Soul Food (1997) - full transcript

♪ You taught me everything ♪

♪ And everything ♪
♪ you've given me ♪

♪ I always keep it inside ♪

♪ You're the driving force ♪
♪ in my life ♪

♪ Yeah-eah-eah-eah ♪

♪ There isn't anything ♪
♪ or anyone that I could be ♪

♪ And it just wouldn't ♪
♪ feel right ♪

♪ If I didn't have you ♪
♪ by my side ♪

♪ Ooh, ♪
♪ you were there for me ♪

♪ To love and care for me ♪

♪ When skies were gray ♪



♪ Whenever I was down ♪

♪ You were always there ♪

♪ To comfort me ♪

♪ No one else can be ♪

♪ What you have been to me ♪

♪ You will always be ♪

♪ You will always be ♪
♪ the girl in my life ♪

♪ For all time ♪

♪ Mama ♪

♪ Mama, you know ♪
♪ I love you ♪

♪ You know ♪
♪ I love you ♪

♪ You know ♪
♪ I love you ♪

♪ Mama ♪

♪ Mama, you're ♪
♪ the queen of my heart ♪



♪ You are ♪

♪ Your love is like tears ♪
♪ from the stars ♪

♪ Your love is like ♪
♪ tears from the stars ♪

♪ Mama, I just ♪
♪ want you to know ♪

♪ Mama, I just ♪
♪ want you to know ♪

♪ Lovin' you is like food ♪
♪ to my soul ♪

♪ Lovin' you is like ♪
♪ food to my soul ♪

♪ Oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, ♪
♪ yeah, yeah ♪

♪ You are the food ♪
♪ to my soul ♪

My grandma always said,

family pullin' together in times
of need will make it strong.

But this here's the story
about my family,

about our family,

about the things
that pulled us together

and the things that
tried to pull us apart.

Let's see…
Where should I begin?

I guess aunt Bird's wedding
is as good a place as any.

Everyone who was anyone
was there.

Just the party
people to the dance floor.

If you got more than
$5.00 in your pocket,

let me see you shake it!

We got food!
We got music!

We got a party
happening up in here!

There you go, Big Mama.

That's my mom and dad
dancing right there.

They got 2 ½ kids…

Me, my sister Kelly,

and whoever that is in the oven.

And that's aunt Teri
and uncle Miles…

Like Miles Davis.

They're both lawyers and
got some big-time dough.

I'm talkin' dollar bills, y'all.

The bride
is Big Mama's youngest,

aunt Ryla,

but we call her Bird
'cause she used to be skinny.

The groom is my new uncle Lem.

Don't know much about him,

'cept folks always doggin' him out
'cause he's done time in jail.

Go on, baby.

Go pin it on her.

That's Big Mama there.
Big Mama Joe.

People always said she never made
one enemy in her whole life,

'cause if she did,
she'd just have 'em over

for some of her green beans,
sweet potato pie,

and Southern fried chicken,

and they'd be
down with her after that.

That's my baby.

Reverend Williams…
Ain't even kin,

but he's always got
something to say or eat.

Oh, Mama Joe,
how you doin', baby?

How are you doing?

Oh, you look so good.

Mama Joe, them daughters
are looking good, too.

Oh, especially that baby Bird.

Baby Bird, I was teasin'
with her a little, Big Mama.

I said, "would you
marry the reverend?"

She said, "reverend, if I marry",

I got to have sex
every night."

I said, "put the reverend
down for Tuesday."

♪ Hear, hear, ♪
♪ don't change it up… ♪

♪ Something new ♪

♪ Something you thought ♪
♪ underground, huh… ♪

Just gonna take my man?

OK. I'll see
how you do.

Oh, and this is simuel.

For Bird, he was just one of
the skeletons in the closet

Big Mama said we all had.

All right…

Uh-uh,
look who's here.

What's he doing?

I don't know.

Get out of my way.

Heh heh.
Congratulations.

Would you look at this girl?

Course, by the looks of things,

Lem wasn't doing any better

in the skeletons
in the closet category.

I don't know,
but I'm going to go get her.

Come on, Teri.

That was him with his ex bumpin' and
grindin' like nobody's business.

Honey?
Hmm?

Who's Big Mama's
favorite grandbaby?

I am.

And what would my sweet
pea do for Big Mama?

Anything.

Then go find your aunt Bird,

tell her to get her butt in here
with her new husband now.

Being Big Mama's favorite
was no easy job,

especially when it came
to keeping the peace.

But I always did what she asked,

even if it meant
charging into a bathroom

full of fine,
half-dressed women.

Ahmad, what you want?

Yo, Bird.
What?

Big Mama said get
your black ass out here.

Boy, Big Mama ain't told nobody's
black ass to get nowhere.

Now you stay out of
grown folks' business.

I cannot believe what I just saw.
Me either.

Who invited him?
How did simuel get here?

I didn't invite him.

Doesn't matter who invited him.

What were you doing letting him
feel you up in your wedding gown?

And now your man is out there

bumping and grinding with
some miss hoochie mama,

actin' like there wasn't no
wedding less than 10 minutes ago.

Whose man? Your man, girl.
Bumpin'.

Oh, hell, no.

Ain't nobody
about to disrespect me

on my wedding day.

That's what I'm talking about.

Excuse me, ladies!

Did you see that dress
miss thing had on?

Did you see her behind
in that thing?

Girl, just all up her butt.

See, that's what she get…

Draggin' somebody in
who ain't got nothin'

and puttin' him off on family.

What you talkin' about family?
Puttin' him off on me.

I'm the one who paid
for this wedding.

Teri, why you always got to let
everybody know you pay for everything?

'Cause I do.

Who is that hoochie-coochie mama

with her fat ass
all over my husband

out there on the dance floor?

I told you.

This is my wedding day!

I'm supposed to be happy.

What y'all talkin' about?
We happy.

This is supposed to be the
happiest day of your life.

Everybody's happy.

Yeah. We're happy.

But we'd be more happy

if we go out there and
beat that ho' down.

Yeah!
Come on…

There they are.
Let's go get her ass.

Whoo! Work it in
on her!

Do it! Do it!

Excuse me. Excuse me.
Excuse me…

Excuse me…

You see, right there…

That was just like Big Mama,

always knowin' just what to do

to set things right.

I used to think she and I
had a special connection,

like we shared an inside joke
no one else was in on.

'Course, it wasn't long, I found out she
had the same connection with all of us.

Yeah, she was the rock
of the Joseph family,

the one that held us
all together.

Reverend, that sure was a good
sermon today, I tell you…

Part of the reason we were
such a tight family

is 'cause we always had
Sunday dinners at Big Mama's.

They were a tradition that
started down in Mississippi

when the old folks
got together after church

to talk smack and chow down
with some good old soul food.

And Big Mama kept
the tradition going

when she and granddaddy
moved to Chicago.

Holidays, of course,
were bigger.

More folks, more eats,
more souls,

more soul food.

People would be rollin' in
from all over,

like uncle Remus, who was always
hittin' folks up for $2.00

'cause he was always broke.

Before granddaddy died,
he used to own a barber shop,

corner store, and a laundromat.

Not bad for a black man
in those days.

'Cause of that,

rumor has it Mama Joe's got a big
stash of loot hidden away somewhere,

but mama says that's
nothing but a myth.

We used to always have
eating contests…

Which the reverend
would always win.

Then he'd split
after he busted slides

with my mom and aunties.

I can still see my dad now

lookin' like he wanted to break
reverend Williams' neck.

Last but not least,
there's Big Mama's brother,

old uncle Pete…

Who ain't left his room in
something like 10 years now.

Go.
Go.

Just sits up there watching
his old TV set.

It's kind of a "lights on,
nobody's home" thing.

Let's go!

Let's get outta here.

Yeah, those were
the good days, all right,

back before things took a turn.

Mama, mama!

Uncle Pete's messing with us!

I'm tryin' to do my thing.

Can I do my thing?

Hit me!

Take that.
Yaah.

♪ I got sunshine… ♪

Ooh, no, baby.
That's too much.

Just put about
4 pinches in there.

Now, mama, how you know
how much to put in there

without using a measuring cup?

And why we got to eat
ham hocks anyway?

♪ Well ♪

♪ I guess you'd… ♪

Ham hocks, pig feet, chitlins…

So we learn how to make things
taste good by trying things out.

See, soul food cookin' is
about cooking from the heart.

That's right, mama.

Pssst…

What's up, mama?

Newlyweds…

If she spent more time
getting her shop together

instead of following Lem around,

maybe she'd pay me
back that loan.

Teri, you are not hurtin'

'cause you gave Bird
money for that shop.

I loaned her money, Max.

As far as you're concerned,
I'm an atm…

Automatically Teri's money.
Oh, you two hush up.

You do this every Sunday.
Mama, she started it.

Maxine, you go on and
finish those biscuits.

Teri, stop runnin' down
your family.

Pay more attention
to your own man.

You're already
on husband number 2.

Oh, shoot, baby.

Ohh…

Oh!

Oh… oh…

So good… Oh…

Shh… shh…

Big Mama, that fried
chicken smells good.

I can't wait to get
some of that.

Oh, baby, don't ever put
anything like this on the stove.

You could burn the house down.
Yes, ma'am.

Remember that time Bird
almost burned the house down?

Big Mama, your arm!

Mama!

Get me my butter, baby.

You don't need butter.
You need ice.

Mama, you ain't been
takin' your Insulin?

And I bet you ain't been
to the doctor, either.

Maxine, I told you
I don't need no doctor.

Now, that's nothing that a little salve,
turpentine, or my herbs won't cure.

Except your diabetes.

I didn't know what
diabetes was back then,

but I was sure
about to find out.

As we bow
our heads on this special day,

we ask a special prayer
for this table,

a special prayer for mother Joe,

who has provided for the
roamin' eye of the reverend

beautiful breasts

and delicious legs under…
I mean, on the table.

Lord, all I'm askin' is,
bless this bread,

bless this meat,

and bless my stomach,
'cause I's gonna eat.

Amen!

Take your time, son.

There you go.

Don't take too much.

Just what you need.

You got to remember, son…

This is for the needy,
not the greedy.

Ha ha ha…

Chicken?
Please.

Oh, thank you.

I dreamt of fishes last night.

Ohh… oh, oh…

Don't look over here.

Don't point over here.

What? You never know.

What's she talking
about, fishes?

It just means that
either somebody's coming

or somebody in the
family is pregnant.

Or gonna get pregnant.

What you looking at me for?

I know she can't be
talking about me

'cause this is the last
fish dream right here.

Don't sweep the dust
straight out the door.

If you do, you sweep
out the good fortune.

Whatever that means.

Wasn't that daddy
that said that?

Daddy was the most

superstitious man I ever met.

Well, check it out…
I got one, I got one.

If you step on a crack,
you break your mama's back.

Did you guys try my fish cakes?

'Cause I made them this year,

and I'm very proud.

My plate's full.

My plate's full, too.

See, y'all ain't right.

Y'all ain't right,
but that's all right.

That's right.
My boo likes 'em.

That's all that matters.

That's all right, Bird.

You ain't got to worry
about cooking, girl,

'cause you know you
can do some hair.

And we know miss Teri,
we know she can't cook nothing.

Ain't that right, ma?

That's why you always
had me cookin', huh?

Well, I wasn't in the kitchen

'cause mama and daddy
kept my head in the books,

and that's why
I'm a successful lawyer…

So as you can see, moms
and aunt Teri don't get along.

Never have, maybe never will.

Big Mama says she's gonna
name them vinegar and oil

'cause they just don't mix.

It all started back
in the early eighties,

back before I was even born.

The rule was, when one
of the Joseph girls had a date,

their Beau had to bring along
one of the sisters,

you know, like a chaperone.

Back when Teri and my pops
were going out,

Big Mama
always had moms tag along,

just in case pops
tried anything.

Hey, all right…

Check it out, y'all.
Oh! Mm-hmm.

He-e-e-ey…

See, that's how you
got to work it.

See, that's how you got
to learn how to skate.

That's how you
got to do it. Ow!

♪ If you want to step out ♪
♪ with another man… ♪

You all right?

Now, I can't say for sure
mom started it,

but for damn sure dad
couldn't resist

whatever it was
she was throwing down.

Look at him.
See what I'm saying?

Aah!

Kenny…

Mom stole dad right out from
underneath aunt Teri's nose.

And the two haven't
gotten along since.

Get outta the car!
Teri…

Get outta the car now!

Get outta the car right now!

Oh, shit!

Hey, get off her.
Come on, now…

Come on, now. Hey, Teri!
Come on, now…

Now, just cut out
all that hoosier jawing.

Y'all do this every Sunday.

Talkin' about I can't cook.

I've been cooking longer
than you've been alive.

Corn bread.

Corn bread is my specialty,

from scratch, OK?

Um, Lem…

Why'd you get thrown
in the joint, man?

Kenny, don't…

What?

Look, um…

I ain't gonna lie to y'all.

I made a stupid mistake.

Came here from New York
to help my cousin out,

and I guess I just got caught.

Doing?

Kenny, damn.
What?

Nah, it's all right. I got caught
sellin' a little somethin'-somethin'…

And he paid his debt to society,

and it's no different from
daddy and his gambling.

See, in life, we all
make some bad choices.

My husband was gamblin',

and, yeah, he was bad at it.

In fact, we almost
lost this house.

But I worked…
On my hands and knees

cleanin' up after white folks,

takin' in laundry…

See, you do what you
have to do to stay strong,

to save the family,

even if you stumble tryin'.

Now, I'm gonna
tell you something.

One finger pointing the blame
don't make no impact.

But you ball up all them
fingers into a mighty fist,

and you can strike
a mighty blow.

Now, this family
got to be that fist.

Oh, my lord…

Faith…

Come here, baby.

Cousin faith…

Lord have mercy.

The niece Big Mama took in
after her sister died.

In case you missed the news,

faith is trouble…
Big-time trouble.

What is she doing here?

Last we heard, she was strippin'
in some club out in California.

Then some guy supposedly discovered her
and got her dancing in rap videos,

though I ain't never
seen her in none of them.

Teri or you can take her,

'cause you know
she ain't staying

with me, Kenny, and the kids.

Ahmad, kiss your cousin.

Here she comes.

Oh, my god,
you've grown so much.

Hi. Ohh…

Rev, this is my sister's baby.

Mama Joe, Mama Joe.

Oh…
aah, ahh…

This is a pleasure.

Ha ha ha ha ha…
Oh, welcome home.

I think it's time.

Your baby?

What's the doctor's number?

What's the name of the doctor?

I don't know.

All right.

I'll get this right now.

OK. All right.
I got it. I got it.

Just get the door.

Yeah… OK…

The birth of my baby sister,

faith poppin' in
from out of nowhere,

who could have guessed things
wouldn't just keep getting better?

And this is where
the problem is.

Mama, it's gonna
be all right, OK?

Here.
Put your sweater on.

I'm not getting my leg cut off.

Mama, you have to.

There's no blood
circulating to that leg.

You're diabetic.

You haven't been
watching what you eat.

Nobody's cutting off my leg…

And that's that.

The last thing you need,
miss girl, is a g-string.

So wait a minute.

You telling me I should
give him some, right?

What y'all over there
talking about?

The nasty, darling.

Now, come on, we got clients.

Ohh…

Y'all better slow down.
This is…

I just finished dumping
all the garbage.

Oh, thank you, baby.

Why don't you help me sweep
up some of this hair,

and then call your mama and see
what time she's gonna pick you up.

What's up, shorty?

Nice.

Very nice.

I see Teri finally
got up off the dime

and gave you the money to
open up your little shop.

Teri didn't give me anything.

It was an investment.

See, if you had a-come to me,

I would have given it to you.

But at what cost?

How much you willing
to sacrifice?

Nothin'.

Mm-mm.

Girl, you are gettin' thick.

All right, that'll do it.

They'll take care of you
up at the front desk,

and I'll see you next week.

Let me tell you something, OK?

I am married now.

So whatever it is

that you and me had goin'
on before is over with.

And besides,

my husband's name…

Is written all over
my kitty cat.

A weddin' gift.

I know you like
the finer things in life,

and I know your man can't afford
to buy you shit like that,

him just gettin'
outta jail and all.

When you need me…

Call me.

Hmm?

Later, shorty.

Oh, my god.

Whoo…

Ha ha ha…

Bring my shorty up right…

Hey, hey…

Hey, baby.

You're gonna love this.

Kenny, what you done
brought up in here?

It's an apple performa.

A computer?

It's for the baby.

For the baby.
Uh-huh.

Oh, man, it's got everything.

It's got a color monitor…

Cd rom… Internet…

Fax… e-mail…

It's got everything.

You don't think she's a
little young for a computer?

Nah.

What?

You just look beautiful.

Heh. You're silly.

Hold it for one second,
all right?

One second.

See what your daddy got you?

Yeah. See what
your daddy got?

Yeah.

What you doin', Kenny?

You are so silly.

What you doing?

Hey… come here, now.

Mm, your fine self.

My other baby, huh?

Mm-hmm.

Smellin' all good…

Ha ha… You gonna
get in trouble, now.

What you talkin' 'bout?

You know the doctor said
we gotta wait 6 weeks.

It's been 6 weeks. No,
it ain't been 6 weeks.

Oh, see, you're wrong.

You know that you're wrong.

Did you hear that?

It's the door.

No, it wasn't no door.

Yes.

See who's at the door.

Go see.

Go and see who's at the door.

Hey. What's up, man?

What's up, man?

I was just, um…

I mean, uh, I don't
even know why I'm here.

I'm just, uh, if you're busy,

I'll come back another time.

No, no. Come on in, man.

Come on in.

Who's that, Kenny?

It's Lem.

After you, bro.

How you doin', Lem?

Hey.

I just need to talk
to you for a minute.

It's, uh, kind of personal.

See, that's how we got this one.
You better quit it.

Mmm.

So, uh, what's up, huh?

I was, um…

I was fired from my job today.

I lied on my application.

They ask if you
ever been convicted,

and… i checked no.

See, Kenny, man,
you and Miles, man,

y'all got yourselves
together on the job.

I was just hopin'
if… if you knew anybody

or… of any
job openings, man.

I'll do anything.

Yo, man, we'll find you
something, all right?

Cool, man. Thanks, man.

So now the only thing is,

I gotta find a way to
explain this to Bird, man.

What? She's
high-maintenance, you know.

I mean, she walks around the
house in Chanel sandals

and shit like that,

and I don't want to make it seem
like I'm livin' off of her.

No, no, you don't
want to tell her, man.

W-why not? 'Cause you
ain't got a job.

No, you don't wanna tell a woman…
a black woman.

And especially a black woman,

that you ain't got a j-o-b.

It's all right for them
to lie around the house,

but let a man… a brother.

Especially a brother.

You could be fixin' the caps
underneath the kitchen seats or…

Or waterin' plants.

Mmm. Washin' the dishes.
Takin' the garbage out.

Here, man. Let me give you
a little somethin'.

No matter what you do
around the house,

they still will consider you…

A trifling nigger.
Mm-hmm.

Don't tell her.
Don't tell her.

Yeah, that was good.

Ha ha! See that? Got you
with your own trick, right?

Hey.
Hey.

Hey, aunt Teri.

Hey, sweetie.
You staying with us?

Yeah.

Yeah. Kenny and Max
need a little time,

and Kelly's with Bird.

I got your favorite tonight.

Yeah, I spent
many hours slaving.

I'm looking forward to it.

Aunt Teri?
Hmm?

Is Big Mama gonna
get her leg cut off?

You're worried, aren't you?

Yeah.

I don't know.

Looks like that case
is kicking your butt.

Yeah. I don't know how long
the jury's gonna be out.

And the firm is really
pushing me to be partner.

Well, that's what
you want, right…

To make partner?

Any attorney worth their salt
wants to make partner, Miles.

I bet that's cousin faith.

I got it.

There's some money missing
from our savings.

Last week, there was…

I took 5,000 out.

I used it as down payment
for studio time.

The fellas and I are
gonna record a cd.

A cd?

Yeah.

Miles, I thought you
playing with this band

was just a hobby.

Why would you say
something like that?

Because you're an attorney.

You work for a great firm
with a great reputation.

We could make twice
the amount of money

if you spent more
time on your job

and quit this music crap.

If I wanna take $5,000 of my money
out of the bank, I'll do it.

Only 31,132 are yours.

Tomorrow, we're getting
separate accounts.

OK… uh…

Just for the books' sake…

Next time you take some money
out, inform me, all right?

Fine.

Hi! What's up?

Faith, how you doing?

Teri…

Hey.

Just wanna say thanks again

for letting me crash here.

Your place is really fantastic.

So, where do I put my stuff?

Hard as it was,

Big Mama was finally convinced
to have surgery.

You know your daddy always
said you was the strongest…

And the family gonna
need your strength now.

Now, where's that baby?

Oh, sweet pea, I'm
gonna be just fine.

Just need you to be strong.

That's why I'm
doing this… for you.

So we gonna be
strong together, OK?

OK?

After they moved
Big Mama off down the hall,

we all just kind of sat around
on our hands, saying nothing.

I'm gonna use the restroom, OK?

Stay with daddy.

I'm sorry.
There was a problem.

Ahmad…

Ahmad, baby, I don't think
you should be in here.

Wait. Come on, baby.
Where's Kenny?

Ahmad, come on.
Ahmad…

The doctor said Big Mama
suffered a stroke during surgery

and fell into a coma.

We all kind of knew things
would never be the same,

and all any of us
could feel was bad.

We'll call you.

Look, there's a sign
outside your door

that says you're
willing to train.

Now, I got experience on the
presses, and I'm a quick learner.

I can do the work.

Like I said, we'll call you.

Yo!

I'll check you later.

All right.

See you, man.

What's up, man? Get in.
I'll take you home.

Why you all g'd up today, Lem?

If I tell you something,

you gotta promise me
you won't tell your mama

or your nosy-ass aunties.

Cool.

I was fired from
my job last week.

I been trying to find
another one,

except things
ain't going so good.

Ah, don't sweat it.
You'll find a gig soon.

You got a lot of confidence

just to be a little shorty.

I get it from
Big Mama, they say.

Big Mama, heh.

Here, throw these in
the glove box for me.

You know I spent some
time in prison, right?

I wouldn't even have
been locked up

if I'd have been smart,
like you seem to be.

You know, Big Mama's always
saying you gotta love yourself.

Maybe you should try that.

My man.

It's getting late,

and I still have to grocery
shop for dinner tomorrow.

OK.

Max, surely, you don't expect
to have Sunday dinner tomorrow.

Why not?

Jesus, Max, mama is in a coma.

I don't know,
baby. Maybe…

No, no, no. I'm not
gonna let her ruin

a 40-year family tradition.

Tradition?
Yes, tradition.

Don't you tell me
about tradition.

I am the oldest one.
I am the responsible one.

I am the one who graduated
from law school.

You're the one that dropped
out when you were 19.

Something about
your jealousy, Max.

Will you guys stop?

All right,
let's just take a vote.

Good idea.
Let's take a vote.

All right, cool.
Let's vote.

Hands in the air for all those

who don't wanna have
Sunday dinner tomorrow.

All right.
Hands in the air

for all those who wanna be sitting
in front of some chitlins,

black-eyed peas, Greens,
some fried chicken,

macaroni and cheese,
and egg pie.

I won't let you disrespect my
mama like she's already dead.

Your mama?
Mm-hmm.

You know, Teri, you get on
my fuckin' nerves with…

Will you lower your voice?

Don't nobody care
if you graduated!

That don't make you
better than nobody!

Keep your voice down.
You guys, stop it.

I'm sorry. I'll have to
ask all of you to leave now.

Mrs. Joseph needs quiet.
I'm sorry.

I'm outta here.
Come on, Kenny!

I'm sorry.

Whatever.
I'm outta here.

Come on, let's go.
We're outta here.

Max, that wasn't even necessary.

I'm tired of her. She's
always got something to say.

Where's my coat?
Come on.

Maybe we should
think about this.

No.

Grandma's illness was
taking its toll on the family.

Nobody knew where
to throw the blame,

except at each other.

Aunt Teri and moms especially.

Because of them, hardly no
one was speaking anymore.

Poor aunt Bird.
She tried her best

to pull off that Sunday's
dinner all by herself.

Because of Teri and mom's
fight, no one showed up.

It was the first time in 40 years
our Sunday tradition was broken.

Let's just eat.

Here you go.

Uncle Pete?

Dinner.

I know you think
I been avoiding you.

It's just that every time
I come by to see you,

there's always people around doing
stuff to you or arguing around you.

Anyway, I know you're wondering
how everyone else is doing.

Not good.

We didn't have
a Sunday dinner yesterday.

Aunt Bird said nobody showed up.

After church, mom didn't
feel like cooking at home,

so daddy brought home
some Mickey d's.

We were all on
the toilet all night.

We need you, Big Mama.

Yeah, I was thinking that, too.

Maybe when you get out of here,

I could help you
turn the ground over.

As you called it, put
some fertilizer down.

Yeah, I'll help you.

Come dance with me.

What?

Come dance with me.
Come on.

Miles…

Come on.
Come on.

Dance?
Dance.

I don't wanna dance.

Oh, come on.

Miles…

You know, mama is not
doing well at all.

Yeah, I know, and come dance with
me and get your mind off it.

Um, I also can't go to
see you perform tonight.

That's what you said last
week and the week before.

I'd really like you to come…

I'm swamped with work.

OK.

Well, just so you know…

I'm thinking about pursuing
my music full time.

Miles… that's
a mistake.

It's what I wanna do.

You find a job yet?

Nope.

But I have an audition
coming up.

I'm just not into
the straight job thing.

"Straight job thing"?

Look, I didn't plan
on staying here.

I thought I was gonna
be at Mama Joe's.

If you want me to leave,
I'll leave.

Why'd you come back here, faith?

What are you gonna do this time?

Run up mama's
credit? Hmm?

Or, um, make her
co-sign on a car,

and then you leave
her with the note.

Or better yet, why don't
you get arrested again?

And let mama put up the
house to post your bail.

I've changed.

You've changed?

Don't you try to start
any shit this time.

You hear me?

♪ Oh, ahhh ♪

♪ Girl, ♪
♪ I care about you ♪

♪ I'm there for you ♪

♪ So why don't you ♪
♪ care for me ♪

♪ Like I care about you? ♪

♪ Oh, girl, ♪
♪ I care about you ♪

♪ I'm there for you ♪

♪ So why don't ♪
♪ you care for me ♪

♪ Like I care about you? ♪

♪ I spend, like, ♪
♪ all of my days, baby ♪

♪ Tryin' to sus out just ♪
♪ how things got this way ♪

♪ I thought that ♪
♪ we were in love ♪

♪ But I swear right now, ♪
♪ I don't know what you want ♪

♪ I make sure that I ♪
♪ give you quality time ♪

♪ But lately I feel ♪
♪ you're not home by design ♪

♪ But still I'm gonna try ♪

♪ To give you ♪
♪ the love of my life ♪

♪ In hopes that you ♪

♪ That you will ♪
♪ open up your eyes, baby ♪

♪ Girl, I care about you ♪

♪ I'm there for you ♪

♪ So why don't ♪
♪ you care for me ♪

♪ Like I care about you? ♪
♪ Sometimes ♪

♪ Sometimes I'm not ♪
♪ I'm not sure that ♪

♪ I'm all you got ♪
♪ that I'm all you got ♪

♪ Sometimes sometimes I'm not ♪
♪ sure you love me or not, baby ♪

♪ There's one thing ♪
♪ that I'm certain of ♪

♪ Girl, I care for you ♪

♪ And the one thing that ♪
♪ I want is that you ♪

♪ Care for me, too ♪

♪ Girl, ♪
♪ I care about you ♪

♪ I'm there for you ♪

♪ So why don't ♪
♪ you care for me ♪

♪ Like I care about you? ♪

♪ Baby, baby, baby, ♪
♪ baby, baby, baby, baby ♪

♪ Oh, girl ♪

♪ Yeah, oh, yeah ♪

♪ Ohh, ooh ♪

♪ I care for you ♪

That was the bomb.

I'm serious, cousin.
You was jammin'.

Man, I didn't know you
could play like that.

You're good.

Thanks, but it's
not just about me.

I mean, we're a group, you know?

Besides, the way
those guys sing, they…

They just make my stuff
come alive.

But you're the mastermind.

You put all this together.

This is your shit.

The group's called
"milestone."

It ain't
called "them."

Heh heh. We were thinking
about that name.

So, you really wanna pursue
your music full time, huh?

I heard you and Teri talking.

Your old man's
looking over here.

He's looking a little jealous.

Ha ha! Family
comes first.

Besides, I gotta get
my career together

before I can even
think about a man.

See, I got goals, OK?

OK.
OK.

OK.
OK.

Ha ha ha!

Wait. Promise
not to laugh.

Jesus, see?
Right there.

I promise.
I promise.

OK. Fine.

I wanna dance.

No, no, no.
I mean really dance.

You know, do Broadway musicals,

choreograph the oscars.

I've spent the last
few years of my life

trying to figure out
what makes me happy,

and I learned that the only thing
that keeps me sane is dancing.

So I'm gonna put every
inch of my energy into it,

so help me, Jesus.

Praise the lord.

And plus…

It just…

It just feels so damn good.

You know what I mean?

It's like that with you
and your music, right?

You want another drink?

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm?
Mm-hmm.

OK. Sly…

Send another one
over here, all right?

All right.

Ooh… Listen.

Oh, that's my jam.

Oh, come and dance with me.

Uh-uh.
I'm on my break.

Come on.

What the hell.

It's stupid, honey.

She really thought her
hair was doing something.

It was to' up, to' back
and over. Hello.

So you cooked all this food and
none of your people showed up?

And you know I wasn't having it.

I know you wanted to
embarrass somebody.

Ooh, we can help you get
rid of some of this.

Now I know why none of
her people showed up.

Miss thing can't cook.

You can't cook, darling.
What is this…

What was that?

Shh.

Why you gotta push me, honey?

Aah!
Aah!

Wait! Wait!

Stop! Stop!
Stop!

What you hit me for?
No, him!

Stop!
What?

What the hell y'all doing?

Hoo.

Ohh…

Get in the bathroom.

Oh, my god.
Did you see that thing?

What are you doing home in
the middle of the afternoon?

I got fired from my job.

You got fired? What, you
can't take workin' a 9-to-5?

You got in trouble again?

No, no. I got fired 'cause
I lied on my application

about being convicted.

And you felt like you
couldn't tell me that?

I wanted to tell you…

But Kenny thought it'd be
in your best interests

if you just didn't know.

Kenny? You gonna
listen to Kenny?

What about us?
It's not about us!

It's about this stupid-ass,
bullshit system.

They lock you up and expect you

to do something better
with your life,

but when you get out, there
ain't nothing better

'cause the crackers
that got everything

don't give you a second chance.

That white man shit is old,

and I'm sick and tired of niggers
using that shit as an excuse.

Hey, hey. I'm the one who's
been on 6 interviews.

6! They won't hire me.

So, what you know about
being a black man, anyway?

You're right. I don't know
shit about being a black man!

I'm sorry.

Look, boo, the shop is
doing really well right now.

I'll just pay for our bills.

And there's a lot of people
that come through there.

I'll see if anybody can
hook you up with a job.

Bird… i don't
need your help.

I can find my own damn job.

OK.

And stop looking at my dick!

Pay in full!
All right? Full!

Pay in full!
Money up front!

You can't take the
money before I go in!

This is so wrong!
Hey, Miles.

You all right?
I'm 5 minutes away

from the most important
audition in my life,

and this fool is trying
to screw me over.

This is about principles.

Business is business.

You know something?

I'm gonna fuck you up,
dread man!

Oh, Miles, you can help me.

Look, they got a piano
up in the audition room.

Faith, I don't…

Just play anything, and
I'll just dance to it.

Come on, cuz, please?
This is really important to me.

I'll owe you.

OK, keesha, we have you
down at 10:00 with Stefan.

Thanks. Bye.

I knew you'd call.

Simuel. Let me take
your briefcase, baby.

Come on over here.

Here we go.

I'm so glad you could make it.

There's something I wanna
talk to you about.

Is that right?
Yeah. Have a seat.

Why don't you let me
hook up your fade?

Fade?

Yeah, you know, edge you up,

clean you up just a little bit.

You're looking good, but I
can always make it better.

Huh. Dig that.

What's this
all about… Hmm?

What do you mean?

You acting like, you know,

I'm big Willie or
something like that.

You treating me all good.
What's going on?

Well, actually, I, um…
I need a favor.

When I first saw simuel,

I knew he was up to no good.

He wanted Bird bad,

and there wasn't nothing he
wouldn't do or say to get her.

Yeah, something bad
was about to happen.

It was as plain to see as all those
phat suits he was always wearing.

What do you think?

You know, you got much game, Bird.
Much game.

I learned from you.
Heh heh heh.

But what's in this for me?

Bird!

Bird, where you at, baby?

I got some great news.

Bird!

I found a gig.

Heh heh heh.

Yeah. Kenny called
me yesterday,

and told me to ask
about a job at

the biggest in-house
printing company in town.

So I went in cold, and
they didn't even know

who the hell Kenny Simmons was.

So I knew I had to kick some game.
Right.

So I told the man, next
to the goddamn man,

that I was the best man for the
job, you know what I'm saying?

Yes.

So, finally, he looks at me…

Stands there,
says… You're hired.

Right there on the spot.

Like he knew that I knew

that he knew that I knew

that I… Was…
The man. Yeah!

That's right, baby. You are the man.
You're my man.

And with enough hours, baby,

you know what that means? What?

We gonna get us
our own place, baby.

Oh, yeah?
Mm-hmm.

Aah!

James Dawson,
phone call, line 2.

James Dawson, pick up line 2.
You have a phone call.

Hey, Lem, I can't believe you
finished that Johnson job.

I didn't expect you
to finish till tomorrow.

Good job.

Thanks.
Thanks a lot, man.

Hey, can you run
a 4 ½ x 9 carver?

Yeah, I can work the carver.

You sure?

Sure.

Good man.

Lem Harris?

Simuel St. James,

chief executive
of sales and marketing.

What's happening?

Yeah, how ya doing.

I've been hearing a lot of good
things about you, brother.

I mean, especially the way
you've been handling yourself

with those machines down there.

I'm no stranger to hard work.

Ha ha. That's good
to know. Cigar?

Uh, no. I don't
like cigars.

Sorry.
You don't mind, do you?

Uh, like I was saying, man,

it's always good to, you know,

have more enthusiastic, hard-working
employees like yourself.

I mean, especially
down there in printing.

I mean, I'm no stranger
to hard work myself.

I'm like you.

You see, I'm from the hood, too.

But, you see, I make $80,000 a year
because I was always willing to sacrifice

whatever I had to in order
to get whatever I wanted.

You see, that's why brothers
got to stick together.

You know, pull one another up
in a time of need.

Ahem.

The white man ain't gonna do it.

And sooner than you think,

it's gonna be your responsibility
to help another brother,

just like I helped you.

What are you talking about?

Uh, I pulled some strings
to get you hired.

I mean, what, you didn't know?

Kenny Simmons referred me.

Who?

No. I know your wife…

Bird.

Yeah. She told me about
your little felony situation

and asked me to hook
you up with a gig down

in the printin' department.

Man, me and…

Me and old cola,
we, uh, we go way back.

Who the fuck is cola?

Oh, no. Ha ha.

No, that's, uh…

That's just a little
something, you know,

I used to call her
back in the day, you know.

Since she got that body shaped
like a Coca-Cola bottle, huh?

I mean, she used to just…

She used to just make
a brother want to scream.

You can forget about
your job, motherfucker.

Aah!

I want to talk to
you for a minute.

What is wrong with you?

Come here. I want
to talk to you.

Why are you fucking coming in
here tripping? Get in there!

Think I'm not man enough to find
my own fucking job? I'm sorry.

You fucking that nigger?
No!

What the fuck you have
to do for him, then, huh?

Ain't no man gonna give you
motherfucking thing free!

I didn't do nothing with him.

I just told him that I was gonna go
to dinner with him and that is it.

I'm sorry.

What the fuck is this, huh?
It's nothing!

What the fuck is this?

It ain't shit
but a fucking bracelet!

This don't mean nothing.

Baby, I'm sorry.

Don't fucking touch me!

Don't fucking touch me!

Lem, I love you.
I just did this for us.

Aah!

You stay the fuck away from me!

Motherfucker!

Lem!

Lem!

Bird!
Bird!

Honey, it's OK, sweetie.

You can talk…
You can talk to us.

Bird, you know, your
sister is out here

getting ready to call somebody,

and I don't want
no drama here…

Open up, Bird!
Ohh!

So aunt Teri was calling in
cousin blimp to whup uncle Lem's ass,

all 'cause she thought
Lem had beat up Bird.

Big misunderstanding.

This was one of those times

you just knew things were
gonna get a whole lot worse

before they got any better.

That's just how it was when my aunties
tried to fix each other's messes.

Hey, no guns.
You hear me?

Hey, Rick, give me a shot.

Hello. Maxine,
is Kenny there?

This is Rick down at the bar.

Your brother-in-law
is down here,

and he's getting wasted.

I didn't know whether
to call Bird or not,

but I think you need to send
somebody down here to get him.

Hey, Rick, here you go.

There he is…
Cousin blimp.

He's one of those cousins
you don't get to see much

'cause he always spends
so much time in jail.

Of all the people aunt Teri could
have called on to teach Lem a lesson,

I can't believe
she called on blimp.

Let me get a couple of brews,

and give my boys a couple, too.

Who's paying for this, man?

He's paying.

Yeah, right, motherfucker.

Ha ha!

What the fuck is
wrong with you, punk?

Hit that punk!

I'm gonna blow your
motherfucking brains out!

Should have brought my gun.

Shut the fuck up!

Stop the car, Kenny!
Kenny, pull over!

Lem!

Lem!

Ahmad, stay in the car!

That's my husband!

Wait! That's my husband!

No, no! Bird!

Wait, officer!
I'm here!

Kicking simuel's ass
was one thing,

but being an ex-felon
and having that gun

landed uncle Lem right back where
HE DIDN'T WANT TO BE: Jail.

We're talking serious time.

Sure enough, the family
was starting to fall apart.

No!

Lem!

Hey.

Teri in?

Uh, she's at the hospital.

Any change?

No.

It's beautiful.

For your cd?
I don't know.

It's a little something
I'm messing around with.

Hey…

Any news on your audition?

Get out of here!

Ha ha ha ha ha.

Oh, yeah, I'm pretty
happy about it.

I'm sure you are.

Ha ha ha ha.

I was so scared.

You?

Ha ha ha ha.

Ha.

I gave 2 weeks at my firm today.

I quit.

Man, when your cd drops,
you are going to blow up.

Oh, I don't know about all that.

Let's celebrate.

Ha ha ha.

Ha ha ha ha.

Oh, oh.

Miles…

I'm moving out this weekend.

Teri and I living under the same
roof together is not working.

Teri's tough.

So you letting her run
you out of here, huh?

You're damn right.

No. Besides that,
I need my own space.

I'm always on the go, and I can't
stay in one place too long.

And I got this new gig, so…

So you gotta go.

I don't know. It's
always been like that.

But, you know, we're all cool.

There's no hostilities
or anything like that.

It's just…

When it's time to go,

it's time to go.

Ha. That's bullshit.

Excuse me?

Sounds like bullshit.

I mean, that's, uh,

a lonely life.

You should…

Stop pretending you
don't need anybody,

'cause you're just
lying to yourself.

That's how I see it.

I'm going up to the studio.

You never know.
You never know.

Yeah.

You have to speak for yourself.

Miles?

Uncle Miles, we're home.

Well, he must be upstairs
in the studio on the roof.

Oh, the studio.
Let's go.

Oh, I love it
out here, aunt Teri.

I know you love it out here.

Um, we got to go.

But, aunt Teri, I thought…

Back to your house.

Aunt Teri…

No, let's just go back, OK?

I don't know why we left
Miles and aunt Teri's house so fast

or why Teri was so upset
all of a sudden.

All I know is she didn't
say a word the whole trip.

We headed back over
to my house that night.

Everybody was getting together

for my mom and dad's
11th year anniversary party.

Happy anniversary!

Yeah!
Yay!

For a party, there sure seemed
to be a lot of tension in the air,

especially between
Teri and Miles.

At one point, I think
I even saw Teri crying.

Not even my mama could say why.

At least my folks seemed to
be getting along all right,

which is always cool.

Mmm. Ha ha ha.

Ahem.

Uh, honey, uh,

why don't you get everybody together
in the kitchen so we can talk, OK?

Mmm.

Want to dance?

Ha ha ha.

Oh.

Whoo!

Teri, you OK?

Are you all right?

Oh, after all these years, you
and Max are still together.

I still envy that.

I, uh…

I always thought that maybe if
you and I had gotten married,

life would be different.

Yeah, but it wouldn't.

I'd find a way to screw it up.

Teri, you can't…

What y'all doing in here?

Oh, just talking
about this cake. Mmm!

It was good.

Yeah, real good.

Um, since we're all
together here tonight,

I feel that this is a good time to
talk about mama's hospital bills.

And y'all know her insurance
ain't gonna cover everything.

We're talking about it since
the 5 of us are all here.

So maybe we can all pitch in,

take care of this tonight?
Yes.

Well, what about all that money
mama has stashed somewhere?

That's just a myth, Bird. Oh.

So…

I feel that Teri and Miles
could pay for everything,

and then maybe we can pay you all
back in installments or some…

Don't you start running
that game on me again.

What, do you expect me to
bail Lem out of jail, too?

Now, come on, Teri. Lem doesn't
have anything to do with this, OK?

How we can pay for mama's bills

is by selling the big house.

What?

We are not selling the house.

Mama and daddy saved their whole
life for that house, Teri.

We can't even agree on anything
as small as Sunday dinners.

Nobody's paying for the taxes
or the utilities except me.

And now we can finally
put uncle Pete in a home

like we've been
talking about for years.

We are not putting uncle Pete in a home.
Mama would kill us.

You are tripping.
I'm selling the house.

You're not selling the house.

I am the guardian of her estate.

That means I make the decisions.

Come on, now, Teri, listen to
what they're saying, all right?

Your mama worked hard to keep that
house in the family, for everyone,

for you and your family…

Oh, fuck the family!

The family! I let the family
in my house, you know what?

The family fucked my husband.

Yeah, faith fucked my husband.

Miles.

Teri.

What are you gonna say, huh?
Teri.

"Teri, what?" Can
we talk about this?

Can we talk about what?
Fuck you!

Teri, whoa, whoa, whoa!

Teri!

Let go!

Let go!

Oh, my goodness.

Get out.

I'm so sorry.

Get out!

Get the fuck out!

Oh, god.

Oh, god.

Oh, god.

Second floor nursing
station, maintenance.

In the 5 weeks
Big Mama was in that coma,

every grownup in the family
managed somehow to go crazy.

I know, 'cause I
just about went crazy, too.

You…

You were…

Here…

Weren't you?

Yeah.

Everybody was worried about you,

but not me.

I knew you'd come around.

I love you, Big Mama.

The family's…

A mess, isn't it?

A lot of bad things
happened while you were gone.

If you let…

Bad things stop you…

You won't be here…

For the good things.

I'm tired, baby.

My soul is tired.

I need you to do
something for me.

Only you can do it.

I need you to…

Big Mama, what's wrong?

Big Mama.

Big Mama.

Son, you're gonna
have to wait outside.

It's OK, son.

We'll take good care
of her for you.

Excuse me.

Dr. horowitz, please
report to the nursing station.

Dr. horowitz
to the nursing station.

♪ Why ♪

♪ Should I feel ♪

♪ Discouraged? ♪

♪ Why ♪

♪ Should the shadows come ♪

♪ And why ♪

♪ Should my heart ♪

♪ Be lonely ♪

♪ And long ♪

♪ For heaven ♪

♪ And home ♪

♪ When Jesus is ♪

♪ My potion ♪

♪ A constant friend ♪

♪ Is he ♪

♪ His eye ♪

♪ Is on ♪

♪ The sparrow ♪

♪ And I know ♪

♪ He watches me… ♪

Pulling together
in times of need.

That had always been
Big Mama's job,

but who was gonna do it
now that she was gone?

♪ And I know ♪

♪ He watches ♪

♪ Me ♪

Mama ain't even lukewarm
in the ground yet,

and that damn girl
got her house for sale.

Uncle Pete?

What you doing out of your room?

We going to the crick
today, Joe?

We can catch some trout
for dinner.

Put it in the iron pot,

sear it with lard
or cooking oil, Joe.

No.

I'm Maxine, uncle Pete.

Joe's daughter.

She's gone.

She's dead.

Remember daddy
used to raise hogs?

He'd gut 'em,

and he'd cure the cut-up
meat in brine, and…

And put 'em in the
smokehouse for sausages.

Mmm, mmm, mmm.

Daddy's gone now.

So you got to take
care of me now, Joe.

That's right.

I'm gonna take good care of you.

Come on, now, uncle Pete.

You want some catfish?

Look. Here she is.

Teri.

Hi.

We didn't order yet, 'cause we
were waiting for you to get here.

What's up?

Look, Teri, I know
you're mad at the world

for what's happened
between you and Miles.

I understand.

But you're taking it out
on the whole family,

and that's not right.

Sorry.

We're gonna stop
the sale of mama's house.

So I went to Kenny's lawyer,

and I drew up a motion
to cease and desist.

Sorry.

OK.

OK?

I'm sorry, too.

Well, Teri, don't leave.

Why doesn't that surprise me?

I gotta go to the bathroom.

You OK?

Huh?

Lem's gonna be a daddy.

So you're the fish
in mama's dream.

Yeah.

Wow.

Maxie, I miss him so much.

I know, Bird,

but you can't call your ex

to help your husband find
a job behind his back.

A man has to be a man,

and if he feels that you
take that away from him,

he has nothing.

Like with mama.

You remember when daddy went

and lost all that money gambling?
Remember?

Yes.

She didn't trip.

She just did what she had to do,

and she left him
with his dignity.

You see what I'm saying?

Men need that.

Yeah.

I guess you're right.

♪ I'm gonna be ♪
♪ an auntie ♪

Oh, god.

I just wish I could be like you.

Please.

And so does Teri.

That's why she acts
the way she does.

You got your own shop,

and Teri's got
a great job at the firm.

Shoot, all I got is a
husband and some kids,

but they badasses.

Mama always said that you were
the strongest one in the family.

I just want to say thank you
for always supporting me.

You're my sister, girl.

I love you, maxie.

I love you, too.

Come here, girl.

It's gonna be all right.

Yeah.

Just fine.

Now we gotta get
some bottles, pampers.

You ready for that?

Yeah, I guess.
Get ready.

Yeah, it's Teri Joseph
for Jonathan Oliver, please.

Teri must have felt really
bad about what she did to Lem,

'cause the next thing you knew,

she was calling in a favor
from some downtown big shot.

Um, I have a favor.

And the last, yeah. The way you
just pulled up and scored.

Mom.

Sweet move, baby, sweet move.

Yeah, but, mama, why you
always gotta be so loud?

Hey, I don't care what they say.

You my baby,
and I'm proud of you.

Mama, think you can hook
up a victory dinner?

Sure, baby, anything you want.

Think I could grub
on some Lima beans,

neck bones, Greens
with some hot sauce,

hot cakes, and
some fried chicken.

Dang.

All of that?

All of that.

All right.

Besides, I haven't cooked
like that since…

So when you want to have
this little victory dinner?

Sunday…

At Big Mama's.

You're up to something.

Huh?

Huh?

Boy, I carried you for 9 months,
went through…

23 hours, 45 minutes,

10 seconds of labor.

Wiped your little butt

while your little dingaling
pee-peed in my face.

So mama knows when you're
up to something.

You're trying to get
everybody together

for Sunday dinner, aren't you?

Big Mama wants me to.

I think that's what she was trying
to tell me before she died.

You liked that last shot, right?

Oh, man, that last shot
was the bomb.

Flow, you know.

Just keep doing like that,
baby, and when you get older

you're gonna be able to get
a fat contract, right?

Buy a house. You're gonna
get me a Lexus, all right?

Lexus, right.

And a fur.
You know what I'm saying?

Brother be like…

Guys, that sounded good,

but I'm still missing a note.

Come on.
Let's do it again.

Let's try it again, all right?

Here we go, here we go.

1, 2,

3, 4.

♪ Girl ♪

♪ I care about you ♪

♪ I'm there for you ♪

♪ So why don't you care ♪

♪ For me ♪

♪ Like I care about you? ♪

Good, good, better.

Yeah. Let's take
a break, all right?

Right. Leave the little
man to his business.

I'm glad you could
make it down, shorty.

I'm glad I could, too.

It's been tough, you know?

With school and working
at the shop afterwards.

I'm trying to coordinate
what do do

with all that loot
Big Mama left me.

What loot?

Dead presidents?

Cash?

When did she leave it to you?

The day she died.

See, I was the only one
at the hospital.

And Big Mama told me where
she stashed a lot of money

none of you all knew about.

So how much money
are you talking about?

Lots. I mean beaucoup.

Beaucoup?

Beaucoup.

See, faith, I was thinking.

Maybe you could help me figure
out what to do with the dough.

Now, this is not
the money from the will?

Aunt Teri, you're the
smartest in the family.

You know that's right.

If I was your son…
Mmm-hmm?

Would you invest in my future?
Sure.

Do the right thing for family?

Absolutely.

See, I figure if you help me,

I can give you a third.

You know, like a fee.

A fee?
Yeah, a fee.

Then you could pay off
Big Mama's bills.

So you won't have
to sell the house.

And I can give you a percentage

if you help me invest it.

Then maybe you can use the money

to promote your new cd.

Have you told
anybody else about this?

No, but I'd be willing
to give you some of it.

Then you could pay off
aunt Teri's loan.

Why don't you tell me…

Where the money is?
So let's go get it.

When would be a good time?

Sunday at 3:00…

At Big Mama's.

Hey.

Hey.

Hey.

What y'all doing here?

Oh, just cooking
a little Sunday dinner.

All right.

Get on out the way and let
the ladies handle this.

OK, after all the hard work is
done, you're gonna come in.

You can go work hard
with that remote control

and watch some football,
all right?

I can do that.
Yeah, you can.

You sure?
Mm-hmm.

You don't need anything?
No, thank you.

You want me to start
these dumplings?

Yeah, but you watch
that measuring,

'cause you know how you are.

I'm gonna kick your butt.

Why didn't you tell me?

Well, this would be the test,

to see if 40 years of tradition

and a heap of mama's soul food

could pull our family
right back together again.

Hey, aunt Teri, what's up?

Hey.

Mmm.

There's a car outside.

Is your mom here?

Somebody cooking?

Why don't you go
in the kitchen and see?

Yeah.
Smells in the kitchen

bringing back the good old days.

Mmm, dumplings,
deep-fried catfish,

macaroni and cheese,
and sweet corn bread.

The kind Big Mama used to
make look like pound cake

so us kids would eat it.

I just wanted the good
old feelings back, too…

And so did Big Mama.

Hey, Miles, what's up, man?

How you doing?

What's going on here, Ahmad?

Uh, we having
Sunday dinner, man.

We got some string beans,
catfish,

chicken and dumplings, man,

some corn bread.

I don't think I should be here.

What's happening?

Hey, Lem, when did you
get out of jail?

What's going on?

Hey, uh…

How you doing, Miles?

Why don't you come on in
and have a seat?

We're going to serve
dinner in a minute.

What's going on in there?

We're having Sunday dinner.

Sunday dinner?

I fucked up, huh?

How's Bird doing?

She's in there.

Why don't you go ask her?

It looks like a family
thing going on in there.

I don't want to butt in.

Why not?

You're family.

Hey, Ahmad…

I know I let you down,
and I'm sorry.

But I want you to know,
I ain't beat on your auntie.

I pushed her,
and that was bad enough,

but I didn't hit her.

I would never, ever hit a woman.

Do you believe me?

Ahmad, your mama said get
upstairs and wash your hands

and get ready for dinner.

I'll leave you two alone.

You're home?

Oh, baby.

I missed you so much.

I missed you.

I missed you so much.
Are you OK?

I'm fine, baby.

I messed up, baby.

I messed up.

I'm sorry.

I love you.

I love you, too.

I have something to tell you.

Ahmad?

Ahmad?

I can't even believe she's here.

Come on.

Hey.

Hey, faith, what's up?

Ahmad, what's going on?

How come everybody's here?

We just having Sunday dinner.

Sunday dinner?

Yeah, Sunday dinner.

You know, we got some
chicken and dumplings,

some string beans,
catfish, some c…

Not cool, Ahmad.

I'm out of here.

Faith!

Wait. Please, stay.

Please?

Dear lord,

thank you for allowing us
another day on earth…

Another day to glorify your name

and sanctify ourselves
with your mercy.

Lord, I'm grateful that the
people I love most in the world

are here to celebrate life

and the lessons as it unfolds.

And let one of those lessons
be acceptance and love

so we can be a family again

and love each other
like we used to.

In Christ Jesus' name, amen.

Amen.
Amen.

Amen.
Mm-mm-mmm.

It's so good to be back here.

I miss this place.
I've got my favorite food.

You can't find this food
anyplace…

Well, I have a surprise
for everyone later,

but for now,
why don't we just eat?

I say amen to that.

Amen.

Everybody, um…

I got my job back.

Oh, that's good, Lem.

Congratulations.
That's great.

Yeah, they asked
a brother back to work,

because they know I'm a good,
strong, skilled worker.

That's right.

So, how'd you get
out of jail, Lem?

To tell you the truth,
man, I don't even know.

Somebody talked to somebody,

and the charges got dropped.

Here I am.

Well, we glad to have
you home, brother.

Yes, sir.

That's right.
My boo is home.

Actually, I called a friend
of mine at the d.A.'S office

for a favor.

I felt bad.

Well, you should feel bad.

Because of you, I had
to spend weeks in jail.

You should be thankful.

Now you can spend some time and
take care of your pregnant wife.

You know what, Teri? You need to mind
your own damn business, all right?

Didn't nobody
ask you for your help.

You need to be worrying
about your husband

and why he's sleeping with her.

Cheap.
No, sit.

No, let her go if she wants to.

Teri, I'm sorry, but
she's always running away.

You're family, and we're
going to deal with this.

Baby, go get me some more peas

and take your sister with you.

Always worrying about
somebody else's business.

You need to take care
of your own husband.

So, was that it, Miles?
I didn't take care of you?

You know, we haven't been
happy for a long time now.

We used to have so much fun.

I don't know what happened.

It seems that
everything I love…

I lose.

Well…

Um…

Ahem.

Good luck with
mother Joe's money.

M-mother Joe's money?
Yeah, what money?

What are you talking about?

Supposedly, mama has some
large amount of money

stashed someplace in the house

that she was saving
for Ahmad, and…

That's why we're
all here tonight.

Ahmad?

Get in here.
Ahmad?

Right now.

Ahmad, where's this money that
mother Joe supposedly left you?

There isn't any money.
I made it all up.

You made it up?

Ahmad, what have I
told you about lying?

You know better than that.

It's not my fault!
It's all your fault!

Y'all messed up the family!

Can't you see that?

Big Mama wanted me to get everyone
together for a Sunday dinner.

But I didn't know
how to do that,

because all y'all do is fight.

So I lied…

Lied about the money
so you'd come…

So we could be a family again.

Y'all know that's what
Big Mama wanted.

Baby…

Come here.

It's OK.

You smell that?
Smell what?

Smells like it's coming
from the kitchen.

You didn't mess with
the stove, did you?

I'll go look.

Whoa!

Oh, shit! Come on!

Uhh! Uhh!

Let me get some water!

Aah!

Get back!
Get back!

Oh, my god!

Get back!
Get back!

Look out! Look out!

Oh! Oh, whoa! Whoa!
Look out!

Put it back
to the stove! Come on!

It ain't going to work!
It ain't working!

Oh, my god!

Uhh!

The house!

Wait!

The house!

It's getting out of hand!

We need an extinguisher!
Look for an extinguisher!

Yeah!

No.

Oh, my god.

Oh, my god.

Oh, no.

What happened?

I don't know.

I…

Ohh.

I forgot.

I left the towel on the stove.

Oh, Ahmad…

Aah!

Uncle Pete, are you all right?

Ooh. Just got a little
on your face.

He didn't mean nothing.

This is, uh, my surprise,
everybody.

Uncle Pete.

Uncle Pete?

I'm… I'm sorry, man.

Look at this.

What?
What?

Ho ho!

Look at all this money!

Yeah!

Big Mama really did have
a pile of money hidden away,

and she had it stashed in the last
place we'd all think to look…

Uncle Pete's TV.

Now I understand what
soul food was all about.

See, during slavery, us black folks
didn't have a whole lot to celebrate,

so cooking became the way we
expressed our love for one another.

And that's what those
Sunday dinners meant to us.

More than just eating,

it was a time for sharing
our joys and sorrows…

Something the old folks say is
missing in today's families.

Things got better
for my family after that.

And even though Miles
and aunt Teri broke up,

it hasn't stopped Miles from
coming around every now and then

and filling his belly
with mama's soul food.

Lem and Bird
are doing good, too.

They got their own place,

and they're expecting
that baby any day now.

My mama and aunt Teri
are cool again,

at least for the time being.

And faith is finally
a part of the family, too.

And as you can see,

we didn't sell the big house.

No way, no how.

And even though we all miss Big
Mama's cooking, laughter, and love,

none of us feel like
life cheated her none.

See, she accomplished all the
things she set out to do…

To build a strong family

with a rich tradition

and to leave love
in her footprints.

Thanks…

Big Mama.

♪ You taught me everything ♪

♪ Everything ♪
♪ you've given me ♪

♪ I'll always ♪
♪ keep it inside ♪

♪ And you're the driving force ♪
♪ in my life ♪

♪ Yeah-eah-eah ♪

♪ There isn't anything ♪
♪ or anyone that I could be ♪

♪ And it just wouldn't ♪
♪ feel right ♪

♪ If I didn't have you ♪
♪ by my side ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ You were there for me ♪

♪ To love and care ♪
♪ for me ♪

♪ When skies were gray ♪

♪ Whenever I was down ♪

♪ You were always there ♪

♪ To comfort me ♪

♪ And no one else can be ♪
♪ what you have been to me ♪

♪ You will always be ♪

♪ You will always be ♪

♪ The girl in my life ♪

♪ For all times ♪

♪ Mama ♪

♪ Mama ♪

♪ You know ♪

♪ I love you ♪

♪ You know I love you ♪

♪ You know I love you ♪

♪ Mama ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ Mama, you're the queen ♪
♪ of my heart ♪

♪ You are ♪

♪ Your love is like tears ♪
♪ from the stars ♪

♪ Your love is like tears ♪
♪ from the stars ♪

♪ Mama, I just ♪
♪ want you to know ♪

♪ Mama, I just want you ♪
♪ to know ♪

♪ Lovin' you is like ♪
♪ food to my soul ♪

♪ Lovin' you is like ♪
♪ food to my soul ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah ♪

♪ You are the food ♪

♪ To my soul ♪

♪ Yes, you are ♪

♪ Don't you stop it ♪

♪ Don't you stop ♪
♪ what you're doin' ♪

♪ You don't really ♪
♪ want to stop ♪

♪ No, you don't ♪

♪ Don't you stop it ♪

♪ Don't you stop ♪
♪ what you're doin' ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah ♪

♪ You don't really ♪
♪ want to stop ♪

♪ Check it out, ♪
♪ yeah, come on ♪

♪ Whether you like it hard ♪
♪ over live guitars ♪

♪ Anything dropped ♪

♪ If it's hot, ♪
♪ it's ours ♪

♪ If it's not, it's yours ♪
♪ we on the job ♪

♪ Everybody eatin' ♪
♪ everybody involved ♪

♪ You can't stop that ♪
♪ like you can't stop rap ♪

♪ Bad boy, stop ♪

♪ What's the chance of that? ♪
♪ We don't stop ♪

♪ So check the mansions ♪
♪ and stacks ♪

♪ And we don't have ♪
♪ to answer to Jack ♪

♪ No wonder we had ♪
♪ this rap shit locked ♪

♪ For 8 straight summers ♪

♪ Pull up at the party ♪

♪ 8 straight hummers ♪

♪ 6 be the 6th, 7th, ♪
♪ and 8th wonders ♪

♪ Pop corks, we be ♪
♪ the toast of New York ♪

♪ And out west, we want ♪
♪ y'all to understand ♪

♪ All we wanna do ♪
♪ is make you dance ♪

♪ We know the song ♪
♪ ain't done wrong ♪

♪ When the party is hot ♪

♪ Y'all don't really want us ♪
♪ to stop, do you? ♪

♪ Don't you stop it ♪

♪ Don't you stop ♪
♪ what you're doin' ♪

♪ You don't really ♪
♪ want to stop ♪

♪ Nah ♪

♪ Don't you stop it ♪

♪ Don't you stop ♪
♪ what you're doin' ♪

♪ You don't really ♪
♪ want to stop ♪

♪ You can ♪
♪ pump this in your Jeep ♪

♪ On an off-road ♪

♪ Pump this ♪
♪ through your bose ♪

♪ On the way to the tow ♪

♪ Bang this ♪
♪ till you're bein' old ♪

♪ When you at home ♪

♪ On the 6-4 ♪
♪ sittin' on chrome ♪

♪ Yo, we don't stall, ♪
♪ we ball ♪

♪ While you playin' ♪
♪ the wall ♪

♪ We in the middle ♪
♪ of the dance floor ♪

♪ Gettin' off ♪

♪ We got a bunch ♪
♪ of hot chicks ♪

♪ Gettin' live with us ♪

♪ At the end ♪
♪ of the night ♪

♪ They gonna ♪
♪ slide with us ♪

♪ Don't you stop it ♪

♪ Don't you stop ♪
♪ what you're doin' ♪

♪ You don't really ♪
♪ want to stop ♪

♪ No, baby, uh-uh ♪

♪ Don't you stop it ♪

♪ Don't you stop ♪
♪ what you're doin' ♪

♪ You don't really ♪
♪ want to stop ♪