DAMAGE (1992)
I don't mean to hurry you.
The prime minister did ask...
to see you at once.
He doesn't have long, sir.
It's all right. I'm on my way.
- Stephen. - See you later.
Dr. Fleming, Prime Minister.
Ah, Stephen.
- Welcome. - Good afternoon, sir.
I owe you a debt of gratitude...
from what I'm told.
Thank you.
You saw off this backbench rebellion...
over the finance bill.
Rebels went in breathing fire.
Then they came out...
purring like lambs.
That's not quite true.
How did you do it?
Same time tomorrow, Raymond.
Very well, sir.
Good night.
I'm sure she's very nice. They all are.
Very funny. You'll like her.
Are you in for dinner?
Your father's here. I have to go.
- Good evening, Beth. - Good evening, sir.
- Seen Sally? - She's upstairs.
I'm cooking, believe it or not.
I've got the evening off.
- Enjoy it. - I will.
Bye, Martyn. Speak to you soon.
Any news?
He's got a new girlfriend.
Really?
What does that mean?
Why can't women see through him?
He just wants to get his leg over them.
What?
By the way, Edward phoned.
I don't believe your father.
He said the prime minister had summoned you into his office.
So?
So... he just wanted to chat.
He asked me whether power meant anything to me.
What did you say?
The usual.
I said my family was far more important.
Can you come and help me?
God, this is rough. Does anyone speak English?
One or two.
Why are the French always so good at these things?
We should be making tracks.
One for the road.
You know my situation.
These days, I don't hurry home.
One more...
and then I really must go, Donald.
Whiskey?
You're Martyn's father.
I'm Anna Barton.
I felt I ought to introduce myself.
How do you do?
How long have you known him?
Not very long.
I see.
I've...
We've been close just a few months.
I've heard about you.
I bumped into Tubby Haycroft.
He's just been clobbered in the spending review.
Hang on a minute.
Apparently, the treasury's way out of order.
He says they're simply out of control.
Poor old Tubby, he's hopping mad.
Of course, he says he's bored with his department.
I think the problem is he can't stand his minister.
Hello, stranger.
I know. Don't make me feel bad.
It's been hectic at the paper.
Lovely to see you.
You must be Anna.
Anna Barton, my mother.
How are you?
Come on through.
Hello, Sally. Hi.
What are you doing here?
This is my horrible little sister.
Lunch is all ready.
We're only here for a drink.
We can't stop for lunch.
Say hello to your father.
Hi, Dad. This is Anna.
My father.
Let's have a drink, and I'll show you around.
Nice to meet you.
Have you been all right?
Yes, mostly.
Tied up a lot with the children's home.
It's turning into a proper job.
People ask me to do things. I find it difficult to say no.
Is she all right?
She hasn't said anything.
Are we going to go around the garden all day?
We have to go.
Thank you for the drink.
Not at all.
It's always nice to meet Martyn's friends.
It was lovely.
It was nice to see you, Ma.
Bye.
It was funny.
The great joke was he didn't spot it at auction.
It was staring him in the face.
It was Delft.
1640s.
He would have thrown it away.
Thank you, Tommy.
- I'm off to London. - See you later.
Miss Snow here.
My name's Anna Barton.
I'm a friend of the minister's.
I was wondering if I could have a word.
Hold on. I'll see if the minister's here.
A Miss Barton for you.
Put her through.
It's Anna.
Give me your address.
I'll be there in an hour.
Raymond.
Mind you, hysteria is perfectly treatable.
I'm not very pleased about it.
We'll get the bill through. No doubt about that.
We've got some worried masters.
Excuse me, Dr. Fleming.
This is a rare pleasure.
I was hoping we might have a word.
Over here.
I've got a new job.
I've been made the deputy political editor.
That's wonderful.
Already?
I know.
That's extraordinary. You got it so young.
I know. I'm going to have to write about you.
Try to be kind.
I'll try to be objective.
Ma insisted I come down and tell you.
She said you'd be thrilled.
She's right. I am.
Who else knows about this?
Only Anna.
It's great news.
Ma's saying we all have to go celebrate.
She's right. We must.
Nothing too rich.
That's very safe.
Here they come. Welcome the hero.
Hello, Grandpa.
Congratulations.
Well done.
You don't know Edward.
My grandfather.
Gracious. Is this your new friend?
I'm honored. I've read all about you.
Please. Mine was a very overrated career.
Let's face it, we look to Stephen.
I'm afraid it was me that forced him into politics...
me and Ingrid, at least.
I don't think he'd have chosen the life himself.
What will you drink?
Champagne.
Champagne, indeed.
Well done.
Well done in every respect.
I was brought up abroad.
My father was a diplomat.
We almost never lived here.
My mother's sort of...
She's very French.
And now, she's with her fourth husband...
and lives in Palm Springs.
Palm Springs? Good gracious.
So it was quite an odd childhood.
We moved about, yes.
The Argentine, Africa.
For a long time, we were in Rome.
Then, I don't know, I moved to Paris.
I wanted to be free.
I even had a spell as a waitress.
When you're young...
Then I'd ended a relationship.
I moved to England about three years ago.
You live by yourself?
Do you see your mother?
It's turning into a grilling.
Not at all.
Anna's here to have a good time.
But I am.
Were you an only child?
I had a brother.
Anna's brother died.
He killed himself when I was 15.
I'm sorry.
- How old was he? - Sixteen.
Did you see his body?
What was it like?
Rough.
Why did he kill himself?
Love.
I've got to go back to the office.
I've got work to finish.
Could I have the bill?
Thank you for such a lovely evening.
Thank you.
Good night.
Good night, everyone.
I don't trust her.
Don't worry. I don't think it's anything serious.
I'll take the car.
You go home with Raymond. I've got to go vote.
See you.
How's that tummy?
Full.
Will you be all right?
I'll be all right.
Sleep well.
I'll see you tomorrow.
We've got to find a structure for this.
All through dinner, I just...
I wanted to touch you.
I wanted to hold you.
You must never worry.
I'll always be there.
Who are you?
Tell me about Aston.
My brother and I?
We were always together.
Every few years, there was a new country...
or there was a new language to learn...
so, of course, Aston and I grew closer and closer.
We had nothing else, just each other.
I loved him...
but he couldn't face the fact that I was going to grow up.
He couldn't let go of me.
He wanted me all for himself...
so it's made me terrified of any kind of possessiveness.
You see...
if you can imagine...
the worst thing that could happen ever...
in the whole of your life...
well, that happened to me.
My brother killed himself over me.
I had to decide.
I made up my mind because I could have gone under...
but I wasn't going to.
Remember...
damaged people are dangerous.
They know they can survive.
Listen.
I'm going to Brussels this weekend for a conference.
Come with me.
I'm spending the weekend with Martyn.
You know I'll do anything.
I've shown you.
Please let it be.
Don't change it.
Morning, my dear.
You all right?
Very much so.
Are you all packed?
Raymond's out there.
You two be all right on your own?
I expect so.
You can always call Martyn...
get him to come over.
Didn't I tell you?
They're going to Paris.
Paris?
I told you it was serious.
The Lutetia Hotel.
In my experience...
people only go to Paris for one thing.
Thank you.
I'll tell you what that is.
We don't need to know.
Are you off?
Without a kiss?
I'll see you Monday.
I'll get breakfast on the plane.
Gentlemen, it is 5:00 in the morning.
It is clear we'll get no further agreement.
Therefore, I would like to suggest...
a resumption after a short time...
School's out.
to rethink our position after some much-needed sleep.
The meeting is now adjourned.
Thank God for that... 12 hours recess.
I think I'll walk.
Are you sure?
Absolutely. See Brussels at dawn.
Come on.
Really. I need the exercise.
It's up to you.
See you later.
La gare, s'il vous plait, pour Paris.
Hotel Lutetia, bonjour.
Mademoiselle Barton, s'il vous plait.
Mademoiselle Barton?
Elle est avec un Monsieur Fleming.
C'est pour Mademoiselle Barton.
Turn left outside the hotel.
Take the first street on the left.
Go to the end.
I'll be by the church.
Bien. Merci.
I love you.
I know.
I can't see past you.
I think you've never seen much at all.
I have to go back.
He's still asleep.
Don't follow us... please.
Hotel Lutetia, bonjour.
I would like a room for the day.
For one person?
Et une petit dejeuner...
Des oeufs de jambon...
du cafe, du pain, des croissants.
Et aussi, s'il vous plait...
une bonne bouteille de vin rouge.
Look who's here. How are you?
Brussels all right?
I was bringing Raymond in for some breakfast.
He had to meet me so early.
I can do without.
I'll do anything for you.
Who's that?
His name is Henry.
He slept over this weekend.
Sally's in love.
In love?
That's the last time I leave this house.
Check the mark.
It is.
Will you hand me that?
- Hold on. - This one?
There's a call for you on three.
"Seven-three-one"?
That's the one.
I need to see you.
Of course.
At lunchtime.
Where?
Somewhere public.
Oh, my God. Again?
It's not what you're thinking.
It's a different matter.
It's difficult to explain over the phone.
I'll tell you more when I see you.
I'll call you back later.
All right.
Would you sign these for me?
Certainly.
I brought some sandwiches.
I thought it was going to be a nice day.
I've been thinking about what we should do.
Do?
I have to leave Ingrid.
There's no doubt about that.
It's the right thing for everybody.
I can't go on...
not like this.
What happened in Paris...
The way I behaved.
I've never had feelings like this.
I have to get them into some sort of...
order.
I know it'll be hard for Martyn. He's fond of you.
He loves me.
I know, but he's young. He'll get over it.
He's your son.
He'd hate you.
He'd hate me for a while, but...
You'd lose him. You'd lose your own son?
You'd also destroy the life you've made with Ingrid.
It's a good life.
What you say doesn't make sense.
How come you're so sure?
Because in your heart, you don't even want it.
You want us to start eating breakfast together?
I'd like that.
You'd like it if we lived in the same house...
read the papers together?
What would you gain if you left Ingrid?
I'd gain you.
You'd be gaining something you already have.
When can you see me?
Thursday.
Thursday at five o'clock.
I feel very optimistic about these new developments.
We set some new targets in the area of industrial waste.
These are not just talk.
These are targets which are sensible and realistic.
Are you saying that some serious commitments...
actually emerged from the Brussels talks?
Brussels was good.
It laid out a European agenda.
We have to face the fact that toxic waste...
is no respecter of national frontiers.
Problems such as acid rain, ocean pollution...
the diminishing ozone layer...
cannot be tackled by one country on its own.
There must be cooperation...
between the member states of the community.
Are you really trying to make out...
that for once Britain isn't dragging its heels?
I don't think we ever were.
It's an image we became saddled with...
but when is an image ever the truth?
That was pretty good.
Don't tell me you were watching.
Of course.
I never miss a performance.
You are extraordinary.
So are you.
It's a real gift.
Being good at things.
Somehow I remember what I first saw in you...
when you were a doctor...
doing simple things well.
I do love that.
I still love that.
I was expecting you. Please come on in.
Do you know Peter Wetzlar?
I don't.
This is Martyn's father.
Peter stopped by.
He lives in Paris.
What brings you to London?
The museum.
What particular field?
Chinese artifacts.
The Han dynasty.
He hasn't changed.
He never warns you when he's going to drop by.
I didn't know until the last moment...
so I'm riding my luck, as usual.
I'll go and get your book.
I'm sorry?
Stephen's come around for this book.
It's out of print.
I won't be a moment. I put it aside.
You know Anna well?
I mean...
we've been through quite a lot together.
She's still my best friend, I guess.
I liked your son.
You met him?
In Paris.
It was important, I think, for Anna.
How do you mean?
You know how it is.
You feel you have to bring all the bits together.
I don't think I quite know how you mean.
She's getting pretty serious with Martyn.
She loves him.
I'm sure it's a very good thing...
because he seems to know how to handle her...
to give her the freedom she really needs.
I never could.
I see.
So perhaps she'll be happy.
God knows she deserves it.
She does.
- What's the book? - Book?
You came to pick up a book.
It's just something I...
Here it is.
Thank you.
This is it.
I couldn't get it.
Have it for as long as you like.
Thank you.
I won't intrude any longer.
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bust in.
Not at all.
Very nice to meet you.
Nice meeting you.
I hope we all see you sometime.
Thank you for the book.
What was that all about?
Who is that man?
I was with Peter the night Aston died.
Peter's someone I'll know forever.
Our parents were friends.
We'd had the same life.
One evening, he took me out dancing.
I was 15.
Peter brought me home in his car...
and he started to kiss me.
I didn't know Aston was watching.
Aston was watching from a window upstairs.
When I went in, he started to go mad.
"You'll let him fuck you. They're all going to," he said.
"It's the end for us."
He came to my room.
He wanted to sleep in my bed.
All I knew was I had to get him out.
I locked the door.
I heard him outside.
He started imploring me, begging me...
saying he was sorry, would I forgive him?
I just listened.
For hours, I listened.
Then it stopped.
I went to sleep.
Next morning, I woke, and... I heard crying.
I went down the corridor.
They all told me not to go in, but I did...
and I saw Aston.
He'd cut his wrists.
I took his head in my arms.
His face had been under the water...
and the water was red.
They said we had to leave.
They took me and my mother to stay with Peter's parents.
They wanted us out of the house.
Peter was waiting.
He took me upstairs.
My nightdress was still covered with blood.
It was then...
I had to. I knew I had to.
I asked him to fuck me.
"Fuck me," I said.
It's all right.
I don't mind her being there.
I really don't mind.
It's just... I wish Martyn had asked us.
Suddenly she seems to be part of our lives, which is fine.
It's just this weekend.
It's Hartley, which Martyn knows is my favorite place on Earth...
and it's my birthday.
It makes me sound mean, which I hate.
I don't know. She brings out the worst in me.
Don't worry. It'll be fine.
This is a portrait of Ingrid's great-great-grandmother.
Was Ingrid brought up here?
Of course.
There have been Lloyds here for over 200 years.
Ingrid's my only child, so it falls now to Martyn.
Martyn and his family will inherit this place.
Meanwhile, I'm by myself.
That's why these weekends are so wonderful.
Grandpa!
I assume you'll be back many times and always be welcome.
Won't she, Ingrid?
Thank you, darling.
This is the most extraordinary place.
You're not convinced?
I was always made to come here for the holidays.
That isn't fair.
While, of course, the company was fine...
I should hope.
my childhood wasn't all wonderful.
Really?
As a matter of fact, it wasn't.