Before life there must have been time.
And before time there must have been God.
So, in music I always believed I would find God...
because music is timeless.
The first song that ever meant anything to me as a child...
was a Beatles tune I heard playing...
on my mother's record player.
She would listen to that song over and over again...
on that worn Emerson...
in the back corner of that tiny apartment we called home.
She told me the Beatles were sent from heaven to make peace on earth.
So at a young age my mind connected our two philosophies...
and one man, in particular, became a legend...
of spiritual proportion to me.
He was probably even your God for a while too.
Strange, the things we hold onto.
Because of that song, I picked up a guitar...
when it was still too big for my own hands...
and swore I'd learn every word.
If only I could remember the name of it.
I always knew you'd be famous someday.
You'd make heaven on earth, just like he did.
Livien.
Get up.
Get the fuck up.
Livien.
Get up, you bloody wanker!
I'm not doing this again on my own,
so get the fuck out of bed!
Get up.
Fucking brilliant!
Ain't you two a sight for sore eyes?
Darling, can I get a few shots of tequila, please?
You got it.
Fuck yes!
I'm not a wanker with daddy's bank check for dinner, am I?
And fuck dinner anyway, mate. It's a false hunger isn't it?
Hey, everyone, first round on us,
courtesy Magellan Records!
On the eve of their bankruptcy, we embrace it.
Since they gave us fuck all anyway!
Cheers, cheers boys.
Thank you.
Man, that was so easy.
Oh, was it?
I thought it was gonna be hard,
you thought it was gonna be hard, right?
Who did you guys wind up talking to?
Was it that weird chick with the afro?
That, the afro guy and the, the dark blue glasses?
Man, that guy's a freak.
The guy that promised us that we were gonna be...
the biggest band in the world?
You guys are huge...
You guys are gonna be amazing!
And he couldn't get us out of there quick enough.
It's 'cause he was intimidated.
Of course he was intimidated by us.
Well, you're a scary mother fucker.
We're from the streets, you know.
Man, I'm so happy, man.
What's up with pouty?
You better clear your head, mate.
We're on in five.
Love is all we need.
You don't get to pick the songs, silly, silly girls.
# Something has changed, I've got that feeling again... #
# and I'm talking to myself with a grin. #
# Am I out on own? #
# Where is a far off drone calling for us all to give in? #
# Oh, it's rolling again. #
# The ink is flowing freely from the poison pen. #
# Uh-huh, yeah. #
# All right. #
# And the lights start to flicker and so gently fade... #
# and from the darkness void comes that slim parade... #
# and it's swirling around my head. #
Want a table, sweetie?
No, I'm fine. Thanks.
Can I sit here?
Well, you didn't say no.
I didn't say yes.
I'm Emi.
I was at your show last night.
I don't do interviews.
Neither do I.
Of course, no one's ever asked me,
but if they did I'd say no.
Is Livien your last name?
I thought this wasn't an interview.
The exchange of names hardly makes this an interview.
Did you follow me in here?
What if I did?
What do you want?
Conversation, but...
it doesn't really seem to be your thing.
What do you really want?
A house in Spain.
Please don't follow me again.
Put the weed down, mate.
Lend me an ear.
It's not a weed.
It is a weed, that's something I do remember...
from my biology class.
I was usually too knackered to show up,
but the grass lecture, that I do remember.
Look, twenty thousand dollars could take care of us for a while.
And it's not a wedding, it's a political fundraiser.
Either way you have to blow sunshine up some rich guy's ass.
Well, I don't think that's entirely the point of a wedding,
but I've not been to many, so you might be right.
In it used to be, in it always was,
a body without a story, the power to steal its pulse.
Your lyrics are a bit creepy sometimes, don't you think, mate?
Do you think it's time you went to see your mum, Livien?
It's been what, a year since you went by?
# You're standing so far away, you tried to play it safe, #
# but there's no need now 'cause I lost my doubts. #
# You say you can't trust but I say that you must... #
# 'cause there's too much to lose and I know you're no fool. #
# Well... I won't let you down, I won't let you fall. #
# So give it all to me. #
# Give it all to me. #
It's the same old bullshit, Owen, and you know it.
The question is, do you fucking care?
Life... and music would cease to be if I didn't.
That's not to say I don't understand the nature of the machine.
So young and ripe for the plucking.
Young, the night is young.
I, however, am nothing.
My lady.
What's the name of the song?
There shouldn't be songs with names.
Too easy to forget, and then what?
Yeah but, if you don't name the songs,
then you don't have a set list and how is the band...
gonna know what to play each night?
Again with the interview.
You just play whatever's inside you,
and the rest will follow.
He had a muse, you know.
She inspired him.
I know what a muse does, Livien.
Why are you here?
I like you.
You're the most beautiful thing my eyes have ever seen.
Fuck!
What?
John, what is it?
Nothing.
Who are you tonight, Johnny?
# Watching you slide 'cause you're shattered and blind... #
# is something I can only refuse. #
# Hearing you cry is like a war in my mind... #
# and there's nothing that I can do. #
# I never wanted to say goodbye. #
# One foot in the grave and your eyes open wide. #
# So glow... like today is your last, #
# and it's moving so fast. #
# Glow... like it's easily done, like there's circles of sun... #
# shining down on you. #
# You say that it's all in jest but you know the best... #
# is just a game. #
# But time will just break you, crawl when you're back for more... #
# and it's all in vain. #
# I never wanted to hear goodbye. #
# So hold onto the edge and stay alive. #
# So glow... like today is your last and it's moving so fast. #
# I'm saying, glow like it's easily done, #
# like there's circles of sun shining down on you. #
Unbelievable.
God, what's up with her?
New honorary band member.
I don't know, dude. I just don't know.
- Can I have some? - Hmm, mmm.
You can have as many as you like.
Lovely you should join us, we've got excellent news.
You sound like a wanker.
Don't be a poor sport, mate.
Why don't you tell them?
Yes, Livien, why don't you tell us?
We can hardly wait.
Well then, since you've asked.
Emi's come up with a fantastic idea.
Hey, can you drop it? You sound like a wanker?
Stop banging the spoons on the table on the table.
What crawled up your ass and died?
Livien, why don't you just tell us the idea.
Well, not only does Brea Epling here want to manage us,
but Emi's come up with the brilliant idea...
that we call ourselves The Quarry Gents.
History repeats itself.
I don't give a toss what history does.
Have you gone mad, Livien?
You want to rename us from The Virgins Undone...
to The Quarry Gents?
Um...
it's a play on words.
Yeah, I'm perfectly aware of what it is,
thank you, sweetheart.
But nobody asked for you input, did they?
I did.
Well, you would, wouldn't you?
It's not important what the name is.
Why not take advantage of the marketing we can offer you?
We have an opportunity here for something much bigger...
and if you sell, it's only gonna get bigger from there.
If I wanted to be in marketing, I would have your job.
Truth is, I'd rather be a musician.
I'm not sure you see it that way.
You can trust me this is not what you want.
Fancy gets old, doesn't it?
And then what?
It was nice to meet you.
That went well.
You know, it's my fault. I shouldn't have come.
This has nothing to do with you.
You're leaving?
Well, I have two musicians to round up...
if we're going to make this thing work, don't I?
Oh, here.
I'll be in touch.
Rough night, mate?
You're shitting me?
Get off me, wanker!
Tell me it's done!
Tell me it's done and I'll let you go!
You like my ass is that it?
Hoping to sweet talk me with a bit of rough play?
Did you agree or not?
All I'm saying is we're not calling ourselves...
The Quarry Hens, or whatever your girlfriend came up with.
We stick with the name; The Virgins Undone.
Otherwise, we have no name at all.
That would set up apart, though, wouldn't it?
The band with no name, and no song titles?
Fuck off, mate, you're not Prince.
You got enough egos climbing around in your head, anyway.
Here's to becoming fucking rock stars.
Here's to fucking rock star women.
We still have to do the fundraiser, though.
Just until the money starts rolling in.
Fine.
Just no more weddings.
And the beat goes on.
# Take me down to the waterside so I can see the wistful sky again. #
# Take me down to the waterside so I can feel the breeze blowing in. #
# 'Cause there's something in the air out here that fills... #
# my swollen eyes with tears. #
# I cough and sputter like a sad old man, #
# slow consumption of who I am. #
# And I'd pave the way to something great if I only had... #
# the will to concentrate. #
# But for now, I'll make a swift escape. #
# A gentle ride to a gentle place. #
# So take me down to the waterside, #
# so I can see the wistful sky again. #
# Take me down to the waterside so I can be my one and only friend. #
Mate... I realize you want to uphold the veracity...
of the band's fashion progression, but the jeans and leather jackets...
were the dog's bullocks compared to these yuppie frocks.
You look good.
I feel like a banker.
Give it up, give it up.
Who's the uh, who's the tart with the fun melons?
That is an unbelievably wealthy fox with a hard on...
for yours truly.
Who had a hard on for this yours truly...
in the bathroom five minutes ago.
Jesus Christ, Livien... can't you give an average man a shot?
Don't you have a girlfriend now, anyway?
Dirty bird.
She looks like she could suck peanut butter through a straw.
Here.
No smoking here, you know.
Sir.
I didn't realize you were in attendance.
I'll overlook it this time.
Okay.
You guys do a pretty good job, though.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
As a matter of fact, my wife is planning a wedding next month.
Have you a card?
Yep, yep. Yes I do.
U h.
That's me.
- Thanks a lot. - Thanks, sir.
It's an honor.
Bye-bye.
Please, sir, may I stick my tongue further up your ass, sir?
Sod off!
May I cup your subtle buns, please?
Look, if it were up to you two,
we'd be pissing in a pot and scouting for crumbs from half dead pigeons.
Ow!
It's not fucking funny.
What a waste of a joint.
Jesus Christ, well pick it up, motherfucker.
And I said no more weddings.
Owen?
Well...
It's a, it's a job.
Come on, it was the Mayor, how could I say no?
Robby.
Guys?
Come on.
Get the drums, bitch.
Just back from the dead and getting drunk already I see?
Even dead men can have fun, don't you think?
It must be a turn on to sound like that.
What are you doing?
I said what the hell do you think you're doing?
This isn't exactly an example of thinking, now is it?
If I am back from the dead, then surely you realize...
my previous history that I only do interviews naked in bed.
So the million dollar question is...
when are we going to bed?
You're crazy.
- Livien! - Livien!
Livien... not here!
If not here, luv, then where?
The lovely lady wanted a roll in the hay with the dead man,
so being the gentleman that I am, I thought I'd oblige.
Livien, the little lady is the Mayor's wife.
Right, right.
You want to remove me for exposing myself...
to the Mayor's wife.
And why wouldn't you?
Remove me, then, being thrown out of here will be...
the best thing I've done all day.
Looks like the fantasy backfired.
Hello!
He did have a point.
Good-bye.
Which was?
Weddings are bloody awful.
You're the most beautiful thing my eyes have ever seen.
You haven't even looked at me.
I don't need to.
It'll only be for a while.
Don't go.
It's my job, I have to.
But, I'm afraid.
Shhh.
I'll be back.
She hasn't fucking died, Livien.
We can't all sit around like rock stars in waiting.
She has to earn a living.
Brea booked us studio time for next week.
It's about bloody time.
We've got to pick a name for the album.
No names.
Livien, if you want a record on the radio,
you have to give the album and songs names.
We haven't had to, so far.
Can you not be an asshole?
I mean, I don't know if you want to be broke for another year,
but I don't.
We're supposed to do this our way.
That's what we agreed.
Look, Livien, your way is not our way.
And plus the fact that your way changes all the time, anyway.
You're so full of shit, man; your breath actually stinks of it.
What?
Nothing.
Like I'm the one who walks around, saying,
'we've got to oil the fucking machine'.
All right, I've got a name for you guys.
"Doing the Virgins" by The Virgins Undone.
You're brilliant, but maybe we should keep that to ourselves.
Before God, there was music.
You don't know that, mate.
Crackers?
Livien, hey!
Do you want crackers?
No.
No, thank you.
Pick a name, man. What the fuck do I care?
Livien!
N ice.
John...
what are you doing here?
Waiting for you.
I don't even know what I'm doing.
Imagine.
You can be anything.
Art is created out of anything.
It just depends on perspective.
So when did you become a painter?
And turn your perspective into art?
When I was in fourth grade, I read that my hero...
began his career in art...
in a far off place I always dreamed I'd go.
My mother told me I could do it, too.
I could paint like him if I tried hard enough.
I'd like to meet your mother.
You're a wonderful artist.
He looks like you.
- No. - It's not you?
I don't know who he is.
You're no one's son.
Don't you love this song, Johnny?
Dance with us.
Come on, baby.
I can't remember the name.
Brea's here.
Where are you going?
Margaret Thatcher in there wants a word with you.
I'll be at the bar, getting drunk,
like any man who's asked to leave the room should.
Well?
Sweet Livien.
What are we gonna do with you?
Fuck me?
You haven't fucked me yet, have you?
Don't you think I've seen a hundred beautiful boys...
just like you, wasting what's precious?
It isn't precious.
I'm not talking about your music.
I'm talking about your life.
It doesn't have to be this difficult.
There can be some joy, somewhere.
Why me?
Oh, why not you?
I'm tired and I'm moving on.
I have one shot left in me and I'm going to get it right.
You have to trust me.
Let me get onto the stuff that's important.
Get it together, Livien.
Whatever she did to you, she almost ruined you for the rest of us.
Hello.
I wondered when you'd show up.
What are you talking about?
I feel like a jilted lover, replaced by...
a more attractive option most of the week.
Now, my one opportunity to bond with my mate,
you show up on cue to spoil the party.
Would you like a drink while you're here?
No.
Okay, good.
I need to talk to you about John.
Why don't you talk to him yourself?
H i.
What are you doing here, gorgeous?
H i.
Hey.
What are you doing? Don't.
What are you here for, then if not for that?
Forget it.
Forget what, luv?
That's class, mate, real class.
What the fuck are you looking at?
I can't find the fucking door, man.
# When he was younger, things were simpler then. #
# The world was his oyster, reckless abandonment. #
# He roamed around, from town to town, #
# charming everyone, the favorite son. #
# And he remembers life was different, too. #
# He was the handsome one, giving of gratitude. #
# He roamed around, from town to town, charming everyone, #
# the favorite son. #
Hey.
It was nice meeting you.
What are you doing out on the stoop, luv?
Livien?
John?
Yo, Livien.
Shit.
Owen!
- John? - Livien.
John?
Turn him over. Turn him over.
What do we do? What do we do?
Call an ambulance.
- Livien. Livien. - Hold on, hold on.
- God. - It's all right.
Livien.
- Hey. - Hey.
Hey.
Can we be glib and ignore it?
Okay, well let's at least be glib and watch the tele.
I will even give you the remote control,
which is the nicest thing I'll ever do for you.
Apart from saving my life.
Well, you're lucky you're so damn handsome;
otherwise I wouldn't have given it a second thought.
And as we all know, Owen can only handle one thought at a time,
so your looks really came through for you on this one, buddy.
Piss off.
Thanks.
I think it's time, mate.
It's time you paid her a visit.
Sweetheart... visitor.
Let me know if you need anything.
Mom?
That's my boy.
Did you come to sing to for me?
I've been trying to remember the name of the song.
But I can't.
What's the song, mom?
I always knew you'd be famous someday...
and you'd make heaven on earth, just like he did.
I will, mom.
No.
No. Don't you see? Don't you see?
You are remembering the wrong thing.
You have to leave, you have to leave, let her go.
Leave her.
Let her go.
Love him again.
There. You have it.
I miss you.
It's really kind of disturbing.
You've actually convinced yourself that you need those.
But you don't.
Hey.
Where are your glasses?
You look frightfully normal without them.
I broke them.
Into a million pieces.
Brilliant.
What the fuck is this?
He's gone mad.
Is this your idea?
You'll look like angels sent from heaven to make peace on Earth.
So, we have a big important group of people here tonight.
Robby...
so enjoy the rush, fuck the models,
under no circumstances get naked in public.
You might want to pass that on to your little friend.
Good luck.
Thank you.
- Somebody needs to get laid. - Bloody hell.
Hey there.
You know, we're just getting our feet wet with this, right?
Just opening the door so people can see you...
on the other side.
You know what?
When I was a little girl, my dad told me the only...
great people I'd meet in my life would be the ones...
who don't even know it.
Truly great ones... would have some idea.
Not really a big idea, but just something...
that wouldn't let them rest.
He also said everyone I'd meet would be full of shit.
Smart guy.
Yeah, well, he was full of shit, so, you know.
But who isn't?
Don't worry about it.
It doesn't mean anything.
I thought you broke them.
What?
Your glasses. You said you broke them.
I don't know what you're talking about, mate.
Have you fucked Brea, John?
Your painting's getting better.
I'm going again.
John?
I haven't slept with her and you know it.
I love you.
Marry me.
What?
Come on.
Risk it.
- Wait! - Come on, faster!
No, I'm too drunk.
Hey!
We were worried you thought Brooklyn was in another country.
Well, Emi did have to convince me it wasn't a different state.
Speaking of which, we've arrived on this beautiful...
rooftop parking lot, in this great state of Brooklyn,
for a very important reason indeed.
Other than being invited, that is.
Well...
the suspense is killing us.
Fuck off, mate. We're getting married.
You're shitting me.
No, my friend.
I am most definitely not shitting you.
You dirty bastard.
How long have you known each other?
It's possible we met in another life,
but who's to say?
Well, here's to my best mate, the tosser with...
the worst English accent I've ever heard.
But we forgive him for it.
Worse still... we love him for it.
To man and wife.
May the world always be at their feet.
Johnny?
You never come here anymore.
I come all the time.
Why do you sit out here? I live...
I know where you live, dad.
I got married.
Well, that's just wonderful.
- That's wonderful news. - Is it?
Well, you would know.
How is the wife, dad?
Dinner on time these days?
Shirts ironed just the way you like them?
We've had this conversation before, haven't we?
It wasn't... me that chose.
She made her own decisions.
I just woke up in the morning and had to deal with it.
I had to go on...
and find a different way of life.
I just wish you could have done the same thing.
I've got to get to work, John.
I'm happy for you.
I hope... that sometime soon, you'll introduce me to her.
None of those records are ours.
This is the largest helmet I've ever seen...
anybody wear on a scooter.
Well, thank you very much.
Ah, the sleeping prince is awake.
Why are you doing this?
Well, at long last, I'm moving out.
Give you and your misses a little bit of space, you know.
Have your own place.
Where are you going?
I get the pleasure of his repugnance on my couch for now.
Just for a couple of weeks.
What next then, mate?
Is the band going to break up, is that it?
Are you joking?
Am I joking?
Well, I guess the joke's on me then, isn't it?
Livien, what are you doing?
Toss off then, the whole lot of you.
I hope you have a swell life!
Hey, hey!
Aren't you cold?
You told me you worked in marketing.
I do.
It says here you're a talent scout.
Where did you get that?
You lied to me.
Um, it's a small part of my job.
Is it part of your job to sell tickets so that for one hour...
they feel like he's alive again and I'm not?
John, you can believe whatever you want to believe.
So what?
So what if I helped you get what you wanted.
It doesn't change how I feel about you.
You lied.
How many girls have there been, John?
How many lies have you told?
Piss off.
Aren't you going to invite me in?
Since when did you require an invitation, Brea?
Never, actually.
I really like what your wife's done with the place.
It's a shame you didn't invite me to your party, Livien.
It's a shame you never told me she worked for you.
I need you in the studio.
Owen said you're not talking to them.
Just want to make sure everything's okay.
Is that the only reason you're here?
I haven't seen that light in a while, Livien.
Where'd it go?
It's lost.
Find it.
Now what?
I think you know, luv.
John?
John.
Wow, look who actually made it home tonight.
Don't talk to me in that fucking accent.
Why was she here?
Who?
You know who!
No, Emi, I don't know... things aren't so clear right now.
You're a fucking bastard!
I just saw her!
Aaaahhh!
Don't you ever get the urge to just let it go?
I don't think it's that you haven't been loved enough, John.
I just think you prefer being crazy.
Hello.
How are you, mate? I'm very well.
Thank you, Livien. Very well.
Just chilling.
Jesus Christ, huh?
Livien, this is not cool, man.
Can't you clean up?
It's a beautiful day outside.
Unbelievable.
Look at that.
What are you doing, sitting in the dark?
Leave it.
You can't live it stagnate air, mate.
There's a whole world out there just waiting...
for you to check in to.
You just get up off your ass.
Let's get moving.
Give me my key back.
No way.
Not after the bullshit you pulled.
I've lost her.
You haven't lost both of them.
If you get it together...
Livien.
# Watching you slide 'cause you're shattered and blind... #
# is something I can only refuse. #
# Hearing your cry is like a war in my mind... #
# and there's nothing that I can do. #
# I never wanted to say goodbye. #
# One foot in the grave and your eyes open wide. #
# So glow... like today is your last, #
# and it's moving so fast. #
# So I'll say again. #
# Glow... like it's easily done, like there's circles... #
# of sun shining down. #
# You say that it's all in jest but you know the best, #
# it's just a game. #
# But time will just break you, crawl when you're back for more... #
# and it was all in vain. #
Emi, please, just, just meet me there.
Please.
John?
Why didn't you tell me she was dead?
She hurt herself.
She was always hurting herself.
Sometimes I'm not even sure she was ever there at all.
Emi, please.
No more, I promise.
I'm trying.
I told you, I can't go down this road with you.
You have to fix yourself, do you understand?
I can't do it for you.
Well, you did tell us to fuck the models, didn't you?
The label's here tonight, I thought you should know that.
# Something has changed, I've got that feeling again... #
# and I'm talking to myself with a grin. #
# Am I out on my own? #
# Where there's a far off drone calling for us all to give in. #
# Oh, it's rolling again. #
# The ink is flowing freely from the poison pen. #
# Uh-huh, yeah. #
# A blissful regime where nothing's extreme and... #
# drifting along like a twig on a stream. #
# The sun on my skin, well I'm soaking it in... #
# like a pill popping housewife. Where have you been? #
# Oh, it's rolling again. #
# Oh yeah. #
# And the lights start to flicker and so gently fade. #
# And from the darkest void comes a dazzling parade. #
What do you want?
To congratulate you.
You have a real record deal and you only had to...
fuck me once to get it.
No darling, you only had to fuck me once to get it.
Cheers, luv.
Bye, Livien.
Johnny. Johnny. Johnny. Johnny.
Livien.
Hey.
What are you doing here? You never come to Brooklyn.
I always come to Brooklyn.
You do?
So I can remember.
Don't you know who I am?!
Hey...
it's okay.
Livien, you all right?
You all right?
It's okay.
Hey, hey Livien!
Livien! Come on, man.
Livien!
Hey, Livien.
It's us, open the door.
- You got the keys? - Yeah.
Livien.
I think he changed the locks on me.
Livien!
Shut up, shut up!
Shhhh.
You're no one's son.
Don't you think it's time you went to see your mom, Livien?
Don't you love this song, Johnny?
Why didn't you tell me she was dead?
I always knew you'd be famous someday.
You'd make heaven on earth... just like he did.
Did you come to sing for me?
I'm Colin.
I'm Emi.
I, I think he's been waiting for you.
Hey, John.
I want you to listen to me.
I need you to hear me.
I want you to remember something for me.
I want you to remember; the love you take...
is equal to the love you make.
I'm sorry, Johnny.
I'm sorry I wasn't here.
I love her, too, but... she's sick.
Just remember, you don't have to be in this alone,
if you don't want to be.
I want you to tell your child that, John, in person.
I don't want our baby to learn it...
just from my memories of you.
And that's when it occurred to me...
in that far off place of sand and light,
where the names of forgotten songs live.
Life is a world of livable imperfections,
adding up to all the songs written and sung.
Timeless and fleeting.
Loved and lost.
Sing, Johnny.
It doesn't matter what song.
And I realized there's always room for more.
More songs.
More love.
More of the world in color.
So I should risk it.