, so we can continue
this conversation.

I was, you know, running.

I can run.

- Would you like to join me?
- Yeah, I would.

Okay.

Um...

Meet me up here at four.

Four? Okay.

Um... Sweet... Sweet dreams.

Sweet dreams to you too,
Cameron.

- Good night.
- Night.

The rising moon draws
the youthful eye,

rising and shining,
full of grace and hope.

Yes, the tulips are beautiful,
for now.

Everything lives and dies,
rises and falls,

and loves and leaves...

You can pre-order
"Bitter tulips" downstairs.

And Mr. Davis is also graciously agreed to
sign copies of his previous books,

which we've conveniently made
available to you. Thank you.

Kerri.

With a C?

- With a K.
- Okay.

K-E-R-R-I.

K...

K-E-R-R-I.

Thank you!

Make it out "To Nancy".

I need a minute.

Just a minute.

Just a minute.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Mr. Davis, are you all right?

Mr. Davis?

It's alright.

Is this how a princess dances?

Yes, it is.
Exactly how a princess dances.

It's called waltz. And when you're a little
bit older, I'll show you how to do it.

So if I'm a princess,
Am I gonna meet a prince one day?

Yeah, absolutely.

When? When?

I don't know when.
When the time is right.

What's his name gonna be?

His name is gonna be...

Prince something.

I don't know what
his name's gonna be.

This guy is saying ten years from now
everyone will write on computers.

The typewriter will go the way of
the horse and buggy.

Ass.

Jake, some of the reviews
of the Tulips have come in.

Yeah?

Bad?

A book so bad it makes you wonder
if Jake Davis was really ever that good.

Oh.

This is awful.

Well, you've had bad reviews before.

Yeah, but not like this. This is just...
personal attack.

It's...

This is uh...

No.

It's a...

There's got to be others, right?

- He just didn't get it.
- No.

So incomprehensible. All that matters
might as well be written in aramaic.

Or better yet not at all.

I've had better times

Who wrote it?

Colson.

- He's just a little prick, right?
- Yeah.

I wouldn't do the blurb for his novella.

See? He's just getting some revenge.

Knopf's gonna cut initial run in half.

But I mean if it starts to sell what, marketing,
I think they're probably gonna cut that too.

Well, if they don't support us,
it's just dead in the water.

What can I...
If they are not paying for ads,

if they're not putting a platform,
I can't do anything.

I fought like a bastard.

They do not care
what you have done.

Just a bunch of bean counters.

They're just reviews.

It's just you know...

- I don't care about reviews
- Right.

All right. I'll see you later.

An arm, two arms...

- You know...
- Mm-hmm?

If you don't wanna go to
aunt Elizabeth's birthday,

you don't have to, you know.

I know, but I wanna go.

- Really?
- Yep.

Because we could go and do something else,
like anything you want.

But daddy, I wanna go.

- Really?
- Yep.

- Is bribery gonna work? No?
- No.

You look beautiful.

Thank you.

Katie!

Hi!

Finally!

I missed you so much!

Look who's here, kids!

Jake.

William.

Ah, thanks for coming.

I'm sorry. I hear about your book.

It must've been rough the way
the criticism pegged down to you.

Yeah, well, you know...

I don't know why God invented cockroaches
or literary critics. I'm sure he had his reasons.

Well, you know, I mean,
they just hated it.

I mean, they actively hated it.
How do you get passed on like that?

Well, you know, pick a cellphone,
the self-affluent.

That kind of thing.

You know, have you even noticed...

that you're shaking.

The last time we met, it looked to me like
you were about to have a seizure.

And I... I admit,

I mean I was disturbed to see you still
wrestling with an impulses you can't control

even after all that time
in the hospital.

The book's prove, Jake.

You're not ready for the real world.
You're not cut out to be a father.

You just give Katie to somebody
actually can take care of her.

Tell your kid that you love her,
and then you can't do what's best for her.

That's hypocrisy at the worst.

Carl, just not so much left-hand.

That's funny, man.
That's funny.

You're in deep shit now.

Nice move.

You'd better mind.
He's mannerless.

Daddy, Sit here and read me a book!

Yeah, baby.
I'll be right there.

Oh, shit! Shit! Shit!

Katie, your dad's here.

Hey!

Sorry. The train got stuck
at Park Street Station.

Somebody pulled
the emergency ring. Hey.

You said you would set the alarm
when you're working!

I hate being the last one picked up!

Potato Chip.

Hey.

There seems to be a very
grumpy child here.

Trying to take away the grumpiness
one layer at a time.

Okay.

Yeah, that's a little bit
of grumpiness gone.

I still see some grumpiness.

Gone! It's all gone.

Here I'm a pretty good doctor.

Okay. I'll stay with you, okay?

All right, I'm gonna give you a big push
and let you go, okay?

Go!

Go! Go!

Go, Lucy!

Yes! Go, keep going, Lucy. Go!

That's my girl!

You wanna know what made me
decide to become a writer?

Really stick to it?

Well, when I was in Kenya,

one morning I woke up
and jumped out of the car, to pee,

and... I was face to face with a lion.

Really?

Yeah, I know, for real.

I mean, a male lion
about 15 feet in front of me

just staring straight at me.

I mean, he was clearly telling me
that I was his.

What'd you do?

I didn't do anything.
I was frozen.

I mean, I physically could not move.

You know, he stared at me for
a few more moments and he just...

walked right past me.

I will never forget that moment,
you know.

I realized that no more plan B,

no documentary, no veterinarian,

no Harvard.

I just wanted to do what
I always dreamed of, you know?

I wanted to write, you know?

I wanted to write as if every page I was writing on
was the last page before I die.

You know? I wanna...

I wanna leave something behind.

You know? I wanna...

I wanna leave my mark,
because you know what,

sooner or later, in one form or another,
a lion is just gonna come and get us all.

I'm so glad that he let you live.

Yeah, so am I.

So am I.

Coming to bed?

Yeah, in a bit.

I have something for you.

Hmm?

What?

What is this?

It's the original.

To Katie, My Potato Chip,

who I love more
than the last number.

Katie I can't accept this.

I want you to have it.

It's a good luck charm.

It's for you.

- You can't catch me.
- Yep.

No, you can't.

I'm on this side.

- Well, I bet I can go faster than you.
- No, no. I'm on this side.

I go faster than you.

Come on then.

Race.

Okay!

- Yeah! Up the bridge.
- Up the bridge.

Come on!

Daddy, wait!

Come on baby.

Up the bridge.

I got it!

Right. Don't forget to round that.

We're gonna go round the turn.

- Okay.
- Here we go.

Around the turn.

And another time.

I can't believe I have a daughter
who puts ketchup on a hot dog.

You don't like ketchup?

On hamburgers, on French fries.

On a hot dog? Ridiculous.

Well, I'm my own person.

Yeah, you are.

Happy birthday!

Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday. Dear, Katie.

Happy birthday to you!

Thanks, guys.

- Make a wish?
- Yeah.

Happy birthday, Katie!

- Happy birthday, Potato Chip.
- I love you.

Wow, look at those teeth.

I bet you all the other dinosaurs didn't
wanna bump into this guy at dinner time.

Miss your mom?

Me too.

Hey...

You know you were the great joy
in light of your mom's life,

just like you're the great
joy in light of mine.

I really miss her.

Ooh, of course you do.

Of course you do.

But you know what?

Your mom is wherever you are.

She's in this room right now.

She's watching over us.

She's looking down.

She's got a big smile on her face
and she's so proud.

She's so proud of you baby.

'cause she can see the intelligent,
caring, beautiful little girl you are.

Yeah.

Baby.

Are you going to die?

Not for a very very long time,

when I'm an old old old man.

How old?

Well, probably about...

a thousand.

Yeah.

Yeah. Maybe a million,
if I stop eating hot dogs.

Daddy?

I will be such an old man, all right?

You'll have your own house
and your own husband.

You'll have a whole
bunch of kids.

You'll have a dog and a cat

and everybody will be running around
putting ketch-up on everything.

Promise.

I promise.

Pinky swear?

Pinky swear.

Jake Davis?

Yeah.

You've been served.

I have to admit I was shocked
when Bob shared your case with me.

It's unprecedented for an aunt and uncle
to sue for the custody of their niece

when the biological father
is not only alive and well.

The famous author of The Boot.

Jake, John Wilton is the best
custody lawyer in the country.

I can't tell you how happy
I am he sent us your case.

Sometimes these cases more about hurt feelings
than a geniune desire to obtain custody.

First step is for you to sit down with William,
try and talk him out of pursuing this.

And if he refuses to drop it?

We'll file a motion to dismiss,

argue the case is completely without merit.

And if that fails?

We'll kick their ass in court.

Jake.

Scotch, neat.

Right away, sir.

I'll start.

Look, I want you to know it's
not a vendetta against you.

We don't blame you for
what happened to Patricia

and we're not retaliating
because you kept Katie

away from us after we took care
of her for a year in your absence.

Our only concern is Katie's welfare.

And if you asked her, she tells you in a
heartbeat she wants to stay with me?

Well, she's eight.

It's inadmissible in court.

It still matters.

You're a reasonable man, William.

And you're a father.

I know that in your heart you
know what you're doing is wrong.

Now I admit, I was angry
when I came to pick up Katie

and you talked of adopting her
out from under me.

And perhaps, at the party
I overreacted.

Perhaps, you overreacted?

I'm truly sorry for what
happened at Elizabeth's party.

You provoked me,

but that still doesn't
justify my action.

And I would welcome
you and Elizabeth

being more involved
in Katie's life.

Jake, I...

Hey, I didn't file the lawsuit
as a bargaining chip.

You know my lawyer John Wilton.

He's a great attorney.

He's not cheap.

He tells me you
don't have a shot.

He tells me they'll never separate a
daughter from her sole biological parent.

You know you're gonna
lose, why do this?

You spent a year in a mental institution
which did nothing

to relieve you of your
psychotic breaks.

3 dozen people witnessed you attack me
in my home at a birthday party

'cause I didn't like your last book.

You gave testimony to the Connecticut
state police that you were having

a heated argument and speeding
at the time of your wife's death

and while they didn't charge you
with reckless endangerment

that is how it's gonna appear
to the custody judge.

Your last book tanked,

critically and commercially,
putting into doubt

whether or not you can even
provide for Katie.

And I've got a feeling
you're running out of money.

But I'll know soon enough when I
subpoena you for national records.

I got more money than God.

If we lose, we'll appeal.

If we lose the appeal,
we'll appeal that.

How are you positioned to handle
a prolonged legal battle?

You are a very good
lawyer, William.

I'm trying to be a
very good uncle.

No, what you're trying to do?

Is you're trying to separate
a little girl

who's already suffering deeply
from the loss of her mother,

away from the father she loves

and who loves her.

That is what you're trying to do.

I would hope there's a special place in hell
for somebody who would do that.

That did not actually happen!

- No, impossible.
- Yes, it did.

- Really?
- Yes.

Wow.

- We need a drink.
- Okay.

- You want another one? Yeah?
- Yes, please.

Okay. I'll be...

I'll be back.

Hey.

Hi.

How you doing?

Okay.

You look beautiful.

Thanks.

You don't remember me, do you?

Yes, I do.

What's my name?

- Um...
- It's John.

We met at Walker's Pub,

like a year ago, you remember that?
We had drinks.

Right.

Do you still have that place with
that incredible view of the park?

I do.

- Really?
- Yes, same place.

let's go there, tonight.

Okay. You see, actually,
I gotta tell you someone is sitting there

and I need you to...

You had fun, didn't you?

Listen, can you go?

I mean, 'cause he's gonna be
right back, and...

All right. You're like one of those girls
who just into the one night thing.

Right? Is that you?

Can you go, please?

Well, I just... I don't give a shit.
I can pay you for it.

- All right. Here, I'll help you.
- You want a hundred?

Come on, thanks.

- Thanks a lot.
- Thanks, man.

You know what, you're a bitch.

Here you go.
Just take that with you.

You take that, bitch.

What's going on?

She's a one night kind of girl.

And tonight's your night,

so enjoy.

'Cause I did.

Who's this guy?

You know I banged you
on your kitchen floor,

you could at least
remember my goddamn name.

You want a hundred?

Get out of here!

Get your hands off me.

- Get out of here!
- Get your...

Get out!

You ever hear you thought you were
getting potato chip

and you wind up with some
cheap piece of ass.

Hey, stop that.

No.

Kate, the woman I'm crazy about
isn't Potato Chip, it's you Katie.

Okay? You.

Well...

There are ways that I came up
to help me cope with

my situation in life that
I know aren't healthy.

I know they're not good for me.

but, it helped me fill this void.

And you know what?
I'm like pretty shamed of...

Hey, Kate, come here.

It... It's not....

Come here, okay?

Hey, all that is just
behind you now, alright?

Yeah.

These cupcakes are
really something.

I'm really ridiculous.

I'm trying to feel
sick but it's worth it.

It's so worth it.

Oh.

Hey, um...

So it's my mom's birthday
this week,

and my dad is throwing her a dinner
Saturday night up in Greenwich.

You wanna go?

Really?

Yeah.

Only if you want to.

It'll be fun.

Okay.

Yeah?

Oh, wow, we should've left earlier.

Excuse me.

Come on, we're gonna
miss the train.

What's wrong?

Hey, what's wrong?

What?

Uh... I'm not ready.

Hey,

it's just my parents, okay?

And a few good friends,

most of whom aren't horrible,
just rich and boring, all right?

My parents, they're gonna love you,
I promise, they'll eat you up.

Come on. Come on.

I can't.

Katie.

- Katie!
- I'm sorry.

Hey, Katie!

Katie!

Hey, watch out!

Katie.

Katie.

Where you headed?

Uh... Brooklyn, please.

What the hell are you doing?

- Hey.
- I'm sorry.

I don't know what happened.

You got a PhD in psychology.

What's that supposed to mean?

It means it's pretty obvious
what happened.

You chickened out.

What? It's because you...

What, you thought that my parents
weren't gonna like you?

Or you thought my parents are
gonna like you too much didn't you?

What? You'd be even deeper than
you are now, is that it?

How deeper am I in?

I don't know.

I don't know, Katie. I don't know
what we're doing here.

I'll tell you something.

I'm tired.

I'm tired of...

What?

I'm just... I'm tired of trying to figure out
what this is, what we're doing.

What are we doing?

Look, if this is just hanging out and that's all it is,
then that's fine, because you know what,

it makes me happy.

Will you please look at me
when I'm talking to you?

Katie!

Hey, Katie!

Oh, I'm sorry.

Hey!

Katie!

My God!

Hey! Kate...

Katie.

Katie.

Hey.

Katie.

Katie.

Stop.

Stop!

Talk to me.

This is not hanging out.

Good! Good!

'Cause everything I just said
back there was a lie.

Good.

I don't know how to do this.

Do what?

Be the girlfriend.

It's all right.

It's all right.

Yes?

Jake, John Wilton.
How are you?

You tell me.

The motion to dismiss was denied.
I'm sorry.

Now this doesn't mean that
the judge is taking their side

or even that he feels they have
a particularly strong case.

It just means he believes there's
enough there to bring into trial.

It's a setback, but they still have a
high burden of proof to establish.

Listen,

this is a highly unusual case,

sorting through the relevant case law's
gonna be a major undertaking.

I'm gonna have to ask you for
a $25,000 retainer to start.

Jake?

Jake. Hello?

I'll have to call you back.

You understand that the interest rates
on your second mortgage will be

3,75% higher than your original load.

I went broke two ways, gradually.

And then suddenly...

What was that?
The Sun also Rises?

It's a good writing, yeah.

The thing about writing, you know,

you hit a line of truth,
if you can do that.

Should we be concerned about
your ability to pay 2 mortgages?

Well, you just take my house
anyway, right?

Hey, come on.

We're a little bit late.

- Goodbye, have a great day.
- Okay.

Love you Potato Chip.

- Love you too.
- Okay.

Oh wait, my lunch.

Sorry, here.

Okay, yes.

- Bye.
- Bye, daddy.

Dad?

Oh.

- Hey daddy.
- Hey.

Hey, you should be in school.

School just got out.

Oh.

Yeah.

Well, lucky I was here all day.

Dad, you haven't eaten anything.

Daddy.

You know what Julie said to me today?

She said that when we're older,
we're all going to...

Kate, I got to concentrate.
Why don't you get ready for bed?

Is there a book tonight?

Not tonight, no.

Why?

Because daddy's working baby.

You're always working.

Ah, you'll just have to
get used to it for a while.

Well, Julie's dad reads
2 books at a night.

Well, you got ripped off in the parent
department, what can I tell you?

Katie!

Damn it!

Hey, you know why I'm working?

For you.

'Cause we need money

for lawyers, money for food,
money for clothes, the school,

give a roof over our head,

because we live in the
United States of Money!

Art, friendship, love,
none of that matters, only money!

Katie!

Katie.

You got any money Potato Chip?

You got like 60 grand stashed in your
piggy bank? 'Cause that'd be great.

Hey, you.

Come on, get out.

Come on.

You know,

you are gonna have to change your hiding place
if you don't wanna get found so easily.

Hey.

Katie.

I'm doing the best I can.
I swear to God.

I love you daddy.

I love you too.

What do you think about when
you think about your mom?

It's just me.

Scared.

Scared, why?

I miss her so much.

And I'm so...

Mad at her for dying?

I love you Katie.

I love you like I never
loved anyone else.

You know, not everyone that
loves you is going to leave you.

I know that here,

but I don't know it here.

You should go and find some uncomplicated
girl to love and stop wasting it on me

Oh.

I like wasting it on you.

Phew!

Hey.

You okay?

Yeah.

- You sure?
- Yeah.

Okay, I'm gonna wash up.

What is this?

What is this?

Katie, what is this?

Why would...
Why would you do this?

Katie!

You wanna, you wanna...
how is that... with this?

Hey, hey here, you're out.
You're out, you're out!

I don't want out.

- I don't want out.
- Get off.

Listen to me, please.

I don't know why I did that.

I... Please just listen to me.

Get off of me.

But... Cameron, please just
look at me, please!

Please, please, just look at me.

I...

I don't know why I did that.

I...

Just...

Just give me a second to
explain myself please.

Please I'm so scared.

Of what Katie?

Of what?
What are you so afraid of?

What?

Tell me what?

Of us!

You know what, I'm really trying
to understand you.

Kate, I'm really trying
to give you all of my love,

but you know I can't,
I can't do this anymore, okay?

Stop, just stop.

Please, Cameron.

Stop!

Wait.

Wait, please.

What did you think
would happen Kate?

What? Huh?

- Listen, I don't know how to do this.
- What? What?

What?

Do what? Do what?!

I'm sorry I made a mistake

You made a mistake?

You let some guy
come between your legs!

This's not a mistake, Kate!

All right? We're done!

We're done, stop, God!

Please!

Stop!

Oh, Shit!

Oh, no.

Hey.

You should come back
with me and Janine.

I'd like that.

Cool. Let's go.

Are you coming?

I'm coming.

Are you coming?

Go!

Oh, okay.

I miss you.

Can you call me a cab?

Hi.

Hey.

What're you doing up?

It's morning.

It's morning?

Could you read me just one book?

Why don't I read you all of them?

Hey.

You wanted to see me?

Well...

We have some...

We have some great news.

Lucy's leaving foster care.

She's been adopted.

Oh my god!

By a loving stable family in Queens.

They have two other children,
it's a perfect fit.

Queens?

Takes over an hour's subway to get here.

Uh...

Wow.

Look,

You can't see her anymore.

What?

She'll continue therapy with a social worker
who helps integrate her into her new community.

She needs a clean break from us.

You've done great work with her.

Honey, we're all very proud.

But, she can't start her new life
holding on to you.

This is standard procedure.

There's got to be a way...

This isn't like
taking Lucy to the park.

There's no way for me
to fudge this. I'm sorry.

Hey, this is great news.

This is what we hope and pray for.

We have enough a lot
to talk about huh?

New family.

New school.

Everything's gonna be okay.

I promise.

I don't remember
my mother much, but...

I love, love, love, my father.

He was a writer.

He was actually quite famous.

He wasn't so, uh... mentally,

but he stayed up all night every night,

finishing one last book.

That book was about me.

But really it was about life,

and how he never gave up on me.

It was his way of...

telling me how much he loved me.

And goodbye.

That's what this book
is really about. It's...

never ever give up.

Life's gonna be really
challenging and unfair,

and sometimes painful.

I mean, you've been through
a lot already,

but we can never give up
or stop moving forward or looking ahead,

no matter how hard the experiences
that we've been through are.

All I can do is tell you that.

I love you.

And goodbye.

I love you too.

You be good, okay?

You have great things
in front of you.

I will.

I promise.

Congratulations, Jake.

What for?

You're gonna be an uncle again.

It seems your brother-in-law William
has been having an affair with his secretary.

Who's only 24.

And she's pregnant.

And she's keeping it.

Elizabeth's filing for divorce.

They dropped the suit.

Oops!

Fathers and Daughters.

How do you write a novel in three months?
Usually takes you years.

Is it any good?

No idea.

That's what you said to me when you
brought me Living the Dance.

I brought you what?

When you brought me Living the Dance,
the book you won the Pulitzer prize for.

Oh, God!

Do you wanna say something
to your father?

You're my Potato Chip.

You and no one else.

Hi, sweetheart.

- Hey.
- Hi.

I miss you.

And I love you.

God I love you so much.

I should've said it
a million times.

Yeah, I really should've.

I was so afraid of you leaving me.

And I know we both know
that I'm not easy.

I know I'm not.

And...

You're the best thing that
ever happened to me.

And you know what, I can't...

I don't wanna live without you.

Cameron, I can go.

It's my friend.

Thank you.
Thank you for everything.

Really.

Katie.

Katie.

It is a great honor to accept this Pulitzer
on behalf of my client, the late Jake Davis.

That Fathers and Daughters
has won every major literary award

and been perched to top
the best sellers' list for a year

is every agent's dream.

That I never got to buy Jake a drink
and slap him on the back

is my own personal nightmare.

Katie, I think you're the only person in the world
who will miss him more than I will.

Thank you. Thank you.

I've had a hard life.

I suppose I was hard right back.

I'm a grown woman
who's never known love.

Isn't that something?

My parents were just the same,

my mother was a terribly mean woman.

And my father, someone we saw
at the occasional Sunday dinner.

You know Katie.

Men...

...they can survive without love.

but not us women.

Come here.