The Royal (2022) - full transcript

[crowd cheering]

[door clangs shut]

[door alarm buzzes]

[Willie] I used to dream
when you born

that someday I'd be your hero.

Like I was a hero in Kansas City

hitting all those home runs
in the World Series.

I prayed so hard every day

that you'd make it up
from Mexico

with your mother safely.

And we can give it a shot then.



Try to be a family together.

I've been working so hard,

been doing everything I can do
to get out of here

and show you that I can be
a decent father.

God's grace came upon me
through you, Camila.

Because of you I have
a spiritual life now.

I didn't have that before.

I thank you for that.

Love, your daddy.

You okay, Willie? Catch.

You got two more days

to pack your stuff.

We've worked
really hard for this.

Wanna thank you.



I'm going to see you
in Kansas City in two days.

Flying back tonight.

Can you call Sara for me?

[woman] I already did.

She can't wait to see you.

Camila, on the other hand...

What about Camila?

Well, Sara's working on her.

She's 17, Willie,
it's not personal.

If you want to have
a relationship with her,

be a role model.

Starting now.

Work with me like we agreed.

What about my mama?

I'm sorry.

Rejected outright.

She barely holding on right now.

I can't get out of here
and not see my mother.

No, you're going to report
to your parole officer

within 12 hours
of getting to Kansas City.

'Cause if you mess up, you'll be back
here quicker than you can blink an eye.

And as your attorney,
I strongly urge you

to obey your court order,
Willie.

Game on.

I gotta go.

[buzzer sounds]

[inmates chatting,
laughing in background]

[inmate] All right, Willie!

[alarm buzzes]

Good luck to you, Willie.

[buzzer sounds]

[dogs barking in distance]

What happened?
How'd you end up in prison?

You know that saying,
"Keep your eye on the ball"?

Yeah. Sure.

Let's just say, when you don't,
everything go to hell.

Gotcha.

Hey, pull over right here.

[man] Come on, Willie.

Come on.

[crowd noises]

- [umpire] Ball one!
- Hey, what was that?

- Ball two!
- Come on, bro.

What you doin'?

Come on, Willie.

Come on.

Settle down.

Ball three!

Wait, wait, what are you doing?
You're still at bat.

They won't let me play.
That other coach don't like me.

Willie, they don't like you
because they're afraid of you.

They're afraid you're gonna
knock that ball into the next county,

like you usually do.

- Right?
- Yeah.

Now, you go play ball, boy,
all right?

- All right.
- Go on, boy.

Young man, you not back
at that plate in three seconds,

I'm gonna call you out
for delay of game.

Come on, Willie, go on.

- [crowd shouting encouragement]
- [man] Come on, Willie.

- [scattered clapping]
- [man] Let's go, boy!

[crowd gasping, applauding]

They're afraid of you, boy.
They're afraid of that right there.

I got it, I got it!

Fancy stuff will get you
in trouble every time, kid.

What's it matter to you?

Matters a lot to me.

[dogs barking in distance]

[men chatting indistinctly]

- [man 1] Look at this dude.
- [man 2] Holy shit.

[man 1] Oooh, look here.

Is that a ghost I see?

Oh, Willie Mays Aikens.

- Welcome home, slugger.
- Shit.

- Welcome home.
- Damn, man.

Hey, why don't you come on
and sit down, man?

Sit down and have a beer.

Good seeing you brothers,
but, um... can't stay.

Willie Mays Aikens, are you still
thinking you're too good for us?

- No, it ain't that.
- Well, what you sayin'? What you sayin', Willie?

I'll tell you one thing,
I ain't never been locked up.

Yeah, me neither.

I mean, there was
that one time now...

but you got us beat there,
don't you, man?

Say, Willie, they say you
used to play ball coked up.

- Is that true?
- [man] Hell, yeah, it's true. Look at him.

Shit, don't you know?

Crack helps you crack bats.

Ain't that right, Willie?

Hey, hey, Willie.

Oh, boy.

- [siren chirps]
- Look out, man.

Oh, comin' to take you back
there, slugger.

[soft, indistinct chatter]

Go on, man.
Run, Willie, run.

[car door closes]

Coach?

Sheriff now.

White kids I used to coach
ended up voting for me.

Sheriff?

Come on, let's go.

Let's go where?

You arrestin' me?

Well, this ain't the back door
I'm holdin' open, is it?

Now, come on, get in.

Go on.

Went by the old field?

Uh-huh.

You was a local hero, Willie.

I used to hit some ball.

Do you remember that? Hmm?

You left a lot
of people hanging.

A lot of kids, too.

My son, for one.

Man, I was counting on you.

Truth is, I was lost.

In some ways, I still am.

God willing,
I'm gonna fix it, though.

You just can't bench me, coach.

Well, you ain't no baseball star
no more, Willie,

you an ex-con.

You better wake up.

You realize the risk
you're taking coming here?

Oh. My lawyer get to ya.

Lucky for you she did.

How the hell do you plan
on getting back in time?

There's a flight
leave out in the morning.

Arrive 2 p.m.

I got the ticket already.

She said you're supposed
to report at noon.

Been locked up 14 years.

Yeah?

The least I can do
is be a few hours late.

Listen, there's a flight
leaving in two hours

with a connection that will
get you in there at 11:20 a.m.

Listen here, now,
you might be cutting it close

but you'd have a chance.

I promised your lawyer
I'd put you on it.

What about my mama?

Huh, coach? I ain't seen
my mama in 14 years.

I'm getting you
on that flight, Willie.

Can I go see Mae?

Please.

[dogs barking in distance]

You got ten minutes.

- Hey, Delores?
- Willie?

I wasn't expecting to see
your ass for another eight years.

I know, considering you ain't even
come to see me 14 years I was in prison.

Don't give me all that mess.
You weren't expecting to see me.

We never been that close,
Willie.

Ah, damn, you done got
in trouble again already.

Is she here?
I ain't got that much time.

Yes and no.

- What you mean, yes and no?
- Come on. Shut up, Willie.

Comin' over here with all that,
you ain't got no attitude with me.

- This is my house, nigga.
- How's it your house? I paid for everything.

You know what? How about that?

Hey, Mae. Hey.

Mae?

Gary, man.

It's Willie.

[Mae] We called him Gary,
my brother.

It's Willie, Mom.

- Huh?
- It's your son Willie.

Your son.

Oh, yeah.

He in the house, ain't he?

I got to go in there.

[Willie] I got out of prison
to come see you, Mae.

I don't even know you.

Damn.

It's like she's deaf.

She's like that
most of the time now.

- It's so hot in here.
- [Mae mumbling]

She can barely breathe in here.

- What are you talkin' about?
- What happened to the A/C?

- Willie, that thing been broken.
- Why don't you fix it?

You know what, you come up
in my house after all these years

and you ask stupid questions!

I've had enough.

[Mae] That's my brother
and sister.

- Mae.
- See 'em over there?

I'm free now.

I got out.

Got out.

- I'm a free man.
- Okay.

My wife, my daughter,
Camila, the grand baby,

she gonna come up from Mexico.

[Mae] They ain't been
to no Mexico,

my brother and my sister.

They gonna come up here, she
gonna come up here to go to college.

You don't know me.

Willie, what she tryin' to tell
you is she ashamed of you.

Now, what you gonna do?

Take it. Fix the A/C.

I put some extra in there.

Mama, I'm gonna
come up to see ya.

Remember I came to see ya,
it's your boy Willie.

It's time for you to go, Willie.

- It's time for you to get on out of here, Willie.
- Mama?

- God bless you.
- It's time.

It's time for you
to get out of my house.

You still got five minutes.

I don't need 'em.

You, you, you,
and your missions.

Don't worry, he'll be on time.

- I'm not worried in the least.
- I know.

- If he's even a minute late...
- I know the drill.

[door closes]

I told you he'd be here.

Willie Mays Aikens.

Both of you meeting with me?

- Mm-hmm.
- Elsie Montgomery.

Are you testing the boundaries,

or do you have a legitimate
reason for being late?

All due respect,
I'm supposed to be here at noon.

Here I am, so...

So just follow the rules.

And stay sober.

And we'll get along fine.

Yes, ma'am.

I have a job lined up for you.

Road repair. Starts tomorrow.

Oh, oh, no, wait.

Ma'am, I'm
a Major League baseball player.

Right? Got a tricky hit.
Can't be...

[Elsie] Gainful employment is
a requirement for your parole.

No welfare.

Welfare?

Road work will be just fine.

I've never been on no welfare,
but whatever you wanna assign me,

I'm a working man, whatever.

I'll do road crew.
What is it, road...?

- Yeah, road crew.
- [Elsie] Good. Good.

This is the halfway house.
This is your new home.

There's a bus that stops downstairs
that'll take you straight there.

I'm gonna give him a ride.

Um...

so when can I live in a place
of my own choosing?

Well, that's to my discretion,
Mr. Aikens.

Meaning, when I think
you're ready. Got it?

You talkin' about a week,
a month?

- What are we talkin' about?
- I could be talkin' about a year.

Like I said,
it's when I think you're ready.

Willie's gonna do
whatever it takes to transition

and earn your trust.

Thank you, Mr. Aikens.

Thank you, Elsie.

- Thank you so much.
- You're welcome.

- This is yours.
- Goodbye.

[Willie] Talk to the woman...
gonna have me come out here.

[Francine] Willie, listen to me. You
were supposed to be here early...

Don't ever embarrass me again, and you haven't
learned to respect the goddamn law by now?

You don't use the Lord's name in
vain, now you got me a house arrest.

We had a deal that you were gonna
speak out against the mandatory minimums,

and it would have been nice if you
could have said something to the press

about the injustice of
these drug laws, quid pro quo.

This is my daughter's phone.
It's old, but it works.

You'll become as addicted to it
as everybody else is.

I've only arranged
one community meeting

next week, okay?

- Here.
- What's this?

Talking points.

This is my car.

Get in it!

- [Willie] No, come on, Sara, now.
- [distant siren wailing]

I'm sorry. You...
You gotta convince her.

[Sara] I'm talking to her.
It takes time.

Life here is all she knows.

And she barely knows you.

Let me talk to her.

No. Not a good idea.

I have to go.

- Whoa, okay...
- [rap music in background]

Tell her that I love her.

I will.

Adiós.

[phone beeps]

[door closes]

[equipment beeping, clattering]

[crowd cheering]

[muffled commentary
under cheering]

Willie?

Willie Aikens?

Pastor Means.

Wow! God is good.

Been praying for you, brother.
It's good to see you.

When did you get out?

A few days ago.

Got a job.

Good, good.

Livin' in a halfway house, man.

Well, there's nothing
for you here.

Walk with me.
I wanna show you something.

Come on.

Remember this place?

Yeah.

[organ playing
"Take Me Out to the Ball Game"]

Listen, I gotta go.

You know where to find me.

[chuckles]

[groans]

We don't have a meeting
scheduled until next week.

Um... I know,
but I came by to ask you

if I could stay
at my place again.

- Willie, I've already told you.
- I know, I know.

Um...

I need you to see that
I'm ready.

I'm ready now, right?

I, uh... I've been working.

Right? I've been staying
off drugs, I'm clean.

Haven't I?

- True.
- Okay.

But you've just gotten out
in the last couple weeks.

Now, typically, I don't even
consider these kind of requests

until at least six months.

This is a special circumstance.

I have my... my wife
and my daughter.

They're coming up from Mexico.

She's a teenager.

And she, uh, she changes
her mind every day,

sometimes every hour.

And I'm afraid if I
don't have no home here,

that I'm gonna miss
my chance with them,

miss my chance for a family.

So, ma'am, Miss Elsie,
I'm begging you...

'Cause I need my family.

Please, ma'am.

How old is she, your daughter?

She's 17 years old.

Seventeen.

That's mine. Sixteen.

Dealing with parole is easy

compared to raising
a teenage girl.

I wish I'd been
in my daughter's life

enough to know
what you're talking about.

I haven't seen Camila
since she was 6 years old.

Think it ain't too late
to be in her life.

I'm gonna keep trying.

Word of advice.

Don't treat her like a child.

They hate it when you
treat them like a child.

Thank you. I thank you.

Willie...

have a seat.

This is your one chance.

I give everybody one chance,
and if you mess it up

even a little bit, I recommend
you go back to prison, you got it?

Now, go on and get outta here.

Keep going up around there.

[Francine] We're gonna need
to get you a car.

[Willie] Car, I got a car.

[Francine] It's been sitting
for a while.

[Willie] Yeah. That's what
makes it a classic.

Sorry the lawn's not perfect.

But you began
to run out of money.

Welcome home.

Thank you, Francine.

Classic.

[door clatters open]

It's like a time capsule
in here.

A lot of memorabilia.

You could make some money
off some of this stuff.

George Brett.

Gorgeous George.

One of the greatest players
ever lived.

He was our third baseman.

[object rattling]

- [banging on door]
- [women screaming]

[officer] Back it up!
Get on the ground!

Hands up! Get on the ground!

[Francine] When did you say
they were getting here?

Two weeks or so.
I don't know.

You know, you better
get crackin'.

[blues playing]

Thanks for your help.

That's what friends are for.

You gonna paint
or you gonna preach?

[laughs]

You expecting someone?

Not yet.

[Francine] Well, looks like
somebody's here.

Thought you wasn't
coming till Saturday.

We wanted to be together
as soon as possible, no?

- Oh!
- My baby.

He's been working really hard.

We... haven't finished painting.

Are we, um,
interrupting something?

I'm Francine,

Willie's lawyer.

I'll help you with your luggage.

Camila.

The house... is good.

Está bien.

- It's good.
- [Camila] Houses are like people.

Some you like, some you don't.

L.M. Montgomery.

It's a writer.

I read more books in prison
than you read your whole life.

[speaking Spanish]

[speaking Spanish]

Willie, stop being weird.

You know how long
I waited for this moment?

Been through 14 years
in prison just to...

sit here and eat with my family.

Don't worry, y'all.
We...

We're gonna get used
to each other.

I just got one more thing
to do in my life.

One thing?
I can think of, like, 15.

[Willie] Well, I got a plan.

Of me...

us...

we'll get back into baseball.

[scoffs]

Willie.

[Camila scoffs]

Baseball?

You're too old, mi amor.

Don't worry.

Don't think I was in prison
all them 14 years

just staring at the wall.

I got a plan.

You really think they'll
give you a chance to coach?

I don't see why not.

I mean, who a better
hittin' coach than me?

Maybe you should
ask George Brett to help.

I mean, you two were so close.

Nah. I won't go to George
for no handout.

I'll do this on my own.

You still believe in me, right?

We'll see.

What do you mean, we'll see?

[sighs]

I'm here, Willie.

No? Sí.

Sí. Estás aquí.

Todavía no.

What do you mean, not yet?

You know I've been
locked up for 14 years.

And whose fault was that?

The government.

No. It's your fault.

It was your fault, Willie.

Now, if you can't sleep with me
without sleeping with me,

I'm going to Camila's room.

No, no, no.

Okay, all right, all right.

I need time.

Okay, you take
all the time you need.

Not too long.

'Cause I just need 20 minutes,
that's all.

Estúpido. [giggles]

I've missed you.

[Willie chuckles]

You know I'm
a former player, right?

- No.
- Yeah. Before your time.

You know how many
home runs I hit?

No idea, sir.

[chuckles]
Bet you don't care, either.

[man] Mr. Aikens.

- Oh, hello.
- Such a pleasure to meet a former player.

Yeah. [chuckles]

- A World Series hero at that.
- Thank you.

May I ask the purpose
of your visit today?

Here to see Mr. Benson.
He available?

Mr. Benson's here,
but his schedule's full today.

Do you want to tell me
the purpose of your visit?

- I'll set an appointment.
- Oh, of course.

I believe
he has openings in July.

Three months from now?

Mm-hmm. I'm sure you know,
as team president,

he's a very busy man.

Well, I know you got a little
reception area in there,

you're supposed to cater
to ex-ball players.

Mr. Aikens, would you like
to make an appointment or not?

You ain't got
to follow me, either.

[Francine] You didn't show up.

I had a room full of people
waiting to meet you.

Your blowing me off
has gotten me thinking.

Let's just take
one big swing at bat.

Right? That's the way
you like it.

You're a home run hitter.
I saw the World Series.

They're having a congressional
hearing coming up

and they are discussing
the injustices

of the mandatory
sentencing laws.

It's gonna get
national attention,

and it can help the guys
that you left behind,

the ones that you promised.

- [groans]
- Just tell your story.

Tell it on the huge stage
and then we will be square.

Don't you understand that I
want a rock right now?

That I've been wanting a drink
every day since I got out of jail?

I'm trying my best!

Okay, okay.

Leave me alone.

This is personal.

I've been with you
every step of the way.

And I may not know
what it feels like to be you

or to have gone through the
things that you've gone through...

but there are half
a million people

who are unjustly incarcerated...

and a lot of them look like you.

I'm just asking you
to tell your story.

Your daughter
will love you for it.

You think I'm rotating my hips?

I think you could put a
little bit more weight into it.

I gotcha.

Camila.

[door closes]

Got a little friend
I want you to meet.

He a throwaway just like me.
Help you settle in.

- Oh, my God. No.
- What?

- No!
- What?

What is that?

A puppy!

He's just a little puppy.

Mama!

Willie, what is that?

[dog whimpering]

It's a dog.

That's her dog?

Mi amor, she has allergies,
she breaks out, it's...

Camila, I'm sorry, I ain't know.

Yeah, I wonder why.
Maybe 'cause you weren't around?

It's cool, I'll just make you a
list of everything I'm allergic to

so you can catch up.

[dog yips]

Un perro?

Ay, mi amor.
She's not a little girl.

I was just trying
to bond with her.

Walk the dog.

Feed the dog.

- Dumb idea.
- It's not a dumb idea.

Your heart was right, pero, the
next time you have an idea, ask me.

You know, Camila wants
to learn how to drive.

I teach her
a little bit in Mexico,

pero, here it would help to...

You think it would help if I
paid for the driving lessons?

That's not what I'm thinking.

Why are you assaulting
my computer?

Looking up the home address
of the team president.

Oh.

You're cyber stalking.

What?

Cyber stalking. It's illegal.

How come George Brett
can't help you?

Who told you that name?
Your mother?

No.

George Brett.

Sometimes when I was really
bored, I used to read about you online.

I know he was someone
you used to hang out with,

one of the guys
you didn't do drugs with.

When you was reading
all that bad stuff about me,

you read about
the good stuff too?

We get it,
you're good at sports.

Are we doing this?

Okay, yeah.

Great.

I do miss this old neighborhood.

You know,
I was thinking about it.

Maybe you should let it go.

Thinking about what?
What should I let go?

The Royals thing.

- The Royals thing?
- Yeah.

It's just, I don't know,
it's kind of sad

watching you cling to the past.

People are trapped in history,
history is trapped in people.

James Baldwin?

Yeah.

You gonna hit me
with James Baldwin. [laughing]

How about you just
focus on the road,

focus on what you're doing?

And put on your signal.

There you go.

Slow...

Good.

[sighs] Okay. That's good.

You're doing great.

Thanks, Willie.

Camila, you know...

it wouldn't be so bad
if you called me "dad" sometime.

Nah, "Willie" works for me.

No, "Willie" doesn't
work for you.

I'm your dad.

Technically.

Technically? What do you mean,
technically?

Nobody's even asking you
for that much. Really.

The bar is set at "be there."

The bar is like
"be there for your child."

And that's all my fault?

It is your fault.

What you want from me?

[laughs]

You trying to act
like you don't have a fault?

Uh, dads teach you
how to ride a bike.

Dads teach you
how to drive a car.

Dads tuck you into bed at night.

Dads make sure you got
food in your mouth.

Dads know things about their
daughters, like, I don't know,

that they are allergic to dogs.

How long this gonna go on?

- Slow down.
- You know what?

Dads don't have to ask their
daughters to call them dad.

- [dog barks]
- Stop!

What was the first rule
that I told you?

I know, "keep your eyes
on the road."

Keep your eyes on the road
and look both ways.

- Yep.
- And you didn't.

'Cause you wanna argue with me
about I'm a dad.

You're the one who wants to have
this conversation in the first place.

- Get out of the car.
- I just wanted to learn how to drive.

Get outta the car!

Told ya.

Halfway done killed me twice
coming out here anyway.

Don't know what
your mama was thinkin'.

[car door closes]

How did it go?

I hate him!

I hate him!

Got any more good ideas?

She almost a woman.

Be so much easier for me
to just let it go.

But I want her to love me.

I need her to love me.

Willie.

She has a lot of pain.

All her life growing up
her friends knew

that her father...

That doesn't go away overnight.

I know that.

Still...

Perhaps she could just...

Do you want an instant family?

After all you put us through,
after all we've been through?

I can't change
what I put you through.

I can't change what I
put Camila through.

Just the fact that you
are trying so hard...

she sees that.

I know my daughter.

Our daughter.

She'll come around.

Like me.

- [pop music on earphones]
- [Sara moaning]

[sighs]

Mr. Benson! Ha!

Willie Mays Aikens!

- Oh, Will...
- Oh!

You just scared the hell
out of me.

I'm sorry, I'm coming from work.
I'm a mess right now.

Yeah, work, huh?
What do you do, dig ditches?

Actually, I am digging
ditches right now, but...

Look, Willie, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean...

That's no problem.
That's why I came to see you.

Oh, that's right. My secretary
Anne said you came by.

Did you make an appointment?

Well... that's what I wanted to
talk to you about, Mr. Benson.

The possibility of getting me
a coaching job.

With the Royals?

Of course. Hitting coach.
Single-A.

The Minors, rookie ball.

Just trying to get
back in the game.

I get it, Willie.

I'm sure you'd make
a great batting coach.

But it's complicated.

Hey...

How many home runs I hit
for the Kansas City Royals?

Including the four
in the series?

- Uh-huh.
- 77, am I right?

That's right.

Am I right?

Okay, Willie,
I'll tell you what.

- I'll do what I can.
- Okay.

I gotta be honest,
it more than likely won't work.

- That's all right.
- The Royals have shareholders, a corporate image.

And because of your history, adding
you to the coaching staff would be...

challenging.

Optics just aren't right.

Optics.

That's the world we live in.

- You take care, Willie.
- Okay.

You get home safe, Mr. Benson.

Hey!

Ha ha!

Baby, what happened?

What happened?

Your mother...

she passed.

She died.

I just got off
the phone with Delores.

I'm so sorry.

You gotta be kidding me.

You gotta be kidding me.

I'm so sorry.

Mama died.

I can't win.

I can't win.

I can't win.

God, you gotta be kidding me.

[sobbing]

Yeah, but allowing you to leave the
halfway house was at my discretion.

This falls under
Missouri state law.

Parolees are not allowed
to leave the jurisdiction

without a signed judge's
release.

My mama's funeral.

- I know.
- This ain't right.

I'm sorry.

There's nothing I can do.

Willie?

Please,
don't do anything stupid.

Okay.

I gotta call my sister now.

You don't know my sister.

She'll hit you over the phone.

Yeah, well, it ain't
about you all the time.

Yeah.

I'm trying. You...

I can't make the lady...

I'll pay for it,
I told you I'd pay for it.

I'll pay for everything.

I don't know, Delores.

Well, she my mama too.

Okay? She my mama too.

All right.

Welcome. Let me know if you
need help finding anything.

Deciding if I want a drink.

Hey, buddy. Buddy, you okay?

I decided I want one.

Do you need me to call somebody
for you or something?

All right, look,
are you okay, man?

[bottles rattling]

Come on.

Look, I don't want
any trouble, man.

Just... come on.

Hurry up, you're starting
to freak me out, okay?

Do you hear me?

Hey, buddy.

Are you gonna buy that or not?

Jesus Christ, man.

Damn.

Have a good one.

Right through that door
there's a girl

who needs you more than
anything.

If you mess this up,
I will never, never forgive you.

[Willie] Camila! Camila.

- Camila.
- [door clatters]

Yes?

Messy.
All teenage girls this messy?

I mean, the house ain't been
this messy since, uh...

since I was on drugs.

Sure read a lot of books, right?

Yeah, well, a house without books
is like a room without windows.

Writer.

Educator, actually.

Horace Mann.

Did you... need something?

Oh...

I was gonna get you another
driving lesson if you wanted to.

Really? 'Cause last time
we were in a car,

you said you never wanted
to drive with me again.

Yeah, and you said you hated me.

Forget it. Just forget it.

I'm gonna be outside, waiting.

Okay.

Your lawyer's right.

You're perfect
for that Congress thing.

Can't believe she called you.

Well, she called Mom, asked her to
talk to you, and Mom asked me, so...

Oh, so it's a conspiracy.

[scoffs] What are you scared of?

Scared of nothing.

Just working on us right now,
nobody else.

Oh, that's right.

And baseball, how is that going?

I talked to the team president.

He said that, uh...

I'm not good for optics.

Hmm, well, I guess
that makes sense.

You trying to piss me off?

No, I'm just being realistic.

Like, how's it gonna look
if they have a crackhead

coaching their players?

A crackhead?

Ex-crackhead.

Oh, man, you just love
to push me away, huh?

Ex-crackhead. Come on.

Let's go work
on your left turns.

Hopefully you're gonna
signal this time.

With your crackhead dad.

Crackhead.

Ex-crackhead.

Your mother's limpin'.

You're so damn clueless.

[Sara sighing]

Lupus?

I mean, that's serious.

It's an autoimmune disease.

Similar to arthritis, pero...

stronger.

Why you didn't tell me?

You barely notice me, Willie.

You're so busy with work,

Camila, baseball, tu mamá.

The lupus is coming out
now because...

estoy embarazada.

You're pregnant?

You're pregnant?

This is good.

This is a good day.

This is a blessing.

This is a blessing, baby.

Come here.

You okay?

[sighing, wincing]

Does Camila know?

Ay.

What did she say?
How'd she take it?

Like a 3-year-old.

[chuckles]

What about the doctor?

Willie.

We don't have insurance.

I haven't been to a doctor.

I'm sorry.

I've just been focusing
on everything else.

I'm gonna get you a doctor
first thing tomorrow.

Don't worry.

It's a good thing,
baby, I promise you.

This is great.

All right, keep it slow...
keep it straight.

Oh, no, no, no.
Over the shoulder.

- You always look in the direction that you're going.
- I know.

Put that back on the wheel.

All right.

[Camila] See? I got it.

Well, the doctor says
that your mother and the baby,

they'll be fine if they don't
have too much stress, so...

if me and you...

can get along?

Yeah, well,
I'm gonna be at college,

so you don't have to worry
about me.

Stop right here.

Stop the car.

Just hear me out.

No family's perfect.

Neither is this family.

I know I haven't been
the best father.

Maybe I haven't been
a father at all.

But I love you, Camila.

I thought we agreed
to just drive

and like not talk about stuff.

You're right.

Put it in drive.

Take us home.

Wait, home?

Yeah. You ready.

Are you sure?

Take the test, yeah.
You ready, come on.

I mean, we probably gonna die

in a fiery crash
on the way back, but...

I'm with you.

Good one.

[camera shutter clicks]

Good to meet you. Thanks.

[Willie] Man.

Willie, Willie, Willie.

It's so great to see you, man.

Nice seeing you too, George.

Thank you for agreeing
to meet me.

Are you kidding me?
Cut that out.

Come on, sit down.
Sit.

You miss it, Willie?

Ain't nothin' like the big show.

I mean the drugs.

[laughs]

Just clownin' you, man.

[chuckles] I mean, I know
it's a little twisted, right?

But I couldn't resist.

George still the big clown.

[George chuckles]

Oh, um, just a couple
of Chiantis, please.

- Certainly.
- Thank you.

Sorry, I...

Uh, actually, just, uh...

just a couple of diet Cokes.

- And, um...
- Sure, right away.

Thank you.

Diet Coke is better, right?

I mean, you're... you're
starting to spread a little bit,

so... [chuckles]

You know, the truth is
I do miss it.

Crack was the greatest thing
ever happened to me.

It was, George.

Felt better than hittin' them
home runs in the World Series.

It's true.

I ain't gonna
never touch it again.

I'll continue missing it
the rest of my life.

Giorgio's still got it, huh?

You said it. Hmm.

You know what, man, I am
so glad that you called me.

We need to reach out and get
some of the other guys together.

Well, George, I need
to ask you for a favor.

Sure. Shoot.

A big favor.

Willie, I'm not...
[chuckles]

I'm not as flush as you
might think I am,

but if you need
a little cash or something...

It ain't nothin' like that.

Okay, now I'm worried, so...
tell me.

I want back in.

I need back in.

Willie, come on.

Come on, George.

Just a coaching job.

Something small.

I already talked to Mr. Benson.

He said they gotta go
through the owner.

I thinking you could
talk to him.

Willie Mays Aikens, still
swinging for the bleachers, huh?

I know I'm asking a lot,
but I'm thinking that...

you could help me out.

You know what, I got an idea.

I mean...

there's this autograph event
that I'm supposed to appear at.

Why don't you come with me?

Okay? The fans will freak out.

It will feel
just like old times.

Nah, that... that's just gonna
remind me of what I lost,

what I'm missing.

The Royals love you, man.

I'm just askin' that you try.

Okay. Okay, I will, I promise.

But you know what?
Don't hold your breath, okay?

I mean, the suits, they don't
see the game the way we see it.

We see stats, they see
profit-and-loss statements.

It's not about what's right,
it's about what looks right.

Optics.

[sighs]

How'd it go?

I did it.

That's great.

You know, your mom,
she was right.

Thanks, Willie.

Hey, uh... who's Willie?

Thank you.

- Was that so bad?
- What, the test or the hug?

[chuckles] Hey.

Need somebody licensed
to drive me somewhere.

[laughing]

Thought you was gonna catch it.

- Catch it next time.
- Mm-hmm.

[indistinct chatter]

There you go.
Thanks for coming.

Okay, thank you.

Oh, man.

[both laugh]

- Hey, George.
- Thank you.

Looks good, man.

Yeah, I know that one.

Aren't you glad you came today?

You kiddin' me?

Okay.

Hey, how are you?
What's your name?

Mama.

Sara.

[Camila] Mama!

Honey?

Sara?

Camila!

Baby?

- Sara.
- [Camila] Mom?

Mama!

Call 911.

She does this?

No.

Sara!

Sara?

The stroke was isolated, and I
think we caught it in time.

We're still monitoring
the situation.

Is the baby okay?

Well, we're still
monitoring the baby, too.

We're hoping for the best.

We're looking
for a full recovery,

but it's gonna take a lot
of work from the both of you,

but especially her.

We know hard work.

[bell tolling]

- [Willie] Hello?
- [man coughs]

Pastor Means.

- Hey, Willie.
- You have a moment?

Uh, sure, just a second.

Want a roll?

No, I haven't much
of an appetite.

Let's go upstairs.

Come on.

Doctors say that
she gonna pull through, but...

[sighs]

Sara's a good woman.

And a good mother.

But I don't know how much more
of this I can take.

[sobbing]

I try my best.

I keep the Lord in my thoughts,
in my heart.

But it don't go the same way.

It don't.

I know I done plenty wrong.

I know I ain't welcome here.

- I know it, I ain't welcome here.
- That's not true, Willie.

- That's not true.
- I ain't.

- That's not true.
- I ain't.

You were called.

God is calling you to serve.

You heard God's voice
when you were in jail.

He didn't guarantee
that you were gonna...

you know, not have no hardship
when you came out.

That's what makes
your testimony so true,

because you lived it.

You lived it.

It's our courage and faith
in the dark nights,

that's what makes our testimony.

Keep testifying.

[clears throat]
Excuse me, Pastor.

Uh... [clears throat]

Willie Mays Aikens?

Uh...

Pastor told me all about you,
and, um...

I just want you to know,
I remember that World Series.

And, uh... I just wanted
to come over here

and let you know that...

you inspire all of us.

And I had some hard times.

So you keep the faith.

All right, brother?

Pastor.

[sobbing]

Hey, Mom.

You're gonna be okay.

We're gonna help you get better.

We got you.

Okay, can you flex
you right hand for me?

Okay. Make a fist.

Nice.

You keep that up, you'll be
going home real soon.

A lot of good I'll be at home.

Willie, turn on the TV.

The baseball game is on,
the Yankees.

What, is
the Kansas City Royals out?

I remember, back in the day,

I couldn't take your father away
form watching baseball on TV.

Mama exaggerating.

[Sara] Hmm.

He says that watching the game
makes him sad now.

What happened with the Royals?
Did they get back to you?

I ain't worried about
the Royals no more.

Now all I care about
is my family,

making sure you get
back up on your feet.

Okay?

I don't know, Camila.

I mean... are you sure?

I mean, yeah,
I wanna go to college,

but I'm not gonna be able to
concentrate when she's like this.

Anyway, it's not up to you.

I don't need your permission
to help my mother.

Well, no, I'd actually prefer
you'd be here, but...

I don't think she's
gonna like it.

We don't have to tell her,
do we?

I think that she's gonna notice
when you haven't left for school.

A secret's worth is only
as much as the person...

Hey, listen, no fancy quote

if you wanna make your mother
not find out.

Okay, fine, but until then,

it can just be
our little secret, okay?

Cool?

Cool.

Here you go.

You cooked for me?

Yeah, I ate earlier.

You gotta be hungry, right?

Come on, sit.

Hey, Dad.

I just, I'm just
wondering like if you...

do get back into it
and your plan does work,

are you gonna leave again?

I'll never leave you again,
Camila.

Um... what do you think?

This is the best meal ever.

Oh, you haven't, like,
tried it yet.

Oh, yeah.

Best meal ever.

[chuckles]

Excuse me, George. There's a young woman
here who really needs to speak with you.

Oh, really?

Oh, come on.

Um... so sorry to bother you.

Is it your mother?
Is she okay?

She's hanging in there, sir.
Thank you for the flowers.

I'm actually here
about my father.

Please.

My father can quit
a lot of things,

but I don't think
that he can quit baseball.

Did you ever end up
talking to the GM?

I did, twice, but, um...

I think Mr. Benson's giving me
the silent "no."

Which just means that
they never really respond.

I, um... just, the autograph
show was really, it was amazing.

I just wish they could
see what I saw

and see how the fans
responded to him.

Look, I know, I agree.

I mean... Willie's got
baseball in his veins.

Honey, what about
the high-school opener?

I'm sorry, I just, I don't think
he'd agree to coach high school.

I think he'd be
kind of insulted.

Willie would definitely
be insulted,

but don't worry,
it's nothing like that.

Mr. Benson's son plays
for the team,

and this could actually work,
but, you know, the problem is

that you're going to have to
convince your father

to give a speech.

And if I know Willie, then...

Not bad, old man.

You're... gonna be great.

You're gonna be great.

To be honest, I wouldn't even
think about doing this

unless it was you asking.

George Brett was right
to call you.

[Willie] I'm a big-time
home run hero.

World Series hero, Big Leaguer.

I'm also a disgrace.

A big Major League slugger,

who had it all

and threw it all away.

Trashed my life.

That's what the judge
told me at the trial.

"You trashed your life."

And he was right, I did.

I trashed my life,
I trashed my team.

I trashed my friendships.

I ain't gonna tell y'all
what I did to my family.

'Cause I could hit.

As long as I could hit,
I know that I could get away

with anything I wanted
to get away with.

Am I ringing the bell
with one of y'all?

Am I talkin'
to any one of y'all?

The next time somebody offers
y'all drugs or alcohol,

I want y'all
to remember my face.

Big Major League champion.

Hero.

That spent more time
rotting in a prison jail

than all of y'all been alive.

I don't know what God
got in store for me...

I don't know if this is
the end of my story,

this is how my legacy play out.

But if it is, I'm fine with it.

If I could get through to
just one of y'all in this room

to not make the dumb mistakes
that I made.

That it is about your team,
it is about your family.

It's about his grace.

It's about the grace
that's right here in this room.

Hey, Oscar, Oscar, hey. I want you
to meet somebody. This is, uh, Willie.

This is Mr. Benson's
other son, Oscar.

Pleasure to meet you, young man.

Great speech, Mr. Aikens.

My dad really loved it, too.

Thank you. Where is your dad?
I'd love to talk to him.

He had to leave.
He asked me to see you.

Well, you know what,
he is a busy man.

Run the whole entire
baseball team.

You do me a favor,
you tell him I said hello.

Yes, sir, Mr. Aikens.
I will.

I'm sorry, I really thought that
he would stick around, you know?

- You tried.
- Yeah.

Really appreciate this.

That was a great speech.

You know, I started
to get some tears...

- You need a hug?
- [chuckles]

I mean it, man, it was really
from the heart, you know.

I'm serious.

People really need
to hear you speak,

hear what you gotta say.

Let me get on over here.

Hey, I gotta make a phone call.

[door opens, closes]

[line ringing]

[Francine] Hey, Willie,
what's up?

How is Sara doing?

Sara's stronger than ever.

Camila too.

Both them women, they...
they tough as nails.

[laughing] Yeah.

Just like you.

Francine, remind me again.

What are the dates
for that hearing?

You're gonna do it?

Yeah, I need to do it.

Willie, thank you.

Thank you so much.

[peaceful music playing]

I overcame poverty
in my childhood.

I rose to fame
as a professional athlete.

Came close to ruining
my life with drugs

and I paid a heavy price for
my self-destructive behavior.

I received a mandatory sentence
of 248 months.

In prison.

Had those drug charges
against me

involved a similar amount
of cocaine powder...

I'd have been sentenced
to 27 months.

That's 2½ years,

compared to 21 years.

If you can use my case
as an example to show

how crack sentencing is cruel
and unusual punishment,

I'd be glad after 14 years
of spending my life in prison

that something good
will come out of it.

Today, I have a spirituality.

A spiritual life.

I didn't have that before.

I thank you for that.

I look forward to being able
to live out the rest of my life

as I was supposed to live.

I think testifying here today

is part of that journey.

Thank you.

Thank you.

[phone buzzes]

- Hello?
- [Mr. Benson] Hey, George, are you watching?

Yes, sir, I am watching.

Would Willie mind
if I ask you for his number?

Mind? No, um...

No, sir, I don't think
that Willie would mind

if I gave you his number.

[sheriff] You left
a lot of people hanging,

a lot of kids, too.

Man, I was counting on you.

[applause]

Thank you.

[Aloe Blacc playing "My Way"]

♪ I've been sad,
I've been lost ♪

♪ I've been down and out
and lonely ♪

♪ Yeah, I've been suffering
at a job ♪

♪ In a world that tries
to own me ♪

♪ But when I wake up
every morning ♪

♪ There's an image
of a better place ♪

♪ Yeah, 'cause the harder
that we grind ♪

♪ Then the sweeter
is the glory ♪

♪ People say I'm foolish ♪

♪ People say
I'm blinded by faith ♪

♪ But if I run out of air ♪

♪ If I crash I don't care ♪

♪ I'm gonna do it my way ♪

♪ I can make it through this ♪

♪ You can throw the world
in my face ♪

♪ But the fear gives me life ♪

♪ And I swear 'til I die ♪

♪ I'm gonna do it my way ♪

♪ Aye, gonna do it my way ♪

♪ Aye ♪

♪ Gonna do it my way ♪

♪ So put me down
and criticize me ♪

♪ With your lies
and with your parody ♪

♪ Yeah, in the darkness
I don't hide ♪

♪ 'Cause I got pride
that gives me clarity ♪

♪ I still wake up
in the morning ♪

♪ With a vision
of a better life ♪

♪ You see the option
of defeat ♪

♪ Is just not written
in my story ♪

♪ People say I'm foolish ♪

♪ People say
I'm blinded by faith ♪

♪ But if I run out of air ♪

♪ If I crash I don't care ♪

♪ I'm gonna do it my way ♪

♪ I can make it through this ♪

♪ You can throw
the world in my face ♪

♪ But the fear gives me life ♪

♪ And I swear 'til I die ♪

♪ I'm gonna do it my way ♪

♪ Aye, gonna do it my way ♪

♪ Aye ♪

♪ Gonna do it my way ♪

♪ Every time they build
a wall around me ♪

♪ I will tear it down and say ♪

♪ I'ma live my dreams ♪

♪ Gotta live my dreams ♪

♪ Even when the floods rush
round to drown me ♪

♪ I just hold my breath
and pray ♪

♪ Let me live my dreams ♪

♪ Every single one of my ♪

♪ I ain't quitting
none of my dreams ♪

♪ People say I'm foolish ♪

♪ People say I'm blinded
by faith ♪

♪ But if I run out of air ♪

♪ If I crash I don't care ♪

♪ I'm gonna do it my way ♪

♪ I can make it through this ♪

♪ You can throw
the world in my face ♪

♪ But the fear gives me life ♪

♪ And I swear 'til I die ♪

♪ I'm gonna do it my way ♪

♪ Let me fly through the air ♪

♪ If I crash I don't care ♪

♪ I'm gonna do it my way ♪

♪ 'Cause the fear
gives me life ♪

♪ And I swear 'til I die ♪

♪ I'm gonna do it my way ♪