The Good Mother (1988) Movie Script

When I was a child, I spent

summers with my grandparents...

At their vacation home in Maine.

In those days, there was

no road to the house,

so one of my favorite chores

was to row visitors

across the lake.

My mother had three sisters...

And a brother... my uncle orrie.

In August, the men

would join their wives

and the children,

and for two weeks,

the family was fully assembled.

Orrie! Orrie!

Looking good.

Looking good, mccords!

Sit down. You'll tip the boat.

My grandmother seemed

overwhelmed in their company,

but she was the one

I loved the most.

We were all dominated

by my grandfather.

He demanded

ambition and achievement,

and we all tried to please him.

Hi. How are ya,

darlin'?

Good to see ya.

All of ya come.

Let's get that luggage

into the house.

The only one who

ever stood up to him was babe.

She was

my mother's youngest sister...

20 years younger than my mother.

- I can take that.

- It's heavy.

Okay, watch

your toes, sweetheart.

Watch your toes.

It's good to see ya, Elmer.

Was it a hard row

across the lake, Anna?

No, it was easy,

gram. Anna!

Good for you.

Bring that big one.

Well, I tell you,

it's certainly

good to be here.

- Don't spoil your dinner.

- Yes, well, here we all are.

Wanna come?

My mother doesn't want me to.

You wanna grow up and be

just like your mother, Anna?

Through those long summers,

babe became my friend.

I was... well, I was

the oldest grandchild,

and, oh, I was shy.

Already I was a conformist.

All right. Come on.

Hurry up.

Ready?

Where'd you get the cookies?

Stole 'em... whaddya think?

Compared to the others, you see,

babe just seemed so glamorous

and unconventional,

and I adored her.

- what a bunch of fucking assholes.

- Once again!

I remember there was a time

when babe was gone a lot...

With young men

in their powerboats from

the other side of the lake.

Okay, I'll see ya.

Babe, do you realize

what time it is?

You betrayed my trust.

I'm ready, auntie babe.

Can I go too, mom?

Why is everyone so angry at you?

I'm pregnant.

They're just all in a twit.

My boyfriend's not

respectable enough.

They're sending me away

to Europe.

Do you love him?

How do you know you're pregnant?

You feel it.

Your body changes.

How does it feel?

Like... that.

- You wanna see?

- Sure.

You get bigger here.

And your nipples get fatter.

And down here it gets all tight.

You wanna feel?

Come here.

It's amazing, huh?

Babe, come on.

A week later, babe left

for Europe with one of my aunts.

I learned later that she'd

had her baby in Switzerland...

And gave it up

two days afterward.

one at a time.

And as I grew up

and began to drift away,

I saw babe less and less.

Then... oh, she'd appear

at family gatherings...

Often having had a lot to drink.

I'm fine. It's just...

Oh, god, would you quit?

Thanks.

What is the rush, orrie?

It's late.

Father will be waiting.

Babe?

Babe! Watch...

What the hell...

God... oh, shit. Oh!

Hey! Don't

be an ass!

Goddamn it!

Babe! Come back here!

Babe!

In the years after babe's

death, I often thought of...

Of what she offered me

during those summers.

In her presence, it just seemed

as if anything was possible.

And I wanted to be like her.

I wanted to take risks.

I wanted to feel... I wanted

to be a passionate person.

And even now,

in spite of everything

that has happened,

i...

I feel...

I really, really had to try.

Mmm! Molly.

Molly, please.

Come on. Come and

eat breakfast, okay?

Do I have to eat

pancakes, mama?

Do you have to?

You said you wanted them.

And look. Look what I did.

What?

Look at this.

I made you a picture.

See?

What is it?

You have to guess.

Is it dog?

No, no. It's much bigger

than a dog.

Here let me put your shoe on.

Eat something. Go on.

A horse?

No. No. And it lived

a long, long time ago.

Hmm. A dinosaur!

That's right.

That's right. Do you

want some syrup with it?

Hmm? What

are you doing?

I have to get my other shoe.

Oh, no, no, no.

You sit back down here

and eat your breakfast.

I'll get your shoe.

Put some syrup on it.

It'll be good.

Uh-oh.

What is it?

Oh, Molly.

I didn't mean to.

I know you didn't.

Here. Put your shoe on.

Oh.

Oh, god.

I wanna help.

Just put your shoe on.

It's getting late.

Eat something, Molly,

all right?

Hi, Alex.

How's school?

Oh, wow.

Keep up the good work.

I'm glad to hear it.

Yeah.

I'm fine. Things

are going very well.

Oh, Molly's very good. I just

wanna thank you for asking.

It's just so sweet of you.

She's gettin' to be real big,

Alex. See ya later.

Good talkin' to ya.

Real good talkin' to ya.

Whoa!

Let's take this again.

Let's try this again.

Let's take it a little slower.

What is your foot doing

on the pedal? Huh?

Oh, damn it. I had my foot

on that stupid pedal again.

I know.

You know, I drive this way.

It's gonna kill me someday.

Try and play it. Two-four.

What?

Is this the da-gentles?

That's the man's genitals.

That's right.

- This is the lady's?

- Yes, that is.

It's that funny, huh?

Look at baby worms.

I know. Those aren't worms.

Those are sperm.

Is the baby

in mama's stomach?

No, no, no.

Not really

in her stomach, honey.

She's in her mom's uterus.

How did she get in there?

Well, she got in there

'cause she grew there from

this tiny, little egg.

Just like you grew. See?

I'm not a egg.

No, you're not an egg.

Not anymore, no.

But I think you're

a girl who has to go

to sleep real soon.

Do you wanna sleep with Sammy

or with Julia tonight? What?

Julia.

Julia. Okay.

Maybe Julia'll put you

to sleep real good, huh?

There you go.

Okay. There you go.

You're tucked in.

Are you gonna

sleep with me?

No, I'm not

gonna sleep with you tonight.

No, I'm not.

Close your eyes.

Why are you staying here?

I'm just saying good night.

Close your eyes. Good girl.

Oh.

Don't look at me, mom.

Well, I'm not.

I'm not looking at you.

Oh, yes, you are.

Are you saying I am?

Well, I can't help it.

Do you know that?

Do you know why?

Why?

'Cause it's the way I love you.

I love you with these things

right here. See? They just...

Eyes, you mean.

Yeah, my eyes. Right.

They go like this,

and they just go like this,

and you know what they are?

What?

They're eyeball love.

That's eyeball love,

Molly, and I got it for you.

Okay. Okay.

I gotta go pee, mama.

Okay, well, we're gonna

be there in just a minute.

It's one more minute.

One, one, one, one, one.

All right.

no, not a honk.

That's a goose.

All right.

Did you notice

that new wallpaper?

Oh, everybody's here.

Hello, Anna.

Happy Thanksgiving.

All right, everyone!

Hi, darlin'.

Hey, Molly, do you have

something for gram?

Ah, there we are.

Oh, thank you.

Happy Thanksgiving.

I know. It's beautiful,

isn't it?

Molly, Molly,

gram wants to give you

some Cranberries. Here.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

- Oh, thank you.

- You got it?

Tilt your hand, honey.

What do you hear

from your parents, Anna?

Oh, um, well, not much.

They're doing fine.

What are you doing

these days, Anna?

Um, I'm doing lab work

at the college.

Really?

Mm-hmm. Yeah, I'm sort

of a glorified dishwasher.

Of course,

Anna's really a pianist.

Isn't that so?

Well, I, uh...

I think piano teacher's

more accurate,

but the lab work

helps pay the bills.

Anna, why this

bohemian pretense?

It's tiresome coming

from a woman your age.

May I see you after dinner?

Of course.

Not with your hands,

honey. Okay?

How's Molly been?

Oh, fine.

Adjusting to the divorce?

Well, yes, pretty well,

I think. Mm-hmm.

Your grandmother and I

are worried about her.

Why?

She shouldn't have

to be in day care.

She's not the child

of factory workers, after all.

Yeah, well, neither are

the children she's in day care

with, if that matters.

As we know,

your parents have not had

a very strong interest,

so your grandmother and I

would like to make

a contribution to your income,

the money to be set aside

to be used for someone to come

to your home and care for Molly.

I'm sorry, grandfather.

I really think that she'd

just be bored stiff.

But thank you anyway.

You seem to suffer

from some romantic ideas

about poverty.

Even though you insist

on it for yourself,

it's nothing short of criminal

to inflict it on your daughter.

It's not poverty that

I care about, grandfather.

Brian is helping US.

We're hardly poor.

You know, it's...

It's independence.

It's being my own person.

Here. Keep it.

Okay. Thanks.

Daddy!

Hi. Hello.

How are you?

Hello, Anna.

It's good to see you.

Good to see you too.

Good to see you.

Well... well.

You don't have

to leave right away.

Oh, no, no, no.

I thought it'd be easier

this way. And, Molly, you can

show daddy where everything is.

Okay!

Okay, okay. Okay.

Where are you staying?

At Ursula's. I left the number

on the kitchen counter.

Okay.

Bye.

Oh, yeah.

Oh, bye.

Don't forget.

I won't forget.

Okay? I'm gonna see you when?

Sunday night, right?

Yeah.

Okay. Bye.

Promise?

It's a promise.

Bye.

We were right in the middle

of the divorce...

When he told me that

he was going to marry again.

Yes. This woman Brenda,

who was a lawyer in his firm.

And I remember...

I remember thinking that

I should care about this,

that I should really

be outraged.

Oh, god. Why am I doing this?

Why am I telling you this?

I mean, I must be drunk

or something.

I don't know.

No, tell it.

Go ahead. Tell it.

Yeah? Okay, well,

I told him. I said to him

straight out... I said...

I could understand him

wanting someone else

because...

Sex between US

was so, um... nothing.

I think that's

the phrase I used.

I didn't think I was

being cruel or anything.

I really didn't.

It's just that it was so...

Obviously, it was so true.

I mean, it was like it was, uh...

It wa nothing.

I remember Brian saying, "ohh,

well, I never thought so."

- How long were you married?

- Seven years.

That is a long time

for nothing sex.

Well, it wasn't all

Brian's fault. Mm-mm.

What do you mean?

Well, I never

really felt very...

Erotic or... around him.

So that's why you got a divorce.

Oh, no, no, no, no.

It was all very reasonable.

Brian's firm was opening

an office in Washington.

He wanted to go,

and I didn't want to go.

And, uh...

and sex had nothing

to do with it?

Well, look,

it's never really been

a priority of mine.

'Til lately.

Yeah.

Oh, please!

Oh, are those yours?

Yeah.

I'm sorry. They were

sitting in here for so long,

and it was the only dryer.

They're still wet,

you know?

Yeah, they're a little damp.

I'm so tired of this crap.

Even in the laundromat,

it's dog eat dog.

Look, I said I was sorry.

Your clothes were sitting

in the dryer.

The dryer had been

sitting there...

Excuse me.

What's the rule here?

You're supposed

to keep your underwear company

while it dries or what?

Will you stop feeling sorry

for yourself and just put

your clothes in the dryer?

Are you finished here?

Can I use this now?

Yes, I am.

Yes, I am finished.

Thank you.

Excuse me.

Yeah?

You wouldn't have

a quarter, would ya?

I got all this stuff here.

Hmm? Oh, thanks.

I'm sorry I got upset.

It's okay.

It's been a tough day.

I had my heart set on

some dry underwear, you know?

Thank you.

You're very pretty.

I mean it.

Are you picking me up?

I'm trying to.

I'm trying to. It's...

It's pretty predictable too.

Yeah, I know. I'm sorry,

but I don't do this, you know?

I don't normally do this.

I don't pick up girls

in launderettes.

Well, I'm sorry.

I guess I'm not in the mood.

Leo cutter.

You're not gonna st...

Hello, Leo.

Um... Tamara? Brigitte?

- Anna.

Just Anna? Just plain Anna?

No parents, no?

Anna. Anna dunlap.

Dunlap.

You don't fancy

a cup of coffee,

do you, Anna?

No, I'm sorry.

I feel pretty lousy today.

But thank you.

Yeah.

Okay.

Well, look, if you

change your mind, I'm goin'

to a place called Tommy's grill.

Do you know it?

About a hundred yards

down the street?

I'll be waitin' for this

to dry, all right?

I'm off.

Come in if you like.

Ahem.

I spy with my eye

the letter "h."

What's next?

I don't know.

You tell me. What's next?

"A."

"a"?

"A." I don't know. "A."

Air. No? Not air? What?

What is that for?

This?

Well, this I've gotta put

over here on the bulletin board.

I need some piano students

desperately.

Oh, god, look.

Molly? Molly.

Molly!

Molly, come here.

Come here right now.

You can't run away

like that.

But, mom!

Here. Look.

Yeah. Ahem.

Anna, you are so bourgeois.

The minute that you find out

he has a profession,

you're interested.

No, that is

not it at all, Ursula.

It's just that it's safe.

It means that he's not

some kind of a, you know,

screwball or something.

My, he's adorable.

Call him up.

No, I can't, Ursula.

Why not?

I can't! I can't.

Maybe I'll see him, uh,

in the laundromat.

Oh! Anna. Anna.

Do you know

how few guys are out there

that aren't either gay...

Or married or even like

women enough to try to pick

them up in a laundromat?

I would've followed

this guy home on my knees.

Well, I mean,

that's you, Ursula.

"Cutter, Leo."

Oh.

Now call him up.

Oh. Just... just...

No.

No! I can't call a guy.

Six, five,

nine, two. Six.

Oh, hello, this is Anna dunlap.

Anna. Uh, Anna

from the wet laundry. Right?

Right.

Well, um, I was just hoping it

wasn't too late to take you up

on that offer for coffee.

I mean, I can understand

if you'd rather not.

It's perfectly fine. What?

Oh. Well... okay.

All right.

Well, that's good.

a dog will be yours

someday. Ya ready?

that sounds good.

Very good. Hi, Brian.

Hello.

Hey. Gonna have fun?

Yeah.

Bye-bye.

Okay.

Whoa. Aren't we

looking pretty tonight.

Oh. Thank you.

So are you going

someplace special?

- Oh, I have a date.

- Ah. Well... oh.

Well, you look great.

Thank you. Thank you

very much. I'm off. Bye.

Bye.

Arlene Bennett.

Roomful of blues. Give 'em

a big round of applause.

Hey, Leo, my man.

What's happenin'?

How ya doin', butch?

Okay. Anna, butch.

Butch, Anna.

Butch. Hello.

- Hi. Hello.

- How ya doin'?

Hey.

I'll catch you later,

yeah?

Yeah, man,

I'll talk to you later.

Do you wanna dance,

Anna?

I... no, I can't. I just...

Why not? I'm only joking.

I'm only joking. Why not?

I really can't.

No, don't ask.

I mean...

watch yourself.

Oh!

My real name

isn't Leo anyway.

It's Lauren.

Well, what made you

change your name?

Oh, god.

Come on. "Lauren."

Listen to it. You know,

it's "Lauren."

It's up your nose somewhere.

So inward, you know?

But "Leo"!

"Leo" goes out there.

It's like, you know, "Leo!"

Uh-oh.

It's like "Anna."

You know, "Anna!"

It's out there.

It's a statement.

Well, what happened?

Well, by then, I had

this fellowship to Yale.

I mean, I didn't have a clue.

I'd just come over

from Ireland, and i'm

with all these guys...

That are supposed to be

the cream of the crop.

I thought they were terrible.

So, I started puttin' all this

odd stuff into my sculpture.

Yeah?

Like car parts,

industrial refuge.

Weird stuff like that. Just

to get at them, you know?

Did you?

Yes. Oh, yes!

Did I get them!

You know, it was the first

time in my life I thought

I might be really good.

And then, yesterday,

yesterday, I hear that...

One of these guys

wins a Grant that

I'd applied for.

I'd like to wring

his neck, I tell you.

There are other grants.

Yeah, but that's not

the point, you know?

I mean, we both applied,

and he won.

Doesn't mean he's

better than you.

Aww.

What are you doing?

Well, somebody thinks so,

you know?

Some boring old fart thinks so.

Garbage men.

Yeah.

Always on strike.

Ahem.

Okay.

Watch your step.

Oh, thank you.

Thank you.

Oh.

Oh! Well.

This is your work.

Yes.

"Celtic twilight."

Hmm. What's...

What's this? Oh.

What...

Yeah, it's... this is, uh...

Well, it's... it...

It's a lamp shade made of metal.

It's a thing.

This is "drunken boat."

Ooh. That?

"The worshiper."

Hmm.

Oh. Hmm.

Yeah.

Gosh.

What is this? Why do you have

that?

Well, I may use it

in a piece someday.

Oh.

Along with this.

I don't know. Maybe.

Maybe. Yeah.

Maybe. Maybe. Well.

Some music?

All right.

Sure. Music.

That'd be good. Sure.

These shadows, huh?

I like them.

Yeah? Well...

This piece isn't done?

No, it's not really

finished, you know?

Mmm.

You see, I sometimes use

the shadows in the wall.

You do.

See? Just to make...

just to make...

yeah.

Just to make...

just a little strange.

Play with it. Come on. Try it.

No, no, no. I can't.

I really can't do it.

Why?

Come on. Of course you can.

Let me take your coat.

Oh.

Sure. Ahem. Yeah.

It's a good way to learn

how to dance.

It's a good way, yes. Dance?

No, no. That's the thing...

I can't dance, no.

I said the wrong word.

Come on. Try it

and see. Just relax.

Just relax. Oh, god, relax.

Come on. Listen to the music.

Watch your shadow on the wall.

I do not exist. I'm not here.

Okay. Just... we do the shapes.

Yeah. Come on.

Ya see that there?

Come on.

Yeah. Yeah.

Go like, like that?

What's that? Come on.

You're doing it.

Yeah?

There you go.

That's it.

Hmm. Yeah.

That is it, yeah. Hmm.

Right. Just relax.

There. You see?

Yeah? Relax?

Yeah.

Move your body.

Yeah.

Move your body.

Move my body.

That's it. Now make

a shape. Make a shape.

Make a shape?

Like...

that's it.

That's it.

Make a shape.

Well, i... you're doing it.

Let me think.

Come on.

Now move your body.

There you go.

You've done this before.

What are you...

Kiss me. Kiss me.

Oh, no. Oh...

Oh, you're beautiful.

Yeah.

What? What?

Oh, yes.

Oh, no, wait. Wait.

What... what are you...

I... I don't know

about this. Wait. Wait.

What?

Let's do it this way.

You do it.

Hello?

Mom, it's for you.

All right.

Ooh. Well, thank you,

mademoiselle.

Thank you so much.

Hello?

Oh, hello. Hi.

Oh, yeah. Yeah.

That's my moll.

Who is it, mama?

Sure is. Um... well, yeah.

Sure.

Wednesday night.

That'd be really good.

Okay.

All right.

Bye-bye.

Come here.

Give me your face.

Who was that, mama?

Give me your beautiful face.

You mean me?

Ooh, you're so attractive.

Excuse me.

Well, I don't know.

I... I was scared.

Uh-huh. Scared.

Of what?

Yeah. Mm-hmm.

Oh, of waking up

next to you.

Uh-huh.

Yeah. You know.

Why did that scare you?

Because.

All that intimate stuff,

you know?

Getting up and being

your ugliest self.

And besides, the truth is,

I didn't know

if you'd want me there.

Why didn't you ask, Anna?

I am. I am.

I'm asking.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

And I want you there

tomorrow morning too.

I can't tomorrow.

Why not?

Because I have

a baby-sitter, and I have

to be back by 11:30 tonight.

Uh-huh. Does that mean

we're gonna make love as soon

as we get back to my place?

Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah, we could do that.

Oh... don't. Oh, no.

I want to take a look at you

under here. I do. I do.

No, no, no.

Oh, yeah.

I'd love to see that.

Oh, Leo, please.

Where?

I'd love to look under there.

Yeah, it's charming.

I've seen it. I really...

I've seen it.

It's... you know?

What's with the ostrich

impersonation, huh?

I don't know.

Heh?

I don't know.

What?

"What?" come here. You're

disappointed, aren't you?

No.

Mm-mm.

You are. Tell me.

Not in you.

What, in you?

Well, I don't think...

you know...

You don't think what?

I don't think...

I don't think

I'm very good at it.

Ohh.

Oh, come on.

I don't.

Anna.

What?

So what?

So, we can fix that.

We can?

Yeah. We can fix that.

I don't know.

You'll get a tad

of cutter's medicine.

Oh, yeah?

Yeah.

Yeah. Now if we do it,

then can I look at you?

Huh? Yeah?

Yeah.

Okay.

Uh-oh!

Hmm? Now can I

look at you?

Oh, boy.

Oh, yeah.

Over here.

Come on. Come on.

Okay, boy. Okay, boy.

Right. That's a good boy.

That's a good boy.

Whoo! Yea!

- Yea!

There it is! Come on, boy.

- That's the best!

- Go get 'em, wrecker.

- Great!

Hey,

listen. Come here.

Here.

Leo!

Hey, Leo.

All right.

"Couldn't find

the damn thing," eh?

Where'd you get it?

Yeah.

It's beautiful?

All right. Well, it came in,

and I knew he was gonna

go for it. You like it, right?

I love it.

See?

I know what he likes.

I know.

Salmon, he likes.

Reminds me of my wife.

Aw, come on, you clown.

Get outta... hey,

wrecker, bite his ass.

Kill this one. Wrecker.

Hey, wrecker.

That's no way...

bite his ass. Not that ass.

You trained that thing,

didn't you?

Get outta here, you clown.

Beat it.

Get outta... help!

It's too tight, mama.

Well, that's okay.

Push hard. I know.

It's a little sticky.

You can get it though.

Hi. Hi.

Hi.

I know, we must look like

a couple of rubber canaries.

That's very yellow.

Uh, yeah, I know.

I need a bandage, mama.

Molly, you don't

even have a blister.

Come here. Come here.

Molly, this is Leo.

Leo, this is Molly.

Hi, Molly.

How are ya?

Molly. Aren't you gonna

say hello to Leo?

Hi.

Oh, wait. Let me

grab a carrot. Wait.

Whoa. Whoa, moll. Molly!

What are you gonna...

Molly, you're gonna wait

for US at the crosswalk,

right? Good.

What? I know.

Take Leo's hand, honey.

No, you're not gonna take it.

Okay, hold mine.

Hold mine.

Vroom. Vroom.

Vroom. It needs wheels.

It needs wheels?

Wheels. Uh, well...

wheels. Right.

What are they? What...

somethin' round or somethin'

square, moll?

Round.

Well, what's here

that's round then, moll?

Right over here.

Perfect.

Would you make it

for me?

Well, I'll show you how

to make one for yourself,

all right?

You make it.

That's what I meant.

Oh, okay.

Now I've got it.

Is Leo going home now?

No, he's gonna go home

in a little while. You wanna

say good night to Leo?

Yeah.

Night, Leo.

Okay.

- Night, moll.

- Thanks for the car.

Oh, my pleasure, Molly.

Sleep well.

Here. Give me the car.

Let's put the car to sleep.

You go to sleep.

Bye-bye. Bye.

Nighty-night.

I'll tell you something.

What?

I think she really likes you.

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Me?

Yeah, I think she

really likes...

I like you.

You like me?

Yeah.

How much

do you like me?

Oh.

Do you like me as much

as I like you?

I hope so.

Do you know how much

I like you?

How much?

I like you like that.

Yeah?

Yeah, and I like you like...

I like you.

- Mama!

- Molly? Come on in.

Oh. Oh, yes.

There you are.

I thought I heard somebody, mom.

- I don't think so.

- Uh-uh.

What... whoa.

Now, Molly, you make sure

you ask who it is at the door.

Okay, mama.

Who is it?

It's Leo, Molly.

Hey, Molly. Just thought

I'd come by and say hello.

Are you gonna stay?

I was gonna stay for a little

while if that's okay with you.

Could we make another car?

Another car?

That's a good idea.

Yeah.

Let's do that. Okay.

Come on.

"But the unhappy Princess

couldn't decide...

"Which of her many suitors

she wanted to marry.

And her father, the king,

was not..."

look at that.

One king, right?

Are you sure

that's a king?

Course I'm sure that's a king.

He's wearin' a crown, isn't he?

"Her father, the king,

was not famous

for his Patience.

"He told the Princess he

would hold a race to the top

of the glass mountain,

and whoever reached

the castle first would

win her hand in marriage."

I really

do think you can see

into someone's character...

By the way they play the piano.

Right? Like,

for instance, Ursula.

Ursula.

Yeah. She has this way

of just completely forgetting

the tempo altogether.

She just puts her head down

and races to the finish...

sorry. Was I talking too much?

Huh? No. No.

I was enjoying it.

No?

Uh-huh. But I noticed that

you'd stopped enjoying it.

To tell you the truth,

Anna, your lab work, the

piano students, the lab work...

It's all pretty

interchangeable, isn't it?

Well, maybe. Maybe.

I think I feel more utilized

with my piano lessons.

Oh, Jesus, Anna.

"Utilized." god.

I mean, I just can't

stand the way that,

you know, you think

about your work, your life.

You don't even

have work in the sense

I'm talkin' about.

Okay, well, what sense is that?

Well, I'm talkin' about a

passion, right? A commitment.

Oh, boy.

A commitment

to something else other than

a way to put food on a table.

Well, I have a commitment

like that, Leo. I do.

What? To music?

No. To Molly.

And to doing carefully

and well what I do.

Oh, come on.

"Careful." These words.

Let's not talk about it.

No, wait a minute. I'd like

to talk about it. You listen

to me for one minute, Leo.

I remember it used to be

that men would say,

"okay, I want a woman who..."

and then the list would

be slightly different.

"I want a woman who can

cook and who can sew..."

uh-huh.

Uh-huh. All right?

"Who can entertain

my friends."

Yeah?

It's still the same thing.

It's still your list.

It's still your rules.

It's still your game.

No. No. That's not it.

I'm just an extension

of you, so I better

look good to the world.

That's not it at all.

Then what is it, Leo?

I'm talkin' about...

what if I had been

a real musician?

What if I had been

a composer? Or what if

I had been a performer?

Would that have done

the trick for you?

Don't make fun of me.

No, I'm not.

I really mean it, Leo.

Because I might've been.

That was the plan for me.

It's just that I

wasn't good enough.

So I made a different kind

of life for myself, Leo,

with Molly!

And I'll tell you something.

She is my commitment.

And I'll tell you, I hate...

I really hate to be told

that there's no honor in it.

Who's talkin' about honor?

Especially by somebody

as lucky as you are...

With the good fortune

of being good at what you do.

Anna. Anna,

come here.

What is it?

What do you want?

I'm sorry.

No, you're not.

Leave me alone, Leo.

I'm sorry. No, wait.

No! What are you doing?

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

You're not sorry.

You meant what you said.

I am. I don't. I didn't...

I don't know what I meant.

Please, please. I don't know

what I meant, Anna.

I'm sorry, darling.

I'm sorry.

Jesus, Anna.

What?

I'm sorry!

Yeah?

I love you.

Oh, Molly.

What is it? What's

the matter? What is it?

I had a bad dream, mama.

What's the matter?

What happened?

Something scare you?

I was playing a game, and

Jerome kept taking my toys away.

Oh, no. What?

Every time

he did that, mama.

So Jerome did that to you?

He did that to you

in your dream?

He made me cry.

Shh.

Oh, he made you cry.

I'm sorry.

You just stay right here

'til you're better.

You can just stay with US.

Molly.

Oh, Leo.

I love you so much.

Oh, wait.

This is with me, huh?

That's yours.

Molly,

let's put this on,

all right?

Good girl.

Okay.

Expressway service to

Washington national airport.

All right now, Molly.

You're gonna be a good girl,

okay? 'Cause I'm gonna

miss you a lot.

I'll miss you too.

I know. I know.

Well, it's gonna go

real fast, and you'll have

lots of fun with daddy.

How many days is it, mama?

How many days are

in a month? How many?

Thirty.

You're so smart, Molly.

Okay. Bye-bye.

Bye-bye. Bye-bye.

Bye.

I'll see you, okay?

Oh, wait a minute.

Guess what?

I made this for you.

What is it?

You're gonna listen to it.

You guess. You find out.

Will I know it?

Maybe.

Okay.

Bye-bye.

Bye, mama.

I love you.

Bye-bye.

Brian, call me.

Yeah, I'll call you.

Thank you.

Okay.

Set it?

Just over there.

Straighten out.

Yep.

New York, New York.

I'll see you soon, eh?

All right.

I guess that's it.

Do you really have

to leave quite so soon?

I do. I gotta go.

Do you really? Really?

Yeah. Look, it's only

for three days.

Okay. I know.

Sure you won't change

your mind and come?

No, I can't.

I really can't.

I got all that stuff

to do at the lab.

Come on. We'd have fun.

What about you? Maybe

we could meet later tonight.

I don't wanna hit traffic

and stuff like that, you know?

Come on. Do it.

Yeah?

Just for a while.

Okay. No, I'm not. I'm goin'.

I'm outta here. Get away.

Get away from me, woman.

Here. Here's

something for you.

For me? Yeah?

It's a photograph

of me, yeah.

Wait, wait, wait.

See ya.

Yeah. See ya.

Bye.

Guess what?

Come here.

What?

You're not going.

You're comin' with me.

I knew you'd change your mind.

I want to go with you.

Wait. Whoo-hoo. Bye. Bye!

I'll see you.

So, Alex, are you

studying hard?

Oh, well, no.

I tell ya, I wouldn't

worry about it.

I'm sure it's going

to be perfectly fine.

Me? Well...

Oh, well, you know, a lot

has... well, it's changed.

It's really changed since

the last time we talked.

I, uh... I met this guy.

And... I don't know.

It's kinda, kinda

changed my life.

I mean... yeah.

Yeah, it's kinda

changed my life.

Hi, Anna.

How are ya?

Oh, I'm okay.

How are you doing?

- Good.

- How are the kids?

Oh, they're great.

That's good.

Brian?

Hello, Anna.

Brian, is something wrong?

Where's Molly?

Well, I just came by,

Anna, to, uh,

tell you that I'm keeping her.

What do you mean?

She's staying with me

and Brenda.

She's not coming back

to you. I'm going back

to Washington tonight.

What are you talking about?

Ask your boyfriend.

Why don't you just ask

your boyfriend what i'm

talking about. Leo!

Leo?

Yes. Ask Leo why i'm

taking Molly away from you.

Wait. Wait, wait.

What are you talking about?

I don't understand

what you mean.

Oh, you just don't have any idea

what I'm talking about?

That's right.

I don't know what you mean.

All right. I came by out of

a sense of fairness, Anna.

I just wanted to tell you

face to face. You see,

I have filed papers.

There's gonna be a hearing.

You're gonna be getting

a subpoena.

Brian, wait a minute.

I would get a lawyer

if I were you.

Brian, I don't understand

what you're talking about.

What do you mean?

This guy live with you?

He has his own place, but he

stays with US sometimes, yes.

Yes, and you've left her

alone with him?

Of course I have.

She likes him. They

have fun together, Brian.

Ask him about the fun, Anna.

What are you suggesting,

Brian, that he did

something wrong with Molly?

He did, Anna!

Well, he didn't.

That'll be the argument

in court.

And let me tell you

something else. You better

get someone very good.

Because I'm gonna win this.

She told me.

She's told the shrink.

He did it, Anna.

You ask him!

No, Brian! He didn't do it!

And you let him! You're

in charge of her, and

you let him!

He did not!

No, Brian, wait!

Brian...

I'm not gonna

argue this with you.

I came by to tell you

because I still have

some feelings for you,

some pity for you,

but I'm not gonna

argue with you.

Just get a lawyer.

Get a fuckin' lawyer.

No!

Brian, wait!

Go.

Brian!

Wait.

Billy.

Billy, get over here.

Okay.

Oh, boy.

Oh, dear. Oh, no.

Okay. Ohh. Okay.

Okay.

Three, three...

Okay.

Hello? Um...

Leo cutter, please.

Uh, yeah, frank Dawson from

the district attorney's office.

I have a 2:00 with,

uh, attorney Miller...

Could I just call down, please?

Well, he has

a client right now.

Would you like to wait?

Oh, thank you.

Mrs. Dunlap.

Nice to see you again.

How are you? Good to see you.

Mr. Muth,

this is Leo cutter.

Mr. Cutter.

Come on in.

Mr. Muth.

Okay. Thanks.

This way.

Sit down, Mr. Cutter.

Bring the papers with you?

I did. Yes.

Mm-hmm.

Thank you. Yeah.

Mum, mum, mum, mum,

mum, mum, mum.

Mm-hmm.

Well, Mr. Cutter, Mrs. Dunlap

and I have been through

some of this on the phone,

and I think it would help me

to find out just what it is...

That's got Mr. Dunlap

so fired up here.

What happened? How often?

That kinda thing.

It happened once.

Can you fill me in on it

a bit, Mr. Cutter?

It happened about a month ago.

Anna was working at the lab,

and she'd left Molly with me.

She was going to get back

in time to tuck her in.

It was hot, and i'd

been working all day,

and I wanted to take a shower.

Molly was playing in her room,

so I told her where I was

in case she needed me.

I got in the shower,

and just as I finished,

Molly came in.

I'd forgotten to get

a towel, so I asked her

to get me one.

She got it and handed it to me.

And as I was drying off,

I noticed her staring at me.

She'd seen me naked before

so I didn't think anything

of it.

She'd come in before when

you were taking a shower?

Yeah. Sometimes we talked

while I was in the shower.

She liked the company, I guess.

Anyway, when I'd finished,

she just said out of the blue,

"is that your penis?"

She was learning those words,

that stuff, you know?

She had a book that Anna

had been reading to her

that explained about babies...

Where babies come from.

Still have the book?

- Yes.

- So...

I just said,

"yeah, it is."

I felt

a wee bit uncomfortable

about it, actually,

but I'd seen

how relaxed Anna was

about things like that,

and I didn't

want to screw it up.

I tried to seem natural,

not cover up or anything.

Okay.

And she said,

"can I touch it?"

I didn't think about it for more

than a second. I just said,

"sure," and she did.

- And that was that?

- Yeah. Pretty much.

She'd talked about it

some more that night.

She knew a little bit

about the facts of life,

about sex.

And then I put her to bed.

Well, did you discuss this

with Mrs. Dunlap when

she returned?

No.

Why not?

I felt embarrassed,

I guess. And I thought

I'd handled it okay.

I didn't see it as a problem.

Well, can I ask, Mr. Cutter,

why you didn't tell the child

that she couldn't touch you?

You said you felt uncomfortable.

I thought Anna would've wanted

me to be as relaxed and as

natural with Molly as she was...

About her body

and that kind of thing.

So you might say

you misunderstood the rules.

I thought I understood them.

Well, what were

the rules around Molly

in terms of nudity?

Well, they were pretty relaxed.

When you were married

to Mr. Dunlap, pretty much

the same kind of rules?

Less relaxed.

Okay. Well, Mr. Cutter,

we'll have a lot more

to chat about.

But for now, if it's

all right with you,

I'd like to talk

to Mrs. Dunlap alone

for a couple of minutes, hmm?

It's good to talk to you,

Mr. Cutter. I appreciate

your honesty.

Well, anything you wanna

tell me about Mr. Cutter?

Any doubts about him?

Any signs of aberrant behavior?

No. No. I mean,

he's not

a very conventional person,

but I trust him with Molly.

And so, it was

just in this case that

he misunderstood you.

No, he was doing what

he thought was right.

In what sense

do you mean?

Look, Mr. Muth,

um, I have tried

to raise Molly freely.

I didn't want her to be ashamed

of her body or think that it

was something she had to hide.

I think he was just

trying to honor that.

Well, I believe him, but, uh,

I think we're gonna have

to down-pedal this permissive

business, Mrs. Dunlap.

We both know it's

probably healthier for a kid

to be open about sexual stuff,

but I don't think it

makes much sense to try and

educate the judge about it.

But if we explain how

it happened, if we explain

the context in which it...

All right.

Well, we'll do that.

We'll do that.

But these judges

are very conservative.

What they hear all day long

is terrible stuff:

Child abuse.

Rape. Child molestation.

After a while,

they lump

everything like that

together in their minds.

I mean, I can understand

how it happened,

and you can understand.

But I can also tell you

how their attorney

is going to present it,

and it's not going

to sound good.

So what are you

suggesting we do?

I think we focus

on how happy she was with you,

how responsible you were.

Mr. Dunlap is a bit

of a workaholic.

His wife's got

the same kind of a job,

and so, it's pretty much

a choice...

Between a loving mother

and a paid baby-sitter.

And we'll let 'em bring up

the sexual stuff with cutter.

But we're not

going to defend it or

tie it in to the idea...

Of sexual openness or anything.

It's just going to be

a mistake he made.

Sound reasonable?

Yeah.

You mean

blame Leo, huh?

That's the strategy.

That's pretty convenient,

isn't it? We just find

somebody to sacrifice.

- Why don't we just build

ourselves a bonfire?

- Do you see it another way?

I don't see how Brian has

the right to do this... to sit in

judgment on my life like this.

- He doesn't know Leo.

He doesn't know how we live.

- Well, all I'm telling you is...

What if we told the truth?

How about the truth?

Which is?

The truth is that... that

Leo would never hurt Molly,

that Molly wasn't hurt.

He may have made a mistake, but

he was just trying to do what

he thought I wanted him to do.

It's Brian who's got this

all wrong. It's Brian who's

got this all twisted around.

And now you're trying

to make it sound like there's

something wrong with Leo...

Something wrong with US.

Mrs. Dunlap.

What?

I'll represent you

in any way you like,

but I think the point here

is to get Molly back...

And not to

enlighten the judge

on sexual morality.

Oh, yeah. Yeah.

Are we in agreement on that?

Yeah. Mm-hmm.

Anna.

What?

Anna, come here.

What?

I've said this before,

and I guess I'm gonna

keep sayin' it.

I am sorry.

I don't think it's

all your fault, Leo.

I think your lawyer does.

No, he's just trying

to help me get Molly back.

Huh? How much

is it gonna cost US?

It's not your problem, Leo.

Anna, it is my problem

if I lose you.

That's not what's at stake here,

is it? You losing me?

Where's your baby?

Oh, she's staying

with her father

for a month.

Oh.

Yep.

Yeah.

It must be hard.

You must miss her.

I do.

Very much.

What was his name?

Brian.

Oh.

Yeah.

Brian.

Mmm. Divorced.

We just couldn't

make each other happy, gram.

I know that must be hard

for you to understand, but...

I understand.

Happy.

There was a time in my life

where I used to wake up every

morning and wish I'd died.

Just wish i'd

passed away in the night.

I never would have done

anything, you know, but...

Each day, I'd open my eyes

sorry that I had to.

How long did you feel that way?

Ten years.

Fifteen years, I suppose.

Never knew that, gram.

Why should you?

No one did.

What ended it?

- When babe came.

- Oh. Yeah.

Your grandfather

didn't take too much

of an interest.

He hadn't wanted her

in the first place.

He'd got his son by then.

She was mine, I felt.

The only one that was.

You wouldn't believe how

handsome your grandfather was

when I first met him.

I thought I'd die

if I didn't get him.

I just thought I'd die.

I didn't know anything about it.

Why, Anna. To what

do we owe the pleasure?

Hello, grandfather.

Yikes!

It's Anna!

Hi, Celia.

- Where's my blueberries?

- Right here, my sweet.

- You remember Garrett.

- Of course.

Thank you.

Anna wants to borrow money.

I think they're

a bit early this year,

don't you think?

Ahem.

Well, Anna?

Uh, I need money.

Not to put too fine

a point on it.

I'm sorry. I don't

mean to be rude.

Uh, I just do.

You'll forgive my curiosity.

I'm wondering why the urgency.

You haven't rushed up here

because you suddenly decided

to hire someone...

To care for

your daughter, surely.

No.

Um, Brian started

a custody suit.

He wants Molly.

I need money

for a lawyer.

What makes him think

he can win such a suit?

He believes he has grounds.

Correct me

if I'm wrong.

I thought only a mother's

incompetence would be

sufficient grounds.

Uh, he has... he has grounds.

He has grounds

based on your incompetence.

I've had a lover, grandfather.

Not an unusual event for

a woman in my situation...

Someone living with me,

essentially.

Molly's been aware of it.

She's... seen some of it, not

to put too fine a point on it.

Anyway, she must have

said something to Brian,

and, uh, he's angry.

And you've talked to a lawyer.

Mm-hmm.

And?

He wants $4,000

to start.

No, I meant what does

he think your chances are

for keeping custody?

I don't know.

I think he feels...

That Brian has

a reasonable chance.

And who is this lover of yours,

this man whom Molly

has seen too much of?

Does it, uh, really matter?

- To me, it does, yes.

- Why?

- Why not?

- Because...

Because it just...

It seems like prying to me.

But you would like my money.

Yes.

- It seems to me I have the right

to ask a few questions then.

- I'm so...

I just don't see the relevance

of my personal life beyond

what I've already told you.

If you're not going

to give me the money,

why don't you just say so?

And I'll figure out

what to do. I'll just

figure out what to do next.

Are ya still seeing this man?

- Are you?

- Here now. Stop this.

You don't need

to concern yourself

with this, my dear.

I'm talking to you, frank.

This is between

Anna and me. Anna

has asked me for help.

Then hadn't you better

help her?

That's for US to arrange.

I have money too.

You could ask me, Anna.

That's not what

your money's for,

Eleanor.

It's for whatever I wish.

You're not to spend

your money on the family.

That's not the way we do it.

You could ask me, Anna.

Anna has asked me.

But you're not

giving it to her.

Yes, I am!

You are?

Yes.

I will give Anna

the money, Eleanor.

Let me see.

That's that, then?

Yes.

Thank you.

Well, good for you, frank.

I think I'll nap now.

I skipped that today,

getting the berries and so on.

I think you should.

Can't you see?

She told me what to say.

I don't care what she told you.

She's not your lawyer.

Now, the name is harkessian.

She'll be making

her recommendation...

On how Molly will spend her time

while this is all being

worked out.

How often you get to see her,

that sort of thing.

Mm-hmm.

Now, she'll want to know

how this all happened.

Mm-hmm.

Remember what we decided:

You're sorry. Uh,

Leo misunderstood you.

Uh, maybe both of you

used bad judgment, etc., etc.

Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.

But the main thing is

it was a mistake.

That's very important.

Mrs. Dunlap?

I'm Mrs. Harkessian.

Hello.

Won't you

come in, please?

- Mr. Muth.

- Dunlap. How are you?

I think he simply

misunderstood me...

My attitudes about sex

and how I was raising Molly

with respect to them.

I mean, I can understand

how it might have happened,

but, um, I didn't condone it.

I don't con...

I don't condone it.

Mr. Dunlap thought that

there were times...

When you and Mr. Cutter

had Molly in bed with you.

I wonder if you can explain

to me your thinking on that.

- Is that what Molly said?

- It's what Mr. Dunlap said.

W-Well, she couldn't have known.

The only time we were having

intercourse, she was asleep.

But you did actually

have intercourse while

the child was in bed with you?

Oh, no, no.

I-It's not the way it sounds.

I mean, it's not, um...

We didn't actually...

Look, see, Molly...

Molly'd had a bad dream, and,

um, she came into the bedroom...

But we weren't making love

with her right there,

not like that.

It wasn't like

something you'd imagine...

but she was in bed with you?

Well, she was asleep,

and, uh, it was just that once.

And it... it was a mistake.

It was a mistake.

Okay. Is there anything

that you'd like to add or

any questions you might have?

Um...

No, just, well... good.

I'll go get Mr. Dunlap.

Fine.

And we'll make arrangements

for visitation.

Mr. Dunlap?

Get off the swing.

It's my turn!

No, I don't have to.

Get off now!

Now!

No!

No, she doesn't

have to.

Nick?

Larry. Hey, Larry!

Don't. Let's not

fight, okay?

You can use the swing,

but don't fight.

That's better.

See?

Mama!

Molly?

Molly!

Well, look at you!

Look at this dress!

You look so... oh!

Look at you.

Hello, Anna.

Hello, Brian.

I'll be back to pick her up

on Wednesday morning.

Okay. Fine.

There's a list in here

of all her things so

it doesn't get mixed up.

Good. Good.

Bye, babe.

Got a kiss for daddy?

I love you.

Hey, look at this person!

Oh-oh! This is a heavy person.

I know.

You do know?

How do you know?

Have you been

on a scale?

No.

But I've been on

a skateboard.

You've been on

a skateboard?

Dad took you

on a skateboard?

Thank you.

You're welcome.

So, um, could you describe

Molly for me, please?

She's bright and imaginative.

Um, pretty private, I guess.

Right now she seems a little bit

tense. I think she's afraid of

letting me out of her sight.

I was wondering

why you think Mr. Dunlap

is doing this now.

I mean why he's

trying to get custody.

Oh, well, um, I can imagine

him hearing whatever it was

Molly had to say...

And just, uh, freaking out.

I mean he's, uh,

a very careful man.

A-And a caring man

in a lot of ways.

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

But, uh, tell me

why you think he

didn't call you.

I mean, I was told by

your attorney that you had

a fairly amicable divorce...

So why wouldn't he just, you

know, call you up and say, "what

is it? What's going on?"

I don't know.

Um, maybe it wasn't

so amicable after all.

Maybe he's jealous in some ways.

He... he wants to get back at me.

Um, let's focus a little bit

on why it was that you allowed

Molly to be in bed with you...

While you were having sex.

- You seem to be attacking me.

- Uh, i-in what way?

Oh, I don't know.

I really don't know, but I, uh,

I hear you blaming me.

Well, you may have heard

blame, Anna, but I assure you...

That all I was expressing

was curiosity.

Yeah, well.

Well... I felt...

I-I honestly...

I honestly didn't feel...

With Leo that...

That there was a need for...

All the... the rules

and the lines.

I mean, we were... all of US...

We were very happy.

We had been naked

around her. It's true.

But it was...

It was all part of this, um,

this world that Leo

had opened up to me where...

Where...

Well, where I was...

I was beautiful,

and our sex together

was beautiful and...

And, and, Molly was...

she was part of our...

part of our love,

part of our life and...

I really think you

have to understand that...

you see, with, um, Brian,

we just stopped having sex

a long time before we split up.

I was, um, I was

frigid with him and...

Well, i'd, i'd, uh,

I'd always been frigid.

But... well...

All of that...

you see, all of that

changed with, um, with Leo.

My life changed, and i...

I really think that...

That it was...

It was good for Molly.

You know? So that night,

when she...

When she came into my room

and... and I held her and...

And she fell asleep...

Well, yes, we were.

We were making love.

I-It's true, but...

I'm sure...

I-I'm really convinced that...

That she didn't know.

I see.

And I think it was

in that context...

That Leo, you know,

let her touch him because...

He misunderstood...

What the boundaries were.

I mean...

She asked;

She was curious;

He let her.

But he shouldn't have.

It was... it was a mistake.

He made a mistake.

We both made mistakes.

I just... I don't want

to lose her.

I really don't want to lose her.

Now, Mr. Dunlap,

During these visits

with Molly...

At Mrs. Dunlap's

apartment,

did you notice any changes...

In Molly or...

Or in her environment?

Yes, uh, the first

indicator was...

When my ex-wife would get

calls from different men.

Objection.

The witness doesn't know

who called...

Of whether they

were "different."

- I'll sustain.

- Well, she would get calls

from a male person...

Or persons,

and by my next visit,

there was evidence that

a man was staying there.

Objection.

Sustained.

You found articles

in the house that

belonged to a man.

Right.

A razor, a can

of shaving cream,

hiking boots

in the closet,

that sort of thing.

How did you feel

about that,

Mr. Dunlap?

Well, I might have, uh,

been a little jealous.

You know, Molly's my

little girl. Is this guy gonna

come in and take my place?

That sort of thing.

Did you notice

any other changes?

Changes in behavior?

She was very curious

about my body.

Well, about our bodies...

My wife's and mine...

In a way that seemed,

uh, new, uh, and

inappropriate to me.

We'd always been very careful

not to, uh, distress her

or scare her...

By having her

see US... naked.

Uh, when you say "we," you mean?

Well, uh, in both marriages.

It seemed to me

that Molly was, um,

well, had changed

around this issue...

That there was something

preoccupying her

or frightening her.

And then one time

she asked me, just

asked me straight out...

I was shaving...

If she could see it,

and I said...

"No. That's my business."

And she said, "well, Leo

lets me see his penis.

He lets me touch it."

- Objection.

That's hearsay.

- Sustained.

You know better, counsel.

Thank you, Mr. Dunlap.

Mr. Dunlap,

were you aware that, uh,

Molly had a book which

explained sex to her?

- No.

- You were not

aware of that?

- No.

- Uh, were you aware that

the day care center...

Had done a project on anatomy

and body parts with the kids,

which included sexual parts?

- No.

- Well, now that you

have been made aware,

Mr. Dunlap, uh,

doesn't it seem clear...

That Molly's preoccupation

with sexuality,

with your body,

her stepmother's...

Might have a great deal to do

with learning experiences...

Rather than anything else?

- No.

- No what?

No, it doesn't seem clear to me.

I see.

You all right?

Yeah, I'm fine.

Mm-hmm.

You sure?

Well, he's good,

your husband, but we

made our points, I think.

Mr. Cutter, you're next.

They're going to make you

a hostile witness.

Listen carefully.

Don't let him trap you

into something you

don't mean to say.

And don't

let him rile you.

He won't.

I just want a chance

to explain it

the way it happened.

Mr. Cutter, how long had you

gone out with Mrs. Dunlap

before you slept together?

Once.

I see.

You are, uh, currently

unemployed, are you not?

I'm self-employed.

I'm an artist.

I make sculpture.

- But you are not currently

working on a job, are you?

- Not in that sense, no.

A simple "no"

is sufficient,

Mr. Cutter.

So it would be fair to say

that you live an unstable

life, economically.

- Yes, that's fair.

- So moving in with

Mrs. Dunlap...

Represented a fairly good

deal for you, didn't it?

I didn't move in.

You slept there every night

and had your meals there.

Usually.

But you didn't

move in.

- No.

- Well, we won't quibble,

your honor.

Mr. Cutter, you took care of

my client's daughter from

time to time, didn't you?

Yes.

You were alone with her.

You bathed her.

You put her to bed.

Yes.

And on one of these occasions,

you were naked in front

of the child, were you not?

- Yes.

- And you told her

to touch your genitals.

No, I didn't.

You did not tell her

to touch you.

No. She asked if she could.

A child asked if she

could touch you sexually.

Yes... no. Not sexually.

The child

asked if she could

touch your genitals.

Yes.

A six-year-old child

spontaneously requests

to fondle a grown man.

- She was curious.

- And you said, as

anyone would, "yes.

Sure. Great.

Go ahead."

I said y...

Ahem. I said yes.

Okay.

Mr. Cutter, let's talk

about something else.

On occasion,

did you and Ms. Dunlap

take Molly to bed with you?

- Yes.

- You would be naked, and the

child would be in bed with you.

Neither of US wore pajamas.

Molly was in bed with US

occasionally,

but we never took her

to bed with US naked.

Thank you, Mr. Cutter,

for that explanation.

So when it happened to end up...

Two naked adults

and a six-year-old child

in the same bed,

on any of these occasions,

were you and Mrs. Dunlap

actually having intercourse?

- Once.

- So you were making love while

the child was in bed with you.

- She was asleep.

- How did you determine

that she was asleep?

- I could see

she was sleeping.

- Ah. I see.

No further questions,

your honor.

- Mr. Muth?

- I have no questions,

your honor.

You may step down,

Mr. Cutter.

Ohh.

I know. I...

You could have

told me, you know?

He implied I'd get a chance

to tell the story my way, so

I was a good little boy...

For the cross-examination,

and then he pretends

not to fuckin' know me!

He was just trying to help me,

Leo.

Anna, you know I'll do

anything to help you.

To help him help you.

I told you that.

If he doesn't want

to talk to me in court,

great, but just tell me.

Well, I think he just thought

maybe you'd perform better or

something like...

I don't give a shit

what he thought.

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

Now, Dr. Payne, in

your examination of Molly,

did she show signs

of being traumatized...

By the events mentioned here?

No, I think not.

I don't think she

perceived it as frightening or

threatening in any way at all.

In fact, uh, I might say

that my most relevant

observation about Molly...

Actually had nothing to do

with these sexual issues

at all.

And, uh, what was

that observation?

Molly's relationship

with her mother

is a strong one.

It gives her a certain kind

of inner strength...

Which she can take with her

wherever she goes.

It actually allows her to move

towards the independence which

all of US desire for our kids.

Now, what I'm suggesting is

that we not compromise that

at this point,

that we not say to her,

"okay, because you've, you've

taken all this so well,

now we're gonna take the one

person with whom you feel some

sense of strength away."

That would be

putting her at risk,

in my book.

Thank you, doctor.

Now, Mrs. Dunlap,

would you tell US, please,

how Molly reacted to Leo?

Well, she adored him.

Um, he worked very hard

to get her affection.

He was steady with her,

and she enjoyed

being with him.

And, um, what was

your response...

When you learned

of this incident

between them?

I was shocked.

Did you express

that opinion

to Mr. Cutter?

Yes.

Do you recall

the words you used?

No. Just that

I thought it was bad,

and I couldn't understand

how he could have thought

that it was all right.

Now, uh, Mrs. Dunlap,

I'm going to ask you

a question, and I want you

to consider it carefully.

If this court gives you custody

of Molly...

But it makes a condition

of that custody...

That you give up

your relationship

with Mr. Cutter,

what would your response be?

I would be willing

not to see Mr. Cutter again.

Okay.

Thank you.

That's all.

Mrs. Dunlap,

do you disapprove of

what Mr. Cutter did?

Yes.

And yet you allowed your little

girl to be in bed with you while

you were having intercourse.

- Isn't that so?

- Well, sh-she was

very sleepy...

Just yes or no,

Mrs. Dunlap.

Yes.

Do you disapprove

of what you did...

In letting the girl

watch you have intercourse?

She didn't watch.

- Do you disapprove

of your own actions?

- Yes, I do.

And you wouldn't

do it again.

No, I wouldn't.

Tell me, Mrs. Dunlap.

You changed your mind

about your behavior.

- Isn't that the case?

- No, I didn't.

- No, I did not.

- But once it was fine and

dandy. Now, apparently...

I did not feel that

it was "fine and dandy."

- But you did it.

- Yes, I did.

Without feeling

it was all right?

Uh...

She wa... she was asleep.

That's all, your honor.

This hearing is adjourned.

Whatever happened with that?

Well, I took the car down,

and I told the guy...

"Look, I want the tires

done, and I want..."

So, um,

if you get Molly, what...

What, am I to be...

What's the word?

Dismissed? Is that

how you say it?

He doesn't think they're gonna

make that a condition, so...

uh-huh. I see.

Well, why would they ask

the question, Anna?

It's what they all

wanted to hear, Leo.

I was rehearsed.

I knew the question was coming.

There's not a damn bit of truth

in the whole thing, is there?

It's all a charade,

isn't it?

Leo, i...

So what do we do now?

We wait.

How long, do you think?

Maybe Monday.

Well, do I come

with you? What?

Do I come with you?

No, i... I want to, Anna.

I love you.

Yeah. Well...

Mrs. Dunlap?

Mm-hmm?

You can go in.

Okay. Oh.

Let me just put this

here. Oh, yeah.

Good. Good.

Hello, Anna.

Hi.

Sit down.

Oops.

Uh-oh. Huh.

Yeah.

Anna, i'm

very sorry.

We did everything we could.

Another judge and, uh,

the decision might have

come out the other way.

Well... is it final?

I'm afraid it is.

Yeah.

Well, can we appeal?

They never reverse

the trial judge

in issues like this.

Later, perhaps,

uh, new evidence,

we could reopen the case.

Oh! Oh, no!

Now, Anna.

Anna, we've got to

focus on the positive.

Oh!

They're being generous

about visitation. You're gonna

get a lot of time with Molly.

Now, you just have to

make the best of a bad deal.

No!

Oh!

Oh.

Oh, Leo.

I'll come in with you,

yeah? Huh?

All right, do you

want to come round

to my place?

You wanna be on your own, huh?

Will you call me?

Anna, call me.

Oh, my...

Anna?

Anna. I've been

calling and calling.

Ursula's been trying

to get in touch with you.

Are you all right?

I'm fine.

Why didn't you answer the phone?

- Talk to me.

- I don't know

what you want.

I would just like to know

what the hell's going on here.

My life is ruined,

and I'm just, you know...

- I'm just trying to find a way

to put it back together.

- So does that mean without me?

- It means

whatever it has to mean.

- There is nothing about me...

That has to be, Anna.

Oh.

It's all up to you.

It's all your choice now.

Isn't that true?

- No one's made me part

of any condition here.

- Why don't you leave me alone?

Okay, Leo? Just leave me

alone, all right?

Sure, I can leave you alone.

I can leave you alone

and do nothing!

Because I feel guilty...

responsible! Because

I respect your grief.

I can leave you alone

and lose you for sure, or

I can struggle with you...

And impose on you

and maybe not lose you.

What are you trying to do?

Are you trying to argue me

into loving you?

Do you think that's going

to make it all go away?

What do you want me to do?

I don't know.

Do you want me to

roll over and play dead?

Well, I already did that.

I played dead for you and

that asshole lawyer of yours.

I agreed.

I'm the pervert!

I'm the criminal!

I took the rap

while you stood up there

and pretended I was...

Just some accident

that happened to you.

You think that makes up

for everything?

No!

No, but I didn't do everything.

We just pretended I did, and

that was fine with me.

All I ever wanted

was to make it right

if I could.

But you and I know the truth,

you know. Some of the

responsibility falls on you.

I'll take the rap

everywhere else, but here

with you, I want the truth.

Don't you think I'm taking

the rap too? Huh? How about

for the rest of my life?

- I did everything I could

to make that not happen.

- What? Leave me alone!

Leave me alone!

Get away from me!

Stop it, will you?

Just get away!

Just get away from me!

Leave me alone!

Go! Go!

Go!

I don't know how long

I sat there,

but I had a sense

of returning to myself...

From a great distance.

Molly took the outcome

of the custody hearing

real hard.

Occasionally

on her visits, she'd cry.

She wanted to know...

Why she couldn't come

and live with me.

But slowly, she began

to seem better.

My lawyer called,

and he told me

to watch her.

See if I notice signs...

Of her being unhappy

with the situation...

And then we might try

and reverse the decision,

but I never called him

because what I wanted most...

Wasn't to make use

of Molly's misery...

But to see it end.

I take heart in knowing that

Molly's in a family of her own,

and sometimes,

I long to be in a family too.

I tell myself I will.

How does she seem to you?

Oh, I think

she's gonna be fine.

And you, Anna?

I guess, um...

I guess i'm

starting over, huh?

I have to

finish packing.

Okay.

Every now and then,

Leo calls or... or I call him.

Sometimes late at night.

His voice always

lifts my heart, but then...

Somehow we bump up

against the impossibility.

Good. You brought

the life jackets. Very good.

Here. Get in.

Come on. Over here.

That's a girl. Good.

All right, ready?

Ready?

I see Molly...

Every second weekend...

And during school vacations...

And we try to make the most

of our time together.

Sometimes I'm all right, but...

Other times,

the pain of the loss

is terrible.

And then i...

I think of something

that gram said to me...

When my losing Molly

seemed unthinkable...

Something that

could never come to pass.

She said...

"Everybody knows you're

a good mother, Anna."

The Good Mother (1988) - full transcript

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