Phantom Thread (2017) - full transcript

Reynolds has made

my dreams come true.

And I have given him what

he desires most in return.

And what's that?

Every piece of me.

He's a very

demanding man, isn't he?

Must be quite a challenge

to be with him.

Yes.

Maybe he's the most

demanding man.

Morning, ladies.

- Morning.

- Morning, madam.

Good morning, ladies.

- Morning, Biddy.

- Morning, Mr. Woodcock.

- Morning, Nana.

- Morning, Mr. Woodcock.

- Pippa.

- Morning, sir.

Try these.

Reynolds. They're delicious.

Remember I told you, Johanna“.

No more stodgy things?

I didn't know that.

You may have told it

to someone else.

- Morning.

- Morning, my old so-and-so.

Where have you gone, Reynolds?

There's nothing I can say to get

your attention aimed back at me.

Is there?

I cannot begin my day

with a confrontation, please.

I'm delivering the dress today.

And I can't take up space

with a confrontation.

I simply don't have

time for confrontations.

Good morning, Countess.

Good morning, Cyril.

Good morning, Peter.

Who is this beautiful stranger?

I need to see you

far more often, Henrietta.

- I am very excited.

- I am, too. Come in.

Exquisite.

Yes?

Let's take it for a walk.

Beautiful work, ladies.

- Thank you very much.

- Thank you.

It's beautiful, Reynolds.

Worth everything

we've been through.

I feel like it will

give me courage.

Ladies and gentlemen,

take your seats, please.

- Evening, Stephen. Is she here?

- Yes, sir.

What do you want

to do about Johanna?

I mean, she's lovely,

but the time has come.

And she's getting fat,

sitting around waiting for you

to fall in love with her again.

I'll give her the October dress.

If that's all right.

I have an unsettled feeling,

based on

nothing I can put my finger on.

Just butterflies.

Been having the strongest

memories of Mama lately,

coming to me in my dreams,

smelling her scent.

The strongest sense that

she's near us.

Reaching out towards us.

I very much hope that she saw

the dress tonight. Don't you?

Yes.

It's comforting to think the dead

are watching over the living.

I don't find that spooky at all.

Why don't you go

to the country tonight?

I'll follow tomorrow.

Good idea.

I like that idea very much.

My old so-and-so.

Mr. Hansford?

- Mr. Hansford?

- Hello?

- Good morning.

- Morning.

- Fill it up, please.

- I will do.

Check the oil and the tires.

Lovely. Thank you.

It's a hard frost this morning.

It's cold, isn't it?

It's very bitter.

Ugh.

Excuse me. Could we have

a bit more toast, please?

Yes.

- Here you are.

- Thank you.

- Good morning.

- Morning.

What would you like to order?

A Welsh rarebit...

With a poached egg

on top, please.

Not too runny.

And bacon,

scones,

butter, cream,

jam,

not strawberry.

No.

Raspberry?

What else?

Coffee or tea?

Do you have Lapsang?

I'll have a pot

of Lapsang, please.

Good choice.

And some sausages.

And some sausages.

Show me.

Will you remember?

Yes.

I'm keeping this.

And now?

Will you have dinner with me?

Yes.

For the hungry boy,

my name is Alma.

- Am I late?

- No.

What do you think?

Hmm.

I like the sauce.

Custard.

It's quite good.

Mmm-hmm.

May I, Alma?

I like to see

who I'm talking to.

Here.

Mmm.

There you are. That's better.

Does your mother

have brown eyes?

Green.

Do you look very much like her?

I don't know, I think so.

Do you have a photograph?

Yes.

- Would you let me see it?

- Not here, at home.

Carry it with you.

Always carry her with you.

Where's yours?

Your mother.

She's here in the canvas.

- What do you mean?

- Hmm.

You can sew almost anything

into the canvas of a coat.

Secrets,

coins,

words, little messages.

When I was a boy,

I started to hide things

in the linings of the garments,

things that only I knew

were there.

And over my breast, I have a

lock of my mother's hair,

to keep her close to me always.

She was quite

a remarkable woman.

She taught me my trade.

So I try to never be

without her.

You must love her very much.

Hello.

This is Alma. Say hello to Alma.

Hello.

This is Alma.

Come say hello to Alma.

- Come on, come on.

- Hello.

Shall we show her

the house, lads?

I made this dress for

her when I was 16 years old.

It's beautiful.

'Twas for her second

husband, for the wedding.

My father had died

many years before.

Our nanny,

the evil Miss Blackwood...

Black Death, we used to call her.

Because of superstition, she

refused to help me sew the dress,

as she believed it would

bring her bad fortune,

to never be a bride.

Not that anyone

would have had her.

And she seemed ancient to us, I have

no idea how old she actually was,

and monstrously ugly.

So...

I worked alone

for months and months,

hunched over,

sewing and sweating and sewing.

And the Black Death

never married anyway.

All the help I could

have had from her.

'Twas my sister, Cyril, came

to my rescue in the end.

There are endless superstitions

when making a wedding dress.

Young girls afraid they'll

never marry if they touch one.

Or models afraid

they'll marry only bald men

if they put one on.

And where's the dress now?

I have no idea

what happened to it.

No idea.

Most probably

turned to ashes by now.

Fallen to pieces.

And your sister?

What?

Did she ever marry?

No.

C'mon, boys, let's have a fire.

If you want to have a staring

contest with me, you will lose.

Hmm.

Hmm.

You're a very handsome man.

You must be around

many beautiful women.

Yes.

So, why are you not married?

I make dresses.

You cannot be

married when you make dresses?

I'm certain I was

never meant to marry.

I'm a confirmed bachelor.

I'm incurable.

Hmm.

Marriage would make me deceitful

and I don't ever want that.

You sound so sure about things.

I'm sure about that.

I think you're

only acting strong.

No, lam strong.

For who? Not for me, I hope.

I think it's the expectations

and assumptions of others

that cause heartache.

Would you help me

with something?

- Yes.

- Come on.

Good. Just jump up

on the box for me.

I think we're going to try and

pull this back for you.

Pretty good.

One moment.

We'll save that one

for another time.

Quite nice.

But, um...

Mmm.

Bit serious.

This one.

Do you like it?

- Yes.

- It's very good.

That's it.

Let's get that off you, and then

I'd like to take your measurements.

Is that all right?

And who's this lovely creature

making the house smell so nice?

Hello, I'm Alma.

I'm Cyril.

Sandalwood and rose water.

Mmm. Sherry,

and...

Lemon juice?

Mmm. Mmm-hmm.

We had fish for dinner.

My old so-and-so.

Would you mind?

Can you step

towards me? Ready?

Thirty-two.

Thirty.

Thirty-one.

Thirty-five and a half.

Fourteen and a half...

Seventeen...

Twenty.

- Can you just stand normally?

- Yes.

- I stand normally.

- Like before.

- What do you mean?

- Straight.

- Straight.

- Like that.

Yeah, you didn't say that.

Sixteen and a half.

Eight and a half.

You have no breasts.

Twenty-two.

- Yes, I know.

- Thirty-two and a half.

You can drop your arm now.

- I'm sorry.

- No, no, you're perfect.

My job to give you some,

if I choose to.

Ten.

Nine.

Six and a half.

Twenty-five.

And 45. That's it.

- Would you try something else for me?

- Yes.

You have the ideal shape.

- I do?

- Mmm-hmm.

He likes a little belly.

I never really liked myself.

I thought my

shoulders were too wide,

my neck was skinny like a bird,

that I had no breasts.

I felt my hips were larger

than needed,

and my arms too strong.

I feel as if I've been looking

for you for a very long time.

You found me.

Whatever you do,

do it carefully.

But in his work,

I become perfect.

And I feel just right.

Good evening,

Mr. Woodcock, sir.

Maybe that's how

all women feel in his clothes.

You look beautiful, really.

Very beautiful.

You're making me

extremely hungry.

- Thank you.

- I ordered you a steak tartare.

Oh, perfect. Thank you.

My little carnivore.

I've just been on the telephone

to your favorite client.

Mmm-hmm.

Barbara Rose

is getting married again.

Oh, goody.

All right. Well...

Think I'd better have another one of these.

That's your room.

I'm right next door.

Get your rest.

We'll start early

in the morning.

How early?

I'll wake you.

Good night.

Good night.

Sometimes

we wake up

at 4:00 in the morning,

after we've gone

to bed at midnight.

And then he's ready

to start again.

And I can stand endlessly.

No one can stand

as long as I can.

What is it, Alma?

What are you looking

so forlorn about, hmm?

I don't know, I...

I think I don't like

the fabric so much.

Well, Alma,

this fabric is adored

by the women

who wear our design.

It's perfect for this dress.

Cyril is right.

Cyril is always right.

It's not because the fabric is adored

by the clients that Cyril is right.

It's right because it's right.

Because it's beautiful.

Maybe one day you'll

change your taste, Alma.

Maybe not.

Maybe you have no taste.

Maybe I like my own taste.

Yes, just enough

to get you into trouble.

- Perhaps I'm looking for trouble.

- Stop!

You know, at the big races and

the Derby and, uh, those“.

- Yes?

- Excuse me, Mr. Woodcock.

I would like to say that I hope one

day I could wear one of your dresses.

Oh, thank you.

If that's your wish, I hope

it comes true for you.

She really means it.

She told me she wants to be

buried in a dress that you make.

Hmm.

- Thank you.

- Thank you, ladies, for your kind words.

Good night.

- Thank you.

- Thank you!

- Good night. Thank you very much.

- Good night.

You'd dig her up and sell the

dress again, wouldn't you, Nigel?

Well, otherwise it would

seem to be going to a waste,

but, yeah, I mean,

one but can try.

Nigel, why aren't

you eating your profiteroles?

What?

Have you had enough to eat?

You seem thirsty.

Morning, Reynolds.

Mmm-hmm.

- Morning, Cyril.

Please, don't move

so much, Alma.

I'm buttering my toast,

I'm not moving too much.

Well, it's too much.

It's a distraction,

it's very distracting.

Maybe you pay

too much attention to it.

It's hard to ignore.

It's as if you just rode

a horse across the room.

This is too much movement.

It is entirely too much

movement at breakfast.

Perhaps you should

take your breakfast after him.

Or in your room.

I think he's being too fussy.

His routine, when he's in

it, is best not shaken.

- Well...

- This is a quiet time,

not to be misused.

If breakfast isn't right,

it's very hard for him to recover

for the rest of the day.

I didn't know that.

No, of course you didn't.

But you do now.

Still I think he's too fussy.

Well, that's as may be.

This is Flemish bobbin

lace from the late 1600s.

It's very rare, very precious.

I rescued it from Antwerp

during the war.

I've been waiting

for the right moment to...

To make something with it.

Hold it.

- That's very nice. That's beautiful.

- That's good.

- Best yet. Beautiful.

- Very nice. Turn towards the light.

Um, just look towards

the window, please, Alma.

Amber, could you just

lift the bodice,

a little bit?

It keeps dropping down.

We need to get that adjusted properly.

It's ridiculous.

- Just get it fixed.

- Yes, sir.

Should've been

ready today, quite honestly.

Keep your eye on that.

- Together.

- I'm not sitting on the floor.

Sit on the floor.

You're lovely.

Ah, it's great.

That's great.

Okay, hold that

while I change the film.

Have I finished yet?

All right, that's it.

I need to do some work.

Hell.

Yes?

May I come in?

I'm working.

Do you need anything?

It's fabulous on the shoulders.

Shoulder drapes, and then you

can put it on completely.

Okay?

Good, good, good.

Alma? Is she ready?

Nearly.

Come on, please.

Mmm-hmm.

Ingrid.

Uh, cape's wrong.

Let me do it.

Let me do it.

Ellie, you ready?

Let's have a look at you.

Stand here, please.

Mmm.

All right.

Off you go. Thank you, Pippa.

Ingrid, you ready?

Let me do it, let me do it.

Damn it.

You're no good to me

just standing there, Pippa!

- I need your hands on this.

- Sorry, sir. Sorry. Yes.

Just go. Go, go!

I'm sorry.

Let me drive for you.

You see, when you...

When you love your work

and you can give like he does...

You need to come down

again.

And then he's...

He's a baby.

Like a spoiled little baby.

When he's like this,

he's very tender.

Open.

How long will these

episodes last?

Only a few days,

and then he's well again.

- No. Alma, what are you doing?

- There's tea for you.

Don't put the tray on the table, please.

Just take it off.

I didn't ask for tea.

No, but...

Can you take it out, please?

Yes, I can take it out.

- It's a bit late now, isn't it?

- I'm taking it out.

Yeah, but it's a bit

late now, isn't it?

But I'm taking it out.

The tea is going out, the interruption

is staying right here with me.

What if they are yellow

underneath and white on top?

The poison ones have gills.

Look at the book in the kitchen.

We cook them in fat?

No, we'll cook them in butter.

But not too much.

Mr. Woodcock detests

too much butter.

There's a very good chance Barbara Rose

will ask you to attend her wedding.

What do you want me

to do with that?

Accept her invitation.

If you can stomach it.

I really wish I hadn't heard

this till later on, Cyril.

It's very unsettling.

Well,

chin up.

Barbara Rose pays

for this house.

All right?

Morning, Barbara.

Morning, Cal.

Morning, Tippy.

- Good morning,

- Mr. Woodcock.

Reynolds.

Let's get started.

Put it in there.

Thank you.

I'm just going

to lift this up, Barbara.

Oh.

I know you're doing

the best you can.

Don't do that.

- Take your hand away, please.

- I'm still so ugly.

Barbara, I'm trying to make

you a beautiful dress.

I need your help.

Uh, please.

Reynolds, will you come?

Just stand still, please.

It's really not my place,

Barbara.

This is what I do.

This is my place, here.

I'm afraid I must insist

that you come.

George Riley, News of the World.

- Who'll be the attendant at the wedding?

- My son, Cal.

My Cal, my son.

He's so wonderful, he's so

in favor of this marriage.

John Evans, Daily Mail.

And what of your holdings,

Miss Rose?

Do they become

Dominican property?

- I don't know, I don't think so.

- If I may say,

we are being married

under Dominican law,

but in my country,

her money belongs to her

and my money belongs to me.

Anyway, why would I need her money?

I have enough of my own.

What's Barbara brought into your life?

I brought sincerity

into his life.

- Sincerity?

- Then one kiss for the cameras.

Go on, give us a kiss

for the cameras, Miss Rose.

The answer to the question

- is sincerity.

- Let's give them a kiss...

Rubio, tell us about selling visas

to the Jews during the war.

Thank you.

Visas? Jews?

- Thank you very much, gentlemen.

- Thank you for that.

Jews, visas?

That dress doesn't belong here.

- Don't start crying.

- I'm not crying.

I'm angry.

- Well, don't start blubbering, Alma.

- I'm not blubbering.

She doesn't deserve it.

It's your work.

Come on.

Tippy?

Mr. Woodcock.

- What is it?

- I would like the dress back.

Miss Rose is sleeping.

Well, that's got nothing

to do with the dress.

Can you go and get it

for me, please?

She's sleeping.

In the dress?

Well, yes.

Go and take the dress off her

and bring it to me right away.

- I don't think so.

- Take the fucking dress off Barbara

and bring it to me

or I'll do it myself!

I beg your pardon?

Alma.

- Hello, Mr. Woodcock.

- Cal.

I...

It's no business of ours

what Mrs. Rose decides

to do with her life.

But she can no longer

behave like this

and be dressed

by the House of Woodcock.

Thank you.

I love you.

- Pedigree. That's for mother.

- Racy.

Uh, she'd like

something like that, but...

- Thank you, dear.

- It's Mona's day.

- Yes, it is.

- So I'd like to wear something for her.

- Yes, of course.

- She mentioned that last time.

- Did she?

- Yeah.

- Did she really?

- Yeah.

All right.

- Julie.

- Yes, sir.

- Do we have porridge?

- Yes, we do.

- Um, do we have cream?

- We do, yes.

- Thick cream?

- Oh, yes.

That's what I'd like

for breakfast, please.

- All right, sir.

- Don't forget the salt this time.

- I shan't, I shan't.

- Oh, Alma, would you like some porridge...

- Yes.

- This morning?

- Some for Alma as well, please.

- Right away.

- And, um, bacon and eggs with that.

- All right, sir.

Morning.

I'm so hungry.

Delighted that we have

cream in the house.

- Yes.

- Makes all the difference.

It's essential with porridge.

A little bit naughty though.

- Dear Reynolds.

- Your Royal Highness.

- Hello.

- How beautiful you are.

- How nice to see you again.

- Your Royal Highness.

- Cyril!

- Your Highness.

- Hello.

- How lovely to see you.

Good morning.

When you dream about your

wedding dress, what is it that you dream?

I dream that it's

the most beautiful wedding dress

in the world.

Naturally.

Perhaps the only wedding dress

in the world.

Yes.

Or to take it just

a little step further,

perhaps the only wedding dress

that was ever made.

Oui.

Is Your Royal Highness a gold

person or a silver person?

- Silver.

- Good.

Lace or pearl?

Lace.

Very good.

Merci.

I want to wish you

good fortune for your wedding.

Thank you.

Je m'appelle Alma.

Lovely to meet you, Alma.

I live here.

Come in.

Alma.

Good morning, Cyril.

I wanted to ask your help in a gift

I wanted to make for Reynolds.

I want to make him a surprise.

If everyone left the house

when he takes his walk

on Thursday,

I will cook for him, dinner.

And when he comes back,

no one will be there but me.

I'll be waiting for him,

I will surprise him and we

can have dinner together,

just the two of us.

Do you like this idea?

Would you help me?

It isn't his birthday.

I know.

I would advise

against this, Alma.

- Why?

- Because he doesn't like surprises.

- He does.

- Well, he won't like this one.

I'm trying to surprise him

and love him the way

that I want to.

Well, if you're looking

for something kind to do,

perhaps you could think of

something else.

No, I really must advise

against this, Alma.

I don't think there could be a more

inappropriate time to try something new.

This is what I want to do,

and I think

it will be very nice.

I respect your advice, Cyril.

But I have to know him

in my own way,

and this is what

I want to do for him.

Good night.

- Good night.

- Good night, madame.

Good night, madame.

Good luck.

Oh, Alma. What is this?

I love you, Reynolds.

Yes, but what is this?

It's a surprise.

Are you hungry?

Where is Cyril?

I've sent everyone home.

Where is Cyril?

She's left.

What time did she leave?

This afternoon.

I've made us dinner.

Let me collect myself

for a moment.

I'll just have a bath, I think.

This is very kind of you, Alma.

- Would you like a champagne or a martini?

- No, thank you.

Oh, is that your dress?

It's finished.

Let's have a look at it.

Hmm.

It's rather interesting.

Very good work.

I'll just have my bath now.

When will Cyril get back?

Mmm, tonight?

How was your appointment

with the princess?

She's very beautiful, like

a sculpture of some kind.

Mmm-hmm.

So will you

make her a wedding gown?

I have made her baptism,

her First Communion

and confirmation dresses.

I made the dress

for her presentation at court,

indeed the entire wardrobe

for her coming out season.

It's only right that I should make her

wedding dress, wouldn't you think?

- Christ.

- No.

But this is not

what I wanted to say.

I'm sorry, I don't know

what I said, I...

This is meant

to be a nice evening.

Let me serve you.

Do you like it?

I do.

No, you don't.

You don't like it at all.

Usually, you always

tell me what you think.

What is this?

You're lying.

As I think you know, Alma,

I prefer my asparagus

with oil and salt.

And knowing this, you've prepared

the asparagus with butter.

Now, I can imagine

in certain circumstances

being able to pretend

that I like it made this way.

Right now, I'm just admiring

my own gallantry

for eating it the way

you've prepared it.

I don't know

what I'm doing here.

I don't know

what I'm doing here.

I'm just waiting around

like an idiot for you.

This was an ambush, Alma.

To what purpose?

This is not...

I know it's not going

as I expected.

I didn't mean

these things to come out.

I'm sorry, but it was

meant to be nice.

Well, what did you expect?

I wanted time with you. I

wanted to have you to myself.

- You have me all the time.

- No.

- What on earth are you talking about?

- I don't!

There are always people around.

And if not, then there's

something between us.

- Something between us?

- Yes.

- What?

- Some...

- What?

- Distance!

When did this happen?

What happened to make you

behave like this?

Is it because you think

I don't need you?

- Yes.

- I don't.

Well, that's

very predictable of you.

Don't act so tough.

I know you are not.

Yeah, that's right. That's right.

If I don't protect myself

somebody will come

in the middle of the night

and take over

my corner of the room

and ask me about

their fucking asparagus!

- Don't be a bully. You're being a bully.

- There are other things

- I'd like to do with my time. It's my time!

- I have no idea

- what I'm doing here in your time!

- My time!

What am I doing here?

I'm standing around like

an idiot waiting for you!

- Waiting for what?

- Waiting for you.

Waiting for what?

Waiting for you

to get rid of me.

To tell me to leave.

So tell me.

So I don't stand around

like a fucking fool.

Asparagus, is this all about

your asparagus?

- No, it's not about asparagus.

- Then what the hell is it about?

Are you a special agent

sent here to ruin my evening

and possibly my entire life?

Why are you so rude to me?

- Why are you talking to me like this?

- Is this my house?

- This is my house, isn't it?

- Yes, this is your house.

- Is this my house?

- Of course it's your house.

- Or did somebody drop me on foreign soil.

- What a question!

Behind enemy lines?

- It's you who brought me here.

- I'm surrounded on all sides.

It's you who brought me here.

When the hell did this happen?

Who are you?

Do you have a gun?

You here to kill me?

- Why are you...

- Do you have a gun?

- Stop it!

- Where's your gun?

- Stop being a child.

- Where's your gun?

- Stop playing.

- Show me your gun.

Stop playing this game!

- I am not.

- I'm not playing a game.

- Yes. Mmm-hmm. Uh-huh.

- What game am I playing?

What game? What precisely

is the nature of my game?

- You tell me.

- Oh, this whole...

- What?

- All your rules and your walls

and your doors and your people

and your money and all these

clothes and everything!

This, this, this game!

Everything here!

The whole... Pfft!

Nothing is normal

or natural or...

Everything is a game!

"Yes, mister!

No, madam! Yes."

Well...

- if it's my...

- "I don't eat this. I don't drink that.

- "I don't..."

- If it's my life that you're describing,

it's entirely up to you whether

you choose to share it or not.

If you don't wish

to share that life,

as apparently it's so disagreeable

to you in every respect,

why don't you just fuck off

to back where you came from?

Yeah.

Sometimes it's good for him to

slow down his steps a little.

Would you like me

to ask Alma to leave?

No. Why?

Well, if you're going

to make her a ghost,

go ahead and do it.

But, please, don't let her

sit around waiting for you.

I'm very fond of her.

Oh, you're very fond of her, are you? In that case...

No, don't turn it on me. I don't

want your cloud on my head.

- Oh, shut up, Cyril.

- No, you can shut right up.

Don't pick a fight with me, you

certainly won't come out alive.

I'll go right through you and it'll

be you who ends up on the floor.

Understood?

- Morning, Pippa.

- Morning, sir.

- Pen, book and glasses?

- Yes, they're all there for you, sir.

- Morning, ladies.

- Good morning, sir.

Excellent work, ladies. Um...

It's just not very good, is it?

It's ugly.

You all right, sir?

Reynolds?

Reynolds, are you all right?

Mr. Woodcock,

he seems to be ill.

Who seems to be ill?

Mr. Woodcock, he's fallen over

and he's damaged the dress.

I'm sorry, Biddy.

Who's fallen over?

Mr. Woodcock, he's fallen over

and he's damaged the dress.

There's stains

on the front of the skirt

and there's a hole

in the lace on the bodice

and there's shoe polish

on the front of the dress.

Shoe polish from what?

From his shoe.

I'm fine.

Oh, I don't know what

the hell came over me.

Must be something I've eaten.

Mmm-hmm.

Oh, God.

- You should lie down now.

- No, I'll be fine in a minute.

- Please lie down.

- No, really, don't fuss, Alma, please.

Just don't fuss.

Whatever it is, if you fuss,

I'll die right here.

I promise I won't fuss.

Let me do that, please.

- I have to take these off.

- Yes, I'll take them off.

Alma? Alma?

Yes?

Um...

Would you tell them

I'll be down shortly?

Yes, of course.

Hello, Cyril.

Hello.

What is it?

I don't know what the

bloody hell came over me.

I'll be all right in a moment.

Oh, you don't look all right.

Where does it hurt?

Hurts all over.

I've never really felt

like this before.

Is it your stomach?

Is it something you've eaten?

No, I don't think so.

Just sore, really.

So please tell them

I'll be with them in a minute.

No, you're not going anywhere.

You're to stay here and rest.

Would you like me

to do anything?

Just give me silence.

- Shall I call the doctor?

- No, Cyril, you certainly will not, please.

- All right.

- Um...

- Exhausted yourself.

- Just give me silence.

- Burning up.

- You take care of the dress for me.

Yes, of course I will.

It's all right.

I just...

I just want...

That's it.

Come on, Alma.

I think I may be sick again.

We're gonna have

to do a lot of work

to get this dress ready

for tomorrow, you know.

We're gonna have to undo the front

of the dress and replace the skirt.

We're gonna have to cut

a new panel of the satin

and then there's also the

organza that needs to be...

Yes, I'll deal with that

in a minute, Biddy. Thank you.

You're soaked. We need

to change your pajamas.

I'm scared, Alma.

Yes, of course you are.

Do you think

I'll ever get better?

Of course.

I'll take care of you.

Madam, there's a telephone call.

He's settled now, sleeping.

- The doctor's here.

- What doctor?

The doctor I sent for.

- Oh, no, but he doesn't...

- He needs to be examined.

- No.

- Yes!

No, he's not dying.

He needs to be examined.

He's sleeping now.

That's what he needs.

Let me be unambiguous.

Come out of the room

and downstairs immediately.

All right.

Alma, this is Dr. Hardy.

How do you do, Mrs. Woodcock?

How do you do?

How's he feeling?

He's better.

He's sleeping.

Is he able to keep

anything down yet?

He hasn't tried yet.

Uh, I was going

to make some soup.

And his fever?

It has gone down.

- Uh, would you like me to see him?

- Yes.

- Is that all right, Mrs. Woodcock?

- Yes, it is!

Reynolds, Lady Baltimore has

sent her godson to see you.

Dr. Hardy.

Hello, Mr. Woodcock.

May I examine you?

Keep your hands off me.

- I'd just like to take your temperature.

- Alma,

there's a strange boy in the room.

Can you get him out, please?

- I admit I do look young, but I...

- Fuck off.

Reynolds, please,

just let him examine you.

Yes, fuck off.

- I think this is clear.

- Hmm.

He wants you to fuck off.

I'm so sorry, Doctor.

- I'm very sorry.

- Not to worry.

I'll drop by tomorrow morning

to see how he's coming along.

- 9:00 a.m.?

- Yes.

If his fever increases during

the night, you'll telephone me?

Of course, Doctor.

- Good night, Mrs. Woodcock.

- Good night, Doctor.

Follow me.

When will it be ready?

I don't know.

Let me put it another way.

This dress will be ready by 9:00 a.m.

because that's when it leaves for Belgium.

Ladies, I'm very sorry, but I'm afraid

you'll have to work late this evening.

The dress needs to be ready by 9:00 a.m.

to make its journey to Belgium.

Do expect to be here

for quite some time.

If you need to use the telephone,

please use the one in my office...

- Nana and Biddy...

- ...to alert your families.

What can I do to help?

Could you pin the ribbon on

the hem there, please? Thank you.

Ladies, I'm very sorry, but I'm afraid

you'll have to work late this evening.

The dress needs

to be ready by 9:00 a.m.

and I know there's rather

a lot to do on it still.

So please do expect to be here

possibly for most of the night.

If you need to make telephone calls,

do so from my office. Thank you.

Are you here?

Are you always here?

I miss you.

I think about you all the time.

I hear your voice

say my name when I dream.

Then when I wake up, there are

tears streaming down my face.

I just miss you,

it's as simple as that.

I want to tell you everything.

I don't understand

what you're saying.

I can't hear your voice.

Your fever's gone down.

I love you, Alma.

I don't ever want

to be without you.

I love you.

I have things I want to do.

I had thought my days

were unlimited.

The mistakes I've made

and made again,

they can no longer be ignored.

There are things nagging at me.

Things that now must be done.

Things I simply

cannot do without you.

To keep my

sour heart from choking.

To break a curse.

A house that doesn't

change is a dead house.

Alma, will you marry me?

Will you marry me?

What the bloody hell

are you thinking about?

Will you marry me?

No?

Yes.

Will you marry me?

Yes, I will.

Reynolds to Alma, when you say these

binding and contracting words,

you'll be looking at each other.

After all, it is each other

you are marrying and not me.

Reynolds... I call upon

these persons here present...

I call upon these persons

here present...

To witness that I,

Reynolds Jeremiah Woodcock...

Do take thee, Alma Elson...

Do take thee, Alma Elson...

To be my lawful wedded wife...

To be my lawful wedded wife.

Alma... I call upon

these persons here present...

I call upon these persons

here present...

To witness that I, Alma Elson...

To witness that I, Alma Elson...

Do take thee,

Reynolds Jeremiah Woodcock...

Do take thee,

Reynolds Jeremiah Woodcock...

To be my lawful wedded husband.

To be my lawful wedded husband.

And it now gives me

great pleasure to say...

Congratulations.

You are now husband and wife.

And you may kiss the bride.

- An hour?

- Uh, an hour? That's okay.

Cuckoo.

- I'll see you later.

- See you later.

- Have a good time.

- You, too.

You, too, have a good time.

Not for me, thank you.

Dr. Hardy?

- Dr. Hardy?

- Oh! Hey. Sorry, excuse me.

Reynolds, do you

remember Dr. Hardy?

- Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Woodcock.

- Oh, hello.

How do you do, Mr. Woodcock?

How are you feeling?

I think we met in a puddle

of sweat, didn't we?

Yes, that's right.

I probably owe you

an apology of some kind.

- I seem to remember barking at you.

- There's no need.

- I've been laid siege by much worse.

- Oh, really?

You look very healthy.

How are you feeling?

Didn't I tell you to fuck off?

Yes. Yes, you did.

Dinner is served, everybody!

Come along.

That's your shifty-eyed godson?

Shifty-eyed?

He's got perfectly normal eyes.

I'm rather less fat, I think,

than when you last saw me.

- Really?

- Yes.

Thank you very much indeed.

It's fallen off me.

Ooh! I'm so sorry.

...there are secrets nobody tells.

Your wife has got that gorgeous

glow you get with a first marriage.

How long will you be here for?

Seems my godson's rather

enjoying that glow as well.

So, what are your plans

for New Year's Eve?

Oh, um...

We don't have any.

Well, you should come out for

the Chelsea Arts Club Ball.

- I don't know what that is.

- It's not something I'd suggest

if I didn't think you'd have

a wonderful time.

It's really something

to be seen.

I'll pass it on to my husband.

But I think we'll stay in.

Change your mind.

Or get him to change his

mind, or whatever it takes.

Now, please come. I promise you

the time of your life.

How do you know

how my life has been?

I don't.

You're right.

I think this would be quite a

fine time, if you'd like to come.

She's barely looked at you

this evening, has she?

I think they're well

and truly shaken now.

What on earth are you doing?

- I rolled a three.

- Yes, but that's the four pip.

- Go back to the bar where you belong.

- Oh, sorry.

Let's not start cheating

at this stage, Alma.

I'm not cheating.

I don't need to cheat.

Oh, good. You do need to be able

to count, on the other hand.

Backgammon, by the way,

I get treble the score

because you haven't gotten

any checkers off the board.

Oh.

Stupid game anyway.

Well, maybe it seems stupid to you

now as you're currently losing,

but I dare say

if you were victorious,

I'm confident you'd see it

in a different light.

Now, they need your chair

for my next opponent. Next.

Me, please.

What? What are you

so cranky about?

Have fun with

your next opponent.

Why, I think I will, a lot

more than I did with you.

Gosh. She's

really very rude, isn't she?

My heart breaks for you.

Oh, really?

Being married to a toddler.

I don't want to be racist,

but, I mean, is there some sort of

custom at this time of the night

in her country, where...

- I mean, what's she doing?

- Where what?

I don't know. I don't know

if she's up stealing things

or attacking people, I mean...

I want to go dancing.

When?

Right now.

- You're joking.

- No, I'm not.

It's New Year's Eve.

Well, I'm not going dancing.

There's a party at the Devonshire

Hall to celebrate the New Year

and I want to go.

We need to go dancing.

So what are you going

to do about it?

I'm going to stay right here

and I'm going to work.

On the hour,

ladies and gentlemen!

Are you ready to welcome in our

lovely, glorious, Happy New Year?

Are you ready?

Here we go!

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six,

five, four, three, two, one!

Happy New Year!

How does it feel?

Well, I think

it feels a little big.

Shall we just take it in on the waist?

We can take it in a little on the waist.

- Yes.

- Yes, okay. Just take it out.

How's that feeling?

I think that's better.

Would you excuse me for a

minute, please, Mrs. Vaughan?

Where has

Henrietta Harding been?

- She's been to another house.

- Which one?

- Why didn't you tell me?

- Because I didn't want to.

Is there something I'm unaware of?

Because as far as I can remember,

all I have done is

to dress her beautifully.

I don't think that matters

to some people.

I think they want what

is fashionable and chic.

Chic? Oh, don't you start using

that filthy little word. "Chic"?

Whoever invented that ought to

be spanked in public. I don't...

I don't even know what that word means.

What is that word? Fucking "chic"?

They should be hung, drawn

and quartered! Fucking "chic"!

It shouldn't concern you.

It does concern me.

It concerns me very much, Cyril,

because it's hurt my feelings.

It's hurt my feelings.

So, what's all

this moaning about?

I am not moaning.

I do not like

to be turned away from.

Nobody does.

But I don't want to hear it

because it hurts my ears.

I've made a terrible mistake in

my life, Cyril. I've made a...

I've made a terrible mistake.

I need you to help me.

What do you want me to do?

I can't work.

I can't concentrate,

I have no confidence.

She does not fit in this house.

We built this house,

the two of us.

Now, she's turning the whole

bloody place upside down.

She's turning me inside out.

She's turning you and me

against each other.

Her arrival has cast

a very long shadow, Cyril.

Mrs. Vaughan is satisfied

with the dress.

No one gives a tinker's fucking curse

about Mrs. Vaughan's satisfaction!

Thank you, Alma.

Not at all.

What a model of

politeness you two are.

There is an air of quiet

death in this house

and I do not like

the way it smells.

Would you like a glass of wine?

No, thank you.

Can I make you a martini?

Nothing for me, thanks.

Water?

I want you flat on your back.

Helpless.

Tender.

Open.

With only me to help.

And then I want you

strong again.

You're not going to die.

You might wish you were going to

die, but you're not going to.

You need

to settle down a little.

Kiss me, my girl,

before I'm sick.

I think, perhaps,

you should telephone

that boy doctor

of yours, just in case.

You don't trust me?

No, I do trust you.

It's just...

If you wish.

But I will make you well again.

I will.

I love you.

I love you, too.

And I think, perhaps, you should leave the room.

- Close the door behind you.

- Yes.

I'll be right outside.

If he didn't wake up from this,

if he wasn't here tomorrow,

no matter.

For I know he'd be waiting

for me in the afterlife.

Or some safe, celestial place

in this life and the next

and the next one after.

And for whatever there is on the

road that follows from here,

it would only

require my patience

to get to him again.

You see, to be in love with him

makes life no great mystery.

Say, "Ah."

Ahh.

Very good.

You can put your robe back on.

Sometimes I jump ahead

in our life together.

And I see a time near the end.

I can predict the future

and everything has settled.

And all our lovers

and children and friends

come back and are welcome.

And we have large gatherings

where everyone is laughing

and playing games.

I am older

and I see things differently,

and I finally understand you.

And I take care of your dresses.

Keeping them from dust

and ghosts and time.

Yes, but right now, we're here.

Yes, of course we are.

And I'm getting hungry.