Mapplethorpe, the Director's Cut (2020) - full transcript
Bless me, Father,
for I have sinned.
This is my first confession.
We are gathered here
this morning
to welcome this year's pledges
to the Pershing Rifles.
Congratulations, young men.
You are making
the sacred commitment
to protect...
These are trying times...
They called your name
at the ceremony.
We were all there waitin',
where were you, son?
I'm sorry, I...
You know, I just got
so much work on at the moment,
I thought it,
I thought it better
if I focused on that really.
Engineering is,
it's just, it's...
It's, uh, it's so demanding.
We know.
We understand, sweetie.
So I'm-I'm really sorry
to disappoint you.
No, it's okay.
Uh, um,
I'd-I'd better go though,
you know,
and make things straight.
It was so nice to see you, Mom.
Okay, bye.
Thirteen years
since this war began,
and there's no end in sight.
We embarked
on this Vietnam journey
with good intentions, I think.
But once upon the path,
I think we found ourselves
having been misguided.
- Many of us...
- Thank you.
It's not enough.
I thought since there's two
hours left, you might...
Come back when you have more.
That is our big lesson
from Vietnam,
a necessity for candor.
We, the American people,
the world's admired democracy,
- cannot ever again allow ourselves...
- Fuck you.
To be misinformed, manipulated...
I need your help.
Sure.
I'm Patti. Just pretend
you're my boyfriend, alright.
- Hey!
- Thanks! You know, thank you so much
for lunch and everything, but I
found who I've been looking for.
- I just want to talk.
- Bye!
This poem is great.
I mean, it's great.
Yeah?
What else do you do?
I draw, paint.
Are you queer?
No. Do I seem like I am?
No, not really, you just...
- You look like Rimbaud the poet, you know?
- No.
- Where do you live?
- Ah, I'm sorta
in between places right now.
Yeah, me too.
Yeah? I have
a place to crash though.
It's just a shitty room.
It's somewhere, you know...
So, I actually did that in pen.
It's better in pen.
Wow.
Yeah, this is some crazy shit.
Really? Wow, thanks.
Yeah.
You get this good
goin' to Pratt, huh?
No, heh, Pratt was
just a way out of Floral Park
because it was
my dad's alma mater.
I've been drawing my whole life.
He an artist too?
My dad?
No, he's an engineer.
I mean, he takes pictures,
but he's no artist.
- But his pictures stink?
- Yeah.
No, they just
don't say anything.
Well, I guess
I better get going.
What? Where?
I... You know...
No, stop. Don't go.
You've got a bed.
Look, I'll take the couch.
I won't murder you.
I'm not a killer.
Don't go.
Okay.
Thanks.
It's been rough.
But I'll make it,
I've been through worse.
I just swear I was imaginin'...
Had a feelin'
the moment I saw you.
Like Mutt and Jeff, you know?
Lucky and Missy?
I'm fascinatin', I know.
You are.
What are you going to do
with this, huh?
"What will become of the world
when no trace of you remains?"
I think there'll be some traces.
Mapplethorpe.
M-A-P-P-L-E-T-H-O-R-P-E.
I did that job last week.
The piano move.
Well, I was just wondering
if you have any...
Okay, well, I'm available
anytime over the summer.
Okay, thank you.
- We need to go and see this movie.
- Oh, yeah?
"So, Joe leaves his job
as a dishwasher
and take a bus
to New York City."
That's you.
"Where he meets the sickly,
streetwise Ratso."
That's me.
"They eventually become friends,
companions and soul mates,
and help each other survive
in the big city."
Hey, it sounds like us.
What do you say, Joe?
Let's go.
Patti, don't eat like an animal.
That's disgusting.
Robert, you kiddin',
you're sitting there
straight out of Holy Land.
- Shepard boy.
- I know.
Why don't we take the change
from dinner and go see it?
I'll go tomorrow
if when get paid
if you like it.
I need a favor.
- Okay.
- Give me your hand.
Aw, come on.
Seriously?
Yeah. Come on.
Aw, you got to be kidding.
No, look...
You'll see when you meet
my mom and my dad.
And it's just, if they don't
think we're married...
officially...
it'll just be, you know...
- Here, I got you.
- They're Catholic.
Like, really Catholic.
I'm your family now.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
Oh, that's disgusting.
So, I'm channeling
Duchamp tonight.
That's so different.
That's terrific.
Yeah?
Thank you.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
Yeah...
♪ If I listen
Long enough to you ♪
♪ I'd find a way to believe ♪
♪ That it's all true ♪
♪ Knowing that you lied ♪
♪ Straight-faced
While I cried ♪
♪ But still I look
To find a reason to believe ♪
♪ Someone like you ♪
♪ Makes it hard to live
Without somebody else ♪
♪ Someone like you ♪
♪ Makes it easy to give ♪
♪ Never think about myself ♪
♪ If I gave you time
To change my mind ♪
♪ I'd find a way
To leave the past behind ♪
♪ Knowing that you lied ♪
♪ Straight-faced
While I cried ♪
♪ But still I look to find ♪
♪ A reason to believe ♪
I don't think
they see the world like we do.
Our world knows me.
I don't give a shit.
Our world.
Yeah, nobody lives there
but us, right?
Right.
You like it, yeah?
I told my parents we got married
in a strawberry field
in California.
- What?
- "What?"
Why'd you do that?
It's a beautiful picture.
Don't ever leave me, Patti.
Bless us, O Lord, for these
gifts we are about to receive
from thy bounty, through
Christ, our Lord, amen.
Amen.
It's so nice to finally
meet you, Patricia.
Can I get you anything else?
No, thank you,
Mrs. Mapplethorpe.
And please, call me Patti.
All right, so, tell us
the story of your union.
I mean...
when and where
did you two get married?
Thank you.
Oh, we met in California, Mom.
Right after college.
After you dropped out
of Pratt, right?
Yeah, right after that.
Big waste of time and money.
I can't even look at you.
Where'd you get that get up?
St. Marks.
Edward, eat your beans.
So, what do you do,
Patricia... Patti?
I'm an artist.
Like Robert.
Have you thought about children?
Children, Joan?
These two can barely
take care of themselves.
Actually, we take pretty good
care of each other...
Dad.
Bye, Mom.
- Thank you very much.
- Thank you.
- Really lovely to meet you.
- Bye, Dad.
Why do we even bother?
He's going to end up a
deadbeat, looking like a girl.
Harry, please.
And your name is Bob!
Bob Mapplethorpe!
Harry, shh!
You should tell them
to fuck themselves.
Yeah.
They're my family.
Hey, you, you can't open that.
Oh, sorry.
- Okay.
- Yeah, this'll do it.
And this one.
Okay.
Hey! Hey, you!
Stop! Stop!
Stop this man!
Hey, motherfucker!
Baby, come on to bed.
Okay, yeah, soon.
Shit.
Hey.
Uh... Oh, I'm not...
I don't even know...
what I'm doing, I'm just...
fuckin' around, you know.
They're fascinating.
You think?
Thanks.
Are we still going
to The Chelsea today?
Is that still on?
Yeah, let's get
our stuff together.
We ain't gonna make it
in Brooklyn.
I hate packing.
I know. Me too.
Bring the essentials.
Grab your art.
I'll get mine.
I hear the owner trades
rooms for art.
Yeah.
Wow, living at the Chelsea.
I hear Janis was there.
Yeah. Ginsburg too.
Look, I hope
he likes the work enough.
- Yeah.
- We should definitely
get in there if we can.
- Mr. Stanley Bard?
- Yes.
My name is Patti Smith,
and I'm here
with Robert Mapplethorpe.
- Uh-huh.
- You may not know us yet,
but we're going to be
big stars one day.
Only, today, we don't
have any money.
But...
take a look for yourself.
Take it all.
For collateral.
I got a job.
I can pay you tout de suite.
Okay. Okay.
Rent's generally due
first of the month.
And I'm going to hold on
to these until you can make it.
Mr. Bard, you will not
regret this.
- You got a room?
- We got it.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Bard.
I appreciate it.
- Which one?
- This one.
Aw...
Sleepyhead!
- Hey, Patti.
- Hmm?
I think I'm going to try
and sell these
so we can get
our work back faster.
I want to try to do
something around, like a cloth.
Yeah. Okay.
Got to go to work.
All right.
Have a good day.
See you later!
Mr. Bard, uh...
So, I have the money.
Can I get my work back, please?
- Hey, Robert!
- What? Hey!
You coming by?
Yeah. Five.
There you go.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Bard.
I appreciate it.
- Hey.
- Hey, Robert.
- Hey.
- Digging the necklace.
Cool, man.
- Peace, man.
- Cool.
Oh, hello.
Hey.
What do you think?
Whose is it?
It's actually one of mine.
I think it's cool.
I'm Sandy Daley.
- I'm Robert Mapplethorpe.
- Oh.
You're our newest patient, huh?
It's the only asylum in New York
where you can come and go
as you please.
This is actually a photograph
of me and a former lover.
- Oh.
- Inspired by Bellocq.
- You know Bellocq?
- No.
He was one of the first
great masters.
Wow, that's great.
I love that.
So is that.
He scratched out the face.
I've done that.
You do that?
Yeah.
I'd like to see it.
Yeah, I got, um...
some right here.
This one.
I mean, you know, it's not...
Oh, yes. I see.
- That's better.
- Well...
This is potent imagery.
Thanks.
But you really should take
your own pictures.
Yeah.
But, you know,
I can't be just be
Mapplethorpe
the photographer, you know?
I want magic. Majesty.
I want to be a modern Michelangelo.
And you think if Michelangelo
had a camera,
he wouldn't have used it?
I have something for you, Robert.
Already?
I think you're gonna love this.
Wow.
Pull that out,
and it's ready to go.
- That's the focus?
- Mm-hmm.
And remember, it's
always about the light.
Whether you paint it
or shoot it,
you have to find it or make it.
And that takes talent.
Can I take a picture
of your flowers?
Yes, you can.
- Please.
- All right.
Let's get Andy in.
I'm comin' for you, Andy.
- Take the bloody picture.
- Okay.
You should hold onto it.
Keep it for a while.
You sure?
Voilàà.
Cross your legs.
That's good.
Look at me.
Okay, now you lean on him.
Yeah, nice.
Think your worst thought.
Stand there. Hold back.
Wow.
Will you show me?
Okay, come on.
Good.
I see it.
- Yeah.
- Fantastic.
I can't even make a move
without seeing it frozen
five minutes later.
Oh, come on.
Got you, Patti Smith.
Two dirty queens.
- Thank you, Patti.
- Mm-hmm.
So, look, I made 27 bucks.
I sold three necklaces.
- All right. Hell yeah.
- But I kind of want
to keep this one,
because it's cool.
Yeah.
Robert Mapplethorpe,
for all your voodoo needs.
Yeah, well, do me a favor
and cast a spell
on Tinkerbell over there
who can't stop staring at me.
She loves you.
I love you.
Good, because you're
stuck with me.
Robert. Patti.
- This is David Croland.
- Hey.
- Bobby, you never come see me.
- Hey.
You and Patti-Cake are so...
Siamese.
I adore it.
It's violent.
It's handmade.
- Thank you.
- Truly.
Can you make one for me?
Robert takes
the most exquisite photographs.
- Oh...
- Oh all kinds.
And Patti is the newest voice
of our generation.
Whose generation?
Don't be a bad boy,
or Robert here
won't immortalize you.
I do so crave immortality.
Well, I've got to jet.
Early morning meeting.
- Yeah. Coming with you, right?
- Nice to see you.
- You comin'?
- No, I'm gonna stay actually.
I'm not tired.
I'll see you at home.
- Alright.
- I'll see you at home.
See you at home, baby.
Shit. I'm late.
Can I wear these
or are they fucking art?
Bye.
Have fun with your family.
Yeah?
It's David.
Anybody home?
Yeah, uh, just give a second.
What's that?
Open your mouth.
Stick out your tongue.
It's acid.
Mm. Giddyup.
Hey.
Shirt off.
Try that on.
Bow tie.
Pretty boy.
Like this?
Like that.
Like a good boy.
Nice.
Put your hands near your cock.
A little closer, boy.
Almost touching.
Okay, good boy.
Hold that.
- Okay...
- Smile.
Enough with the nicknames, Robert.
I'm a real model.
Come on, listen to me...
Shh.
We're making history here.
Let's go down to Stonewall.
That's real history.
Be nice and quiet for me.
For the photo.
Good boy.
Okay.
Take your cock out.
Hold that.
Got it.
I finally see you,
you know what I mean?
Well, you're the Prince...
Now you're talkin'.
Of Darkness.
Oh, now, wait.
Oh, wait, wait, wait.
Get out!
Stop it! Robert!
- No! No!
- You're sick!
No! No! No! No!
No! No!
- Shh! Shh!
- No, no, no.
Oh, no, I don't want to.
I don't want to.
I don't want to.
- Get away from me. Get away from me.
- Shut up.
- No, goddamn it.
- Robert...
- Get away from me.
- Robert. Robert.
Get away from me!
You're the fucking devil.
- I don't want this. I don't want this.
- Shh. Shh.
- Shh, shh. It's me.
- No!
It's me.
Fuck...
Hey. Shh.
I don't know, it's just...
beauty and the devil.
Beauty and the devil are
sort of the same thing to me.
And he's always been with me.
Like, always.
I guess, in church, I found God.
And then when Sandy
gave me the Polaroid,
it led me straight to the devil.
And now, suddenly,
I'm fucking him.
I'm fucking the devil. Heh.
I guess you could say I have
a certain Catholic aesthetic.
Yeah.
Let's explore that ass-thetic.
Oh, no, fuck. Patti...
Patti's...
Patti's on her way back.
Patti's coming here.
Patti's not blind, babe.
Surely she knows
that she's got a slippery Jim.
No, she knows nothing, okay?
And that's how
it's going to stay.
Okay.
- Sure.
- What?
David, what...
You're not leaving.
David.
You're gonna leave?
You want a boyfriend...
You're gonna leave me
when I'm high?
And a girlfriend.
I want you.
You decide.
Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
Thank you.
- I thought it was part of a...
- Ah. Ah.
Ah. Robert.
Hell awaits those
who desecrate the home.
I don't want you
to end up there.
Look, I find myself
wanting to touch them
and take pictures of them.
But you can't take
enough pictures of me.
Of course, you're the best.
But that's not...
Just...
I can't seem to stop myself.
Guess I always knew.
I just...
didn't want to.
Yeah, but it's
not going to change anything.
I'm not going to leave us. Ever.
What are you doing?
You're not leaving.
You're not leaving.
Don't be ridiculous.
You're not leaving, Patti.
This is our world.
This is us.
What are you...
I mean, what about...
Mutt & Jeff, Ricky &
Lucy, Ratso & Joe...
- I'm not leaving that...
- What are you doing?
Patti, please!
Stop. Stop. Stop.
No.
You can't leave...
I'm not leaving the fuckin'
solar system, Robert!
- You are the fucking solar system!
- Rent's paid!
This is the solar system!
You can't leave!
Yes, I can.
Get a grip.
Please! No,
but you don't...
Patti...
Patti, please,
please, stop, stop!
If you leave me, then...
Look, stop.
I will...
I'll become gay.
- I will.
- Well, so be it.
But I've got to take care
of myself, okay?
Don't go.
Don't go.
Don't leave me here.
Don't.
Don't go.
Don't go.
- My heart hurts too.
- No...
Patti...
Patti.
Patti!
I don't think so...
No.
Yeah, well, thank you
for your time.
Hey.
Robert Mapplethorpe.
- No.
- Okay.
Thank you for your time.
Mr. Liu, this is
Robert Mapplethorpe.
- Mr. Mapplethorpe.
- Hey.
What are you trying to say?
It's visual art. It speaks for itself.
Look at them.
I can't sell these, I'm afraid.
- Why?
- I can't even show them.
- Time to go.
- What do you mean time to go?
These people are
the gatekeepers?
He's keeping us out...
Look what's on your walls!
- Okay, let's go.
- Is that moving?
Does that provoke you?
Does that make you think?
- Mr. Mapplethorpe...
- Okay.
They're keeping us out.
There's no keeping you out, Robert.
- You're on the threshold.
- But they can't see...
See you on Tuesday.
Okay, guys. Kiss.
Switch sides. Stop.
Move around to this side.
Hold that.
I want to thank you.
So good.
Bye.
Morning.
Hear about Jimi?
No. Jimi who?
Hendrix.
Overdosed.
What?
He died?
No.
Janis and Jimmy...
Just so fucking sad, you know.
What a loss.
Makes you think
you gotta live for now.
Yeah.
Can't believe that.
Did you write a song
I can dance to yet?
No. That's not my thing.
You know that's what it takes.
You sound like your father.
Speaking of...
Who's grandpa out there?
Oh, paying rent.
I wasn't going to take the money.
It was nice.
You know, cash is cash.
True.
I missed you.
No.
Thank you for your time.
Thank you for your attention.
- I really appreciate it.
- I'm sorry, it just doesn't fit in this collection.
You've got the shit on the wall
and you don't even give a fuck!
- Robert...
- Why do you bring me to these things?
- Robert...
- It's not even... I can't even...
David Crowley.
On your knees.
Right where I left you.
Sam. Love.
What are you getting up to?
Ah. I'm good.
Just collecting,
you know, 19th Century...
Little Sufi-ism.
Who was the sumptuous
storm cloud
that just ran out of here?
That's Robert,
the shy pornographer.
A handful.
He raging because galleries
won't take on his cock photos.
- Huh.
- Go figure.
Heh. Really?
Really!
Oh, how I didn't make
the connection before...
The edgiest curator cum
collector meets
the most dangerous photographer
in history...
Uh-oh...
Where is he?
I'll get you a phone number.
Okay.
Hi, is this
the shy pornographer?
- Ah, that depends.
- Who's asking?
I'm a collector.
My friend David
told me about you.
Oh, really?
So, is the sailor
accepting visitors?
Yeah. He is.
Come aboard.
Good. Good.
Where should we meet?
Uh, ahem.
How about my studio?
33 West 11th.
Yeah, which is at 33 West 11th.
Great.
When's good for you?
Friday afternoon, say,
like three?
Okay.
I will see you then.
You feel it?
- 'Cause it's happening.
- No.
- This is how it happens.
- Really?
This is how it happens,
I'm going to call Maxine.
- Wow, you're making me nervous.
- It's happening.
It's happening.
Well, finally.
Hello?
- Hey.
- Hey.
I'm, uh, I'm Sam.
Sam Wagstaff.
- I'm Robert.
- Nice to meet you.
Thank you.
Nice to meet you, too.
Uh, ahem.
It kind of flows this way...
Oh.
- This is all your stuff?
- Yeah.
I like the music.
So, I started with the drawings,
but actually now I'm more
interested in the Polaroids.
This is you.
Yeah.
Good subject.
You know all these people?
I do.
They must trust you.
They do.
It's fantastic!
It's goddamn fantastic!
Thank you.
You're welcome.
It's good to meet you.
- Thank you for stopping by.
- Yeah.
Let me show you out.
Okay.
You know, you don't
really have to escort me
back down to the street.
It's okay.
I have somewhere to be.
Really?
No.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
So, it's time
you know the truth.
I have a lot of lovers.
That's okay...
I'd like you
to meet some of them.
Your lovers?
I mean these.
Beautiful, huh?
Ah!
The Flandrin.
- There you are.
- Wow, I like that.
Yeah?
I was looking for him.
- The Met wants a loan.
- I like the shape.
This photograph here,
by Von Gloeden,
it's a replica of
the painting from 1840.
Wow.
It's one of the few
photographs I own.
How old are you?
I'm 50.
Is that too old for you?
No. It's good.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
I'll never know
what it's like to be 50.
How are you so sure about that?
I just know.
Yeah?
Are you scared of dying?
Only before I'm famous.
Well then,
you better get to work.
So much to do, so little time.
- Come on.
- No, let's stay in bed.
- Get up.
- Please. Please.
Come on.
I'll take you to the Met.
No.
- Let's go. Let's go.
- No.
Don't be shy.
You didn't seem shy
this morning.
Yeah, well, I'm not now either.
Morning!
This place was built
on my family's land.
- No...
- So I can do whatever the fuck I want.
Really? Wow.
This is for you.
Thank you.
So, are you ready?
Yeah, I think so.
I believe these are some of
the oldest photographs
in existence.
- Nadar. Right?
- Yeah.
Yeah, my friend Sandy
told me about him.
Beautiful portraits.
My God, is that... Look at that.
Is that Sarah Bernhardt?
Yes, it is.
She looks fantastic.
I can't believe
it's not a painting.
You know?
There she is, forever...
Do you collect any?
No.
They're not valuable.
Well, you should.
I think they will be.
No, I think these will be
up on the main floor
with Rodin, Michelangelo.
Mapplethorpe. Hey...
I hope so.
Holy shit.
These are gorgeous.
- Look at that.
- I know. I love that one.
No one's blacks
are blacker than yours.
I swear to God.
Wow.
So many new men.
You've become
a bit of collector yourself.
Should I be concerned?
No. They're my work.
You're my love.
Well, since
you put it that way...
- For you, my birthday boy.
- Ah...
Apollo 8 used it
to capture the moon.
I thought it's good enough
for my monkey
to tell his story here on the ground.
No... No...
Sammie...
Oh, wow...
God...
Oh, one more thing...
Keys to your new live-in studio.
What?
Like, you're the nicest
person I ever met.
I don't know about that.
Fuck, I'm late.
I told Patti she could
run through her set with me.
Go, go.
I'll meet you at yours
in like two hours?
- Mmm.
- Thank you.
- Happy birthday.
- Thank you.
Happy birthday to you.
You just heard hotter
than hot punk loaded,
from Patti Smith, singing
"Because The Night."
She's on the cover
of Rolling Stone now,
well, she's on your turntable,
Bruce Springsteen
wrote that song,
but thought it was
a perfect fit for her
and even let her tweak
the lyrics.
Wow! A classic.
And here's
another classic for you.
Little brother.
Hey.
So...
So I, um...
I snuck into the city
'cause I have to...
write a paper on my hero, and...
I want to write it about you.
And I want to study photography,
but, of course, Dad's
talking me out of it.
Trying to.
Anyway, that's,
that's why I'm here.
That's why I came to see you.
You can write about these.
Yeah, that.
Open it.
Are your hands clean?
They're... They're clean.
It's... cool.
Yeah. It's my friend's fist
up my friend's ass.
Keep going.
Wow...
Yeah. Yeah.
Do me a favor.
Don't tell Mom and Dad
about anything
- that you've seen here today.
- Of course.
And can you
give them this, please?
Of course.
And let yourself out, okay.
Okay?
Bye.
Okay. Bye.
Okay. Bye.
Well...
Sam certainly likes
to keep me on my toes.
Yeah.
These are, uh...
These are quite something...
Forget it, forget it.
Excuse me?
If you knew
what you were looking at
then you wouldn't act like
such a fucking art-snob fag!
Mr. Mapplethorpe, I know
exactly what I am looking at.
And I am a fucking art-snob fag.
Yeah. I know.
And I do want them.
Yeah? How much?
- A lot.
- No.
How much are you going
to charge people to buy them?
A lot...
New York singer Patti Smith
was opening for Bob Seger
in Tampa, Florida last night
when she tripped and fell more
than 15 feet off the stage.
She has suffered severe injuries
but is in stable condition.
Back to you, Bob.
And the show's going great.
- Yeah. We sold five.
- Little patience, monkey.
One more meeting, it'll be
show time, I swear.
Talk to you later, bye.
All right, Holly.
Talk to us.
These photographs are exquisite.
- Yes.
- Precise.
Uniquely scintillating...
But I can't put little
Jesse McBride, Philip Glass
and Arnold Schwarzenegger
next to cocks and chains.
I'd have to pass out Valium at the door.
Show all of my work.
Or none of it.
I want to.
You're brilliant.
You're the Jekyll & Hyde
of photography.
But the public won't be able
to handle it all at once, dear.
My clients are only just beginning
to grasp that photography is art.
Yeah, um, see, Holly...
Robert doesn't have
a lot of patience...
- for anything!
Not a fucking thing!
Not a fucking thing, Sam!
I have an idea
of how Jekyll & Hyde
can both have their debuts, simultaneously.
I'm going to call you, alright.
We're going to have lunch.
I'll buy us a bottle of wine.
- You're going to love it.
- Can't wait.
It's brilliant.
Solomon...
Kitchen...
Very clever...
I'll get it out
to the right people.
I'll look after Patti.
Now, get back to work.
Thanks, Sammi.
- Wow. Sammie.
- Here we are.
- This is your doing.
- Yeah. Little bit.
You're a very smart man.
Go meet the people.
I love the people...
Yeah, I just always found them
so beautiful
to photograph, actually.
And I want to show you
who you remind me of.
I'm sorry to interrupt.
Excuse me.
How are you, by the way?
Uh, this is Nick. Obviously.
I just love the tattoos
on his face.
I'm sorry.
Excuse me.
Larry and Bobby kissing.
And I thought he was
a bit like you.
Uh, he's a dealer.
Of art.
Not drugs.
Oh.
Come and see Arnold.
Hello. You decided
to go with flowers.
Well, you know,
easing the public into it
is an art in itself apparently.
Hey! So I thought;
sell the public my flowers
and then they can
hang them on their walls
without realizing
what it is they're embracing.
- Are you coming to the Kitchen?
- Are you through?
- I am, yes.
- Where is that?
I want to see
your true masterpieces.
Well, you know, one day,
they'll be here too.
- Thank you for this.
- Show 'em this magnificence.
Thank you for coming.
I'm coming! I know.
- Absolutely. Yes.
- I'll find you, okay?
Holly. Darling.
Thank you.
So? Sales?
One.
But he had to leave it here.
Why's that?
Wife. Kids.
- Hamptons.
- Naturally.
I appreciate your time.
Goodbye.
- Hey, guys.
- Hi.
So...?
Did you meet the people?
Yeah.
I think so...
Uh, Leo.
Lord Warwick.
Peggy G.
- Any other musts?
- Great.
Uh, I don't think so.
As a matter of fact,
let's hightail it.
- Shall we?
- Another group of admirers awaits you.
- Okay. Thank you.
- Bye, darling.
- I appreciate everything.
- Sure.
- Sell more pictures.
- I will.
- Oh, my God!
- Fuckin' leather.
- Touch of leather, Sammie.
- Oh, my God.
A touch of leather, baby.
Well, I guess there's
a first time for everything...
- We're here. We're here. We're here.
- Okay, okay, okay.
God almighty, do you like it?
Do you have any money
to buy anything?
You probably don't. Heh.
You asshole.
Oh, God, I'm sorry.
Oh, hi.
Wow, look at you.
Hey! You. Thank you.
Look at this...
I really appreciate it so much.
Really. Thank you.
Patti!
Hey.
Come on, let's go.
What?
I'm a success.
Come to my show.
I can't go anywhere, look at me.
- It's a party. We'll...
- Ow, stop.
- Come on.
- Stop it!
It can't be all about you
right now.
Look at me.
I can't even walk.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, I am sorry.
I know you're hurt.
I'm standing in front of
thousands of shouting people
out in Florence, so I don't
know what to shout back.
Who am I to say?
- You're Patti Smith.
- No.
- You're Patti fucking Smith.
- No, I know that.
It's just, it's time
to rethink my plan, you know?
- It just feels so dishonest now...
- Our plan.
You always wanted this
more than I did.
Don't give up.
Give up what?
You know, the first man
I ever fell in love with
served on my ship during
the invasion
of Normandy.
I was an officer.
He was a sailor.
Oh, my God, he was beautiful.
Like you.
So, what's on your mind, Monkey?
Patti's gone.
What do you mean?
She's leaving.
To Detroit.
Of all places. Why?
To get married.
Have children.
Ah. Yeah,
don't worry about that.
She'll snap out of it.
New York is her everything.
You do know I love you.
I do.
And I love my old thing.
- And I always will.
- Monkey.
And I want some chocolate milk.
Aw, does baby want
some chocolate milk?
Please?
Come on, I'll buy you
some chocolate milk.
So, this is Patti.
How is Patricia?
I saw in the paper
she was in an accident.
Yeah, she's recovering at home.
She's sorry she can't be here.
This is Princess Margaret.
She's a friend from Mustique.
How did you afford that trip?
A magazine sent me.
And we are set.
This is David Hockney.
- Hockney?
- Yeah. He's a cool guy.
A British artist.
And Princess Devovo. Heh.
A princess?
From where?
Heh, I don't know.
I mean, she doesn't do much
apart from be a princess.
But she takes a good
photograph, I thought.
It's pretty.
Anyway, you guys
must be starving.
Shall we get something to eat?
Sure.
I know a good place, actually.
It's not far.
You don't print
the pictures yourself?
Uh, no. Never.
That once.
But that's photography.
How can you let someone else
carry out
the most important part?
Well, that's one element
of photography.
Photography is more than
one element.
It's about light.
It's about composition.
It's about the personality
of the subject.
Plus you told me never again.
And I'm a good listener.
And I'm an artist.
I would've been a painter,
but the camera was invented.
Thank God.
I just think
life moves too fast now
to spend weeks painting.
Well, you're not
a real photographer
until you know
the technical end.
Period.
What?
Nancy had
her fourth child.
Oh, yeah?
I so like her.
She says hi.
And Richard divorced
that Oriental girl.
Harry, how do you say her name?
What does it matter?
I had to quit
the bowling league.
Well, that's a shame.
I just get too tired.
That's too bad.
Your mother was good.
I remember.
I liked your show.
Thank you.
I like my flowers.
They're beautiful.
Drop it in there.
Attaboy.
Let it flow with the picture,
that's it.
There you go.
Now, I'm going to have
to develop this one
to see into it, all right?
- Okay.
- That's good.
Gotcha.
This is...
This is wrong.
You do know why, yes?
You are not to touch this again!
It wasn't made for this!
Yes. Okay. Fine.
Do you want that?
Go steady, now.
What are you staring at?
You don't like it?
Uh, I don't know, Robert.
It doesn't really look like me.
It's not your look I'm taking.
It's you.
You're dirty.
It's hot.
Look at that.
Mm, whatever you say, man.
All these art snobs think
they're so cutting edge.
I take out my portfolio
and I show them
the bullwhip up my ass.
If they blink or they look away
then they just can't handle it
because they're
not so fucking cutting edge
after all.
You know?
You got that right.
I call it...
I call it "Playing chicken
with the avant-garde."
It's my favorite pastime.
It's a game
the whole family can play.
You're making me laugh so hard
I gotta pee.
- Well, right, yeah.
- Well, just, you know,
take a piss here
and I'll take pictures of you.
Actually, put your cock
in that champagne glass.
Wait...
Hold that. Yeah, perfect.
You know, McNenny, people think
that you just deal me flowers.
Good boy...
Wait, wait, wait...
Hold on...
Damn. Making a mess.
Yeah, let's take
some more pictures.
- All right.
- Take off your clothes, guys.
Robert?
Hey, superstar.
You up?
I just got a call
from The New York Times.
They, uh...
want a quote
about the dual show.
Sammi...
Sammi, Sammi.
Sammi's here.
Sammi's come to play.
Hey, come on, come in.
It's just a little sex,
a little magic.
I introduced you.
I invested in you.
- And this...
- Sammi.
- Wow.
- Come on, you know, this is...
This is... This is...
how I live.
But it doesn't mean
that I don't,
I don't love you.
- Sam, Sam!
- Robert, hey!
I love you too.
Jesus, I wanted
to taste this life...
And it was delicious.
But I'm full, Monkey.
And you should be too.
Sammi. Sammi.
Challenger, now throttle up.
There is no indication whatsoever
that they could have
possibly survived
the enormous explosion
that we all saw.
The oldest of them
was only 46 years old.
Seven young talents who had
careers ahead of them...
snuffed out in an instant.
Doctors at Mt. Sinai Hospital
say they may have uncovered
a way...
Patti. It's Robert.
Pick up the phone, please.
Pick up the phone,
pick up the phone,
pick up the phone.
I'm not going to wreck
your perfect life.
Pick up the phone.
Okay.
Call me back.
Call me right fucking back.
Call me fucking back...
Hey.
Can I get a drink?
I'll have a martini.
Jim, a Scotch?
Robert?
Ice water as usual?
Hmm.
Look at mutton chops over there.
Beautiful man.
Excuse me.
- Hey.
- Hey.
Has anyone ever taken
your photograph before?
No.
Really?
Well, they should.
Thanks.
Let's see.
Take your shot.
I'm not that great at this.
Hey, do you want to come...
Want to come do some cocaine?
Yes.
Come on, let's go.
- Where?
- My place.
- Let's go.
- Let's go.
I'll be right back.
He won't be long.
Okay.
Bye. Bye.
Bye, Petey.
Hug your knees.
Closer to you.
A bit tighter.
Hug them more.
That's good.
Now hold that.
Perfect.
Robert?
Ed's here.
Your brother.
The meeting your mother
wanted me to set up.
He's here.
What? Oh.
Oh. Okay.
All right.
Okay, I'm coming, I'm coming.
You want me to look at this?
Thank you.
Sit down.
Of course,
I'm still learning, but, uh...
some of them are good, right?
They're all good.
Just look, I don't...
I don't particularly want
my kid brother working for me.
But Dad kicked me out
for wanting
to take pictures for a living.
Like you.
- So...
- "Dad." "Dad."
"Dad."
Look, Edward...
only when you cut him off
are you going to be able
to make the steps
that you need to make
to do something great
with your life.
Yeah, but...
I barely even know you, so...
Maybe...
I just...
I don't want,
I don't want any connection
to our family, you know,
it's just...
You gotta leave all that
stuff out of here, okay?
Of course.
- Do you understand that?
- I understand.
Okay. Alright.
Yeah?
Ah, what... What time
is the next shoot?
Twelve o'clock, Robert.
What time is it now?
Just after eleven.
Wanna do some cocaine?
Heh. Sure.
Straight from God...
Try it.
Heh. There you go!
Geez.
Okay!
- My name's...
- Why you walkin' up on me, man?
Oh, I'm sorry, my name's
Robert Mapplethorpe, I'm a...
I don't want no problems, man.
Absolutely no problems.
I'm a photographer.
I couldn't help myself.
You're so striking
and I thought to myself,
"God, I'd love
to take his photograph."
I have a studio
right around the corner.
Actually, I wondered if you'd
ever thought about modeling?
Modeling?
- Man, you walkin' over here...
- Modeling.
You scared the shit out of me.
You look so fantastic.
I could help you
make a portfolio.
And when you want to do that?
Now.
- Right now?
- Right now.
All right.
- Wonderful, what's your name?
- Uh, Milton.
- Milton.
- Yeah.
You said Robert, right?
Robert.
That's me, yeah.
That's perfect. Eyes down.
Okay...
How about you take off
those pants?
I can't be doing that,
out of respect for my family.
Can I at least see it?
That's the most beautiful thing
I've ever seen.
What if I promise
never to show your cock
and your face in the same frame?
Uh...
Yeah, that's okay.
Wait there, just, just...
Put your right leg out.
Turn, turn your body
to your right.
Stop.
- I think I'm in love.
- I gotta go.
No, I'm going to show you
the world, Milton.
You're perfect.
I'm going to take care of you.
Okay.
Let's see.
Ooh, yeah.
I love it.
Yeah. This one.
Burn it a little.
I don't know, man...
It's brilliant, don't you think?
Aw, come on.
Yeah, the only thing you need to
know is where the darkroom is.
You come in, get the film,
go print, and you go home.
Okay?
Crop it.
Take off his head.
It's stronger without it.
Drop the light
from the background.
Looks evil.
I think that's the idea.
Just leave us alone
a minute, please, Edward.
Thank you.
Now, Roy...
I want you to just look
directly at the camera.
Just give me that look that
you had when you nailed Julius.
Rosenberg, that is.
Chin up.
Magic.
Yeah... Yeah...
Yeah... What's the matter,
naughty nigger.
Come on, baby. There. Yeah.
Yeah...
Can I stick my finger
in your ass?
Who's a good boy?
Move.
Curator.
Can you define it?
Um...
A guy who chooses art pieces
for other folks to check out.
I think we need to get
your English teacher
to focus on the language
of the arts.
- Here we are.
- Look at you.
You look so innocent.
You're gonna do great.
Ah! Where's Edward?
Ed!
This isn't... I don't know
what's going on here.
I can't...
You know, it's this bit here.
I'd never put it back in...
Bingo!
Hey...
What... What are you...
What are you doing?
What...?
Milton, what's wrong?
Whoa. Whoa.
Take it easy.
What are you doing?
That... Whoa. Stop it.
Stop it.
What are you doing?
I love you.
- Love me?
- Yeah.
You don't love me.
You don't love anyone.
You love yourself...
and how you make people do shit!
You make me do shit!
And read crap I don't get.
- Okay, take it easy.
- Train me to dance
like a fucking monkey.
And you call me a "nigger"
in bed.
Milton, come on,
that's just a tease.
It's not meant as an insult.
I thought...
I thought you liked...
Po-nigger who poses
like a nude piece a Black meat
fo' his pansy boyfriend!
But you are
a piece of black meat.
- Fuck you!
- Whoa. Take it easy...
Okay. Milton, I was
trying to enlighten you.
To celebrate you.
To celebrate your strength.
To celebrate
your beautiful black flesh...
I'm not one of your white boy,
stuck-up, sculptures.
- Milton, I have given you...
- Sure enough I ain't nobody's nigga.
All I have!
And you got something back.
Yeah, well I nurture you
because I see your potential.
Milton, come on.
Milton, you have been the
subject of some of my best work.
You are the star!
Milton!
You took pictures of my dick,
stickin' outta my pants!
Because it's gorgeous.
Milton...
You picked the wrong po' Black
boy for your collection.
Don't go...
Where are you gonna go?
Come on. I need you.
- You got everything you need.
- No...
- I need money.
- No, Milton. Please...
Well, you know where it is.
Don't...
Look, let's talk.
Milton...
Milton!
What...
Milton left me.
I tried to improve him,
I tried my best.
But he didn't want
to be improved.
Oh, sorry about that.
He was a sweet project.
Sometimes projects
are abandoned when
they don't work out.
I loved him.
I really loved him.
I can't believe you sold your
photography collection, Sammi.
- I, honestly, I...
- Sentimentality
is the kiss of death in art.
It's too much stuff. Let
somebody else take care of it.
Besides, I'm really
enjoying this.
I can shine these spots away.
Gives me a little hope.
Only five hundred bucks.
For everything.
All these pieces.
It's unbelievable.
I bet you this is
the next big thing.
I've got it, by the way...
I... How do you know...?
I know.
I'm just waiting
for the test results...
Well, that doesn't
mean that you...
- Robert. Robert...
- It doesn't... No, no, no...
I wake up every night
covered in sweat.
Well, so open
your fucking window!
It has arrived...
Have you been tested?
No.
Monkey, please...
I won't.
Your photos are quickly
becoming a gallery of the dead.
Wrap it over
your shoulders. Like that.
Yeah.
Uh... Just, I don't know,
I can't see the frame...
I can't see the fucking frame.
Sorry, Lisa.
Just give me a...
I just... I just need a moment.
Chin up.
Tense.
No time for this.
So what do you guys think?
- That one.
- It's so exciting, your first show!
Another $25,000!
No. Another 30,000!
My God, that's amazing.
That's $55,000 in just
under two hours! Okay.
Yeah, dead man walking...
Ah, who knew
my stock would rise
with every pound I lose.
What are...
What are these doing here?
I, um, I thought you might
take a look at them.
- Oh, yeah?
- Yeah.
Why?
You don't need my opinion.
You've got my moves down...
Hey, that's not
what I'm trying to do...
Yeah, plus, you're
the technical expert.
Yeah, well, the technical
elements aren't the arts.
- You're damn right they're not.
- Yeah, but, I...
I-I...
I want your opinion
about the arts.
Because...?
Because you're my brother,
and because...
you're better at this than I am.
Yeah, well, you know,
I actually have no idea
how my pictures look so good.
It's not something
I can just pass on to you.
Well, can you at least tell me
which ones you like the best?
- Why?
- I have to pick one for the group show.
Next month.
What?
The one you're in, too.
So, if we're going
to continue working together...
you gotta change your last name.
I have made Mapplethorpe a name
through my hard work over years.
I mean, it just...
Here, how...
How about...
Mom's maiden name.
Maxey.
Yeah. Look at that.
It sounds sexy.
Use it.
Get Sam Hardison on the phone.
Uh, look, I'm sorry, Edward.
I feel like
I've done a lot for you,
but I've gotta draw the line.
You can't just keep riding
on my coattails.
Think this batch here needs
your technical expertise, okay.
I'm going out.
You can't keep doing this, Robert.
Doing what?
Don't you care
about spreading it?
Well, y'know, that's up to them.
Not me...
I can't cheat death,
but I can cheat life.
- Which I won't.
- Robert...
We're born alone
and we die alone.
- Robert, you're not alone.
- We spend our lives
pretending that we're not.
If I have to change
the way I live,
then I'd rather not.
At all. Okay?
Hey, I'm just paying my dues.
- Robert...
- He's not letting any of us off easy.
Technical expertise, Edward.
Robert!
Hey.
Thank you.
Come here.
I've had three great loves
in my life.
My mom...
art...
and you.
I hope not in that order.
Thank you. Stop.
Ah. Got it.
Thank you.
Jesus Christ.
I mean, thank God
that is over...
So, I'm going to go out,
but I can drop you at the hotel
and then I'll meet you
at the airport
in the morning, all right?
I'm not coming, Robert.
What, you don't need a ride?
No. I mean
I'm not coming to New York.
I've thought about it a lot
and I need to...
I need to have
my own career, Robert.
So, I'm heading down
to Los Angeles.
Alright, what?
You're my assistant.
That's your career.
You owe me.
I gave you a life.
- No. I don't owe you.
- I gave you...
I've given you
everything I have!
- Oh, well thank you.
- Robert, I have this much!
This much!
I need to start my own life.
As Edward Maxey...
- Yeah...
- Hmm?
- Edward Maxey.
- Well, good luck with that.
Whatever delusions
of grandeur you have,
you're an assistant.
Get in the car.
And now for your update
on Things About Town.
Mapplethorpe Mania
has arrived in New York
in the form of
a retrospective exhibition
that opens July 28th
at the Whitney Museum
of American Art.
The show,
titled "Robert Mapplethorpe"
praises the artistic development
of its 41-year-old subject
from 1969 to today.
It's likely
to be quite provocative
and draw some controversy
due to the explicit nature
of some of
the photographer's work.
The artist himself is slated
to attend the opening,
if he makes it.
Mapplethorpe is reportedly
in the advanced stages
of the Autoimmune Deficiency
Syndrome, AIDS.
Oh, my...
Father Stack.
Robert.
You're a long way
from Floral Park.
I'm... I'm glad to see you.
Do they speak to you?
Well, it's a battle
between good and evil.
Are you here
for my confession, Father?
I... No.
Your mother asked me to come.
She's worried about you.
Oh. How is she?
Not very well.
Her emphysema
has really worsened.
Sit down. Please.
Robert, do you believe in God?
No.
What gives you solace?
Beauty.
Perfection.
Knowing that I've captured
those things in my work.
Knowing that my work
will outlive me.
It'll still be there
when I'm gone.
And you have.
Thank you.
That's what I see.
Even that which we deem obscene,
you make look more beautiful
than I thought possible.
I wonder what it's like
to be your subject.
My subject?
I actually remember
my first communion with you.
- Can you remember that?
- Oh, I remember that. Yes.
Oh, perfect.
Thank you, Father.
You're a rascal.
I remember that.
Did I blink?
Sorry.
Oh, you look absolutely
heavenly, Father.
If you could just look off
to my left, please.
Just a touch. The Devil
is in all of us, Father.
I wonder where he is in you.
I think we got it.
Can you make your legs into a V?
Yeah. Hold that.
Okay, could you just dip
your neck...
Hold.
Maybe try putting your arms
straight out in front of you.
Perfect.
Hold that.
Ha. It's my baby brother!
We're just photographing
this beautiful bronze sculpture.
Robert, I thought
about what you said...
Oh. Edward, meet Javier.
He's my new assistant.
He was just
a Spanish street urchin,
but he's very ambitious,
and he's learning fast.
Mucho gusto.
Oh yeah, he doesn't
speak much English.
But he's got a dictionary
so it shouldn't take you
long to train him.
You know what,
Ken, let's... Can I...
Can I photograph you
by the dining room, please?
Wow.
Bravo, Martin.
These are the deepest blacks
I have ever seen.
Someone came by yesterday
and they thought these two
were paintings.
I know.
Well, that's the idea
And your canvas sealed the deal.
You're gonna be famous for this.
They're the holy grail
of platinum printing.
Now, can you do
four feet by six feet?
I don't think there's a printer
alive who can pull that off.
Try it.
For me.
Let's wrap Thomas and Dovanna
in white silk.
Regal, you know, so
everybody knows to worship.
And let's wrap Donald
in rich red silk.
And we gotta have a cock
in the show.
I mean, people
will be expecting some cock.
Thank you.
Thank you, Martin.
Amazing work.
I mean, look...
Okay, can you make sure
you put this
with the whole Wasting Series.
It'll be valuable when I'm gone.
Horrible!
Hi, Rachel.
Thank you for coming.
The first time I came
to this museum,
he, he wouldn't let me in,
because I didn't have a buck.
- But I always remember these lights...
- Robert.
Hello.
We met at the Met's
rooftop garden gala.
I'm curating the ICA exhibition.
And I wanted to follow up
with you on my idea
of doing a traveling
exposition of your work.
- Oh.
- So, the entire range of your work
would be represented, at once.
Finally.
From your most hardcore imagery,
to the most delicate flowers.
They are delicate,
but they aren't sweet.
They're New York flowers.
Uh... Ahem.
They have a black edge to them.
They're my flowers. Nobody
sees them the way I do.
- But that sounds wonderful.
- So...
So, we'll open in Philadelphia,
- and then it will be Chicago, Washington DC...
- Right.
And then finally, Cincinnati.
Cincinnati.
Poor Cincinnati.
Impossible to spell,
and starts with the word "Cin."
My kind of town.
Well, that sounds,
yeah, very interesting.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
- I'll be in touch with you.
- Alright.
Have I met her?
Thought so...
Ah, what I would give
for a hot dog.
Oh, Robert, I don't know
if that's a good idea.
Come on, like the old days.
You haven't eaten
solid food in months.
Roland, would you mind
stopping the car, please?
No. Yeah, I got it.
Can you help him, please?
I'm alright.
I got it. Yeah.
- It's alright.
- Thank you.
Alright?
I'm alright.
I'm alright.
- I'm alright.
- Got it?
- Got it?
- I got it.
- Okay.
- Do you got it?
I'm all right.
I'm all right.
I'll be right back.
- Alright.
- Alright.
Thanks.
All right...
- Mmm. Ah.
- The best.
So good.
Robert, this has been
the most spectacular opening.
It has been
as we hoped it would.
The perfect moment
here in Philly
and I can hear you groaning
at that remark.
Robert, the response
has been phenomenal.
I anticipate that great offense
will be taken
in all the right ways.
Your star is ascendant.
My star is ascendant.
Finally.
I feel like
I'm at my own funeral.
It's a great success, though.
The work's all I have left.
Hey, Sammie.
Sammie, my Sammie.
Hey, Angel.
Hey.
C'mon, Soakie.
Come on, it's okay.
It's gonna be okay.
This new drug...
called CD-4...
and it's experimental.
I'm going to Boston to get it.
What... What is that?
It appeared
when my son was born...
Oh.
You're getting old.
I told my parents,
remember, we...
we, uh, we got married
in a st...
in a strawberry field
in California.
- And we were.
- Yeah.
Anything you dreamed was real.
I don't have good news.
You have bacterial pneumonia.
We can't start CD-4.
Your body can't take it.
I'm sorry.
We'll take good care of you.
Edward, I'm scared...
I know.
Oh...
Those are ugly.
You can toss them.
Don't you wanna know
who they're from first?
Not really.
Okay, it says...
- I thought Mom was sick, no?
- She is.
- You think Dad sent these?
- He must have.
- Wanna keep 'em?
- Yeah.
It's like the nicest thing
he's ever done for me.
Thank you.
Who knew Dad had such
terrible taste in flowers.
Right?
Where do you want 'em?
Sorry for the mix up.
The flowers are for the patient
across the hall.
I'm sorry.
Right.
Hey...
You okay?
Yeah, I'm okay.
Scared me.
How was your little show,
baby brother?
It was good.
Did you sell anything?
A few.
See, told you
you don't need to be
a Mapplethorpe.
You can make it
on your own, right?
Sure.
Can I see your work?
Alright.
I think...
you'll really appreciate this.
Robert? Robert!
Keep it coming.
Move the key,
so my pupils reflect the light.
That's it, perfect.
There you go.
Take the picture.
♪ I was dancing
When I was 12 ♪
♪ I was dancing
When I was 12 ♪
♪ I was dancing
When I was out ♪
♪ I was dancing
When I was out ♪
♪ I danced myself
Right out the womb ♪
♪ I danced myself
Right out the womb ♪
♪ Is it strange
To dance so soon? ♪
♪ I danced myself
Right out the womb ♪
♪ I was dancing
When I was eight ♪
♪ I was dancing
When I was eight ♪
♪ Is it strange
To dance so late? ♪
♪ Is it strange
To dance so late? ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ Oh, oh-oh ♪
♪ I danced myself
Into the tomb ♪
♪ I danced myself
Into the tomb ♪
♪ Is it strange
To dance so soon? ♪
♪ I danced myself
Into the tomb ♪
♪ Is it wrong
To understand ♪
♪ The fear that dwells
Inside a man? ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ What's it like
To be alone? ♪
♪ I liken it to a balloon ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ Oh, oh-oh ♪
♪ I danced myself
Out of the womb ♪
♪ I danced myself
Out of the womb ♪
♪ Is it strange
To dance so soon? ♪
♪ I danced myself
Into the tomb ♪
♪ But then again ♪
♪ Once more ♪
♪ I danced myself
Out of the womb ♪
♪ I danced myself
Out of the womb ♪
♪ Is it strange
To dance so soon? ♪
♪ I danced myself
Out of the womb ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ Oh, oh-oh ♪
♪ I'm a man ♪
♪ So I'm an elegant man ♪
♪ I'm a man ♪
♪ Clara Bows
And open toes ♪
♪ Are what I am ♪
♪ Yes, I'm a man ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ I'm a fragile man ♪
♪ I'm a man ♪
♪ Light of step ♪
♪ And soft of touch ♪
♪ A gentle man ♪
♪ You know
I could love you ♪
♪ But if I should love you ♪
♪ Then I
I would love ♪
♪ The way a man
Loves a woman ♪
♪ And live my life
Like I've been living it ♪
♪ My body claims
My mind and soul ♪
♪ So let me be ♪
♪ What I am ♪
♪ An elegant man ♪
♪ Yes, I'm a man ♪
♪ So I'm an elegant man ♪
♪ I'm a man ♪
♪ Pierrots
And spacious clothes ♪
♪ Are what I am ♪
♪ You know
I could love you ♪
♪ But if I should love you ♪
♪ Then I
I would love ♪
♪ The way a man
Loves a woman ♪
♪ And live my life
Like I've been living it ♪
♪ My body claims
My mind and soul ♪
♪ So let me be ♪
♪ What I am ♪
♪ An elegant man ♪
♪ Yes, I'm a man ♪
♪ Then I would love ♪
♪ 'Cause I'm a man ♪
♪ I can love ♪
♪ 'Cause I'm a man ♪
♪ I'm a man ♪
♪ 'Cause I'm ♪
♪ I love you
I'm a man ♪
♪ La-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la ♪
♪ La-la-la-la-la-la
You are a ♪
♪ La-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la ♪
♪ La-la-la-la-la-la
You are a ♪
♪ La-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la ♪
♪ La-la-la-la-la-la
You are a man ♪
for I have sinned.
This is my first confession.
We are gathered here
this morning
to welcome this year's pledges
to the Pershing Rifles.
Congratulations, young men.
You are making
the sacred commitment
to protect...
These are trying times...
They called your name
at the ceremony.
We were all there waitin',
where were you, son?
I'm sorry, I...
You know, I just got
so much work on at the moment,
I thought it,
I thought it better
if I focused on that really.
Engineering is,
it's just, it's...
It's, uh, it's so demanding.
We know.
We understand, sweetie.
So I'm-I'm really sorry
to disappoint you.
No, it's okay.
Uh, um,
I'd-I'd better go though,
you know,
and make things straight.
It was so nice to see you, Mom.
Okay, bye.
Thirteen years
since this war began,
and there's no end in sight.
We embarked
on this Vietnam journey
with good intentions, I think.
But once upon the path,
I think we found ourselves
having been misguided.
- Many of us...
- Thank you.
It's not enough.
I thought since there's two
hours left, you might...
Come back when you have more.
That is our big lesson
from Vietnam,
a necessity for candor.
We, the American people,
the world's admired democracy,
- cannot ever again allow ourselves...
- Fuck you.
To be misinformed, manipulated...
I need your help.
Sure.
I'm Patti. Just pretend
you're my boyfriend, alright.
- Hey!
- Thanks! You know, thank you so much
for lunch and everything, but I
found who I've been looking for.
- I just want to talk.
- Bye!
This poem is great.
I mean, it's great.
Yeah?
What else do you do?
I draw, paint.
Are you queer?
No. Do I seem like I am?
No, not really, you just...
- You look like Rimbaud the poet, you know?
- No.
- Where do you live?
- Ah, I'm sorta
in between places right now.
Yeah, me too.
Yeah? I have
a place to crash though.
It's just a shitty room.
It's somewhere, you know...
So, I actually did that in pen.
It's better in pen.
Wow.
Yeah, this is some crazy shit.
Really? Wow, thanks.
Yeah.
You get this good
goin' to Pratt, huh?
No, heh, Pratt was
just a way out of Floral Park
because it was
my dad's alma mater.
I've been drawing my whole life.
He an artist too?
My dad?
No, he's an engineer.
I mean, he takes pictures,
but he's no artist.
- But his pictures stink?
- Yeah.
No, they just
don't say anything.
Well, I guess
I better get going.
What? Where?
I... You know...
No, stop. Don't go.
You've got a bed.
Look, I'll take the couch.
I won't murder you.
I'm not a killer.
Don't go.
Okay.
Thanks.
It's been rough.
But I'll make it,
I've been through worse.
I just swear I was imaginin'...
Had a feelin'
the moment I saw you.
Like Mutt and Jeff, you know?
Lucky and Missy?
I'm fascinatin', I know.
You are.
What are you going to do
with this, huh?
"What will become of the world
when no trace of you remains?"
I think there'll be some traces.
Mapplethorpe.
M-A-P-P-L-E-T-H-O-R-P-E.
I did that job last week.
The piano move.
Well, I was just wondering
if you have any...
Okay, well, I'm available
anytime over the summer.
Okay, thank you.
- We need to go and see this movie.
- Oh, yeah?
"So, Joe leaves his job
as a dishwasher
and take a bus
to New York City."
That's you.
"Where he meets the sickly,
streetwise Ratso."
That's me.
"They eventually become friends,
companions and soul mates,
and help each other survive
in the big city."
Hey, it sounds like us.
What do you say, Joe?
Let's go.
Patti, don't eat like an animal.
That's disgusting.
Robert, you kiddin',
you're sitting there
straight out of Holy Land.
- Shepard boy.
- I know.
Why don't we take the change
from dinner and go see it?
I'll go tomorrow
if when get paid
if you like it.
I need a favor.
- Okay.
- Give me your hand.
Aw, come on.
Seriously?
Yeah. Come on.
Aw, you got to be kidding.
No, look...
You'll see when you meet
my mom and my dad.
And it's just, if they don't
think we're married...
officially...
it'll just be, you know...
- Here, I got you.
- They're Catholic.
Like, really Catholic.
I'm your family now.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
Oh, that's disgusting.
So, I'm channeling
Duchamp tonight.
That's so different.
That's terrific.
Yeah?
Thank you.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
Yeah...
♪ If I listen
Long enough to you ♪
♪ I'd find a way to believe ♪
♪ That it's all true ♪
♪ Knowing that you lied ♪
♪ Straight-faced
While I cried ♪
♪ But still I look
To find a reason to believe ♪
♪ Someone like you ♪
♪ Makes it hard to live
Without somebody else ♪
♪ Someone like you ♪
♪ Makes it easy to give ♪
♪ Never think about myself ♪
♪ If I gave you time
To change my mind ♪
♪ I'd find a way
To leave the past behind ♪
♪ Knowing that you lied ♪
♪ Straight-faced
While I cried ♪
♪ But still I look to find ♪
♪ A reason to believe ♪
I don't think
they see the world like we do.
Our world knows me.
I don't give a shit.
Our world.
Yeah, nobody lives there
but us, right?
Right.
You like it, yeah?
I told my parents we got married
in a strawberry field
in California.
- What?
- "What?"
Why'd you do that?
It's a beautiful picture.
Don't ever leave me, Patti.
Bless us, O Lord, for these
gifts we are about to receive
from thy bounty, through
Christ, our Lord, amen.
Amen.
It's so nice to finally
meet you, Patricia.
Can I get you anything else?
No, thank you,
Mrs. Mapplethorpe.
And please, call me Patti.
All right, so, tell us
the story of your union.
I mean...
when and where
did you two get married?
Thank you.
Oh, we met in California, Mom.
Right after college.
After you dropped out
of Pratt, right?
Yeah, right after that.
Big waste of time and money.
I can't even look at you.
Where'd you get that get up?
St. Marks.
Edward, eat your beans.
So, what do you do,
Patricia... Patti?
I'm an artist.
Like Robert.
Have you thought about children?
Children, Joan?
These two can barely
take care of themselves.
Actually, we take pretty good
care of each other...
Dad.
Bye, Mom.
- Thank you very much.
- Thank you.
- Really lovely to meet you.
- Bye, Dad.
Why do we even bother?
He's going to end up a
deadbeat, looking like a girl.
Harry, please.
And your name is Bob!
Bob Mapplethorpe!
Harry, shh!
You should tell them
to fuck themselves.
Yeah.
They're my family.
Hey, you, you can't open that.
Oh, sorry.
- Okay.
- Yeah, this'll do it.
And this one.
Okay.
Hey! Hey, you!
Stop! Stop!
Stop this man!
Hey, motherfucker!
Baby, come on to bed.
Okay, yeah, soon.
Shit.
Hey.
Uh... Oh, I'm not...
I don't even know...
what I'm doing, I'm just...
fuckin' around, you know.
They're fascinating.
You think?
Thanks.
Are we still going
to The Chelsea today?
Is that still on?
Yeah, let's get
our stuff together.
We ain't gonna make it
in Brooklyn.
I hate packing.
I know. Me too.
Bring the essentials.
Grab your art.
I'll get mine.
I hear the owner trades
rooms for art.
Yeah.
Wow, living at the Chelsea.
I hear Janis was there.
Yeah. Ginsburg too.
Look, I hope
he likes the work enough.
- Yeah.
- We should definitely
get in there if we can.
- Mr. Stanley Bard?
- Yes.
My name is Patti Smith,
and I'm here
with Robert Mapplethorpe.
- Uh-huh.
- You may not know us yet,
but we're going to be
big stars one day.
Only, today, we don't
have any money.
But...
take a look for yourself.
Take it all.
For collateral.
I got a job.
I can pay you tout de suite.
Okay. Okay.
Rent's generally due
first of the month.
And I'm going to hold on
to these until you can make it.
Mr. Bard, you will not
regret this.
- You got a room?
- We got it.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Bard.
I appreciate it.
- Which one?
- This one.
Aw...
Sleepyhead!
- Hey, Patti.
- Hmm?
I think I'm going to try
and sell these
so we can get
our work back faster.
I want to try to do
something around, like a cloth.
Yeah. Okay.
Got to go to work.
All right.
Have a good day.
See you later!
Mr. Bard, uh...
So, I have the money.
Can I get my work back, please?
- Hey, Robert!
- What? Hey!
You coming by?
Yeah. Five.
There you go.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Bard.
I appreciate it.
- Hey.
- Hey, Robert.
- Hey.
- Digging the necklace.
Cool, man.
- Peace, man.
- Cool.
Oh, hello.
Hey.
What do you think?
Whose is it?
It's actually one of mine.
I think it's cool.
I'm Sandy Daley.
- I'm Robert Mapplethorpe.
- Oh.
You're our newest patient, huh?
It's the only asylum in New York
where you can come and go
as you please.
This is actually a photograph
of me and a former lover.
- Oh.
- Inspired by Bellocq.
- You know Bellocq?
- No.
He was one of the first
great masters.
Wow, that's great.
I love that.
So is that.
He scratched out the face.
I've done that.
You do that?
Yeah.
I'd like to see it.
Yeah, I got, um...
some right here.
This one.
I mean, you know, it's not...
Oh, yes. I see.
- That's better.
- Well...
This is potent imagery.
Thanks.
But you really should take
your own pictures.
Yeah.
But, you know,
I can't be just be
Mapplethorpe
the photographer, you know?
I want magic. Majesty.
I want to be a modern Michelangelo.
And you think if Michelangelo
had a camera,
he wouldn't have used it?
I have something for you, Robert.
Already?
I think you're gonna love this.
Wow.
Pull that out,
and it's ready to go.
- That's the focus?
- Mm-hmm.
And remember, it's
always about the light.
Whether you paint it
or shoot it,
you have to find it or make it.
And that takes talent.
Can I take a picture
of your flowers?
Yes, you can.
- Please.
- All right.
Let's get Andy in.
I'm comin' for you, Andy.
- Take the bloody picture.
- Okay.
You should hold onto it.
Keep it for a while.
You sure?
Voilàà.
Cross your legs.
That's good.
Look at me.
Okay, now you lean on him.
Yeah, nice.
Think your worst thought.
Stand there. Hold back.
Wow.
Will you show me?
Okay, come on.
Good.
I see it.
- Yeah.
- Fantastic.
I can't even make a move
without seeing it frozen
five minutes later.
Oh, come on.
Got you, Patti Smith.
Two dirty queens.
- Thank you, Patti.
- Mm-hmm.
So, look, I made 27 bucks.
I sold three necklaces.
- All right. Hell yeah.
- But I kind of want
to keep this one,
because it's cool.
Yeah.
Robert Mapplethorpe,
for all your voodoo needs.
Yeah, well, do me a favor
and cast a spell
on Tinkerbell over there
who can't stop staring at me.
She loves you.
I love you.
Good, because you're
stuck with me.
Robert. Patti.
- This is David Croland.
- Hey.
- Bobby, you never come see me.
- Hey.
You and Patti-Cake are so...
Siamese.
I adore it.
It's violent.
It's handmade.
- Thank you.
- Truly.
Can you make one for me?
Robert takes
the most exquisite photographs.
- Oh...
- Oh all kinds.
And Patti is the newest voice
of our generation.
Whose generation?
Don't be a bad boy,
or Robert here
won't immortalize you.
I do so crave immortality.
Well, I've got to jet.
Early morning meeting.
- Yeah. Coming with you, right?
- Nice to see you.
- You comin'?
- No, I'm gonna stay actually.
I'm not tired.
I'll see you at home.
- Alright.
- I'll see you at home.
See you at home, baby.
Shit. I'm late.
Can I wear these
or are they fucking art?
Bye.
Have fun with your family.
Yeah?
It's David.
Anybody home?
Yeah, uh, just give a second.
What's that?
Open your mouth.
Stick out your tongue.
It's acid.
Mm. Giddyup.
Hey.
Shirt off.
Try that on.
Bow tie.
Pretty boy.
Like this?
Like that.
Like a good boy.
Nice.
Put your hands near your cock.
A little closer, boy.
Almost touching.
Okay, good boy.
Hold that.
- Okay...
- Smile.
Enough with the nicknames, Robert.
I'm a real model.
Come on, listen to me...
Shh.
We're making history here.
Let's go down to Stonewall.
That's real history.
Be nice and quiet for me.
For the photo.
Good boy.
Okay.
Take your cock out.
Hold that.
Got it.
I finally see you,
you know what I mean?
Well, you're the Prince...
Now you're talkin'.
Of Darkness.
Oh, now, wait.
Oh, wait, wait, wait.
Get out!
Stop it! Robert!
- No! No!
- You're sick!
No! No! No! No!
No! No!
- Shh! Shh!
- No, no, no.
Oh, no, I don't want to.
I don't want to.
I don't want to.
- Get away from me. Get away from me.
- Shut up.
- No, goddamn it.
- Robert...
- Get away from me.
- Robert. Robert.
Get away from me!
You're the fucking devil.
- I don't want this. I don't want this.
- Shh. Shh.
- Shh, shh. It's me.
- No!
It's me.
Fuck...
Hey. Shh.
I don't know, it's just...
beauty and the devil.
Beauty and the devil are
sort of the same thing to me.
And he's always been with me.
Like, always.
I guess, in church, I found God.
And then when Sandy
gave me the Polaroid,
it led me straight to the devil.
And now, suddenly,
I'm fucking him.
I'm fucking the devil. Heh.
I guess you could say I have
a certain Catholic aesthetic.
Yeah.
Let's explore that ass-thetic.
Oh, no, fuck. Patti...
Patti's...
Patti's on her way back.
Patti's coming here.
Patti's not blind, babe.
Surely she knows
that she's got a slippery Jim.
No, she knows nothing, okay?
And that's how
it's going to stay.
Okay.
- Sure.
- What?
David, what...
You're not leaving.
David.
You're gonna leave?
You want a boyfriend...
You're gonna leave me
when I'm high?
And a girlfriend.
I want you.
You decide.
Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
Thank you.
- I thought it was part of a...
- Ah. Ah.
Ah. Robert.
Hell awaits those
who desecrate the home.
I don't want you
to end up there.
Look, I find myself
wanting to touch them
and take pictures of them.
But you can't take
enough pictures of me.
Of course, you're the best.
But that's not...
Just...
I can't seem to stop myself.
Guess I always knew.
I just...
didn't want to.
Yeah, but it's
not going to change anything.
I'm not going to leave us. Ever.
What are you doing?
You're not leaving.
You're not leaving.
Don't be ridiculous.
You're not leaving, Patti.
This is our world.
This is us.
What are you...
I mean, what about...
Mutt & Jeff, Ricky &
Lucy, Ratso & Joe...
- I'm not leaving that...
- What are you doing?
Patti, please!
Stop. Stop. Stop.
No.
You can't leave...
I'm not leaving the fuckin'
solar system, Robert!
- You are the fucking solar system!
- Rent's paid!
This is the solar system!
You can't leave!
Yes, I can.
Get a grip.
Please! No,
but you don't...
Patti...
Patti, please,
please, stop, stop!
If you leave me, then...
Look, stop.
I will...
I'll become gay.
- I will.
- Well, so be it.
But I've got to take care
of myself, okay?
Don't go.
Don't go.
Don't leave me here.
Don't.
Don't go.
Don't go.
- My heart hurts too.
- No...
Patti...
Patti.
Patti!
I don't think so...
No.
Yeah, well, thank you
for your time.
Hey.
Robert Mapplethorpe.
- No.
- Okay.
Thank you for your time.
Mr. Liu, this is
Robert Mapplethorpe.
- Mr. Mapplethorpe.
- Hey.
What are you trying to say?
It's visual art. It speaks for itself.
Look at them.
I can't sell these, I'm afraid.
- Why?
- I can't even show them.
- Time to go.
- What do you mean time to go?
These people are
the gatekeepers?
He's keeping us out...
Look what's on your walls!
- Okay, let's go.
- Is that moving?
Does that provoke you?
Does that make you think?
- Mr. Mapplethorpe...
- Okay.
They're keeping us out.
There's no keeping you out, Robert.
- You're on the threshold.
- But they can't see...
See you on Tuesday.
Okay, guys. Kiss.
Switch sides. Stop.
Move around to this side.
Hold that.
I want to thank you.
So good.
Bye.
Morning.
Hear about Jimi?
No. Jimi who?
Hendrix.
Overdosed.
What?
He died?
No.
Janis and Jimmy...
Just so fucking sad, you know.
What a loss.
Makes you think
you gotta live for now.
Yeah.
Can't believe that.
Did you write a song
I can dance to yet?
No. That's not my thing.
You know that's what it takes.
You sound like your father.
Speaking of...
Who's grandpa out there?
Oh, paying rent.
I wasn't going to take the money.
It was nice.
You know, cash is cash.
True.
I missed you.
No.
Thank you for your time.
Thank you for your attention.
- I really appreciate it.
- I'm sorry, it just doesn't fit in this collection.
You've got the shit on the wall
and you don't even give a fuck!
- Robert...
- Why do you bring me to these things?
- Robert...
- It's not even... I can't even...
David Crowley.
On your knees.
Right where I left you.
Sam. Love.
What are you getting up to?
Ah. I'm good.
Just collecting,
you know, 19th Century...
Little Sufi-ism.
Who was the sumptuous
storm cloud
that just ran out of here?
That's Robert,
the shy pornographer.
A handful.
He raging because galleries
won't take on his cock photos.
- Huh.
- Go figure.
Heh. Really?
Really!
Oh, how I didn't make
the connection before...
The edgiest curator cum
collector meets
the most dangerous photographer
in history...
Uh-oh...
Where is he?
I'll get you a phone number.
Okay.
Hi, is this
the shy pornographer?
- Ah, that depends.
- Who's asking?
I'm a collector.
My friend David
told me about you.
Oh, really?
So, is the sailor
accepting visitors?
Yeah. He is.
Come aboard.
Good. Good.
Where should we meet?
Uh, ahem.
How about my studio?
33 West 11th.
Yeah, which is at 33 West 11th.
Great.
When's good for you?
Friday afternoon, say,
like three?
Okay.
I will see you then.
You feel it?
- 'Cause it's happening.
- No.
- This is how it happens.
- Really?
This is how it happens,
I'm going to call Maxine.
- Wow, you're making me nervous.
- It's happening.
It's happening.
Well, finally.
Hello?
- Hey.
- Hey.
I'm, uh, I'm Sam.
Sam Wagstaff.
- I'm Robert.
- Nice to meet you.
Thank you.
Nice to meet you, too.
Uh, ahem.
It kind of flows this way...
Oh.
- This is all your stuff?
- Yeah.
I like the music.
So, I started with the drawings,
but actually now I'm more
interested in the Polaroids.
This is you.
Yeah.
Good subject.
You know all these people?
I do.
They must trust you.
They do.
It's fantastic!
It's goddamn fantastic!
Thank you.
You're welcome.
It's good to meet you.
- Thank you for stopping by.
- Yeah.
Let me show you out.
Okay.
You know, you don't
really have to escort me
back down to the street.
It's okay.
I have somewhere to be.
Really?
No.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
So, it's time
you know the truth.
I have a lot of lovers.
That's okay...
I'd like you
to meet some of them.
Your lovers?
I mean these.
Beautiful, huh?
Ah!
The Flandrin.
- There you are.
- Wow, I like that.
Yeah?
I was looking for him.
- The Met wants a loan.
- I like the shape.
This photograph here,
by Von Gloeden,
it's a replica of
the painting from 1840.
Wow.
It's one of the few
photographs I own.
How old are you?
I'm 50.
Is that too old for you?
No. It's good.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
I'll never know
what it's like to be 50.
How are you so sure about that?
I just know.
Yeah?
Are you scared of dying?
Only before I'm famous.
Well then,
you better get to work.
So much to do, so little time.
- Come on.
- No, let's stay in bed.
- Get up.
- Please. Please.
Come on.
I'll take you to the Met.
No.
- Let's go. Let's go.
- No.
Don't be shy.
You didn't seem shy
this morning.
Yeah, well, I'm not now either.
Morning!
This place was built
on my family's land.
- No...
- So I can do whatever the fuck I want.
Really? Wow.
This is for you.
Thank you.
So, are you ready?
Yeah, I think so.
I believe these are some of
the oldest photographs
in existence.
- Nadar. Right?
- Yeah.
Yeah, my friend Sandy
told me about him.
Beautiful portraits.
My God, is that... Look at that.
Is that Sarah Bernhardt?
Yes, it is.
She looks fantastic.
I can't believe
it's not a painting.
You know?
There she is, forever...
Do you collect any?
No.
They're not valuable.
Well, you should.
I think they will be.
No, I think these will be
up on the main floor
with Rodin, Michelangelo.
Mapplethorpe. Hey...
I hope so.
Holy shit.
These are gorgeous.
- Look at that.
- I know. I love that one.
No one's blacks
are blacker than yours.
I swear to God.
Wow.
So many new men.
You've become
a bit of collector yourself.
Should I be concerned?
No. They're my work.
You're my love.
Well, since
you put it that way...
- For you, my birthday boy.
- Ah...
Apollo 8 used it
to capture the moon.
I thought it's good enough
for my monkey
to tell his story here on the ground.
No... No...
Sammie...
Oh, wow...
God...
Oh, one more thing...
Keys to your new live-in studio.
What?
Like, you're the nicest
person I ever met.
I don't know about that.
Fuck, I'm late.
I told Patti she could
run through her set with me.
Go, go.
I'll meet you at yours
in like two hours?
- Mmm.
- Thank you.
- Happy birthday.
- Thank you.
Happy birthday to you.
You just heard hotter
than hot punk loaded,
from Patti Smith, singing
"Because The Night."
She's on the cover
of Rolling Stone now,
well, she's on your turntable,
Bruce Springsteen
wrote that song,
but thought it was
a perfect fit for her
and even let her tweak
the lyrics.
Wow! A classic.
And here's
another classic for you.
Little brother.
Hey.
So...
So I, um...
I snuck into the city
'cause I have to...
write a paper on my hero, and...
I want to write it about you.
And I want to study photography,
but, of course, Dad's
talking me out of it.
Trying to.
Anyway, that's,
that's why I'm here.
That's why I came to see you.
You can write about these.
Yeah, that.
Open it.
Are your hands clean?
They're... They're clean.
It's... cool.
Yeah. It's my friend's fist
up my friend's ass.
Keep going.
Wow...
Yeah. Yeah.
Do me a favor.
Don't tell Mom and Dad
about anything
- that you've seen here today.
- Of course.
And can you
give them this, please?
Of course.
And let yourself out, okay.
Okay?
Bye.
Okay. Bye.
Okay. Bye.
Well...
Sam certainly likes
to keep me on my toes.
Yeah.
These are, uh...
These are quite something...
Forget it, forget it.
Excuse me?
If you knew
what you were looking at
then you wouldn't act like
such a fucking art-snob fag!
Mr. Mapplethorpe, I know
exactly what I am looking at.
And I am a fucking art-snob fag.
Yeah. I know.
And I do want them.
Yeah? How much?
- A lot.
- No.
How much are you going
to charge people to buy them?
A lot...
New York singer Patti Smith
was opening for Bob Seger
in Tampa, Florida last night
when she tripped and fell more
than 15 feet off the stage.
She has suffered severe injuries
but is in stable condition.
Back to you, Bob.
And the show's going great.
- Yeah. We sold five.
- Little patience, monkey.
One more meeting, it'll be
show time, I swear.
Talk to you later, bye.
All right, Holly.
Talk to us.
These photographs are exquisite.
- Yes.
- Precise.
Uniquely scintillating...
But I can't put little
Jesse McBride, Philip Glass
and Arnold Schwarzenegger
next to cocks and chains.
I'd have to pass out Valium at the door.
Show all of my work.
Or none of it.
I want to.
You're brilliant.
You're the Jekyll & Hyde
of photography.
But the public won't be able
to handle it all at once, dear.
My clients are only just beginning
to grasp that photography is art.
Yeah, um, see, Holly...
Robert doesn't have
a lot of patience...
- for anything!
Not a fucking thing!
Not a fucking thing, Sam!
I have an idea
of how Jekyll & Hyde
can both have their debuts, simultaneously.
I'm going to call you, alright.
We're going to have lunch.
I'll buy us a bottle of wine.
- You're going to love it.
- Can't wait.
It's brilliant.
Solomon...
Kitchen...
Very clever...
I'll get it out
to the right people.
I'll look after Patti.
Now, get back to work.
Thanks, Sammi.
- Wow. Sammie.
- Here we are.
- This is your doing.
- Yeah. Little bit.
You're a very smart man.
Go meet the people.
I love the people...
Yeah, I just always found them
so beautiful
to photograph, actually.
And I want to show you
who you remind me of.
I'm sorry to interrupt.
Excuse me.
How are you, by the way?
Uh, this is Nick. Obviously.
I just love the tattoos
on his face.
I'm sorry.
Excuse me.
Larry and Bobby kissing.
And I thought he was
a bit like you.
Uh, he's a dealer.
Of art.
Not drugs.
Oh.
Come and see Arnold.
Hello. You decided
to go with flowers.
Well, you know,
easing the public into it
is an art in itself apparently.
Hey! So I thought;
sell the public my flowers
and then they can
hang them on their walls
without realizing
what it is they're embracing.
- Are you coming to the Kitchen?
- Are you through?
- I am, yes.
- Where is that?
I want to see
your true masterpieces.
Well, you know, one day,
they'll be here too.
- Thank you for this.
- Show 'em this magnificence.
Thank you for coming.
I'm coming! I know.
- Absolutely. Yes.
- I'll find you, okay?
Holly. Darling.
Thank you.
So? Sales?
One.
But he had to leave it here.
Why's that?
Wife. Kids.
- Hamptons.
- Naturally.
I appreciate your time.
Goodbye.
- Hey, guys.
- Hi.
So...?
Did you meet the people?
Yeah.
I think so...
Uh, Leo.
Lord Warwick.
Peggy G.
- Any other musts?
- Great.
Uh, I don't think so.
As a matter of fact,
let's hightail it.
- Shall we?
- Another group of admirers awaits you.
- Okay. Thank you.
- Bye, darling.
- I appreciate everything.
- Sure.
- Sell more pictures.
- I will.
- Oh, my God!
- Fuckin' leather.
- Touch of leather, Sammie.
- Oh, my God.
A touch of leather, baby.
Well, I guess there's
a first time for everything...
- We're here. We're here. We're here.
- Okay, okay, okay.
God almighty, do you like it?
Do you have any money
to buy anything?
You probably don't. Heh.
You asshole.
Oh, God, I'm sorry.
Oh, hi.
Wow, look at you.
Hey! You. Thank you.
Look at this...
I really appreciate it so much.
Really. Thank you.
Patti!
Hey.
Come on, let's go.
What?
I'm a success.
Come to my show.
I can't go anywhere, look at me.
- It's a party. We'll...
- Ow, stop.
- Come on.
- Stop it!
It can't be all about you
right now.
Look at me.
I can't even walk.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, I am sorry.
I know you're hurt.
I'm standing in front of
thousands of shouting people
out in Florence, so I don't
know what to shout back.
Who am I to say?
- You're Patti Smith.
- No.
- You're Patti fucking Smith.
- No, I know that.
It's just, it's time
to rethink my plan, you know?
- It just feels so dishonest now...
- Our plan.
You always wanted this
more than I did.
Don't give up.
Give up what?
You know, the first man
I ever fell in love with
served on my ship during
the invasion
of Normandy.
I was an officer.
He was a sailor.
Oh, my God, he was beautiful.
Like you.
So, what's on your mind, Monkey?
Patti's gone.
What do you mean?
She's leaving.
To Detroit.
Of all places. Why?
To get married.
Have children.
Ah. Yeah,
don't worry about that.
She'll snap out of it.
New York is her everything.
You do know I love you.
I do.
And I love my old thing.
- And I always will.
- Monkey.
And I want some chocolate milk.
Aw, does baby want
some chocolate milk?
Please?
Come on, I'll buy you
some chocolate milk.
So, this is Patti.
How is Patricia?
I saw in the paper
she was in an accident.
Yeah, she's recovering at home.
She's sorry she can't be here.
This is Princess Margaret.
She's a friend from Mustique.
How did you afford that trip?
A magazine sent me.
And we are set.
This is David Hockney.
- Hockney?
- Yeah. He's a cool guy.
A British artist.
And Princess Devovo. Heh.
A princess?
From where?
Heh, I don't know.
I mean, she doesn't do much
apart from be a princess.
But she takes a good
photograph, I thought.
It's pretty.
Anyway, you guys
must be starving.
Shall we get something to eat?
Sure.
I know a good place, actually.
It's not far.
You don't print
the pictures yourself?
Uh, no. Never.
That once.
But that's photography.
How can you let someone else
carry out
the most important part?
Well, that's one element
of photography.
Photography is more than
one element.
It's about light.
It's about composition.
It's about the personality
of the subject.
Plus you told me never again.
And I'm a good listener.
And I'm an artist.
I would've been a painter,
but the camera was invented.
Thank God.
I just think
life moves too fast now
to spend weeks painting.
Well, you're not
a real photographer
until you know
the technical end.
Period.
What?
Nancy had
her fourth child.
Oh, yeah?
I so like her.
She says hi.
And Richard divorced
that Oriental girl.
Harry, how do you say her name?
What does it matter?
I had to quit
the bowling league.
Well, that's a shame.
I just get too tired.
That's too bad.
Your mother was good.
I remember.
I liked your show.
Thank you.
I like my flowers.
They're beautiful.
Drop it in there.
Attaboy.
Let it flow with the picture,
that's it.
There you go.
Now, I'm going to have
to develop this one
to see into it, all right?
- Okay.
- That's good.
Gotcha.
This is...
This is wrong.
You do know why, yes?
You are not to touch this again!
It wasn't made for this!
Yes. Okay. Fine.
Do you want that?
Go steady, now.
What are you staring at?
You don't like it?
Uh, I don't know, Robert.
It doesn't really look like me.
It's not your look I'm taking.
It's you.
You're dirty.
It's hot.
Look at that.
Mm, whatever you say, man.
All these art snobs think
they're so cutting edge.
I take out my portfolio
and I show them
the bullwhip up my ass.
If they blink or they look away
then they just can't handle it
because they're
not so fucking cutting edge
after all.
You know?
You got that right.
I call it...
I call it "Playing chicken
with the avant-garde."
It's my favorite pastime.
It's a game
the whole family can play.
You're making me laugh so hard
I gotta pee.
- Well, right, yeah.
- Well, just, you know,
take a piss here
and I'll take pictures of you.
Actually, put your cock
in that champagne glass.
Wait...
Hold that. Yeah, perfect.
You know, McNenny, people think
that you just deal me flowers.
Good boy...
Wait, wait, wait...
Hold on...
Damn. Making a mess.
Yeah, let's take
some more pictures.
- All right.
- Take off your clothes, guys.
Robert?
Hey, superstar.
You up?
I just got a call
from The New York Times.
They, uh...
want a quote
about the dual show.
Sammi...
Sammi, Sammi.
Sammi's here.
Sammi's come to play.
Hey, come on, come in.
It's just a little sex,
a little magic.
I introduced you.
I invested in you.
- And this...
- Sammi.
- Wow.
- Come on, you know, this is...
This is... This is...
how I live.
But it doesn't mean
that I don't,
I don't love you.
- Sam, Sam!
- Robert, hey!
I love you too.
Jesus, I wanted
to taste this life...
And it was delicious.
But I'm full, Monkey.
And you should be too.
Sammi. Sammi.
Challenger, now throttle up.
There is no indication whatsoever
that they could have
possibly survived
the enormous explosion
that we all saw.
The oldest of them
was only 46 years old.
Seven young talents who had
careers ahead of them...
snuffed out in an instant.
Doctors at Mt. Sinai Hospital
say they may have uncovered
a way...
Patti. It's Robert.
Pick up the phone, please.
Pick up the phone,
pick up the phone,
pick up the phone.
I'm not going to wreck
your perfect life.
Pick up the phone.
Okay.
Call me back.
Call me right fucking back.
Call me fucking back...
Hey.
Can I get a drink?
I'll have a martini.
Jim, a Scotch?
Robert?
Ice water as usual?
Hmm.
Look at mutton chops over there.
Beautiful man.
Excuse me.
- Hey.
- Hey.
Has anyone ever taken
your photograph before?
No.
Really?
Well, they should.
Thanks.
Let's see.
Take your shot.
I'm not that great at this.
Hey, do you want to come...
Want to come do some cocaine?
Yes.
Come on, let's go.
- Where?
- My place.
- Let's go.
- Let's go.
I'll be right back.
He won't be long.
Okay.
Bye. Bye.
Bye, Petey.
Hug your knees.
Closer to you.
A bit tighter.
Hug them more.
That's good.
Now hold that.
Perfect.
Robert?
Ed's here.
Your brother.
The meeting your mother
wanted me to set up.
He's here.
What? Oh.
Oh. Okay.
All right.
Okay, I'm coming, I'm coming.
You want me to look at this?
Thank you.
Sit down.
Of course,
I'm still learning, but, uh...
some of them are good, right?
They're all good.
Just look, I don't...
I don't particularly want
my kid brother working for me.
But Dad kicked me out
for wanting
to take pictures for a living.
Like you.
- So...
- "Dad." "Dad."
"Dad."
Look, Edward...
only when you cut him off
are you going to be able
to make the steps
that you need to make
to do something great
with your life.
Yeah, but...
I barely even know you, so...
Maybe...
I just...
I don't want,
I don't want any connection
to our family, you know,
it's just...
You gotta leave all that
stuff out of here, okay?
Of course.
- Do you understand that?
- I understand.
Okay. Alright.
Yeah?
Ah, what... What time
is the next shoot?
Twelve o'clock, Robert.
What time is it now?
Just after eleven.
Wanna do some cocaine?
Heh. Sure.
Straight from God...
Try it.
Heh. There you go!
Geez.
Okay!
- My name's...
- Why you walkin' up on me, man?
Oh, I'm sorry, my name's
Robert Mapplethorpe, I'm a...
I don't want no problems, man.
Absolutely no problems.
I'm a photographer.
I couldn't help myself.
You're so striking
and I thought to myself,
"God, I'd love
to take his photograph."
I have a studio
right around the corner.
Actually, I wondered if you'd
ever thought about modeling?
Modeling?
- Man, you walkin' over here...
- Modeling.
You scared the shit out of me.
You look so fantastic.
I could help you
make a portfolio.
And when you want to do that?
Now.
- Right now?
- Right now.
All right.
- Wonderful, what's your name?
- Uh, Milton.
- Milton.
- Yeah.
You said Robert, right?
Robert.
That's me, yeah.
That's perfect. Eyes down.
Okay...
How about you take off
those pants?
I can't be doing that,
out of respect for my family.
Can I at least see it?
That's the most beautiful thing
I've ever seen.
What if I promise
never to show your cock
and your face in the same frame?
Uh...
Yeah, that's okay.
Wait there, just, just...
Put your right leg out.
Turn, turn your body
to your right.
Stop.
- I think I'm in love.
- I gotta go.
No, I'm going to show you
the world, Milton.
You're perfect.
I'm going to take care of you.
Okay.
Let's see.
Ooh, yeah.
I love it.
Yeah. This one.
Burn it a little.
I don't know, man...
It's brilliant, don't you think?
Aw, come on.
Yeah, the only thing you need to
know is where the darkroom is.
You come in, get the film,
go print, and you go home.
Okay?
Crop it.
Take off his head.
It's stronger without it.
Drop the light
from the background.
Looks evil.
I think that's the idea.
Just leave us alone
a minute, please, Edward.
Thank you.
Now, Roy...
I want you to just look
directly at the camera.
Just give me that look that
you had when you nailed Julius.
Rosenberg, that is.
Chin up.
Magic.
Yeah... Yeah...
Yeah... What's the matter,
naughty nigger.
Come on, baby. There. Yeah.
Yeah...
Can I stick my finger
in your ass?
Who's a good boy?
Move.
Curator.
Can you define it?
Um...
A guy who chooses art pieces
for other folks to check out.
I think we need to get
your English teacher
to focus on the language
of the arts.
- Here we are.
- Look at you.
You look so innocent.
You're gonna do great.
Ah! Where's Edward?
Ed!
This isn't... I don't know
what's going on here.
I can't...
You know, it's this bit here.
I'd never put it back in...
Bingo!
Hey...
What... What are you...
What are you doing?
What...?
Milton, what's wrong?
Whoa. Whoa.
Take it easy.
What are you doing?
That... Whoa. Stop it.
Stop it.
What are you doing?
I love you.
- Love me?
- Yeah.
You don't love me.
You don't love anyone.
You love yourself...
and how you make people do shit!
You make me do shit!
And read crap I don't get.
- Okay, take it easy.
- Train me to dance
like a fucking monkey.
And you call me a "nigger"
in bed.
Milton, come on,
that's just a tease.
It's not meant as an insult.
I thought...
I thought you liked...
Po-nigger who poses
like a nude piece a Black meat
fo' his pansy boyfriend!
But you are
a piece of black meat.
- Fuck you!
- Whoa. Take it easy...
Okay. Milton, I was
trying to enlighten you.
To celebrate you.
To celebrate your strength.
To celebrate
your beautiful black flesh...
I'm not one of your white boy,
stuck-up, sculptures.
- Milton, I have given you...
- Sure enough I ain't nobody's nigga.
All I have!
And you got something back.
Yeah, well I nurture you
because I see your potential.
Milton, come on.
Milton, you have been the
subject of some of my best work.
You are the star!
Milton!
You took pictures of my dick,
stickin' outta my pants!
Because it's gorgeous.
Milton...
You picked the wrong po' Black
boy for your collection.
Don't go...
Where are you gonna go?
Come on. I need you.
- You got everything you need.
- No...
- I need money.
- No, Milton. Please...
Well, you know where it is.
Don't...
Look, let's talk.
Milton...
Milton!
What...
Milton left me.
I tried to improve him,
I tried my best.
But he didn't want
to be improved.
Oh, sorry about that.
He was a sweet project.
Sometimes projects
are abandoned when
they don't work out.
I loved him.
I really loved him.
I can't believe you sold your
photography collection, Sammi.
- I, honestly, I...
- Sentimentality
is the kiss of death in art.
It's too much stuff. Let
somebody else take care of it.
Besides, I'm really
enjoying this.
I can shine these spots away.
Gives me a little hope.
Only five hundred bucks.
For everything.
All these pieces.
It's unbelievable.
I bet you this is
the next big thing.
I've got it, by the way...
I... How do you know...?
I know.
I'm just waiting
for the test results...
Well, that doesn't
mean that you...
- Robert. Robert...
- It doesn't... No, no, no...
I wake up every night
covered in sweat.
Well, so open
your fucking window!
It has arrived...
Have you been tested?
No.
Monkey, please...
I won't.
Your photos are quickly
becoming a gallery of the dead.
Wrap it over
your shoulders. Like that.
Yeah.
Uh... Just, I don't know,
I can't see the frame...
I can't see the fucking frame.
Sorry, Lisa.
Just give me a...
I just... I just need a moment.
Chin up.
Tense.
No time for this.
So what do you guys think?
- That one.
- It's so exciting, your first show!
Another $25,000!
No. Another 30,000!
My God, that's amazing.
That's $55,000 in just
under two hours! Okay.
Yeah, dead man walking...
Ah, who knew
my stock would rise
with every pound I lose.
What are...
What are these doing here?
I, um, I thought you might
take a look at them.
- Oh, yeah?
- Yeah.
Why?
You don't need my opinion.
You've got my moves down...
Hey, that's not
what I'm trying to do...
Yeah, plus, you're
the technical expert.
Yeah, well, the technical
elements aren't the arts.
- You're damn right they're not.
- Yeah, but, I...
I-I...
I want your opinion
about the arts.
Because...?
Because you're my brother,
and because...
you're better at this than I am.
Yeah, well, you know,
I actually have no idea
how my pictures look so good.
It's not something
I can just pass on to you.
Well, can you at least tell me
which ones you like the best?
- Why?
- I have to pick one for the group show.
Next month.
What?
The one you're in, too.
So, if we're going
to continue working together...
you gotta change your last name.
I have made Mapplethorpe a name
through my hard work over years.
I mean, it just...
Here, how...
How about...
Mom's maiden name.
Maxey.
Yeah. Look at that.
It sounds sexy.
Use it.
Get Sam Hardison on the phone.
Uh, look, I'm sorry, Edward.
I feel like
I've done a lot for you,
but I've gotta draw the line.
You can't just keep riding
on my coattails.
Think this batch here needs
your technical expertise, okay.
I'm going out.
You can't keep doing this, Robert.
Doing what?
Don't you care
about spreading it?
Well, y'know, that's up to them.
Not me...
I can't cheat death,
but I can cheat life.
- Which I won't.
- Robert...
We're born alone
and we die alone.
- Robert, you're not alone.
- We spend our lives
pretending that we're not.
If I have to change
the way I live,
then I'd rather not.
At all. Okay?
Hey, I'm just paying my dues.
- Robert...
- He's not letting any of us off easy.
Technical expertise, Edward.
Robert!
Hey.
Thank you.
Come here.
I've had three great loves
in my life.
My mom...
art...
and you.
I hope not in that order.
Thank you. Stop.
Ah. Got it.
Thank you.
Jesus Christ.
I mean, thank God
that is over...
So, I'm going to go out,
but I can drop you at the hotel
and then I'll meet you
at the airport
in the morning, all right?
I'm not coming, Robert.
What, you don't need a ride?
No. I mean
I'm not coming to New York.
I've thought about it a lot
and I need to...
I need to have
my own career, Robert.
So, I'm heading down
to Los Angeles.
Alright, what?
You're my assistant.
That's your career.
You owe me.
I gave you a life.
- No. I don't owe you.
- I gave you...
I've given you
everything I have!
- Oh, well thank you.
- Robert, I have this much!
This much!
I need to start my own life.
As Edward Maxey...
- Yeah...
- Hmm?
- Edward Maxey.
- Well, good luck with that.
Whatever delusions
of grandeur you have,
you're an assistant.
Get in the car.
And now for your update
on Things About Town.
Mapplethorpe Mania
has arrived in New York
in the form of
a retrospective exhibition
that opens July 28th
at the Whitney Museum
of American Art.
The show,
titled "Robert Mapplethorpe"
praises the artistic development
of its 41-year-old subject
from 1969 to today.
It's likely
to be quite provocative
and draw some controversy
due to the explicit nature
of some of
the photographer's work.
The artist himself is slated
to attend the opening,
if he makes it.
Mapplethorpe is reportedly
in the advanced stages
of the Autoimmune Deficiency
Syndrome, AIDS.
Oh, my...
Father Stack.
Robert.
You're a long way
from Floral Park.
I'm... I'm glad to see you.
Do they speak to you?
Well, it's a battle
between good and evil.
Are you here
for my confession, Father?
I... No.
Your mother asked me to come.
She's worried about you.
Oh. How is she?
Not very well.
Her emphysema
has really worsened.
Sit down. Please.
Robert, do you believe in God?
No.
What gives you solace?
Beauty.
Perfection.
Knowing that I've captured
those things in my work.
Knowing that my work
will outlive me.
It'll still be there
when I'm gone.
And you have.
Thank you.
That's what I see.
Even that which we deem obscene,
you make look more beautiful
than I thought possible.
I wonder what it's like
to be your subject.
My subject?
I actually remember
my first communion with you.
- Can you remember that?
- Oh, I remember that. Yes.
Oh, perfect.
Thank you, Father.
You're a rascal.
I remember that.
Did I blink?
Sorry.
Oh, you look absolutely
heavenly, Father.
If you could just look off
to my left, please.
Just a touch. The Devil
is in all of us, Father.
I wonder where he is in you.
I think we got it.
Can you make your legs into a V?
Yeah. Hold that.
Okay, could you just dip
your neck...
Hold.
Maybe try putting your arms
straight out in front of you.
Perfect.
Hold that.
Ha. It's my baby brother!
We're just photographing
this beautiful bronze sculpture.
Robert, I thought
about what you said...
Oh. Edward, meet Javier.
He's my new assistant.
He was just
a Spanish street urchin,
but he's very ambitious,
and he's learning fast.
Mucho gusto.
Oh yeah, he doesn't
speak much English.
But he's got a dictionary
so it shouldn't take you
long to train him.
You know what,
Ken, let's... Can I...
Can I photograph you
by the dining room, please?
Wow.
Bravo, Martin.
These are the deepest blacks
I have ever seen.
Someone came by yesterday
and they thought these two
were paintings.
I know.
Well, that's the idea
And your canvas sealed the deal.
You're gonna be famous for this.
They're the holy grail
of platinum printing.
Now, can you do
four feet by six feet?
I don't think there's a printer
alive who can pull that off.
Try it.
For me.
Let's wrap Thomas and Dovanna
in white silk.
Regal, you know, so
everybody knows to worship.
And let's wrap Donald
in rich red silk.
And we gotta have a cock
in the show.
I mean, people
will be expecting some cock.
Thank you.
Thank you, Martin.
Amazing work.
I mean, look...
Okay, can you make sure
you put this
with the whole Wasting Series.
It'll be valuable when I'm gone.
Horrible!
Hi, Rachel.
Thank you for coming.
The first time I came
to this museum,
he, he wouldn't let me in,
because I didn't have a buck.
- But I always remember these lights...
- Robert.
Hello.
We met at the Met's
rooftop garden gala.
I'm curating the ICA exhibition.
And I wanted to follow up
with you on my idea
of doing a traveling
exposition of your work.
- Oh.
- So, the entire range of your work
would be represented, at once.
Finally.
From your most hardcore imagery,
to the most delicate flowers.
They are delicate,
but they aren't sweet.
They're New York flowers.
Uh... Ahem.
They have a black edge to them.
They're my flowers. Nobody
sees them the way I do.
- But that sounds wonderful.
- So...
So, we'll open in Philadelphia,
- and then it will be Chicago, Washington DC...
- Right.
And then finally, Cincinnati.
Cincinnati.
Poor Cincinnati.
Impossible to spell,
and starts with the word "Cin."
My kind of town.
Well, that sounds,
yeah, very interesting.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
- I'll be in touch with you.
- Alright.
Have I met her?
Thought so...
Ah, what I would give
for a hot dog.
Oh, Robert, I don't know
if that's a good idea.
Come on, like the old days.
You haven't eaten
solid food in months.
Roland, would you mind
stopping the car, please?
No. Yeah, I got it.
Can you help him, please?
I'm alright.
I got it. Yeah.
- It's alright.
- Thank you.
Alright?
I'm alright.
I'm alright.
- I'm alright.
- Got it?
- Got it?
- I got it.
- Okay.
- Do you got it?
I'm all right.
I'm all right.
I'll be right back.
- Alright.
- Alright.
Thanks.
All right...
- Mmm. Ah.
- The best.
So good.
Robert, this has been
the most spectacular opening.
It has been
as we hoped it would.
The perfect moment
here in Philly
and I can hear you groaning
at that remark.
Robert, the response
has been phenomenal.
I anticipate that great offense
will be taken
in all the right ways.
Your star is ascendant.
My star is ascendant.
Finally.
I feel like
I'm at my own funeral.
It's a great success, though.
The work's all I have left.
Hey, Sammie.
Sammie, my Sammie.
Hey, Angel.
Hey.
C'mon, Soakie.
Come on, it's okay.
It's gonna be okay.
This new drug...
called CD-4...
and it's experimental.
I'm going to Boston to get it.
What... What is that?
It appeared
when my son was born...
Oh.
You're getting old.
I told my parents,
remember, we...
we, uh, we got married
in a st...
in a strawberry field
in California.
- And we were.
- Yeah.
Anything you dreamed was real.
I don't have good news.
You have bacterial pneumonia.
We can't start CD-4.
Your body can't take it.
I'm sorry.
We'll take good care of you.
Edward, I'm scared...
I know.
Oh...
Those are ugly.
You can toss them.
Don't you wanna know
who they're from first?
Not really.
Okay, it says...
- I thought Mom was sick, no?
- She is.
- You think Dad sent these?
- He must have.
- Wanna keep 'em?
- Yeah.
It's like the nicest thing
he's ever done for me.
Thank you.
Who knew Dad had such
terrible taste in flowers.
Right?
Where do you want 'em?
Sorry for the mix up.
The flowers are for the patient
across the hall.
I'm sorry.
Right.
Hey...
You okay?
Yeah, I'm okay.
Scared me.
How was your little show,
baby brother?
It was good.
Did you sell anything?
A few.
See, told you
you don't need to be
a Mapplethorpe.
You can make it
on your own, right?
Sure.
Can I see your work?
Alright.
I think...
you'll really appreciate this.
Robert? Robert!
Keep it coming.
Move the key,
so my pupils reflect the light.
That's it, perfect.
There you go.
Take the picture.
♪ I was dancing
When I was 12 ♪
♪ I was dancing
When I was 12 ♪
♪ I was dancing
When I was out ♪
♪ I was dancing
When I was out ♪
♪ I danced myself
Right out the womb ♪
♪ I danced myself
Right out the womb ♪
♪ Is it strange
To dance so soon? ♪
♪ I danced myself
Right out the womb ♪
♪ I was dancing
When I was eight ♪
♪ I was dancing
When I was eight ♪
♪ Is it strange
To dance so late? ♪
♪ Is it strange
To dance so late? ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ Oh, oh-oh ♪
♪ I danced myself
Into the tomb ♪
♪ I danced myself
Into the tomb ♪
♪ Is it strange
To dance so soon? ♪
♪ I danced myself
Into the tomb ♪
♪ Is it wrong
To understand ♪
♪ The fear that dwells
Inside a man? ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ What's it like
To be alone? ♪
♪ I liken it to a balloon ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ Oh, oh-oh ♪
♪ I danced myself
Out of the womb ♪
♪ I danced myself
Out of the womb ♪
♪ Is it strange
To dance so soon? ♪
♪ I danced myself
Into the tomb ♪
♪ But then again ♪
♪ Once more ♪
♪ I danced myself
Out of the womb ♪
♪ I danced myself
Out of the womb ♪
♪ Is it strange
To dance so soon? ♪
♪ I danced myself
Out of the womb ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ Oh, oh-oh ♪
♪ I'm a man ♪
♪ So I'm an elegant man ♪
♪ I'm a man ♪
♪ Clara Bows
And open toes ♪
♪ Are what I am ♪
♪ Yes, I'm a man ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ I'm a fragile man ♪
♪ I'm a man ♪
♪ Light of step ♪
♪ And soft of touch ♪
♪ A gentle man ♪
♪ You know
I could love you ♪
♪ But if I should love you ♪
♪ Then I
I would love ♪
♪ The way a man
Loves a woman ♪
♪ And live my life
Like I've been living it ♪
♪ My body claims
My mind and soul ♪
♪ So let me be ♪
♪ What I am ♪
♪ An elegant man ♪
♪ Yes, I'm a man ♪
♪ So I'm an elegant man ♪
♪ I'm a man ♪
♪ Pierrots
And spacious clothes ♪
♪ Are what I am ♪
♪ You know
I could love you ♪
♪ But if I should love you ♪
♪ Then I
I would love ♪
♪ The way a man
Loves a woman ♪
♪ And live my life
Like I've been living it ♪
♪ My body claims
My mind and soul ♪
♪ So let me be ♪
♪ What I am ♪
♪ An elegant man ♪
♪ Yes, I'm a man ♪
♪ Then I would love ♪
♪ 'Cause I'm a man ♪
♪ I can love ♪
♪ 'Cause I'm a man ♪
♪ I'm a man ♪
♪ 'Cause I'm ♪
♪ I love you
I'm a man ♪
♪ La-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la ♪
♪ La-la-la-la-la-la
You are a ♪
♪ La-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la ♪
♪ La-la-la-la-la-la
You are a ♪
♪ La-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la ♪
♪ La-la-la-la-la-la
You are a man ♪