EMPIRE FALLS {PART 1 OF 2} (TV)
Summary
Part one in this two-part miniseries, based on Richard Russo's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, about life in the small, decaying town of Empire Falls, Maine. The program, narrated by high school principal Otto Mayer, begins by telling the story of the Knox River in Maine and the mill town of Empire Falls that "shot up" alongside it. Chapter One: "In Which We Learn Anything Is Possible" introduces Miles Roby, the manager of the Empire Grill, who returns from a short vacation to find his ne'er-do-well father, Max, trying to hotwire his car. The town is "run" by the prestigious and wealthy family of the deceased Charles Beaumont "C.B." Whiting, who used to own the mills and factories in town before his family sold them off. Miles is summoned to the home of C.B.'s widow, Francine, who suggests, somewhat facetiously, that he become the town's mayor. She also questions why he vacations on Martha's Vineyard every summer. Later, while preparing to paint the old church, Miles recalls spending his youth in Martha's Vineyard while his father was in jail. Meanwhile, at the local high school, Mile's daughter, Christina, a.k.a. "Tick," struggles with issues in school after having just broken up with the popular Zack Minty. Later, Miles asks Max why he keeps calling Francine to beg for money. Max talks about feeling "worthless," wanting to assist his son in painting the church. Miles's former classmate, dull-witted police officer Jimmy Minty, father to Zack, drops by the grill, discussing how they both basically work for Francine. Jimmy also tells Miles that there is a lot of dope circulating through town and that Miles should warn his brother David, who is suspected of growing marijuana, that people think he may be responsible. Miles tells Jimmy that his family, especially his deceased mother, Grace, is "off limits." Later, the arrogant Walt Comeau -- the fiancŽ of Miles's ex-wife, Janine -- drops by the diner. A fitness club owner, he brags about his physical prowess before challenging Miles to an arm wrestling contest. Walt also reveals that he saw a limo at the mill, leading him to believe some out-of-state big shots are soon to purchase it. David asks how Miles is able to deal with Walt every day, wondering if Walt and Janine will take Tick away from Empire Falls once they marry. Miles recalls how much fun he and Tick had on Martha's Vineyard during their vacation. David thinks Miles should move there and run a book store, but Miles is still convinced that Francine will give him the grill once she dies. Tick is angered that Miles will "let" Walt marry her mother. Meanwhile, while scavenging for clothes in the dumpster, tough luck teen John Voss gets picked on by Zack and his friends. That night, Tick reveals to Miles that her mom thinks Miles is in love with the grill's sassy, pot-smoking waitress, Charlene. Then, Janine drops by the grill to pick up Tick, immediately getting in a spat with her ex-husband. Miles is particularly peeved that Walt and Janine live in his old house. At Callahan's bar, local reporter Horace drinks late with Max, who taunts him about the prominent birth mark on his forehead. Max thinks that he and Horace should go to the Florida Keys to live. At the end of the night, Miles discusses with David how he still "owes" Francine for her monetary support over the years. David shows his brother a newspaper clipping of their mother as an office manager at the town shirt factory back in 1959. Miles recalls the day as a youth that he learned that his mother, Grace, was fired from that job and became nursemaid to Francine's crippled daughter, Cindy. Later, a drunken Max urinates on flowers at C.B.'s grave. Chapter Two: "The Surprise" begins with Miles arriving at Francine's house, finding the now-grown Cindy. She yet again reveals that she loves Miles, who doesn't feel the same way. Otto's narration tells how Cindy's childhood accident messed with C.B.'s life, driving him to suicide. Meeting with Francine in her gazebo, Miles talks with her about making one's luck and the reason for his marriage before he discusses the state of the grill. Francine is more interested, though, in potentially setting up Cindy with Miles. Later, Miles invites Cindy to attend the homecoming football game with him and she is overjoyed. Driving home, Miles recalls his mother taking him away to Martha's Vineyard, where he frolicked at the beach. There, Grace is pursued by the mysterious Charlie Mayne, who intrigues a young Miles as well. The three ride in Charlie's convertible to watch the sunset, during which it appears that Grace and Charlie are romantically involved. Chapter Three: "Ties That Bind" begins with Janine preparing for her new life as Walt's wife and co-worker, noting that she finally feels good about herself. Janine's mother, Bea, the owner of Callahan's bar, doesn't think she's changed and that she is hurting Tick with her selfish behavior. Meanwhile, Tick is asked by Otto if she can lunch with John and be a friend to the outcast. Later, Zack chases John away and asks Tick why she won't give him a second chance. Meanwhile, Max implores Miles to marry Cindy so that he will be in line for a ten-million-dollar family fortune. At the grill, Tick gets John a job as a busboy. Later, Miles and Tick discuss her relationships with both Zack and a boy, Donny, that she met at Martha's Vineyard. That night, Miles reveals to David that the bookstore in Martha's vineyard costs five-hundred-thousand dollars. David thinks Miles is a defeatist, unable to go after what he truly desires due to his cautiousness. Miles recalls his mother, in the last stages of cancer and staying at Francine's home, angry at her son for leaving college and returning to Empire Falls to work at the grill. Miles reveals to Charlene that one night he came close to having sex with Cindy but bolted before it actually occurred. Charlene reveals that she would like to make love to Miles but wouldn't want to disappoint him. Chapter Four: "Homecoming" begins with Janine leading a spin class before having sex with Walt in a tanning bed. Then, during the homecoming parade, Father Mark calls Miles, informing him that Max and the senile Father Tom broke into the church safe, stealing money and the parish station wagon to facilitate a trip to the Florida Keys. At the football game, Janine tells her mother about having found a credit application listing Walt as having been born in 1943, making him a decade older than he claims. She also reveals that Walt uses Viagra during sex. During the game, linebacker Zack puts a dirty hit on the opposing quarterback, injuring him, but exciting Jimmy in the bleachers. After the game, Miles takes Cindy on a walk to the cemetery, where they look at Grace and C.B.'s graves. Miles recalls once asking his mother whether she liked Charlie better than his father, whom he preferred. Shortly thereafter, Grace starts experiencing morning sickness. Miles suddenly realizes that Grace had not been in contact with Max at that time, due to his being jailed as a public nuisance. Meanwhile, Zack gives John a ride back to his ramshackle home. After Zack insults John, they get in a brief fight. Elsewhere, Francine torments Miles about his inability to surprise her, or anyone else. Part one ends with Otto's narration, noting that a man is easily stuck at a bad juncture in life -- until someone pushes him too far.
Details
- NETWORK: HBO
- DATE: May 28, 2005 Saturday 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:50:45
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:86650
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama
- SERIES RUN: HBO - TV, 2005
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Fred Schepisi … Executive Producer, Director
- Marc Platt … Executive Producer
- Paul Newman … Executive Producer
- Scott Steindorff … Executive Producer
- William Teitler … Producer
- Richard Russo … Writer, Based on the novel by
- Paul Grabowsky … Music by
- Ed Harris … Cast, Miles Roby
- Philip Seymour Hoffman … Cast, Charlie Mayne
- Helen Hunt … Cast, Janine Roby
- Paul Newman … Cast, Max Roby
- Robin Wright Penn … Cast, Grace Roby
- Aidan Quinn … Cast, David Roby
- Joanne Woodward … Cast, Francine Whiting
- Dennis Farina … Cast, Walt Comeau
- William Fichtner … Cast, Jimmy Minty
- Estelle Parsons … Cast, Bea
- Theresa Russell … Cast, Charlene
- Kate Burton … Cast, Cindy Whiting
- Jeffrey DeMunn … Cast, Horace
- Trevor Morgan … Cast, Zack Minty
- Danielle Panabaker … Cast, Tick Roby
- Lou Taylor Pucci … Cast, John Voss
- Nesbitt Blaisdell … Cast, Father Tom
- Adam LeFevre … Cast, Father Mark
- Stephen Mendillo … Cast, Bill Daws
- Larry Pine … Cast, Otto Mayer/Narrator
- Miles Chandler … Cast, Young Miles
- Kortney Adams … Cast, Nurse
- David Altschuler … Cast, Inspector
- Doree A. Austin … Cast, Mrs. Rodrigue
- Matthew Blumm … Cast, Miles at 20 Years
- Michael Brockman … Cast, Justice of the Peace
- William Clark … Cast, Man at Bar
- Matthew Dixon … Cast, Banker
- Van Dussen, Bradley J. … Cast, Man on Beach
- Troy Faucher … Cast, Young Policeman
- Bryant R. Garrett … Cast, Thank You Patron
- Stephen E. Hodgdon … Cast, Strong Bagger #1
- Birdie Katz … Cast, Frowzy Woman
- Wilda Keem … Cast, Housekeeper
- Tina Konstantoulakis … Cast, Maud
- June Marie Krumholz … Cast, DMV Clerk
- Carey Lowell … Cast, Francine at 40 Years
- Josh Lucas … Cast, Young Max
- David Montgomery … Cast, Fisherman
- Vincent Lynne-O'Brien … Cast, Restaurant Manager
- Gail R. Pelotte … Cast, DMV Clerkette
- Dan Pleva … Cast, Slick Man
- Scott Riccio … Cast, DMV Patron
- Delia Robertson … Cast, Candace
- Timothy J. Ryan … Cast, Brian
- Linda Saulter … Cast, Secretary
- Adam L. Sirois … Cast, Officer Wynn
- James K. Small … Cast, Strong Bagger #2
- Tony Takacs … Cast, Justin
- Emily Wachtel … Cast, Florida Bartender
- Kaile R. Warren, Jr. … Cast, Workman
- Claire Winters … Cast, Young Cindy
- Harold Withee … Cast, Waiter