La Noia - 1963 - Aka - The empty canvas - [eng subs]

THE EMPTY CANVAS Cecilia! Madam is in the garden. You are Master Dino, yes? - Where is my mother? - She's in the greenhouse. - Are there guests today? - Not that I know of. - Take some flowers to the dining room. - Yes, madam. Hello, Mother. Happy birthday, my child... - Thank you. - All these beautiful plants and flowers... It's such a joy to look at them. But I grew up like this in my father's house in the country. There were always wonderful flowers. But why did my father run away from you, whenever he could? That's not true, your father never ran away because of me. He liked to travel continuously. Aren't these dahlias magnificent? Run away or "travel" are almost the same thing, no? Why was he never at home with you? I've never really wanted to know. I just know that... he became sad, never talked, never left the house. In the end, I decided to give him some money and said: "Go away for a bit, darling. It'll do you a lot of good." You're very similar to your father. You too hide your feelings, always seeming like you're missing something. - Yes, you're very similar. - Above all, because I, too... will never run away from you. At least, he was travelling the world in the meantime. To India, Japan, Afghanistan... to God-knows-where. It was a life he led for a long time. You, on the other hand, always lived in the city, a stone's throw away. And I don't see you for months. Like today, only because it's your birthday. I've given up painting. Would you take me back here after so many years? But of course! You're always welcome in this house. When do you mean to return? Tomorrow, maybe. Your studio's the same as you left it. I haven't touched a thing. - So you can paint tomorrow, too. - I don't paint anymore. Don't you listen when I speak? Of course, I listen. What do you mean to say? I've decided to quit. I don't want to paint ever again. But why, darling? This morning I realized that I'm not made to paint. I made a big mistake. I can't... Sometimes when one... I must show you something. It's a surprise. For you. With my blessing and best wishes for your birthday. It's the most expensive model on the market. You don't want to give it a try? What do you think? It's not bad. If it wasn't your birthday, I'd have taken it myself. The dashboard's what I like most. It seems like a jeweller's window. Thank you. I like it a lot. You know what I'll do one of these days? I'll throw you a big party here on the grounds. That way all our friends could see that you've returned. What's your name? Rita. I've never seen you before. I haven't been here long. Did Rita bring you a towel? Rita? You mean that girl... with the quivering lips? She's new, yes? I find she's very good, respectful, always clean... And had very good references. Why are you laughing? Oh, nothing. I was just thinking. I remember reading a parody of the parable of the Prodigal Son. - Do you know it? - No, I don't believe I do. Well, in the parable, as written in the gospel... the son returns home... and the father sacrifices a fatted calf for him. Okay? In the parody, the fatted calf runs away scared... as soon as the son comes home. Because it knows what its destiny is. After that, everyone's waiting for the calf to come home... then when it finally returns, do you know what happens? To celebrate the return of the fatted calf... the father kills the Prodigal Son and feeds him to the calf... and they all live happily ever after. You shouldn't joke about sacred things, my child. But I'm not joking! My return would be the sacrifice of the Prodigal Son, me... to benefit the fatted calf... which would be all this luxury that surrounds me. I don't understand where this is going. Yeah, of course. What do you do all day, Mother? Oh, the usual life. You know it well, no? No, I don't and I want to know. After all, I'm coming back to stay with you. It could be that everything's changed since I was here. No, nothing. I don't enjoy change. I like to think I live now as I lived ten years ago. And in ten years I'll live the exact same way. But if I don't know how you live... - What time do you get up in the morning? - At 8:00. - And do you have breakfast at once? - Of course! Up in the bedroom or here? In the bedroom, in my bed. - What do you have for breakfast? - Tea, orange juice and some toast. And what do you do after that? I take my bath. Do you wash yourself or does the maid help you? Dino, do you know you're acting strange with all these questions? It could also be I don't want to answer such questions. After all, my life is personal and concerns only myself. Okay, Mother. Thank you. Do you put your jewellery on before or after you dress? - At the last moment. - After you dress, what do you do? Well, I give orders to the cook, discuss things with the gardener... And then? I close myself in my studio and occupy myself with business matters. - Every day? - No, thank you. Every day. Yes, my darling. I write letters, speak with my lawyer, receive visitors... - And on Sunday, what do you do? - What do you think I do on Sunday? I go to mass, naturally. - Which church? - Saint Sebastian. - And what do you do at church? - I listen to the mass. What are you thinking? Now or in general? In general Recently, I've been looking at a villa in the San Pietro area. The owner's up to his neck in debts... and we may be able to get it cheaply. You thought I did no work? Painting takes lots of time and effort, but so does my work. And it's quite exhausting. I'm occupied the entire morning and sometimes the afternoon, too. Some days I get a terrible pain here in the back of my neck. - You should pack it in. - I'm only doing it for you. Someone needs to preserve your estate. - Your estate, you should say. - It'll become yours when I die. Anyway, one thing's clear... if it wasn't for me, today we'd be out in the street. Dino? Aren't you listening to me? What are you thinking? I was looking at that tree. That was your favorite corner when you were young. You'd sit there for hours and hours, as if enchanted. And what would I do? Play? No, you'd just look at it. It almost seemed as though you were bewitched. Anyway, thanks to your mother, today you're quite rich. What does that mean exactly, "quite rich"? What could it mean, other than you're simply rich. - Though, less than "very rich". - Yes, darling, less than "very rich". If you'd like a more accurate answer, I could show you the accounts. No, God forbid! I'll take your word for it. Madam, the coffee is ready. Come, darling. Coffee. You need to know the estate if you're to help me run it. Now that you no longer paint, you'll have more time. Careful, Rita! I'll go get some water to get rid of the stain. No, don't dream of it! You don't clean stains on clothes one is wearing. Master Dino will take off his trousers and you'll wash and iron them. Should I take them off now, Mother, or can I wait? Coffee stains must be cleaned right away. So go to your room and give the trousers to Rita. In the wardrobe, you'll find a dressing gown. Meanwhile, I'll prepare some papers you must look through. Okay, okay! You've earned your wages. You may put your glasses back on, Rita. - Why are you closing? - I'm going to the funeral of a customer. - Who's that? - That painter. That old man who was always going with young girls. It was they who looked for him, you know. He burst like a boiler. A good way to die though. Stop that! I don't believe you talking like that. He died and that's it. You should show some respect. Naked! There's your respect. They found them both naked. The doctor told the girl that it was she who killed him! Of course, at his age... Anybody there? I live opposite. We saw each other a few times. I came to look at the paintings. The door was open. I came to get my stuff before they rent the studio to someone. I have the keys, see? - I see. You were here when he died? Yes, he felt bad while I was posing for him. I was his model. It was you who posed for this painting? Of course. Don't you like it? It doesn't look like you. How do you know it doesn't? The body doesn't seem like yours. - Here, you see? - Do you think? Still, I'm made like this. Maybe he exaggerated a little. I don't know... This is me, too. This one, too... Also, that one up there. He never tired of painting me. Painting? I thought he was more interested in women than painting. Yes, that's true! Why don't you come to my studio for a bit? - Do you want me to pose for you? - Is that what Balestrieri asked... to get you here the first time? No, I came here for design lessons. Back then I had an idea to go into fashion design. - And then? - And then he asked me to pose for him. Not right away. That was much later. If you like, I can pose until dinnertime. Yes, why not. - Where's the bathroom? - That door there. What does the world matter to me When you are close to me I will ask nothing more of heaven If you leave me... - How long had you known Balestrieri? - Two years. - And how old are you? - 17. Where do you want me? Oh, wherever you like. - Did he fall in love with you right away? - Oh, no. I had a crush on him. At least, I thought I did. What made you love him? You don't need a reason to love a person. We fell in love, that was it. There's always a reason for everything. Well, I felt an attraction to him. An attraction? What kind of attraction? If you must know, Balestrieri looked like my father... and since I was small I've had a passion for my father. Why do you ask so many questions? Because I want to know. Balestrieri was also in love with you? Yes. He said he couldn't live without me. One time, I tried to leave him and he attempted suicide. - Have you thought about him today? - No. - Why not? - Because I've only thought about you. Forgive me... I invited you here on a stupid pretext. It's years since I've painted people or even recognizable objects. But that's another story entirely. The fact is I'm not a painter. Not anymore. So that's my masterpiece. - But that canvas is blank. - Exactly. Nothing deserves to be painted in this world. An empty canvas says everything there is to say. That's all I can honestly believe in. It doesn't matter that you misled me. I know. It's been three or four months that you've smiled at me... to say you're ready to do with me what you did with Balestrieri. And I could count on it. Am I wrong? If I'm wrong, get up, get dressed, and we'll forget everything. Good. Let's continue. See, I stopped painting... because I have nothing to paint. At least, I have no contact with anything real. Not even with this cup. This is the same way I feel about women: closed off. So if there's to be something between us... there can't be more than there's been up until now. Which is nothing. Absolutely nothing. No, I'm not impotent, if that's what you're thinking. But with regard to what you want from me, it can't happen. Listen... I don't even know if I want to live... or if I want to end it all. So how am I supposed to know if I want to make love? You leave me indifferent. We could carry out this mechanical act, but it would be useless and boring. I'd better go. - Goodbye. - Goodbye. - You're not scared someone will see? - Yes, and that makes it more fun. You know something? Now that I know you better... I really can't understand Balestrieri's behavior. Because you're not the kind of terrible woman... who destroys men's souls. I think so. That's what I've been saying. For years, I've seen Balestrieri change women continuously. Then you arrived and the others went away. How do you explain that? You keep asking me what people are thinking or not thinking... and I don't know what to say. Maybe, for him, you were the only one that counted. Yes, maybe. But I see things the other way. For him you were everything, and for me... I know you don't understand. It's difficult to try and explain. Right now, for example, everything's clear and unmistakable. You, things... everything that surrounds you. And a moment later, there's only darkness and emptiness. Nothing more. This is life as I know it. Have you never felt this way? - What have you done? - Damn! There was a nail in my shoe. I cut myself. Dino! Where are you going? Hi. Hi. How are you always so punctual? It's simple, I leave early. Be right back. Please close the curtains properly. Forgive me, Cecilia, do me a favor. Go unplug the phone. That stupid thing... yesterday... started ringing at the worst moment, as you recall. Forgive me, again. Go into the kitchen... I've this feeling I left the gas on. Tell me if there's anything you need while I'm on my feet. Lock the door. - Anything else? - The doorbell. Unplug that, too. Why not be kind and do what I've asked? - After that, is there anything else? - I don't know. It's too much fun. Come here. Come on, get over here. - Is my mother home? - Yes, the countess is in her studio. - Hello, Mother. - Oh, Dino! What about this title of countess that you're making the driver use? I didn't tell you. I met by chance a specialist in heraldry. You met him by chance. Such wonderful luck. He explained that our family had stopped using the title... a century ago and he didn't know why. And you, who don't waste anything, have decided to exploit it. A good title is always useful. I see you're in a bad mood. You're pale. You haven't slowed down, after all. You're right. You're right. I need a break. A few days in Switzerland would do you good. Would you mind giving me this bag? I've just bought it. What do you want it for? I want to give it to a girl that I'm planning to leave. Trouble is, for a trip to Switzerland I'd need money, and I... I'm broke, I've already spent the money you gave me. You're broke because you want to be. You're rich, Dino, quite rich. I've told you that many times. If you want me to stay, you must stop reminding me I'm rich. Okay, Dino. Do whatever you like. Play at being poor if you enjoy it so much. We'll pretend you're a poor man with a rich mother who lends you money. - How much do you need this time? - I don't know. Whatever you need for a journey in luxury. - 500,000. Maybe more. - What?! I'm quite rich. Have you forgotten? - I sent Rita away. - Really, why? Men, inside and out. She was a ***. I can only give you 100,000 lire. I'll give you the rest tomorrow. I just remembered that I have to make a payment. You don't need to make excuses to get me to come back again. Why don't you want to come and live with your mother? Here you'd have all the money you need. What does that have to do with it? I only see you when you need money. Yes, I'm not a very good son. Why did you run away last time? Do you really need to ask? Am I right that you tried some kind of relationship with Rita? I didn't run away because of Rita. I ran away because of you. Me? Come on, my darling... Don't think I didn't notice your hands all over her. It was entirely your fault that I... "put my hands all over her", if that's how you want to put it. What does this have to do with me? Why is it my fault that you need to be a nuisance with the maid? Don't pretend, please! You prepared everything! Even the willing young girl to trap me in this cage. But I'll never come back here. Get that into your head! I spent my teenage years dreaming of becoming a thief... a murderer, a criminal, not to become what you wanted of me. All because I lived with you in this house. What is it about this house that you hate so much? Isn't it a house like all others? And my father? He didn't want to stay with you in this house. Why?! I've told you, Dino. Your father loved to travel. Who are you trying to fool, Mother? My father loved to travel because he couldn't stand being here with you. - At least, stay for breakfast. - I can't. Two Members of Parliament are coming. Mother... Thank you. Listen, at 5 o'clock that girl is coming, my model. You're to give her this from me. Tell her I had to leave, and I don't know when I'll be back. Okay. Pull over. Pull over here. Wait there. Take me back, please. Is it true that Balestrieri... died in your arms while you were making love? - Why do you want to know? - Tell me it's true! Yes and no. In some ways, true. In some, untrue. He starting feeling ill while we were making love... but he died afterwards. Later, when everything was finished. - You're not telling the truth! - Sorry, why not? He felt sick at the start, but only at the start. Then, luckily, he felt a bit better and we ended up in bed. So you hadn't been in bed? - No. - Where were you? - On the stairs. - On the stairs? He always wanted to make love at any moment. We stayed in his bedroom for hours, then he said: "Let's go and paint." I went ahead, then he grabbed me and said he felt ill. I had to help him back to bed again. He was having difficulty breathing, then he recovered a little. He lay there a while with his eyes closed, still. Want to know what happened after? He asked if we could go at it again. But I didn't want to. So he started to insult me. He scared me a little. I thought he'd die, he was so angry. How come you're so late? I've had lots of things to do. I'm sorry, but we won't be able to see each other every day... just once or twice a week. - Why? - My parents are starting to complain. They know I only have design lessons once a week. So I have to invent excuses. They know something's up. What about Balestrieri? You didn't see him every day? Balestrieri was an old man. They didn't suspect anything of him. And they knew him, too. - Okay, introduce me to your parents. - Sure, I'll introduce you. For the moment, we'll see each other just twice a week. - Did you know I saw you today? - Where? On the Spanish Steps. Yes, I was with a friend. He's an actor. He's called Luciani. - Do you see him often? - Once in a while. He wants me to work in films. - Where did you go? - To get coffee near his house. - And afterwards? - Nowhere. I went home. - You seemed quite intimate. - Intimate? - What are you talking about? - The way he was holding your waist. He's like that with everyone. You know what, Dino? Today it was very good. - It's not always? - It's always different every time. Some days it's not as good. But today it was amazing. Why was it amazing today? I can't explain... but a woman knows when it's good, and when it isn't. Did you ever cheat on Balestrieri? Don't ask me more questions. Yes, I cheated on Balestrieri. Sometimes. He was so boring... - What does that mean, "boring"? - Boring means boring. Which is? Boring. - Now, I really need to go. - Wait. Did he know you cheated on him? He suspected it. But he loved you the same. Maybe even more. Yes, he always loved me. He said that I was a kind of... How do you say... - A kind of drug. - Yes! Something like that. I've told them you have to give me a lesson. Don't forget. That way we can leave right after we've eaten. Papa. Meet my design professor. Hello. I must go help in the kitchen. Sorry? It's warm. No. Thank you. - Your father's sick? - Yes. - What's he sick with? - Cancer. What do the doctors say? - They say he won't get better. - So he'll die soon? Yes, he'll die soon. Does that upset you? What's that? That your father will die. Yes. Well, if you say so... What are you trying to say? Do you love your father? Yes. Will you excuse me? I'd like to wash my hands. Ah, you're here. Move over. I need to comb my hair. Did you and Balestrieri make love here in the house? Yes, I think so. - Where? - I don't remember exactly. - Of course, you know! - Oh, alright... Once, in my bedroom. Mama, meet Dino. - Good day, ma'am. - What a lovely surprise! Please, excuse me. It's very nice to meet you. I'm sorry that I'm a bit... I had no idea. Why didn't you tell me? Cecilia, take the professor into the living room. Lunch will be ready soon. I'll be back in a minute! You're introducing me as Dino? You don't remember my surname? You won't believe me, but I don't. What's your last name? It doesn't matter. I'll tell you another time. Balestrieri was such a nice person... full of kindness... friendly... A true artist. You've no idea. Thank you. what an impression his death had on us. He was so affectionate with my little girl. - Some fruit, Professor? - No, thank you. He loved Cecilia very much. - Did you see him often? - Of course! We saw him almost every day. For him this was a second home. He used to say: "This is my family now." "You should all consider me..." "...a kindly old uncle." Why don't you write it, darling? The professor can't understand you. We understand, but strangers can't. He always refuses to write it. Doesn't want to be thought a mute. He says Balestrieri wasn't nice. That whenever he came here he acted like he owned the place! How absurd, what he's saying... He says Balestrieri had eyes for me. He's so lovely and clever. But all he does is daydream. Doesn't even go to the shops anymore. He has nothing to do. So he works things over in his head. Did you see his eyes? The eyes of a thinker. He mixes things up... in his mind. - Excuse me. - Then he settles on something absurd. Now, he wants to go for a walk and for me to go with him. Right, we'll have a nice walk... I'll take him to the cinema and leave him there. - So shall we go to the studio? - I'm waiting for a phone call. From who? From a film producer... about an appointment. If he wants to see me right away, I won't be able to come with you. Oh, really? Why don't you tell the truth? You're waiting for your actor friend to call. - What actor? - The one with the bleached hair. Luciani. No. You're wrong. Anyway, I saw him last night. It's not like I see him every day. I don't demand that you love me... but I demand to know the truth. I'd prefer you tell me you're going to see Luciani... instead of lying all the time. At least, do me that favor! I'm not seeing Luciani today, that's the truth. But if you want me to satisfy you... then I should say that I'm going to see him. Listen, Cecilia... Hello? Yes, it's me. Of course... Sorry? I don't understand. I banged my head. Yes. Okay. See you soon. Don't hate me, Dino. I can't come to your studio today. That producer wants to see me in half-an-hour. Yes. I'm going now. No, wait. Come here. Come on. We can make love here. We've a little time. No. I'm not like Balestrieri. Making love in your house doesn't excite me. Suit yourself. - Did he ever spy on you? - And how! Sometimes he'd wait in the courtyard until I came out. - You can see the place from here. - What did he do there? He'd always hide under that archway. - Did he follow you? - Sometimes he did. When you noticed him, didn't you feel uncomfortable? Uncomfortable... sure. One time when I noticed... I turned to confront him... and we sat together at that cafe. - And he didn't say anything? - No, he didn't say a word. He started crying. Then he had me followed. By whom? One of those agencies, the ones that investigate. By an agent. - What happened? - I told him not to worry... that I wasn't seeing other men. See you soon, bye. Could I have that green box in the window? - That box there? - Yes. No. I want the one above it. - But they're the same. - Then, I'll take both. - How much is that? - 3,000. Thanks. Can I give you a lift? What are you doing in these parts? I went to that producer's house. What a coincidence that your bleached blond friend and this producer live in the same house. Yes. Luciani lives on the ground floor, and the producer lives on the third. - Did he go see the producer, too? - Who? What do you mean, who? Luciani. - Yes, we went together. - To do what? - He spoke to us about work. - What work? - A film, of course. - What's the title? - He didn't say. - Where did you talk? - In his studio. - Okay. I want you to describe this studio to me. Starting with the furniture and its positioning. There's a desk in the corner, a bookshelf, a three-piece suite with a table in the middle, and a lamp. - What color lamp? - Green. - Are you sure it's green? - Very sure. Tell me again, what's in the studio? - Why? - Tell me. - Okay, it's true. - What is? It's true that Luciani and I are seeing each other. But only to look into each others' eyes. No, to make love. You're disgusting! Disgusting! - Where do you think you're going? - I'm leaving! - It's better we don't see each other. - Wait! We don't go well together. Our personalities are too different. Wait. - I must speak with you. - We don't have anything to say! - Come here! Come here! - Leave me alone! What do you want from me? What do you want from me? I want to make love... Love... for the last time. ***! ***! - Do you still want us to break up? - Do what you want. If you want to stay together, we will. If you want to break up, we will. - Why would you want to stay together? - Because I love you. If I asked you to leave Luciani, would you? No. That, no. - You could respond less enthusiasically. - I'm sorry. From now on, you can have fun with Luciani. Why does he bother you so much? I'll come see you as always. Everything will be exactly as before. So you want both of us. Why is it my fault if I like being with both of you. Each of you gives me something different. I gave you a good sum of money just the other day. Why do you need all this money? I need to sort out my studio. - And what's your studio missing? - Everything. I must paint it again, and I need to reorganise the bathroom, redo the floor... This time I'm not going to give you money. I'm sorry, Dino. I find it stupid that you pay rent, when you could live here in your own house. It's nothing to do with the studio. What then? It's something else. That's enough, Gabriella. Thank you. Something else? - What is it, Dino? - A woman. - A bad woman, without doubt. - No, she needs money. A good woman would never ask for money. It's the others that invent stories... just to get at your money. It's nothing to do with stories. She really needs it. In other words, you want to support her. Not really. I just want to help her. She's a ***, Dino. Listen to your mother. And make sure you're careful of all these horrible diseases going around. Now, if you were to have a relationship with a woman from your world... I wouldn't need to ask you a thing. So are you going to give me this money or not? - Who is this woman? - This woman is a woman. See, you ask me for money and then you don't trust me. It's not that I don't trust you. What does it matter if she's called Maria, Cecilia or Paola? I didn't ask you her name. I want to know something about her. Is she married or not? Does she work or not? How old is she? What does she look like? So much for just a bit of money. I'm sorry, but I'm not in the mood for confessions. If you want to give me that money, fine. If not, it doesn't matter. I won't insist. Dino, you know where the combination for the safe is. Take what you want. Money isn't as useless as you made it out to be, then? Does Luciani know I came for you? It would make me happy if you and Luciani became friends. Look at me, I'm all yours! I'm dressed in clothes bought with your money, on top and underneath. - Why are you telling me that? - I thought you'd like it. I'd like it more if I knew you were mine. Not just on top and underneath, but inside. What do you mean? Inside, inside. You should know that I don't belong to anybody. Anyway, inside are just lungs, a heart and some intestines. What do you want to do with those? - Why the sudden happiness? - Because I'm with you. Thank you, you're very kind. - What's that mark on your neck? - It was Luciani. I want to make you a proposal. What's that? Let's get married. Are you serious? Yes. See... It's something I've been thinking of for a while. - But why? - Why... It would make me happy. But not you? I don't know. I can't answer that right away. - Why not? - I need to think about it. I'm sure that we'd be... And we'll have children. I want many children. - Now, what do you say? - I don't know. I'll tell you... tomorrow, maybe. I'm afraid Mother is having cocktails. I'll introduce you to my mother, we'll have a drink... you can see the house, and then we'll leave. Okay? What a lovely car. It's mine. If you like, later we'll take it out. After we're married, we'll live here. Do you like it? It's very beautiful. Wait here. I'll go see where Mother is. She must be upstairs. When I question you and you don't answer me, what are you thinking? I'm thinking that I don't want to answer you. Like when I was with the nuns, and we had to confess. Just to not talk about myself, I'd invent sins I hadn't committed. That way the priest would be happy. He'd tell me that I needed to repent. And to recite God-knows-how-many prayers for repentance... and I'd just say "yes". I always say "yes". What a lovely surprise. This thing is impossible. All these people, and I have to do everything myself. The waiters are behind, and they seem like apprentices. - Mother, this is Cecilia, my fiancee. - Good evening, darling. Dino, I have to run. I'm sure you understand. Good evening. - These people are so rich. - I can see. Would you like to be like them? To know if I'd like it, I'd have to become one. Only after I tried it would I be able to say if I liked it or not. Let's go somewhere a little quieter. - Come upstairs. - Okay. This was my room. There are lots of empty rooms. We'd have this entire wing. A wing of the castle. You'd have your own walk-in wardrobe, a personal bathroom... your own maid. What do you say? - Cecilia. - What's in the other rooms? Come on. - What's over there? - My mother's room. Is it nice? If you want to make love now, we can. - Here? - Why not? It's comfortable here. I was born in this room. Dino, I have to tell you that I can't marry you. I'd have told you right away, but I didn't have the courage. I saw it meant so much to you. But why don't you want to? I don't want to because I don't want to. - But... but why? - For Luciani, you know. - Luciani? - I can't leave him. - You want to marry him? - No, I wouldn't think of it. - Besides, Luciani has a wife. - Oh, really? - And he has to look after her. - What does Luciani matter to me?! I'll allow you to see him whenever you like. I said no, and that means no. - But why? - Let's stay as we are. It's nice as it is. I won't stop you from seeing Luciani or anybody else. All I want is that you... that you live with me. Why do you refuse? There must be a reason. It's just that I don't want to get married. Why do you want to make love now? What's going through your head? If we don't do it today... we won't be able to for a while. Why? Tomorrow morning I'm leaving for Capri with Luciani, and will be away for two weeks. Don't go. Don't think about tomorrow. We're fine now. Come here. I don't want you to go. I'm sorry, but we've already booked the room and everything. Tell Luciani that you don't feel well, and stay. No, really... But why? Because I like the idea of going to Capri, and don't see why I shouldn't. If you don't go, I'll buy you a present. - What present? - Anything you want. Yes, but for example? For example, a sum of money. How much would you give me? Enough money to cover you from your head to your feet. - What's that supposed to mean? - I'll show you. stay there, and I'll cover you with 10,000-lire notes... from head to toe. Where do you have all this money? Wait there! Come on, lie down. Here. Here. Some more there. On my hair, too. Look! There's a gap. Put one there. I'm so lucky to have long legs. With all this money, there's something like 300,000 lire. If you don't leave, I'll give it to you. - I thought it would be more. - I'll give you double that. Enough to cover you on top and underneath. I'm sorry, Dino, but it's really not possible. When I'm back from Capri, I promise we'll see each other more often. Did Balestrieri know a relationship with you'd be bad for his health? He knew, but it didn't matter to him. You think he loved you because he knew it would kill him? Because you were all he needed... to kill himself. How do I know? I've never thought about it. Come here. I'm not Balestrieri. I'll never forget you. Dino. Please, all the money that... all the money that you don't need, put back in the safe. If nothing else, for the maid's sake. I don't want her to find bank notes in my bed. Your mother's really nice. Are you mad? How is she nice? I don't know, but she's friendly. Dino. You'll need to do me a favor. What? You were about to give me half-a-million not to leave. Instead, you can give me a part of that: 40,000 lire. At least, this way you'll save money! - What do you need it for? - You know... Luciani's been unemployed a while, and we've so little money... We'd need it for this trip to Capri. So you're giving him money, too? - Yes, sometimes. - My money?! Yes, the money you give me. What are you doing? I'm sorry. I lost my head for a moment. You hurt me. Why? Sorry. It doesn't matter. Where are we going now? I'll take you home. As you wish. As I wish? No, darling, as you wish. - What time are you leaving tomorrow? - Early. Can you come and sleep at my place? They're waiting for me at home. It's not like I can stay out all night. - You could say you're leaving tonight. - We'll see. Anyway, I'll call you. - Promise you'll come! - I'll try, I promise. I'm Signora Balestrieri. Please, excuse me... I saw the light on and... Don't worry about it. You're welcome whenever you wish, Professor, think nothing of it. Do you know that all these paintings are of the same model? Yes. She's quite a pretty girl, don't you think? Such a shame. So beautiful outside, yet so horrible inside. Do you know her? You could say so. I wish I didn't. Did you know that... my husband died because of her? - That's what they say. - I know what they say. The usual rubbish. Maybe that's what happened. He could've had any other woman. I didn't mean it like that. I meant to say that my husband's dead because of the broken heart she caused. He spoke to me of that girl. He always said: "She'll be the death of me". He felt it in his bones. But... is she really that terrible? With my husband she was. Maybe with you she'll be an angel. What does this have to do with me? Dear Professor... What do you think of this painting? Look at it well. You know who that man is on all fours? My own husband! They really did that. Like children in the park. Just that those two weren't children. If you like this painting, I'll sell it to you, Professor. Why the hell would I want to buy that? A little memento to remind you of that girl. Why would I want a memento? Why... you know better than I. Is that not the case? She means nothing to me, that girl. That's very easy to say, Professor. I need to see Cecilia. Cecilia? She's not here, Professor. She just left two minutes ago. Where did she go? She took a suitcase. Said she was going to Capri with a friend. For two weeks... but her father... - Could you give me a hand, please? - Is your husband sick? Cecilia's never loved anyone. You'll realize that, too. What are you doing? Get out of here! - Keep walking! - Come here, come here! Well? Is that your car there? Hey, it's five thousand. I know your type. I'll scream for help. - Don't touch my bag. - No... What's wrong with you? Please... Please, don't leave. Come on, let's go! - Bye, Blondie. - Goodbye. Now, you must drink this orange juice. You never call for me, never ask for anything. It's no bother. We're here to help you. - Leave it open, please. - It's a bit windy. It doesn't matter. I want to look at that tree. But how can you see? It's dark. I like to hear the wind through the leaves. You do nothing but look at that tree. Why? Because it does me good. I'm very embarrassed. Everyone wants to know what happened. - And I don't know. - What do you say? - Nothing. What can I say? - Tell them the truth. And what would the truth be? That I attempted to kill myself over love. Dino, I don't think you ever loved that girl. A man can kill himself, if he loves a woman, or if he doesn't. But the reason is always love, no? I don't think I'll ever really understand you. So tell your curious friends that I tried to kill myself because I had a broken heart. Just like waitresses and students, and all those who are convinced that love is something important. Tell them whatever comes to your head. That I burst a tire. They won't believe it, you'll see. Can I also say you'll come home and live with me now? I'm sorry, Mother... but I really must learn to live without your money. So this will be the last time we'll see each other. No, don't say that. Money is the only reason I saw you. You came to see me only when you needed it. I used to see you once a month. Then when you met her, you started to come more often. You wouldn't have endured my presence if you didn't really need it. It's this that needs to be changed. From now on, when I come to see you, it won't be because I want to exploit you and ask for money. Money, money, money, money. Is it possible we'll ever talk about something besides money? Dino, this is the first time you've touched me... Yes. It's been such a long time. Ten years. Do you understand, Mother? I don't need your money, but I do need you. Dino, when you see her again... what will you do? I need to see her to know. My entire life, I've done nothing but wait for my men. It's my destiny. I don't see why things should change now. I must go, darling. Cecilia. I just got back, and came straight from the station. Are you happy to see me? - Did you have fun? - Yes, it was great. Although after a week we were already out of money. So guess what we did. You ran away without paying the bill. Yes! In the middle of the night, by climbing out a hotel window. I couldn't wait to get to Rome, so I could tell you everything. Then Luciani started crying over me right away. He found out I had another man, and lost his head, poor thing. Did you tell him you had been making love with me? - Not with you, with someone else. - Ah, someone else. Yes, with a scuba diver. He taught me to go underwater with a mask. Two metres, five metres. It was amazing. Then one beautiful day, Luciani had to go to the village to telephone Rome. A call about work, something like that. So he and I went for a swim in this lovely little creek. And when Luciani got back, he knew right away something had happened. He went out of his mind and hit me, then he left. So I stayed in Capri. - With the scuba diver. Do you know my mother wrote me a letter telling me she knew someone who told her you'd tried to commit suicide over me. Really? And you believed her? Not for a moment. Why would you ever do that? After all, I've always been there for you. I don't see a reason for it. In fact, there wasn't. Though maybe you thought I didn't love you anymore because it took me so long to come back from Capri. So I'm here to tell you that I love you, too. My Cecilia. - Do you love me? - But of course. I love you just as you are. I thought about you a lot while I was in Capri. I really care about you. - Why? - Because you're unique. You're different from everyone I've ever met. When we've finished, will you take me to the cinema? It seems ages since I've seen a film. What's wrong? You don't want to? Why? I don't understand you anymore. It's been so long since we've been together. Maybe there's another woman. Am I right? No, there's nobody else. If you feel like that, maybe it would be better if I see Luciani. Besides, I've still got his stuff in my suitcase. Look! What a disaster! No, I haven't come for money. I've come just to see you. If we're not going to make love, why do you need to give me it? So you can buy yourself a new pair of shoes. And try not to talk so much. Okay? - Will you call me at home tomorrow? - Don't worry. You won't believe me, but I know everything going through your head. I know you. You always have to make things difficult. You'll let me take a few steps out in the rain. Then you'll call me back. I bet anything you'll do exactly that.