Hunger Point (2003) Movie Script

In our family, fat assumed

a meaning as deadly as cancer.

You're too pretty to be heavy,

frannie.

Now's the time to do

something about it

before it's too late.

Getting fat was worse than

losing your job,

worse than being jilted

at the altar,

worse than growing up in

a trailer park with no shoes.

You want the boys to like you,

don't you?

No.

Oh, come on.

We're a team.

First one to lose 10 pounds

gets a new bathing suit.

Come on.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Mom, where does all the fat go

when we lose it?

[ Chuckling ]

Mom, where does it go?

It goes on her.

Frannie, frannie,

don't eat the skin.

Don't -- give it to me.

Honey, I love the skin as

much as you do,

but do you see me

eating it?

It's fattening.

Why can't I be on a diet?

I need to be on a diet.

Shelly, you need nothing

of the sort.

You've got the legs

of a gazelle.

But...here.

You're dieting.

Feel better?

Eat your dinner.

That I desperatelye

wanted out of.

In high school, food occupied

my every waking thought.

Breakfast...

One piece of toast,

no butter...

21 M&M's.

You're a fat pig.

You don't get to eat

anything tomorrow.

I hate you, you fat pig.

College was a busy time.

I found sex.

Not good sex,

but lots of it.

Filled my plate and gave me

a break from calorie counting.

[ Telephone rings, click ]

Hey, it's frannie.

You know what to do.

[ Beep ]

[ Crying ] I didn't know it

would hurt so bad.

Shelly, I'm here.

What hurt?

Hold on.

I'm sorry.

I have to take this.

It's my little sister.

[ Sniffling ]

What happened?

Just prom night.

I-I'm such a loser.

Forget about it.

Prom night's always

a disaster.

Thanks for nothing.

Don't you remember mine,

when I was dancing and my fake

fingernails came off

and stuck in his jacket,

and he was wearing

a white jacket?

Oh, god!

I didn't want to go to school

the next day.

So what happened?

Shelly was miserable

in high school,

but she was thin, a combination

I found hard to fathom.

She came home from Cornell with

straight a's,

plans to apply to

law school, looking gorgeous,

but totally weird about food.

God, Shelly.

[ Door opens, closes ]

[ Door locks ]

[ Vomiting ]

[ Coughing, toilet flushes ]

Guess what?

Mom had spent all her time

worrying about the wrong

daughter.

Did you just make yourself

throw up?

It takes discipline

to be thin.

I thought I had my problems

with food.

Turned out they couldn't

compare

with my little sister,

Shelly's.

We're ready

for you now.

Her name is Marilyn, but mom

secretly calls her "chubby."

Shelly?

Would you like to tell them?

I asked you to come today to

help you understand

why Shelly decided to go into

St. Mary's.

Yes, well, of course we want to

help Shelly in any way we can,

but she has a fantastic

internship in a law office,

and she's preparing her

application

for Harvard law school.

So I don't know if hospitalizing

her is the best idea.

That's not your decision,

Marsha.

Shelly's severely depressed.

In order to deal with that

depression,

we must first stabilize her

eating and her weight.

If Shelly feels she needs

to check into a hospital,

then she should.

She should be with people

who love her.

And is forcing US to go

on diets

and talking about it

all the time

and getting furious if we gain

a pound, is that loving her?

[ Chuckles ]

I was very overweight

as a child.

My mother fed me too much

because, well, for her,

that was showing love.

I tried to teach my girls

that food's not a substitute

for love.

I did what I thought was best,

and I won't apologize for it.

I just want them to

understand

that I didn't mean this

to happen.

We know that, honey.

That's why you should be

home with US.

That's not what I meant.

Right now, we want to stop

Shelly's weight loss.

Then she can decide

her next step.

If you really want to

help Shelly,

you will support

her decision.

She's my child,

and I want her home.

She'll go into a mental hospital

over my dead body.

Bang, bang.

You're dead.

Shelly told me each floor

houses different afflictions.

Seemed to me, the higher

you went,

the more screwed up you were.

Floor number one --

mild depression.

Schizophrenia at the very top,

which put Shelly somewhere

in the middle.

How do they get this way?

Not all these girls have

terrible mothers.

Stop.

Why?

I know everyone blames me.

Mom, please, sometimes

I just say things.

Mom.

Don't touch me.

Frannie's just happy to

see you, darling.

No,

we won't touch you.

You look good.

[ Sighs ]

Frannie, isn't this place

the biggest joke?

Don't -- don't say

"I told you so," mom.

Well, you know, if this place

doesn't work out,

we'll cross that bridge.

"We'll just cross

that bridge."

Oh!

You're the sister.

This is Cynthia.

Shelly didn't want you

to come today.

How old do you think

she is?

15? 16?

32 --

Cynthia was with the ballet

till she screwed up her brain

on diet pills.

Do they monitor you

in here?

People sneak laxatives,

diet pills, caffeine pills.

Some girl even drank

detergent.

She couldn't stop vomiting,

but she lost a pound,

so I guess she thought

it was worth it.

Would...

You feel it was worth it?

Why do you always ask

questions

that you think are so probing

but are actually moronic?

This is Bernadette.

She's a bulimic.

There's a lot of animosity

between bulimics and anorexics.

Bulimics think they don't get

enough attention.

Well, you know,

it's not what you eat.

It's what eats you.

[ Chuckles ]

Go see if pia got

it yet.

Got what?

Who's pia?

Just a girl.

M.Y.O.B.

So,

how's the therapy going?

Mom,

don't touch my stuff.

Do you mind getting up?

Mom!

That stuff's not mine.

I know, honey.

I'm just trying to help out.

Mom, why don't you take a walk

so Shelly and I can talk?

Fine, you girls talk.

I'll get some air.

You know, this place

isn't really so bad.

Why don't you move in,

then?

[ Sighs ]

She's making me crazy.

She just doesn't know what

to do, Shelly.

[ Crying ]

I'm so ashamed.

I mean, I-I had everything

in place,

my job at the law firm.

I was learning so much,

and I was getting

my applications ready

for law school.

I've ruined my life.

Do you know how long it's gonna

take me to undo this?

This is a beginning.

This isn't the end.

And who's life is perfect

anyways?

I lost my job,

my apartment.

Now I'm stuck with

morticia and Gomez.

[ Chuckles and sniffles ]

Where's dad?

Yeah, where is dad?

[ Chuckles ]

You know, they --

they weigh me all

the time,

but I never get to see

the numbers.

We get weighed backwards, and it

makes me crazy not to know.

Do you think I

look grotesque?

No.

Of course not.

You're so pretty.

I just want to see you

get better.

Don't say that.

I am not like the other

girls here.

No, I know

you're not like them.

[ Sighs ]

Really, this place isn't at

all what I thought it would be,

thank god.

Oh...

Where are you going?

Time for meds.

She looks so horrible.

I want to take her

out of here.

Mom, she's really sick.

I hate hospitals.

This place makes me so

depressed.

Makes you depressed?

Think about how Shelly feels.

Who knows how she feels?

I don't know how she got

so bad so fast.

Why --

why are you talking

about me?!

I -- oh!

I asked you not to

talk about me!

Why don't you both

just go back to your lives

and leave me alone?!

Fine, we'll go.

Mom, wait.

You heard her.

If you want to go, go!

We don't want to go.

We just don't want to see

you so unhappy.

I'm not unhappy.

I --

I just --

I'm just s-sick of being

talked about

like i'm

some c-case study.

We're sorry we talked

about you.

Hey, let's go take a break,

go up on the roof.

Come with me.

Listen, Johnny Brendan's nephew

went to Harvard law.

Maybe he can write you

a recommendation.

Hes a big muckymuck

at IBM.

Mom,

"muckymuck" is not a word.

Fine.

Strike it from

the record, counselor.

[ Sighs ]

We'll be right back.

Good morning to you.

Just when were you gonna tell

me you were fired?

I wasn't fired.

I was laid off.

Come on, lazybones.

I've got a job for you.

My little sister had checked

into a mental hospital,

and I was doing exactly what

was expected of me -- nothing.

Here.

Put on my jacket.

Look like you belong.

Mom, you don't need me here

to answer the phone.

You're gonna laze around

my house all day.

You're gonna make something

of yourself.

He's here.

Buzz me and then show him to

my office, okay?

[ Sighs,

clears throat ]

Hello.

I'm Daniel Reynolds.

I'm here to see Marsha

about the new agent position.

Thanks.

Daniel, hi!

Hi, Daniel!

How are you?

[ Indistinct conversation ]

[ Door opens ]

Frannie.

Yes, Mr. Brendan.

[ Marsha laughing ]

I knew that giggle.

It's a girl flirting

with a boy she likes,

but this is my mother.

Ugh.

Mmm!

It's delicious!

There's no end to your

flirting.

What's that supposed to mean?

I can't believe this.

The chicken marsala

is 300 calories.

The deli man, Daniel --

who will be your next prey?

Daniel?

Don't be ridiculous.

He's married,

and so am I.

Right, like that matters.

Ice cream?

Frannie, your father and I have

been married 27 years.

I hope that means something to

your marriage counselor.

I found the card, mom.

When were you gonna tell me?

You're just like my sister --

nosy and critical.

Are you gonna leave

dad for Daniel?

I think I have the right

to know!

Frannie, stop it.

Just stop it.

I'm not having an affair

with Daniel.

I'm sorry mom.

Let's get some low-fat yogurt.

[ Scoffs ]

What the hell?

Sorry.

This place must cost a lot.

[ Indistwho's paying for it?

Shelly's insurance covers

six months.

We're hoping she's out

by then.

Oh, my god.

What a great way to

meet guys.

Oh, what?

It's not like they're gonna want

any of the women in here.

Hello.

I'm Dr. Thompson.

I wanted to talk to you before

you saw Shelly today.

Hi.

You are Shelly's sister?

Yeah.

Are you her doctor now?

No,

I'm just a resident.

Okay.

There was an accident

this morning.

No, no, it wasn't Shelly,

but she is upset about it.

We moved the girl upstairs

for observation.

[ Pager beeps ]

I have to tell

you something.

You have the

most intriguing mouth.

Maybe Abby was right.

Are you okay?

I wish I were dead.

I wouldn't have to feel

so ashamed of myself.

Don't say things like that.

You've got everything

ahead of you.

You guys don't even know me.

Of course we know you.

What are you doing?

He actually said, "you have

the most intriguing mouth."

Or "incredible."

Maybe he said

"incredible mouth."

Well...

Dr. Thompson?

Can I speak with you

for a moment?

There you go.

Yeah.

I saw Shelly.

I-I don't know what to say to

her sometimes.

She's so mad at me.

She's not mad at you.

She's mad at herself.

Shelly didn't tell me how

pretty you are.

And please,

call me Bryan.

Do you always flirt

like this, Bryan?

It's not very professional.

Of course I don't.

Why don't I believe you?

[ Gasping ]

Something's wrong.

She just started crying

so hard.

It's like she's

hyperventilating.

[ Gasping ]

What did you say to her?

She was talking about a girl

who took a bunch of pills

and her heart stopped.

Is she all right?

Breathe slowly.

That's it.

She'll be okay.

The girl was Bernadette.

Your sister was close

to her.

It was her roommate!

Why didn't you tell me?

What do we do?

Right now, let her rest

and keep coming to visit

as often as you can.

Even though she says she doesn't

want you here, she does.

No, Shelly, wait a minute.

That's not what I was saying.

Frannie, I don't know what

you mean.

Get to the point.

I'm saying maybe we can't count

on mom and dad for so much.

I stopped counting on

them long ago.

Why did you call me, frannie?

I'm okay now.

So what if I went berserko

on you?

You know something, shel?

I'm proud of you.

I think it takes a lot of

courage to do what you're doing.

I can't believe you said that.

That's so nice.

Yeah, it was nice.

Well, you're my sister,

the only one I got.

I want US to be true friends,

frannie, like real sisters are.

Me too.

Hi, where have you been?

I've been trying to get

ahold of you all day.

Yeah, well, look,

it doesn't matter.

I just -- right.

Frannie's suspicious,

but what can I do?

I mean,

throw her out on the street?

No, no, I don't

think frannie's capable

of taking care of herself.

Yeah, well, at least Shelly

has a plan for her life.

Yeah, she's applying for

Harvard law school.

Isn't that great?

What's that, dad?

Oh, this?

It's a new item --

sweatshirt.

Like it?

Yeah.

Looks good.

Want one?

I don't think it's my thing,

but I bet it'll sell well.

I hope so.

Nothing else is.

Is everything okay, dad?

Huh? Sure.

Just a slow patch.

So, dad, I'm gonna go see

Shelly.

Why don't you come with

and I'll buy you lunch?

No, thanks, honey.

You go ahead.

I'm gonna finish this up.

[ Buzzer ]

[ Door opens, closes ]

Hi.

Hey, you look great.

What's going on?

Oh, one of the lawyers I've been

working for stopped by.

He asked me to research a case.

It's very important.

They may even publish

my brief.

I know you're looking

for that doctor.

No, I'm not.

Should you be working?

I mean,

is that a good idea?

Frannie...

[ Scoffs ]

I heard you finished your

Harvard application.

Why are

you pressuring me?

I mean,

you're just like mom.

[ Sighs ]

She's the one who wants me

to go there.

Remember that college luncheon

that one time?

She lied to those snotty

women

and told them

that she went to Harvard.

Shelly, sit down.

You're making me nervous.

Oh, I can't.

I'm totally wired.

Maybe it's my meds.

"Question -- how much more

weight are you going to lose?

Answer -- I won't be happy

until I reach zero."

[ Footsteps pass ]

[ Beep, dishwasher starts ]

You're not dressed.

Look, look, Johnny ordered you

your own jacket.

What makes you think

Shelly finished her law-school

application?

[ Telephone rings ]

Oh, it's your grandfather

again.

You can go to graduate school,

too, honey,

as soon as you figure out

what it is you want to do.

Hello?

Hi, dad.

How are you?

I know, but you're almost

completely blind now.

It's time.

Dave and I are checking

them out now.

Checking out what?

Nursing homes.

Get dressed.

I see a pattern here.

Everyone around you gets

institutionalized.

Dad, I'm late for work.

I've gotta go.

I'll call you from there, okay?

Okay, bye.

You know,

you should be proud.

Johnny doesn't order this jacket

for just anybody.

I'm not setting foot in your

office again.

I refuse to watch you fall

all over Daniel Reynolds.

You have the most

incredible mouth.

Come here.

Frannie...

Frannie, come on!

You've got food up!

Guess what, Paulie?

I hear you.

Hey, frannie,

frannie...

[ Chuckles ]

[ Sniffles ]

All right, all right.

Calm down.

But I waited in

all weekend.

I told you, her mother was sick.

What was I supposed to do?

You could have called me.

Excuse me.

Sorry.

Would you mind paying

your check?

You're my last table.

We're not finished.

We'll leave when we're ready.

You can stay as long

as you want.

It's just I can't go

until you pay.

I've said you'll be paid

when we're ready to leave.

Don't talk to me like that.

I am a person.

There.

You're paid.

He's a loser.

Let his wife have him.

Oh!

[ Beep ]

Mr. Hunter, this is

Arlene Reynolds,

Daniel's wife from Brendan

real estate.

I need to talk to you.

It's important.

My number is 555-7672.

[ Click, beep ]

555-7672...

[ Telephone rings ]

Hello?

Hi, is this Arlene?

Yes.

I'm calling for my father,

David hunter.

Oh, yes.

Yes, is he there?

He's not ready to talk

to you yet

with everything that's

going on.

I'm sorry.

I don't understand.

He doesn't know about it,

and we don't want him to!

So leave US alone!

[ Beep ]

What right do you have

calling the wives

of my business associates?

She called here for dad.

Mom, she knows.

She was calling to ask him to

print up some t-shirts

for a fund-raiser.

I'm keeping it from him.

You should thank me.

I am not having an affair

with Daniel.

Look, if you want to live

under my roof,

then I want you to show

me some respect.

You think I like

living here?

I feel like I'm 11 and you keep

telling me how fat

and stupid and smelly

and lazy I am.

I need your help.

I do.

Please.

Please help this family.

I thought I was.

Yeah.

I know you did

I'm glad we had this talk.

[ Door closes ]

Frannie, I have to tell you

something.

You promise

not to tell mom?

I promise.

I didn't apply

to law school.

I-I lied.

That's okay.

I can't even hold down

a waitress job.

I got fired from rascals.

[ Chuckles ]

The hunter sisters.

Shelly!

What happened to your arms?

Oh, I cut myself.

With what?

A tape dispenser.

Don't get hysterical.

It's no big deal.

It didn't even hurt.

They're gonna put me

on tubes.

Shelly...

I'm not supposed to know,

but I overheard them talking.

Are you okay?

I'm not crazy, frannie.

I just -- I just --

I just started to think about

everything I have to do,

and, well, my mind gets

overwhelmed,

and, um, well,

I-I start to get numb,

and I-I-I have to cut myself

i-in order to feel something.

And --

[ crying ] I don't exist.

I'm just a big black hole

getting sucked into myself.

You have to talk to

the doctor.

It's no use.

It's my brain.

It's eating me alive.

It may not seem like she's

recovering, but she is.

You'll notice a marked

difference in a couple of days

now that her medication

has been adjusted.

She's thinner than ever,

she's cutting her arm

with tape dispensers,

but she's recovering.

We should talk about you,

how you're handling this.

If you want to make an

appointment --

[ beep ]

[ Cellphone rings ]

Hello?

Dr. Thompson returning.

Oh, Dr. Thompson.

Bryan, it's frannie hunter.

Thanks for calling back.

Who?

It's Shelly's sister.

Shelly from the

eating-disorders unit.

How can I help you?

I think she's worse

than when she got here.

Her therapist says she's

getting better,

but I'm telling you,

she isn't.

Frannie, don't worry.

Sometimes, patients seem to get

worse before they get better.

She'll be back in med school

in no time.

Law school.

And I'm the girl

with the incredible mouth.

You don't remember me.

Never mind.

[ Beep ]

[ Clock chiming ]

You all right, dad?

I always thought these kind of

things didn't happen

to smart people

like Shelly.

I don't think anorexia has much

to do with being smart.

Oh, I know that, but...

I mean,

with all those brains,

why can't she find a way

out of it?

She'll be all right.

She's got big plans.

You think so?

Yeah.

It was hard for me to

understand Shelly.

One minute, she was in big

trouble.

The next, she was inviting me

out for lunch.

You sure this is okay?

Marilyn said the diner

would be good for me.

How much do you think

she weighs?

So what are you gonna be for

Halloween?

Anorexic.

You?

Unemployed.

Good. We won't have to spend

any money on costumes.

[ Both laugh ]

Thanks.

So what do you talk about

in therapy?

I don't know.

Our family,

growing up with mom and dad.

How they screwed US up?

They have their

own problems.

I'm past blaming them.

It'd be good if you were.

Maybe you'd snap out

of your depression.

Who cares if I get depressed?

Everyone does.

Marilyn said she'd find someone

you could see.

I hate when you do this!

You switch it all around on me!

Do you think you could order

something else?

I can't eat alone.

Order, um...

A Turkey sandwich with Russian

dressing and fries.

Excuse me?

I'll be right with you.

[ Chuckling ]

I know I'm kind

of obsessive.

There's more to it

than food.

I think that by not eating,

it helps me control my thoughts.

I'm trying to figure it out.

That's great, shel.

It really seems like you're

getting on the right track.

Where are the fries?

Right here.

Thanks.

Put the dressing on.

Yeah, I'm going to.

Is it good?

Would you like some?

Put more dressing on.

It's not enough dressing.

Will you have a bite?

I'm not hungry.

Hey, grandpa.

Hey, my beauty queen.

Where are you?

I'm right here.

Oh, nice to see you,

honey.

Where's the little one?

Shelly's out of town for

a while.

Oh?

I'll get the Chinese

ordered.

Remember what I said --

no brown sauce!

She'll get brown sauce.

I love your mother, but I don't

think she listens to me.

That's okay.

She doesn't listen to me either.

I'm so glad you're here,

grandpa.

Oh, me too.

I feel like the next step

I take is most important,

so with Marilyn's help

and mom's,

I've decided

to become...

A writer.

Isn't that exciting?

What about

law school?

How come mom knows about

this and dad and I don't?

We talk every day.

I have this theory about

depression I want to explore.

Why'd you look at me?

I was looking at everyone.

No, when you said "depression,"

you gave me this look.

Oh, frannie, stop it.

Tell the rest, honey.

I'm leaving the hospital

in three weeks.

Oh, that's terrific.

We'll fix up your room.

I'll put in a TV.

Hey, you rate, girl.

No one ever offered me a TV.

Thanks, dad,

but I've decided I want to move

into my own apartment.

You what?

Her own place.

Last week, she couldn't

handle ordering a sandwich.

My mom, her life would be

chaos without me.

Who sits with Shelly while she

spouts her bull?

Who sits with grandpa all day

while she's at work?

Who's keeping her little

affair from dad?

Sounds like you're jealous.

Of what?!

That Shelly will be on her

own and you won't.

Listen, I've gotta go to work.

I'll call you this afternoon.

Abby, wait!

Nine months shoe sales,

three weeks selling time shares,

five months at pet-o-rama,

formerly a waitress at rascals.

Huh.

Not exactly

a soul-shattering résumé.

You know what?

We're less interested in what

you've done

than what

you're going to do,

and I like your honesty,

Francine.

You'd be surprised

at the stuff people make up

for their résumés.

Please, call me frannie.

"Francine" makes me feel

like a spinster.

I think it's a lovely name.

It's my mother's.

Is that a Harvard diploma?

My mother went to Harvard.

Did she?

Well, frannie, I have other

candidates to see,

but I like you, and I've got

a good feeling about this.

Thank you.

What are you doing here

so early?

Get this -- a big boo-ha

at avalon advertising

actually likes me,

and this time tomorrow,

I think I'm gonna have

a job.

Whoo!

Shelly, you just squealed.

Whoo!

Is this on?

[ Rock music plays ]

Come on!

Come here!

Come on!

All: ♪ I wanna wage a war

against all fear ♪

♪ I wanna steer

not disappear ♪

♪ won't ever get high,

wanna live out loud ♪

♪ stand proud, too wild ♪

♪ I wanna set the groove

and move to it ♪

♪ just because you want me to ♪

♪ well, they say

I'm only hanging by a string ♪

♪ but I'm just a... ♪

♪ This is the only way

I know how to live ♪

♪ this is the only way... ♪

"Dear Francine, while it was

a pleasure to meet you,

I regret to inform you that

the position has been filled."

Shelly, look.

[ Chuckles ]

Thank you.

Get in there, Cynthia.

Smile, Shelly.

[ Laughs ]

I think she's made

more friends here

than I've made

my entire life.

Thank you.

Oh, pia, is this from

my friend ed?

I may put that to music.

Thank you.

Bye.

I'll miss you.

Thank you!

I'm gonna miss you!

These pictures are gonna

be good.

Bye!

Yeah, I was jealous.

The thin one got

the attention,

and the chubby one carried

her things.

Bye.

I feel like I'm escorting

a conquistador or something.

[ Chuckles ]

Oh, here.

You must be so proud

of your sister.

She would have made a great

lawyer.

She'll make

a great writer, too.

Are you older or younger

than her?

Younger.

Five years younger.

You're lucky to have such

a great role model.

So lucky.

Oh, wait.

That's Shelly's.

Oh, I rescued this from

the file box.

Thanks.

I need this.

Frannie...

It's over.

I'm free!

Whoo!

I'm free!

[ Laughs ]

Ohh!

Shelly?

Dinnertime.

I'm just so happy both

my girls are home,

and I want to congratulate

you, Shelly.

We're all really, really

proud of you.

It's no big deal, mom.

Let's just eat.

No, it is.

It's a big deal.

And you look just beautiful.

Doesn't she look pretty, David?

That's disgusting.

We all have to eat that,

you know.

Like you'll be.

Shelly, I have a job

for you.

Now that you've figured out

your life,

maybe you can help your big

sister figure out hers.

She just got out of

the hospital.

I thought Shelly was

wonder woman.

Chicken's at 9:00, dad.

Thank you.

Oh...

Come on, honey.

Have a piece of your dad's

special chicken.

It's got a yummy sauce.

No, thank you.

You can even eat

the skin.

I said no.

She's back at the scene

of the crime.

Stop trying to feed her,

mom.

Frannie, mind your

own business.

Marsha,

leave frannie alone,

and Shelly, too,

for that matter.

Oh...

He woke up.

I'm tired of you bullying

the girls.

Just --

she's my daughter, too.

She's 23 years old.

You're just figuring that

out now?

Forget it.

Let's just finish dinner.

He always does that.

No. No.

I won't forget it.

How many times did you visit

the hospital?

Hmm?

How many times did you

even call her?

Can you count?

Can you, honey?

Can you count the times

your father visited you

in the hospital?

Um...

I --

I don't want to be here.

Don't you dare tell me

what I'm doing wrong

when you weren't

even there.

Who was taking care of

your father

when you were off doing

god knows what?

How dare you judge me?

I can't -- I can't believe

you said all that.

Hello! I'm here!

Hello!

Look, I'm sorry about that

wonder woman crack.

I feel like the world's

biggest ass.

Yeah, sometimes,

you really are.

I'm trying to say I'm sorry.

Can you please forgive me?

I'm sorry, too.

I wasn't thinking.

[ Sighs ]

Let's everybody settle down.

Let's have some cake,

hmm?

[ Sighs ]

Come on, Max.

We'll take our dessert

in front of the TV.

Your father

just drives me crazy.

You understand.

Don't you?

Frannie...

Honey...

Knock, knock.

Hey, shel,

I just wanted to say

I really am sorry about

the wonder woman comment.

Shel.

Shelly?

Mom, dad! Hurry!

It's Shelly!

Shelly?

Shelly!

Come on!

Shelly!

Shel.

Shelly?

Call 911.

What's happening?

David?

Shelly.

David?

What's happening?

Please, David?

Make her breathe.

Make her breathe, David.

Please, make her breathe!

Make her breathe, David!

Make her breathe!

Oh, my god!

Make her breathe!

She was getting better.

I don't understand.

[ Sighs ]

Let's get

a breath of fresh air.

Frannie?

No, I'll stay.

Shelly, it's frannie.

Look, I'm sorry about that

wonder woman crack.

I didn't mean it.

I'm just jealous.

You're smarter, you're braver.

You can do anything.

Let's face it, I'm the loser

in the family.

When you get out of here, we're

gonna hang out all the time,

really get to know each other.

Please forgive me.

Give me a sign.

Please.

I love you.

[ Sobs ]

We've managed to stabilize

your daughter, but...

The doctor said

she wasn't going

to come out of this.

It wasn't the overdose.

They pumped her stomach

in time.

But the anorexia

had compromised her ability

to recover.

Her kidneys were failing,

her heart was failing.

There was significant

brain damage.

They wanted my parents

to consider turning off

the machines.

In the end,

they didn't have to.

She died two days later.

She never gave me a sign.

After the funeral, I didn't

want to talk to people.

I didn't want them to tell me

how sorry they were...

[ Car door closes ]

...especially that snake

Daniel Reynolds...

My mother's boyfriend.

So sorry.

Man: She was a good kid.

Come inside.

[ Voice breaking ] I hate him.

I hate him so much.

I want to take a gun

to his head.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Thank you very much.

I'm not very hungry.

God, she has no shame.

My sister was just buried,

and she's back to flirting.

What?

I want to take care of you,

Marsha.

Johnny?

Johnny Brendan?

I love you, Marsha.

I always thought families stuck

together in tragedy.

Not my family.

Dad joined a bereavement group

at church

and went back to selling

his premiums.

Mom put grandpa

in a retirement home,

started seeing a therapist,

and threw herself into selling

real estate.

I didn't know what to do

with myself.

I sat in Shelly's room a lot.

Pia: Dear Shelly,

here is the list of web sites

you asked for.

I put stars by the best ones.

Yours pro-Ana, pia.

[ Knock on door ]

Frannie...

Are you all right?

You are such a hypocrite.

Your daughters can't have

an ounce of fat on them,

and yet it's okay for you

to have an affair

with the biggest pig in

new england?

Can you explain that to me,

mom?

It's confusing.

Well...

Things are changing

around here.

I'm moving

to my own apartment.

No.

Mom, I didn't mean what I said

about Johnny, honestly.

Are you and dad getting

a divorce?

No, this has nothing to do with

Johnny or your father or you.

I have to do this for myself.

Honey...

You can't go through this

by yourself.

Please call Marilyn and get

the name of a therapist.

Please.

Can I help you?

Hi.

You okay?

You don't look so well.

[ Knock on door ]

They're calling for you,

Abby.

My mom left.

She couldn't stand the sight

of me any longer...

Not that she ever talked

to me --

how pretty and smart I am

or how I'm going to Harvard.

Obviously the wrong daughter

died.

That's the absolute worst thing

you've ever said.

And that's not

how your mother feels.

How do you know?

We've been calling each other.

We're worried about you.

How dare you talk about me

behind my back?

I am a person.

[ Knock on door ]

Look, I have to get

to this deposition.

Wait right here.

I'm gonna finish up

as fast as I can.

Don't leave, okay?

[ Door opens ]

I'm back.

What are you doing?

Oh, my god.

That's so sick.

Where did you get it?

It was Shelly's.

I guess she was proud

to be anorexic.

Oh, god.

You can't come in here.

It's all right.

You go ahead.

Is your monster still doing it

with her boss?

What?

That's what Shelly

used to call her.

Your monster used to call

every day.

Shut up.

Keisha?

Can I ask you something?

Who was Shelly's friend ed?

[ Chuckles ]

I want to know who he was.

Should I?

I don't care.

E.d. -- Eating disorder.

[ Sighs ]

There are more of these

web sites every day.

They close them down,

and more crop up.

Where did this file

come from?

I went online,

like Shelly did.

Please sit down.

I don't know why I'm h here.

These web sites are horrible,

evil things,

and you're like, "oh, more crop

up every day. Oh, dear."

You're angry.

I'm angry, too.

But some people can't be

treated, no matter how we try.

10% of anorexic girls die

year after year.

That's a terrible statistic.

Well,

why couldn't my sister

have been one of the 90%

who lived?

I think you are responsible

for what happened to Shelly!

Yes.

I do feel a certain amount

of responsibility.

I feel responsible, too.

How so?

Because why her?

Shelly was such a beautiful,

perfect little child.

I was the little fatty

who had to go to weight-loss

places when I was 10 years old.

Are you saying you wish you'd

been the one with anorexia?

No, that's not

what I'm saying.

I don't know

what I'm saying.

Shelly left you

with a lot of gaps.

This isn't about me.

This was a waste of time.

[ Door closes ]

Dad?

David: I left dinner

in the microwave.

Three minutes is plenty.

I'll be home late. Dad.

[ Sighs ]

[ Telephone ringing ]

Hello?

Frannie, what are you doing?

Nothing, right?

Get over here.

There's so many

cute guys here.

No, thanks.

Come on, we can have some fun.

Remember fun?

You have fun.

Don't let me stop you.

Frannie,

you're like my sister,

but I can't help you

when you're like this.

You are not my sister!

My sister is dead!

[ Beep ]

When Shelly died,

I thought her food demons

were gone.

I was wrong.

God, Shelly, I never realized

how easy it is.

[ Retching, coughing ]

Stop it.

Just stop it now.

I don't want to lose you,

too.

[ Sniffles ]

[ Sobbing ]

So this is what you left

your home of 27 years for.

[ Chuckles ]

Try to think of it

like I do --

as a sanctuary.

How about some

sugar free jell-o?

Mom, what did you and Shelly

talk about?

I'm not ready to talk

about Shelly.

What do you talk about with

the shrink chubby sent you to?

Uh, several issues.

She's helping me get off

my medications, for starters.

How are you?

Are you okay?

You don't look okay.

I can't sleep, mom.

You should ask Marilyn

to help you find

someone to talk to.

I don't want to talk

to those people!

I want to talk to you!

You're my mother!

What am I supposed to say?

Tell me why Shelly died.

I don't know.

I --

I miss her, too.

I have a sharp pain

that never goes away.

Sometimes I can't catch

my breath, it hurts so much.

I have to get to work.

Are you and dad getting

a divorce?

We haven't decided.

Are you coming?

Max owes me $15 from

this morning's card game.

Now, tell me, Rudy --

how can he play cards

when he can't even see them?

I tell him what to play.

Why do you think I lost?

Oh, did you bring

some brownies?

Of course,

and macaroons for Rudy.

Oh, what a doll.

I want you to meet

my grandson Charlie.

Is he as nice as you?

Yeah,

but not as good looking.

[ Chuckles ]

Here, grandpa.

Thank you.

[ Chuckles ]

Mmm.

I decided to volunteer

in the cafeteria

at grandpa's retirement home.

Good morning.

Everybody thought I was being

so nice.

But the truth is

it's the only time

I don't think about Shelly

every minute.

Good morning.

Hello, dear.

Hey, Roberta.

You got the hang

of that Walker now.

I'll just set this here

for you.

Thanks, honey.

[ Indistinct singing

on television ]

Um, do you know

where Max is?

Hello?

What?

I'm looking

for my grandfather.

Well, I guess he must be

someplace else.

Are you naturally rude

or did you take lessons?

Nice hairnet.

Well,

if you have no objection,

I'm just gonna wait

right here.

I have no objection.

Thank you.

You shouldn't sit so close.

It's bad for your eyes.

So you're

an ophthalmologist?

You're a jerk.

Hey, I'm sorry.

I just had a very long day

and I'm tired.

[ Sighs ]

Great.

This is just what I need.

I don't want to add

to your very long day,

but could you just tell Max

that frannie stopped by?

Why don't you wait for him?

He's probably somewhere

with my grandfather.

Excuse me.

Good morning.

Sit down, honey.

I've got breakfast all ready.

I'm not hungry, dad.

Here you go.

Look, I know you're sad,

but you gotta eat.

We talked about this

in group.

You have to compartmentalize

your grief and move on,

remain among the living.

[ Sighs ]

There's a message for you

on the answering machine.

Sounds like it's a job.

Woman:

Hello, I'm Vicky tayborn.

I got your number from Paulie

at rascals.

I'd like to talk to you about

a job possibility --

forget it.

It's just another waitress job.

Here,

why don't you put that...

Charlie, look who's here.

Wake up, Max. It's frannie.

Yeah, we've met.

What do you mean you met?

We're introducing you.

Now, you look, Charlie.

Isn't she pretty?

He's blind.

You don't have to answer that.

I miss the hairnet.

You always look like such

a ragamuffin.

Look at you.

We know he's not blind.

Well, there's some goodies.

I gotta go.

Oh, you just got here.

I've got a date.

No, you don't.

Your mother says

you never go out.

I don't tell her everything.

I have a date

with a handsome doctor.

What doctor?

You don't want a doctor.

Charlie's a lawyer.

I don't happen to like rude men

who insult women.

Oh, a feminist.

Confused

about your masculinity?

I don't expect to be on top

all of the time,

but once in a while

would be nice.

Just listen to them, Max.

They're perfect together!

Calm down, poppy.

It's too early to call

the caterers.

Yeah, try never.

I gotta get going.

I don't want to keep my date

waiting.

Bye.

[ Chuckling ]

[ Sighs ]

So, uh, how about letting me

take you out sometime?

You've gotta be kidding me.

You ever make waffles?

You know how the first one's

usually a mess

and you throw it out,

but the second one -- mmm.

So maybe the other day was like

the first waffle.

You're weird, and today

wasn't any better.

Well, uh, maybe we could throw

them both out and start fresh --

a third waffle,

as it were.

Bye.

Auditioning

for "Oklahoma!"?

I want you to take

my picture...

And make it look like these.

You're placing a personal ad?

How's this sound?

"David hunter

is a middle-aged cowboy

"with an achy breaky heart

"looking for

a pistol-packin' mama

"who ain't afraid

of the call of the wild

"and two-steppin'

to garth Brooks.

Yee-haw."

It's a gimmick.

You gotta have a gimmick.

[ Laughs ]

Ready?

Here.

Come on. Give it a chance.

Hunger Point (2003) - full transcript