Tara Reata (2018)

1
(dramatic music)
- [James Voiceover] But,
yes, this is the voicemail
you said no one has ever left you.
Three minutes of everything about someone
you've just met.
Enough to know whether
or not it's worth it.
Tara Reata.
(camera clicks)
You know that's about
the most beautiful name
I've ever heard, even if it is fake.
You're absolved.
Vivien Leigh in Gone with the Wind meets
Liz Taylor in Giant, right.
Two great ranchers, Tara and Reata.
Maybe you're more of a
fantasist than I realised.
So let a few dates in.
I need you to know exactly
where we are with that.
Tom, he's worked in my
office for three years.
But I honestly had no idea
he was in love with you.
I have an insipid trophy wife, Lisa.
We married on a whim
when she saw the money.
(camera clicks)
Biggest mistake of my life.
I know I'm not 24 anymore, but
she's got claws so far in my back,
I'm surprised I haven't
actually bled to death.
Only she can tell you if
we're together or separated,
which is why I've called you now,
which is why I'm telling you now.
I'm ready for divorce.
I know it's gonna cost me,
but I think my sanity
is a small price to pay.
We have a daughter, Charlotte,
who I barely see.
She might be part of my
equation in the future.
I don't know.
We have a nanny slash hired mother,
who does her best to side with Lisa,
and she has sisters who come
and go with conflicting advice.
Vicky, her eldest sister, is
potentially more compassionate.
(camera clicks)
Jan is the more troubled of the two.
But I'll give you my horrible confession
because I can only be honest now.
(camera clicks)
I met Jan first.
She introduced me to her sister, Lisa.
And as a man with no soul left,
I chose vanity.
But Jan has too much dignity
to ever raise this as an issue.
And our mutual friend is Tom.
(camera clicks)
My wife was the girl who ruined his life
without thought of consequence.
I don't know whether he
told you that or not.
I know what he does.
I know Jules, his
assistant. (camera clicks)
I know Becky (camera clicks)
and all the other models on his list.
You see, Tom thinks we have no idea
about his other profession.
But there is something very
rotten in this Denmark.
So, Tara,
that's my life.
Let's take it slow
because I reckon we
might have something in a
semi-something background.
Take care.
(camera clicks)
James.
- I love you, baby.
I love you so much.
Don't leave me now.
Ah
Ah
I'm lost
Lost in the shadows
Walking the tired avenue of suspense
Walking the tired avenue of suspense
(mysterious music)
Ah
Ah
I'm lost
Lost in the shadows
Walking the tired avenue of suspense
(people chatter)
- Yeah.
Yeah.
- [Tom] The other one says (mumbles).
- Right.
- [Tom] Now you know the score.
I'd like to put you up front
if that's all right with you.
- Yeah, that's good.
I'm ready, Tom.
It's like half my event.
- All right, um,
Jules have we got the paperwork for that?
- Yeah, I've got it all sorted.
(tranquil piano music)
I am the monster in your head
The monster in your mind
He is ever so unkind
The monster in your head
The beast you feel once
you've read their head
The only weapon in your mind
Is the feeling you can't break
The make which you can't decide
The monster all the same
The demon in your mind
(camera clicks)
(tranquil piano music)
(birds chirping)
- [Jules] She was really good, I think.
- Yeah, she's looking good.
I've gotta get this one.
- Want me to come back?
- When?
- Tomorrow.
- I'm on a shoot tomorrow.
- You can shoot me.
- [Tom] No.
We've done that.
- Please, I want to be able
to make things up to you.
- [Tom] How?
- Whatever it takes.
- [Tom] I'm not sure what it would take.
- So what are you doing now?
- [Tom] Now?
- No, I mean in the day.
- [Tom] I'm working.
- What are you doing?
- More photography.
- For who?
- An agency.
- What are you taking photos of?
- Largely clothed women, the same.
- Naked?
- [Tom] Sometimes they get naked.
You know this.
- How naked?
- To be honest with you,
I think they probably just
think I'm a bit of a prude.
- That's what really what
you want to do though, is it?
It's just what gets you off.
- [Tom] It does depress me sometimes.
But then...
- What?
- [Tom] I meet someone like you
and I realise that the
pictures are just that.
Pictures.
This girl this morning.
She was pretty, perfectly formed,
nice body,
an angel face.
But you know what?
I didn't want her.
I didn't love her.
(camera clicks)
(ominous music)
I could see that the pictures of her
would be someone's fantasy.
(camera clicks)
Not mine.
Some other guys.
- Am I still your fantasy?
- [Tom] I create fantasy.
You know the answer to that.
- Whatever happened to my pictures?
- [Tom] They're in the same place.
I've not looked at 'em since I took them.
- You didn't see them?
- [Tom] No, that was my possessive streak.
- Do you still want me?
- Look, can you cope
with me taking photos?
I mean, it's a serious question.
It's a bit of a deal breaker.
- Do you fancy the girls?
Do you want them?
- No, not really.
- Not really isn't no.
- [Tom] For god's sake, I
can separate work from play.
- Please.
Let me come back.
Just so we can see.
- Where are you now?
- My parents' house.
- Are you gonna come over?
- Why?
- Well, that's what you
usually do when I'm working.
- So, I can sleep.
We can talk in the morning.
(ominous music)
I love you.
- Yeah.
I love you, too.
- Are you being fucking serious?
- [Tom] Look, I'm on a
shoot this afternoon.
- Can I come?
- [Tom] No.
I'm sorry, you're not in the shoot.
Jules is the assistant, you know that.
- I like Jules.
- [Tom] Yeah, I like Jules, too.
- Have you ever fucked Jules?
- [Tom] Don't start.
- Why not?
- Because we both know
you've got your own problems.
(birds chirping)
(ominous music)
- [James] The wedding is next month.
You are invited.
We would both appreciate seeing you there.
- A word of advice, James.
If you can live with men in deceit,
you'll have a happy marriage.
If you can't, then don't marry a liar.
(camera clicks)
That's all.
- [James] I never realised
you had such a high opinion of Lisa.
But I take your advice.
I'll see myself out.
(door clatters)
(ominous music)
(birds chirp)
- Do you think I'm luckY?
- Lucky?
How are we lucky?
I mean, I've worked for
everything, haven't I?
- Have you?
- Come on, Lisa, what's wrong?
I mean, you're not with
your sisters at the moment.
But, the new house, is it too much?
- No.
It's perfect.
It just seems so extravagant
after what we last had.
- Yeah, but wouldn't your
dad like to see you now?
- Yeah, well, my dad's not
here to see it anymore, James.
- He's still around in spirit.
- It's just difficult, you know.
- You've got family, Lisa.
We've got great times ahead of us.
- Yeah, I know.
I just feel so guilty.
I've got everything but nothing.
(glass bangs)
- We don't have nothing, Lisa.
Are you keeping up with that prescription?
- No, I can't.
It's just making me feel even worse.
- Come on, you need to take taking them
if you want them to work.
Hey, look, how's Maria
getting on with Charlotte?
- We wouldn't even be
living if she didn't look
after her so well.
She's more of a mother than I am.
- Yeah, but, Lisa, you're her mother.
Come on.
Don't beat yourself up over this.
I mean, we have been through
so much in the past year.
- That's why I'm saying, aren't we lucky.
We've got all of this.
All of these material
things and at what price?
- Your dad's gone, Lisa.
I'm sorry.
I don't know what I can do about it.
- He's always been gone.
- We go over this every night.
- It's just so difficult.
And you know why it's so difficult for me.
- What?
I mean, what is so difficult?
- You.
You look like him.
You dress like him, and you act like him.
- I can't help that.
- I know.
I know you can't.
I just, it's so difficult.
I just, I look across the room,
and I don't know whether
I'm looking at my husband
or my dad anymore.
- I listen.
I listen.
And I listen.
And then I realise,
I just can't help you unless
you're prepared to let go
and tell me.
- Tell you what?
- You've got to tell me
what happened to him.
I mean, the whole thing with
your dad is just an excuse.
Or at least it's become one.
- What do you want to hear, James?
That daddy had me, is that what you think?
- Maybe.
I don't know.
I honestly don't know.
- Well, daddy didn't have me, James.
Sorry to disappoint you
if that idea got you off.
- Stop it, Lisa.
I think you're drunk.
- All right.
I'll tell you.
Do you remember Tom?
- Tom?
Yeah.
Used to be in IT,
moved to another department.
A photographer now, I think.
Where are you going with this, Lisa?
I mean, (laughs)
have you had an affair?
Is that what this is?
Is that what this has all been about?
- At the Christmas
party, Tom came up to me
and he said,
he said.
I was with this girl.
And nothing happened, but we
were really close friends.
And then we had this
five minute conversation
that destroyed my life.
- All right, I get it.
And it was you he had the
five minute conversation with?
- Yeah, but the five minute
conversation didn't happen then.
- When did it happen then?
- A few years ago when I was 16.
- And what else did he say?
- Not a day goes by when I don't think
about what I said.
- So what was this stupid conversation
a few years ago about?
- Not much.
He just said if he was to look after me,
it's because I needed looking after.
Because he thought
that my mom didn't treat me right.
- So he liked you.
So what?
- Something else happened
a week before then.
It wasn't much, but I felt so stupid
for letting it happen.
I got drunk, and I got taken advantage of.
- I thought we talked about
everything we had to tell
each other about our private lives.
- Yeah, well, some things
have to remain private.
- So you're telling me this one bad.
- Look, it was a bad first time, okay?
- And this bad first
time was with Tom, right?
- No.
This prick wasn't Tom.
It was somebody else.
I can't remember his name.
- So, come on, tell me.
What has all this got to do with Tom?
- I destroyed his life.
- Do you remember that film
we watched the other night?
- I don't see the films you see.
- There always on in the background.
- But I'm not obsessed like you.
- Who says I'm obsessed?
You do.
How does that work?
- You know you are.
- Is it really that bad?
- No, it's not that bad.
- Is it good then?
- No, it's not that good, either.
- Why is there always
a barrier between us?
- Because I don't hero
worship the people you do.
- Who expects you to?
- You do.
Every time you say something,
all it is with you is
did you see this?
Did you see that?
Do you remember this?
I didn't.
Period.
Things are strained
enough as they are already
without you stretching
things even further.
- I'm trying to live here.
What?
What are you talking about?
- It's been four months already.
- And, and what?
- What?
- Do you think I'm not thinking about it?
You think I'm not
thinking about our little?
Look, I can't do this right now.
I've been out of the loop for a reason.
- Maybe I am, too.
- Why are we arguing?
- Because everything around
here is dead or dying.
You get me involved with you
and drag me through
all this shit for what?
I should be with my
friends finishing one part
of my life and beginning the next.
I could even finish my
education if I want.
But no, I hook myself up with you.
For what?
This tragedy and torment.
You just sit there and watch the films.
That's where you live.
Movie land.
And where do I fit in for you?
I don't.
Is that whole truth or what?
You love me so much
that you think that by forgetting me
I'm going to forget about
what has happened to us.
But I'm not
because I need you to help me.
I need you to be here with me.
And to do that, you have to
invest your emotions in me.
- I don't think I'm ready for this.
- Then how do you think I feel?
I need to move on so badly from this,
but I just don't think I can.
- Then don't.
- I've got to.
I can't let this kill me.
- Let it kill me then.
- No, it has already.
We have to find something
that's going to help us.
- We should never have got involved.
- I don't care.
We are involved, and we
have to find something
that is going to make this better.
That is going to help us.
- Maybe we should start from scratch then.
- How do you mean?
- Relive everything that we've done
up until four months ago.
- And how can we do that?
- I've been doing that
every day in my head.
Every time I'm watching those films,
I'm not actually watching those films.
I'm watching our life
in exact, minute detail,
and I see the happiness in your face
turn to despair.
My legs give way, but I
know what's just happened.
I hate that movie in my head.
I wish I could erase it, but I can't.
- Well,
make a film about me then.
- I can't.
- You always said you would.
- I can't.
- Why not?
- Because I don't have the drive anymore.
I can't even get out of bed any more.
You know that.
- Well, then how do you think I feel?
Do you not think I feel
like that a little bit, too?
Look at me.
I can't live with myself,
and I'm asking you
to help me and help us.
Look, you've got that
stupid little video camera.
Why don't you use it?
And we can use it to--
- I bought that video camera for a reason.
- I know.
I know, to make a film.
But that changed.
It was going to be a film about
someone entering this world,
and it was going to be beautiful.
But, as much as it hurts me to say this,
that is never going to happen.
- Why didn't we even name her?
- I couldn't.
- I had a list and everything.
- Okay, you had a list.
What would you have named her?
- Tara.
- I don't like Tara.
- Tara's important to me.
- I know because you
made it important to you.
- Fine.
What would you have named her then?
- I don't know.
- [James] Hi, Jan.
This is James.
- Hi James.
So what's wrong with
little fruitcake this time?
- [James] Depressed, suicidal.
Usual problems for a 19 year old girl
who's lost her dad and was
neglected by her mother
for most of her life.
- Fly away, James.
We've all got problems.
- [James] Lisa is ill,
but she's making herself worse
because she won't face up to her issues.
Yourself, included.
Oh, I don't know exactly
what she blames you for.
Daddy, possible.
But you don't stop upsetting her
whether she hears from you or not.
- Mothers and daughters, James.
Not fathers and sons.
- [James] Look, we're not
going to let this descend
into an argument.
- Try me.
- [James] I want to come
over for dinner on Sunday.
- Can't.
- [James] No, I can.
But Sunday was always
supposed to be family day.
(laughs)
- Been playing detective, have we?
Lisa would never call it that.
- [James] I don't care.
But, all right, I just
want a civilised meal.
Can we manage that?
- How is Lisa then?
- [James] Your sister hates me
as much as you probably do at the moment.
- My god.
Little girl must be ill.
Replacement daddy must
have really pissed her off.
- [James] So you think I really am
that much like her father?
- Unfortunately, you are.
- [James] All right, tell me.
What went wrong?
- Mom never really did like him that much.
He was too devoted to
his job and not to me.
But that's on me, isn't it?
First kid at 16, last at 32.
Look at me.
I lived my life.
I never wanted children,
now I've got three.
Me and my mom and Vicky, we
forced our dad to walk away.
Lisa was what, 10, when that happened.
Her dad was there everyday of her life,
not a day apart ever.
And then he was gone.
And now he really is dead.
He won't be coming home.
The whole time that he was alive,
she had that hope.
You can't replace that feeling of hope
by looking like him and being like him.
That's why Lisa's ill, James.
Her dad's gone and her sisters know
she was daddy's fucking girl.
There.
That's the most sincere
conversation I've ever had with you.
- [James] Well, Jan, I
appreciate your honesty.
- Sunday then.
- [James] See you on Sunday.
(phone clicks)
Feeling that I'm walking
Knowing that you're talking
Knowing that you're talking about me
(rock music)
Down in the depths of
Down in the depths of
Down in the depths of sea
Still in my pockets
Water on my face
Wave down later
(birds chirp
- Hey, babe.
You're right.
I'm not entirely sure what
you want me to say here.
I supposed we could, um,
start from the beginning.
I've been drinking.
I've been drinking a lot.
Smoking, too, and I guess
that's to do with the drinking.
Don't feel like I'm 30.
I feel like I'm 10 years
old and I'm peddling home
like a nutcase on my tiny little BMX
because some bigger kid swatted me.
I'm scared.
I've no idea what I'm scared of.
I don't want to go out
in the big, wide world.
Why?
I just don't have the ability to do it.
I can't cope.
(rock music)
(car rumbles)
- [James] How are you then?
- [Lisa] Not as low.
- [James] Are you on top then?
- I think so.
Maria and I took Charlotte out.
Maria showed us some of the little things
that she likes that I just can't do.
You know, the lovely things.
- [James] Are you happier
with your daughter now?
- No.
- [James] Why not?
- She looks like me.
It's like having a miniature
me running around everywhere.
- [James] Doesn't she
have any of me in her?
- She shits and pukes.
Is that enough?
- [James] Is that a joke?
- Sort of.
I just look at the baby,
and, no, I don't see you in her
because I'm so wrapped
up in seeing me in her.
I just think, what's gonna
happen when she grows up,
and one day, she can't
find daddy in the house?
That's why I don't see you in her.
That's just the way it is, James.
- We're gonna have a
proper lunch on Sunday
at your sister's here.
- [Lisa] What's proper?
- [James] I've got a friend coming over.
- [Lisa] Who else is coming?
- [James] Tom.
- Say again?
- [James] Tom.
You know, my campaign photographer.
- Yeah, I know who he is.
Do you?
- [James] Yeah.
I think he's someone you
need to meet up with again.
I mean, he's pretty sincere about things.
You know, you really pushed his life
in a different direction.
- Are you happy now you found out
a little bit extra about me?
- [James] That's why he's
coming over on Sunday.
- [Lisa] I can't have you
around here like this.
- [James] Can I see my daughter first?
- [Lisa] No.
She doesn't want to see you.
Love is a battlefield
A battle which'll never heal
And I just gotta fight
Until the day I find my boy is killed
I tell my war stories about
how I got my battle scars
Due to being a fool
And thinking it was
written in the stars
Time has made me smart
And now it's all about strategy
Look for my moments to
believe in it was meant to be
Everybody's stands alone
It's cut throat in this great unknown
You must possessed the weapons
Just to make it on your own
People manipulate, they
play by heart strings
And then you're left blinded
By the happiness that they bring
Little do you know the one you love
Has got a hidden agenda
Just to show you the
girl's a pretender
They say the things you wanna hear
Whisper them up in your ear
And then your world is shattered
When you find that
they just don't care
Soldier on is what they say
You live to fight another day
Every time they say it
You think they have
never felt this way
Feelings just don't come
- I love you, baby.
I love you so much.
Don't leave me now.
You're made to climb up by the top
And fight until the battle love
And there ain't no
time to be asking why
(guitar music)
It's a lonely road
Guess I'm walking it solo
It's a lonely road
And it's taking its toll on me
(ominous music)
(silverware clatters)
- Where do you know this
Tom from then, James?
He works for you, I assume.
- I think you met him before.
You see, I'm his boss.
But he used to be friends with Lisa here.
Well, that was until she made
an allegation against him.
But I think they've sorted things out now.
Right, Lisa?
- You were at school
then, weren't you, Lisa?
I remember him.
I went along with Lisa to keep her quiet.
- You know, I can believe that now.
- It was only four years ago, James.
You make it sound like she's
done something similar to you.
- Time heals, apparently.
- It that what you think, James?
- Yes.
Yes, I do.
Tom obviously can't make it.
So, let's drink to the future.
- The past is the past.
To the future.
- The future.
- I'm leaving you, James.
I want a divorce because I hate you.
- I want your heart on a chopping block
because you are deliberately
making a scene, dear.
We all know you're ill.
- I'm not ill, James.
I just realised that I hate you.
- And I hate you, too.
I mean, come on.
What have you ever actually done for me?
- You got to work all hours
and just leave me by myself.
- Jan, have you seen my baby?
It's the ugliest thing you've ever seen.
She makes me sick every
time I look at her.
I hate it.
- Lisa, get a grip.
You just don't know the problem.
- What problem?
He is the problem.
- No, the problem is that you
can't keep your legs shut.
- Jan, how dare you?
- No, no.
You and I might not have
had the best relationship,
but I'm not stupid.
Your husband might be, but
your boyfriend certainly isn't.
- James, go into the other room.
Now.
I want to talk to my sister.
- Do you want me to tell you the truth?
Or do you think you can mutter it?
Do you want to know why
you're hurting so much?
Why you're so low?
Why you can't appreciate this?
- I don't know who her dad is.
- Yes, you do.
- I don't know what to do.
- Divorce, dear, and custody will follow.
- How did I manage to ruin it?
- You haven't ruined it yet.
You've upset a lot of people,
but you haven't ruined it.
James, come in here, will yoU?
Lisa, Charlotte, and I will be staying
at my house for a few weeks.
She needs to see a few people at least.
- Is this what you really want, Lisa?
- I don't love you.
I haven't loved you for so long.
I'm sorry, this just isn't a life for me.
(door clicks)
(guitar music)
(footsteps approach)
- They didn't really say much.
- Can I watch it?
- No, not while I'm here.
- Do you want to watch mine?
- No.
- Why not?
- I don't know.
You're absolutely beautiful.
You're absolutely amazing.
- You can fuck me then, can't you?
- Is this what you did
when you divorced dad?
- I didn't divorce your dad, Lisa.
Our mother did.
Except when he walked away from us,
he was more than happy to
keep his attention on you.
- Did you make his life that bad?
- I can't tell you that.
- You destroyed him, didn't you?
- Not before he destroyed me.
- Why didn't you just tell
me that a few years ago?
- You couldn't listen.
Do you remember when you were at school,
you accused that man of nothing?
- It wasn't nothing.
- It was nothing, it was pathetic.
You can never fool me, Lisa.
You can deceive everybody else,
but you were never a very good liar.
- You neglected me for so long.
- Yes, I did.
Our father made you into this little brat.
You had everything when you wanted it.
You swallowed through life
as if it was just you.
When dad came around to visit,
he was interested in you.
Not me or Vicky, not your sisters.
He wasn't even interested
in being civil to mom.
He was just interested
in you, little baby Lisa.
His darling.
That's why you've picked
these men who indulge you.
That's all dad did, indulge you.
Did he indulge me?
No.
Did he indulge Vicky?
No.
He ignored us.
I ignored him because we went
through the divorce as adults.
We weren't the family.
We were individuals.
And you were just a little girl
wondering why your daddy
wasn't there anymore.
We knew why daddy wasn't there anymore.
We'd all driven him away
because the only person who
was important to him was you.
There.
Jealousy from your
mother and your sisters.
- So that gave you the right
to ignore me every weekend?
- We left you to your own devices
because that's all you would do.
If ever there was a feral
child, it was you, my dear.
- Feral?
What was I, some kind of animal?
- Yes, you were sometimes.
Do you not remember me
picking up this lifeless wreck
from the remains of 100
consecutive house party?
Do you not remember the ambulances
and the days in hospital
having your stomach pumped?
Think about your life, Lisa.
You tried to kill yourself inconspicuously
because you didn't want to have to admit
that you actually had some problems.
Yeah, mother dear may have caused them,
but you exaggerated them.
Look at you.
You had everything, and
you're throwing it away
because you're a selfish bitch
loathing in self pity,
wanting to blame everyone except herself.
There.
Now that's a heart to heart for you.
You're 19 with the experiences
of someone 10 years older
and I'm telling you to grow up
and take on some responsibility.
Or else you'll be dead in
the gutter like you were
when you were 16.
You blame your life on stupid men
who've been fool enough to look after you,
but I feel sorry for all of them
because you've cheated all of them.
Now don't cry wolf to me or anyone else
when you realise you've
got real problems up there.
- Is that all?
- That is the first time
I've ever been truly frank with you.
We're apart because we
can tear each other apart.
But now's the moment to
think about your future.
- What?
Are you saying that I should
just go back to James?
- No.
I'm saying the reason you're in this state
is because you've never
taken control of your life.
You're acting like a 13 year old.
For the sake of James,
for the sake of Luke, be an adult.
Don't be the little girl
they've made you think you are.
- Who's going to get custody of Charlotte?
- That's the lawyer's problem.
Does Luke know?
- I don't even know.
- Then leave the next move to them.
Lisa, we've talked through all of this.
These are your decisions now, not mine.
- Hello?
- [James] Tom, it's James, your boss.
Look, I don't really know you,
but I feel I probably should.
I mean, I feel you know
more about my wife, Lisa,
than I actually do.
And you haven't spoken a word
to that girl in years, right?
Anyway, I pulled your file out earlier.
Surprised me.
What are you doing in this job, Tom?
I mean, when it comes to politics, Christ.
You've got more qualifications than me.
- I don't know politics.
- [James] Ah, but you know you do really.
You're not a monkey campaign photographer.
To me, you're more like an office mole.
- Maybe I'm just in it to keep sane.
- [James] Why?
What else do you do?
- It's a light paw.
- [James] What do you mean?
- Well, I meant it when
I said photographer.
- [James] So what have you been doing here
for the past three years?
- Trying to get legitimate.
- [James] Trying to be legitimate, eh?
It doesn't work, does it?
- Not really.
Not when there's the internet.
- [James] Well, listen carefully.
My wife now wants to divorce me.
- Yeah.
I hate your wife probably
as much as you do right now.
So, I suppose I could be your office mole.
- [James] How?
- You know, Luke, lover boy who brings us
all the shit coffee?
- [James] Yeah, I know that idiot
who we still haven't promoted
beyond office junior.
- That's the one.
- [James] I know him.
- That's Lisa's boyfriend.
- [James] For real?
Oh, you're kidding me.
- I'm afraid so.
- [James] Well, thank
you for the heads up.
You know, we might actually
have to have a beer
after all this.
- Yeah.
I'll clear my diary.
- [James] Yeah, I'll see you around.
- See you at work sometime.
- Hey, who was that?
- Oh, it was James from
the campaign headquarters.
(ominous music)
(silverware clatters)
(camera clicks)
- Oh, Jesus Christ.
Will you get over it?
We used to do this all the time
before I got pregnant.
You've got whole books
of lover boy tapes somewhere, I'm sure.
That was our thing.
I wanted to do it, and
I wanted you to do it
because it turned me on.
And now I leave that
stupid machine recording
for five minutes while you're sober enough
to decide whether you
want me to use me or not
and it's the worst thing in the world.
That is what is wrong with you.
You're a hypocrite.
You're an absolute hypocrite.
(ominous music)
So how do you want me then, huh?
You want to fuck me?
Or do you want to be selfish?
I'll do whatever you want.
That's all it is with you, isn't it?
Emotion, guilt, blackmail.
Getting so intense.
Getting jealous that I
might speak to someone
that you don't like.
Being myself.
Look, what is this all about?
It's not like we haven't
done all this before.
- Trust.
Everything that we've been doing here
is about building the
trust that we used to have.
- We can still do that.
Look, this is just one little thing.
It's not gonna ruin.
I mean, what did you think I was gonna do?
Sell the tape?
- You might as well
have been spying on me.
- Oh, Jesus Christ.
Will you get over it?
It's just an excuse, your
whole trust argument.
You're embarrassed because
it's the first time
we've been so much as next to each other.
- I'm not embarrassed.
- [Tara] Then what are you?
- I'm obviously not what
you're looking for anymore.
- [Tara] Don't be stupid.
- Well, we don't want
to be with each other.
We don't want to have sex.
We don't want to do nothing.
The only thing keeping
us together is Tara.
- We never named the baby Tara.
- Well, now that dead little baby Tara
who you never let me
see, touch, or be near
because you cleverly
manipulated the situation
is gonna be called Tara.
Tara Reata.
- Tara Reata?
You bastard.
You want to name our daughter
after some stupid bit
in your stupid favourite film?
How do you think I feel?
Am I not just a little bit helpless, too?
- You're not helpless.
You're a manipulator.
- Fuck off.
- The truth hurts, does it?
All right, maybe I'm just a jealous,
easily embarrassed, prudish, paranoid guy.
But I'm like that for a reason.
- [Tara] How can you blame me
for what happened to our baby?
- Because you didn't want her.
You wanted the life that you have now,
and you just let her go.
And do you remember that one time
that we actually did have something?
And I said to you, you
can do whatever you want.
Do whatever you want as long
as I don't know about it.
And what was that one
thing I told you not to do.
There.
That's betrayal.
- Oh.
So reaching ahead now, is it?
- Yeah, babe.
You've finally opened your eyes.
- Maybe I have.
Well, your baby isn't dead.
Our baby isn't dead.
Your baby isn't dead.
Our baby isn't dead.
Your baby isn't dead.
("Amazing Grace")
- [Lisa] Do you want to read it?
(paper shuffles)
- Well,
now's a good time to
remember who you slept with
if you want a paternity test.
- If he wants a what?
- If he wants to know
if he's the real dad,
then he'll have a test done.
- What if he isn't?
- Wave goodbye to everything you have.
- Well, what if he is?
- Nice, quickie divorce, I guess.
- It says here that he wants access rights
over Charlotte's as well.
This is ridiculous.
Why doesn't he just talk to me about it?
We can sort something out.
Why is he being so heavy handed?
- He's not, Lisa.
He's just respecting the situation
and going through the formalities.
When's the hearing?
- Dunno.
It just says that the application was made
on the 11th of May.
- Well, it'll be about November then.
- I can't do this.
- Lisa, be honest.
Who's the father?
- What do you think?
- It's Luke, isn't it?
- Do sisters always talk about sex?
- Yeah.
Not you and me, though.
- You know, there was only one time
that actually had something with James.
It was before Charlotte.
Just, I thought that there was nothing
that would keep us going.
But, we went to bed, and
he just took me slowly.
But we were so, so close
for those few minutes.
I thought it would last forever.
But it didn't.
It just ruined it.
He ruined the moment.
And I don't think we've ever been able
to get that back since.
- But you've got that bloke.
Can he support you, though?
- I don't care if he can or can't.
I just need that emotional support.
And he has that at least.
- You'd better agree to
a test if they want one.
- Do you think I'm doing the right thing?
Yes, no?
Tell me.
- Lisa, you're gonna have to
work that out for yourself.
Spend some time with your daughter.
- I think now's good time
for us to be straight
with each other, don't you think?
- I've always been straight with you.
It was fun while it lasted.
You had me like a dog, got me pregnant,
convinced me to have the baby.
But I didn't want it.
How deep does that cut?
I bet that cuts real deep.
I didn't want it because
with you as her father,
she would've turned into a little dog,
a little miniature me.
Adored on and doted on,
and where would I be?
Ignored.
I'd become the baby factory
fucked every nine months
to shit out your little
bastards every other year.
Whilst Tara Reata heads your brood
and you live through her.
That's your dream, isn't it?
- Thanks.
Thanks for telling me.
So I know now that you
didn't have a stillbirth.
Is that how you convinced then nurse?
Father didn't want nothing to do with it.
Just fucked off.
I said you were a manipulator.
- It's all crashing down now, isn't it?
The facade of our relationship
has just shattered.
- And you were gonna
live with this secret?
- No.
I was going to dump you first.
That's why I came back.
- I could kill you, I honestly could.
- But you won't.
- Why not?
- Because I still have the
vital threads of information.
I gave birth to a healthy baby, Vivien,
on June the 18th, 2017.
I cuddled her in my arms, named her,
and they took her away.
- Why'd they take her away?
- I put her up for adoption.
- Is she adopted yet?
- I don't care.
- Did you not want her?
- No, I hated the sight of her.
What I could see in her was you and me,
what never has been
and what never will be.
- Vivien.
No second name?
Whose last name did she take?
Mine or yours?
- She's just Vivien Reata.
- Why Vivien?
- Because I never knew
why Tara meant so fucking much to you.
I know it's my name, but I'm not the Tara
that's important to you, am I?
- Is that all you could think of?
Not the fact that you'd
just given our baby away?
Did that just slip your mind?
Oh, my boyfriend, he
wants to name the baby
after his girlfriend
and I have no idea why.
Oh, well, just fucking give it up.
How could you do that?
- I wasn't thinking.
- You were thinking.
And then you disappeared for a month.
How do you think I felt?
I didn't know what was going on.
All I knew, you were at your parents.
Were you?
- Yes, yes I was at my parents.
- I don't even know
what to think any more.
When did you come back?
- A few months ago.
- What time is it now?
- About 11 in the morning.
- And what, what has all of this been?
Has it been a reconciliation?
Has it been what you expected?
- I was expecting a continuation.
- Oh, so you have motives then.
- What are you talking about?
- Let's be straight with each other.
Motives, we both have them.
I thought, I thought you were
coming back to be with me.
But now I know we just
want something different.
Tara, I'm not here to be with you.
I'm here to conclude my life with you.
- But you won't do that
because you love me too much.
- Yeah, I love you enough to know
that this is not gonna work.
This is not gonna happen.
Last night I loved you and I adored you
and I felt things I never felt before,
but not it's just been stripped away.
- Stop it.
Stop, stop it, you bastard.
You're just doing this to hurt me
even more than you need to.
- Don't you think you deserve to be hurt?
I respected everything you
said because I trusted you.
You don't understand trust.
You don't understand anything.
- What don't I understand?
I understand you enough to understand
that I didn't want to
be suffocated anymore.
- Don't we breath as well?
And all you ever did was
ask to be suffocated.
- [Tara] How did I?
- You never took
responsibility for anything
that required an ounce
of independent thought.
- Well, it's really
coming out now, isn't it?
Well, what do you want?
Me to start listing your faults?
Oh, no, wait.
I've done that already.
- We're gonna be funny, are we?
Cuss at each other.
Well, it's not gonna work.
- Okay, just stop.
What do you want?
It's time to make a decision
because I just can't hear you anymore.
- [Tom] I wanted you.
I wanted our baby.
I wanted the life that we should have had,
but it's,
it's not gonna happen.
There's no hope for us.
Not now, not ever.
- Then what are we gonna do?
- [Tom] I'm going to go back to work.
You may not agree with it.
It may make you jealous,
but it pays the bills.
And, you know, something may come from it.
- And what are we going to do?
- Live on the sex.
Okay, okay, I'll call up Jules.
You can come on the new shoot.
(ominous music)
- [Vicky] It's time to
make some decisions, Lisa.
- I don't think I can
go on with Luke anymore.
Not at the moment.
Not with him.
- Well, it's time you should know then.
He resigned from James's company
and office a few days ago.
- What?
Why did he resign?
- Well, let's just say
he was pushed a bit.
- This is so difficult.
- What's changed?
Why the sudden change of heart?
- I had in my head that
Luke was the father.
- [Vicky] And he's not.
- Yeah, it's a problem.
- James.
James is the father.
Do you love James?
- [Lisa] Yeah.
- You want to get back
with him, don't you?
- Yes and no.
- What about Luke?
- For the first time in my life,
I'm going to make my own
decisions on something.
- For god's sake, kill the
man with a little grace.
I don't know what to say.
I leave you for one day.
- [Lisa] You leave me for one day.
- I leave you for one day.
- You leave me for one day?
You can't say that.
Do you remember when you left
me for four weeks with Jan
to go to Australia?
Who's gonna talk to me then?
No one.
No one except maybe Luke.
And the school for giving
me free meal tokens.
And they phoned social services about mom,
but they couldn't do
anything because I was 16.
Everything that happened then has made me
who I am now, and I hate it.
I hate myself.
I loathe myself.
(cries)
Well, aren't you gonna react to me?
- What am I supposed to do?
It's over with Luke.
There's nothing left to say, is there?
If that's what you want.
To get back with James?
- No, I've just realised something.
The reason why I'm like this is
because I like being
that stupid little girl
who gets told what to do.
I like being indulged
because that's all I've ever known.
("Amazing Grace")
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost
But now I'm found
(camera clicks)
Was blind but now I see
'Twas grace that
taught my heart to fear
(camera clicks)
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did
That grace appear
The hour I first believed
I want to come back, James.
I don't want a divorce anymore.
- Amazing.
- What?
- Grace.
- Amazing grace?
- Yeah, amazing grace.
You used to sing it.
I played some old tapes,
and I jogged a few memories.
Got a bit upset.
Thought about when we
first met up and that.
Lisa.
Lisa, who are you?
- Your wife.
- Are you?
I'm really not sure you are anymore.
- What did I do?
- The whole Luke thing.
That's what you did.
- We had everything, James.
- Yeah.
Yeah, we had everything.
And now we have
(plates clatter)
nothing.
- I don't understand.
What am I supposed to do?
- Look,
I need some
help in what I do.
I mean, if I'm gonna be an MP.
- You need an image.
I can be that image.
- I need someone who's
gonna be in my home, Lisa.
- I am your home, James.
- It doesn't feel like it at the moment.
Answer your phone.
- Who's Tara?
Okay.
I'll hand you over to James.
- Hello.
What's this about?
You phoned my wife, you're not phoning me.
Oh, my god.
That's fucking terrible.
All right.
- What is it?
What happened?
- A campaign bus.
A campaign bus crashed.
Luke and Tom were on it.
- And?
They're okay, right?
- It doesn't appear that they are.
Through many dangers,
toils, and snares
I have already come
Lisa.
I'm an idiot.
I love you.
We'll make it work, all right?
'Twas grace that
brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home
- So who's Tara?
(camera clicks)
- Tara.
Tara's a stupid fucking girl
I've been ignoring you for
for the past six months.
That's who Tara is.
Tara's fucking dead.
- James.
It's okay.
It doesn't matter anymore.
(sobs)
- I almost divorced you.
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures
Yea, when this flesh
and heart shall fail
And mortal life shall cease
(thunder booms)
I shall possess within the veil
A life of joy and peace
The earth shall soon
dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, who called me here below
Will be forever mine
When we've been there
ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We've no less days
to sing God's praise
Than when we'd first begun
(rain patters)