Americana (2016) Movie Script
You're too rough
on my publicist.
You know, she doesn't need
to hear it from you and from me.
She gets you interviews
in markets
the film's not even
being released in.
It's a waste of everyone's time.
And you're not my manager.
So don't treat me like one.
Come on, I don't need to come
to this shit.
Dad used to go with me.
Oh!
Are you okay?
Hmm.
Aah!
Avery?
You know where you are?
San...
San Francisco?
There's nothing in
the medicine cabinet,
so don't bother.
It's okay.
You come out when you want.
Mornin'.
Morning. He's in the kitchen.
- Thank you.
- For what?
Clean sheets?
- I'd like to go home now.
- Okay. To accomplish what?
You know, I can only do
like four miles now.
It's embarrassing.
You know it's illegal,
locking me up there.
Someone had to.
Hey, Ryan, you know
what cirrhosis is?
No?
All right,
you don't want to eat,
let's get to work.
Dan.
Avery, Dan.
How long you been
cutting it for?
About a year.
Fired the director
six months ago.
I can't seem to find it.
You can find it.
There are better
editors than me.
Yeah, I don't want better.
I want you.
When was the last time
you felt this clean?
When was the last time
you saw your kid?
Year and a half?
You are running out of people
who would do this for you.
I'm giving you work.
Say thank you.
How much does it pay?
There are work drives,
backups, and then triple backups
over in storage in Brisbane.
- But as far as what was shot?
- Yeah, you've seen it.
You like me
because you need me.
I need you because I love you.
I think that the beat before
is the physical need
for somebody,
um, you know, the want
for somebody else,
and ultimately,
that gets washed away.
- It feels very honest.
- Thank you.
That's great. Thank you.
We fought really hard to make
it feel like you were there.
It... It was really
important for us
to have the audience understand
the... the stakes
for this woman,
to empathize, to breathe her in.
It was bit of a burden for me,
if I may say so,
being the person
who... who got to play
this wonderful woman.
Um, but, uh, yeah,
I think it -
I think it started me
thinking that it...
it's just really
important for me
to surround myself
with... with friends
and... and family maybe,
uh, people who you can trust.
- You have siblings?
- I do.
I have... I have
an older brother.
He's an editor
for commercials and... and film.
You know that I lie
for a living, as an actress
so it's really nice
to be surrounded
by, uh, people, family,
a brother
who... who really makes sure
that I stay grounded
and a husband who does the same.
And I just hope that, uh,
that I can... that
I do repay them for that.
- That's great.
- Thank you so much.
Hi.
Can we get some menus?
Come to this place a lot?
When did you get back?
About a week ago.
I was going to call sooner, but...
So, what's the job, Avery?
Recutting "Americana."
Calib wants to show it
to some folks
who didn't buy the last one.
Play off her success.
- And Calib brought you back?
- Yeah, he needed a good editor.
How's the drinking?
Stop it.
I'm fine, pal.
He's sorry. I'm sorry.
- I'm not sorry.
- It was an honest question.
It's fine. I'm fine.
You guys know what you want?
Yeah. Do you?
God knows, you think you can,
and then turn your back
on your friends
and your family
for something
you could never have.
I never believed
in "Americana," Vernon.
And I never believed in you.
You did.
You wouldn't be here
if you didn't.
If they're all gone,
we should leave.
Stay for a second.
For an hour or two.
We should rest.
I doubt they'll come back.
Charlie...
...you can't have it all.
You like me
because you need me.
I need you because I love you.
It's addictive.
It's addictive,
moving little pieces around,
making them fit.
Keeps me busy.
If you can stay sober in a bar,
you can stay sober anywhere.
How's the kid?
Jack? Uh, I think he's good.
You gonna try to go see him?
Call Claire, say,
"Hey, let's pretend
I wasn't a drunk shithead.
Let me take Jack to a matinee?"
I don't know, Josh.
Avery, you're so close,
but you've got to admit
what you did wrong
and get over it.
It doesn't have to be
in a courtroom,
but you've got to get over it.
Yeah.
I'm not talking
about the program.
I'm talking about you
getting out again.
being a human being.
I know.
I'm working on it.
You're the only one that's
still letting it get to him.
Hello?
Wrong number.
- Hello?
- Something happen to you?
Mom not teach you manners,
or you just
don't think too hard?
- All right, bye.
- Does it not hit you
in the gut every day
like it does for me?
Pretty face.
No need to think about it.
I thought, for a while,
you didn't feel it
because he was so small.
Maybe you just didn't feel
yourself taking
the life out of him.
Maybe that's why
you didn't stop.
So when you hit him,
I'm asking you if you felt it.
You killed my best friend.
How does that feel?
How does that feel
when you sleep?
I guess it doesn't matter.
I'm gonna see him soon.
I'm gonna see Henry.
And my family,
they're gonna be just fine.
You know why?
'Cause it's going
to do great now.
And when it does,
you're gonna feel
that red-hot heat in you.
And I hope it runs out your ass,
all over the floor.
See you soon.
- A great actress.
- And a great actress can do
with a few bucks
and a few favors.
With those things, I can go back
into the office of those
fucking tight-ass investors,
and I can say...
And what's the name
of the other guy?
- Herman something.
- Thank you. Herman something.
I can go to the office
of Herman something,
and I will say, "Herman, my man,
I created jobs,
a sustainable industry
in this town,
and I have a movie
that is opening wide."
And after that, I'll probably
throw a glass of wine
in the banker's face.
Oh, by the way,
are we done with dessert?
Are we getting coffee, or are
we just going to take a walk?
- I just got another drink.
- Okay.
And then we'll go for a walk.
- Do we have a driver?
- Oh, I sent our driver home.
I guess we're sleeping here
tonight, gentlemen.
Oh, no.
Will you hold this
for me, please?
Thank you.
Oh!
Have you got the number
for Kate's driver?
- Kate sent him home.
- You know, I'm good to drive.
- Do you have the number?
- Why would I have it?
- Katie?
- Why would I have it?
All right.
Thanks for the help, man.
You know,
there's a general sick
mentality of the locals
when it's warm outside
and people expect an earthquake.
- Mm-hmm.
- Yeah, it's crazy...
- Avery!
- ...that you get nervous
every time it warms up a little.
I came to a wedding here
a couple months ago.
Horrible couple. My God.
Oh! It's so beautiful!
Kate, come on. Let's go.
Look at these angels!!
It's like a beehive,
honeycomb thing.
I should have taken ballet.
Hey.
- Seriously, let's go.
- What?
Hey! Hey! Kate! Kate!
It's going to do great now.
You've been drinking?
No.
I thought about your pop
on the way over here.
The police told me
that they got the name
of the guy that, uh...
They... They, uh, found it
in his wallet and, uh...
What?
The guy's name is Mark Taylor.
Blowback is what they told me.
From Sir Francis Drake Boulevard.
He was the boy's cousin.
Do you think he could have
been the one who called you?
Yeah.
All right.
- I know.
- She didn't do anything.
I know.
- I drove us home.
- We went to bed.
I know.
Avery...
I know that there's a pin.
And it's really tiny.
And you're balanced
on the tip of it...
and you could fall off
in any direction.
People are gonna blame you.
You're going to see it
in their eyes.
And when you do...
I need you to remember
that this guy was crazy...
that his resentment and his rage
had nothing to do with you.
It's no one's fault but his...
this brutal thing.
Now...
I need you to sign
your name five times.
Okay?
Here, here, here, here, here.
All right?
That discussion we had
about wages...
did you sign anything?
No.
Well, take the points...
because it'll sell now.
To be honest with you,
I'm not really thinking
about the film.
Yeah.
Well, to be honest with you,
I don't know
when you'll be sober enough
again to pick up a phone.
- I care about her!
- This is my house!
- This is for her!
- Josh, be quiet for a second.
No, you think you're
on my intelligence.
I am begging you.
You don't deserve this.
You're the smart guy, Josh.
I am being smart by getting rid
of this right now.
- You're not being smart.
- Right now! Right now!
- You want me to put it down?
- Yes, I do.
- I'll put it down.
- Look...
- You want it down?
- It's very easy, Calib!
Please, put it on the table,
and let's talk.
Look, is it something to do
with Avery?
No, it's not! It has nothing
to do with fucking Avery!
It has to do with you!
- I don't know what you're doing.
- What is this worth now?
To you, Calib?
What is this worth?
- P-Please.
- What's it fucking worth?!
- Stop shouting at me!
- Listen, please!
Put it down and let's talk.
All right?
How you doing buddy?
We should talk sometime.
It's going to do great now.
It's fine.
It's just a backup.
There is so much money
tied up in this film.
It's sand castles,
children playing with toys,
making this entire... thing
that doesn't do anything.
It just gets washed away
after a few years.
He just lost his wife...
and you just lost your sister.
But you plug that thing in
down there...
...she's right there.
That is miraculous, I think.
I wonder if you can
tell me something.
Of course.
What's going to happen first,
you selling this film
or us putting her in the ground?
Honey.
I don't want
to talk about my sister.
- And I know it's been a while...
- Avery.
...but right now
I'm just going to ask you
if I can borrow the car.
Just the car.
Please.
Okay. Why?
Because it's a long
walk to Marin.
Okay.
Come on.
I can drive.
Can you?
I'll drive.
If I can, at some point,
I would like to see Jack...
...to explain myself.
You call me, and
we'll talk about it.
I'd like that.
And it would be okay.
I haven't had a drink
since before Kate.
Believe me, I walked in
with every intention
of burning that place down.
You angry at me?
No.
Good. I'm glad.
You know, Calib rides
a nice little line
between being holier-than-thou
and completely
emotionally ignorant.
Makes him a hell of a producer.
I met that guy...
Mark Taylor...
just outside the courthouse
last... January.
He had a way of speaking.
Heard he worked at
a... a textile plant in Fairfax.
What do you think he meant by,
"It's going to do great now"?
Oh, come on.
You do.
You've been around
these people long enough.
I mean, I haven't been
in too many meetings.
I don't a lot
about the business,
except for
whatever Kate told me,
but even I knew what he meant.
So do you.
Now, what did he mean?
Press.
"Who wants to see that indie
with, uh, what's-her-name...
the girl that
was in that thing?"
"Who wants to see a movie with,
uh, that girl who was... pop?"
I do.
So?
So, what the hell does
a textile worker from Fairfax
care about sales projections?
You guys want some breakfast?
- I had breakfast.
- How about some lunch?
I had this moment
after I knew she died...
and I knew who Mark Taylor was.
I knew I recognized him.
I couldn't stop thinking
about what he said.
And I... I thought
of this script
that Kate had gotten
like, I don't know,
probably a year ago,
right after, like,
"Dreamer's Fog,"
right when she was really
beginning to blow up,
get famous...
right after your trial...
when you left town
to go fill yourself with scotch.
It was about, uh,
the air-raid siren
in San Francisco.
You know?
- The Tuesday Siren.
- Right. Exactly.
They test that air-raid siren
every Tuesday at noon.
Every Tuesday at noon,
the siren comes on
and this voice...
this voice says,
"This is a test of
the emergency broadcast system."
And so this movie...
this movie is...
this movie is
about these guys...
they're, like, terrorists
or something...
this group of terrorists
who decide
that they're going
to bomb San Francisco...
...on a Tuesday...
at noon.
Right?
While the test siren
is going off.
I mean, it's good, right?
I mean, they decide to do it
when everybody thinks, "Oh,
this is just, you know,
this is a test.
We hear this shit
every Tuesday."
Then, the bomb drops,
the siren comes on,
everybody just goes
about their business.
That's the whole story?
Yeah.
Yeah, that was the movie.
And, uh, Kate would have
played the... the nurse
or the doctor or, you know,
whoever it was that saves
all the people in the movie.
- But everyone can hear the bomb?
- Right, everyone hears the bomb,
but the thing is,
is that in the movie,
they hear it and
they go, "Oh, what's that?
Oh. Oh, that's nothing.
We hear that every Tuesday."
See?
The plan was
to cover something bigger
with expectation of the public.
Right.
To cover the unexpected
with the expected.
Right.
So, I'm sitting
in the ambulance,
next to my wife,
who I knew was dead.
And... And I suddenly think,
"That story...
That story really got it right."
You would expect that
the family of a dead child
would be upset at the family
they thought killed that child,
that Mark Taylor
would be mad... at you...
that he would want some
sort of a...
balance, revenge.
You would expect that.
Like the siren...
you'd expect it.
And it would be a great time
to drop a bomb.
- What do you need...
- right now... from me?
I need you to stop
listening to the siren.
- I'll take a share...
- of the film.
You mean points.
"Shares" is a corporation.
This is a partnership.
You know what I mean.
Okay.
Did you figure I would?
I think he thinks
that you're taking advantage.
- Who's that?
- Josh does, of Kate's...
And that it might be
benefiting the film.
What do you think?
Did you know him?
Taylor?
Calib.
Hey, buddy. How are you?
Listen, you got to call me
Daddy, all right?
Now, Daddy has to work,
so go there.
- Calib, can you...
- Yeah, sure.
- Ryan!
- Come get some food, Buggy.
Avery, you too.
You sleeping?
I've been having
a lot of trouble.
So, you didn't know him?
Who's that?
- Taylor?
- Mm-hmm.
You didn't recognize him
that night?
I don't know.
I... I made a statement
to the police.
I realized there were things
I didn't remember.
But what I do remember,
honestly, I-I would like to forget,
if possible.
Avery, um, when I was working
on trying to
keep the business going...
and I'm... I'm not comparing...
but I went to see this guy.
Um, he's a friend
of a friend down on Mason.
He's a... like a specialist, right?
Um, and I'm not saying
you got to see this guy,
but maybe you should see
a trauma therapist...
deal with the anger,
maybe gain a certain amount
of self-control.
Well, I already have
a doctor in Lagunitas.
I know, but if you want
to nip it in the bud.
Hey, hey, come on,
don't do that.
Oh, I think I deserve it.
You're gonna tell me
what I can and can't do, Anne?
- We're done doing her favors.
- What does that mean?
Hey, what does that mean?
It means your sister
asked my husband
if he could sober you up
and give you a job,
which, to me, is a little like
asking, "Can you hold
your breath for three weeks?"
We're all shaken.
I just think it's time
you get a place
if you're going to stay
in the city.
Hey, Ry.
Wake up, buddy.
Do I have school?
No, you don't have school.
I need you to tell me
where you learned that song...
the one you sang last night.
- At the church.
- What church?
Annnnnd...
Mrs. Taylor?
Mrs. Taylor?
Nora?
It's all right.
- Out.
- I know.
25 yards, and you
aren't allowed in the building.
Out.
I'm not going anywhere.
What do you want?
- Are you drunk?
- No.
What do you want?
There's a producer
named Calib Andrews.
I work with him, and
my sister worked with him.
He's been here.
Why did he come here?
I want you to know
that whatever was started
with your son's death,
whatever blame
your nephew put on me...
we should stop.
There's no bad children.
They don't start out that way.
I'm not preaching.
I just read that
in a parenting book.
I got him a job.
I-I tried with my nephew.
I...
I didn't try hard enough, maybe.
You were there when he shot her.
I'm sorry for your loss.
I don't blame you for anything.
No, I bet you're
blaming yourself
for all the people
paying for your mistakes.
Mr. Andrews worshipped here.
He and his family
worshipped here.
We're 30 miles
outside the city.
He's a compassionate man.
- Is he?
- Very.
- To who?
- Don't be glib.
- To your nephew?
- To my family.
What does he want
from your family?
- It's fine, Terri.
- Are you sure?
I'm sure, honey. It's fine.
That's all, really.
You need to go.
Hmm.
Oh.
Get another one?
Hey.
...T...
...S... T...
...P... Q...
...G... H...
I...
It's your contention
that because of
a conversation...
about what, we don't know...
a conversation
between Calib and her
and the nephew maybe,
that he put an idea
in the nephew's head?
And for what?
To sell a movie?
And this while you're wasted...
wasted beyond...
and it's one p.m.
and I can fucking
smell it on you!
Avery, you were so lucky
to have your sister.
It's amazingly rare
to have a person like her...
as extraordinary
as... as public
and to really know her.
She stood up for you.
And I know that you want
to stand up for her.
Don't.
It's like you're
trying to prove
that she's not guilty
of something.
But it is feasting on you, boy.
All right.
So, you'll stay
with us tonight.
And I don't need to tell you
what you can't do.
We fought really hard to make
it feel like you were there.
It was extremely
important for us
to have the audience understand
the stakes for this woman,
to empathize and breathe her in.
It, uh, was a burden on my part,
if I may say so,
as, uh, as the person
who was... who was playing her
and trying to bring all that,
all those colors to life.
I do. I do.
I have an older brother.
He's here somewhere,
lurking in the background.
Oh!
It's really important for me
to be surrounded by... by family
who understand what it is that
I'm trying to do with my life.
What was that?
I don't know.
Pull over.
Katie, pull over.
The difficulties
that come with that...
you know, the little
inconsequential things...
you know that...
You know that I lie
for a living as an actress,
so it's extremely important
for me
to be surrounded
by... by family
and... and a brother
who help... ground me.
Yeah, you have to go.
Can he see me?
No.
But he knows I'm here.
He knows I can handle you.
I don't know, I... just feel
like I'm losing my mind, Claire.
Yeah, it's good that I left.
Okay.
I sleep outside sometimes
in the fall up there...
and I do that
so that I, um,
I get too cold
to get up at night,
grab a bottle of something.
But sometimes I wake up
more or less straight.
Every time, I forget
how easy it is to hate myself.
Like, I feel more like me with...
s-something in here,
you know,
like... like I-I'm intended
to have something else in me.
But it takes not drinking
for a few hours...
to remember that.
That's - Tat's the only reason
I wasn't always.
To remind myself
that I needed it.
Drinking is the only thing
I've ever really been good at.
And when I don't have it...
I miss it.
I miss it
more than I miss you...
more than I miss Katie...
...more than I miss my son.
And I should
hate myself for that.
I need a place
to stay tonight...
just a place to sober up.
Please don't, okay?
I love you, Claire.
Good night.
Hello?
I-I saw you at the church.
Who is this?
I wanted to meet you,
make sure you were...
You don't seem like
such a bad guy.
And you should know about him
because he wasn't that bad.
He just had trouble.
You know?
I don't know why
he did a lot of things.
He was mad at you
and your sister
because he was mad at everybody.
He was mad that his aunt gave up
so easy fighting for Henry.
Yeah.
You didn't do it though, right?
Do what?
Run him over and keep driving?
No.
You couldn't have.
You'd have to be...
You'd have to be
a very hurt person
to look someone in the eye
and lie about something
that important.
He said we'd be rich
if he killed her.
What?
He said the movie would do
better if he killed her.
How would he get rich?
Can I hug you?
Yes.
We're both good people,
you know...
With bad things
happening around us.
You gonna tell me
what's going on?
It's called a contingent
compensation offer.
It's a contract.
The date.
Look at the date.
Signed four weeks
before she was killed.
Calib Andrews paid
in shares of the film...
to have my sister killed.
The movie may have done well
without it,
but he kills her,
the movie comes out
a few weeks from now,
does well, makes money.
The better it does,
the more money
the Taylors make.
It's an incentive.
- What are you doing?
- Where's Calib?
He's running.
What are you doing?
So, what do you want
to do with these?
Hold on to them.
Hold on to them for a minute.
Then I'll format them,
wipe them clean.
Hey! Hey!!
What you doin', buddy?
For the Taylor family.
Why did they have
30% of the film?
He had a share!
He killed her over this!
You silver-spoon fuck,
he fucking killed her over this!
No, no, he killed her because
you ran over that child
and kept driving.
- Nope.
- Of course he did.
- No.
- Your sister paid for you,
I paid for the lawsuit,
we settled with the family
so we could move on.
How could you not see
that's what this is?
It's a settlement!
It's a settlement.
How could I possibly know
what that guy was going to do?
Come on, think about it.
Did that cross your mind?
I'm going home.
Your stuff will be on the curb.
Sober up, please.
- It's still your fault.
- Oh, fuck you!
Just say "thank you," Avery.
Huh?
For your sister's help,
for my help.
- I didn't want it.
- She wanted it!
- And I thanked her for it!
- Yeah, by leaving!
You're a child.
You hear me? You're a child.
You want to blame me, fine,
but I was trying
to fix your fuckup
while you were drinking
yourself to death.
You throw tantrums,
and you fuck up
other people's lives.
Thanks a lot.
Gonna tell me what he said?
I wasn't driving.
She was driving,
I wasn't driving.
I kept thinking about this,
the whole way up here.
I don't know
if Kate ever told you,
but, um, before my dad died,
there was a few years
where he was traveling for work.
He was going around
selling little bits of land
to people who probably
couldn't afford it,
but he used to bring us
with him sometimes for company.
And this one time,
we go out with him.
I'm like 9, and Kate's 5.
And we're going and we're going
and we get off the highway,
and we go some more.
And somehow we end up
at this graveyard.
And I'm walking
through the graveyard,
messing around...
and I find... these fresh graves.
It was three kids and a mom...
all lined up.
And there's a spot for the dad.
Had his name...
but no date on the gravestone.
But he was lined up with them.
And we keep going on,
and I just keep thinking
about this mom and these kids
and how they probably died
in a car accident
or from some disease
there's no cure for.
And we're moving
from house to house,
and we get to this farm.
And my dad goes up
to talk to the guy.
And while he's talking
to the guy at the door,
I look over at the mailbox..
...and it's the same name...
from the graves.
It was his wife and his kids...
all lined up there.
And I'm 9, but I knew.
You know?
And I just kept thinking...
how I knew
not only that this man
had lost his entire family,
just in the last weeks
or couple days...
...but I also knew
where he was gonna be buried...
...where he was going
when he died.
And it was terrifying...
to know so much
about this man...
and how sad he was...
...and to see him try to smile.
I watched my dad die...
I lost my sister...
...and little boy.
I know where I'm gonna end up.
And I've tried to smile.
Have you seen Jack?
I can't.
I can't stay good long enough.
And have you tried?
To see him? Yeah, of course.
To stay good.
No.
You should start with that.
Excuse me?
Hi. Are you waiting
for somebody?
- I'm waiting for Jack Wells.
- I'm his dad.
If they're all gone,
we should leave.
Stay for a second.
For an hour or two.
We should rest.
I doubt they'll come back.
- Charlie...
- you can't have it all.
You think you can.
God knows, you think you can,
and then you turn your back
on your friends and your family
for something
you could never have.
I never believed
in "Americana," Vernon.
- And I never believed in you.
- You did.
You wouldn't be here
if you didn't.
You like me
because you need me.
on my publicist.
You know, she doesn't need
to hear it from you and from me.
She gets you interviews
in markets
the film's not even
being released in.
It's a waste of everyone's time.
And you're not my manager.
So don't treat me like one.
Come on, I don't need to come
to this shit.
Dad used to go with me.
Oh!
Are you okay?
Hmm.
Aah!
Avery?
You know where you are?
San...
San Francisco?
There's nothing in
the medicine cabinet,
so don't bother.
It's okay.
You come out when you want.
Mornin'.
Morning. He's in the kitchen.
- Thank you.
- For what?
Clean sheets?
- I'd like to go home now.
- Okay. To accomplish what?
You know, I can only do
like four miles now.
It's embarrassing.
You know it's illegal,
locking me up there.
Someone had to.
Hey, Ryan, you know
what cirrhosis is?
No?
All right,
you don't want to eat,
let's get to work.
Dan.
Avery, Dan.
How long you been
cutting it for?
About a year.
Fired the director
six months ago.
I can't seem to find it.
You can find it.
There are better
editors than me.
Yeah, I don't want better.
I want you.
When was the last time
you felt this clean?
When was the last time
you saw your kid?
Year and a half?
You are running out of people
who would do this for you.
I'm giving you work.
Say thank you.
How much does it pay?
There are work drives,
backups, and then triple backups
over in storage in Brisbane.
- But as far as what was shot?
- Yeah, you've seen it.
You like me
because you need me.
I need you because I love you.
I think that the beat before
is the physical need
for somebody,
um, you know, the want
for somebody else,
and ultimately,
that gets washed away.
- It feels very honest.
- Thank you.
That's great. Thank you.
We fought really hard to make
it feel like you were there.
It... It was really
important for us
to have the audience understand
the... the stakes
for this woman,
to empathize, to breathe her in.
It was bit of a burden for me,
if I may say so,
being the person
who... who got to play
this wonderful woman.
Um, but, uh, yeah,
I think it -
I think it started me
thinking that it...
it's just really
important for me
to surround myself
with... with friends
and... and family maybe,
uh, people who you can trust.
- You have siblings?
- I do.
I have... I have
an older brother.
He's an editor
for commercials and... and film.
You know that I lie
for a living, as an actress
so it's really nice
to be surrounded
by, uh, people, family,
a brother
who... who really makes sure
that I stay grounded
and a husband who does the same.
And I just hope that, uh,
that I can... that
I do repay them for that.
- That's great.
- Thank you so much.
Hi.
Can we get some menus?
Come to this place a lot?
When did you get back?
About a week ago.
I was going to call sooner, but...
So, what's the job, Avery?
Recutting "Americana."
Calib wants to show it
to some folks
who didn't buy the last one.
Play off her success.
- And Calib brought you back?
- Yeah, he needed a good editor.
How's the drinking?
Stop it.
I'm fine, pal.
He's sorry. I'm sorry.
- I'm not sorry.
- It was an honest question.
It's fine. I'm fine.
You guys know what you want?
Yeah. Do you?
God knows, you think you can,
and then turn your back
on your friends
and your family
for something
you could never have.
I never believed
in "Americana," Vernon.
And I never believed in you.
You did.
You wouldn't be here
if you didn't.
If they're all gone,
we should leave.
Stay for a second.
For an hour or two.
We should rest.
I doubt they'll come back.
Charlie...
...you can't have it all.
You like me
because you need me.
I need you because I love you.
It's addictive.
It's addictive,
moving little pieces around,
making them fit.
Keeps me busy.
If you can stay sober in a bar,
you can stay sober anywhere.
How's the kid?
Jack? Uh, I think he's good.
You gonna try to go see him?
Call Claire, say,
"Hey, let's pretend
I wasn't a drunk shithead.
Let me take Jack to a matinee?"
I don't know, Josh.
Avery, you're so close,
but you've got to admit
what you did wrong
and get over it.
It doesn't have to be
in a courtroom,
but you've got to get over it.
Yeah.
I'm not talking
about the program.
I'm talking about you
getting out again.
being a human being.
I know.
I'm working on it.
You're the only one that's
still letting it get to him.
Hello?
Wrong number.
- Hello?
- Something happen to you?
Mom not teach you manners,
or you just
don't think too hard?
- All right, bye.
- Does it not hit you
in the gut every day
like it does for me?
Pretty face.
No need to think about it.
I thought, for a while,
you didn't feel it
because he was so small.
Maybe you just didn't feel
yourself taking
the life out of him.
Maybe that's why
you didn't stop.
So when you hit him,
I'm asking you if you felt it.
You killed my best friend.
How does that feel?
How does that feel
when you sleep?
I guess it doesn't matter.
I'm gonna see him soon.
I'm gonna see Henry.
And my family,
they're gonna be just fine.
You know why?
'Cause it's going
to do great now.
And when it does,
you're gonna feel
that red-hot heat in you.
And I hope it runs out your ass,
all over the floor.
See you soon.
- A great actress.
- And a great actress can do
with a few bucks
and a few favors.
With those things, I can go back
into the office of those
fucking tight-ass investors,
and I can say...
And what's the name
of the other guy?
- Herman something.
- Thank you. Herman something.
I can go to the office
of Herman something,
and I will say, "Herman, my man,
I created jobs,
a sustainable industry
in this town,
and I have a movie
that is opening wide."
And after that, I'll probably
throw a glass of wine
in the banker's face.
Oh, by the way,
are we done with dessert?
Are we getting coffee, or are
we just going to take a walk?
- I just got another drink.
- Okay.
And then we'll go for a walk.
- Do we have a driver?
- Oh, I sent our driver home.
I guess we're sleeping here
tonight, gentlemen.
Oh, no.
Will you hold this
for me, please?
Thank you.
Oh!
Have you got the number
for Kate's driver?
- Kate sent him home.
- You know, I'm good to drive.
- Do you have the number?
- Why would I have it?
- Katie?
- Why would I have it?
All right.
Thanks for the help, man.
You know,
there's a general sick
mentality of the locals
when it's warm outside
and people expect an earthquake.
- Mm-hmm.
- Yeah, it's crazy...
- Avery!
- ...that you get nervous
every time it warms up a little.
I came to a wedding here
a couple months ago.
Horrible couple. My God.
Oh! It's so beautiful!
Kate, come on. Let's go.
Look at these angels!!
It's like a beehive,
honeycomb thing.
I should have taken ballet.
Hey.
- Seriously, let's go.
- What?
Hey! Hey! Kate! Kate!
It's going to do great now.
You've been drinking?
No.
I thought about your pop
on the way over here.
The police told me
that they got the name
of the guy that, uh...
They... They, uh, found it
in his wallet and, uh...
What?
The guy's name is Mark Taylor.
Blowback is what they told me.
From Sir Francis Drake Boulevard.
He was the boy's cousin.
Do you think he could have
been the one who called you?
Yeah.
All right.
- I know.
- She didn't do anything.
I know.
- I drove us home.
- We went to bed.
I know.
Avery...
I know that there's a pin.
And it's really tiny.
And you're balanced
on the tip of it...
and you could fall off
in any direction.
People are gonna blame you.
You're going to see it
in their eyes.
And when you do...
I need you to remember
that this guy was crazy...
that his resentment and his rage
had nothing to do with you.
It's no one's fault but his...
this brutal thing.
Now...
I need you to sign
your name five times.
Okay?
Here, here, here, here, here.
All right?
That discussion we had
about wages...
did you sign anything?
No.
Well, take the points...
because it'll sell now.
To be honest with you,
I'm not really thinking
about the film.
Yeah.
Well, to be honest with you,
I don't know
when you'll be sober enough
again to pick up a phone.
- I care about her!
- This is my house!
- This is for her!
- Josh, be quiet for a second.
No, you think you're
on my intelligence.
I am begging you.
You don't deserve this.
You're the smart guy, Josh.
I am being smart by getting rid
of this right now.
- You're not being smart.
- Right now! Right now!
- You want me to put it down?
- Yes, I do.
- I'll put it down.
- Look...
- You want it down?
- It's very easy, Calib!
Please, put it on the table,
and let's talk.
Look, is it something to do
with Avery?
No, it's not! It has nothing
to do with fucking Avery!
It has to do with you!
- I don't know what you're doing.
- What is this worth now?
To you, Calib?
What is this worth?
- P-Please.
- What's it fucking worth?!
- Stop shouting at me!
- Listen, please!
Put it down and let's talk.
All right?
How you doing buddy?
We should talk sometime.
It's going to do great now.
It's fine.
It's just a backup.
There is so much money
tied up in this film.
It's sand castles,
children playing with toys,
making this entire... thing
that doesn't do anything.
It just gets washed away
after a few years.
He just lost his wife...
and you just lost your sister.
But you plug that thing in
down there...
...she's right there.
That is miraculous, I think.
I wonder if you can
tell me something.
Of course.
What's going to happen first,
you selling this film
or us putting her in the ground?
Honey.
I don't want
to talk about my sister.
- And I know it's been a while...
- Avery.
...but right now
I'm just going to ask you
if I can borrow the car.
Just the car.
Please.
Okay. Why?
Because it's a long
walk to Marin.
Okay.
Come on.
I can drive.
Can you?
I'll drive.
If I can, at some point,
I would like to see Jack...
...to explain myself.
You call me, and
we'll talk about it.
I'd like that.
And it would be okay.
I haven't had a drink
since before Kate.
Believe me, I walked in
with every intention
of burning that place down.
You angry at me?
No.
Good. I'm glad.
You know, Calib rides
a nice little line
between being holier-than-thou
and completely
emotionally ignorant.
Makes him a hell of a producer.
I met that guy...
Mark Taylor...
just outside the courthouse
last... January.
He had a way of speaking.
Heard he worked at
a... a textile plant in Fairfax.
What do you think he meant by,
"It's going to do great now"?
Oh, come on.
You do.
You've been around
these people long enough.
I mean, I haven't been
in too many meetings.
I don't a lot
about the business,
except for
whatever Kate told me,
but even I knew what he meant.
So do you.
Now, what did he mean?
Press.
"Who wants to see that indie
with, uh, what's-her-name...
the girl that
was in that thing?"
"Who wants to see a movie with,
uh, that girl who was... pop?"
I do.
So?
So, what the hell does
a textile worker from Fairfax
care about sales projections?
You guys want some breakfast?
- I had breakfast.
- How about some lunch?
I had this moment
after I knew she died...
and I knew who Mark Taylor was.
I knew I recognized him.
I couldn't stop thinking
about what he said.
And I... I thought
of this script
that Kate had gotten
like, I don't know,
probably a year ago,
right after, like,
"Dreamer's Fog,"
right when she was really
beginning to blow up,
get famous...
right after your trial...
when you left town
to go fill yourself with scotch.
It was about, uh,
the air-raid siren
in San Francisco.
You know?
- The Tuesday Siren.
- Right. Exactly.
They test that air-raid siren
every Tuesday at noon.
Every Tuesday at noon,
the siren comes on
and this voice...
this voice says,
"This is a test of
the emergency broadcast system."
And so this movie...
this movie is...
this movie is
about these guys...
they're, like, terrorists
or something...
this group of terrorists
who decide
that they're going
to bomb San Francisco...
...on a Tuesday...
at noon.
Right?
While the test siren
is going off.
I mean, it's good, right?
I mean, they decide to do it
when everybody thinks, "Oh,
this is just, you know,
this is a test.
We hear this shit
every Tuesday."
Then, the bomb drops,
the siren comes on,
everybody just goes
about their business.
That's the whole story?
Yeah.
Yeah, that was the movie.
And, uh, Kate would have
played the... the nurse
or the doctor or, you know,
whoever it was that saves
all the people in the movie.
- But everyone can hear the bomb?
- Right, everyone hears the bomb,
but the thing is,
is that in the movie,
they hear it and
they go, "Oh, what's that?
Oh. Oh, that's nothing.
We hear that every Tuesday."
See?
The plan was
to cover something bigger
with expectation of the public.
Right.
To cover the unexpected
with the expected.
Right.
So, I'm sitting
in the ambulance,
next to my wife,
who I knew was dead.
And... And I suddenly think,
"That story...
That story really got it right."
You would expect that
the family of a dead child
would be upset at the family
they thought killed that child,
that Mark Taylor
would be mad... at you...
that he would want some
sort of a...
balance, revenge.
You would expect that.
Like the siren...
you'd expect it.
And it would be a great time
to drop a bomb.
- What do you need...
- right now... from me?
I need you to stop
listening to the siren.
- I'll take a share...
- of the film.
You mean points.
"Shares" is a corporation.
This is a partnership.
You know what I mean.
Okay.
Did you figure I would?
I think he thinks
that you're taking advantage.
- Who's that?
- Josh does, of Kate's...
And that it might be
benefiting the film.
What do you think?
Did you know him?
Taylor?
Calib.
Hey, buddy. How are you?
Listen, you got to call me
Daddy, all right?
Now, Daddy has to work,
so go there.
- Calib, can you...
- Yeah, sure.
- Ryan!
- Come get some food, Buggy.
Avery, you too.
You sleeping?
I've been having
a lot of trouble.
So, you didn't know him?
Who's that?
- Taylor?
- Mm-hmm.
You didn't recognize him
that night?
I don't know.
I... I made a statement
to the police.
I realized there were things
I didn't remember.
But what I do remember,
honestly, I-I would like to forget,
if possible.
Avery, um, when I was working
on trying to
keep the business going...
and I'm... I'm not comparing...
but I went to see this guy.
Um, he's a friend
of a friend down on Mason.
He's a... like a specialist, right?
Um, and I'm not saying
you got to see this guy,
but maybe you should see
a trauma therapist...
deal with the anger,
maybe gain a certain amount
of self-control.
Well, I already have
a doctor in Lagunitas.
I know, but if you want
to nip it in the bud.
Hey, hey, come on,
don't do that.
Oh, I think I deserve it.
You're gonna tell me
what I can and can't do, Anne?
- We're done doing her favors.
- What does that mean?
Hey, what does that mean?
It means your sister
asked my husband
if he could sober you up
and give you a job,
which, to me, is a little like
asking, "Can you hold
your breath for three weeks?"
We're all shaken.
I just think it's time
you get a place
if you're going to stay
in the city.
Hey, Ry.
Wake up, buddy.
Do I have school?
No, you don't have school.
I need you to tell me
where you learned that song...
the one you sang last night.
- At the church.
- What church?
Annnnnd...
Mrs. Taylor?
Mrs. Taylor?
Nora?
It's all right.
- Out.
- I know.
25 yards, and you
aren't allowed in the building.
Out.
I'm not going anywhere.
What do you want?
- Are you drunk?
- No.
What do you want?
There's a producer
named Calib Andrews.
I work with him, and
my sister worked with him.
He's been here.
Why did he come here?
I want you to know
that whatever was started
with your son's death,
whatever blame
your nephew put on me...
we should stop.
There's no bad children.
They don't start out that way.
I'm not preaching.
I just read that
in a parenting book.
I got him a job.
I-I tried with my nephew.
I...
I didn't try hard enough, maybe.
You were there when he shot her.
I'm sorry for your loss.
I don't blame you for anything.
No, I bet you're
blaming yourself
for all the people
paying for your mistakes.
Mr. Andrews worshipped here.
He and his family
worshipped here.
We're 30 miles
outside the city.
He's a compassionate man.
- Is he?
- Very.
- To who?
- Don't be glib.
- To your nephew?
- To my family.
What does he want
from your family?
- It's fine, Terri.
- Are you sure?
I'm sure, honey. It's fine.
That's all, really.
You need to go.
Hmm.
Oh.
Get another one?
Hey.
...T...
...S... T...
...P... Q...
...G... H...
I...
It's your contention
that because of
a conversation...
about what, we don't know...
a conversation
between Calib and her
and the nephew maybe,
that he put an idea
in the nephew's head?
And for what?
To sell a movie?
And this while you're wasted...
wasted beyond...
and it's one p.m.
and I can fucking
smell it on you!
Avery, you were so lucky
to have your sister.
It's amazingly rare
to have a person like her...
as extraordinary
as... as public
and to really know her.
She stood up for you.
And I know that you want
to stand up for her.
Don't.
It's like you're
trying to prove
that she's not guilty
of something.
But it is feasting on you, boy.
All right.
So, you'll stay
with us tonight.
And I don't need to tell you
what you can't do.
We fought really hard to make
it feel like you were there.
It was extremely
important for us
to have the audience understand
the stakes for this woman,
to empathize and breathe her in.
It, uh, was a burden on my part,
if I may say so,
as, uh, as the person
who was... who was playing her
and trying to bring all that,
all those colors to life.
I do. I do.
I have an older brother.
He's here somewhere,
lurking in the background.
Oh!
It's really important for me
to be surrounded by... by family
who understand what it is that
I'm trying to do with my life.
What was that?
I don't know.
Pull over.
Katie, pull over.
The difficulties
that come with that...
you know, the little
inconsequential things...
you know that...
You know that I lie
for a living as an actress,
so it's extremely important
for me
to be surrounded
by... by family
and... and a brother
who help... ground me.
Yeah, you have to go.
Can he see me?
No.
But he knows I'm here.
He knows I can handle you.
I don't know, I... just feel
like I'm losing my mind, Claire.
Yeah, it's good that I left.
Okay.
I sleep outside sometimes
in the fall up there...
and I do that
so that I, um,
I get too cold
to get up at night,
grab a bottle of something.
But sometimes I wake up
more or less straight.
Every time, I forget
how easy it is to hate myself.
Like, I feel more like me with...
s-something in here,
you know,
like... like I-I'm intended
to have something else in me.
But it takes not drinking
for a few hours...
to remember that.
That's - Tat's the only reason
I wasn't always.
To remind myself
that I needed it.
Drinking is the only thing
I've ever really been good at.
And when I don't have it...
I miss it.
I miss it
more than I miss you...
more than I miss Katie...
...more than I miss my son.
And I should
hate myself for that.
I need a place
to stay tonight...
just a place to sober up.
Please don't, okay?
I love you, Claire.
Good night.
Hello?
I-I saw you at the church.
Who is this?
I wanted to meet you,
make sure you were...
You don't seem like
such a bad guy.
And you should know about him
because he wasn't that bad.
He just had trouble.
You know?
I don't know why
he did a lot of things.
He was mad at you
and your sister
because he was mad at everybody.
He was mad that his aunt gave up
so easy fighting for Henry.
Yeah.
You didn't do it though, right?
Do what?
Run him over and keep driving?
No.
You couldn't have.
You'd have to be...
You'd have to be
a very hurt person
to look someone in the eye
and lie about something
that important.
He said we'd be rich
if he killed her.
What?
He said the movie would do
better if he killed her.
How would he get rich?
Can I hug you?
Yes.
We're both good people,
you know...
With bad things
happening around us.
You gonna tell me
what's going on?
It's called a contingent
compensation offer.
It's a contract.
The date.
Look at the date.
Signed four weeks
before she was killed.
Calib Andrews paid
in shares of the film...
to have my sister killed.
The movie may have done well
without it,
but he kills her,
the movie comes out
a few weeks from now,
does well, makes money.
The better it does,
the more money
the Taylors make.
It's an incentive.
- What are you doing?
- Where's Calib?
He's running.
What are you doing?
So, what do you want
to do with these?
Hold on to them.
Hold on to them for a minute.
Then I'll format them,
wipe them clean.
Hey! Hey!!
What you doin', buddy?
For the Taylor family.
Why did they have
30% of the film?
He had a share!
He killed her over this!
You silver-spoon fuck,
he fucking killed her over this!
No, no, he killed her because
you ran over that child
and kept driving.
- Nope.
- Of course he did.
- No.
- Your sister paid for you,
I paid for the lawsuit,
we settled with the family
so we could move on.
How could you not see
that's what this is?
It's a settlement!
It's a settlement.
How could I possibly know
what that guy was going to do?
Come on, think about it.
Did that cross your mind?
I'm going home.
Your stuff will be on the curb.
Sober up, please.
- It's still your fault.
- Oh, fuck you!
Just say "thank you," Avery.
Huh?
For your sister's help,
for my help.
- I didn't want it.
- She wanted it!
- And I thanked her for it!
- Yeah, by leaving!
You're a child.
You hear me? You're a child.
You want to blame me, fine,
but I was trying
to fix your fuckup
while you were drinking
yourself to death.
You throw tantrums,
and you fuck up
other people's lives.
Thanks a lot.
Gonna tell me what he said?
I wasn't driving.
She was driving,
I wasn't driving.
I kept thinking about this,
the whole way up here.
I don't know
if Kate ever told you,
but, um, before my dad died,
there was a few years
where he was traveling for work.
He was going around
selling little bits of land
to people who probably
couldn't afford it,
but he used to bring us
with him sometimes for company.
And this one time,
we go out with him.
I'm like 9, and Kate's 5.
And we're going and we're going
and we get off the highway,
and we go some more.
And somehow we end up
at this graveyard.
And I'm walking
through the graveyard,
messing around...
and I find... these fresh graves.
It was three kids and a mom...
all lined up.
And there's a spot for the dad.
Had his name...
but no date on the gravestone.
But he was lined up with them.
And we keep going on,
and I just keep thinking
about this mom and these kids
and how they probably died
in a car accident
or from some disease
there's no cure for.
And we're moving
from house to house,
and we get to this farm.
And my dad goes up
to talk to the guy.
And while he's talking
to the guy at the door,
I look over at the mailbox..
...and it's the same name...
from the graves.
It was his wife and his kids...
all lined up there.
And I'm 9, but I knew.
You know?
And I just kept thinking...
how I knew
not only that this man
had lost his entire family,
just in the last weeks
or couple days...
...but I also knew
where he was gonna be buried...
...where he was going
when he died.
And it was terrifying...
to know so much
about this man...
and how sad he was...
...and to see him try to smile.
I watched my dad die...
I lost my sister...
...and little boy.
I know where I'm gonna end up.
And I've tried to smile.
Have you seen Jack?
I can't.
I can't stay good long enough.
And have you tried?
To see him? Yeah, of course.
To stay good.
No.
You should start with that.
Excuse me?
Hi. Are you waiting
for somebody?
- I'm waiting for Jack Wells.
- I'm his dad.
If they're all gone,
we should leave.
Stay for a second.
For an hour or two.
We should rest.
I doubt they'll come back.
- Charlie...
- you can't have it all.
You think you can.
God knows, you think you can,
and then you turn your back
on your friends and your family
for something
you could never have.
I never believed
in "Americana," Vernon.
- And I never believed in you.
- You did.
You wouldn't be here
if you didn't.
You like me
because you need me.