Based on the best-selling book of the same name, the film tells the story of Sam Bloom (Naomi Watts) a young mother whose world is turned upside down after a shocking, near-fatal accident leaves her paralyzed. Sam’s husband, (Andrew Lincoln), her three young boys and her mother (Jacki Weaver), are struggling to adjust to their new situation when an unlikely ally enters their world in the form of an injured baby magpie they name Penguin. The bird’s arrival is a welcome distraction for the Bloom family, eventually making a profound difference on Sam’s life, teaching her how to live again.
[birds chirping]
[piano music playing]
[waves crashing on shore]
[birds continue chirping]
[piano music continues]
[boy] Mum loves the ocean.
[waves crashing on shore]
She always has.
[camera clicking]
[camera clicks]
Mum met Dad on the beach when they were teenagers.
They’ve been together ever since.
[piano music continues]
That’s me when I was four.
[trampoline squeaking]
[both laughing]
[giggles]
[laughing on camera continues]
[boy] Rueben’s my middle brother.
He’s always been annoying.
And then Oli.
Lucky last.
And that’s us.
The Blooms.
[orchestral music playing]
Everything was pretty much perfect.
But then last year happened.
[boys laughing]
[boy 2] Come on.
[boy] You’re it, Oli.
[Oli] No, I’m not.
[boy] Come back!
[boy 2] You can’t catch me.
[Oli] Gotcha!
[boys laughing]
[boy] Us kids wanted to go to Disneyland.
[boys exclaiming]
[orchestral music continues]
But Mum and Dad chose Thailand instead.
[indistinct chattering]
I liked Thailand.
[boy 2] Mum!
[Oli screams]
[Dad] Oh.
Oh no!
[Dad] Oh no!
[Oli] Come on. Let’s go!
[all laugh]
[vehicle horns beeping]
Here you go.
Thank you.
[orchestral music continues]
[boy 2 roars]
Go away!
[Mum shrieks]
[Oli] Quick, quick, quick. Come on, Roo!
[Mum] Here we go.
[fireworks exploding]
[all cheering]
[boys] Yeah!
[all cheering]
[Dad] Whoo!
[all cheering]
[boy] Come on, Mum.
[music fades out]
[birds chirping]
[Dad whispers] Sammy.
[camera shutter clicking]
[Sam chuckles]
[camera shutter clicking]
[cracking]
[Sam screams]
Mum! [echoing]
[metal clanking]
[dramatic music playing]
[boy] But I hate last year.
[Dad] Sam! Sam!
[dramatic music fades out]
[waves crashing on shore]
[indistinct chattering]
[Sam] Hey, boys.
[boy laughing]
[indistinct chatter continues]
[sighs]
[boy] Come on!
Boys!
[buoy bell tolls]
[boys laughing]
[indistinct chatter continues]
[Sam] I wanna go!
[buoy bell tolls]
[boys laughing]
[buoy bell tolls]
[indistinct chatter fades]
[waves crashing]
[buoy bell tolls]
[boys clamoring]
[Dad] Boys, I’ve told you about this. Roo!
Stop playing, please.
Please.
[Sam sighs]
Rueben or Oli, can you go and see if Mum is okay?
[in singsong] I did it yesterday.
I did it the day before.
Yeah, yeah, you’re overworked.
Noah should do it.
It doesn’t matter who did it yesterday or the day before.
I’m just asking you to check on Mum, please.
[exhales]
[Rueben] Why can’t Noah do it?
[Dad] Where is Noah?
[Oli] He’s on the roof in his chair.
Uniforms.
Pants… pants off, uniforms on.
Stop it!
I’ll have a whole-grain sandwich.
[grunts]
[boys chattering indistinctly]
[grunts]
[grunts]
[Dad] Noah! He’s upstairs?
[boys chattering indistinctly]
[grunts]
[Dad] Noah?
[groans]
[Oli] I… I bet he isn’t, only you.
[Dad] Noah?
A bit of help down here.
‘Kay.
[birds chirping]
[boys chattering indistinctly]
[Dad] Help, boys. Boys, come on.
[boys chattering indistinctly]
[birds continue chirping]
[somber music playing]
[Noah] Mum was pretty scared in the hospital.
But at least there, she wasn’t the only one stuck in bed.
Hang on, Sam.
[Sam] It’s okay.
[Dad] Okay?
I’m fine.
[Noah] Mum broke her back at what the doctors call T6…
[exhales]
…but what Mum calls her bra strap.
[Sam grunts]
[somber music continues]
[Oli and Rueben chattering indistinctly]
[Noah] She can’t feel anything from there down.
[Dad] That catheter’s staying in. I’ll just get this out.
[Noah] Except when she has the hiccups.
[catheter bag draining]
[Oli] Dad, there’s no more milk!
I’m okay.
[Rueben] Noah drank it all.
[indistinct chattering on TV]
Can you close the door, please?
[door closes]
[water turns on]
[Rueben] Oh, and we’re ready to go.
[Oli] Is this gonna hurt again?
[Rueben] Hmm, not if you land properly.
[grunting, yelling]
Oh! Are you okay?
[boys laughing]
[Sam] Watch yourself.
[Dad] Come on, Roo. I’ve asked you not to do that already.
[Sam] Can you move this please, Roo?
[Dad] Look, move that for your mum.
[Sam] Noah?
Turn the TV off.
[cartoons playing]
Mum, I can’t do my laces.
[Sam] Um…
Dad knows how to tie the best knots.
[Rueben] Can I go to Kai’s after school?
[Dad] Not today.
[Rueben] Why not?
[Dad] Out, you lot. Go.
Oh, shit.
[Dad] Hey, it’s fine.
Can we buy our own lunches today? It’s Friday.
Can I get a pie?
Ooh, can I get a sausage roll?
Yeah, of course you can.
[Oli] Yes!
[Rueben] Mmm!
You’ve only been home a little while. It will get better. I promise.
[Noah] Come on, Dad. We’re gonna be late.
[Dad] I’m sorry, Sam.
I love you.
I’ll call you after drop-off.
Give us a kiss before you go.
[Rueben] Bye, Mum.
[Sam] Bye, sweetie. Have a good day.
[Oli] Bye, Mum.
[Dad] Hey, boys. Come on, hurry.
Take this off before you go to school.
[Dad] Go, go, go, go, everybody.
Bye, Noah.
[Rueben] Bags the front.
[Dad] Listen, guys! Hey! Do not fight, you two!
[Rueben] I’m the oldest.
[Oli] You’re always the oldest.
[Rueben] Duh!
[Dad] You’re in the back, Noah.
[boys chattering indistinctly]
[car door opens, closes]
[newscaster speaking indistinctly on radio]
[car engine turns over]
[newscaster] Now, a quick look at today’s local surfing breaks.
Light westerly winds are bringing fantastic surfing conditions with waves around one to two meters.
Conditions will be better in the morning as ground swell mixed with those offshore winds should bring well-formed waves that break cleanly.
So, if you can make the most of it, you’ll have a cracking morning.
Looking further ahead at another fine day tomorrow…
[melancholy music playing]
[glass sliding across counter]
[seagulls mewing]
[seagulls mewing]
[birds chirping]
[melancholy music continues]
[birds chirping]
[woman] Coo-ee! Only me!
[door opens]
[woman sighs]
Hello, darling.
[door closes]
[woman chuckles]
[footsteps approaching]
[woman sighs]
Hi.
Hmm.
What are you doing sitting here in the dark?
Nothing.
You need some light and fresh air in here.
Hmm, why don’t you take your book out onto the lawn?
Or do your exercises.
Remember what the doctor in rehab said. You’ve gotta keep your spirits up.
[Sam whispers] Yeah.
Or try one of those podcast thingies.
I bumped into Bron in the supermarket, and she reckons she can be hanging out the washing and solving a murder all at the same time.
[grunts]
I’d love to have a special lunch when Kylie gets back.
Sorry?
What did you say, darling?
I didn’t say anything.
Oh, thought you did.
[sighs]
Didn’t Cam change these sheets?
[Sam] Just leave them, please, Mum.
[woman] Oh dear.
What’s this?
[sighs]
[birds continue chirping]
[dramatic music playing]
[water churning]
[boys chattering indistinctly]
[Rueben] Well done.
[Oli] Well, it fits over here.
[birds squawking]
A cool cubby…
[Rueben] Great.
[Oli] One of my speakers there.
[bird cheeping]
[cheeping continues]
[cheeping intensifies]
[lizard hissing]
[cheeping continues]
[hissing]
Hey. Hello.
[cheeping continues]
Are you okay?
[cheeping continues]
Maybe you should’ve left it there.
She would have died, Mum.
[cheeping]
She fell a long way.
[Cam] Let’s keep her fluids up in the meantime.
I just think it’d be better off at the vet.
[Oli] Is it a boy or a girl, do you think?
Well, says here a magpie’s gender can’t be determined until after a year.
So, we don’t know.
[Noah] It’s a girl.
[Cam] How do you know?
[Noah] Well, I just do.
Well, she needs a name.
No, Cam.
No names, please.
Got enough to worry about around here.
Penguin.
[Cam] Penguin? Why?
‘Cause she’s black and white.
Oh, okay.
How about… Zebra?
[Cam] Skunk?
Panda?
[Cam] Panda’s good.
No, how about Magician’s Wand?
Chessboard.
[Oli] How about Soccer Ball? Tuxedo?
[Cam] Very good.
Penguin.
Her name’s… Penguin.
[cheeping]
[crickets chirping]
[cheeping]
It’s all right, Penguin.
Shh.
[cheeping continues]
[mellow music playing]
[cheeping continues]
[Noah] Sometimes it’s hard to believe what happened.
It’s like Mum was stolen from us.
She used to surf with us, skate with us, play soccer in the sand with us.
She was awesome.
[Rueben] Come on.
[boys chattering indistinctly]
[Rueben] Whoo! Let’s go! Come on!
[Oli] Look, Peng. Look at me.
[cheeping]
Funny, Peng.
[chuckles]
[Rueben] Oh, wait.
Did she just poo on you?
She needs a nappy.
[Rueben] You do.
[Oli] No, you do. For your farts.
I don’t mind.
[Rueben] Hey, Peng. This is how you fly.
Don’t!
[Rueben] Woo-hoo!
Flying.
[laughs]
[blowing raspberries]
Ignore him, Peng.
[Rueben] You try, Noah, you chicken.
[Oli chuckles]
Can you feel this?
Can you feel this?
No.
[Oli] That’s cool, like a superpower.
[inhales]
[Penguin cheeping]
[Noah] Mum?
Penguin’s talking to you.
[cheeping]
What?
Why don’t you like her?
She’s a wild bird,
which means she can’t stay here forever. Right?
[cheeping continues]
[Noah] Come on, Peng. You’ve gotta get your strength back.
[Rueben] She obviously doesn’t like it, Noah.
She should.
I made it like they said online, with bugs and stuff.
Why don’t you try it? See what it tastes like then?
[Noah] Shut up, Rueben.
Hey. Sorry I’m late.
[boys] Hey, Dad. Hi, Dad.
It was supposed to be a normal family portrait.
Turns out they all hate each other’s guts.
And mine too, apparently, so that was a bit of fun.
[Penguin cheeping]
[Cam] Hey.
How are you?
How’s the pain? One to ten?
I’m fine.
[cheeping continues]
And you?
G’day, gorgeous.
[Noah giggles] Aw.
[Cam] Gesundheit.
[Rueben] She sneeze?
Okay, so look, I was thinking we could have fish and chips for dinner.
[boys exclaiming]
Eat on the beach?
Can I bring Peng?
Of course you can bring Penguin.
I could carry you, Sam.
No.
It’s beautiful down there. Come on.
No. You guys go.
I’m…
I’m gonna get ready for bed.
[Rueben] Come on, Mum.
It’s too early for bed, Sam.
[Oli] Please, Mum?
Sorry, bub.
Hey, bring me back a shell, okay?
Hey. Come on. Let’s go.
[Rueben] I bet I can beat you.
I’ll race you to the bedroom.
[Cam] Towels, togs, let’s rock!
Oli, come on.
Yes.
[cheeping continues]
[Rueben and Oli giggling in distance]
[cheeping continues]
Never ask me that question in front of the boys again.
[softly] What question?
[shakily] How am I?
I don’t wanna have to lie to them.
[Rueben] Dad, where are my swimmers?
Okay.
[exhales]
[breathing heavily]
Don’t.
[mellow music playing]
[waves crashing]
[birds chirping]
[Noah] Do you miss your mum?
[cheeping]
[mellow music continues]
Oli.
Give this shell to Mum.
[Oli] Thanks, Noah.
Hey, Peng.
Come and watch this. [grunts]
[Rueben] This is delicious, Dad.
[Noah and Oli giggle]
Mmm.
[Noah] Come on, Peng.
[Rueben] Why don’t you have one, Peng?
[Oli] Want one, Peng?
[Rueben] Want a bit of fish?
Or a yummy chip, Peng?
[Rueben] That’s not the right one.
[Noah] She’s a magpie, not a seagull.
[chuckles]
[boys laugh]
[Rueben] Come on, girl. Eat some oyster.
[Noah] What are you doing, Peng?
[cheeping continues]
[Noah] Good girl.
[crickets chirping]
[Rueben] Dad?
Dad?
Roo?
Cam, babe.
It’s Rueben.
Something’s up.
You okay?
[door opens]
[Rueben gagging, vomiting]
[Cam] Oh God!
Oh, no, no.
Smells like oysters.
Cam?
[Rueben gagging]
Is he okay?
[Cam] It’s all right. You’re okay. You’re okay.
[sighs]
[Rueben vomiting]
Penguin nearly ate one of those.
[Cam] Never again.
You could’ve poisoned her.
Get back, Snow, or you’ll step in it.
Hey, you’re gonna be all right.
[Rueben] Sorry, Dad.
Are you okay, Oli?
[Cam] Now it’s all out, you’ll feel better.
It’s all right. That’s it. There you go. You’ve still got a little bit more there.
[groans]
[Rueben] I spewed in my bed, too.
Get back. Get back.
[Rueben and Oli moaning]
[Cam] Okay. [sighs]
It’s all right. You’re okay.
Ah, they’re fine.
[door closes]
I think it was just the dodgy oyster.
Look, we should turn while you’re awake.
Hey.
[scoffs, sighs]
[mellow music playing]
Sam?
Hey, what’s up?
They’re fine.
They used to call out for me.
[Cam exhales] They didn’t mean anything by it.
[sobs]
Hey.
[Sam weeping]
What am I if I can’t even be a mum?
[Cam exhales] You are.
No, I’m not. I’m nothing.
[Cam] You are.
[Sam sniffles]
Shh.
[crying] I hate this. I just hate it so much.
[crying continues]
I hate myself so much.
[quietly cheeping]
[Sam and boys laughing]
[Cam] No! No!
[mellow music continues]
[Noah] Over 20 million people holiday in Thailand every year.
[Sam shrieks, laughs]
[screams]
That’s 20 million other people this could have happened to.
[screams]
[all laughing]
That’s 40 million other hands that could have touched that fence.
A fence that was 15 years old.
5,475 other days it could have broken.
[indistinct chattering in background]
[sirens wailing]
But it waited for Mum.
[sirens continue]
[frantic, indistinct chattering]
[Sam moaning]
Boys, hurry! Come.
[woman] This way.
[Noah] Come on. She’ll be fine.
[Rueben and Oli crying]
[Cam] She’ll be fine. She’s gonna be fine. She’s gonna be fine.
[man speaking Thai]
[Sam groaning in pain]
[giggles]
[Noah] Come on, Mum.
Look what I found.
[Sam] Coming.
[Noah] And I’m the one who took her there.
[cracking, metal clanking]
[Sam screams]
Mum!
[Cam] Sam?
[crowd screaming]
[Cam] Sam.
[frantic, indistinct chattering]
[Cam] Sam! Call an ambulance.
[dramatic music swells]
[waves crashing]
[Cam] Sam!
[Sam screams]
[water gurgling]
[buoy bell tolls]
[water gurgling]
[buoy bell tolls]
[gasps]
[waves crashing]
[exhales]
[groans]
[grunts]
[water dripping onto floor]
[door opens]
I just had the most
awful dream.
I was drowning.
But it felt good.
Please.
Look at me.
I’m here. I’m here for you.
It’s not enough.
I’m sorry, Cam.
[exhales]
[Sam whimpers]
Even the boys.
[crying] Even they’re not enough.
[exhales]
[Sam continues crying]
[exhales]
[gulps, sniffs]
Hey–
Just go.
Let me get you up into the shower.
No, I just wanna stay–
You need to get up.
It’ll pass. Just–
No, I’m fine. I’m just… just wanna stay here.
Please.
Just get the kids to school.
[Rueben] Fish does stink a bit.
[Cam] Boys, bags. Let’s go.
[Oli] Bye, Peng.
[Penguin cheeping]
[Rueben] Bye, Peng.
[cheeping continues]
That was like a swimming pool of spew, Dad.
[Oli] Yeah, a spew river.
Mum?
Yeah?
[Noah] Can you look after Penguin for me?
She’s still not eating very well.
Okay.
[footsteps receding]
[Sam exhales]
[cheeping]
[Rueben] Come on, Noah.
Bye, Peng.
[door closes]
[cheeping continues]
[car engine turns over]
[Penguin squawking]
[sighs]
[whispers] Please.
[squawking intensifies]
[Sam] Shut up!
[squawking continues]
[grunting]
[Sam] Shut up!
[squawking continues]
[grunts]
[straining]
[grunts]
Shh.
Fine, don’t eat it then.
[squawking stops]
[cheeping]
[squawking resumes]
[groans]
[squawking intensifies]
[“Louie Louie” by The Kingsmen playing]
[toothbrush whirring]
[squawking continues]
[squawking stops]
♪ A fine little girl She’s waiting for me ♪
♪ Catch a ship across the sea ♪
♪ Sail that ship out all alone ♪
♪ Me never think how I’ll make it home ♪
♪ Ah, Louie Louie, oh no, no, no ♪
♪ Said we gotta go ♪
♪ Oh no ♪
♪ Said Louie Louie, oh baby ♪
♪ Said we gotta– ♪
[music stops]
Bird?
[groans]
[whimsical music playing]
[cheeping]
[switch clicks]
[toy engine revs]
[scoffs]
[whispers] Bugger.
[whimsical music continues]
[squawking resumes]
[squawking continues]
[sighs]
Hey, leave that alone.
[scoffs]
Where have you gone? [scoffs]
Come on.
Come on. Out you come.
Come on.
[squawking]
Get off it.
Okay, hold on.
Now where’s she gone?
Bird?
Penguin?
[ceramics shatter on floor]
[whimsical music continues]
[squawking]
[gasps]
[squawking intensifies]
Oh, come here.
[straining] Ugh, come on. Come here.
Oh no.
[squawking continues]
Oh, little one.
Little one.
It’s okay.
[cheeping]
It’s okay.
It’s all right.
[chuckles]
I’m not gonna hurt you.
It’s okay.
[chuckles]
[cheeping continues]
[cheeps softly]
[Sam chuckles]
[mellow music playing]
[Penguin croaking]
[Sam chuckles]
[dryer blowing]
[cheeping]
[mellow music continues]
[car approaching]
[brake clicks]
[engines turns off]
[car door opens]
[car door closes]
[woman] Sammy?
[knocking on door]
[squawks]
Shh, shh, shh.
[birds chirping outside]
[mellow music continues]
[Rueben] Ah, this is really good, Mum.
Thanks, Roo.
New recipe?
[snickers softly]
Bron brought it over.
[Rueben] She should bring more food over.
How was she?
[Rueben] Mmm.
How was school today, Oli?
[Oli] Uh, I saw Danny McCoy, um, stand on that thing under the play equipment, and then when two little kids jumped down, he grabbed them by their undies, pulled their undies over their, um, faces…
[cheeping]
[Oli] …up behind him, and it was, like, “Hey,” and pushed him in too.
[Sam] What do you call that?
[Cam] What is that technique?
[Rueben] Wedgie. Okay.
[Oli] An atomic wedgie.
[Noah] Hey, that’s my Mr. Murphy!
[squawking]
[Cam and Rueben laugh]
[Oli] But she likes him.
Look at Peng.
[Noah] What are you up to?
[Rueben] With Mr. Murphy.
[Oli] Why does she like Mr. Murphy?
[Rueben] ♪ Penguin and Mr. Murphy Sitting in a tree ♪
[Rueben and Oli] ♪ K-I-S-S-I-N-G ♪
[Rueben and Oli laugh]
[Noah] And there’s Mr. Murphy.
[Rueben] They’re so cute.
Ooh, lovers.
[Cam laughs]
Can she stay?
[Rueben] Please, Mum, can she?
[Noah] Please.
Come on, Mum.
[Rueben] She’s just a little bird.
Just until she gets strong enough.
[Rueben and Oli] Yes!
She doesn’t wanna be stuck inside, does she?
[squawking]
[guitar playing “Blackbird”]
[Rueben] I’ll race you.
[Oli] No, you won’t.
[Noah] I read that baby birds dream of their mother’s song.
[birds singing]
And that’s how they learn to sing.
[cheeping]
I wonder if they dream of their mothers teaching them to fly too.
Penguin got stronger and fatter…
[squawking]
Almost there, Peng.
…but couldn’t seem to fly.
Maybe ’cause we didn’t.
[Penguin croaking]
[Sam] Penguin, stop it.
Look, Peng, it’s the bird magnet.
[Noah laughing]
[squawking]
[Oli] Mmm, yum, yum, yum, yum.
[Rueben] This is pretty good.
Yum. Mmm.
[Oli] Mmm.
Want some, Penguin? Want some, girl?
[guitar continues playing “Blackbird”]
[Noah] Must be weird to have wings and not be able to fly.
[growls] Hey, hey, hey. [laughs]
Hello, Roo.
[Rueben] Hi.
[both growling]
G’day, stranger.
Hi, Aunty Kylie.
Hi, Nan Jan.
[Rueben] Nan Jan, watch this!
[Jan] Okay.
[Rueben] Now jump and bounce over here.
Go! Go!
[squawking]
Whoo!
You’re looking good.
Yeah, it was pretty amazing.
I just did lots of yoga. I didn’t speak to anyone for weeks.
I didn’t drink anything.
We should get Mum to go.
[Kylie laughing] Yeah.
[Jan] Hi.
Hey.
[Jan] How about I put some coffee on? Do you need anything?
No, I’m fine. Thanks, Mum.
What about some cheese and bikkies?
It’s all good.
Nuts?
Okay, great. That sounds perfect.
[boys laughing outside]
Are you cross with me?
No.
Why would I be cross with you? I’m the one who told you to go.
So…
I would kill for a glass of wine.
When was the last time you went out?
I go out.
Yeah? Where? And not to the doctor’s.
I mean, when was the last time you just went out?
So, what do you say? Let’s go for lunch.
That would do us a world of good.
Come on, Sammy.
[Kylie] Why is he even parking there?
[Jan] He’s not even handicapped.
[Kylie] I know.
Can we please not park here?
[Kylie] What?
No, Cam gave me a sticker, Sam.
I don’t want to use that.
[Jan] It’s convenient, darling.
It doesn’t mean that–
[Sam] I don’t care, Mum.
You’re not a spastic.
No one thinks that.
Oh my God. I wasn’t saying that.
Mum! Never ever!
[Sam] You can’t say that word.
That was the correct term. I had a cousin who was a spastic.
Oh my God.
[Jan] Mary, you remember her.
Please. I–
[Jan] She had lovely red hair.
No, I’ll get the chair.
I’ll get the chair.
[Kylie] You okay?
[Jan] You okay, darling?
[Kylie] Oh!
[Jan] Oh, careful.
[Kylie] It’s all right.
[Jan] You all right?
Thank you.
Great, thank you.
So, what do you feel like, sweetheart?
You’ve gotta have a glass of wine.
[Kylie] We should share a bottle.
[Jan] Maybe a nice–
Let’s do that.
[Jan] Oh, hi! Bron!
[Bron] Sam?
[Jan] Hi.
[Kylie] Hi, Bron.
Hi.
[woman] Sam, hi.
Hi.
How are you?
Yeah, good.
Oh, I know. I’m sorry, a silly question.
No, it’s okay.
Came up to see you the other day.
Oh yeah, right.
Thanks, um… thanks for the flowers.
Kids loved the lasagna.
Uh, I was at the physio.
[Bron] Yeah. Yeah.
No, it’s okay. I get it.
I just wanted to let you know that I’m here
and whatever you need, I’m… you know.
Maybe see you in a few weeks, yeah.
What are you up to, Bron?
Oh yeah.
Oh.
Same old, same old. Um, back on ward 20 in the hospital.
Oh.
Yeah.
Kids’ school fundraiser’s coming up.
That’s about as exciting as it gets. Um… [voice fading]
I’m just hanging out for Christmas. We’ll head back up to Noosa.
[melancholy music playing]
[Kylie and Jan chattering indistinctly]
[melancholy music continues]
[Sam sighs]
[screams]
[squawking]
[squawking continues]
[melancholy music continues]
[grunts]
[squawking continues]
[grunts, groans]
[glass shattering]
[grunts]
[squawking intensifies]
[grunts]
[grunts]
[glass shattering]
[squawking continues]
[cheeping]
[cheeping continues]
[boys chattering indistinctly]
[Rueben] Lasagna.
[Noah] Yeah, lasagna.
Lasagna. Yes.
See what Mum wants first.
Ice cream.
[Noah exhales]
[Cam] Boys, jump in the shower.
[Rueben] Has Mum gone crazy?
[Noah] Shut up, Rueben.
[key clank on table]
[exhales]
[glass crunching]
[Cam softly] All those things we did.
Yeah, no, I…
I get it.
That you want… that you want to…
[inhales, exhales deeply]
…erase yourself.
Who you were.
[inhales]
But you’re still you, Sam.
No, I’m not. That’s the point.
[Cam] You are.
You are. You are. You are!
I’m not.
I’m not.
That is someone else.
I’m nothing. This–
It doesn’t work. It just doesn’t work!
[whimpering]
[croaking]
[glass clinking]
[Sam exhales]
Look at me, Cam.
[Cam exhales]
[Sam sighs]
[glass clinking]
[glass clinking]
[waves rolling]
[melancholy music playing]
[crickets chirping]
[melancholy music continues]
[Sam laughing on laptop]
Nearly there. One more. Come on, Noah.
[chuckles]
There it is!
[in singsong] Ta-da.
Cam.
There you go. Come on, Noah.
[chuckles]
[melancholy music continues]
[Penguin softly croaking]
[squawks]
[melancholy music continues]
[cheeping]
[seagulls mewing]
[croaking]
[squawks]
[squawks]
[croaks]
[croaking continues]
[croaks, squawks]
You wanna go outside?
[squawks, croaks]
[squawks]
[croaking softly]
[birds chirping]
[croaks softly]
[Sam chuckles]
[birds continue chirping]
Mmm.
[croaking continues]
[Sam] Go on.
Give it a go.
[squawks]
[Sam] Oh.
Next time.
[shutter clicking]
[shutter clicking]
Maybe we should try something different.
Oh.
What do you mean?
Are you serious?
You love the water.
You don’t get it.
[squawking]
What are you scared of?
The worst that can happen is you’ll be embarrassed.
Hey, Peng.
[Cam] But at least you tried.
[Sam] How about another thing to make me feel useless?
So, what do you need, Sam? ‘Cause I’m running out of ideas.
The boys and I, we’re struggling.
Oh, you’re struggling?
Yes, it’s all of us, Sam.
[Sam] No, it’s not!
[Cam] Just tell me what you want.
[Sam] Uh, anything but this.
I wanna walk the boys to school.
Let’s go for a skate.
[Sam] I wanna get dressed by myself.
I want a day without pain.
[door slams shut]
[Penguin croaking]
[exhales deeply]
[whispers] Hey.
Will one of you please clean up this mess?
[Penguin squawks]
[squawking continues]
[squawking intensifies]
[Noah] Shush, Peng.
[squawking loudly]
[Sam moaning]
[breathing heavily]
Mum!
[Sam gasps]
[squawking continues]
Okay.
Thanks, bud.
No, don’t lift me. Just fix my legs.
[Noah] Oh, I’ll get Dad.
[Sam] It’s okay.
[Noah] No. Just let me help you.
[Sam] Just give me a sec. [grunting]
[straining]
[Noah] Just go slow.
Just pull the chair.
[groaning]
[chair hits ground]
Can you grab that pillow?
[Noah] Yeah.
[Sam] Okay.
That’s it, babe. That’s it.
You got it.
You’re good.
[croaking]
[Noah] Here, I’ll just move this.
Go, please.
[Noah] Okay.
[grunts]
[breathing heavily]
[grunts]
[squawking]
[croaking softly]
[heavy breathing continues]
[croaking continues]
[grunts]
[chirp]
Whoa!
[inspirational music playing]
[squawks]
Peng!
[squawks]
[Noah] Go, Peng!
[squawks]
[Noah] Whoo!
Dad, look!
[Noah] Go, Peng!
[Rueben] Look! Go, Peng!
[Noah] Go!
[Oli] Peng!
Sammy! Sam!
[Rueben] Let’s go, Peng.
[Oli] Let’s go.
Woo-hoo!
Sam!
I’m okay. It’s fine.
[Cam breathing heavily]
[boys cheering]
You’re not missing this.
Is she flying?
Yeah.
[both straining]
[Cam grunts]
[both breathing heavily]
You wait.
Yeah, go, Peng!
Go, Peng!
[Noah] Peng, you can do it!
[Oli] Yeah!
[Noah] Whoo!
[chuckles]
Go, Peng!
Yes, Peng!
[Rueben] Knew you could do it!
Go, Peng!
Go on, Peng!
Woo-hoo!
[whistles]
[chirps]
Woo-hoo!
[Oli] Let’s go, Peng!
Let’s go!
[Noah] Go, Peng!
[Oli] Let’s go! Yeah!
[Cam] Yes!
[Rueben] Yeah!
[Oli] Good one!
[inspirational music continues]
[croaking softly]
[kissing]
[chuckles]
[papers rustling]
[boys chattering indistinctly]
[woman] Hello.
You must be the Blooms.
I’m Gaye.
Cameron. We spoke on the phone.
Uh-huh.
Cameron tells me you’re quite the surfer.
Was.
[Gaye] And a nurse.
And a mum. By the looks of these jokers, it couldn’t have been a walk in the park.
[all chuckling]
You seem a bit nervous.
I’m in a wheelchair.
Well, wouldn’t you rather be in a kayak?
[chuckles]
[Gaye] Right. You hold the front. I’ll take the back.
And, uh, pass the paddle to Sam, please.
Yep. Okay, pull it out.
So I want you to practice paddling.
Gentle hands, Cam.
Jeez, he goes in strong, doesn’t he?
[chuckles]
Okay, so I want you to think about it like it’s swimming,
except you’re gonna scoop the water with the paddle instead of your hands.
Try and feel it on the blade until you get a good catch.
Yeah. Eyes straight ahead.
You look to the side, you’ll lean to the side.
Right.
Yeah, flick it off at the side at the waist.
Good.
That’s it.
The more comfortable you are, the quicker you’ll go.
Relax and breathe.
[shutter clicking]
[Rueben] You’re doing great, Mum!
[Gaye] Looking a bit tense there, Sam.
[Sam exhales]
[Gaye] Okay. Okay.
Now we’ve come to the most important part of the lesson.
I want you to tip over.
What?
You heard me. Get in there.
No way.
What’s the worst thing that can happen? You swim, don’t you?
You still have your arms. They must be good for something.
Come on, it’s like riding a bike.
I can’t do that either.
Don’t make me tip you out, Sam.
You wouldn’t.
Oh, I tip people all the time. I’m known for it.
I can’t.
Can’t do it.
This is the easy part.
This is falling off the bike.
I said I can’t!
[inspirational music playing]
[exhales]
[gasping]
[breathing heavily]
[gasps]
[breathing heavily]
[inspirational music continues]
[exhales]
[croaking softly]
Three, two, one.
Three, two, one.
[indistinct chattering]
[Oli] Hey, remember that time we went–
Yeah!
[indistinct chattering]
[birds chirping]
[squawking]
[chirping]
[squawking]
It’ll soon be time for you to move out of home, girl or start paying rent.
[croaks]
[crickets chirping]
[Cam sighs]
You were incredible today. Gaye thinks you’ve got talent.
Hey, thanks for pushing me.
And I’m sorry you have to live with this.
[inhales]
Are you kidding?
[exhales]
I consider myself the luckiest man alive.
Oh, shut up.
How so?
[chuckles softly]
Because for a night…
I sat thinking I’d never see you again.
But I did.
I do, every day.
[kisses]
So… so… [clears throat]
I’ve been reading up on magpies.
[Sam] Oh yeah?
Oh yeah.
Turns out they mate for life.
Really?
Totally monogamous.
One and only.
[chuckles] They find their soul mate, and game–
[chuckles] You are…
Game over. It’s game over.
Well, maybe that explains why they’re so miserable and angry all the time.
What is wrong with you?
[Sam] You! What’s wrong with you?
You are such a cheeseball.
You’re crazy. Crazy.
[Sam] Mmm.
♪ I’m a creep ♪
[both] ♪ I don’t belong here ♪
♪ ‘Cause I’m a creep ♪
♪ ‘Cause I’m a weirdo ♪
♪ What the hell am I doing here? ♪
♪ I don’t belong here ♪
Ah!
[laughs]
[humming]
[all giggling]
[croaking]
[knocks on window]
[inspirational music playing]
[croaking softly]
[Cam] Hey, hey, Peng.
[squawks]
[Rueben roars]
[Cam] Happy birthday!
[boys] Happy birthday!
[Sam] Oh!
Oh my, look at all of this.
[Cam] Here we go.
Aw, thank you. Peng, my Peng.
[Cam] “Get that bloody bird out of the house”?
I didn’t say that, did I?
[Cam] Budge up.
Don’t listen to him.
Let me in.
Three, two, and open fire!
[Sam and boys cheer]
[Cam] Hey, wait.
[popping]
[all cheering]
[Cam] I’m in charge. I’m in charge.
[Rueben] Shrunk quite a bit, Mum.
[chuckles] I reckon.
[Rueben] I think we have got it.
What about you, Oli?
[Noah] With high heels.
[Sam] Oh, you cheater.
[Rueben] Cheater.
Don’t forget Penguin.
Come on, Peng. Maybe I can get a…
[Rueben] So, where is it again? Here?
[Noah] Mm-hmm.
[Oli chuckles]
Mum loves the ocean. She always has.
Mum met Dad–
Hey.
What are you doing?
Nothing.
[camera beeps]
It’s just a thing.
[laptop closes]
What sort of thing?
I… I can pack these up.
Do you need any…
I mean, I can help if you like.
No. It’s fine.
I’ll pack them up.
[picture frames clanking]
[“If You leave Me Now” by Chicago playing]
♪ If you leave me now… ♪
[doorbell rings]
[doorbell rings]
[chuckles]
[doorbell ringing rapidly]
Coming. Coming [chuckling]
[sighs]
Hi, Nan Jan.
Hi.
[unlocks door]
Hey, Nan.
Hello.
[all] Hi.
[Jan chuckles]
[Penguin squawking]
Oh, you brought Penguin. How nice.
Hi, Mum.
Hello, sweetheart. Happy birthday.
Thank you.
Quickly, quickly, carry.
Hurry. Come on.
Hide them, quick.
Come on.
[squawking]
[chuckles] Thanks, Kyles.
Oh, Sammy, you’re so old.
[both laugh]
Uh, I’ll wear it well.
And I got you bubbles, but I got–
Look, I got the cheap stuff ’cause you can’t taste it.
Oh great. Thanks. Keep it coming.
[Kylie] Yeah. Love you.
[both kiss]
[Kylie] I love you.
Kylie!
This table isn’t gonna set itself. Come on.
Okay. Okay, Mum.
[Jan] And use the good napkins.
I have waited over a year for this.
[chuckles] Thanks, Mum.
Oh no.
Oh, I swear that bird does it to me just to annoy me.
[squawking]
[doorbell rings]
[Sam] Sorry, Mum.
[Rueben] I’ll get it.
[Sam] Thanks, Roo.
Do you have to be inside?
[Noah] She didn’t mean to.
[woman shrieking]
Shoo, shoo! Shoo!
That’ll be Gaye.
[Noah] Sometimes she thinks toes are worms.
[Penguin squawks]
Oh! Sorry. Sorry, Jan.
So, Gaye, you reckon Sam’s got a shot?
Oh yeah.
So, she’ll be spending a lot of time in the water?
Yeah, training three times a week.
It sounds dangerous. And Sam can’t swim, can you?
[Gaye] Don’t you worry, Jan. I haven’t drowned a student yet.
But my ex-husband, well… that’s a whole other story.
[all laughing]
You know, um, my… my students, they… they usually take a long time to find their balance…
There you go, Peng, some fresh air.
[Gaye] …took to it like a duck to the water, this one.
Honestly, it’s the first time I’ve felt normal since the accident.
When I’m kayaking, I look like everyone else.
Well, thank goodness for Gaye. [chuckles]
Someone’s gotta get Sam out of the house, be proactive.
[Sam] Mum, please.
Mum, what– That’s what Cameron does every day.
I wasn’t saying that.
[Kylie] Mm-hmm.
I didn’t mean that, Cam.
[Cam] I know.
[Jan] All I’m saying is it’s very hard.
You’ve got your work. Sam’s often alone.
She likes her independence, Jan.
But she can’t walk.
[Sam] God.
I’m right here, Mum.
How much independence should she have?
Mum, I’m three feet away from you.
[Jan] No, really.
Please.
[Jan] What if something awful happened?
[Sam] Oh God, Mum.
She has her phone, Jan. She’d call.
Yeah, what if she fell or there was a fire?
Hey, boys! Um, how about you go jump in the pool?
[plates clanking]
Take your plates.
[Rueben] Oh, it was just getting fun.
[Oli] Will we still get cake?
[Rueben] Of course we will, ding-dong.
[Noah] It’s chocolate.
[Oli] Don’t call me a ding-dong.
What if she couldn’t reach her phone?
[Sam] Oh my God.
[Jan] What if it wasn’t charged?
We don’t talk in what-ifs, Jan. We live our life.
[Sam] Cam, don’t.
[Jan] Oh yes.
All fun and no responsibility. Look where that’s got you.
I might, uh, go for a swim as well.
Please sit down, Gaye.
It’s fine.
And, Jan, if you’re implying–
No, she’s not implying. It’s just…
Leave her alone. She’s drunk and emotional.
I heard that.
Well, yes, of course. You’re three feet away, Mum.
When your poor father died–
Oh.
I’m just– Okay.
[Cam] Sit, please.
[Sam] No, no, please. May as well stay.
When your poor father died, I thought, at least I’ve still got the girls.
But now I just lie awake at night worrying.
And I don’t?
All I ever do is worry.
I worry if I’m too happy in front of Sam or too sad in front of the boys.
I worry if I should take them to the beach or if that’s us being selfish. I worry… I worry if I do too much for Sam or not enough.
[Jan] I know.
I worry Sam can’t walk because I moved her after she fell.
No, darling, that’s got nothing to do with it–
Believe me, Jan. I worry.
I’m sorry, love. I’m just…
I’m just scared.
I wanna make my little girl well again, and I can’t.
And it makes me crazy. I just–
Shh.
Well, don’t shush me.
No, no, no. Shh.
Can you hear that?
[Cam] What?
Is that Penguin?
[squawking]
[Cam] Hey! Hey! Leave her alone!
[banging]
[Sam] Oh no!
[Kylie] Penguin!
[Cam] Back up!
Penguin!
[Kylie] Penguin!
[Cam] Leave her alone!
Hey!
What’s happening?
Hey!
[all shouting indistinctly]
Penguin!
[all clamoring]
[birds squawking]
Penguin!
[clamoring continues]
[squawking continues]
Penguin!
Hey!
[Noah] Dad!
Leave her alone, you mongrels.
Oh no.
No!
[boys] Penguin! Penguin! No!
Peng!
[Noah] Penguin!
Peng!
[Noah] Come back!
[Oli] Penguin!
[Noah] Peng!
[Rueben] Peng!
[breathing heavily]
[Noah] Come back!
[Oli] Penguin!
[Rueben] She went down there.
Oh, sweetheart. [kisses]
Come on.
[dramatic music playing]
Penguin!
[Jan] I knew it.
Not an umbrella amongst the lot of you.
We’re about to head home. There’s no point in this weather.
Maybe she’s at the beach.
It’s getting dark, Snow.
Just five more minutes, please.
You’re all gonna get sick.
Let’s give him five more. Go! Go!
Penguin!
[Cam grunts]
Why did they do it?
Penguin wouldn’t hurt anyone.
[Noah] Peng!
Magpies are territorial, mate.
Technically, this isn’t Penguin’s home.
It’s theirs.
[Noah] Penguin!
But we’re her home.
I know, sweetheart. I know.
[Noah] Penguin!
[sighs]
[thunder rumbles]
[thunder rumbles]
[sighs]
[Noah] …other days it could have broken.
But it waited for Mum.
And I’m the one who took her there.
I wish it was me who leant on that fence.
I wish it was me who broke my back.
[gasps]
[exhales]
[footsteps receding]
[fireworks exploding]
Is it New Year’s Eve?
No.
Then why are there fireworks?
I don’t know.
‘Cause sometimes
nice things just happen.
[fireworks continue exploding]
Are you mad at Noah?
‘Cause anyone could’ve let her out.
I know.
[Noah] Penguin!
[dogs barking in distance]
Peng!
Penguin!
[dogs continue barking]
Penguin!
Peng!
[dramatic music playing]
[birds squawking in distance]
You all right, Snow?
Do you think she’s dead?
Jeez, Roo, no.
She’s just scared.
Give her time to find her way home. She knows where we are.
And Penguin’s tough. Isn’t that right, Sammy?
Noah?
He’s okay. He’s just…
[Sam] Noah, it’s not your fault.
[Cam] Of course it’s not your fault.
[Sam] You’ve got to stop this.
You’ve gotta let it go.
You’re not to blame for Penguin, and you’re not to blame for my accident.
[Cam] Okay. Okay. Let’s not turn this into something it’s not. Just–
He thinks he is. Don’t you, Noah?
[Cam] Oh, Sam.
Why do we have to talk about this?
Because I’m tired of not talking about it.
Please don’t walk away.
You say I’m not to blame, Mum, but you don’t mean it.
[Cam] Of course she means it.
You don’t know anything, Dad.
Hey, hey, that’s enough.
You don’t see the way she looks at me.
Inside voices, mate–
Oh, shut up, Cam.
Please, Noah, if you’ve got something to say, just say it.
Please. I need you to talk to me.
It’s my fault we went up that tower. It was my idea.
I’m the reason you broke your back.
You happy?
No, I’m not happy.
And sometimes I think I’ll never be happy again but not because of you.
Then why don’t you ever wanna talk to me or be near me?
I don’t know. I’ve made lots of mistakes.
[Noah] You hug Oli all the time.
You can’t look at me!
I’m scared.
I’m just terrified that all this anger will just come spewing out of me.
Not just at you, at all of… all of you.
Me too. You, Cam.
[inhales] And I wish…
[inhales] …every day, I wish we’d never gone on that bloody roof!
But we went.
That was our decision.
Not yours.
You’re not to blame
for any of it.
I promise.
It was just a piece of old, rotten wood.
I’m sorry I haven’t been strong enough to help you understand that.
Or help you through it.
I didn’t think I was strong enough to get through it myself.
But I am.
And I know that now.
[exhales deeply]
I’m here.
I’m your mum.
The same mum.
[inspirational music playing]
[Gaye] Looking good.
[birds chirping in distance]
[inspirational music continues]
Bye, Mum.
[kisses]
Bye, sweetie.
[Rueben] Bye, Mum.
See ya.
[kisses]
[Sam] Have a good day, darling.
You too.
[inspirational music continues]
[chuckles]
[Cam] Finally.
Oh.
Okay then.
I give up.
What’s this all about?
[Noah] We’re going out.
We’re not spending another night staring at Penguin’s basket.
We’re going out for fish and chips.
And I need a blindfold to go to the beach?
Well, who said anything about the beach?
Boys.
[Sam giggles] What are you up to?
Oh my gosh.
[Cam] We’ve got you.
[Rueben] Three, two, one.
[in unison] Ta-da!
Ta, ta, ta, ta, ta, ta-da-la!
[Sam] It’s just Gaye.
It is not just Gaye. It’s Gaye and Gaye’s truck.
[Cam] Boys, let’s go.
Yeah, yeah, yeah!
[Sam] Oh, hi, Bron.
Surprise?
Don’t look at me. No one tells me anything.
[Sam] What is going on?
One, two, three.
[boys] Ta-da!
Your chariot awaits.
[Rueben] Bags having to go after Mum.
[chuckles]
We’re going out for fish and chips.
Only if you want to.
[Gaye grunts]
Okay.
Drive!
And drive, babies!
[Kylie chuckles]
[Gaye chuckles]
[boys exclaiming]
[boys laughing]
[birds chirping]
[chuckles]
[inspirational music playing]
[all laughing]
[Cam grunts]
[Bron laughs] We did it.
[Gaye] Oh, thank God.
[Sam] Oh, thank you, guys.
[Gaye] Over here?
[Kylie] Thank you. Yep, just here.
Oh, Mama.
[indistinct chattering]
[indistinct chattering continues]
[inhale and exhales deeply]
[inspirational music continues]
[Oli] It’s fine. Come on. [laughing]
[exhales deeply]
[inspirational music intensifies]
[Cam] Hey.
Hey.
That was pretty sneaky.
[chuckles] Yeah.
[exhales deeply]
Ask me that question.
Which question?
The one I told you never to ask me.
How are you?
[inhales deeply]
[gulps]
I’m better.
Thank you, Cam.
[sniffles]
[whispers] Thank you.
[inspirational music continues]
[bird squawking]
[seat belts unfastening]
Could be another one.
[squawking]
[cheeping]
It’s not.
[Rueben] That’s Penguin.
Oh.
[Noah] It’s Penguin!
[chuckles]
She’s back! She’s back.
Penguin, Penguin, Penguin!
Penguin!
[Sam] Give me kisses. Eye pokes.
[Penguin croaks softly]
[inspirational music continues]
[squawks]
[Sam] Peng.
[Noah] Peng.
[Noah] Mum’s not the person she once was.
[cheeping]
[giggles]
[croaks softly]
And I know she’s not the person she wanted to be.
But to me,
she’s much more than that.
[Sam chuckles]
[croaking continues]
[Sam] Like this one, Peng?
[squawks]
[chuckles]
[squawks]
[inspirational music continues]
[croaking]
[squawks]
Where are you going?
[squawks]
Peng?
[squawks]
[squawks]
[croaks, squawks]
[squawks]
[birds chirping in distance]
Peng?
[croaking]
[croaks]
What is it?
What are you up to?
[croaking]
Hey?
[croaking]
[chuckles softly]
[kisses]
[squawks]
[squawking in distance]
[inspirational music playing]
Thanks.
[birds continue chirping]
[inspirational music continues]
[inspirational music intensifies]
[“Waiting for My Real Life to Begin” by Colin Hay playing]
♪ Any minute now ♪
♪ My ship is coming in ♪
♪ I’ll keep checking the horizon ♪
♪ And I’ll stand on the bow ♪
♪ Feel the waves come crashing ♪
♪ Come crashing down ♪
♪ Down, down ♪
♪ On me ♪
♪ And you say, “Be still, my love ♪
♪ Open up your heart ♪
♪ Let the light shine in” ♪
♪ Don’t you understand? ♪
♪ I already have a plan ♪
♪ I’m waiting for my real life to begin ♪
♪ When I awoke today ♪
♪ Suddenly nothing happened ♪
♪ But in my dreams ♪
♪ I slew the dragon Down this beaten path ♪
♪ And up this cobbled lane ♪
♪ I’m walking in my old footsteps ♪
♪ Once again ♪
♪ And you say ♪
♪ “Just be here now ♪
♪ Forget about the past ♪
♪ The mask is wearing thin” ♪
♪ Just let me throw one more dice ♪
♪ I know that I can win ♪
♪ I’m waiting for my real life to begin ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪
♪ Aah, aah, aah ♪
♪ So any minute now ♪
♪ My ship is coming in ♪
♪ I’ll keep checking the horizon ♪
♪ And I’ll check my machine ♪
♪ There’s sure to be that call ♪
♪ It’s gonna happen soon, soon ♪
♪ Oh, so very soon ♪
♪ It just that times are lean ♪
♪ And you say, “Be still, my love ♪
♪ Open up your heart ♪
♪ Let the light shine in” ♪
♪ Don’t you understand? ♪
♪ Oh, I already have a plan ♪
♪ I’m waiting for my real life to begin ♪
♪ But on a clear day ♪
♪ I can see ♪
♪ See for along way ♪
♪ Yeah, on a clear day ♪
♪ I can see ♪
♪ See for a long ♪
♪ Way ♪
[birds chirping]
