The Offer (2022) s01e09 Episode Script

Lenny was a little on edge today.
He was saying something about Joe Gallo.
- Are you worried about me?
- Yeah, maybe.
- How is he?
- I don't know.
I'm gonna go see him
at the hospital later.
Do you really think
you should be doing that?
No. I can't not go.
Look, we got a problem.
Bluhdorn and Lapidus saw dailies
of Pacino's first day,
and they want to fire him.
Barry's a fucking rat
who's always wanted my job,
and this is part of his power grab.
I'm Joe Gallo,
and I'm in charge of your movie now.
Whatever you were giving
Colombo, you now give to me.
Fuck Sicily.
Give Gallo the money.
Without Sicily,
it doesn't live or breathe.
I'm begging you.
I can't find the money.
I don't know what's going on with you
or you and Ali
or whatever happened to you
My marriage is none
of your fucking business.
Ever since then, you haven't
been the Bob Evans I know.
Joe Colombo says goodbye, fuckhead.
You can cross one thing off your list.
You don't have to worry about
that fucking psychopath anymore.
We're going to Sicily, baby.
- We're going.
- You son of a bitch!
Grazie.
Okay, we should be
getting close to Corleone.
How many more miles?
I don't know. It's in kilometers.
You used to work at Rand.
You can't convert that?
We're a half inch away. How's that?
You know what my grandfather,
Francesco Penino,
once told me about Italy?
I bet we're gonna find out.
He was a composer.
And he told me that
when he emigrated to America
that he missed home like crazy.
And when he finally got to come back,
it was like picking up
an old, beloved instrument
that he hadn't played
in a really long time.
Yeah, at first it was
a little out of tune,
but then when he started playing it,
all the notes became familiar again.
For me, it's like I'm
I'm hearing these notes
for the first time.
Would've been nice to take a shower.
Well, our Italian AD
said to meet him here,
so we may as well eat.
Okay.
My friends, ciao!
You must be Tony. Yes, I'm your AD.
I'm Al. This is the gang.
Oh, my God, che bello.
What a beautiful group
on a beautiful day.
You came on the right day,
because it's today.
Okay, you guys want anti-pasta?
Grazie, grazie.
- Wow!
- Whatever you like, please.
- Exactly how I pictured it.
- I take as a compliment.
Table for kings. Look at this.
Mr. Coppola, sit.
Nice to meet you.
Yeah.
- Thank you so much.
- All right, please.
Wow.
Can't believe we're actually here.
I know. Don't jinx it.
Hey, have you heard at all from Evans?
Since the circus act
he pulled at the wrap party?
- No, I haven't.
- Mm.
You gonna call him?
Have some eggplant, Bettye.
You look hungry.
So how are you planning
to light the exteriors?
You know that big ball
of burning plasma in the sky?
No. Oh, the the sun?
Yeah, that's the one.
Yeah, go fuck yourself.
This Anisette, this is so smooth.
- Al, what do you think?
- Oh, it's fantastic.
Scusi, how do you make it?
Um, come si prepare?
Eh, local secret.
Um, I make my own,
but this I when I'm
I think he I think he likes you.
Al, Al, let me introduce you
to our friend, Bruno.
- Oh, okay.
- Excuse me, excuse me.
This is Bruno, okay.
Now, he's made sure
everything will go smoothly,
and he's assured us that
no permits will be necessary.
Oh, that's very kind of you, Bruno.
We appreciate it.
Please thank him for his generosity.
Bruno would like for you
to come see him tomorrow.
Oh.
Capisce?
- Okay.
- Yeah?
Mangia, mangia, mangia. Eat, eat, eat.
- Grazie.
- Grazie mille.
Uh, Tony.
Is Bruno by any chance, uh
mafia?
Si, Cosa Nostra.
- They run everything here.
- Okay.
You okay?
We need to get out of here.
Why are we leaving?
- This is like home.
- Trust me, it's not.
Well, would you please tell me
what happened back there?
Yeah, the mafia happened back there.
The fucking Cosa Nostra, buddy.
The real fucking thing.
Well, so what?
You dealt with the mafia
back in New York,
and you lived to tell the tale.
Yeah, and I'd like to keep it that way.
Hey, at least the food was good, huh?
Wait, there was actually
There was a town that we saw
on the scout
that would work perfectly.
Uh, Taro Taormina? Taormina?
- Yes, Taormina.
- Taormina?
Taormina is beautiful.
Is the Cosa Nostra in Taormina?
No, not so much there.
Is near the airport.
The airport. Great.
We just flew halfway around
the world to shoot in Burbank.
Wow, Bob's Big Boy.
Yes, I understand that.
We'll have to circle back
around on that because I'm sorry.
Mr. Lapidus, he's not in right now.
And when will you be expecting him back?
I'm not sure, but I will
have him get right back to you.
Uh
I'll have to call you right back.
Sheila, can you do a deal memo
for Alvin Sargent
to write the adaptation
of the book "Addie Pray"?
Um, don't you want to call
Business Affairs?
I want it to come from this office.
I thought you would've had
enough of authors
writing their own screenplays.
Barry!
Uh, uh, when did you get in?
Come in.
Right.
Close the door.
Sure.
So, you know, Alvin Sargent
actually didn't write "Addie Pray."
- It was
- Where the fuck is Evans?
- He's not in.
- No shit.
Yeah. Um, he's got a really bad back.
Sciatica.
So, um, he's working from home.
Ah, I see. Okay.
Well, in that case, he won't
mind if I use his office.
I'm sure that's fine.
Yeah, I'm sure it is, too.
Listen, Peter
I want to have a meeting
with you and go over our slate.
Everything in production,
development, everything.
Got it?
Mm-hmm.
- Great.
- Great.
Oh.
This is even better than Corleone.
Uh, yeah, I think I finally
agree with you there, Francis.
Francis, you know, this could be perfect
for Don Tommasino's estate.
- I know.
- Yeah?
The whole feel is just spot-on.
Francis, this entire hillside
gets amazing light.
Ooh, you know what we could do?
This could be our opening, right?
Do, like, an overhead shot.
Espresso?
Grazie mille.
There we go.
- This place looks great.
- Yeah, it's nice.
- Very authentic, right?
- Yeah.
- Buongiorno.
- Buongiorno.
Two coffees, please.
Due espressi, per favore.
You've been holding back on me.
I've picked up some phrases.
When in Rome, right?
- Yeah, we're not in Rome.
- Close enough.
Give me your money.
- You know what I'm thinking?
- You're a funny guy.
This would be a great location for
when Michael meets Apollonia's father.
Oh, yeah.
Excuse me. Uh, are you the owner?
Okay.
We'd like to have
a conversation with the owner.
Grazie.
What did he just say?
Something in Italian.
So you have selective Italian?
- I'm Angelo, his son.
- Angelo.
Al.
This is Francis
Bettye.
Bettye.
Great.
So, Angelo, we're in town.
We're filming a movie.
We'd love to use
your restaurant as a location.
We'd like to film here.
50,000 lira.
Si.
What?
Al, are you sure we can afford that?
Who's bad with conversions now, Bettye?
50,000 lira's like 35 bucks.
Come on. Andiamo.
Can I show you what
we're planning for tomorrow?
- Yeah.
- Grazie.
Grazie.
I'll be back in a little bit.
Thank you.
Also, I need your help casting tomorrow.
- Casting?
- Yeah.
What?
Oh!
Thank you so much.
I ordered a coffee.
Ah, you don't need so much water.
This is better, piu Siciliano.
Ooh, yeah.
Everything is better in Italy, huh?
So did you like any actresses so far?
Well, in the script,
they describe Apollonia
as a thunderbolt.
When Michael sees her,
he immediately falls in love.
You saw a lot of beautiful girls,
and I'd like to love all of them.
Yeah.
But it's more than that.
It's about how she makes you feel.
Not just her beauty,
but the way she looks at you.
Scusi.
Sorry, I don't speak much Italian,
and, uh, you just broke my translator.
Do you speak any English?
Yes, I-I think so.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday, Friday.
Come ti chiami?
Simonetta.
So so the dark ones
They've just been on the tree longer.
They've been there longer
than the younger ones.
More for me? Thank you so much.
It's really the hey, no,
you're gonna fill up on the bread,
and you're gonna ruin your appetite.
What are you, my mother?
Let's hope for your mother's sake
she doesn't look anything like him.
Yeah, right?
Al, can I steal you for a second?
Yeah.
You don't want it?
We have a problem.
- Another one?
- Yeah.
Okay, big or small?
Evans is out.
- What? What do you mean?
- Bluhdorn is going to fire him.
How do you know this?
Because I just got off the phone
with Bluhdhorn's secretary.
Does Bob know?
It hasn't happened yet,
because no one has seen him.
He hasn't been in the office in days.
Fuck.
This movie's like a Hydra.
You cut the head off one,
and just another one pops up.
Fuck.
Hey, what do we do?
I mean, I should let him
twist in the wind
for what he said to me.
But you're not going to,
because he is
single-handedly responsible
for giving you your shot.
It's because we need Bob
to finish this movie the right way.
All right, book us two flights
back to New York tomorrow.
We'll head back after the car stunt
and let Francis finish the rest.
Okay.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
And just the reaction is just perfect.
Go find some place to be safe,
all right?
Keep an eye out. How's he doing?
Gino? Bene?
Si, si. Bene.
- Okay, we're ready!
- Okay.
He understands we only have the funds
for one shot of blowing this thing up?
- Oh, yes. I made sure.
- One shot.
Yeah, he know. I make sure to tell him.
Okay, everybody, please. Silenzio!
We have one shot to do this,
so everybody in final positions.
Good luck. Buona fortuna.
Grazie.
We're rolling.
Ready? And set.
Azione!
What happened?
You get it?
Is everybody okay?
All right, look.
Okay, listen, I'll handle it.
We didn't mean for that to happen.
We'll pay for the window.
Shit, you know? Sorry, sorry, scusi.
- Al.
- We'll pay for it.
- Yeah?
- Airport.
Airport. Let's go.
- You got it?
- Okay, all right.
- You're eyebrow's on fire.
- Yeah.
What?
Yeah!
You can't fire him.
Well, then what am
I supposed to do with him?
He's a lame horse.
And you know what you do
with a lame horse?
Bob Evans is the only reason
that Paramount still exists.
Well, then where is he?
He's supposed to be running a studio.
I know you Hollywood idiots think that
it's all make-believe,
but it's still a business.
Nobody understands this
business better than he does.
And it doesn't matter
if he's missing in action.
A business does not run itself.
Charlie, show some
fucking decency, would you?
The guy's given his blood
for your company.
I gave my blood for him!
God damn it!
Everyone told me that
he didn't have what it takes.
Everyone!
But I saw something in him,
and I believed in him,
and I chose to bet on him.
It was a good bet.
He's meshugana,
and he's just crazy enough
to make you believe
his line of bullshit.
He's got that thing, you know?
It just it draws you in.
Charisma.
But it's gone now, Ruddy
that spark.
And I have responsibilities.
I cannot have a drug addict
running my company.
Lapidus is in LA to look out for things.
He's in charge for now.
Let me talk to Bob.
Without him, this movie won't succeed.
And after everything
he's done for the company,
at the very least,
that deserves a meeting.
But that window is closing fast.
I'm gonna talk to him.
All right, should we start
with the development slate?
- Yeah.
- Yeah?
Okay.
So, as you can see,
- we got quite a list here
- "Great Gatsby."
- Yeah.
- I love that book.
Reminded me of my father.
Uh, what is this?
Uh, the "Save the Tiger"?
- What tiger? What is this?
- Yeah.
That's based on a novel by Steve Shagan.
We optioned the galleys.
It hasn't been published yet,
but it's a great character study.
This this man with an apparel company
who can't keep it afloat,
and he's going down a dark rabbit hole.
Stop right there.
Who the hell wants to see that?
Barry, this is a prestige project.
I guess Evans misses
lady's apparel after all.
You do know that we are
in the entertainment business, right?
There's more to it than that.
Oh, and this, no, no, no, no, no.
"Chinatown," no.
What?
I'm I'm sorry.
That's a
That's a really great script.
Um, inspired by real events.
Yeah, water, I get it.
I heard Evans' pitch, right?
Dump it.
Dump it?
Sell it.
Or we'll have to take a loss on it.
We should be making what
the people want to see, right?
"Airport," a thriller in the sky.
"M.A.S.H.," funny doctors.
Again, entertainment.
I'm sorry, Barry, um
"Chinatown" can really be something.
You know, uh, uh, Nicholson's attached.
It does not matter who is in it
if it's another dark,
confusing piece, but go ahead,
give me the elevator pitch.
Okay. It's about original sin.
It's about the sin of stolen water
and the sin of incest
and how politics and greed
connects them.
But it's more than just a pitch.
It's the actor, the director,
the big picture.
That movie is really coming together.
No.
I'm not green-lighting anything
I don't understand, all right?
We're gonna stop developing
these rarified flights of fancy
and start applying
some good business sense
to what we do here.
Bob, open up.
Come on, Bob, open up. It's me. It's Al.
Bob, open up, buddy.
Hey, it's Caesar.
Okay.
Caesar, I have Al coming to you
in three, two
Caesar.
How they hanging?
Low and ready for trouble.
Hey, how's Joe doing?
Same.
How's the movie going?
Good. We're getting close.
That's great.
You know, we're all really
looking forward to the premiere.
You have a date yet?
Boss wanted to invite
some of our associates.
Yeah, listen, about that
I know I said
I would donate the proceeds
to an Italian League charity,
but Gulf and Western's
not gonna let me do that.
Eh, forget about it.
Boss was never gonna hold you to that.
Okay, great.
I just didn't want you guys
thinking that I forgot.
We wouldn't have thought that.
Is there anything we can do to help Joe?
You got a direct line to God?
Look, I got to go.
But, um, let me know
about that premiere, all right?
I want to get a new suit.
Hey.
You know you can't invite
those guys to the premiere, right?
Charlie would murder you.
I know, but I gave my word.
So what are you gonna do?
Oh.
Al Ruddy's office.
Yes, sir, I'll tell him.
Lapidus wants to see you.
Great. Where?
In Evans' office.
Fuck.
Try Evans again.
Let it ring until he picks up.
Oh.
How was Italy?
Fine.
Why did you stop
in New York on the way back?
Ooh
- I wanted a good bagel.
- Ah.
Just isn't the same out here in LA.
I'm working on "The Godfather"
while Evans is out.
Apparently he's got
a bad back, poor fella.
Well, I think we can manage
until he's back on his feet.
Oh, we don't know when
or even if that'll happen.
It'll happen.
When will I see a cut
of "The Godfather"?
Francis is still shooting.
Yes, I know.
He's in Sicily wasting money.
It was always in the budget.
I want to see that cut
as soon as possible.
He'll be back end of the week,
and our editor's standing by.
Great.
Great.
I've got Bluhdorn on line one.
Thank you, Sheila.
Charlie.
That one there.
How's it looking?
You want to see for yourself?
Well, I guess no reaction is a reaction.
We got it.
What?
- Come here.
- Oh.
Oh, it's it's beautiful.
It's beautiful.
It's better than I ever
thought it could be.
Buddy, it's so good.
Jesus, fuck. Thank you.
It is so powerful. It
- Yeah.
- And Sicily.
My God, it looks so beautiful.
It was worth us fighting to go there.
Yes, yes.
- I know.
- Yep, absolutely.
Absolutely.
I want to show it to Evans.
Yeah, I think it's ready.
- I think it's ready.
- Okay.
Well, get him in here.
I want to show him right now.
Put it on the screen right now.
I'm gonna I got to talk to him.
He's dealing with some
back issues right now, but
- But he's he's excited.
- Yeah.
It's ready for him.
Okay.
Um, I'm going to
get some sleep, then.
A shower couldn't hurt.
You know what Evans told me?
He said the movie makes 50 mil,
he's gonna buy me whatever car I want.
It's good to be you.
How are we gonna show it to Evans
when he isn't answering your calls?
I don't know.
Also, Caesar called about the premiere.
They're really expecting to go.
Good news
Bogdanovich wants to direct
after he's finished with post
on "What's up, Doc?"
Great. He also
He wants to change the name
to "Paper Moon."
Well, I'm not sure how that applies,
but it's a great title.
Now, I see you've done your homework.
Uh, what's your take on adapting this?
Well
Peter.
Hey. Uh, I'm in a creative meeting.
- Barry Lapidus.
- Alvin Sargent.
Eh, Barry, did you need something?
No. It can wait.
I think I'll, uh, sit in.
Please, continue.
Uh, so
Well, I love the relationship
between Moses and Addie.
Uh, I've never seen anything like that.
Sometime partner in crime,
sometimes father/daughter.
But she'd never admit
that she wants a father figure.
Well, girls need their fathers.
It's important that we never
play him talking down to her
as if she's a regular nine-year-old.
She was older in the book, right?
Yeah, I'd age her down a few years.
Make it even more shocking
that this little kid
is so good at being a con artist.
Well, my daughter is 12,
and I think she'd relate
to a 12-year-old
more than a 9-year-old.
Let's make her 12.
You need to keep the audience in mind.
Do they really want to see
a young kid as a con artist?
That's what's so unique about the book.
Have you read it?
Skimmed.
It's not about her being a criminal.
It's about her secret longing
for the family that she's never had.
And she is the key to redemption
for the Moses character.
Yeah. He's he's more the child
because he caves in to her every whim,
her every desire.
He can't see past his own ambition.
Well
I'm sorry to have to leave,
but I've got a thing.
It was nice to meet you.
Peter, I'll catch up with you later.
Jesus!
Oh, man.
Why can't I do
just one lousy thing right?
Ow! I hurt my arm.
You're hopeless.
You're a hopeless mental case.
I can't throw
with that arm I got bursitis.
I hope you don't mind I let myself in.
Leave your meals outside the doors.
- The window was open.
- Slide in the newspapers.
Oh, shut it, Oscar. I hurt easily.
And that's the way I am,
and I can't help it.
Well, you're not gonna cry, are you?
I think all those tears
dripping on your arm
is what gave you bursitis.
What's going on here, Bob?
Watching a movie.
No. I mean, what's going on with you?
I've called you 50 times.
Nobody's seen you in God knows how long.
He's a fucking genius.
How?
People are worried about you.
Who cares, Al?
- You?
- Yeah, me.
- Francis, Charlie.
- Bluhdorn?
He's probably got Barry
redecorating my office by now.
- None of it matters.
- Yes, it does.
- It doesn't.
- Yes, it does.
But you can't just disappear
on us now, Bob.
We need you.
I'm a bad guru.
I'm a false idol.
What happened with Ali?
She's gone
and I can't get her back.
Yes, you can.
It's never too late, but you
got to get your shit together.
Interesting.
Yeah, I never thought of that.
Get my shit together.
Huh, piece of cake.
Well, that won't take back
my wife fucking Steve McQueen.
I'm sorry to hear that.
Oh, go away, Al.
Just let me fucking rot
in peace would you?
Please, please.
Look
I'm no expert on any of this either.
I fucked up my relationship
with Francoise
and I really loved her.
It hurt like hell when she left me.
And all she really wanted was a
piece of me that I couldn't give her
because I was giving it all
to this movie.
Bob, I'm here because I care about you,
but also because "The Godfather"
needs its godfather.
You can't ignore who you really are.
Oh, God. I mean, who am I?
You're a fucking maverick.
You're the guy that told me,
"Do whatever it takes to get it done."
I'm no maverick. What the fuck?
I'm an illusion
a character.
Looks great on screen,
but it's just pretend.
That's not true.
What what are you talking about?
We we're all pretending. Look at you.
Pencil pusher
who thinks he's a producer.
Look at me. Fuck.
Shitty actor
becomes the king of Hollywood.
I mean, if that
If that's not pretending,
I I don't what the fuck is.
Yeah.
I just wanted it so bad
prove to the world
there's only one Bob Evans.
I could do it on my own terms.
Power, prestige
perfect girl on my arm.
I fell in love with it all.
Particularly the girl, you know?
I can't I can't
I can't fucking do it
without her, all right?
Nope. No.
Bob, think about
all the films that you've done.
That's who you are, with or without her.
None of it's fucking real! None of it!
Oh, yes, it is, or at least
it fucking better be,
because we've sacrificed too much
for it not to mean anything.
And as much as I'd like to think
that if either one of us had
the opportunity to go back
that we do anything fucking different,
I know that we wouldn't.
With guys like us
There comes a point
where there is no separation
between who we are and what we do.
And this
this is who we are.
Al
I-I don't know.
I-I don't know
if it's worth it anymore, man.
I really don't, you know?
It has to be.
Beginning to listen.
You're not gonna hear
another peep out of me.
You're not gonna
give me a haircut, are you?
I'm gonna cut up some cabbage and greens
and make coleslaw for tomorrow.
I don't want any coleslaw for tomorrow.
I just want to have some fun tonight.
Thought you liked my coleslaw.
- I love your coleslaw.
- Uh-huh.
I swear, Felix, I love your coleslaw.
I'll take your coleslaw
with me to work tomorrow
but not tonight
Let's go out of the house.
All right, let's go.
I only make it for you.
I don't like coleslaw.
If you wanted to get out of the house,
why didn't you say so
in the first place?
"Murder. Mayhem. Mafia."
That's sharp. That's really sharp.
"Murder. Mayhem. Mafia." I like that.
No, no. We can't have the word "mafia"
on the poster.
What else are you guys thinking?
Hmm. I'm not sure about the cat.
Really? The cat's the problem?
I just don't get it.
What is this saying about our film?
He's powerful, dangerous,
and has a soft side.
Oh, I see.
The cat represents the soft side,
and the tagline, "Take the Cannoli,"
that's because he has
a sweet tooth, right?
These are just preliminary.
That's that's the point
of this meeting.
So that the marketing team can
hear from the creatives, too.
Well, I think the approach
is just a little off, okay?
Our film is about power.
Who holds the strings
and manipulates everything?
That is why I think we should use
the cover of the book as the poster.
Agreed.
No, one's gonna know
what that is, right?
People are gonna think it's
a Nazi movie or something.
- Nazi?
- What the fuck?
That's not a fucking swastika, Barry.
Those are marionette strings.
I know that, Ruddy.
Look, these guys have worked on
hundreds of movies, all right?
They know what they're doing.
So you make the movie,
and let the adults
figure out the poster, okay?
Top-notch work, guys. Thank you.
Where the hell is Evans?
Barry, why don't we hear the guys out?
You know, the cover is from the
bestselling book of the year.
You want me to hear these guys out? Why?
Because they're so good at delivering?
That's an interesting thought,
because the only thing
that they've delivered
is a movie that's 45 minutes too long.
Yeah, well, Evans
hasn't given his notes yet.
So what?
You shouldn't have seen it yet.
Well, I have seen it,
and I can't unsee it.
So welcome to Hollywood, Francis.
I didn't realize you were new to this.
This movie cannot be longer
than two hours.
Did you even like it?
It was a little slow for my taste.
I mean, that whole Sicily thing?
- Why?
- It's Michael's tipping point.
He understands that his life
can no longer be uncomplicated.
Well, it's a waste. Cut it.
No, it's important for the storytelling.
You want to know what's
important for the storytelling?
Maximum plays per screen.
A normal two-hour movie can run
five showings in a day,
but your masterpiece
can only run three or four
because it's too long.
Now, that is 20% less box office.
And money, gentlemen,
whether you care to admit it or not,
it's important,
'cause otherwise, movies don't get made.
Well, it doesn't matter
if the movie's not any good
because nobody's gonna be
in the fucking theater
for the maximum plays per day.
- All right
- Who gives a shit?
Is there a compromise to be had here?
Yes, there is. Cut 30 minutes.
It's not an option.
Better get cracking, gentlemen,
or I'll cut it myself.
Ruddy
What do you think?
That work?
I don't know.
You want me to run it again?
Do whatever you want.
They're ruining my picture.
Come in.
Hi.
You were, uh, a little rough
on them in that meeting.
They're big boys, Peter.
I don't have to pander
to spoiled children.
Actually, you do, Barry.
Look, if you're stepping
into Evans' shoes
you need to understand
what he actually does
and what he's really good at.
I've got my own shoes.
I don't need Bob's.
The creatives aren't just monkeys
with pens and typewriters.
They they have a real vision
for the film.
I mean, they know it better
than anybody.
Yeah, and I know what sells.
Yes, you do, and that is great,
but it's more than that.
It's it's using the creatives
to guide the marketing so we can come up
with something unique and eye-catching.
It's nurturing their talent
to write the best script,
to direct the best film.
And it's talking over character
and themes
Bob isn't here, Peter, okay?
So his shoes, no matter
how big and creative they are,
they will remain empty,
in a closet, forgotten.
Okay?
Okay.
Okay.
You're a valuable asset, Peter.
You are.
So I, uh
I hope that you'll remain on board.
I wasn't criticizing you, Barry.
I was trying to help you.
Good night, Sheila.
Good night, Mr. Evans
Mr. Lapidus.
Good night.
Charlie. I wasn't expecting you.
I just got in. You're my first stop.
You're a pain in the ass, Ruddy,
but you've done a good job
on this movie.
- Thank you.
- Yeah.
Evans is done.
I wanted you to hear it from me.
This isn't easy for me,
whatever you think.
But it has to be done.
And I'm putting Lapidus in charge.
Charlie, we need Bob.
You know that we do.
This whiskey tastes like shit.
Get something that burns.
We're going to go with this one,
but let's use the other tagline
"Take the Cannoli." That's great.
Charlie, what do you think?
Just observing.
And, Francis, thank you for
trimming the fat off the movie.
- It's much better now.
- Yeah, stayed awake this time.
Shorter is not always better.
Charlie, you really should
consider the longer cut.
- It is better.
- For who? Hmm?
Your ego?
I thought I explained
the business to you, Ruddy.
The audience doesn't care
about our business, Barry.
Bob.
How's the back?
Getting there. Thanks for asking.
Flying V?
We can't use this.
You can't just show up here
whenever you want
and just blow apart
everything we're working on.
I'm not blowing anything up, Barry.
It simply does not represent the film.
It doesn't create mystery or intrigue.
- That's your opinion, Bob.
- You're damn right it is.
But it's also based on
market research as well.
Our testing has shown
that audiences are turned off
by busy key art.
They particularly don't like the V.
It doesn't allow them
to connect to anything.
Look, "The Godfather" sold more copies
than any other book in history
except for the Bible.
Now, we're trying to take the audience
for a peek inside
the secretive subculture
they're not normally privy to.
We should be using the key art
from the book.
It creates mystery.
- What about the cut?
- I'm glad you asked.
'Cause as far as I remember,
we hired Francis to make us a movie.
And the shorter version
of this film, it's a trailer.
It's a teaser. It's a it's an insult.
It is defeat
waiting to be pulled
from the jaws of victory.
And, Francis, frankly,
your cut is gorgeous.
Sublime. Perfect.
Bob, you know as well as I do
that, one, it's going to reduce
the number of screenings per day.
And, two, no one wants
to sit in a theater that long
for a gangster movie.
Yeah, I do know that,
but this is not
a typical gangster movie.
It never was, and we're not offering
the audience a transaction.
We're offering them an experience.
Look, we need to evolve
with the population.
We need to lead the revolution,
or it will pass us by, Charlie.
Barry
you never wanted to make
"Rosemary's Baby"
or "Love Story."
You didn't want to make "The Godfather."
These these movies,
they break all the rules.
They're not formulaic.
This is part of why they work.
But, look, we can't chase
after what we think an audience
wants to see.
We got to show the audience
what it needs to see.
How did you get the cuts, Bob, huh?
Bubbe, please.
Let me think about it.
Everybody out.
Barry, you stay.
All right. How do you think that went?
Hard to tell.
Bob, what does this mean?
Can we go back to the longer cut?
Oh, God, I hope so.
I really loved it, Francis.
You did it, man.
Thank you.
One thing
Horse's head scene,
the music gets too ominous too quickly.
It gives away what's about to happen.
Why don't you take a look at that?
Is that it?
For now.
Okay.
It's good to have you back, boss.
Yeah, we'll see.
Go on. Get out of here.
Go on.
You still want it?
What?
And Evans?
That would be your decision.
He's a pain in the ass.
He's egotistical, smug, and entitled.
We've never gotten along.
We agree on nothing,
and if it were up to me,
I would've been the first one
to get him a one-way ticket
to anywhere but here.
And I would've been wrong.
He's still an asshole,
but there's no denying talent.
And despite all
of his posturing and bullshit,
he's got good instincts.
A lot of what he touches turns to gold.
That's what's important.
- Are you saying you
- Evans should be at the helm.
You surprise me, Barry.
Yeah, well
Never hate your enemies.
It's not personal.
It's just business.
Hmm.
How do I know I can trust you?
I don't know, Charlie.
I only have my word.
I like movies about history.
Did you know that?
I did not. Mm.
Yeah, sure, I like all the tits
and the action
and all the rest, but history
we get to see something which
is impossible for us to see,
and the story is retold to be
whatever we want it to be.
Some people think that's a crime,
but I don't.
Rewriting history
Maybe that's how we can deal
with the horror.
If you could rewrite
your history, would you?
No.
May not be pretty, but it's mine.
Smart money says get rid of you.
I understand.
Barry convinced me otherwise.
You're getting a chance
to rewrite your history, Bob.
Don't make me regret it.
Now go make me some fucking money.
Guess what.
We're going with the longer cut.
Oh, thank God.
That's great news.
Oh, you think so?
You said you liked the longer cut.
I meant it. I meant it.
But don't think for a second
that if this thing flops financially,
you and I won't end up
being chained to a rock
with Bluhdorn picking
at our livers every day.
Lapidus wasn't wrong.
There are huge risks to doing
it the way we're doing it.
I know, I know. Less screenings a day.
That's a very big deal.
And even more than that,
with a longer cut,
there's no way
we're ready for Christmas,
which is the best time
to release this movie
or even a month later.
Audience attendances drop
like a fucking brick.
Oh, come on, we got lightning
in a bottle here.
Well, if that bottle's in your pocket,
be careful you don't fry
your balls with it.
Look, if it was easy,
everybody would do it.
Amen.
Oh, and, Al
Thank you.
Anytime, bubbe.
Yeah.
Oh, yes, I see. Thank you.
- Michael.
- Hey, Bob.
- Hey, Jerry.
- Hey, Bob.
Eat your food.
Well, it's a very particular
He's coming this way. Um, Bob?
Barry.
Bob.
Mind if I join you?
Please.
You know, they don't always put
salmon on the menu,
but they'll make it for us.
Mineral water, Barry?
Yeah.
John.
Thank you for coming in.
- Oh.
- Excuse me.
Hey.
Is that the cigarette ad guy?
I got to be honest, that is
one handsome motherfucker.
- So?
- I've never been so happy
to see that tan bastard in my life.
Bettye, I need your help.
Could I get fired for it?
We both could, but it's worth it.
You're not on the list.
Well, that just doesn't make
any sense, Gene.
Eugene.
Eugene. Of course. Sorry.
It's just you remind me
a lot of Gene Kelly.
You must get that all the time.
You're not on the list.
Bob Evans sent me.
Call Sheila. Check it out.
What's your name again?
Be careful.
There's only two prints. Of course.
Thank you, Eugene.
Relax, they're fine.
That is $6.5 million
sitting in that seat.
How'd you end up getting the plane?
Bob owed me one.
- Mm.
- Yeah.
So what was up with that
actor meeting the other day?
I was just looking at options
for your next picture.
All right, all right.
I was thinking
about what I want to do next,
and I'm thinking
of maybe becoming an agent.
What? You don't think I can do it?
No, no. I think you can do anything.
What is it, then?
I don't know. I guess
when I think about what's next,
I just assumed you'd be there with me.
I love working for you, Al.
But I do want more.
I mean, when the world looks
at me, all they see is someone
whose job it is to support a man.
Why an agent?
I really like actors.
I mean, they're delusional
They have to be
if they think they're gonna
make it in this business.
And justified or not,
they all dream big.
- Also, I am loud.
- Mm.
- I am very smart.
- Mm.
I'm vicious.
I mean, maybe I'm delusional, too.
But I do know
that I don't want to get
trapped in this tiny little box
that the men of this world
have given me.
I want my own seat at the table.
Hey, get up.
Hi.
Hey.
- They didn't have Raisinettes.
- No.
What about Whoppers?
She wants Whoppers, okay.
I'm joking. Sit down.
- Is this one mine?
- Yeah.
Thank you.
I can't believe Paramount
is gonna do this
special screening just for us.
Hey, where did you just come from?
The alley.
Why?
Because every gangster
within 50 miles is in here,
which means the FBI is out there.
And I for once would like
to remain anonymous.
Hey, Ruddy!
If this movie sucks, you ain't
making it out of the theater.
And he fucking means it, too!
Awoo!
Oh!
Ruddy!
Don Corleone
I guess we live to see another day!
What a relief.
Look at this!
Wow.
Oh, my God.
I think that might be
the best movie I've ever seen.
That means a lot.
Honestly, I think we care more
about what you guys think
than anybody else.
The boss would've loved it.
Do me a favor.
Grab the print, catch a cab
back to the hotel.
- I got to go do something.
- Of course.
Hey.
Listen, I'd really like to take you out
the next time you're back in New York.
I don't know, Caesar.
You're a pretty dangerous guy.
Um, some girls like dangerous.
They, uh
They all stood up and applauded, Joe.
You would've loved it.
Tell you what, buddy.
When you're feeling better,
I'm gonna set up a special screening
just for you.
We've got a great movie.
It doesn't matter if nobody sees it.
We gotta do something different here.
Like what?
We need to get something going,
and fast.
- It's crazy.
- Crazy's good, I like crazy.
That's unheard of.
It's never been done before.
Why play it safe
when we can crash and burn.
The idea of losing money
gives me a rash.
But if it works
Do you think I'm crazy for doing this?
we make film history.
I have this recurring
dream aboutThe Godfather premiere.
Wow.
It's the pot of gold
at the end of the rainbow.
And it's a perfect night.
To The Godfather.