Violet (2021) - full transcript
Violet realizes that her entire life is built on fear-based decisions, and must do everything differently to become her true self.
Pigeon.
Hold on.
Hold on.
Just hold on.
You're fat.
Your hair is gross. You smell.
You majored in the
wrong thing in college.
You don't have
enough friends.
Why don't you
know how to cook?
You don't remember
enough people's birthdays.
Everyone can see
your weird body.
You should be further
along in your career.
Yesterday there were three wood
refinishers here, now there's no one.
And I just want to cook
dinner in my own house.
- Hey, V.
- Morning.
You know, Bob
was just telling me
that it's going to be
what, three weeks, tops?
Isn't that right, Bob?
We are doing
everything we can...
Yeah, three weeks, three weeks.
Thank you, Bob.
You're in the way.
The guy's useless.
He said he was gonna be
done like a month ago.
I know.
Bob ruined my beautiful plans
for our sequential renovations.
I am so sorry.
I really did not plan
on you having to
stay in a war zone.
It's totally fine.
I mean, my kitchen doesn't
even have a roof right now.
You look like a pig.
You're seriously eating
a Snoball for breakfast?
Yeah, I'm trying to be ironic.
Pig.
Are you you're working
in the guest house today?
Yeah. I've got a fucking
deadline on two scripts.
Oof.
Pig.
Just text me if I can bring you
anything back after work, all right?
Uh, a new contractor, maybe
like an extra quarter mil.
What about a burrito?
- That'll do.
- All right.
- Bye.
- Bye.
What are you wearing?
You're like a baby.
Why don't you have
your own place?
People are going to
think you're a loser,
staying at
a friend's house.
How do you expect people
to take you seriously?
Keith?
Keith?
Hey.
Wasn't Julie
reading these scripts?
Yeah, yeah, she is.
I mean, these are
the other ones.
They just came in from WME.
All right.
Can you give me a coffee please?
Yep.
Hey, sugar plum. Morning.
Be nice.
Did you get the production
reports from Miami?
You were cc'd on that email, Bradley.
It's your responsibility.
I know, I know.
Hey, but you always make
such good notes on yours.
Share, don't be selfish.
- Oh my God, I knew it.
- I need it back.
You're so funny that
you print everything out.
All right, I will
let you get at it.
Let it go or he'll quit.
Oh, hey, did you get
your production reports?
Julie, you got coverage on
the Argentinian scripts?
Morning, Violet.
Well, I just got them.
I mean, Keith just gave them
to me yesterday morning, so no.
When would I have had time?
Don't be bossy.
- Whoa, hey, who were those from?
- I don't know.
I bet they're from
the Phoenix financiers.
Oh my God, yes
Violet, they love you.
I bet that's who they're from.
Is that who they're from?
- Don't you guys have something to do?
- Attitude?
Be nice.
They are from Roger
Vale from Universal.
Really?
Hey!
And get me Charlie on the line.
Oh, it's quite a pile of
scripts you're mounting there.
You're going to pick
a winner for us today?
You know it, Tom.
What's with the flowers?
They're from Roger
Vale at Universal.
Oh, yeah, well, all the
studio executives love Violet.
Isn't that true, V?
Hmm?
All right, come on
guys, move on out of here.
Get back to your own desk.
Come on, come on.
Violet's got a lot
of work to do, so.
Yeah, our boss was
just talking to us
about the flowers.
Okay.
- I don't get it.
- Hmm?
They're always standing
here saying stuff.
You just let 'em.
- Who, Tom?
- No he's just-
No, no, no. I mean, Tom is...
Look, I'm talking
the other ones.
- All right, Bradley and Julie?
- Well they're, you know.
No, no, no.
You're head of
production here, Violet.
They work for you.
You've produced a ton of stuff.
They're always over
here bothering you.
Why don't you ever
tell them to fuck off?
Listen, it's just better
for me to not say anything.
The less opportunities
I give them
to label me a bitch, the better.
If I'm quiet, it's better.
If I just don't say
anything, it's better.
It's how everything works.
Do you really think that?
Keith, I've been
doing this awhile.
I know it.
Huh.
Doesn't that feel better?
Hey, what are you doing?
Stuff.
I tried to call you before.
I know, it's
been going nonstop.
I gotta get outta here.
Let's meet at Jones.
I can be there in 15.
Great, I'll see
you there, bye.
I mean it's not perfect.
His house is still
under construction.
Why did Red move back in?
I thought he rented some
other place until it was done.
It was supposed to be
by now, but whatever.
Honestly, I can't complain.
I'm just glad to have somewhere
to stay during my construction.
Yeah.
I wish I could stay in
that rocking house of his.
Hmm, well the benefits of knowing
someone for 20 years, I guess.
You're a baby.
I feel weird lately.
Don't tell her.
- Are you sick?
- No, I just...
The committee in my head.
I just never really
noticed it much before.
What committee?
You know the
voice that tells you
that you're a piece
of shit or whatever.
I mean, everybody has it.
You know what I'm talking about.
I guess.
You sound crazy.
I don't know, my parents
always told me that I was great
and so whenever I have like
a bad thought or something,
it just seems like a lie.
Are you serious?
Yeah, they told me I was
great and I believed them.
See, you're a freak.
Jesus, you're like a unicorn.
These are from
that guy in the tie.
Tie?
Okay, studio exec or agent?
I'm going to go
with a studio exec.
- Oh, you know him.
- It's Roger Vale.
- Really?
- Mmm-hmm, yeah.
Huh.
You're not seeing him, right?
I don't know, I guess.
Why, what's wrong
with Roger Vale?
Oh come on, like last time-
Hey. I got your table ready.
Come on, when I
decorated his Malibu place,
you went with me to that party
and you said you had never been so
unattracted to anyone in your life.
- What? I didn't say that.
- Yeah, you did.
That party was
like, what, three years ago?
Yeah.
Well he's now the President
of Production at Universal.
So?
So he's the type of
guy I should be dating.
That's right.
Or something.
Did the committee say that?
I don't know.
Because if they did,
I'm just saying it might be a lie.
Don't you think that Red is the
type of guy you should be with?
If you want people
to think you're a loser.
Oh my God, what are
you talking about?
No.
Red and I have known each
other since we were 12.
And honestly, I don't see
what everybody else sees in him.
I mean, I've known him since
before he even sold a script.
And really, he's kind of a geek.
No, no, no.
My computer engineer
boyfriend, he's a geek.
Red is not a geek.
You got to really lay
down this picture of him
at 12 years old and
look at him now.
Do you want
to be a loser?
He's not the kind of guy that's ever
lonely, if you know what I mean.
God, I've got two films
going into production tomorrow.
Oh, you should absolutely let me take
a look at the set design for Fox Run.
What?
Fox Run, your
favorite project.
Oh, the film you
thought could be art.
No, that's not what
I was talking about.
I'm not doing that one.
Oh. I just assumed Fox Run
was one of the projects
that was starting
production tomorrow.
Nope, nope, nope.
No, why would you think that?
I mean I just assumed.
You put so much
of your own money
into getting the rights
to the poetry book
and then hiring someone
to write the script.
God, I really don't remember.
I mean, it's like,
we don't really do those kinds
of films at Gaines, so...
Hey, let's talk
about something else.
Okay.
But didn't you say
before that Kirk Paulson
- wanted to direct it?
- No.
Okay, I didn't say
that, all right.
Or maybe we were drunk.
I don't really remember
saying anything like that.
Well no, I remember
because you were talking-
Oh my God. Just drop it, Lila.
Seriously, okay? It's none
of your fucking business.
Okay, sure.
Man, this dinner.
I'll see you later, Violet.
There.
Don't you feel better?
That's my favorite, chocolate!
You're retarded.
Vanilla's the original.
Violet, come on!
You know they told the
lionesses at the Zingapore Zoo
to stop having babies?
They're having way
too many babies,
like a hundred.
Cubs.
Lion babies are called cubs.
Everyone knows that.
I just like to call them babies.
She can call them whatever she wants.
They are babies anyway.
- Whatever.
- Look, my canteen's empty.
I should have
brought more water.
Sam, you're gonna live.
My house is just
two more blocks.
- Let's go.
- I'm not going.
Why not?
You were going to help me.
You have to come.
After we're finished, Will's mom's
going to make us ice cream sandwiches.
Yeah.
Will, you always ask us
to help with your chores.
Leaves in the bag, mowing
the lawn, walking your dog.
You're a slave driver.
I've had enough.
I'm not gonna do it,
I'm not gonna do it,
I'm not gonna do
it. I quit! Wahoo!
I'm not a slave
driver. I'm not!
Violet, where are you going?
You said you would help us!
- Violet!
- Violet!
Violet, Stop!
Come with us!
Violet!
Violet!
Where have you been?
What are you wearing?
How do expect people to take
you seriously in that getup?
Get in here.
I thought you were helping
Will with raking the leaves.
I got a call from his mother.
Honestly, you're like a baby.
Oh, the guy that
thinks you're an idiot.
No, you put your
credit card in first
and then your
parking spot number.
Credit card first,
then parking number.
Leave them.
Live a little freer.
You're so rigid
about rules,
your routines, doing the
right thing all the time.
How do you even know
what the right thing is?
Loosen up.
What are you afraid of?
That the room's going to smell
great when you come back?
Leave the candles alone.
You're so rigid.
Don't be so responsible
all the time.
You think Martin
wants that?
If you don't show him
you're more relaxed
then he's gonna
leave you.
Violet?
Wow, Martin.
Wow.
Hey.
You live in Los Angeles?
No, no.
I'm just here for a couple
of months with a project.
Oh!
Oh!
Oh!
Is this your...
Yeah, this is my son.
This is Gus.
Say hi, Gus.
Hello. Hi.
- Speechless.
- Jesus, no manners.
So Violet, how are you?
The last time we saw
each other was...
Great, great.
I'm head of production
over at Gaines Pictures.
So, you know, still doing film.
Yeah, I know. I really enjoyed
Spanish Star, that was good.
Thanks, yeah, that
did really well.
Got a couple of awards too.
But, how are you?
How's the arm, and...
Ah, that was so long ago.
That was so many years ago.
Yeah, yeah, I guess so.
So you married, kids?
Oh, no.
Why don't
you have children?
Tick-tock.
Yeah.
Violet, what happened?
You know, honestly, I've
just been so busy with work.
I haven't really been
able to think about it.
He thinks
you're a loser.
I'm actually staying
with Red right now.
My kitchen is under construction
because of all the rain.
You remember Red, right?
But I mean that's
not anything...
He's just an old friend.
I get it.
But, how are you?
They just broke or something.
I left the candles on, and...
Oh.
I should have blown
them out before I left.
- And I thought about it, I just...
- What?
- I thought about it.
- What the fuck, Violet?
What... All my stuff?
I mean is everything
gone, everything?
I just thought it would
be nice if I left them lit.
I was just trying to
make it smell nice.
What the fuck are
you talking about?
Do you have any idea what
was in that apartment?
Do you know the
value of anything?
Fuck!
Then how could you be so stupid?
Are you a fucking idiot?
Please don't say that.
Fuck!
You're the
same as before.
You haven't grown.
You're the same
and he knows it.
He still thinks you're
a fucking idiot,
thinks you're below him.
You're the same.
You're the same.
You're nothing.
Your position at
Gaines doesn't matter.
Nobody cares about
your stupid films.
You'd better find some
way to feel above him.
or you'll stay down here.
A little nothing.
And then we're heading
back to New York.
Sue's pregnant with our second,
but she's been a good
sport with all the travel.
Yeah well thank God
I don't have any kids.
I know what I would
do if I were saddled
with all that responsibility.
I wouldn't get anything done.
Hate to have to take care
of fucking idiot like that.
Nice.
Don't you feel
better now?
V, you're back.
Didn't know you were home.
Yeah, I'm back.
Should've come for a swim.
Oh, I got a pile
of scripts, but...
You're fine.
It looked good.
Some good swimming?
Heated and all that?
What, you think I'm
a tough guy or something?
Of course it's heated.
I turned that shit on like a
week before I moved back in.
You want a beer?
Yeah, sure.
Thanks.
I saw Martin today.
- Really?
- It's funny, huh?
Don't tell
him anything.
I guess.
What, is he living there now?
He's just out here
for some music project.
Well, that's valiant of him to
still be a music exec these days.
Yeah, I guess.
You know, I don't actually
know what the project is
because he didn't say.
Was it okay?
Don't be weak,
you're fine.
Yeah, yeah.
It was good. I mean...
I haven't seen him in
a really long time.
I think the last
time I saw him was
seven years ago. I think.
Well he's married now, I guess.
And he has a kid.
And I think he said he
had another one coming.
Or something.
Something, huh?
Something, yeah. Yeah.
V, my little
lover of executives,
even way back then.
Yeah, even way
back then, baby.
Even back then.
I mean, God-
I mean the first
time Martin showed me
If you look weak,
Red will hurt you.
his shiny new A&R
card, I was hooked.
Damn, that was a long time ago.
And you still haven't
grown out of it, huh?
Come on, Red, what
do you expect me to do,
not date executives?
Well...
Don and Skip are going
to pick me up for dinner.
We're going to sushi.
Do you want to come?
Oh no. I'm good, thanks.
But just bring me
back some edamame.
You got it.
See ya.
Red?
Stop!
Yeah?
It didn't go well.
With Martin.
I was just so uncomfortable
and I wanted...
I just didn't want to be there.
Well, that's totally
understandable.
Yeah, I just didn't
want to feel that way,
so I did something bad.
And I was mean.
That's okay, you can fix that.
No... What?
No, no, I...
I know exactly
what he'd say, so.
Maybe you don't.
Um, oh...
Hey, you have people
to meet, right?
Good girl.
- Yeah.
- Okay.
I think sometimes you think you can't
trust me with your feelings, but
you know you can.
Door's always open.
Hmm, you're making
your own coffee?
What's going on, hmm?
Keith went home early,
wasn't feeling well.
Oh, really?
Mmm-hmm.
Well, that's unusual.
Be nice.
Oh, it's fine.
You know, Violet,
I've been thinking,
you should make me a lead
executive on a film or two.
You have a lot of films
in production right now
and you know, to have
situations like this,
where Keith is going
home sick and so forth?
You need help.
Really? Um...
Don't be a bitch.
I think coverage in
production report summaries
are a good place
for you right now.
Really?
Is Darren here yet?
Oh, I don't know, I'm
just about to go in.
- Darren Brightly?
- Yeah.
Yeah I think I saw
him in the parking lot,
finishing up a
call or something.
Well tell Kathy
to bring him in.
Wait, wait. Is he going
to be directing Fox Run?
Is that what this
meeting is about?
What are you...
Don't cause a scene.
Fox Run... Wasn't that
that abstract poetry thing
you had a couple of years ago?
You know, it was
a long time ago.
Yeah no, that was your baby.
You loved that project.
No, I mean, I had it
and I talked about it,
and I haven't talked
about it in a while.
Oh my God, you still
want to do it, don't you?
You were always such a
pussy for those art films.
Jesus, Violet.
Hey, maybe we should
bring Darren up now.
Bradley, you were
getting Darren.
Yeah, sure.
Sure, boss.
So Phillip finally
sent over the specs
for the animated gameplay
for Fire Flame.
Got it on my laptop if you want to
go over it before Darren comes up.
Do I need to?
No, not really.
They incorporated
all of our notes.
So I think that's what
we were trying to go for.
So, Fox Run...
You still want that?
I know that it was
important to you.
Um...
No, it's okay. What? Tell me.
It's really unique.
Oh really? How? In what way?
Just the insight
into relationships
and their delicacies
is really profound.
Huh. Really?
The script adaptation
of the poetry is honestly,
one of the best I've ever read.
He captures the
braiding and unbraiding
of both of their lives
and just this metaphor that...
Well, it's next level,
you know what I mean?
It's next level screenwriting.
You get a director in who
wants to push the envelope,
and actors doing
another level of acting,
and the cinematography,
everything...
We can really break some
rules with this one.
Hey, I got to run.
Darren.
Okay, hi. One second.
I'm off the phone
now, I'm jumping.
Shit, all right, oh my God.
Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry.
- Tom, how are you?
- Darren, good.
Hey, Darren.
- Hi.
- How you doing?
Nice to see you.
- Good to see you, too.
- Sorry about the phone thing.
It's just fucking post
on Metro Doll, man.
The producers, not you
guys, some other fucks,
they wouldn't listen to me
about the special effects team.
And guess what?
It's a fucking disaster.
They're trying to
band-aid the whole thing.
- Anyway-
- Apologize for that.
Fuck it. Who cares?
Let's talk Fire Flame.
Yeah, well, it sounds like
a drag, sorry about that.
It's all right.
Fire Flame. So, all right.
I have some interesting
casting choices
and I feel pretty
strongly about them.
So if I can show you those...
They are not going
to be popular choices
- with foreign markets.
- Well, don't worry about that.
- Let's see the choices.
- Here we go.
Oh, also we got
the companion video
for the game specs
of Fire Flame,
so we can go over that after.
Well, forget casting,
let's look it that.
You got it?
Yeah, of course, yeah.
Okay, so they sent
the initial layout
and then Tom and I
gave our notes, right?
But, you were...
Was that the week that
you couldn't do it-
Oh it was the location fiasco
with fucking Metro Doll.
Right, right. Okay, so.
They incorporated our notes,
but we want your notes as well,
just because we want
to be on the same page.
Please.
Now remember when we
had that conversation
about the social
media connection
and how we wanted it
to be more than just
the user posting
that they liked it?
Definitely.
Okay, so check this
out. Check out right here.
Check out the game avatar and
then look at the left, right?
Yeah, the word cloud.
So your social media posts,
like Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter,
whatever source you wanted,
it all scrapes them for this,
like an emotionally
related word,
like happy, excited, you
know, angry, disappointed.
And then your game
avatar's costume
and its mount is transformed.
Both in what it looks like
and what it's capable of doing.
I like to say it's
like a mood ring
for your abilities in the game.
- Super cool.
- Right, right.
Can you look at, check on,
yeah click that.
- Oh my God.
- Yeah.
Doesn't she just
knock your socks off?
Violet is great.
There's nothing better
than watching her get all
excited about a new project.
Yeah well, I love what I do.
And she doesn't
just get passionate.
She gets frothy.
Don't you, Violet?
Don't cause a scene.
Just today, in fact,
right before you walked in,
she was telling me about
some project she's got.
And I'd heard about it before.
I heard about it a long
time ago and I thought
it was a pretty fucking
waste of time then,
but Violet's got
an itch about it.
So I couldn't resist
letting her get all
passionate about it again,
if you know what I mean.
God, she needs so
little encouragement
and then she goes.
It's like, she's
getting off on it.
Right, Violet?
Tom, come on, man.
No, Violet's
fine with this.
It's fine, it's fine.
Violet
and I go way back.
We know each other, we
know each other very well.
And I can't help but want
to see her get excited
about some new project.
Even if it's something
I'll never do
in a million
fucking years.
Isn't that right?
You're really into it, right?
I love the video game
and I love Fire Flame.
You want to talk about
your casting thoughts?
Because I'd love to hear them.
- Yes.
- Sure.
Okay.
Well, like I said,
not popular choices.
Let me see it.
Okay.
Okay, so, casting.
You did that right.
Now you're safe.
You'll never find your
way back to that kind of freedom.
This is so annoying.
I'm gonna text him.
Red. Hurry, asshole.
Your friend, Rita.
Hi, hey.
You waiting for Red?
- Oh Violet. Hey, it's Rita.
- Oh, hey.
- How are you doing?
- I'm doing good. It's good to see you.
- Yeah, you too.
- You waiting for Red?
Yeah, we're going
to a screening tonight
if Red can get out
of the house in time.
Yeah, I'm supposed to go
to a screening myself too,
but I think I might blow it off.
God I wish I could
blow this off, too.
It's my dad's film
so I have to...
Red, we got to go!
You know, I'll go
get him. I'm going in.
- Okay.
- It was good to see you.
- Have fun.
- Bye.
Oh, I had the wrong Red.
Oh my God, I texted
the wrong Red. Oh shit.
This is gonna be so good.
That guy's going to kill me.
Red, Rita's waiting.
Hey, V.
Yeah, I told her to wait.
I just want to see what
happens in this race.
Oh!
Oh, that's over.
What's wrong?
No, I'm fine.
What's the matter?
I don't know.
It's just the same stuff.
I don't wanna make a big deal.
Don't you have like
a screening to go to?
I'll catch up with them later. I hear the movie sucks anyway.
Hey, Rita! Hey,
you guys go ahead.
I'll catch up with
you at the party.
You owe me one!
Red, I didn't want you to...
Honestly, I just don't want
to make a big deal out of it.
Bullshit.
Okay, what's the matter.
It's just a bad
day, okay, I just...
I don't even know why
I'm so upset about it.
Tom was such a dick.
Oh Christ, what did he say?
No, it just...
You know, he's always a dick so
I shouldn't be surprised by it.
It's just that
today he just did a turn
that I wasn't expecting.
I just didn't see it coming.
Tom is a first-class asshole.
Okay, I'm thrilled that I'm on
his "will not produce" list.
I know.
He just lured me
into it this time.
It's all this
interest and openness.
God, I just don't feel
like I'm on top of things.
Like I was doing it
right for so long.
And then now it's like, I'm
just not doing it right.
Not doing it right?
Yeah.
Like not doing
things correctly?
Yeah, yeah.
Like when you're doing things
right, everything's fine.
You know, you're safe.
Safe, hmm.
Safe, like, you know nothing
bad's gonna happen to you.
Well can you
give me an example?
I don't know.
Like when you have to wear the right dress to a party
or go to the right college or...
What are you doing?
I'm sorry, am I
doing this wrong?
Oh my god, yes!
Yes, you're doing
it completely wrong.
- Okay.
- Can you turn it down?
Okay, okay.
I just did that wrong.
But we're still safe, I think.
- Aren't we?
- Yeah.
You're a good friend.
That's right.
Okay, well have
fun at your party.
Got one car.
Two cars.
Okay, here we go.
One, two.
Fucking awesome!
- Did you love it?
- It's fantastic.
Okay. Bernard!
Third time's a
charm, great shit.
Did you like it?
Okay, okay.
All right, how long was that?
Okay, that's good.
Okay. What's next?
Rick?
Hey. What's going
on, everything okay?
Yeah, everything's good.
Oh.
Yeah, just thought I'd call.
It's been a while.
Yeah, look, I'm at...
You at work?
Yeah.
Yeah, so am I,
Violet, so am I.
Fuck you!
I picked up cause
I just thought,
you know that
something happened.
No, no.
I have Aunt Helen here.
- Oh?
- Yeah it's a special day.
No, is it?
It's her birthday,
Violet, her birthday.
You remember?
She doesn't remember anything.
Right, right.
Yeah, so she stopped by here
for a little visit.
Let me have the phone.
Violet, honey.
It's your Aunt Helen.
Hi, Aunt Helen.
Well hello to you.
It's been awhile.
So I'm here at your
brother's office.
The girls are taking
me out to lunch
at French spot to
celebrate my birthday.
And I thought I'd
drop by Rick's office.
It's so good to see him.
I wish we could see you more.
Yeah, you know, it's just really
hard with my work schedule.
Well, everyone works, Violet.
No, I know, I just meant-
It's fine.
What is she saying now?
It's fine.
So for Christmas maybe?
Maybe.
You need to come out.
You haven't been here much at
all since your father died.
- I have to-
- Have to what?
Book a flight?
Happy birthday, Aunt Helen.
Can I talk to Rick?
She is so ungrateful.
You know, she hasn't talked
to her mother in three years.
Well that's because
she's a big deal now
in the movie business.
Isn't that right, baby sister?
Fuck you!
Thanks for calling, Rick.
I got to go back to work.
Well, we're all very
proud of you, Violet.
Thanks, Rick.
We all know you're
just doing your best.
Fuck you.
- Bye, Rick.
- Bye-bye, Violet.
Oh, sorry I'm
late, fucking 405.
That freeway is the devil.
Feels like whenever you
get on, it's jammed.
I'm glad you called.
Are you good with time?
I know you have a meeting.
Oh, it's all right.
My meeting's not till 11.
Forget it, I know what I want.
The lemon thing
and a cappuccino.
- Are you going to get anything?
- No, I just ordered.
Oh my God, what
modeling agency
did they get all
these waitresses from?
I know, it's like
they make them show
their lookbook before
they apply for the job.
I'm sorry I snapped
at you the last time.
Stop.
Don't worry about it.
I was mad at you.
I know.
I was mad at you for saying
that you just live your life
without some voice telling you
that you're a piece of shit
or not enough or whatever.
I don't even know why
I listened to that.
Stop.
And now I don't know
why things are different,
why I'm so aware
that the way I've always been
doing things just doesn't work now.
Like I've been telling myself
to do certain things
or act a certain way
or else something bad
will happen to me.
Or the committee's been
saying that, whatever.
And if that's a lie,
and nothing's ever
going to happen, then
it means I've spent my
life not doing things
or not being the way
that I wanted to be.
And what way do
you want to be?
Thank you.
Don't tell her.
I want to be free.
I don't want to be afraid
of some terrible outcome
'cause that doesn't
feel like me now.
And I don't know if it ever did.
It's just in me.
That's right.
Maybe you cast yourself in a part
that you don't want to play anymore.
Yeah.
But I'm scared to do
things differently.
Maybe that's an
okay feeling to have.
But do things
differently anyway.
This is a bad idea.
This is not going to
make you feel better.
You're just going
to feel worse.
It's just going to make
you feel bad again,
make you feel like a
fucking idiot again.
Blow this off,
you're fine.
Don't.
Don't.
- Hello?
- Violet?
- It's Martin.
- You're fine.
- Hey.
- Hi.
How are you?
Good.
I saw your message.
Right.
Stop.
I just wanted to call
to say that I'm sorry.
Violet, it was an accident.
What?
The fire.
Oh, I wasn't...
No, with your son
at the parking lot.
Oh.
I was really rude
that I called him that.
Oh
Violet. No, it's okay.
I know you didn't mean it.
It was an uncomfortable
situation.
I can't imagine how you felt.
The last time we saw
each other wasn't great.
Yeah.
You know,
I've been kind of a puss to not
call you after all this time
even just to see how
your arm was or anything,
but, I did want to tell you that
you meant a lot to me.
He doesn't mean that.
And honestly, when
we were together,
you just caught me
when I was in a really
selfish phase of my life.
I didn't... Well, I see it now.
Wow.
I guess it took me getting married
and having a kid to see things right.
I'm really sorry for
how I was with you.
Thanks.
Sure.
Well, listen, I'm really
glad that you messaged.
I have to get going.
I've got to figure
dinner out, it's my turn.
Okay.
- Martin?
- Yeah?
Stop.
I am really sorry
about the fire.
I think I was not
really being myself
and I made a stupid
decision because of that.
Violet, it's okay.
Really?
Yeah. It's really okay.
You should just forget about it.
It was a long, long time ago.
Okay.
Stay in touch, Violet.
Thanks, Martin.
Okay, well then,
Venice is out,
so probably,
probably Telluride...
But you're shooting
Coral and Sand then, right?
Yeah, in prep.
Prep, okay.
Well if we can do Toronto-
Violet.
Hi, how are you?
- Good to see you.
- I am great now.
Hey.
We were just having lunch
out on the patio.
I can't believe we're all
here together, we didn't know.
Yeah, hey Fred.
How's CAA treating you?
Ah, I'm just there
for the nice offices.
- You guys know Janice Miller.
- Hey, Janice.
- Yeah, hi.
- How you doing?
- Hi.
- Well, I know of her
and it's nice to
meet you finally.
Lion's Den is my wife's
all-time favorite movie.
Oh geez, it's so old.
Why don't you get her to
watch Game Plan or Sailor?
Well, they're all great
and we have seen them all.
So Dennis and Harry are the
principals of Phoenix Circle Films
and we've done a lot
of movies together.
They financed a lot of them
like Spanish Star is one.
Festival award-
winning Spanish Star.
Oh, we were just talking
about film festival schedules
for our film.
Oh.
Trying to get Janice to as
many as possible, of course.
Sorry guys, I gotta take this.
Sure, yeah.
Yeah?
He is trying to get us to
fund a ridiculous action film,
but the script
has no second act.
Or first.
Or first.
Well look, you guys are
good at picking winners.
Just stick to that gut
instinct, you know?
You know who
picks good winners?
- You.
- He doesn't mean that.
- Well, I try.
- I agree.
How are things
at Gaines Pictures?
It's good, it's good.
We're starting prep on Fire Flame.
- It's good.
- Okay, good.
Yeah I just want to make sure you're
getting to do what you want over there,
because we are
branching out a bit and
we would love to
somehow steal you away
and have you come work for us.
Like, directly?
If Tom finds out about
this, he'll sue you.
I think it's something
we should talk about.
Oh, um.
You'd be a complete joke
if you've ever worked at their company.
Wow, I'm really flattered.
Thank you so much. I just-
They don't
know the film business.
You know, it's just going
really good at Gaines right now
and we have a lot cooking, so...
- Understood.
- Yeah.
That's good, but thank you.
I would love to bring you guys
some films we can get going.
You can finance, we can
work together again.
Our door is
always open for you.
Great to see you.
Nice to meet you.
Thank you.
Nice job offer.
Yeah.
Yeah. I mean, I don't
even know why they would...
I mean, I can't do that.
I've known Tom Gaines for a really long
time and I started my career there.
Honestly, I don't even think
I could do this without Tom.
We've got your film
to finish up, so...
Can't argue with that.
See?
Now you can keep your career.
Excuse me, I'm just
here to pick up my car.
Soon as they see a woman
come, they jack up the price.
What is it?
It's just that one over there.
What's your name?
Calder. Violet Calder.
Don't take this price.
Whatever he gives you,
he's trying to rip you off.
He's not taking you seriously
because you're a woman.
Okay.
Here it is.
Four tires.
So that's going to be $395.
You take that price
and then he's going
to hard sell you
a bunch of shit
you don't want.
It will never stop.
Okay.
What are you doing?
It's a great deal.
We had a sale on those tires
and still had four left.
Oh?
Yeah, they usually
go for $120 apiece.
So I got a discount?
They were on sale.
Here you go.
But don't you want to tell me
about some product or something?
What's that?
Don't you want to tell me
about some product?
Sorry, did you need to
get something else?
No.
Have a good day.
Thanks. You, too.
Answer it.
What are you doing?
That's the fourth call,
you're fucking up.
You're making
a big mistake.
You're never going to
work with Universal again.
You'll be blackballed.
You'll never get a project
off the ground again.
That's bullshit.
What did you say?
All right, so we get there.
Gregory is the first one
on the hang glider, right?
He's with the instructor.
He's okay, he's fine,
he's ready to jump.
- So it's tandem.
- Yeah, of course. Tandem.
- They think you're stupid.
- We're on location
and it was an off day.
I had no idea this
was happening.
So he's with the instructor and they
glide off, straight off the cliff.
They don't
want you here.
They go up, up,
up, they come down.
Everything is okay.
Everything is perfect, good.
Now it's Juliana's turn.
She's with the other instructor.
You're not cool
enough to be here.
She's got the harness
on and she's fine.
I mean, she was nervous before,
but I told her she's gonna be okay.
It's easy, no problem.
So they run, run, run, run, run.
- They're cooler than you.
- To the edge of the cliff,
they jump.
And the glider drops.
Oh my God.
Oh my God.
Is he amazing?
My director takes the two
lead actors hang-gliding
while we're halfway
through shooting.
- I could have killed him.
- What happened to Juliana?
Okay, so they run, they jump,
the glider drops.
Gave me a heart attack.
Thank you.
So we run to the
edge of the cliff
and I'm like, "Oh my God,
I just killed my lead actress.
I killed my lead actress."
I looked down,
and they are there.
They are much lower, but they're
gliding now. They're all gliding.
So we run to the beach.
They come down.
The instructor, I'm not joking.
The instructor was
white as a ghost.
Like white as his shirt
and tie. Very nice.
And he tells me, "This has
never happened before.
And we are lucky to be alive."
And he says, "Like the wind,
I don't think the wind is
right for gliding today."
Yeah.
He hit a dead pocket of air.
The glider just fell, like boom.
So then Juliana comes.
Her harness is off.
And she's so excited!
Her face is so alive.
Like she loved it, she
wanted to do it again.
And she had no idea.
She had no idea she
almost died, none.
Next time I put
two PA's on you
and you do not
leave their sight.
Mmm, Red!
- What's up?
- Michele.
Oh, you're back.
How was Santa Barbara?
I mean the couple of hours
it wasn't overcast was nice.
- How was it, how was the film?
- It was good, it was good.
Yeah?
I mean, I see things that I
want to change, but I gotta,
- I gotta stop.
- Yeah.
What? He's being modest.
It was a great screening.
I'm starving.
I'm going to go eat all
that food over there.
Oh, I'm coming.
- Do you want anything?
- I'm good, thanks.
I didn't think
you'd come in time.
I knew you'd be here,
and this.
I know this guy, how long
has it been now, 10 years?
- Yeah.
- Since Ibiza.
Michele's better
friends with Red than you are.
I know you know him longer,
but I know him from a
long, long, long time.
Oh I bet you two were
trouble there, huh?
It's Ibiza.
- That it is.
- You never been?
No, not Ibiza.
Violet goes to
Europe a lot for work.
Then you haven't
been there, then.
You'd only go for
festivals and work?
Yeah.
No, no, no, you haven't been there.
You have to... Tell her.
Well-
My parents own a
hotel in Positano, okay.
So next time I'm there,
I want you both to come
and I'll show you Italy.
I'll show you the real Italy.
Both of us?
Yeah.
That sounds fun.
What are you doing?
Yeah?
Yeah, that sounds
like a lot of fun.
Love it.
So how's everything, man?
Good.
Oh, the executives.
I'll be right back.
Brother. Congratulations.
Yeah, Red.
You climbed the mountain
and you made it big.
- Violet.
- Connie, great party.
You look gorgeous.
Oh, come on, this is just
something I'm wearing for work.
Something's different.
You look different.
Maybe.
Mmhmm.
Howard! Happy birthday!
Hi.
- Hi.
- Violet.
Roger, hi.
How are you?
- Good, good. You?
- I called you.
I know.
You'll pay for
not answering those calls.
Well, kind of a
different party.
Oh, you've never been to one
of Connie's parties before?
Nope.
Well, I always
have fun at them.
It's a bit of a messy
mix of people, isn't it?
Ooh.
I guess.
You know Bernard.
This is Astrid
Becker and Ron Moore.
- Hey.
- Hi, how are you?
Did you see the film?
I already did, yeah.
It wasn't for me.
Oh?
If you say you're
different, they won't work with you.
I don't go for
that arty stuff.
I agree, it's too complicated.
Give me a simple story,
a grand musical score.
That's what works.
Yeah, you can't
argue with that.
And I think the rest of the
country would agree with you.
Really?
I didn't really
find it that arty.
Arty enough.
Yeah.
You're gonna sit with us?
Maybe for a minute.
Okay, go ahead...
There's an empty chair
over there, grab it.
Dirty Martini.
Violet.
Kirk. Wow, hi.
- How are you?
- I'll have a Corona.
I'm good.
God, it's been so long
since I last saw you.
Yeah, I've been in Budapest
for five months
on this last film.
Right, yeah,
well, how'd that go?
- It was-
- Kirk!
I'm so happy you came.
- You made it.
- Connie!
I love you!
What a beautiful suit!
Get out of here, I'm
gonna throw you in the pool.
You better.
Oh God, she's the best.
Hey, listen.
What's going on with Fox Run?
Oh, I'm not really sure.
Well, you know I want
to direct it, right?
It will
destroy your career.
I just think it might be too
Humiliating,
embarrassing?
Violet.
Promise me you're
making this film.
God, it's so funny that
I'm running into you tonight.
Yeah, I was in fucking
Budapest for five months.
It's like really,
really funny.
Yeah.
So Fox Run...
Are we gonna get this going?
You can't do this.
Let me think about it.
Yeah, do think about it
and don't do it
with anybody else.
Stop.
Stop.
- Hey.
- Hey.
I think I've been
doing the opposite
of what I wanted to
do for a long time.
Now I know why
you look so good.
Thanks for the
great party, Connie.
Have a nice night.
Goodbye.
Oh my God.
Oh my God is right.
A screenwriter?
You're gonna be with
a screenwriter?
This is career suicide.
Turn the car around.
Think of everything
that you've worked for.
Now turn the car around
and go back to the party.
You can tell Red you
forgot something.
But you go back and
you sit with Roger.
Hell, you sit with
another executive, anyone.
You are gonna be thought
of on a lower scale
if you do this.
This is a huge mistake.
Now you'll be
thought of well
by the people you
do business with.
Now you have a chance
to have a career
you can be proud of.
Now you have a
chance to succeed.
Now you can really make
something of yourself.
That doesn't even
make any fucking sense.
Hi.
Hi.
Oh my God, what?
I'm doing it.
What do you mean?
I'm not listening to
it, to the committee,
to that voice.
- Ooh, breaking the rules!
- Yeah.
Like what? Thanks.
Well, like, I'm
wanting to do things
differently at work, I think.
I'm gonna give
Fox Run some thought.
That's good.
And the other night, I
was at this party with Red.
Oh, I knew it,
I fucking knew it!
I told you.
Lila, I don't
know what happened.
Red's just different to me now.
Oh my God, that's great!
Look, I don't know what's
gonna happen with Red now.
I don't know if I just completely
fucked up our friendship.
No, you haven't.
It's just, I'm just
going with it, so-
Violet, wow.
Yeah.
Hey, his house is
finished, okay,
so he's doing this big party.
It's on the 17th.
I'll be there.
Okay.
You know I'm scared.
But like not in a
way I used to be.
Like I'm scared now because
I don't understand this way.
I don't know what's
gonna happen.
I don't know if I
ever really knew.
I mean I always thought that
I knew what would happen
but maybe I really didn't.
And now I know I
really don't know.
Don't worry, that made sense.
Hey, Violet.
Oh. Hi, Bradley.
Violet, you know that whole
Fox Run thing the other day,
you know, with Tom?
Give him
whatever he wants.
Well I just,
I didn't realize
that was something
you didn't
want to talk about.
I'm so sorry about that.
Sure.
Hey, don't you have a
friend who's one of the guys
that runs Coachella?
You know, the music festival?
Yes.
Well, Kanye is playing
there again this year
and I really wanna go,
but you know, but with
like passes to the parties-
Give him
whatever he wants.
Do it right.
So, could you talk to him?
Bradley, you have work to do.
You need to be focused on your
production reports summaries.
In fact, I'm gonna
pull half the scripts
you're supposed
to do coverage on,
that way you have more
time for the reports.
Oh.
Oh, also, I'd like you to
create Excel spreadsheets
for the report summaries
then merge them
with Powerpoint presentation
for our investors.
I don't know how to do that.
Google a tutorial.
Okay...
Hey, guys, is this a party?
Violet, here's coverage on one
of the Argentinian scripts.
It's not bad.
Where are the other ones?
I'll get to them later.
Julie, you're gonna
have a new schedule.
I'm tossing over half
of Bradley's scripts
for you to cover.
I'll need three a day.
Oh... Okay...
Okay, I have to work.
God, I guess she's serious.
If you don't like it, I hear
they're hiring at Staples.
Oh, are they doing
original content now, Keith?
V!
Hey V! Violet!
I just had lunch with Scott
and I think this
is our next script.
Okay, I'll check it out later.
No, no. You'll call Roger
Vale over at Universal
and you get this
setup over there now.
Do what he says.
What is the issue?
Give Tom what he wants.
No, it's, uh...
Well this should be easy.
You're fucking him, right?
It wasn't...
No, I'm not really,
um... It's not really.
You're either fucking him
or you're not fucking him.
Which is it?
That's none of your business.
Really?
Huh.
He's your boss.
Look, I don't mind
calling Roger Vale.
It's just, my personal life
is none of your business.
Wow.
Well it used to be.
That was once,
a long time ago.
I gotta get back to work, okay?
Yeah, we did fuck
a long time ago
and as I remember, that's
how you got this job. Hmm?
When I met you,
you were running errands
for some ad guys.
What was the name of that
agency, something out of Chicago?
You were nothing.
I gave you everything
that you had.
So don't tell me that
your personal life
is none of my fucking business
because the minute
you started using
your personal life
for work, I owned it.
You're nothing.
When I met you, this
company was producing
background story segments on
athletes for sports shows.
You're fucked now.
When I came here, I had
to push you to expand.
I'm the one who convinced you
to get into feature films.
I'm the one who showed you,
no, guaranteed you that
your profits would increase
if you got into
the movie business.
I got eight films
off the ground here.
Five of those, the ones
I oversaw directly,
all profited and
were award-winning.
The financing from
half those films
all came from my
direct connections,
so I hardly think that
you gave me everything.
You really want to get
into a pissing match here?
Is it my turn? This my
cue to whip out my dick?
Hmm?
You can do whatever
you want with your dick.
I did everything.
I made this company.
You are fucked now.
Get the fuck out of my office.
You are done. You are fired-
Where are you going?
Going to get my stuff.
Oh really? You want your
stuff? You want your stuff?
I will get your stuff.
Here we go, here's your stuff.
Here's your stuff.
Here, here!
You want your stuff?
Here, here!
Good luck out there,
you're gonna need it.
No one will work with you.
You won't know what
to do without me.
That's true.
Phoenix Circle Films.
Hi.
Give me Dennis, please.
Red!
In here.
I did it.
What?
I'm working with
Phoenix Circle Films.
Ah!
President of Production.
- Yes, that's fucking awesome.
- You're going to fail.
You deserve it.
I think one of our first films
is going to be Fox Run.
Good, that's awesome.
Guaranteed failure.
You know maybe you could start
producing some of my films,
now there's no Tom
Gaines embargo on it.
God...
You really scared
the shit out of him.
Mhmm, yeah, he was very
intimidated by you.
Good looking guy, smart,
talented, creative, funny.
Oh, and also, he
really hated the fact
that you and I have been
old friends forever.
Mmmm.
God, you really taste good.
Man, let me get a jar of
jelly, I'll make a sandwich.
Ugh, it's my brother.
This is your family.
Rick, what's going on?
What?
Oh.
Wait, how?
Okay, yeah.
My mom just died.
And where were you?
Oh, shit, V.
I'm so sorry.
You never
did enough for her.
I didn't know she was sick.
Was she sick?
I don't know.
I don't know.
You know, I just haven't talked
to her in a really long time.
You're so selfish.
She had a heart attack.
I mean I knew she had
heart issues, I just,
it was never really a thing.
V... V.
Yeah?
Are you okay?
Um, I don't really
feel anything.
You're probably in
a little bit of shock.
I don't feel
like I'm in shock,
I just don't feel anything.
The funeral is in
a couple of days.
It's the same night
as your party.
Okay.
Yeah.
Hey.
I'm here for you.
That's too L.A.
That's more appropriate.
Now you'll be
taken seriously.
Hey.
I'm just gonna run to the store,
get some stuff for
the party tomorrow.
Okay.
You sure you don't
want me to fly with you
to Michigan tonight?
'Cause I'll cancel
this fucking party.
I don't care.
God, my mom was such a bitch.
I know. I remember.
And I haven't gone
back there forever.
I mean after my dad died,
I didn't really have a reason
to go back there anymore.
Just more of
my brother and my aunt
trying to rub dirt in my face
over the fact that I
work in the movies.
I mean, honestly, I don't know
who I'd be going back there for.
For my mom, who just
tried to rip me apart
my whole life?
My asshole brother and
my shaming aunt, I guess.
Jesus.
Whatever.
Trip won't be that
long, I guess.
Don't go.
What?
Don't go.
What do you mean?
Well, why would you be going?
Because...
Because I'm supposed to.
Well, fuck that.
You can't skip this.
This isn't a choice.
You go.
You get your ass
up and you go.
Get in the car!
If you don't leave now
you're gonna miss
that flight.
Get up!
Get up!
All right, if you guys
wanna set up near the fire pit
and I'll be down there soon.
Hey.
Hey.
You look good.
Thank you.
Yeah, funeral's
going on right now.
How's it feel?
This is bad.
It's really, really good.
Okay.
Answer it. This
is your family.
Oh hey, Violet!
- Hey, congratulations on the new job!
- Thanks.
- Red told us all about it!
- Uh-huh.
So wait, does this mean like I'm
not the first person you call
when you get news anymore?
- Uh huh.
- I'm kidding.
- We love you.
- We're so proud of you.
It's gonna be really good.
It's going to be terrible.
Oh, okay! All right.
Crazy party.
Congratulations again.
- Yes, yes, congratulations.
- Thanks, guys.
- Fred!
- Violet.
You made it!
Yeah, oh, this is your party?
Oh, weird.
Yeah I was just driving
by, I saw a line of cars,
I thought, I'm gonna crash that.
Yeah right.
You want a drink?
Yeah, I wouldn't be
a good party crasher
if I didn't drink
all your alcohol.
Hey, I'm excited about you
at Phoenix Circle Films.
Thanks.
Red had more
details than Variety.
Oh yeah, well Red's
my publicist now.
It's gonna be really great to
build the film department.
Well, next week you
should stop by the office.
I mean everyone there is gonna
want to talk to you about this.
They
want to laugh at you.
Yeah, no, seriously.
You were the only one worth
dealing with at Gaines Pictures.
I mean Tom's not
gonna know what to do
without you there.
Yeah, you're probably right.
I know.
I gotta get this.
Yeah.
Have mine.
Okay.
There he is.
Hi, Rick.
You're in big trouble.
What the hell?
Where were you?
Why weren't you at the funeral?
Honestly, I just couldn't
think of a good enough reason
to be there.
What the fuck does that mean?
Mom wasn't nice, Rick.
She was not a nice person.
She was really mean to me.
I can't believe
what I'm hearing.
I thought you were gonna
say that you were sick
or that you got into a
car accident or something.
And that's why you
couldn't make it,
not that you just
decided to not come.
I know Aunt Helen
tried to call you.
But nobody picked up.
We didn't know what to think.
Rick, I just
didn't want to go.
Jesus, you're a
piece of fucking work.
You know what I
don't understand?
You were there too,
with Mom. Okay?
When we were kids,
you saw all of that.
Saw what?
Saw how she was with us.
How she never gave
a shit about us,
how she was always
trying to rip us down,
never had anything
nice to say to us
unless Dad was around.
She was your mother,
Violet, your mother.
Well, that doesn't
mean anything to me.
You just can't go around
treating people like shit
and then just get
away with it, okay?
It doesn't matter
what title you have.
You know what I do see here?
I see you making decisions
that suit your lifestyle.
Your Hollywood life out there.
Yeah, that's what this is about.
You go to your parties
and your movies
and you think that you can
just do whatever you want
with no responsibilities,
not care about
anybody but yourself.
But you know what, Violet?
You know what does that? A baby.
A baby just thinks of
itself day and night.
You are just a
selfish little baby.
Rick, never call me again.
What exactly
is the plan here?
Oh so what, you're just
not gonna have a family now?
You don't have very
many left.
Your dad's dead,
your mother's dead.
Now you're gonna cut off
your aunt, your brother?
Shut up.
I don't fucking care.
Well if you thought
you felt alone before,
you have no idea
what's about to come.
Yeah, like what?
You know
that pit in your stomach
you felt all through
your childhood
that you thought
would go away
when you
finally moved out?
Well, it never left,
it's been sleeping.
And it will grow
bigger and bigger
until you are aware of
that ache all the time.
And then what?
And then,
you will cut off more people
and more people,
and that pit in your
stomach will grow
and cover you.
And then no one will even
want to come near you.
They will stop trying
to be near you.
They will recoil
from you.
And then what?
Then,
you'll be alone with this pit
covering you like
a black cancer.
And you will be alone.
Alone.
Alone.
And then what?
And then you will die!
And then what?