Tiger Warsaw (1988) - full transcript

Chuck brought sorrow to his family when he shot his father who is now a semi-invalid. After 15 years of self destruction, he returns home to seek forgiveness.

(somber music)

(bell dinging)

- I thought if I'm
gonna get a new dress

for my daughter's wedding,

I'd like it to be
something really special.

Not Chiquita bananas special
like her sister in law Barbara

but something really nice.

I saw something at
McGurdy's the other day

when I was having
lunch with Lucille.

Tuesday.

Was it Tuesday?



We had shrimp salad.

10 or so colors.

Lovely, lovely pink colors.

Almost orange.

You don't really give a
damn, do you Mitchell?

- You can buy anything
you shall choose,

yellow, purple, red if you like.

When you're happy, I'm happy.

- Gene and Barbara are
arriving a week from Sunday.

If she can tear him away
from the boxing match.

Paula's getting married.

Roger's a caring man,
pretty bright, centered.

- You like everybody
centered, huh?

Where did you pick that up?



- I used to be afraid for her.

(revving)

But I'm not anymore.

Oh I don't care how
successful she is.

How many land development
deals she makes.

Chamber of Commerce Awards,

how near, how many
scarves she owns.

It doesn't really mean anything
unless you have someone.

'Cause we hope.

- That's what weddings
are all about.

- Hope?

- Yup.

And orange dresses.

(light music)

- Oh don't.

- Come on, let's go.

(woman giggling)

(siren sounding in background)

(tense music)

(thunder clapping)

- Crazy animal!

- Dad!

(gunshot ringing)

(sighing)

(sighing)

(honking)

(sighing)

- Dream away, child.

- Hi.

- Sorry I'm late.

I was at the doctor's.

He says A and B are
doing just fine.

- Oh good.

- Come on.

What's the matter?

- I don't know. (mumbling)

Maybe I'll keep my maiden name.

I don't want it to fall
off the face of the earth.

Well maybe one of those
hyphenated dealies. (laughing)

(chimes ringing)

(groaning)

(somber music)

(sighing)

(knocking)

- Nothing earth shattering.

Although the McDermott
fellow from Butler

seems a little confused
about the Farrell

land division deal.

He seems conveniently vague
on some of the details

you were very clear about.

Never trust a redhead.

Well it's nothing
serious but I think

you ought to look at it.

Oh, Dick Huntington called.

Isn't he a doll?

Those teeth.

And Stern Mortgage.

Arnie Walsh is interested in
the south flats deal, again.

- Jet.

- What?

- Jet, it's Polish.

It means phony baloney.

Call Dick Huntington,
set up something

with him tomorrow
at Villa Arena.

You may go.

Oh.

(humming)

Oh, Paula stop it, you stupid.

(horn blowing)

- You know I hate that shit,
but you gotta buy it anyway.

It's complete, total shit.

- [Man Behind Counter] I
wouldn't say that exactly.

- You're a total fucking shit.

- Yeah?

Well, I may be
total fucking shit.

But I'm expensive
total fucking shit.

You are cheap
total fucking shit.

- You know my father's
the first vice president.

That key bank, he
owns that, first!

- Even bankers makes mistakes.

- [Short Man] It doesn't
matter what you like.

Eat glass.

- A much more picturesque
speech, gentlemen.

(guitar strumming)

♪ How things used to be

♪ How things used to be

(sighing)

- Been a long time.

- Where did you come from?

- Miami.

All.

Um, listen.

You wanna go have a
drink or something?

- Yeah, okay.

Hey Bill!

I'm going out for a minute here.

- [Bill] Okay, Tony.

- This yours?

- That's right.

Come on.

Well last thing I
heard you were dealing

out of Bolivia, Morocco or,

- Dealing out of Morocco,
that's very cool.

It was seven years ago, man.

It was Miami.

Bad part of Miami.

Shit, all of Miami is
the bad part of Miami.

Where you going?

- I was just.

- Oh.

Uh, diet Coke, that's all I
drink now, just diet Coke.

- Diet Coke.

- Thanks.

(sighing)

You know I flew out of town as,

high as a kite and I didn't stop

until I hit bottom.

- And my wife's
expecting a baby.

I married Valerie Solaris, man.

We're expecting twins.

I hope one of them
is gonna be a boy.

Little Tony.

- Little Tony.

He'd hate you for it.

- Yeah, so what else is new
since the beginning of time?

- What's up?
- Ah!

- Oh man, I'm sorry.

- I got it, it's okay.

I got it, it's all right.

I got it.

- Fuck, let's get out of here.

- So what you come back
for, your sister's wedding?-

- What, wedding?

You mean again?

I don't understand.

Is she and Dave divorced?

- She never married Dave.

You didn't know that?

- No.

What happened?

- You, Chuck.

- Oh God!

(tense music)

- Tony.

Man.

I'm sorry, I really am sorry

for everything that I did.

- Wait.

Come on, you okay?

Come on Chuck, hold it.

Come on, wait up.

- Tony look, I gotta know, man.

You gotta tell me.

I drove by the
house yesterday and

I saw my mama in the window

and my dad's car
was in the driveway

in the daytime, and...

- He's okay.

- Oh thank god he's all right.

Oh thank god.

Man, all of a sudden,

I thought maybe I
killed him or something.

- All right?

That depends on what
you mean by all right.

- Well he's alive, at least
I got a scrap of hope.

- Oh man, you don't
exist for them anymore.

- Hey I said, just a scrap, man.

Tony, Tony, look, man.

I got nothing to live for, man.

I mean, I got nothing

except a lot of
pain I've caused.

I mean is it true,
is it really true?

That you can't
ever go home again?

- Oh no, oh no.

God damn it.

You lied to me, you stole.

You ruined everything
and then you left!

I got my own family to
think about, god damn it!

What the fuck do
you want out of me?

- [Chuck] Tony.

(bell dinging)
(tires screeching)

(train horn blaring)

(tense music)

(chugging)

(screaming)

(gunshot ringing)

(banging)

(bell dinging)

(honking)

- Okay asshole,
let's see some ID.

- I'm sorry.

- Come on, come on.

This your present address?

- Yes sir.

(car honking)

- Robin, Emily, you sit
still, I'll be right back.

- This thing is the vagabond.

- Is there a problem here?

Hey, I know you.

- You know this guy?

- Karen.

(cars honking)

Kiki!

- Kiki?

Kiki, no shit!

- No shit.

- Get out of here.

- Hey, I'm listed under
McGregor in Farrell.

Call me, okay?

Look, I got kids, six and eight.

- Great.

- Are you here for the reunion?

- No.

I didn't know.

- [Man] Come on, move it, buddy.

- Oh, knock it off.

- [Cop] Lose it.

- Yes sir.

- [Man] Hey you
go on get moving.

- [Man] Move it!

(car starting)

(light music)

- [Val] Now both
shoulders together.

Okay, that's it.

Good night ladies, thank you.

- Rar!

Hi Val.

Oh what, Tony and Amy.

No, no, no.

Tony and Tammy?

Tammy and Amy?

How about Lisa and Tony?

Oh, no, no, Tony and Ted.

(chuckling)

I saw Chuck Warsaw today.

(somber music)

- Tony.

I don't want you
to see him again.

Please.

- Okay.

- Hey Tiger.

Remember me,
Homerwood High School?

(laughing)

It might have been gym class.

I'm a little different now.

(laughing)

- Okay.

(sighing)

(rain pattering)

- So, Louise tells
the kids and the maid

that she is--

- Bunny was in his office.

- Going to Saks Fifth Avenue.

A trip from which
she never returned.

Bunny was worried,
he called the cops.

She disappeared off
of god's earth, poof.

He spent thousands
trying to find her.

- And a Chicago
matron in a playground

was sure that she'd seen
someone fitting the description

picking out bottles out of
the garbage, a bag lady.

But they couldn't find her.

Poor man.

- Then he met Monique.

A ravishing beauty.

All this time Bunny kept the
summer house at the shore

because he said he
couldn't bear to go there

because it reminded
him of Louise.

- Thelma, I think
you ought to finish

the story after dinner.

- A young couple
bought the house

and they decided to put a
rec room in the basement.

Imagine their surprise
when they started digging

and found bones.

- Mom, you never told us.

- No, but we're eating.

- Had Bunny murdered Louise?

It crossed everybody's mind.

- I don't think Roger's
interested in this.

- Yes he is.

Now look at the situation.

Bunny was a father
of three little kids.

Can you imagine the
suffering he'd go through

if he'd been arrested?

What would you have done?

- Oh that's difficult.

Well I'd like to think
I'd see justice done.

- [Thelma] You are
marrying quality.

(laughing)

- Well he called the
police the next morning.

The bones, my dear were
those of a Great Dane.

- Oh, I should have known.

- Doesn't mean he
didn't kill her.

Monique was some dish.

- So the skeleton in this
family's closet is the dog's.

- You read too much Agatha
Christie, Aunt Thelma.

(phone ringing)

Louise simply gave up and
walked out of her life.

- No you don't just walk out.

I don't care how
much reason you have.

You don't just walk.

- [Thelma] He's so
damn judgemental.

- Hello?

Val, hi.

This is Paula.

Are you all right?

Are you in labor?

Oh.

What?

Oh.

Don't tell anyone else, okay?

I'll take care of it myself.

(rain pattering)

(light music)

(thunder rumbling)

- Tiger.

Oh.

Chuckie.

- I've got a beard. (laughing)

- How are you?

- You look terrific.

- No I don't.

- Mom.

- No, no, he mustn't see you.

Oh please, what do you need?

- [Mitchell] Frances?

I can't find the envelope.

- Yes darling, I'll
be right there.

- Can I come back another time?

- Not now.

Go, please.

Go now.

Go.

(somber music)

(rain pattering)

- Nothing ever
changes around here.

And I hate Thelma.

- She means well.

- She means well.

Means well,
everybody means well.

It's not what people mean,
Paula, it's what they do.

- Louise is probably
very happy getting old

at Saks Fifth Avenue.

- Louise is dead.

Bunny killed her.

- Dad.

- Well he never
would have killed her

if she hadn't run out.

He spent a lot of time and money

trying to find her.

And one day he found her.

She was in Chicago,
she was picking up

empty bottles for two cent
deposit in Lincoln Park.

She was drunk, dirty.

He was revolted by what he saw.

He knew he could never
have her back again,

at least not the way she was.

So he killed her.

- Dad?

I don't know if you're
teasing me or not.

This is getting me very upset.

- I made it up.

- The thing is, I don't
have anything in common

with him anymore.

Oh I don't know, maybe
we should invite him.

I'm his very type, and
that was a long time ago.

We had long hair,
we wore bell bottoms

and lots of fringe.

Wanted to be Sonny and Cher,

I think they still do.

They won't come anyway, but.

- What's wrong with you, Paula?

- Nothing, why?

- Something is bothering you.

You know you're not
as tough as you'd like

this world to believe.

Will you tell me, please?

- I'm fine.

Fine.

I am so glad I have you.

I love you.

Now come inside.

(light music)

- Yes.

Do you have a name and address

for a Karen McGregor in Farrell?

Yes, thank you.

Well.

Lots of flowers.

- Yeah, I bought a franchise.

A dozen roses and a
gold box sort of place.

It's almost paid off too.

- I see.

- Sit down.

- So, uh...

- What time is it, mommy?

- It's late, honey.

This is Emily.

- [Chuck] Hi, Emily.

- Are you okay?

- Yeah.

- [Karen] Okay.

- Uh, look.

Maybe I better go.

- No, it's fine.

I'm just gonna put
her to bed, okay?

Whoah!

Ooh.

- Who's that?

- He's just an old friend.

- He looks like Abraham Lincoln.

- That's just because
of his beard, honey.

(chuckling)

Mommy loves you.

- [Emily] How much?

- This much.

Night hon.

- [Emily] Night.

- [Mitchell] Frances.

What are you doing?

- Nothing.

- [Mitchell] Come to bed.

- In a minute.

- [Mitchell] Now.

♪ I'm still waiting for you

♪ I'm still waiting
here for you ♪

- Sorry.

And you know who you let in?

- Just your average
neighborhood lunatic.

- You look, your hair
is long, you're skinny,

well I don't mean
you're skinny, but,

- Will you sit down, relax?

Do you want a
drink or something?

- No, I don't drink anymore.

- How about?

Do you want some?

- No.

- You always were in overdrive.

Downshift.

- Downshift?

I remember.

We were wasted that night.

You were wasted that night.

We were downtown and
you got that tattoo.

Do you still have it?

- What do you think?

You were all over me that night.

I had to run away from you.

- Yeah you ran.

I chased you two solid years

but you were always with
those short-haired jocks.

- I had some kind of wicked
power over them, didn't I?

For a while there, it was like

I was doing community service.

I got married to a
lawyer, you know.

You don't wanna
hear this, do you?

You know, you scare me.

You've always scared me.

Truth is, you were the only
one I really cared about.

- Oh well one never knew.

- Forget it, you
wouldn't have known

what to do with it
if you had a chance.

- Yeah.

And you sure never
gave me a chance.

- Look, I invited you here.

I know it sounds crazy.

I didn't want to wait another
15 years of wondering.

- It's been,

I feel like an old man now,

I don't know if.

- My fun loving, care free boy.

I know who you are.

The bad seed.

(giggling)

(light music)

(cat mewing in distance)

- [Mitchell] You know?

I'm afraid of the dark.

- Oh.

(huffing)

(chuckling)

That was intense.

- [Karen] Yeah me too.

- You're beautiful.

- [Karen] I am?

Thanks.

(sighing)

Mmm.

(train honking in distance)

- Look, um,

maybe I ought to go, you know.

It's late.

- [Karen] Will you shut up
and just come back to bed?

- You know all the time
that I was getting better

at the rehab clinic, it's
like I had this longing.

It's like you dive into
one end of the pool

when you're 18,

and then when you
reach the other side,

you're like over 30.

Oh yeah, your
kids, that's great.

That is really great, Karen.

- Yeah, it is.

You know, my ex-husband
hasn't seen them in two years.

It's his loss, the bastard.

- I have a son.

- You do?

- Harris Mitchell Warsaw.

- Oh, that's nice.

- His mother was a
cocktail waitress in Tampa.

Heavy, heavy into drugs.

She gets straight
just long enough

to make sure he got fed
and I guess felt loved.

- That's a lot actually.

- Anyway, they
went to St. Louis.

She met a guy, (mumbling)

- She met a guy, and?

- I signed him away, Karen.

- What do you mean, you?

- My son.

I was blasted out of my mind

when I put my
signature on the paper

to let her husband
legally adopt him.

- Oh Christ!

- I haven't seen him for
four and a half years.

I don't even know
what they call him.

- Oh, oh Chuck, that's awful!

Awful, if anybody ever took my,

oh, for a second.

- I just couldn't be bothered.

It was like I was longing
for someplace I'd never been.

I didn't know where, but,

then one day I'm like
flipping the channels

and there's a game on.

And I'm sitting in Miami
fucking rooting for Pittsburgh.

- They need all the
help they can get.

- It was a,

a longing for home.

So last week I
jumped in the car,

headed north like
a bird in spring.

- I think you're great just
for getting in the car.

Now will you get in
this goddamn bed?

I got kids to look after
in the morning, okay?

(chuckling)

Hold me.

That's it.

(chuckling)

(train horn sounding
in distance)

(birds chirping)

- [Reporter] Good
morning, I'm Billy Rowe,

this is Dylan Archer--

- Oh, meet Domingo,
the greatest monster

from outer space, ready
to eat up my friend,

my hands and all my friends.

Domingo is smart.

Domingo is king of outer space.

- Pass the butter.

- But Domingo is
king of outer space.

- Who is Domingo?

- Domingo is a friend of
his who moved to Toronto.

Had quite an effect on him.

But why he's calling a
monster after a friend

I have no idea.

- Oh, Robin.

Domingo is not
quite conscious yet.

Could you please
cut him some slack?

- Domingo begs for mercy.

- Domingo sits down, right now.

- [Reporter] Connecticut's
State of Haletport

has held up the convention
of a Fairfield woman

who hired Tickles the clown.

(somber music)

- [Paula] Did you know?

- [Frances] Know what?

- I thought so.

I won't have you seeing him.

He's dead.

We agreed.

Does daddy know he's back?

- No.

- It'd kill daddy if he knew.

Mom!

You will not see him.

- I was unaware that
you've been granted

the divine right
to give me orders.

Do you really think
I would do anything

to hurt your father?

We saw each other for,

five seconds and
exchanged two words.

I'll probably never
see him again.

(somber music)

(phone ringing)

(knocking)

- Lieutenant Fontana?

- Yes.

Have a seat.

Beautiful day.

You can actual breathe
real air on that shit.

And people will
get into trouble.

Yeah what we need
is a snowstorm.

You know what happened to
the crime rate when it snows?

It plummets.

The sunshine's no good.

In fact, the nicer the day
is, the happier they get,

the drunker they get.

The next thing you know,
they're beating up on somebody.

That's why there's
no crime in Russia.

They're not happy.

- Can I ask you a question?

- Oh sure.

Look, you got a problem,
you can confide in me.

I just hope it's not weird.

- It's weird.

I am, I caused a lot
of property damage

to my parent's home.

- Uh, what's your name?

- Why?

- So I can put it
in the computer.

What's your name?

- Chuck Warsaw.

- Was anybody hurt?

- My father was, but
he's all right now.

- What's the address?

- 485 Columbus.

- Lucille, yeah.

Get a patrol car over to 485--

- Oh no, that's not necessary.

- Why not?

- It happened in 1971.

- [Fontana] Ah, no,
Lucille, I'm sorry.

No, forget that.

Why did you come here today?

- I'm not trying to pretend
that it didn't happen

or that I'm not responsible.

I just want that on
the record, thank you.

- Sit down.

- Why?

- Sit down and I'll tell you.

- What is it?

- A restraining order
was filed this morning

forbidding you to be within
200 yards of Mitchell Warsaw.

- Who did that?

- Seems your father's
mentally incompetent

so your sister took
care of this for him.

If they don't want
to talk to you,

you can't make them.

You can't even try to make them.

- Thank you.

- Have a nice day.

(zooming)

- Who's driving today?

- Oh, Carl, thank you.

Stan went to pick
up his grandchildren

but he's gonna meet us
later on over at the arena.

- Yeah, Mitchell Warsaw.

I love you very much.

- Would you still
love me if my name

was Mitchell Zelinkanikowic?

- Oh, I know.

Your daddy came from
Poland via Warsaw.

- The authorities at Ellis
Island saw his namecard,

saw something like
Zelinkanikowic via Warsaw.

- And it was easier
to say Warsaw

than Zelinkanikowic.

- Then it stuck.

(car honking)

Okay Carl, I'm coming.

What's your hurry?

(light music)

(sighing)

(phone whirring)

- [Kids] Please leave your name

and telephone number
after the beep.

Thank you for
calling. (giggling)

- Karen.

I just don't belong here.

So you take care of yourself.

Bye.

(zooming)

(revving)

- [Robin] Domingo
begs for mercy!

- [Karen] Karen, Kiki!

(voices echoing over each other)

(somber music)

- I just don't wanna
see you hurt anymore.

- Do you think he came
back for your wedding?

(revving)

- [Karen] I don't wanna
wait another 15 years.

You were the only one
that I ever cared about.

(tires screeching)

(revving)

(light music)

(doorbell ringing)
(knocking)

- Coming.

Hold your horses.

- Hi.

- Hi.

Planning another trip?

- I was.

But I realized that,

I need to be here.

(light piano music)

- Thank you.

So did you get
them from my shop?

- [Chuck] Yeah.

- [Karen] Hey look who's here.

- Yay, yay, Domingo!

- [Karen] Um, there's still
some dinner if you wanna eat.

- [Chuck] Um, okay.

Just a minute though, I got.

- [Robin] Poo poo.

- [Karen] Oh, pssh.

(light music)

Close your eyes.

- What?

- Close your eyes!

- What are you doing there?

- Trust me.

- I heard that.

Have you ever done this before?

- No, I've never
done this before

but there's a first
time for everything.

- Oh, you cut me, sweetheart,
and you're dead meat.

- Don't move!

Here you go.

(light piano music)

(laughing)

Hey, no!

- I like that.

(bell tolling)

(bag rustling)

- I have a recipe for
banana custard pie

that Edith Kadomsky gave me.

She always changes something

so that it doesn't turn
out quite the same.

Honey?

You think it's the
butter in this one?

I'll use twice the
butter, I think.

(car starting)

(train horn sounding)

- [Chuck] Hey, Franco!

It's Tiger.

- Yeah, I see that.

- So what do you think?

Wanna do a little one on one?

Okay?

- Yeah.

- Let's walk.

Junior Varsity Championship,

Pittsburgh Civic Arena,
May 24th to the 26th.

What a weekend.

- Yeah I remember.

I remember.

Tie score, 105-105.

- I moved down, I go up.

I pass you the ball.

I move down, you pass it back.

- Five seconds left.

- You pass it, go up, scores.

Well almost scores.

He scores.

We win, and we won.

- We won.

I gotta get home to Valerie.

- Yeah, I know.

I mean dadhood, you gotta
get home to your better half.

- Yeah.

Look, do you need a few
bucks or something man?

- No, no.

I'm looking for a job.

I'm sure there's something I'm
unqualified enough to land.

- Well I just laid a guy off.

- Forget it.

I'm fine.

Just seeing you like this, man,

just gives me all the hope.

Tony, I really love you, man.

- Yeah, I gotta go.

- [Chuck] I'll see you.

(somber piano music)

(sighing)

- What place is this?

- Hi.

- Hi, how are you?

- [Woman] Now this cake
here, the Continental,

will serve 200 people.

Another favorite
here, roses entwined

with blown sugar lovebird.

- [Both] Blown sugar lovebirds.

- [Karen] Darling!

- I am now earning slightly
over 165 dollars a week

and I have never been
happier in my life.

- I'm on to show.

- The white elephant
overlooking Buhl Park, I know.

Miss Warsaw's office.

Paula, it's--
- I'm late.

- This guy wants to know

where Paula's gonna
be this afternoon.

Should I tell him?

He's got a fabulous voice.

Miss Warsaw won't be in

but she'll be showing
the Buhl Mansion

later this afternoon.

Oh you're very welcome.

(regal music)

- [Woman] This is bronze.

The work on the doors.

- [Woman] This mirror
is really bright.

- It's bronze.

- It is bronze.

- [Woman] It looks so.

- Oh you know what dear,

this fireplace will be wonderful

in the winter.
- Oh yes.

(light music)

- It was made in
Austria in the 1870s

when they were at the height
of crystal production.

- It's very beautiful, Patricia,

but I want you to wander
through the house one more time,

I want you to be sure.

- All right.

- Enjoy.

- I think she likes it.

- I do too.

- It really is very beautiful.

- [Chuck] Excuse me.

- Oh, you startled me.

- I'm sorry.

Do you know Paula Warsaw?

- Yes, I do.

- Would you mind
getting her for me?

- Uh, romance?

- No, love.

Thanks.

(sighing)

- [Woman] Paula?

- Yes?

- Paula, there's a very
handsome young man downstairs

who insists on
speaking only to you.

- Oh my goodness.

- So we'll wait
for you here, okay?

- I'm sorry, excuse me.

- It's all right,

it's okay.
- Thank you very much.

Well, what do you think?

(light music)

- We used to do this when
we were kids, remember?

I'd catch your eye,
you'd catch mine

and we'd play the
staredown game.

- You're trespassing.

- My eyes would be
burning and tearing, and,

but neither of us would give up.

Your office told me
you were up here.

- Oh?

At 5:30 I'd be showing
a house at 3rd and Hazen

and if you show up there I
won't talk to you either.

In fact, I'll have you arrested.

- I didn't think you would
see me any other way.

- I will call the police.

- You have a lot of
connections up there, I gather.

- Get out of here.

Go back to where you came from.

- That's what I'm
trying to do, Paula.

(somber music)

I never meant to hurt you.

- This street?

- Or anyone else.

So uh, I uh,

I hear Roger's
very good looking.

- Don't do that!

- How else am I gonna
get to know you again?

- You won't, ever.

- I'm not going to hurt you.

You think that you can
ever forget me, huh?

What, like rip me
out of your mind?

- Yes.

(laughing)

- Try.

Just try.

And that is what I must
have looked like that day.

(sobbing)

(clanking)

- Oh.
(car honking)

There they are.

- You're invited to the class
reunion of Sharon High School,

1970-72, come as you were.

- No I'm not coming period.

- What do you mean
you're not coming period?

- I don't wanna go.

I don't have anything
to wear anyway.

- (laughing) What do you mean
you have nothing to wear?

I wanna show you off
to all these people.

- I don't wanna see
all those people.

Everybody who went to
that goddamn high school

will be there.

I spent my whole life
trying to get away from them

and their lousy
fucking opinions.

I ain't going.

(spray whooshing)

- Whatever.

- Oh shoo.

- Come on.

You're safe with me.

Why do you think they
call me the Tiger, huh?

Come on.

We'll drink a
thousand Diet Cokes

and we'll boogie on down
with the best of them.

Please?

- Maybe.

- Oh, maybe.

Come on.

- Maybe.

(upbeat music)

♪ Yeah down by the river

- 50.

It's really a shame, you know?

- Oh Val, look at you.

♪ That's where you'll find it

♪ Along with lovers,
muggers and thieves ♪

♪ Ah they're cool too

♪ Well I love that dirty water

- Ooh, ready?

♪ Boston, you're my home

♪ Ah, you're my
number one place ♪

♪ Frustrated women

♪ I mean you're frustrated

♪ Have to be here
by 12 o'clock ♪

- Hey Tiger.

♪ Oh that's a shame

- [Man] Hey, Tiger.

- Jerk.

I know, and he'll
ruin the reunion!

- We'll handle this, Val.

- [Val] Listen,
you've got to go.

Paula's really upset.

- [Roger] That's right.

- It's Roger.

- Roger hi.

- Listen, please go.

If you don't go,
there'll just be trouble.

- Val, just calm
down, it's all right.

- Shut up, you slut!

- Hey wait a minute, man.

Valerie, you don't say that.

(crowd oohing)

(bashing)

What are you doing, man?

What are you doing?

- Can't you just leave
well enough alone?

Please!

Are you all right?

♪ Because I love
that dirty water ♪

♪ Oh Boston you're my home

♪ Oh yeah

(Val sobbing)

- Good girl, yeah!

(crowd cheering)

Ah.

(crowd cheering)

(crowd applauding)

- [Reporter] 10 commandments
guide their behavior,

some people have not caught on.

This isn't really
stealing, they say.

We love each other,
it's not adultery.

We're not hurting anybody.

A little white lie won't hurt.

Everybody's doing it.

One day they catch on.

The scene comes into focus

and they know their integrity
has been compromised,

they've been set up.

- Come in and sit down.

- [Reporter] It's like
being set up in a choke.

- You're going to
disobey your mother

after all these years, huh?

- [Reporter] Greeks,
Christianity.

Virtues of honest
and generosity.

- Sorry.

- People's lives are
made up of errands.

Chores done.

Chores to be done.

And my sin is forbidding
somebody to love you.

- Mom?

- Oh, oh!

Oh, god.

- [Chuck] (sobbing)
I'm sorry, ma.

- Oh!

- I haven't been in
this house for 15 years.

Last time I was here I was
trying to rip you guys off

and he caught me.

I made him pay for
what he did to me.

So.

What does a mother want
to know about her boy?

- Everything!

- He's got a nice girl.

Karen Anderson,
you remember her?

- I don't know.

- Even better, and tadah,

he's got a job.

I'm a bag boy. (laughing)

- You?

Oh. (laughing)

- I'm 16.

- God, Paula.

Come on.

Come, come.

In the closet.

Yes, please.

(sniffling)

Hi.

- Hi.

- I got time from
doing the dishes.

They're talking about sin.

- I see.

- You excited, honey?

It's a week away.

- Has daddy gone to
the basketball game?

- [Frances] Every
chance he gets.

Carl is driving.

- You realize daddy
hasn't driven in 15 years?

No, that's not my fault.

- [Frances] Honey, keep
me company in the kitchen.

- Mom, promise me
you'll keep him away.

(Frances coughing)

Are you all right?

- Water.

- Okay.

(birds cawing)

Here.

- Thank you, I'm all right.

- You see what he does?

You're fainting.

Daddy has not been
the same person

since the day that Tiger left.

You see what he does?

- I see what you do.

You told your
father your brother

was trying to hurt
you that night

and you know it wasn't true.

- Mom, don't do that.

That is not fair.

I've done everything that I can

to try and make things
happy and comfortable

for you and dad.

Trying to make everything
all right in this family.

- It didn't work.

- I just worry
about your own life.

I'm so scared that
Roger, (sobbing)

- Oh baby.

- No, don't worry,
I'm all right.

I'm all right, I'm
fine, I'm fine.

I'm fine and you're
fine and daddy's fine.

We are all fine.

I'm gonna go and meet
Uncle Gene and Aunt Barbara

and Roger if I'm gonna be back
here to help you with dinner.

- Paula.

- [Paula] No, mom.

- Paula.

- All right!

Good.

(clapping)

(crowd applauding)

(buzzer sounding)

(whistle blowing)

- He sure does.

- My, am I thirsty.

- No, no, no.

My turn, my turn.

(crowd applauding)

Yeah, I'll have a
Coke, three pizzas,

three pumpkin seed and popcorn.

- One man said he
was gonna have a fit

when that guy attacked his wife.

What's the story on him anyway?

- [Man] Ah, 12 or 15 years ago.

He was an addict.

Trashed the parents'
house, beat his old man,

shot him too, and split.

Nobody knew he was back in town.

- Hey mac, you're
holding up the line.

- What was his name?

Um, Warsaw.

(crowd applauding)

(festive music in background)

(light lounge music)

- (gasping) Honey sweetikins!

Oh!

- How you baby?

- Oh let me in there,
let me in there.

Hello.

- Hi baby.

- You look gorgeous.

- I love the outfit,
Aunt Barbara.

Great hair.

- You like it?

Uncle Gene calls
it the pineapple.

- Been talking to
your young man here.

I like him.

I like him a lot.

Nothing but the
best for my girl.

- I see you've already met
the crazy half of the family.

- [Gene] Well, thanks a lot.

- Are you all right?

- I'm fine.

- Well let's have a drink.

- [Roger] Good idea.

- Gene.

Barbara.

Mitchell.

Paula.

Roger.

Me.

- Why don't we just have
a little friendly talk

with the guy, you
know what I'm saying?

- No, no, uncle Gene.

Roger and I will
take care of this.

- Honey sweetikins, I think
we should call the police.

- No, I don't want
any more trouble.

- You're my best girl,
you always have been

and I don't want you
upset by anything.

- I just wish that
he would disappear.

- Paula, we'll figure this out.

- I got an idea.

Come on, let's go.

- Hey, look, maybe
we could give him

some money or something.

- Uncle Gene knows what he's
doing, let's go, come on.

(light music)

- Get me to a
sporting goods store.

- Eugene Warsaw, please.

Warsaw like in the city.

No answer, all right thank you.

(cashiers beeping)

(ominous music)

Is this the Golden
Dawn Supermarket?

- Go to 485 Columbia Street.

- You want me to take you there?

- Why do you think I
told you where I live?

- Don't get excited,
I'm not so bright.

- Warsaw, Warsaw,
your mom just called.

It's an emergency.

She wants you home right away.

Go, go!

(tense music)

(rock music)

♪ You got the
feeling on the road ♪

- What are we doing here, Gene?

Let me see if I can
get a hold of him.

- You guys wanna
make some money?

Is that your car?

I don't want you to hurt him.

I just want you to scare him.

- What's he doing,
I don't like this.

- Don't worry sweetiekins.

Uncle Gene is just
trying to make sure

that Chuckie is not gonna hurt
anyone around here anymore.

- 20 bucks in it for you
now and 20 bucks later.

It's a deal?

- No, no, no.

This is getting way out of hand.

- That's good, thanks.

- Follow me.

- [Roger] He's not at work.

- Where is he?

- He's on his way to your mom's.

- Oh god, no, dad.

Uncle Gene, go, go!

(tense music)

- [Chuck] Mom?

- Oh, look.

I want my family to be okay.

Paula will be here any second

and we'll have an hour
to sort things out

before your dad gets here.

- You had me scared to death!

- [Paula] Dad, no!

Dad!

(gunshot ringing)

No!

Dad.

Look at me, look at me.

Give me the gun.

Give me the gun.

- Oh, Mitchell.

- You're not him.

You're old, he's old.

God, how I hated my
son when he was my son.

But you're not him.

Frannie, Chuckie really died.

And we never knew.

Nobody ever told us.

What a shame.

What a shame.

- Right.

I don't belong here.

- Come on.

Knock it off.

(car starting)

- Oh great.

I knew you'd be here.

Jesus, still smells
the same in here.

Look, I stopped by
the store to apologize

for last night, you know.

They told me about what
happened at your folks' house.

Shit, you okay?

- What do you care?

- Well I'm coming
to you as a friend.

(laughing)

- Man, that ended 15 years ago.

- Can't we try it again?

- No.

- Mom, you all right?

- [Frances] I'm fine.

- Fine?

- [Frances] For 15 years I
didn't know if my son was okay.

He's okay.

- They've been hurt
more than I have, Karen.

I just gotta be
right with myself

or I won't be good for anyone.

- You're all right for me.

- I just gotta see my kid.

I don't know why, I just.

Unfinished business, I guess.

- This is finished business?

Every 15 years or so, huh?

The kids'll miss you.

- I'll miss them.

So I will call you when
I get to St. Louis.

(zipping)

I just gotta see my son, Karen.

- I understand.

- I love you.

(sighing)

See you.

(somber music)

(sobbing)

- You all right?

- I'm fine.

You look so handsome, daddy.

- [Mitchell] Thank
you, my darling.

- Here, I'll get the door.

- Frances?

- Dad?

- I think I'll drive.

- All right.

- No, on second
thought, go ahead.

- Maybe a funeral could bring
this family back together.

(somber music)

- Look, I just thought
there was a chance

that he'd still be here.

- No, he's at the Cardinal
Bargain Rest Motel in St. Louis.

He called, but he
didn't say much.

Hey, you two kids
be quiet in there!

- [Emily] Mom!

- You okay?

- You know Tony, it was
real easy to love him again.

Guess it just depends
on what kind of memories

you want to have with someone.

I need all the good
ones I can get.

You guys all decided
that he was rotten.

You can live with it.

- That's not fair.

You just stop it, all right?

Maybe I was wrong.

Maybe I'm not the only
one who was wrong here.

But least I could hope for
another chance, all right?

Thanks.

(clinking)

- Uh oh.

- [Man] There he goes.

- Here we go.

- Well, I'd like
to make a toast.

To my lovely Paula

and to her lovely husband to be.

May they be married
for many, many years

and have many, many
wonderful children.

- Oh, you hear.

Now it's your turn, Roger.

- Okay.

Okay.

(clearing throat)

So uh, there I was,
about to turn 40

and wondering why I
hadn't ever met her.

And along came Paula.

Pretty soon after
we started dating,

in fact, real soon,

she asked me why I
hadn't been married.

And that answer was very easy.

I'd been waiting for her.

- Oh, so sweet.

(crowd applauding)

- I love you, Paula.

- Domingo.

Domingo.

(light music)

- [Man] Come on son,
time for bed, let's go.

- [Woman] Okay Harry, go to bed.

Time for bed.

- [Man] Oh you're getting heavy.

- Let's hear something from
our brother in law, come on.

Come on!

- Just talk, just
say any little thing.

How about something
from the mom?

- [Barbara] Oh good.

- Oh Chuckie.

Tiger.

To my son.

So long, Chuckie.

Thanks for going away.

Now we can smile and nod

and eat our dinner.

For getting us messy
and we have other plans.

To Chuck Warsaw.

We don't need you.

We've done a good job of

dealing with our disappointment.

Oh Mitchell.

Why wait until the funerals

to wish we'd done
better for each other?

Why be lonely a minute longer?

- [Gene] Mitch, hold on.

- Uncle Gene, let him go.

- [Gene] Mitch.

(tense music)

(car starting)

- [DJ] This is WAQC St. Louis

continuing with Saturday
night TV great once again

starting Martin Balsam.

- Is this Karen?

Well I'm Mitchell Warsaw.

You know who I am.

Do you know where Chuckie is?

- You holding?

Your light.

(whimsical music)

- Do you mind if I get in?

I have to get on this flight.

To St. Louis.

Is it boarding right now?

- Yes it is.

Down through gate number two.

(phone whirring)

(somber music)

(phone ringing)

- Hi I'm Emily.
- Hi, I'm Robin.

- [Kids] Sorry we can't
come to the phone right now.

- Fucking machine.

Fucking machine.

- [Kids] Thank you for calling.

- Uh, Karen.

(rustling)

(siren sounding in background)

(tense music)

(gunshots ringing)

Dammit!

(knocking)

- I uh, I traveled all night.

Here.

(sobbing)

- I love you, daddy.

- Can you ever forgive me?

(chuckling)

(gentle music)

♪ Melt the clouds
of sin and sadness ♪

♪ Drive the dark of doubt away

♪ Giver of immortal gladness

♪ Fill us with
the light of day ♪

♪ Mortals, join
the mighty chorus ♪

♪ Which the morning
stars began ♪

♪ Father love is
reigning o'er us ♪

♪ Brother love
binds man to man ♪

♪ Ever singing,
march we onward ♪

♪ Victors in the
midst of strife ♪

♪ Joyful music lifts us onward

♪ In the triumph song of life

(uplifting music)