Mammal (2016) - full transcript

The compelling story of a woman who has lost her son and develops an unorthodox relationship with a homeless youth. Their tentative trust is threatened by his involvement with a violent gang and the escalation of her ex-husband's grieving rage.

[blowing bubbles]

[ladies talking indistinctly]

[indistinct chatter]

[woman] Hi, Margaret.

[Margaret]
I've another load for you.

Ah, brilliant.

Billy's is there.

Ah, God, it's great, isn't it?

Thanks, Margaret.

No problem.

Of course, he'll think
his Mammy's only great now.



[laughs]

Hiya, look what I have for you.

- Hiya.
- [woman] Hey.

Everything okay this morning?

Yeah, good. Managed to get
most of that new stock sorted.

Great.

Oh, and some man called for you.

Did he leave a number?

No, he just hung up
when I said you weren't here.

Is it okay if I head off now?
I've to go to a lecture.

- No problem.
- Great. Thank you.

[doorbell chiming]

[door closes]

[keys jangling]



[phone beeps]
You have one new message.

[man] Hello, Margaret.

It's me. It's Matt.

It is you, isn't it?

You changed your name back.

Call me back, will you?
I'm on the same number.

[call disconnects]

[phone beeps]

[keys jiggles]

[window shutting]

- Is it okay if put this up?
- Yeah, go ahead.

You look different.

Sorry, I didn't get
to call you back.

[Matt clicks tongue]

I wasn't sure if you were
still around here so...

[waitress] Two coffees.

Milk's there.

Has something happened?

Yes, something has happened.

Look, I didn't want
to come, but...

they said it was worth
checking with you just in case.

He's been gone for two weeks.

The Gardai say they're doing
everything they can.

I told them you left
when he was a baby, that...

he wouldn't have come
looking for you.

We never talked about you.

He never even asked about you.

I wasn't so bad, was I?

I never asked you to understand.

No. Of course.

So, you haven't seen him then?

No, I haven't seen him.

Would you know him if you had?

I haven't seen him.

[Matt smirks]

Right, well, I've done
what I said I would.

I won't take up
any more of your time.

What should I do if he...

[footsteps]

[door closes]

[siren blaring in distance]

[siren continues]

[siren stops]

Are you all right?

Are you okay?

Can you get up?

[boy] I'm okay.

[Margaret] Can you walk?

[boy coughs]

[retching and coughing]

[boy grunts]

[water falling]

[tap closes]

[water dripping]

[inhales sharply]

I'm going to get you
a glass of water.

Don't fall asleep.

[water gushing]

[meowing]

You're cute.

Ow.

Little scamp.

[cat meows]

[kittens meowing]

[phone ringing]

[phone continues ringing]

[answering machine beep]

[automated voice]
You have reached
the voice-mail of:

[Margaret's voice]
Margaret Brady.

[automated voice]
Please leave a message
after the beep.

[phone beeps]

[Matt] Margaret?

[upset] They found Patrick.

In the canal. [exhales]

[Matt sighing]

[sobbing] Margaret?

I don't want any trouble
at the funeral.

Yes.

[Matt] You're not to come.

Mm-hmm.

Do you hear me?

Yes, I heard you.

[disconnecting dial-tone]

[doorbell chiming]

[woman]
Why didn't you tell me
Andrew moved out?

[rattling]

Bitch!

[dryer blowing]

[indistinct chatter]

Hi.

Do you not remember me?

What do you want?

How's your hand?

- It's all right.
- Oh, good.

That's great.

- Look, I've to go.
- Can I see it?

Just to make sure
that it's healing okay.

You should really try
to keep it dry.

Does it hurt?

No, it's okay.

It's looking better, anyway.

What do you want?

I want to make sure
you're looking after that hand.

[scoffs]

Where are you staying?

Have you got somewhere to stay?

What's it to you?

I've got a spare room
in my house.

I'm looking for a lodger,

but you can have it if you want
until I find someone.

It'd just be temporary.

It's up to you.

Come on through.

The television's here,

the remotes are in there.

Kitchen's through here,
help yourself to anything in the fridge.

Um,

you can leave your washing
down there.

I'll show you the room.

This is it.

The bed's old,
but it's comfortable.

I'll get some sheets.

[kittens meowing]

[talking in distance]

[unzipping]

What was that about?

I hate cats.

They're just hungry.

No one looks after them.

There's more there
if you want it.

No, I've had enough.

They should be dry
in the morning.

I'm going to bed.

Make yourself at home.

[footsteps]

[unlocking door]

[tap closes]

[tap opens]

[door opens]

[woman] Margaret Brady?

[Margaret] Yes.

[woman] I'm glad I caught you.
Hi. My name's Jean Cunningham.

I'm from
the Child and Family Agency.

What's this about?

I'm your neighbor, Lucinda Byrne's,
family support worker.

I don't really know her.

Right. But her former partner,
Andrew Jordan,

used to live here, with you?

Yes, he was my lodger.

Look, I'm sure you can imagine,

it's not easy for her
on her own.

As the baby's father,

he should be paying
child support, at least.

I'm sorry,
I don't know where he is.

But the car, the Toyota Carina
parked on the street, is his?

It's my car.

I bought it off him
before he took off.

Are those bottoms dry?

Yeah, they're on the radiator
in the dining room.

Mine's the same.

They want everything done.

Okay.

I'll let you get on.

Thanks for your time. Bye.

Bye.

Thanks.

No worries.

He left it to me, for rent.

You want one?

Yeah, all right.

She thought I was your son.
[laughs]

I don't have sugar.

That's all right.

Do you know much about cars?

A bit. Why?

I could do with someone
having a look at that car.

I can't get it started.

The keys are there.

Thanks. See ya.

21.75.

Do you need a bag?

[softly] Sorry, how much?

21.75.

- Do you need a bag?
- Yes.

[rummaging]

With you in a minute.

[groceries fall]

[distant electro music playing]

[music gets louder]

- Do you mind?
- No.

Just don't smoke it
in the house.

Do you want some?

[bottle cap clicks open]

[bottles clinking]

Oh, thanks.

- You sure?
- No, you're all right.

It's good shit.

Go on then.

It's been a while.

I knew you were all right.

[cats meowing]

There's your old mates,
at it again.

Mangy little bastards.

And then they go drop
their litters

all over the place.

It's all they know.

I used to do that
when I was a kid.

My mum would brush my hair,
almost pulled my head off.

It distracted me from the pain.

- Why do you do it then?
- I don't know.

I always did it.

Sorry, I'm being weird.

[cats meowing]

[imitates meowing]

[both laughing]

[imitates meowing]

[Margaret] My sisters and I

used to do this
when we were kids.

It's so relaxing.

[Joe laughs]

[Margaret] Mm-hmm.

[Margaret] No, lightly.

Yeah.

What about you?

Do you have brothers
and sisters?

[Joe] Three half-brothers.

[Margaret] Where are they now?

[Joe] At home with me mum.

[Margaret] And why aren't you
with them then?

It got a bit crowded.

[sniggers]

What?

I was just thinking...

[laughing]

Do you like swimming?

Yeah. Why?

It's just you're not
very good at it.

[imitates laughing]

[Margaret laughing]

Hmm. I'm going to bed.

'Night.

- Hi.
- Hi.

- You ready then?
- Yeah.

[Margaret] Okay.

Stretch your arms out
in front of you,

keep your hands flat,
palms down.

Head down.

Blow some bubbles down here
into the water.

[Margaret laughing]

Good.

Push your hand down,

feel the water,
and push it behind you.

Yeah.

Don't look at me.

Continue the movement
in a semicircle, elbows high

and then, slide it
into the water.

That's this.

Begin the movement again.

Arm up high
and then slide it forward.

This...

Yeah, and then up high and down.

Elbow high.

[Margaret smirks]

And...

That's it, okay.

Now, lean into it.

Make yourself flat,
relax your body.

Keep your body flat and relax,

and bring your legs up
and start to kick.

And kick. Kick! Kick! Kick!

Keep breathing.
Kick. Keep breathing.

[coughing]

- Are you okay?
- No.

Joe, come on, come on.

Come on, put me down.
Put me down.

[gasps and yelps]

[Joe laughing]

[Margaret laughing]

[blows whistle]

[guard] There's no splashing.

Fuck off, you.

[people exclaim]

- Hey.
- What?

What next?

That's enough for today.

I'll see you later.

Heya.

Hi.

You still like to swim, then?

Yeah.

What are you doing here?

Did you not get my message, no?

Look, I've got to get on...

My hotel's only down the road,

I thought we could go there
for a drink, huh?

[smirks]

I mean, it's not too much
to ask, is it?

After everything?

No.

You'll catch
your death, going around

with wet hair, like that.

Here, give me that.

[indistinct chatter]

[softly] Matt, don't.

[Matt sighs]

[Matt sobbing softly]

[footsteps]

[boy] Where are you going,
you little cunt?

Where are you going?

[boys teasing]

[punch]

Who are you following?
You little prick.

Go on ride me, you little cunt.

Go on ride me, you little prick.

You little cunt.

Come on.

Yeah, that's right.

Get the fuck down there,
you little prick.

Go on, Joe.

Go on. Knock him out.

Knock him out, Joe.
Come on, Joe.

[grunts]

Oh!

It's enough!

It's enough!

You fucking faggot!

[engine starting]

[engine stops]

[front door closes]

- Hiya.
- All right.

You got it going then?

Do you want to go on a drive?

Okay.

Oh, God.

[laughs]

You're all right.
You're all right.

[both laugh]

[slow instrumental music
playing]

[indistinct audio]

How long?

I don't know.
A couple of minutes maybe.

- How many minutes?
- I don't know, one or two.

I swim a lot.

I used to teach
when I was younger.

- Yeah, who taught you then?
- My dad threw me in.

- You're messing.
- Mm-mmm.

He did it to all of us.
Sink or swim, you know?

"You know?"

[chuckles]

I like the way you talk.

Look at them.

[both giggling]

[engine stops]

[water flowing]

Have you been up here before?

No.

Are you sure?

- Drinking maybe?
- No.

Parking?

No.

You never came up here
with a fella?

Like those two back there?

[chuckles softly]

You're not going in?

- Of course I am.
- It's freezing!

Come on! Don't be afraid.

You're crazy! [chuckles]

Come on! Come on!

Come on!

[Margaret] Oh.

[Margaret screams]

Come on!

[Margaret] Oh.

[Joe] Come on,
you and your two minutes in.

Prove it.

[exhaling deeply]

[laughing]

[Margaret] Okay.

[inhales deeply]

- What the fuck! Fuck.
- [breathing heavily]

Stay, stay.

Fucking hell.

[gasping for breath]

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Stay, stay.
I have you. I've got you.

Fuck.

[both chuckle]

Okay.

Fucking hell.

We used to come up here
on the mitch from school.

[chuckles]
There was this game
we used to play.

You have to hold your breath,

while you're pushed up against
a tree over and over again.

Then you black out.

Why would you do that?

I don't know.

It felt good
before it went black.

You just forget everything.

If you started panting now,
it'd happen.

We did some fucked up things.

[car door opens]

What about your mum, then?

What about her?

Does she know where you are?

No.

Isn't she looking for you?

Nah, I doubt it.

[hand break] You all right
to drive home, yeah?

Yeah, of course.

[Joe] Boys.

[indistinct chatter]

[car door closes]

[car slowly accelerates]

Bye.

[doorbell chiming]

[sighs]

I don't know
what to do with it all.

Thought I'd put it
to some good use.

I can't stand being at home.

I keep thinking
it's something I did.

We went there last year
to celebrate his exam results.

It helps being around you.

Although sometimes,
I could smash your skull in.

Anyway,

I'll leave those with you.

[door opens]

[door closes]

[keys dropping]

[knocking at door]

[Joe] Yeah.

Sorry, I thought you were up.

No, it's all right. Come in.

Late night?

Yeah.

Your cats were at it again,
randy little bastards.

I couldn't sleep.

These were left in at the shop.

See if there's anything
you like.

Which ones do you like?

What do you think?

It looks good.

Here.

I'm sorry.

[keys jangling]

[Joe panting]

[indistinct shouting]

The prick had nothing on him.

He'd a fucking knife.
Where were you?

You're not so great
on your own, are you?

Huh?

[indistinct shouting]

[tap water running]

[water falling]

[Joe sobbing]

[inhales sharply]

[announcer]
...Race Night fund-raiser

for the kids'
Halloween Spooktacular.

Don't forget to get your
betting cards at the door.

[upbeat music playing]

Hey.

- [woman] Hiya, how are you?
- [Margaret] Hi.

You can just pop them
over there. Thanks.

[indistinct conversations]

[bartender] How are you?
What are you having?

Vodka and white. Thanks, Tom.

It's coming up.

There you are.

Hi.

Your neighbor said
you'd be here.

[Tom] 6.90.

- No, all right.
- No, no, let me.

And a pint of lager, mate.

Well, this looks like
a lot of fun.

It's for a good cause.

I'll grab that table over there.

[softly] Bye.

Cheers.

Are you gonna bet?

I don't know. Maybe later.

Here's one. "Pat's Pride."

Might be lucky.

You never liked his name,
did you?

- You should go home, Matt.
- Yeah, I know.

Carol says we need
to get on with things.

But she doesn't understand.

Sure, how could she?

We don't have kids.

[slow instrumental music
playing]

Anyway, I like hotel-living.

It's good to see you.

Right, I'm going to put
a few quid on this one.

I thought that was you.

What are you doing here?

What's anyone doing here?

Are you all right?

Yeah.

Who's the man you're with?

No one.

All right.

We used to be married.

What's it, an anniversary?

[woman clears throat]

[on microphone]
And quiet now, please.

Quiet, please.

Hello, everyone.

Thanks so much
for coming out in support.

It's great to see
so many of yous.

Last chance to place your bets.

First race starts
in five minutes.

[people cheering]

You don't mind if I join you?

How are you, Joe?

[Joe] All right.

We're going to a party later.

Yeah, where?

-[girl 1] It's in a mate's.
-[girl 2] You should come
with us.

Do you need permission from her?

The bitch kept Andrew's car.

Go on, Margaret.
We'll look after him.

Nah, I don't think so.

Go on, Joe, why don't you go?

[girl 1] Are we
getting you into trouble?

[girl 2] Aw.

[chuckles]

- What's up with you?
- Just leave it.

How are you all, this evening?

Two, please.

Not so lucky tonight, boyo?

What's that?

All bets are off then?

How's that?

Oh, God, Matt.

Joe!

- Matt, are you all right?
- Just leave it, will you?

- Let me see.
- Fuck off, you!

[Joe imitating meowing]

[girl giggling]

[continues imitating]

[girl continues to giggle]

[door opens]

[Joe] Come on.

- [girl giggles]
- [Joe] Shh.

[both panting]

[girl] What is it?

[both giggle]

[both panting]

[both grunting]

[girl giggling]

Good party last night?

Not bad.

Can I have a go?

Can you drive?

Go on, just to the end
of the street.

I don't know, it's not my car.

It's not hers either. Go on.

All right.

[engine starts]

[baby crying]

[baby crying]

[cat meowing]

- [cat hisses]
- [baby cries loudly]

Shh. You're okay. You're okay.

Come on.

[baby continues to wail]

Shh.

Shh.

Shh.

You're okay. Shh.

Shh.

[continues shushing]

[car approaches]

What happened?
What did you do to him?

- A cat scratched him.
- I only left him for a minute.

-[lady] Will you take me
to the hospital?
-[Joe] Yeah, of course.

[car driving]

[water splashing]

[panting]

[footsteps approaching]

Okay?

[exhales sharply]

[both chuckle]

[both panting]

[door alarm chimes]

[door opens]

[woman] Hi, can I help?

[Matt] Uh, yeah.

I'm just looking for Margaret.

[woman] Yeah, hang on,
I'll get her for you.

[footsteps approaching]

- Hey, there's a man...
- [mouths] I am not here.

[softly] Okay.

Sorry, she's not here.
She must have just popped out.

[Matt] Oh.

Okay.

- Thanks.
- Yeah, no problem. Thank you.

[doorbell chiming]

[door closes]

[boys laughing]

[boy] Look who's coming to...

Ah, Joey, Joey.
Take it, take it.

- [breathing heavily]
- [cheering]

There you go.

- Had enough of her then?
- Fuck off.

Thought your little prick
was too small, did she?

I fucked her, didn't I?

Yeah. Yeah,
'course you fucking did.

I'd say she's mad for it,
is she, huh?

[indistinct talking]

[keys jangling]

[shutter descending]

[doorbell ringing]

[baby crying]

[Matt] How are you?

- Will you have a pint?
- You what?

Look, that business
the other night,

let's forget about it.

Fine.

No hard feelings, huh?

What's driving you to her?

Fuck off.

I need to take a piss.

- You're all right. I've got him.
- No worries.

[Joe] I'm all right.

Come on.

[phone ringing]

[bottles clinking]

[phone continues ringing]

[automated voice]
You have reached
the voice mail of:

[Margaret's voice]
Margaret Brady.

Please leave a message
after the beep.

[beeps]

[woman] Hello, Margaret?

My name is Sue.
I'm looking for me son.

I think he called me
from this number earlier.

His name is Joe.

If you know him,
could you call me, please?

I just want to make sure
he's okay.

[phone disconnects]

[phone beeps]

[Joe chuckles]

I fucking knew it.

This is where you hand over
your wallet like a good faggot.

[grunts]

What the fuck is she dressing
you up in his clothes for, huh?

Answer me that!

Scum!

[Matt punching] [Joe grunts]

[Joe chuckling]

[grunting]

[door opens]

[doorbell chiming]

[doorbell chiming]

[doorbell chiming]

[doorbell chiming]

[cat meowing]

[doorbell chiming]

[thuds]

[banging on door]

[Joe panting]

[door bangs open]

[panting]

[Margaret urinating]

Fucking crazy bitch.

[breathing in fear]

[Matt] Margaret, are you okay?

[siren blaring]

Little pricks. They don't
know what to be at.

- Will I come in?
- No, Matt. I'm fine, really.

Accidental drowning.

He fell in.

It was an accident.
That's what they're saying.

Thank you, for telling me.

Will you go home, Matt?

He won't bother you again.

They have no respect.

[Margaret] What did you do?

What were you doing taking
a knacker like that in,

in the first place, huh?

He's just a kid, Margaret.

He's just a fucking kid.

And what did you go giving him
Patrick's clothes for, huh?

He needed them.

[sniffling]

[panting]

I'm sorry, Joe.

[Joe sobbing]

[nurse] Joe?

The doctor will see you now,
if you want to come with me?

I'm all right.

Hi. I'm looking for Joe Walsh.
I'm his mother.

I got a call saying
he was brought in.

[indistinct conversation]

[slow instrumental music
playing]

[indistinct chatter]

Okay.

[instrumental music continues]