Speaking Parts Page #3

Synopsis: A struggling actor's job as a hotel custodian is a front for his real job: being rented out as a gigolo by his supervisor. A co-worker is obsessed with him, but he ignores and avoids her. He leaves his acting resume in the hotel room of a screenwriter, who is casting for a TV movie based on the true story of her deceased brother. She hires him to play the lead and the two begin an affair. She becomes increasingly distraught as it becomes evident that the movie's producer is changing her story. Egoyan's trademark tangle of bizarre relationships surrounds the protagonists on their way to a mind-blowing conclusion. A hypnotic, fascinating film.
Genre: Drama, Romance
Director(s): Atom Egoyan
Production: Zeitgeist Films
  1 win & 7 nominations.
 
IMDB:
6.8
Rotten Tomatoes:
100%
Year:
1989
93 min
92 Views


He won't even see me.

- I'm sorry.

I wish I could do something.

- You can.

- Why would you ask me that?

- Why not?

- I don't even know you.

- It's just that this sort

of questions interest me.

I mean, love is about...

feeling someone else

feeling you, right?

But sometimes,

you can feel someone else

And you can feel them feeling you,

But they may not act that way.

In your case,

it's the other way around.

He says that he loves you,

which is great.

But I'm not sure if that matters.

The question is,

Do you feel him feeling you

The way you feel yourself?

- Why should I even think about it?

- Because years from now,

when you look back at this tape,

Your answer might be really...

interesting.

Hey! Hey, come back!

- This script is very important.

- You said before it was based

on a true story.

- It happened to me...

and my brother.

- So what can I do?

- They'll cast you.

And... you'll meet the producer.

He won't listen to me;

he might listen to you.

- Why?

- Because you're an actor.

You can suggest things you think

your character might do.

- And if he doesn't listen?

- You can threaten to leave.

- But I'm nothing to them, Clara.

- Not until they start shooting.

But then, you're worth a lot.

I mean...

they can't cut you out.

And they can't start shooting

everything over with someone else.

Do you understand?

- I hope you can explain.

Why is my wife in tears?

- I'm sorry. I did not talk

to your wife. I did not tape your wife.

I am sorry.

I know nothing about this.

- Look, I wanna know one thing.

- Hey look. This had nothing

to do with me. She taped her!

- Where is it?

- What?

- The tape!

- Will you do it?

- I suppose so.

- You don't seem very enthusiastic.

- It's just that...

- yes?

- This is a big chance for me.

- And you don't want to screw it up.

- Yeah...

- doesn't what I'm going through

mean anything to you?

Do I have to beg?

- No.

- You like that?

- No!

- What?

- No!

- Don't do it to other people!

- This is going to end pretty soon.

- What?

- The line.

I only booked half-an-hour.

- you have my number.

Call me anytime.

- Okay...

- what are you thinking?

- Nothing.

Why should anything go wrong?

- The doctor said...

- there's a risk, that's all.

And it's a risk I have to take.

You're my sister.

I'm not going to let you die.

- And Lance...

- Yes?

- Congratulations.

You must be very excited.

- Yes, I am.

- You okay?

Look...

I'm sorry about pointing

the finger at you.

You see what I mean about it

being a bit tricky?

- I lost my objectivity.

- Well, that can happen.

- It doesn't happen to you.

- Maybe it should.

Look. I gotta get back.

Can you get home okay?

- You don't want me around.

- I don't think it would be

such a great idea.

I'll see you at the shop.

Tomorrow. Okay?

- You're probably wondering

how you got the part.

- Well, uh...

- Lance, I'd like you to meet Ronny.

You might notice

that you look like Ronny.

That's because you'll be

playing his brother.

He's the guy

you give your lung to.

- I'm not sure I understand.

- The transplant.

You've read the script.

You give your lung to Ronny.

- But I thought I gave it

to my sister.

- There's been a change.

- Please sit down, Lisa.

We've had a suicide in room 106.

Were you aware of the person

staying in that room?

Did you have any...

contact with him?

- Well, if you don't have

any questions, Lance,

I suppose we can think

of signing this.

- Shouldn't I have

someone look it over?

- I thought you

didn't have an agent.

- I have a friend. A lawyer.

I mean, if that's okay with you.

- Sure, it's okay with me.

As long as there aren't

any problems.

- I'm sure there won't be any.

- When do you think we might

have this settled?

- I'm meeting my friend tomorrow.

- Wednesday morning then.

- Yeah. That should be fine.

- I'll probably be out of town

but we can meet by conference upstairs

Trish will tell you about it.

- You must be busy.

- Ah! I'm shooting three

of these suckers right now.

But this one is very special to me.

- Do you know if any of our staff

had any contact with the guest?

- I don't think so.

- Did you see anyone going

into the room? Coming out?

- I don't think so.

- You're sure?

You said before that

you heard someone crying

When you delivered the towels.

- Yes.

- You don't think that they may

have been crying over...

someone like Lance?

- No.

- And you're positive about that?

Did Lance ever talk to you

About receiving any gifts

from our guests?

- Housekeeping staff

do not receive gratuities.

- Lance?

How are you feeling?

I heard you were sick.

I was... just about to watch

one of your movies.

I was wondering

if you wanted to drop by.

I know you don't think

they're anything special,

But I do.

Lance...

something terrible

happened to me today.

I could have saved someone's life

But I ignored him instead.

Has that ever happened to you?

Lance? ...

- that's impossible.

- It's true.

I could read it to you.

- You donate your lung

to your brother.

- Yes.

- But that's not what happened.

- I know.

- Did you ask him why?

- I... didn't have a chance.

- So what happens to the sister?

- She's not in the script.

- They cut me out.

You have to ask him why.

- Why can't you?

- I'm about to be fired.

Look...

you have to tell him

that you need a sister.

I mean... the part only makes

sense if you have a sister.

And if you donate your lung to your...

- you have to do something.

- I will.

Look, it's going to be difficult

To keep coming here to see you.

- You have my phone number.

- Yes. I'll call you.

- Promise?

- Yes.

- You can't ask me not to worry.

- No.

But I can ask you to stay calm.

- If they do any sort of investigation,

they'll know I was here.

- Of course you were here.

You're the maid.

- Lance?

What's happening?

- We're having a talk.

- About what?

- I can't tell you.

- Why not?

- Because she wants

to keep it a secret.

- What's going on?

Answer me!

- She can't hear you, Lisa.

- Can she hear you?

- Then ask her.

Lance...

Lance... do you need any help?

How do I get there?

Lance?

- Can we move the monitor

a little to the left, please.

Thanks. Great.

Thanks very much.

- Two things.

- Yeah.

- First of all,

I want a hotel room

For the entire length of the shooting.

- Why?

- I won't be able to concentrate

on the role if I stay at home.

- Okay. I'll buy that.

What's the second point?

- I don't think my character

should donate the lung to his brother.

- No?

- No. I think it was better...

when it was his sister.

Like in the first draft.

And I also don't like the idea

of the tv talk show at the end.

- You don't.

- No.

I think it was better

the way it was.

- And... why is that?

- It seemed to be more authentic.

- Authentic... to what?

- To the integrity of the story.

- Can you be more specific?

- I think the author's point

has been cheapened.

- Do you know who I am?

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Atom Egoyan

Atom Egoyan, CC is a Canadian director, writer, producer and former actor. Egoyan made his career breakthrough with Exotica, a film set primarily in and around the fictional Exotica strip club. more…

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Submitted on August 05, 2018

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    "Speaking Parts" Scripts.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Jul 2024. <https://www.scripts.com/script/speaking_parts_18626>.

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