You Talkin' to Me? (1987) - full transcript

[♪♪♪]

ROBERT DE NIRO [IN MOVIE]:
Listen, you fuckers,
you screwheads.

Here is a man who would not
take it anymore.

A man who stood up against
the scum, dogs, filth, shit.

Here is a man who stood up.

Eh, eh?

Try it, you f...

You talkin' to me?

You talkin' to me?

You talkin' to me?

Well, who the hell else
are you talkin' to?



You talkin' to me?

I'm the only one here.

Who the fuck do you think
you're talkin' to?

Oh, yeah?

Okay...

huh?

MAN:
Oh!

[AUDIENCE GRUMBLING]

Boo!

MAN [ON MIC]:
We are sorry,

but our projector
has broken down.

You can collect your refunds
on the way out.

The next screening
ofTaxi Driver

will be tomorrow evening.



Ah, shit.

Bronson, let's go, man.

Hey, Bronson.

Hey, hey, Bronson,
ha, hey, you, hey.

Hey, man, Bronson.

Oh.Let's get out of here.

Come on, dude.
Come on, come on, come on.

You okay?Yeah.

[SIREN WAILING]

Man, what I'd give

for a chance to act
like that, huh?

To totally transcend
into a character.

How many times
have you seen this now?

Twenty, thirty times.

[CHUCKLING]

Still fresh though.

It's amazing.

So you're really
leaving tomorrow, huh?

I'm just not making it here
as a model, you know that?

So I figure
I'll go try the coast

and that way,
I'll know whether or not

to give it up
before I try the real world.

I hear you.

Just gonna miss
my main man, though.

Why don't you come with me,
Bronson?

You don't quit, do you?

We've been through this,
Thatcher.

I just can't.

Bronson,
look at yourself, man.

You're a New York actor

in a city that's filled
with New York actors.

Why not try L.A.?

Hey, hey, you, you.

I swallowed
my New York pride.

That shit
didn't taste that bad.

I'll bet it didn't.

Stay away
from them surf ponies, man.

They got no brains.

[♪♪♪]

BRONSON:
Ever since I can remember,

people have always asked me
why I wanted to be an actor.

At first I told them
the real reason.

Invariably,
they'd laugh.

So eventually
I learned to lie.

I would smile and say,
"Acting was glamorous

and beat working
for a living."

And this,
everyone understood.

Then when people
in the business asked,

I would tell 'em it was
a unique emotional outlet

for my creative impulse.

And they would nod,
pretend to be intelligent,

and say they understood.

De Niro understands
the real reason.

It's that moment.

That moment
when the acting stops

and the second life begins.

That moment when
men become heroes.

That moment.

That moment.

Hey, Bobby.

What do you think
about moving to L.A.?

[♪♪♪]

[PHONE RINGING]

Hi, you've reached
Bronson Green.

Listen,
I'm not in right now.

If you leave your name
and number,

I'll get back to you
as soon as I can.

Bye-bye.

[MESSAGE BEEPING]

THATCHER:
Yo, Bronson.

It's your homeboy, Thatcher.

I got some news for you,
serious big news, buddy.

Call me.
I'm tellin' you, call me.

I'm gonna go hang out
at the beach,

work on my tan, find me
some cuties, yo, yo, yo.

If you still want me
to bring Judith to you,

just leave a message on my box, I'll come by, whatever.

Either way,
I'll see you later.

Later.

[MESSAGE BEEPING]

Hi, Bronson.
It's me, Judith.

Listen, baby, something's
come up at the studio

and I'm not gonna get to see
you before the play tonight.

But I'm meeting Thatcher
in front of the theater

and I promise, promise,
promise I won't be late.

After the play,
you and me, celebrate,

[CLICKING TONGUE]
you know what I mean?

You're the sexiest actor
in this town.

I love you, I love you,
I love you. Break a leg, bye.

[♪♪♪]

Okay, Bobby,
hold down the fort.

See you later.

AGENT:
Are you ready?

Let's hear it then.

So there you are.

I've been waiting for you.

Hold it. Hold it,
you're all wrong.

Too New York.

I didn't even get
by the first line.

I can tell by your looks.
Too New York.

Aren't you gonna let me
read the rest?

What for?
You're all wrong.

Too New York.

Why should I hire you?

I hate your type of acting.

[CHUCKLES]

You've got to be
kidding me.

No.

No!

[LAUGHING]
No!

MARTY:
No.

BRONSON:
Now, come on, Marty, huh?

All I'm asking
is a couple of nights a week off

so I can do this play.

MARTY [ON RADIO]:
Hey, Olivier,
I got a great idea.

Why not quit driving the cab

and use the money from the play to pay your goddamn rent?

BRONSON:
'Cause I don't get paid
for doing the play, Marty.

MARTY:
You don't get paid?
Are you kiddin' me?

Listen, Bronson, the schedule
stands the way it is,

so forget about it.
Just deal with it.

Hey, sorry, buddy,
I got a pick-up here already.

I'm your pick-up.

Okay, you didn't
have to sneak up on me.

My limo got lost.

And I don't want anybody
in this town seeing me in a cab.

Hey, wake up, kid,
this is L.A.

Where to?

Drop me one block from
the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

I can't wait to get my hands
on that limousine service.

Hey, wait a minute.

Yeah, I know who you are.

Didn't you used
to be Alan King?

Yeah, used to be.

[LAUGHING]
Yeah.

Alan King, in my cab.

I'll be damned.

I'm Bronson Green,
I'm an actor,

and I'd do some wonders
for your films.

Hey, there's my pictures
back here.

Go ahead, take one.
Go ahead, here.

Alan King, hah!

Hey, Mr. King, hold on,
watch this, watch this.

[TIRES SCREECHING]

Hold on a minute,
here we go.

[IN DE NIRO'S VOICE]
Listen, you fuckers,
you screwheads.

Here is a man who would
not take it anymore.

A man who stood up
against the scum,

the dogs,
and the filth.

Here is a man
who stood up.

What do you think,
Mr. King, huh?

Hire me?

Swell.

BRONSON:
Hey, Mr. King.

Hey! Hey, wait a minute,
Mr. King?

Hey, wait,
how about a picture?

Hey, hey, at least
pay your fare.

MARTY:
1320. Hey!

Hey, Olivier,
pick up your radio.

Look, don't give me any grief, I know you're out there.

Pick up your goddamn radio
right now, would you, please?

Hold your horses,
Marty, I'm here.

You got a call
from Poland somebody.

Marion Poland, 204-0474.

He says it's important,
you should give him a call.

Poland?

Poland?

Holy shit.

Yo, dispatch,
I need that number again.

Marty, repeat.
Repeat that number, please.

Are you deaf?
204-0474.

Got it, thanks.

RECEPTIONIST:
Sorry,

she can't get here by 2:15,
she's history.

Hi.Are you the messenger?

No. I'm Bronson Green.

So?

I'm here for the callback.

There's been a mistake.
You're the wrong type.

What do you mean,
the wrong type?

I'm an actor.
I do types.

We're only hiring blonds now.

Look, lady,

I can play a blond better
than any of these clowns here.

Look, get real.

This is the '80s.

Your type of acting is dead.

We're not interested
in Hoffman, De Niro,

Pacino types anymore.

Like, I have
some packages for you.

Could you wait a minute?

Sure.

There's somebody here
I want you to see.

What's up, dude?

Just trying to get some work.

Yeah, life's a bitch.

But at least
it doesn't snow here.

POLAND:
Tell 'im I'll call his agent.

Yeah, I'll be right back.

The hunk standing
next to the desk.

Can you talk to me?

Sure, dude,
what do you need to know?

Fantastic.
Where did you find him?

Are you his agent?

Uh, no.
I'm Bronson Green.

I'm here for the role.

[LAUGHING]
Well, I'm sorry.

It's already cast.

What, like, me?POLAND: Yes, you.

Listen, son,
are you an actor?

Sure, why not?

Come along with me.
We've got things to talk about.

I don't think I need to see
anyone else today, all right?

You got it, boss.

Come along, son. Let's party.What?

MARTY [ON RADIO]:
Hey, Mr. Hollywood,

I got an important
pick-up for you.

Mr. Irwin at
8899 Carson Street, okay?

Don't screw this up.

Bronson?

Bronson?

Are you there?

Christ, Bronson,
come on already.

Where the hell are you?
Goddamn it.

[♪♪♪]

[MOANING]

What's going on in here?

Hey, don't you realize
that 15 people died last year

in bizarre sexual accidents?

GIRL:
Oh.

Huh?

[LAUGHING]

What's going on, buddy.

I don't know, man.
I'm just--

Yeah, yeah,
I bet you are.

[LAUGHING]
What are you doing here?

Oh, man.
I'm so pissed off.

I go to a callback
and I get to the callback

and they hire
some schmuck messenger

who's delivering a script.

Thatcher, I tell you,
nobody wants an actor anymore.

They just want a look.

[EXHALES]

Welcome to the music
video age, man.

Ah. A new low
in American culture.

Thatcher, I thought you said
we were gonna be alone?

Man, who is this anyway?

Just some chick who wants to
find out about the mystique.

Oh, mystique, my ass.

Oh, yeah?
You want to see something?

Ah, no, I don't
want to see something.

Wait a minute, man.
I think I'm gonna put this up.

This is something
you got to see.

Well, Thatcher,
I ain't gonna look,

so keep it in there.

I don't believe it.

You didn't?

I did, I did, I did!

I don't believe it.Ha, believe it, buddy,

'cause next week
your friend's gonna be

in every newspaper
in the country.

You're fast.
Congratulations!

[LAUGHING]

Oh, man.

Oh, man, it's just...
it's too wild, man.

They're talkin' about goin'
national and everything.

Big bucks, man.
Big bucks.

Get out of here.
I can't take that.

Look, man, take this.

Man, I'll pay you back.

[LAUGHING]
I know you will.

Just remember, man,
things may be goin'

a little rough for you now,
a little crazy even.

But, hey, you still
got the play, right?

Yeah.
We showcase tonight.

Bunch of agents,
casting people coming down.

I'll give 'em a performance
they won't forget.

[LAUGHING]
That's right.

[APPLAUSE]

[♪♪♪]

Oh, bad.
God, I was so bad.

You've always been bad.

Damn you, Bronson.

The hell were you
tryin' to pull out there?

It's called acting, Ted,
in case you don't know the word.

I think it's called trying
to bring attention to yourself.

Get off it, Ted, huh?

You've been trying to bring
attention to yourself

your whole life.

All right, everybody,

I'm gonna let the industry
people backstage.

Good luck.

Ted Walthrope,
that was brilliant.

Come here.

Come on.
Come here.

That was magnificent.

Fabulous, fabulous.

[CLEARING THROAT]

Hi, I'm Bronson Green,
co-star of the play.

What an asshole.

Bitch.

AGENT:
Hey, that's Judith Margolis.

Judith.

Hey, baby.
How's it goin'?

Ah, swell.

Look at this garbage.

Forget it.

Tough goin', huh, man?

Well, I'm gonna take off.

All right, goin'?

Yeah.

Thanks for coming down.Hey, you were good, man.

You think so?You were breathtaking.

This shit is breathtaking.

Tell him.Takes my breath away.

Hey!

See you tomorrow.

Bye, Thatcher.

I can't believe this.

Come on, let's get
out of this place.

Judith Margolis.

Let's do lunch.

I got a package for you, big...

Come here, let's talk.
Come on, now.

Bronson, one minute.
One minute, I promise you.

Tell me your name once--
right, I can't really--

it was a party, wasn't it?

Right, right, I did.

Hi, hi, haven't seen you
in a long time.

It was a pleasure
working with you.

Ted, happy to meet you.TED: Nice to see you.

Bronson tells me
you're a joy to work with.

Yes, thank you, I am.
Thank you very much.

So what's been going on?

Bronson...

you're fired.
Say, what?

Well, I just got the word,
the producers say

they want to go with
somebody more subtle.

What are you talking,
more subtle.

Well, more blond.

They said Ted would look better
with a blond co-star.

Blond?
What do you guys want, man?

An actor or a blond?

You're neither.

I mean, face it,
they just don't want you.

Man, what's going on
around here?

What are you looking at, huh?
You did your job.

Get the hell out of here,
you're making me sick.

For fast-acting relief,
try slowing down.

Goddamn it.

Shit!

[DOOR OPENS]

JUDITH:
Okay, okay.
Next week, lunch, I promise.

Where you been, Judith?

I've been inside.
Where do you think?

I've been waiting for you
20 minutes out here

and I'm pissed off.

There are people in there
that I work with

every single day.

I couldn't just walk out.

Why not?

Did you come down here tonight
for me or for yourself?

Baby, where do you get off
taking this attitude?

You're acting like
an upset little child.

I'm not upset.

Just 'cause my whole life's
been turned upside down today,

I am not upset.

No, not me.

Bronson, we've been goin' out
for three months now and,

in many ways,
I enjoy you thoroughly,

but your
struggling actor routine

is beginning to get
a little old.

Old?

I'll tell you
what's getting old.

Agents' executives like you
flocking around that asshole,

Ted Walthrope.

All you know how to do
is to market a style,

you sell a look.

What do you know about
acting, Judith, huh?

Don't turn your personal
failure into general outrage.

We happen to give people
what they want.

Has it ever occurred to you

that maybe nobody's
in the market

for a mirror-kissing
De Niro clone?

Oh, so that's it?

Well, it's nice to know
how you feel, Judith.

Bronson, you know
I don't mean that.

Don't touch me, Judith.

Why don't you go make one
of your music video movies.

Oh, I'm sick of this shit,
I'm goin' home.

Bronson.

I wish the play had gone better
for you tonight.

Give me a break,
you know I love you.

Judith, you love money.
You love power.

You love getting laid.

You got your money,
you got your power,

now find someone else
to fuck you.

[♪♪♪]

That's right.

That's right, man,
I don't need them.

I don't need them, man.
That's right.

[MOUTHS WORDS]

That's right.

[BROKEN SOBBING]

That's right.

[SIGHING]

Stop fucking crying.

That's right, man.

Excuse me, can you tell me
which way Malibu Beach is?

Oh, the 'bu?
Outrageous choice, dude.

You're talking
primo sure spa here.

Do yourself a cutback.
Head towards the rays,

then ride the PCH
till the vibes are right.

Exit-o.

No prob.

Young man,
are you aware of the fact

that you are absolutely
out of your mind?

Hey, dude, I live in L.A.

Hey, hey, hey,
yo, yo, big booty.

Hey, girl.

Hello, ha, ha!
Ooh!

[LAUGHING]

Ha, ha, wow!

Awesome mode of transport,
dude.

Yeah, my buddy
drives this, man.

Crazy.

Bitchin' day, eh?

So, like, what's the scoop

being associated with
the moo cow biz?

You, aghh!

Bronson, you lost
your mind, man.

Yes,
but I've found my soul.

[LAUGHING]

Listen, man, are you stoned?

No, just blond.

What do you think?

[LAUGHING]
Let me ask you a question, man.

Why in the hell
did you do this?

Oh, hell.

Got nothing left
to lose, Thatch,

you got everything to gain.

Did you do this
to get back in the play?

No, to hell with the play.

Did it for myself.

Hell, look, De Niro, he gained
60 pounds for "Raging Bull."

Yeah?

He learned to play the sax
for "New York, New York."

Compared to that, me dyeing
my hair blond is nothing.

[LAUGHING]

But you? Blond?

[LAUGHING]

I just may be the first
pretty boy with street smarts.

[CONTINUES LAUGHING]

I may be blond, Thatch,

but you remember
where I come from.

Man, you came from a planet
that's far, far away, man.

There's no doubt to it.

Hey, dude, when in L.A.,
get as weird as the locals, man.

[♪♪♪]

MARTY:
Hey, 1320, yo, Bronson,

man, you really
let me down again today

leaving Mr. Herbert
all alone like that.

I got a pick-up for you
at 801 West Temple.

Go get 'im, Bronson.

[♪♪♪]

Need some help, dude?

Yeah.

I'm, like, scoping
on these boards here.

Now that's a fine choice
right there.

That's the latest
in surf technology.

It's light as a feather
yet hard as a rock.

Go ahead, hit the deck.

Dude?

Dude?

Oh, yeah, awesome.

Feel the strength
of the fiberglass construction.

Notice the fine
curvature of the rails.

And, of course,
the curved bottom contour

for increased maneuverability.

And check out this scoop.

We have our own shapers
right here in L.A.

We custom build
our surf boards,

especially designed
for California waves.

Shit.

We don't sell shit here.
Only the best.

Hey, but if you don't
like this one,

we've got plenty of 'em
here on the rack

that I'm sure
will amaze you.

So what are you
looking for anyway?

Do you want a thruster,
a quad, longboard?

Ah, a thruster, definitely.

[SHOP DOOR BELL SOUNDS]

Check this one out.

This is a hold-up.

Hold-up?
What do you mean, hold-up?

Clean out
that cash register now.

Hey, give me
the money now, huh?

Hey, lady.

WOMAN:
No way. Now look at you.

This is no time for a--
look.

Come on, please.

Freeze, dude.

One false move,
you're circumcised.

Please, don't hurt me.

Well, I'm calling the police.

What kind of gun is this?

A cap gun.

You're trying to
rob the store

with a cap gun, dude?

I can't afford a real gun.

Look, supply-side economics
is destroying my life.

I've got no liquid assets,
my cash flow is negligible.

I'm sorry, I just...
I've never done this before.

Gripless.WOMAN: I would like for you

to get over here
as soon as you can.

Okay, come on.
Put your hands behind your back.

Ah, do you have
to tie him up?

Look at him.

Are you joking?

The dude does have a major
grief factor going here.

Whose side
are you guys on anyway?

WOMAN:
Yes, sir.

You can't escape,
the police are coming.

Hey!
Hey, wait a minute.

What's going on here?

Who are the two of you anyway?

Is this some new fashion,
crime trios?

Hang these up, dude.

Jesus, shit.

[POLICE SIREN]

What's your title?

Dana Archer.
Yours?

Bronson.
Pleasure to deal with you.

DANA:
Likewise.

[DOG BARKING]

How about some milk,
Mr. Archer?

Just what I need.

Just what America needs.

Mr. Archer?

I think we've found
some promising new prospects

for the spokesman of
the Jericho Family Film Hour.

Are you kiddin' me, huh?

No.

Do you know
what this picture says to me?

It says,
"Leftist, pinko, commie,

fat, no-neck, Jew," to me.

No, where is this guy living,
eh, West Hollywood?

No, no, no.

This is the
Jericho Family Film Hour.

When people turn on the set,
I want it to say, "Pa-tew!

American!"

I don't want any ethno
atrocities on my show.

Daddy?

Hi, sweetheart.
Come on in.

How are you feeling today?

Better now.

DANA:
Don't the two of you guys
ever go home?

Someone has to take care
of your father.

[SIGHS]
I've been doing that just fine

for the past five years,
thank you.

ARCHER:
Yeah. I take care of you all.

You all take care of me.

That's the American way.

We take care of our own.

Get out of here.

So how was your day?
How was the shopping?

Great.

I got the most amazing discount
on the cutest bathing suit.

You're gonna love it.

I bet I will.

And I met
the coolest guy today.

Oh?
Mm-hm.

His name is Bronson.

He's blond.

He's gorgeous.

And I don't know,
he's different.

Different?
What do you mean?

You know
I don't like different.

Daddy.

What, honey?

This family has certain
standards to keep up.

Well, you can judge
for yourself.

He's picking me up at 7.

THATCHER:
You're gonna leave
your partner hanging

on a Saturday night
for this chick?

She better be fine.
She better be hot.

Hot?

This chick is a walking
fire hazard.

Yeah? What are you
gonna do with this girl?

Just what are you
gonna do with this girl?

I don't know.

After today, maybe we'll
knock off a tanning salon, eh?

Hey, word.

The Bronson she knows
is an act.

I mean, you're gonna tell her
what you're up to, huh?

I don't know, Thatch.

I got a unique
opportunity here.

So you're just gonna
lie to her, right?

This is no lie.

This is rehearsal, yeah.

Right, Bobby?

Oh, that's good,
that's good, Blondie.

Keep talking
to your posters.

Ooh, da-da-da-dah.

Look, Thatch,
this is Saturday, right?

Right.

Okay, on Monday,
I got to go face the wolves

with this new blond gig.

I don't know
if it's gonna work.

This is a perfect opportunity

to work out
some of the rough edges

on being one of these
California pretty boys

before the real work begins.

Hey, yo, man.

You figured out
what you're gonna tell Judith?

Ah!

I don't know
if I'm gonna tell Judith.

She's not too hot
on me anymore.

You know, I don't know
about this thing, man.

I don't know about
this whole thing.

I mean, you can lie to Judith
if you want to, hey, yo,

that's your thing.

But I don't think
you ought to lie to Dana.

Acting is one thing,

but we're talking about
another person here.

Thatch, don't you worry.

Don't you worry a bit.

For what is acting
but making another person think

you're somebody else?

No problem, dude.

Are you really gonna
wear them ugly-ass shoes, man?

MARTY:
1320, hey, 1320,
listen, Mr. Hollywood.

I'm tired of your shit.

You may be an independent but you ain't that independent.

Now get your ass
back to the garage

and turn your cab down.

Dispatch out.

Excuse me.

No one ordered a cab here.

Did you order a cab?

No, I definitely
did not order a cab.

You must be Bronson.
Peter Archer.

Hi, Mr. Archer.
I'm here to pick up Dana.

I know.
Come into my office.

Thanks.

Real impressive spread,
Mr. Archer.

Thank you.
We love it.

Have a seat.

Just what business
are you in, Mr. A.?

As a matter of fact,
I'm one of the largest producers

of family entertainment
broadcasting in the nation.

No kidding.

That's something.

You interested in the
broadcasting business, Bronson?

Well, sir,
acting is my gig.

You done anything?

No, sir.
I'd sure like to, though.

You mind if I ask you
a few personal questions?

Cool with me.

Are you now
or have you ever been a member

of the Communist party?

No, sir.

ARCHER:
How did you vote
in the last election?

BRONSON:
Ron's the man for me, sir.

He's doing a heck of a job.

My dear,
you look beautiful.

Daddy, must you interrogate
every man I go out with?

He seems like
a very nice young man.

Good. Then let's go.

Bye, everybody.

Bye, bye.

[♪♪♪]

BRONSON:
Well, I must admit
you do look awesome.

DANA:
Thank you.

I'm sorry, Bronson.

BRONSON:
Aw, you mean
what happened in there?

No problem.

Family's my middle name.

But what's the deal
around here?

DANA:
With my father?

BRONSON:
Yeah, he's some kind of
major movie dealer, isn't he?

DANA:
I don't know if you could
call it that.

His company, Jericho,
makes what they call

"Inspirational films"
for churches

and those Christian
TV stations.

BRONSON:
Well, looks like the Gospel,

according to your old man,
is selling big time.

What's with the two goons?

DANA:
My father keeps
Kevin and James around

to make him feel safe.

BRONSON:
Safe? Right.

DANA:
Are we going
to take your cab?

BRONSON:
We can always
take your wheels.

DANA:
No, I like yours.

I think it's kind of funky.

BRONSON:
Okay.

Away we go.

Instant cab.

DANA:
Thank you.

BRONSON:
Oh, sold out.

What a drag.

DANA:
What are we gonna do?

Got room for two more?

16 million people in America
are illiterates.

Are you one of 'em?

I got an idea.

What can I do for you,
cream puff?

Just want to see
the flick, dude.

You make me come down
all the way

from the projection booth
just to tell me that?

Watch the wave,
surf rat, sold out.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

I told you, sold out,
no one's allowed in the booth.

Hey, are you
from the Big Apple, man?

Yeah, you want to make
something out of it?

Make something out of this.

Come on in.
Best seats in the house.

Thanks a lot.

[♪♪♪]

[LAUGHING]

That was a pretty
awesome film, eh?

DANA:
Beyond awesome.

You have to take me surfing.

BRONSON:
Ah, well, gee,
how about right now?

DANA:
Now?

BRONSON:
Sure, why not?

I don't know
if I can do this.

Sure you can.

Probably better than me.

Okay, let's go
before we chicken out.

On you go.

Okay.

We check for the right wave.

Here it comes.

Okay, we start paddling.

Here we go.

Oh!

Hold on tight now.

Hold on.

Here we go out
the tube.

Oh, ho-ho-ho.

Look out,
here comes the tube.

Whoa-ho-ho.

DANA:
Oh my gosh, oh no, no, no.

BRONSON:
You're doing great, Dana.

Hold on.
Hold.

Whoa.

Awesome wave.

Ha, ha.

We're doin' it,
we're doing it.

Look out, we gotta come back.

Hold on, hold on.

Oh, ho, ho.

[LAUGHING]

What do you think of surfing?

[♪♪♪]

See you soon.

Real soon.

Dana?

Daddy?
What are you doing up?

It's awfully late, isn't it?

Daddy, don't start.

Well, I'm sorry
if I'm concerned about you

running around
in the middle of the night.

I thought we agreed
you weren't going to do this.

Honey, I'm your father.

I can't stop
worrying about you.

Daddy, look.

I'm here.
I'm safe.

I'm home.

Don't make me feel like
I don't belong here.

Honey, you always
belong here.

Then please don't start
pushing me away.

[WHISPERING]
What took you so long?

My father was up.

Your father was up?

I gotta go.

No, no.

He never comes in
once my door is closed.

Honest.

You do this often?

I might be
tempted to start.

Oh, Mary,

I don't want
to lose Dana too.

[♪♪♪]

MAN:
Okay, okay, over
here, man, over here.

Your ball, man, hey.

Hey, ah.

[LAUGHING]

All right.

Ready to get your butt
whopped, pretty boy?

By who?

Look at all that's happened
the last two days.

A couple of days ago,
I couldn't get an agent.

Now I'm chatting it up
with some big broadcasting guy.

I get in with Archer,
man, the sky's the limit.

Come a long way
from your De Niro dream.

Ah, no, I haven't.
That'll always be there.

Now I'll try something
different now.

Check.

Ow, you fouled me, man.

Oh, my gosh, you all right?

Oh, my gosh.Ah! Ha, ha!

Bronson.
Mr. Archer wants to see you.

Oh, fine.
Let's go.

How are you fellas today?Great, thank you.

Great, great.

[SLIDING DOOR OPENING]

Oh, Bronson,
come in, my boy.

[DOOR CLOSING]

Shouldn't I tell Dana
I'm here?

Oh, plenty of time
for that.

First, we have
something to discuss.

I was very impressed
with you yesterday.

I have a question to ask you.

How serious are you about
wanting to be an actor?

Well, serious, sir.
Real serious.

I want you to read
for the new spokesman

for the
Jericho Family Film Hour.

Oh, are you kidding me?

No.

When?

Now.

Now?
Now.

Are you ready?

Yes, sir.

Then go ahead.

Good evening, and welcome

to the
Jericho Family Film Hour.

Easy, easy.

God doesn't need to be sold.

Each week,
we bring you the best

in Christian
family entertainment.

Special stories
for God's legitimate people.

Try talking to a friend.

Not to the camera,
not to an audience.

Just one friend.

Good evening.

And welcome to the
Jericho Family Film Hour.

Each week,
we bring you the best

in Christian family
entertainment.

Special stories
for God's legitimate people.

[SEAGULLS CRYING]

[LAUGHING]

It's a nice day.

Let's go inside
and get something to drink.

Yeah, okay.

Excuse me.
You're Bronson, right?

That's what they call me.

I understand you auditioned
for Mr. Archer this morning

and he was very impressed.

I'm Luke Clearwater,

Programming Director
for Jericho Network.

Pleasure to deal with you,
Mr. Clearwater.

Hey, take a picture.

Take off your glasses,
Bronson.

Never wear dark glasses,

makes people think
you've got something to hide.

Come in a little closer.Smile.

Well, I'm glad to see
you met Luke.

This man is the greatest
program director

Jericho ever had.

So what do you think, Luke?

Should Bronson be
the next spokesman

for the Jericho Network?

I like his look.
Speaks right to the people

we're trying to reach
with the shows.

I can see honesty and integrity
written all over his face.

You put me on the airwaves,
Mr. A.,

we'll knock 'em dead.

Well, that's the kind of talk
I like to hear.

I think you'll do great,
Bronson.

I can depend on you.

[GIRL LAUGHING]

Hey, you, what do you think
you're doing here?

Kevin, James?

Do you mean us?

This is a private beach.
You can't come in here.

There are laws.

I own this beach halfway
to the mean tide line.

You crossed that line,
you're on my property.

Hey, the beach
is the beach.

What's going on?That's what you think, Sambo.

Who do you think you are?

Keep your hands off her.

What are you gonna do?Take him on.

Wait.

Go on, leave.
Time to leave, just leave.

You people are
a bunch of assholes.

You're the ones
that came onto my beach.

And once on my beach
you want to use my telephone,

my water, my toilet,
my God, my toilet.

Turn on the water, Bronson.

What is your problem?

We don't want to use--We want to use his toilet.

Come on,
give me a break?

Why can't you stay with
your own kind

where you belong?
Bronson, the water.

You people are animals,
you know that?

Animals!

Animals!

Damn you!

Damn you!

Niggers.

Niggers on my beach.

Take a deep breath.Niggers on my beach.

Calm down, they're gone.
They're gone.

[ CONVERSING INDISTINCTLY]

So this is the scene here
in Watts, as you can see.

There's turmoil everywhere.

White man, in your wood.

Agh!

So this is the scene here
in Watts, as you can see.

There's turmoil everywhere.

White man, in your wood.

Agh!

So this is the scene here
in Watts, as you can see.

There's turmoil everywhere.

White man, in your wood.

Agh!

So this is the scene here
in Watts, as you can see.

[SIGHING]

[♪♪♪]

[PANTING]

[ON TV]
Faithful viewers,
we are the lucky ones.

We have been blessed
by the power of the Lord

and received his message.

If there is any of you
out there amongst the chosen

who have not received
His message,

please come to
your television sets now

so that all of God's race
may be aware

of our special place
in this world.

Remember, we the chosen
must band together

to squash the dark heathens
so that we may enjoy

a pure and clean existence.

Tonight, we bring you
the story of Henry Krinkle.

Henry is a lost soul,

a man without direction
in his life.

He wanders the streets
of America,

hoping to find
the meaning in his life

that you and I
already know.

Let us follow Henry on the road
to the ultimate truth.

The pure truth,
the white truth.

Tonight, on the
Jericho Family Film Hour,

we are proud to present to you

the Christian broadcast
premier of God's Taxi.

DIRECTOR:
And cue tape. That's a cut.

Especially liked the way
you said God's Taxi.

Wasn't he great, Daddy?

Yes, he certainly was.

And, Bronson,
with this contract,

great things are gonna
happen for you, I can feel it.

Thanks, Mr. A.

It's really one sweet deal
you laid on me.

Well, there'll be
many more to come,

don't worry about that.

Any time you need us,
Bronson.

You're always welcome here.

Oh, my God, I gotta go.

I got to be at class
in 20 minutes.

Honey, don't you want to
come with us this time?

No, Daddy, I gotta go.

I'm really proud of you.

Bye, everybody.Bye.

Bye.

Well, Bronson,
want to come with us?

Sure.

What are we up to?

I believe every man should
have a place to fire his guns.

Huh? Huh? Huh?

Absolutely.

MR. ARCHER:
When I was a boy,

my father went to great pains
to teach me the value of guns.

He was a great patriot.
He loved this country.

I founded Jericho
on the principles

that he taught me
as a child.

God--

Country--

Family.

I make wholesome films
for wholesome people.

Never underestimate the power
of traditional Americans.

God-fearing,
TV-watching Americans.

[GUNFIRE]

Way to bag 'em, Mr. A.

You love this country,
Bronson?

Oh, in a big way, Mr. A.

You know that this country
that we love so much

is being invaded?

Did you know by whom?

[GUN FIRING]

The Ruskies?

No, much worse than that.

We're being invaded
from within.

And if we're not careful,

this country's going to be
overrun by filth.

[GUN FIRING]

Men like you and me
belong together.

Are you with me, Bronson?

[GUN FIRING]

MR. ARCHER:
You with me?

Yes, sir.

There are certain situations
in this country

that must be taken care of.

There comes a time
when enough is enough

and you got to stand up
for your rights.

The United States is the
greatest country in the world

and it is our duty to make sure
that we keep it that way.

[GUN FIRING]

We must protect ourselves.

[GUN FIRING]

DANA:
Bronson?

What's this?

Oh, that's just
a gripless stunt

I pulled with my buddy,
Thatcher.

Wanted to see what
it'd be like to be a nerd.

You don't look
like a nerd at all.

In fact, I think
you look kind of cute.

Oh, yeah?

Mm-hm.

What do you want a picture for?

You have the real thing
right here.

Bronson.

What can I say?

My mind's not responsible.

MR. ARCHER:
Ladies and gentlemen,
we'll take questions now.

Questions, please.

PRESS REPORTER:
Mr. Green.

Mr. Green,
can you tell the press

how you became
the new spokesman for Jericho?

I--

Well, we had defined a man
who unmistakably embodied

the traditional
American virtues,

honesty, integrity,
morality.

We searched long
for such a man.

We prayed and God sent us
Bronson Green.

REPORTER:
Mr. Green, do you plan
a long association with Jericho?

Definitely so.

I would also like to
take this chance

to thank Peter Archer

and everyone involved
with the Jericho Network

for this wonderful opportunity.

I feel it is an honor to be able
to spread the Jericho message

to the God-fearing wholesome
TV-watching Americans

that are the backbone
of this country.

Can you tell us who
your greatest inspiration

in the entertainment
industry has been?

My greatest inspiration?

My greatest inspiration is
and will always be Peter Archer.

[LAUGHING]

REPORTER:
Mr. Archer,
a word from you, sir?

Sir, Mr. Archer.

[ORGAN MUSIC PLAYING]

Tonight on the
Jericho Family Film Hour,

we are proud
to present to you

the Christian broadcast
premiere ofGod's Taxi.

[ORGAN MUSIC STOPS]

Ta-da.

God's Taxi?
You must be joking.

That's no joke.
It's a real piece of work.

It's a piece of something.

Piece of shit.

It's not a piece of work, man.

[EXHALES]

What is this pure truth,
white truth?

Where do you get off
spitting out this racist bull?

Come on, Thatch.

I'm no racist,
you know that.

This is just acting.

It ain't acting, man,
it's junk.

It's disgusting.
You've crossed the line, man.

You have crossed the line.

You're not just lying
to some chick

and her old man, anymore.

You've sold your morals out.

What is this shit?

Look at this, huh?

Holding a glass of
milk and smiling?

Talk about selling out.

All the time I've known you,

I've never ever seen you
drink a glass of milk.

And now you're selling a product
you don't even use.

Yeah, that's right.

But you know
there's a big difference

in selling a product
and selling yourself out.

We've known each other
10 years, right, 10 years?

Yeah.

In all that time, man,
it's always been your dream

to do a De Niro role, right?Right.

Look at you now, man,
spitting out that racist bull

'cause it's the only job
you can get.

Thanks a lot, Thatch.

Oh, yeah, man,
thanks a lot.

Yeah, but see,
I know you, man,

and I know you're not
a racist, you know?

But you got
millions of people here

who are gonna believe that
you're this big bad-ass bigot,

looking forward to getting rid
of all the niggers.

Goddamn it, Thatcher.

How come when I get
the first taste

of success in my entire career,
you've got to come down on me

like I'm some carnival sideshow?

'Cause you are, man.

You want millions of people

to think
that you're a racist, huh?

Is that what you want?
You call that success?

I'm sorry, man.

I'm just doing
what Archer wants.

He pays me.
I give 'im what he wants.

Yeah, right.
You doin' what Archer wants.

What he wants.

Seems to me you've forgotten
what you wanted, man.

You left New York, and you
came out here to California

with $100 dreams, babe.
Hundred-dollar dreams.

Now you're settling for these
stinking two-bit fantasies.

You think De Niro
would ever even breathe

in the direction
of Peter Archer?

I don't need
this shit from you.

Oh, yeah, right, man.

And who the hell else
is gonna give it to you?

Judith, huh?

I bet you haven't
even called her, man.

Fuck Judith.

Oh, yeah, right.
What are you saying?

Judith loves you, Bronson.

She loves herself.

And you don't?

Hey, I don't need Judith.

You know,
and for that matter,

I don't need you either.

THATCHER:
You're blowing it, man.

You came out here
and you're throwing away

everything you worked for.

You're just
throwing it all away.

I'm not throwing
everything away.

I'm cleaning house.

And I'm getting rid
of everything

that I don't need anymore.

[SIGHING]

MR. ARCHER:
Pull over.
Pull over, right now.

Damn it, James,
stop the car right now.

BRONSON:
What's wrong, Mr. A.?

What the hell do these people
think they're doing?

What the hell's happening
to the America that I love?

Damn them.

You see it, Bronson,
do you see it?

It's huge, Mr. A.

MR. ARCHER:
Huge.
You're damn right it's huge.

God!

You okay, Mr. Archer?

It's all right, Mr. Archer.

Just go ahead
and have a seat, sir.

Take a deep breath.

You'll take care of him, huh?Yes, sir, we will.

Let's go, Bronson.

The last bastion
of goodness in America.

What's wrong, Mr. A.?

What is wrong is something
even Ronald Reagan can't cure.

See, Bronson,
once men like you and me

had a place in this world,
uncontested.

We were respected by everyone.

I don't need to tell you

who the very first
true Americans were.

The Indians?

No. No, they were savages.

No, I'm talking about real men,
white men, civilized men.

The proof of how savage
the Indians were,

lies in how poorly they've
adapted to the civilized life.

No, God gave this country
to the white man.

It was his gift to us.

He meant for
the beauty of America

to be enjoyed by men
like you and me.

Unfortunately, our forefathers
made a grave mistake.

They brought in slaves
from Africa.

When they saw how fertile
this great land was,

they brought in more slaves
to help them tend the fields.

Slavery was the single
greatest evil

this country's ever known.

You know why?

Because our forefathers
neglected to send them back.

Inadvertently,
they unleashed

upon this beautiful,
beautiful, beautiful land

an infestation of the lowest
form of human life,

an infestation that we have been
powerless to rid ourselves of

until now

because now, here,
right now,

I'm standing up.

Here is a man who will
stand up to the scum

and the dogs and the filth.

I am standing up.

What we do now
is teach the Negro

that he is not wanted here.

Ultimately, I intend to use
the power of the Jericho Network

to rid ourselves of
these foul creatures,

but first, just a signal,
a sign, an unmistakable sign...

that the time has come,

the seeds of revolution
are in the ground.

Do you know that in every one
of these 50 united states,

there are groups of people
just waiting?

Groups of right-thinking
Aryan people,

cleaning their guns,

and waiting for a sign from me.

Shall we oblige them, Bronson?

Are you with us?

Bronson, are you with us?

Are you, Bronson?

Are you with us?

Are you with us?

Are you, Bronson?

Yes, sir.
You can count on me, Mr. A.

Oh, man.

[EXHALES]

Bronson?

What's the matter with you?

You look a little pale.

Oh, I'm just going through
a little identity crisis here.

What are you talking about?

Oh, it's nothing.

Let's get out of here.

Use all our contacts,

all our power,

bring me that nigger.

[MOVIE PLAYING IN THEATER]

DE NIRO'S VOICE:
Listen, you fuckers,
you screwheads.

Here is a man
who would not listen,

you fuckers,
you screwheads.

Here is a man who would not take it anymore.

A man who stood up
against the scum,

the dogs, the filth,
the shit.

Here is a man who stood up.

Dana, I got to talk to you.

Not now, Bronson,
I'm watching the movie.

Now, Dana, now.

What in the hell have you
done to your hair?

Christ, Judith.
What are you doing here?

I want to talk to you.

I knew I'd find you here.

You haven't missed
a screening of Taxi Driver

since I've known you.

What's going on here?

I was just trying
to tell you, Dana.

What's with you, Bronson?

Judith, you got to go.

Look, would you
calm down, please?

That's De Niro
up on the screen.

Hey, you talkin' to me,
asshole?

This is my goddamn movie,
you understand?

I'll do what
I damn well please.

If you don't settle down,
we have to ask you to leave.

Shut up. It's got
nothing to do with you.

What has gotten into you,
Bronson?

What are you gonna do,
punk, huh?

Okay. Okay, fine, fine.
We'll talk outside.

We don't need
your Taxi Driverfans.

Or freaks.

DANA:
What's going on here?

That's what I'd like to know.

Who are you?

I'm his girlfriend.

Or at least, I was
before he bleached his hair.

Before he bleached his hair?

Dana, I've got to talk to you.

I've been meaning to tell you.

I dyed my hair blond

to see if I could make it
as a pretty boy.

I'm a New York actor
with dark hair.

I wasn't cutting it
so I made the change

to see if I could get a job.

Hell, I'm no beach boy.
I can hardly swim.

You're a pig.

No, you're a low-life,
that's what you are.

Low-life.

Now I don't know
what you've done

but I don't want to know.

I don't ever want to know.

DANA:
Bronson, did you do all this

just to get in
with my father?

Dana, I had no idea

who your father was
when I met you.

God, you're--
you are such a liar.

I can't believe I trusted you.

I can't--

I--

I can't believe
you did this to me.

Just--

[FOOTSTEPS LEAVING]

BRONSON:
Bobby, I screwed up.

Oh, what did I do?

[BLUES MUSIC]

KEVIN:
Well, well, well.

Look at what we got here, James.

Hey, looks like a little
black poster boy.

What do you guys want, man?

Do you know what
negative reinforcement is?

[♪♪♪]

You got 'im?

Daddy!

[♪♪♪]

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
Thatcher!

Thatcher, it's me.

Jesus Christ!

Oh, my God.

Pure truth.

Pure truth.

[♪♪♪]

ARCHER:
Stupid dumb niggers.

Will you ever learn?

Archer!

Archer!

He's not here.

So why don't you
just go away?

Dana, your father's
flipped out.

He kidnapped
my best friend.

More stories, Bronson?

That's just great.
More stories.

This is no story, Dana.

This is real.

You're one to tell me
what's real and what's not real.

You're a liar,
you're a bastard,

and you're a cheap actor who
gets off playing with people.

I know, Dana.
What I did to you was wrong.

God knows I'm sorry.

But I got no time
for apologies right now.

There's something
going down now with your father

I got to put a stop to.

What are you talking about?

I just went by my buddy
Thatcher's apartment.

He's gone.
His place is destroyed.

Dana, your father's behind this.

Believe me,
I know he's behind this.

Now I don't know
what he's done to Thatch,

but I got a good idea
where he's taking him.

And I'm gonna
do something about it.

Bronson!

How can I believe one word
you're saying to me?

You can't,
but you know your father,

and if you want to help him,
you'll come with me now.

And if you don't,

you have no say
in what happens to him.

[♪♪♪]

JAMES:
You okay, Mr. Archer?

Okay, take him away.

ARCHER:
Damn.

I got him, Mr. Archer.
Go ahead.

[♪♪♪]

You have no place
in my world.

[TIRES SCREECHING]

Bronson?

Dana!

Mr. A.,
you've helped me find

the real me,
the pure me.

What are you doing here?

Kevin.
I've come to help.

Trying to.

Come here, bitch.

What?

Come on, move. Up.

What?
Move!

ARCHER:
No! no!

He's got Dana.

Bronson,
this doesn't make sense.

BRONSON:
Keep moving, Dana.
Keep moving.

Just keep moving.

What do you want, Bronson?

BRONSON:
Just move away from Thatcher.

Move away, now.

I got your daughter here,
Archer.

Bronson,
why are you doing this?

BRONSON:
Move!

What are you doing
with my daughter?

What are you doing
with Thatcher?

Lie down.

Huh? You know Thatcher?

What is this?
What do you want?

DE NIRO'S VOICE:
You talkin' to me?
I'm standin' here.

Are you ready to make a move?
It's your move.

Here is a man
who would not take it anymore.

A man who stood up
against the scum and the dogs

and the filth, the pigs,
the bigots like you.

A man who stood up.

Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh,

I saw you coming,
you shit-heel.

I'm standing here.
You make the move.

It's your move.

Damn it, James,
drop it!

You'll never get away
with this, Bronson.

I'm gonna crush you.

Hey, you talkin' to me?
You talkin' to me?

Who the fuck do you think
you're talkin' to?

Lie down, you slimy-assed
bigot bastard.

Lie down.

You too.

Here's your pure truth, Archer.

Here's your pure truth,
your white truth.

They're gonna put you away
for 20 years for this.

I don't understand.
What--

Sorry, honey.

I didn't have time
to rehearse.

It's the only thing
I know how to do.

Dana, help me.

Help me.

I'm sorry, Daddy.

I can't.

BRONSON:
It's all right, buddy.

It'll be okay.

You'll be okay.

THATCHER:
Oh, man.

You'll be okay.
It's all over.

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]