The Women of Brewster Place (1989) Movie Script

Woman:

That day I first

showed up on Brewster place,

all I could think was,

"how did this happen to me?"

Seems like, as soon as you

get comfortable in life

something comes along

to turn your life upside down.

You never know

what's gonna happen

and sometimes things

which seems the worst

works out different

in the end.

Like that big ol' wall

cuttin' off the light

from my plants.

Even it had its purpose.

It was a long journey

from the farm in Tennessee

where I come from

all the way up here.

But I reckon how

I was always meant to be here

on Brewster place.

Back with the other women

and back with ciel.

We did a lot

of laughin' here,

and some cryin'.

Most important, though,

we learned that when

we women came together

there was a power

inside US

we never felt before.

Woman: Leave me alone!

Man: Shut up!

Girls:

♪ grandma, grandma,

sick in bed ♪

♪ we called the doctor

and the doctor said...♪

Girl:

It's my turn!

It is my turn.

Good afternoon, ma'am.

Oh, you must be

the new tenant.

I heard you

was comin' today.

Welcome to Brewster place.

I'm the handyman.

Just call me Ben.

How do you do?

Oh, I got your key

here someplace.

Oh, here it is.

Come on, we can

go on up, and, uh,

see if everything's

working.

Or, knowing this place,

see if anything's working.

I can let myself in,

thank you.

No, I told miss ciel

I'd take good care

of you.

- I'll take care of ya.

- I'd rather go myself,

mister.

Ben. I'm Ben.

Thank you.

All right, suit yourself.

If you need anything,

I'm in the basement.

Number 11-a.

Can you remember that?

Woman in distance:

Look at this mess!

Woman:

Boy, you better

come on in here!

Woman:

Here, chick, chick,

chick-ee.

Here, chick, chick,

chick-ee.

Here, chick, chick,

chick-ee.

Here, chick, chick,

chick-ee.

Here, chick, chick,

chick-ee.

- Hey, gal.

- Here, chick, chick.

Here, chick, chick,

chick-ee.

Here, chick, chick,

chick-ee.

I said, "hey, gal."

I heard you the first time.

Here, chick, chick,

chick-ee.

Here, chick, chick.

Gal, are you gonna

come over here or not?

I do have a name,

butch Fuller.

Oh, oh! Please,

please 'cuse this poor,

ignorant, colored folks,

miss Mattie, ma'am.

Or, or, shoul's I says,

miss Mattie Michael, ma'am.

Or, or, shoul's I say

miss ma'am--

I gets it all mixed

up and stuff.

There you go.

That's better.

And now I done

gone through all that,

I hope I get

what I come for.

A cup of that cool

spring water is all.

Guess I couldn't

deny a dog a drink

on a day like this.

Well, that's mighty

hospitable of ya.

- Here.

- Why, thank you,

miss Mattie.

And, uh, since you

inquired as to

my whereabouts--

I did no such thing.

I'm fittin' to go down

to low ground, pick me up

some wild herbs,

and, um, go on over

to the morgans'

sugar cane field.

Now, if you

wants to come along,

picks you out a few,

be more than obliged

to carry them back

this way for ya.

Of course, I know

what your daddy

will say.

"Why, that butch Fuller,

he ain't nothin'

but a no-count ditch hound

and ain't no decent woman

be seen talkin' to him."

He only says that

'cause it's the truth.

Yeah, well, big woman

like you's afraid of what

her daddy might say?

I ain't afraid

of nothin,

butch Fuller.

Besides, papa's gone

to take mama to town.

Well, then?

Sugar cane remind me

of you, miss Mattie.

It's plump and sweet,

but it sure is

a whole lot of trouble.

Ah. Just reach in my

overall top and get me

out my kerchief, huh?

This sweat's fittin'

to blind me.

Well, we got our cane.

Let's go.

Now, ain't that

just like a woman.

Drag a man

clear out of his way,

cut three times more

cane than he need,

except they want

double-time back home

before he get a chance

to rest himself,

let alone

gather up them herbs

he really

come all this way for.

All right.

Where's the herb patch?

Just in the clearing

in them woods.

Come on, gal.

I ain't gonna bite ya.

Jeez, this is nice, huh?

Whew.

Lord, gal, ain't

your feet tired

after all that walking?

You blaspheme too much.

You ain't supposed to

use the lord's name

in vain.

Y'all folks

and your "ain'ts."

You ain't supposed to

do this, you ain't

supposed to do that.

That's how come

I never been

no Christian,

'cause all it mean is,

you can't enjoy

the one life

god give ya.

So what's your idea

of enjoying life,

butch Fuller?

Runnin' after

every woman you see?

Mattie.

Mattie, I don't be runnin'

after everywoman I see.

I just don't stay

around long enough

to let the good times

go sour, is all.

You know,

when two people

get in a rut

and they start cussin'

and fightin' and

carrying on,

and then they only

hanging on 'cause

they done forgot

how to let go.

You see,

all the women I know,

they don't remember nothin'

but good days with me.

And then they get

stuck with men

who beat on 'em

and cheat on 'em

and ignore 'em.

And all they

got to do

is sit back and

think about ol' butch.

And they say,

"yeah,

that was a sweet

red thing."

And all our days

were sun-lit.

May not have been

a long-timer,

but sure was a good time.

That might be true,

but other folks say--

I know what sanctimonious

folks like your daddy

say about me.

You know what?

It ain't cost me

a lick of sleep.

My daddy can't help it

if you got a bad reputation.

My reputation ain't

none of your daddy's

business.

Just like it ain't none

of my business your daddy

want his daughter

sittin' up in the house

gettin' old

and not keepin' company,

so she so dumb,

she don't know her head

from a hole in the ground.

For your information,

butch Fuller,

I keep company

every sunday afternoon.

With who?

Fred Watson.

Fred Watson?

Gal, that ain't

keepin' company,

that's sittin' up

at a wake.

Shoot, here I was,

all set to get jealous

of someone,

and all you talkin' about

is ol' "dead Fred."

Hell, I could come around

your house, steal you away

with two suitcases

before ol' Fred

could bat an eye.

You ever notice it

take him twice as long

to blink

as the average person?

No, I ain't noticed that.

Yeah, well next time

you sittin' up on your

daddy's front porch

in one of them hot,

passionate

courtin' sessions,

before you nod off,

just take notice

of how he blinks.

Yeah, ol' dead Fred.

Miss Mattie Michael.

Mm-mm-mm.

How'd you ever

get a name like

"Michael" anyway?

Shouldn't it be

"Michaels"?

Papa said, when

the emancipation came,

his daddy was a little boy,

and he'd always been

hard of hearin',

so people on the plantation

had to call him twice

to get his attention.

So, since his name

was Michael,

they always used to

have to say,

"Michael! Michael."

So, when the union

census-taker came,

and asked what my

granddaddy's name was,

everybody said

"Michael Michael"

was all they knew.

And so, then the yankee

census-taker came.

He--

when the yankee

census-taker came,

he put that down.

And we been

Michael-Michael

ever since.

Mama, I can't stand

much more of this.

Don't worry, baby.

He can't spend

the rest of his

life not talking.

This thing

has done hurt him.

That's all.

I know.

You didn't tell him

it was butch, did you?

You think I wanna see

my man in jail

for killin' the likes

of butch Fuller?

Besides,

it ain't for me

to tell.

I'm so ashamed.

Now,

you listen to me, girl.

There ain't nothin'

for you to be

ashamed about.

Having a baby

is the most natural

thing in the world.

There ain't nothin'

in the Bible that says

having a baby's sinful.

The sin is in

the fornicating

and god done

forgave you for that

a long time ago.

What's going on

in your belly now

ain't nothin'

to hang your head

about.

You remember that.

Yes, ma'am.

Mattie's father:

Mattie, come on out here.

Go on.

Yes, papa?

I been thinking about

this here thing.

I done always

try to do my best

by you.

I seen to it

you never seen

a hungry day.

Never had

to go out and ask

nobody for nothin'.

Now, ain't that true?

Yes, papa.

I know folks say it a lot.

I put too much store in you,

keeping you

too close to home,

settin' you up

to be better

than other folks.

But all I know is,

I done the best

I know how to do.

Papa, you ain't

done nothing wrong,

i'm--

it could be,

I should have

let you marry

that Harris boy

that you were

sweet on once.

I just wanted

something better

for you

than some wanderin'

field hand

draggin' you off

to Arkansas,

keeping you away

from your family,

and--

what's past...

Is past.

Now, I still think

this Fred Watson

is a tolerable fellow.

In spite of what he done.

Fred?

Well, I mean,

I was young once, too.

Done and made

plenty of mistakes.

Ain't through

makin' them, either.

So, I figure,

I go on over there

to his place

tomorrow morning

after breakfast

and just

clear this thing up.

I know he'd be willing

to do the right thing

by you.

Papa, it ain't

Fred's baby.

What?

It ain't Fred's.

Whose is it?

I said,

whose is it?

I ain't saying.

What do you mean,

you ain't saying?

I ain't--

hm?

I ain't sayin'.

You will too say!

- Sam!

- Stay out of this,

fannie!

Now, you tell me,

or I'm gonna

beat it out of you!

Well? Huh?

Tell me! Tell me!

Tell me!

Tell me! Tell me!

- Sam, stop it!

- Tell me!

Sam! For the love

of Jesus!

Fannie!

Get off of me!

Tell me!

So help me, Jesus,

you hit my child again,

and I'll meet

your soul in hell.

Fannie--

i--

fannie, she--

oh, Jesus.

Oh, Jesus.

I had such hopes

for that girl, fannie.

Oh, fannie.

I had dreams.

Look at her.

Mattie:

Oh, etta, isn't he the most

perfect thing you ever saw?

Ooh!

Oh!

No, he's just

as ugly as

he can be,

just like every

other newborn

I ever seen.

Oh, looky there,

you done hurt

his feelings.

Give him here.

Hurt his feelings.

Go back to your mama.

Oh,

that's okay, baby.

I can't stand those

squealing babies.

You see why

I can't have

no children?

I don't got

the Patience

for all that.

The Patience

comes with the baby,

etta.

All you know is,

it's yours

and you gotta

do for it.

And you're all mine,

aren't you, baby?

All mine.

That's right,

all yours.

Built in heartache

for the next 20 years.

Etta.

Now, me, when I want

ready-made trouble,

I dig up a handsome man.

No diapers to change,

and I'll walk

when I'm ready.

That's what

I'm fixin' to do, too.

Bennett's starting

to fray my nerves.

- You leavin'?

- Mm-hmm.

Hm. I was ready

to leave months ago,

when I got your letter

but I wanted to wait

until you got settled,

and now you're settled.

You don't need me.

And this town is dead.

Where you goin'?

Oo-hoo.

New York City.

That's the only place

to be right now.

All them soldier boys

just pulling up to the dock

with pockets

full of combat pay

just looking for somebody

to help 'em spend it.

And Mattie,

they got this place

called Harlem

with nothin'

but wall-to-wall

colored doctors

and businessmen.

You just gonna

leave US here?

Well,

you could come with me

you should come with me!

With all them

possibilities,

you bound to find

this baby a rich daddy.

Etta, I can't

go draggin' my baby

all around the country

behind you.

I remember when you

first left home,

you said,

"St. Louis

is the place to be."

Then it was,

"Chicago is

the place to be."

Then it was here,

and now it's

New York City.

You ain't gonna find

whatever it is you're

looking for that way.

Well, I sure as hell

ain't gonna find it

sitting here.

- And neither will you.

- I ain't lookin'

for nothin', etta.

I got everything I need

right here,

in this baby

god's done sent me.

Well,

as long as god sends you

something to feed him,

I reckon you'll be fine.

It's okay, honey.

We got each other.

Mm.

Take a look at this.

Miss Cleo?

Is this an emergency,

miss Michael?

Well, I guess, um--

don't guess so, no.

Then save it

for after my lunch.

That's what I wanted

to talk to you about,

miss Cleo,

my lunch break?

You see, I have to

go home at lunch

and check on my baby, and

it's 30 blocks, and

a half-hour ain't hardly

enough time to walk

all the way there and back.

- You leave that baby

all alone?

- Oh, no, ma'am.

He stays with miss praill,

this old woman downstairs,

but I ain't so sure

she's right in the head,

'cause she talks to

herself and she keeps

all these cats,

but she's all

I can afford right now.

So, I was just thinkin',

miss Cleo,

that maybe

if I didn't take

no coffee breaks--

unh-uh. I can't do it.

I let you start doing

something different

in here,

and then every girl

I got have her own

brainstorm by morning!

I'm sorry.

I just can't do it.

You better

get back over there

to Alice dickson

before she starts

to holler.

Woman:

So anyway, let me get

back to that last story.

So, anyway, I was

sittin' in the front...

It's okay, baby.

It's okay.

It's okay, it's okay.

It's okay.

We don't take

children here.

He's real good.

He hardly cries at all,

and I'll pay you anything.

I don't care how much

you pay. We don't

take children here.

Ma'am?

Excuse me, ma'am.

I saw where you

had a vacancy.

No vacancy.

- But the sign said--

- that vacancy was filled

this morning.

I just hadn't had time

to take down the sign.

Woman:

Where are you goin'

with that pretty red baby?

You lost, child?

You lookin' for

the bus depot,

you're walkin'

the wrong way.

Train station is clear

on the other side of town.

What are you gapin' at?

You simple-minded

or something?

I asked you

if you was lost!

Well, come on up here

if you can't hear me.

Come on in.

Whew.

You mean to tell me

you never thought of

pluggin' up that rat hole

with some steel wool

until you could find

a better place to live?

- No, I just--

- you just up and left, huh?

Ain't that a caution--

whew!

Where's your husband?

I ain't got one.

Well, I had five,

and I tell you-- ha!

You ain't missin' much!

Come on in here.

Oh. Ooh.

Whew!

Sit down.

Lord, he is heavy.

How you tote him

around all day?

Mm-mm-mm.

Ooh, look at

them fat legs.

You pretty

red thing, you.

I was always partial

to reddish men.

My second husband

was his color.

Boy, did he

have a temper.

Yeah, well,

don't mind

this mess.

I don't have the

strength I once had

to keep it tidy.

I guess y'all

must be hungry, huh?

But I don't even

know your name.

That mean you can't

eat my food?

You said you got to be

properly introduced.

That in the oven there

is called "pot roast."

And on the stove is

string beans

and white potatoes.

And I think there's even

a angel food cake here

just waitin' to make

your acquaintance.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean

to sound ungrateful,

it's just that this

all happened so quick

and I don't even know

how much space you got

here for US

or how much you charge

or anything.

I'm Mattie Michael

and this is basil.

My name's Eva Turner.

Most folk call me

miss Eva.

Oh.

- Oh, let me help you.

- Uh-huh.

There we go.

You like green onions

on your string beans?

- Basil, no.

- Leave him be.

He ain't

botherin' nothin'.

Them's lucielia's toys,

and she's asleep.

Who's lucielia?

That's my grandbaby.

My son's child.

I had her since--

oh, since she was,

uh,

6 months old.

Parents just

up and went

to Tennessee,

left her here.

Neither one of them

worth the spit

it would take

to curse them.

Well.

Can't blame her daddy

none, though.

He just like his father.

That was my last husband,

the one I should have

never married.

But, I was always partial

to dark-skinned men.

I thought you said

before you were

partial to--

ain't that a fact.

Well,

truth be told,

I liked them all.

They just don't

agree with me.

Like fried onions. Here.

You like fried onion?

What say I make US some

liver and fried onions

for sunday supper

tomorrow?

That'd be nice, ma'am,

but you haven't told me

how much it's gonna cost

for US to stay here.

Well, I ain't runnin' no

boarding house, gal.

This here's my home.

I got the spare room,

and you're welcome

to stay.

Well, I can't just

stay here. I have to

pay you something.

Well,

I'll think about it,

and I'll--

I'll let you know.

Here.

Look at that pretty

red thing.

Eva:

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm!

Girl: I didn't do anything

to your coloring book. I

don't care about your color--

- boy: Still!

- Girl: Why would I

want your color--

- boy: But I didn't

steal your crayon!

- Oh, boy.

Girl:

No, I saw you do it!

- Boy: I don't like crayons!

- Girl: Yes, you do.

Boy:

I don't taste crayons.

You taste them.

I didn't touch

your stupid

coloring book.

- Oh, yes you did.

- No, I didn't.

Ow! Ow!

Ciel? Ciel?

You narrow-tailed

heifer!

What you laughing at,

mister? Huh?

What me to get him

for you?

No, I want you

two hellions

out of my kitchen

right now.

Out! Out!

I declare, can't we

just have one morning

of peace and quiet

in this house?

Mama, cielia tore

my coloring book.

I don't want to hear it.

I don't want to hear it!

Listen, it's too early

in the morning

for this nonsense.

I want both of you

upstairs and washed

for breakfast.

You heard what she said,

now get!

Go on.

Good morning.

It ain't natural.

Just ain't natural.

Oh, they just

bein' children,

miss Eva.

I ain't talkin' about

them children, Mattie,

I'm talking about you.

Here you done spent

another weekend

holed up in this house.

That is not true.

Friday after work

I went to choir practice,

Saturday I took basil

and ciel to the zoo

and in a few minutes

I'm fixin' to go

to church.

Mm-hmm. Well, I ain't

heard you mention

no man

in all that excitement

going on.

When's the last time

a man come by here

to take you out?

I been so busy,

I ain't noticed.

I have my hands full

raising my son.

When I was your age

I as on my second husband.

Well, now, miss Eva,

i'da have to start

20 years ago

to beat your record.

Yeah, well,

I ain't making

no joke, girl.

You never have no needs

in that direction?

Don't no young woman

want an empty bed

year in and year out.

My bed hasn't been empty

since basil was born.

That boy needs

his own bed

and I been telling

you that for years!

And I been telling you

he is afraid of the dark!

All children's

afraid of the dark.

They get used to it.

I am not gonna have my son

screaming his head off

all night long

just to please you!

He's still a baby

and he does not like

sleeping alone!

Five years old

ain't no baby!

And you sure it's basil

who don't wanna be alone?

Now, you listen to me,

old woman,

just because we stay

in your house don't

mean you have the right

to tell me how to

raise my child.

It's my house

and I'll say

what I want.

Well, you tell me

what I owe and I'll pay

and we'll be out of

your house before

this week is over.

- I ain't decided yet.

- You been sayin' that

for five years.

And you been movin'

every time I mention

that spoiled brat of yours!

You still saving

my rent money

in that bag, ain't ya?

Of course.

Good!

'Cause you gonna--

you gonna be usin' it

to buy yourself some clothes

to go to my funeral.

That's if you

plan on coming.

You crazy old bitty.

You think you can

win every argument

by talking 'bout

your funeral.

You too ornery to die

and you know it.

Yes.

Folks say I am just about

like that, ain't I?

Well.

You know, truth be told,

I was thinkin' about

staying 'round here

about a hundred years.

Hoo-hoo, lord,

I couldn't stand you

that long.

Mm-hmm.

Maybe 99 and a half.

Mm-hmm.

Lord it is hot in here,

and that fan ain't

doing nothin'

but blowing

the hot air around.

Mattie,

somebody wants you

on the telephone.

Thank you.

Be right back.

Hello?

Oh, hi, honey.

What's wrong?

What?

No.

Just sit tight,

I'll be right there.

- Hey, mama.

- Hey, miss Mattie.

I can't even believe

y'all been sitting

out here all this time.

Why didn't miss Eva

meet y'all at the bus stop?

Well, I guess

she forgot.

What is that old woman

thinking about?

Leaving y'all babies

sittin' out here

all this time.

Y'all come on

upstairs now.

Take off

your good clothes.

And I don't wanna hear

a peep out of ya.

Come on.

Basil: Peep, peep,

peep, peep.

- Go on upstairs.

- Basil: Peep, peep...

Wake up, old woman.

You done gone to sleep

and left them children.

Miss Eva?

♪ And I know

♪ he watches

♪ me

♪ His eye

♪ is on

♪ the sparrow

♪ and I know

♪ he watches

♪ me.

Why does ciely

have to go away

with those people?

They're her mama and daddy.

She's gonna live with them.

Where are we gonna live?

We're gonna live here,

just like miss Eva

would have wanted.

I'm gonna make

the down payment

with that rent money

she never would take.

And I'm gonna

pay the mortgage

the best way

I can figure.

You gonna have nice house

and a yard to play in,

if it's the

last thing I do.

What if those people

decide to take me

away like ciely?

Oh, baby.

Now, don't you

worry about that, now.

Nobody's gonna

take you anywhere.

You and me, we always

gonna be together.

I promise you that.

Now, eat your food.

Mattie:

Basil, not so fast.

You're gonna choke.

- I got someplace to go.

- Where you got to go?

You been runnin'

all weekend and you

promised me today

you were gonna

stay and help me

with this yard.

Stop hassling me?

I'm just going out

for a little while.

I told you I'd cut

the damn grass,

and I'll do it.

All right, fine.

Now, don't get yourself

all worked up,

you're gonna

upset your stomach.

I ain't gonna

upset my stomach.

Can I borrow a couple

dollars to get some gas

for the car?

- Basil.

- It's not for today.

It's for tomorrow.

I need it for job hunting.

I don't get my check

from the last place

till Thursday

and I don't wanna waste

four days sittin' around here

doin' nothing.

Fine.

You know I'm not the kind

of man to sit around and

let a woman support him.

Although, I would make

a pretty good hustler,

don't you think?

Fine.

You just tell them

that down at the

unemployment office.

Basil, where'd you say

you were going?

Hello?

Basil:

Mama, it's me.

Mama, you gotta come get me.

You gotta help me.

Basil?

Where are you?

What's wrong?

They beat me up, mama.

Those bastards

beat me up.

Who beat you up, basil?

Where are you?

I'm in jail.

Mama, you gotta listen to me.

It was an accident.

I didn't mean

to kill nobody!

Mama, can you hear me?

I didn't mean it!

Mama?

Basil, honey.

Are you all right?

Yeah, mama, I'm terrific.

I never felt better.

- Baby, your face.

- Ow!

Well, that's great.

Make it hurt worse.

I'm sorry,

I didn't mean--

when am I getting

out of here?

Well, honey,

I'm working on that.

Reverend Kelly's

found US a good lawyer.

He says there's nothin'

to worry about.

Well, fine.

So, when do I get out?

Well, there's

some kind of

hearing tomorrow

and then they tell US

when you go to trial.

Mama, I don't see why

there's got to be

a trial.

It was an accident.

And that guy was

pickin' on me

over some broad.

I didn't even know him.

I know, honey,

but a man is dead.

There's got to be

some kind of proceeding

about that.

Yeah, well,

he's better off

than me.

The cops beat me up

and threw me

in this hell hole.

They say you

resisted arrest,

basil,

and you broke

a policeman's wrist.

So, what?

They had no right

arresting me

for something

that wasn't my fault!

And what are you doin'?

Sticking up for them?

Basil.

I ain't sticking up

for nobody,

it's just that,

we gotta face this thing

so we can

see our way

clear from it.

What "we," mama?

It's me.

I'm stuck in here, not you.

You're home in a clean house.

I'm stuck here in this

filthy place with rats

crawling under my bed.

Honey, as soon as they

tell US the bail tomorrow

I'm gonna put it up

and you'll be out.

Why tomorrow, mama?

Why can't you

put it up today

and not make me

have to spend another

night in this place?

'Cause they won't

take it till tomorrow.

There's nothing

we can do but wait.

Okay, fine.

If you can't, you can't.

Basil, honey?

We still got time.

Don't you want to

sit and talk?

There ain't nothin' left

to talk about, mama.

Unless you want

to hear about

the broken toilets

that ain't been flushed

in three days.

Or the bedbugs

that have ate up my back.

Or this greasy food

I keep throwing up.

Other than that,

I got nothing else

to say to you.

The trial is set

for December 1,

which is two weeks

from today,

on the charges of

involuntary manslaughter,

resisting arrest

and assault of a

peace officer.

Bail is set

for $25, 000.

Motion to suspend

or reduce bail,

your honor.

- Denied.

- Your honor,

given that this

is this young man's

first offense

I'm aware of the

circumstances,

Mr. Garvin.

Motion is denied.

Judge:

Next.

I'm sorry,

miss Michael,

but at least we got

an early trial date.

And the d.A.

Assures me

that they won't

go so heavily

on the assault charge

if we drop

the implication

of undue force.

There's no way that your

son shouldn't be free

in 15 days.

I want to post bail.

Now, I understand

your concern.

But it's for

a very short

period of time,

and I'm really

not so sure

that your assets--

my house is paid for.

Can't I put that up?

Yes, you can.

Then that's

what I'll do.

You do understand

that the purpose

of bail

is to ensure

that the defendant

appears before trial?

Now, if you

forfeit the bail--

I understand.

All right. I'll get you

the papers from

the bonding company.

I swear, basil,

you done more work

in the past two weeks

than you done in a whole

lifetime put together.

Mama, I'm so happy

to be a free man,

I'd cut the grass

with my teeth.

Well, I got to hurry up

and make me a list

of what I need done

around here,

before all this

gratitude runs out.

Hello.

Oh, hello,

Mr. Garvin.

Yes, sir. Friday, 9:00.

We'll be there.

Thank you for calling.

Damn.

I'll blow my brains out

before I spend my life

in jail, mama.

Basil, stop

talking stupidness.

Now, you ain't goin'

to jail, 'cause you

ain't done nothing

to go to jail for.

The lawyer said so

and he ought to know.

You think that

uncle Tom lawyer

cares what happens to me?

Mama, he'll say anything

to get your money.

If somebody offered

him a nickel more

than you did

he'd throw me in jail

personally and

swallow the key.

Then what about the jury?

They bound to see the truth.

The jury?

Mama, that jury's

gonna be so white

you're gonna

think we just had

a heavy snowfall.

I don't care how white

they are! They gotta

listen to the evidence.

Ain't a white man alive

gonna pass up a chance

to put a black man

in jail, mama.

- You don't know people

like I do.

- Basil.

And they ain't

gonna send me to no

county jail this time.

They'll send me

to someplace

a lot worse.

I couldn't stand it,

mama.

I just couldn't.

I'm making your

favorite dinner

tonight.

Creamed chicken

and rice.

Does that help?

Yeah, mama.

That helps a lot.

You have a good day.

Now, you do

what I told you.

Last time

I came in here,

you didn't do

what I told you to do.

That's 'cause you

told me to make you

look like Lena horne.

And that's what I want.

Alfreda, honey,

I have to work with

what you bring in here.

Woman:

There they are. Hi.

- Driver: How's it goin'?

- Woman: Come along,

come along.

Woman:

Mattie?

Mattie.

Ciel?

- Mattie.

- Ciel.

- Oh, Mattie!

- Ciel!

Look at you!

Look at you.

It's so good

to see you.

- I'm so sorry about basil.

- Hush.

We're not gonna

talk about that, now.

You look good.

How you been?

Oh, I'm fine.

Oh, I just can't

believe you're here.

Yeah.

I can't believe it

myself.

Ciel:

Mattie!

Come here.

I got a surprise for you.

Child, I'm too old

for surprises.

Woman, you better

get yourself in here.

I got all your

pictures hung.

What do you think?

Hey, baby girl.

You come to see Mattie?

You come to see me,

your pretty little--

Mattie!

Ciel, why are you so worried

about what myapartment

look like?

Because i--

I know you don't

like it here...

Very much, and i--

it's my fault

you're here.

It ain't your fault

and you know it.

Besides,

if I hadn't had you,

I don't know where

I would have gone.

You need to stop

wasting your worrying

on me

and worry up a daddy

for this child.

Serena has a daddy.

Lord, there for Cora Lee

and miss Sophie again.

Well, if she got a daddy,

how come I been here

all this time and

I ain't seen him?

I told you, he's off

looking for work.

Hmm.

How long did you

say he been gone?

Mattie, there was

nothin' for him here.

What else could he do?

I swear I get so tired

of listening to those two,

I don't know what to do.

Could y'all please

keep it down?

People can't even

hear themselves think.

Them brats of yours

been squealing

and hollering

in front of my door

the whole day.

I'm gonna

call the police,

you hear me?

Now, y'all hear that?

Y'all just get in there!

I told 'em, but their

damn heads are as hard

as rocks.

Well, you can just

tell that to the police

when they get here.

If the police can talk

some sense into those morons,

all right with me!

'Cause lord knows,

I can't do nothin'

with them.

Well, you should have

thought of that

before you started

breeding them

like roaches!

There ain't no two of 'em

got the same daddy anyway.

That is, if you even

know who the daddys are!

Ain't none of your

damn business!

Excuse me.

Get in there, I said.

Get in there.

What is this thing

made of?

Well, it's probably the dirt.

I ain't cleaned it

since I bought it.

Why doesn't

that surprise me?

Let's just put it here.

Have you ever vacuumed

this thing?

For that I'd have to

own a vacuum, right?

- Abshu.

- Shoot me. I'm a bachelor.

Well, if you think

you're gonna live here

and be a slob,

- you're in for

a rude awakening.

- I don't think i'm--

if you think you're

gonna sit on the couch

and watch football games

while I clean the apartment,

and cook dinner--

kiswana,

I don't even

like football.

And I'm a better cook

than you are.

What's wrong

with you, baby?

I don't know.

I just don't want US

to be my parents.

And how is

that gonna happen?

We wouldn't be living here

if we were your parents,

right?

Right.

Man on TV:

And now...

Y'all go!

Y'all stop that.

This is messing up my

picture!

All right, all right,

that's it. I'm--

now, get out of here.

All, y'all. I'm sick

and tired of you.

Wait a minute.

Doesn't anyone

have any homework?

All: Not me.

Awful strange no one

ever has any homework.

When I was in school,

we always had homework.

And we didn't

get left back like

you little dumbasses.

Woman on TV:

If only we could be like

this together forever.

Girl:

Wow!

What y'all children

starin' at?

Man:

Hey, girl.

Don't walk away.

Hey, girl,

you hear me

talkin' to you.

Where you goin'?

Lord.

Oh, child.

Thank you.

Whew!

The younger I get,

the harder those steps

seem to reach.

I don't know why

you got to tote these

records everywhere,

as much as you

move around.

It's good to see you, too.

Whew.

Lord.

I've been driving

since sunup.

I thought you said

you were gonna take a plane.

I was, but when I said

I was heading home

simeon got so ornery,

he wouldn't give me

no money for the plane.

So, I asked him for half,

so I could, you know,

take the train.

Wouldn't even do that.

And Mattie, I'll be

damned if I come back

to this city

on that raggedy old bus.

I ain't forgot how

folks talked about me

last time I did that.

So, I wait till simeon

came by my house

all drunk up and snoring,

took the car

and the registration...

Here I am.

You stole the man's car?

"Stole," hell!

He owed me that!

And then some.

You'll have

a hard time explaining

that to the police.

I'm surprised

the highway patrol

ain't stopped you.

They ain't stopped me

because simeon

didn't report it.

How do you know that?

'Cause the sheriff

of that county

is his wife's daddy

and he'd have a lot

of explaining to do.

Well, he could just say

you picked his pockets.

Oh yeah?

Have to be a damn good

pickpocket to get away

with these.

Ooo!

Girl, I'm through with you.

I'm through with you!

Both:

Whoo!

At least you

could have

washed 'em.

♪ You'll be mine

in the morning ♪

Here you go.

Corn.

♪ Oh, and be mine...

♪ Again in the night

♪ We'll always,

I mean always ♪

♪ be together

♪ because our love,

yes, our love ♪

♪ will be right

♪ to love...

Hi, baby.

♪ And to be loved

forever ♪

♪ let's make a vow

♪ to never...

Hi, baby.

♪ Ever part.

Oh... it's you.

Let me look at you.

Ciel: Whew!

I ain't get enough

sleep last night.

Hm. So, he's back?

And what does

that mean?

Hm. Don't mean

nothing.

I was just observin'

that the man is back.

So, you think

I'm a fool,

don't you?

I ain't said that.

Bible said, "judge not."

Then why don't

that apply to gene,

Mattie?

Why are you so mad at me?

I done told you

it's your life.

Can we walk and talk

about her life

at the same time?

This bag is heavy.

Mattie,

you just don't

understand.

He's got a new job

down at the docks.

He was just depressed

before about a new baby

and no work.

Uh-huh. I know.

Listen, he just went

to the store

to get some paint

so he could fix up

the apartment and stuff.

He's really

making an effort.

You'll see.

Besides, my child

needs a daddy.

Ciel, you ain't got

to convince me.

Don't sound to me

like you the one

she' trying to convince.

Hi, mom,

it's kiswana.

Melanie.

No, no, nothing's wrong.

I just called to say hi.

I'm going to get a phone.

I just haven't

gotten around to it.

I'm not out in the streets,

and it's broad daylight.

How do you know anything

about this neighborhood?

You've never

even seen it.

What kind of people, mama?

Black people?

Mama--

mama, just--

never mind.

I have to go.

A mad rapist

wants to use the phone.

So, trustin' you

stay out of jail,

what do you

intend to do now?

I guess I could get

a couple thousand

for the car.

That'll tide me over

till my next

business opportunity

comes along.

You and your

business opportunities.

Why don't you

just settle down

and get yourself

a regular job?

A job? Doing what?

What kind of

experience I got?

Nothin' that's gonna

get me a regular job.

- You don't know that.

- I do know it.

And why you on me?

I ain't heard nothing

about you working.

Child, what I got

to work for?

Them days

is behind me.

Oh, Mattie,

I don't need no job.

What I need

is to find me

a good man,

then live quietly

until I'm old age.

Mm-hmm.

So, where you

planning on findin'

a good man?

That's the part

I got to figure out.

Problem is, all the

decent men is either dead

or waiting to be born.

Etta,

why don't you go

to meetin' with me

tonight?

What are you gonna do,

pray me up a man?

There's a few decent,

settle-minded men

in our church,

widowers and such.

Besides, a little prayer

wouldn't hurt your soul

a bit.

I thank you

to leave my soul

out of this.

Besides, since

your church got all

the fine Christian men,

how come you ain't

snapped one yet?

Child,

I done banked them fires

a long time ago.

Seein' as how you

still keepin' up

steam...

I done called

the police

at least three times

on c.C. And that crowd,

sellin' drugs

by that wall.

Well,

that's three calls

you done wasted.

Mattie:

Beats all I ever seen.

Just disgraceful.

Ciel:

Ain't that the truth.

- Hi.

- Ciel: Hi.

My name is kiswana browne.

I live in apartment 312.

Oh, yeah.

You moved in

the other day.

I saw you.

No, actually

I moved in

a few weeks ago.

The other day

my boyfriend

was moving in.

A rug for me.

Anyway, what i'm

trying to do is,

I'm trying to get people

interested in starting

a tenants' association.

Mattie:

A who?

Well,

the way it works, is--

did you know that

almost every building

on this street

is owned by the same man?

And if we just--

I'm sorry,

that little boy is eating

out of the garbage.

Sophie:

That's one of Cora Lee's

little hellions.

You lucky

he ain't doing worse.

Man on TV: Doctor...

Now what?

I'm gonna miss Rachel

coming out her coma.

Man #2 on TV:

I've seen cases

like this before.

Some patients

do survive...

- Kiswana: Hi.

- Mama, I ain't done nothin'.

Would you tell

this damn fool

I ain't done nothin'?

- What a way to talk!

- I ain't done nothin'!

Missy, I'm sorry,

did he steal something

from you?

He's always taking things.

I've whupped him for it

but he won't stop.

I've tried to tell

the dumbass

his teachers

are threatening

to send him

to reform school.

You hear that,

you dumb head?

Reform school!

Wait,

it's nothing like that.

He was downstairs eating

out of the garbage and

I thought you should know

because... well,

he might be hungry

or something.

I know he does that.

He's looking for sweets.

The dentist at the clinic

said all his teeth

are rotten, so I won't

give him anything sweet.

So, he go huntin'

through the garbage,

looking for candy.

Now, I've tried to make

him stop, but you can't

be everywhere at once.

I figure once he gets sick

from that filthy habit,

he'll stop by himself.

Girl:

Give me my money.

Serena, give it here!

Believe me, my kids

get plenty to eat.

I got two full books

of food stamps

I ain't even used.

I was just about to

cook dinner when you

came through the door.

- Oh.

- Y'all come on in here.

It's almost time to eat.

Y'all hear me?

I said get in here

or you're gonna

be damn sorry.

Don't worry.

I take care

of these crews.

I swear, I could

introduce etta to god

and she'd find something

wrong with him.

Well, you tried.

I'm gonna keep trying,

too.

I'm tired of watching

that girl run all over

the globe

looking for something

she ain't gonna never find.

Why are you so quiet?

You feelin' bad today?

I been feelin' bad

all week.

Why don't you

go to the doctor?

I did.

What'd he say?

He said I was pregnant.

Ain't that a caution.

Mattie,

try not to get yourself

all worked up.

No,

I'm happy for ya.

Really.

That child could use

a brother or sister

to play with,

just like you and--

just like me

and who, Mattie?

You know, since

the day you called

to tell me about basil,

I haven't once heard

you mention his name.

That ain't the subject.

We was talkin'

about the baby.

I think it would be good

if you talked about basil.

It can't help you

to keep it all

bottled up.

There ain't nothin'

to talk about.

It's over and done.

Does gene know

about that baby?

I told him as soon

as I found out.

He packin' yet?

Mattie,

I got enough

problems.

I don't need you and

your cantankerous moods.

Everything's

gonna be all right.

You'll see.

Fine.

I'll see.

You're home early.

You see anybody else

in here?

Gene, the baby's sleeping.

Listen, can't a man

even relax in his

own home

without everybody

pickin' on him?

I'm not picking on you.

I just don't want you

to wake the baby.

What about me, huh?

What, don't I matter

around here no more?

No, I'll tell you

what the answer

to that is-- hell no.

Everybody's more

important than me.

Your friends, the baby.

Hell, I ain't nothin'

'round here no more.

I don't care

what she says.

A kid doesn't

eat garbage

unless he's hungry.

And besides, c.C. Baker

and that gang out there

in the alley?

A kid that age

has no business

being out there alone.

Anything could happen.

Maybe you should

tell Cora Lee that.

And that apartment.

Trash everywhere.

Dirty dishes piled up

all over the sink.

Kids running wild,

I don't even know

how many.

And I swear,

all she cared about

was that I was

interrupting

her soap opera.

I'm sure it's

a little bit more

complicated than that.

Oh, that's great.

My mother's gonna

love that.

Kiswana, you can't expect

people who live here

under these conditions

to think and act

like the people

you grew up around.

I grew up in an area

just like this.

I know what it's like.

Abshu, I'm not

completely naive.

I didn't expect

this to be linden hills.

I just thought that

these people would be

a little bit more--

I don't know.

- I expected them to care.

- What makes you think

they don't?

What are you gonna do,

write off the woman

as a human being

because she got

dirty dishes

in her sink?

I've known people

like Cora Lee

my whole life.

All I'm saying is,

I'm not sure

how to help someone

like Cora Lee.

You gotta find a way,

and baby,

if you can't find a way,

you gotta make a way.

Come here.

Listen, these people

have had the life

beaten out of them

for years.

You can't change

something like that

overnight.

But you can't run away

from a problem 'cause

there's no easy answer, either.

That's what

everyone else does.

And baby,

you and I,

we're supposed

to be different.

I lost my job today.

Will you tell me

how the hell we

supposed to make it now?

I don't know.

I'll get a second job.

You can find

another job.

It'll be okay.

That ain't gonna

do it this time, ciel.

We ain't got no money

coming in, we got

another baby on the way.

- How are we gonna make it?

- I don't know.

We'll be fine.

No, it ain't gonna be fine.

Look, I'm doin' the best

I can right now.

- I know that, honey.

- Ciel,

I'm just

tired of US never

getting ahead.

Oh, baby.

When I have this baby,

I'll get my tubes tied.

Ciel, what the hell

are we supposed to

feed it

when it gets here?

Hm? Air?

- Wait--

- just babies and bills.

Babies and bills.

That's all you good for.

I'm telling you,

with two kids and

you on my back, ciel,

I ain't gonna

never have nothin'.

You hear me?

Nothin'.

I got a hole

in my bathroom wall

as big as my head.

Don't you mean

you got a hole

in your head

as big as your

bathroom wall?

You in the mood

for a joke today,

miss lady?

Why don't you

take a look

in the mirror?

Why don't y'all shut up

and let the girl talk?

Why don't you shut up?

We hear your mouth

over everybody's.

I don't know how you hear

anything over yours.

Okay, everyone,

everyone, please.

If we all talk at once,

we're not gonna

accomplish anything.

Well, wait a minute,

I wanna know,

what's Ben doing here?

He works for the landlord.

You know I lives here

just like the rest

of y'all.

Y'all ain't got no heat,

I ain't neither.

So, what?

You stays too zooted

to get cold anyway.

The landlord

don't throw garbage

in the air shaft,

and he don't break

the glass in the door.

And how about that riffraff

that hang out in the alley,

selling drugs back there

by that wall?

Ain't nothin' no good

going on back there

by that wall.

It's just

a gathering place

for lowlifes.

That damn wall

blocks all my sun.

I can't get a cactus

to grow in my apartment.

Okay, you're all

gonna get a chance

to voice your concerns,

I promise.

The thing is,

we've gotta do this

in a constructive manner

or we're just

wasting our time.

It's just like that wall

you're all so upset about.

That wall does

what that wall

is supposed to do.

It closes US in.

It holds US back.

It shuts US off

from the rest

of the world.

Man: You know, she's right.

Woman: Uh-huh.

Now, we can get

to the other side,

but we've gotta

climb over it,

or go around it,

or just knock it down.

We're never

gonna get anywhere

if we just stand

and bang our heads

against it.

- Woman: All right,girl.

- Does that make any sense?

Well, I still say

Ben's got no business

being here.

Lot of folks got no business

being here. Why you gotta

pick on one old wino?

I ain't banging my head

against nothing.

Woman:

Well, if y'all ain't

gonna do nothin but fight,

I'd rather be home

watchin' my TV.

I'm missing my stories.

Soloist:

♪ I once

♪ was lost

♪ but now

♪ I'm found now

♪ was blind

♪ but, thank god

♪ I see

♪ lord! Lord!

Churchgoers:

♪ oh, lord, I see

soloist:

♪ amazing

♪ grace

♪ how sweet

♪ the sound,

the sound, the sound ♪

- ♪ that saved

- churchgoers:

♪ saved a wretch

- ♪ a wretch

- ♪ saved a wretch

♪ like me

♪ I once

churchgoers:

♪ was lost

- ♪ but now

- ♪ now I'm found,

I'm found ♪

Soloist:

♪ I see

- ♪ was blind

- I was blind, was blind

- ♪ but now

- ♪ I see, I see

♪ I see

♪ but now I see

lord, yeah!

Oh, yeah!

Halleluiah!

Yeah!

Yeah, yeah!

Yes! Yes!

Yes!

Whoo!

There's one of the

widowers I was

telling you about.

You and your toys.

Whew.

Got to hush

your fussin' now.

I knew you'd come home

soon as I got this child

ready to go to sleep.

Why you so late today?

Thought you got off early

on Tuesday.

I got off real

early today.

I been to see a doctor.

Anything wrong?

Not anymore.

Ciel.

Mattie, it's for the best.

I still got Serena

and I'm still young.

I got plenty of time.

It's just that gene's

been trying so hard

to get on his feet

and he couldn't take

one more thing.

Now, I know you don't

think much of gene

but he is my husband

and I gotta think about

what's best for him,

and this was for the best.

I don't wanna hear

any more about it.

Won't say another word.

Oh, my god.

Woman:

Melanie?

- Mama!

- Hi, baby.

Thank you.

I thought you were

someone calling for

the people next door,

since no one calls me

Melanie anymore.

Honey, to me,

if you get a name,

you answer to it

your whole life.

How in the world

do you get up

all those steps

- with groceries

and laundry?

- Well, i--

well, I guess

when you're young

it doesn't bother you

- like it does an

old woman like me.

- I guess.

I would have called

before I came,

- except you have

no telephone.

- I'm working on it.

Actually,

I really didn't

expect to find you home.

I thought

you would be out

job hunting.

I'm going to.

In fact, I was just

checking the ads.

That sounds like

a good idea.

Since when have you

ever had experience

as a forklift

operator?

My hand must

have slipped.

I meant to circle

"file clerk."

Baby.

Are you sure you haven't

been sitting here

daydreaming again?

God, mama,

I haven't done that

in years.

When are you gonna

realize that i'm

a grown woman now?

Please,

have a seat.

Thank you.

I will.

I must say,

you have fixed

this place up nicely.

Really, mama?

Well, considering

what you have

to work with.

Look,

I know it's not

linden hills,

but I think it has

a lot of potential.

As soon as they

come and paint,

I'm gonna hang

my ashanti print

over the couch,

and I thought

a big Boston fern

would go well

in that corner.

What do you think?

I think that's

very fine, baby,

very fine.

Thank you.

I just wish you'd

put in a telephone

so your father and I

wouldn't have to worry

so much.

Mama, I'm going

to get a phone.

It's just that they

want $75 for a deposit,

and I can't

swing that right now.

Melanie,

I can give you

the money.

I don't want you

giving me money.

I want to make it myself.

- Then let me

lend it to you.

- No.

I think it's

downright selfish

of you

the way you make US

worry so much.

Worry about what?

I'm fine!

Melanie, anything can

happen to you living over

here with these people.

What do you mean,

"these people"?

They're my people, mama,

and yours, too.

Or have you forgotten that

over in linden hills?

That's not

what I meant

and you know it.

I mean, these streets,

this house-- it's so

shabby and run down.

This is how

poor people live.

You're not

poor, Melanie.

No, mama,

you'renot poor.

You're the one

with a husband

in real estate,

with a five-figure income

and a house in linden hills.

All I've got

is my unemployment

and an overdrawn

checking account.

This is all

I can afford.

You could afford

much more if you hadn't

dropped out of college.

Yeah, I knew it.

I knew you'd

get around to that.

You'll just never

understand, will you?

- Understand what, baby?

- That my place is here,

with my people

Melanie,

what help

could you possibly

be to these people

while you're living

hand-to-mouth

on a file clerk's check?

Well, at least I'm here,

in day-to-day contact

with my people,

instead of being like you

and daddy and sitting

over in linden hills

with a terminal case

of middle class amnesia.

You don't have to live

in the slums to care,

Melanie.

You don't

have to try to be

something you're not.

Oh, god.

I can't stand this.

Trying to be

something I'm not?

Trying to be proud

of my African heritage?

If that's being

something I'm not,

then fine!

I'd rather be dead

than be like you.

A stuck-up nigger

who's ashamed

of being black.

My grandmother

was a full-blooded

iroquois.

My grandfather

was a black

from a long line

of journeymen

who lived in Connecticut

since the establishment

of the colonies.

My father was a bajan

who came to this country

a cabin boy

in a merchant mariner.

I know all of that, mama.

Then know this!

I am alive

because of the blood

of a people who

never scraped

or begged

or apologized

for what they were.

They asked

only one thing

of this world--

to be allowed to be.

And I learned,

through the blood

of these people,

that black

isn't beautiful.

It isn't ugly.

It isn't kinky hair,

it isn't straight hair.

Black is just black!

It broke my heart

when you changed

your name.

I gave you my

grandmother's name,

a woman who bore

nine children

and educated them all.

Who held off

six white men

with a shotgun

when they tried

to drag one of her

sons off to jail

for not knowing

his place.

And you

had to reach into

an African dictionary

to find a name that

would make you proud.

When I brought my babies

home from the hospital,

I swore to whatever

gods would listen

that I would use

everything I had

or could get

so that my children

would be prepared

to meet this world

on its own terms.

So that no one

could make them ashamed

of what they were

or how they looked.

Whatever they were!

However they looked!

And Melanie,

that's not white

or red

or black

or purple.

That's being a mother.

Mama.

It's gonna be trouble.

What is?

Them two.

Just moved in.

You were not.

You just didn't want

to do double dancing.

No, no, you didn't

want to do single

dancing.

- That's not true.

- You said no. No, singular.

Two young girls

livin' by themselves.

What kind of trouble?

You name it.

First thing is,

they gonna be

throwin' loud parties

and keepin'

everybody up

all night.

Both:

Hello.

They ain't been here

two weeks and I ain't heard

a peep out of them.

They just have

to settle in first.

What do you think

they bought all them

groceries for?

Dinner?

Go ahead, make all

the fun you want,

but you just

Mark my words,

they'll be trouble.

Yes! What is it?

Oh, it's you.

I thought it was that

damn old blue-haired

coot miss Sophie.

No.

Y'all, hush up

that racket right now.

Some days

I just don't know.

Well, I'm sorry to bother you,

but the other day

I forgot to mention

that I'm trying to start

a tenants' association

on this block

and I thought

The Women of Brewster Place (1989) - full transcript

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