Forever Hold the Peace
Genre: Drama/Comedy
Director: Sian Heder
Writers: HG Hansen & Abbie Q
Cast: Maya Hawke, Ben Mendelsohn, Kathryn Hahn, Camila Morrone, Martha Plimpton, Rita Moreno, Fred Armisen, Nicholas Hamilton, Ruth Negga, Bex Taylor-Klaus, Nell Tiger Free, Erin Kellyman
Plot: Hazel Wilson (Maya Hawke) and Ilana (Erin Kellyman) are kissing. Hazel is hesitant like she isn't into it. After Ilana warns she won't continue, Hazel diffuses this. Gabe Wilson (Ben Mendelsohn), Hazel's father, calls her as they go at it. Before Ilana moves forward, Hazel cops out. Ilana scooches close, leaning in for a kiss. Hazel pulls away. Ilana gets upset. Hazel crotch-called her, then changed her mind. Hazel confesses she hasn't come out yet. Hazel wonders why she's thinking of her father, though. Ilana makes a face like Hazel's crazy. Hazel shouts, "Not in a sexual way!".
Ilana leaves the building. Hazel begs her to come back. Ilana can't since she's in a place of self-comfort. Ilana wants someone happy with themselves. Hazel offers she'll be happy if Ilana returns. Ilana informs that's different from how being happy works. Ilana squeezes Hazel's shoulders and then separates to leave.
Hazel tries to draw while watching a nature documentary about seals. A knock on the door makes Hazel turn off the tv. Opening the door, Aubrey (Nell Tiger Free), her neighbor, got Hazel's mail again. Aubrey jokes about the mailman. Hazel laughs but stops seeing it from her Gabe/Dad. Aubrey relates to having father issues offering a lending ear. Nervous, Hazel excuses herself to open the package, seeing an ugly yellow Bridesmaids dress.
Seeing her ugly dress, Hazel's Gabe/Dad calls her. Through intercut, Gabe/Dad already corrects her by repeating hi. Hazel rolls her eyes, asking why she's a bridesmaid. Hazel's never met this woman her father only met eight months ago. But interrupting her, he offers to add to her flight if she has a boyfriend. There's an awkward silence. The awkwardness stands till Gabe/Dad says farewell. Hazel stares in the mirror, defeated with herself.
The next day in a Lyft, Hazel's phone rings w/ a Facetime call from "JENNY." Intercut: Jenny (Camila Morrone), Hazel's cousin, drives while smoking a joint. Jenny's excited for Spring Break in Berkley. Jenny suspects drunk-Hazel vibes. Before Hazel denies it, Jenny hopes Hazel stops at three Claws, her usual limit. Hazel eyes her backpack, which reveals a dozen empty cans.
Leaving the Lyft, Hazel dumps all the empty cans in a trashcan. She gets in line, swaying alittle. Hazel gets to the X-ray. Hazel begins to peel off clothing revealing her bra. TSA Agents try to stop her. Flight attendant, Wallis Schafer (Kathryn Hahn) spots this. Wallis intervenes to help out Hazel. Hazel's guilty, apologizing for drinking too many Claws. Wallis comforts her, but Hazel stares at Wallis like a guardian angel in a heavenly light.
Later, at a coffee shop, Hazel chugs her fifth cup. Hazel thanked Wallis. Wallis asks what drove Hazel to be drunker than Barney Gumble. Hazel talks about the girl she likes who doesn't think Hazel was out enough. Wallis encourages Hazel that shell find someone to share the world with her. Hazel locks eyes with Wallis sensing a spark.
Hazel and Wallis make out in a one-stall bathroom. Still alittle drunk, Hazel's going for it. Pressing Wallis against a wall, Hazel's about to peel back Wallis's skirt. A PA announces Hazel's flight. The women disentangle themselves, but Hazel's reluctant to go. Wallis reassures Hazel should catch her flight. Before Hazel leavers, she thanks Wallis since it's the first time Hazel's done anything like this.
Hazel smiles on her way to her flight. Before getting on, she realizes she never got a last name. Hazel sighed, put her phone away, and got on her flight.
Outside Sacramento Airport, Hazel climbs into Jenny's Hatchback. During the drive, Jenny senses Hazel's glow. Hazel tells Jenny about her hookup. Jenny celebrates letting go of the wheel. Hazel grabs the wheel. Jenny asks for deets. After telling the whole story, Jenny grabs the wheel loving this rom-com shit. Hazel's glad someone's happy since Hazel's been dreading this trip. Her father thinks Hazel's a one-time lesbian since she was 12. Jenny searches around her car again and finds a fat doobie. Hazel refuses the offer.
At Dad's two-story house, Alison (Martha Plimpton), Hazel's aunt, sat beside her mother-in-law, Marianna Guzman (Rita Moreno). They greet Hazel & Jenny, hugging Hazel tightly. Jenny reveals Hazel hooked up at the airport. Hazel glares at her. Alison asks for the lucky man's name. Hazel hesitates. Marianna asks if it's one of the "hairies." Jenny glances at Hazel, noting she can't outdo that. Hazel admits it was a woman. Alison is pleasantly surprised. Marianna offers genuine encouragement. Hazel asks to keep it secret.
They enter the kitchen where Dad cooks breakfast with his brother-in-law/Hazel's uncle Victor (Fred Armisen). Romney, the bulldog, greets Hazel, who's grateful for to delay in talking to Dad. Dad stands in front of her. They hug as Dad comments on Hazel's short hair. They notice the family watching them, hoping to get along.
Everyone is enjoying the meal as Victor asks what Hazel's up to. She comments on her new picture book, which everyone supports, even Dad. Dad lights up, seeing Wallaby arriving. Alison comments Hazel will love Bee. Dad greets Bee to Hazel, who turns around to gawk at Wallis. Completely shocked, Hazel & Wallis stare at each other. Wallis apologizes, commenting Hazel's different from the pictures on the fridge.
Still shocked, Hazel sits as the family plays charades. It's Dad, Wallis, & Hazel's turn. Without Hazel's help, Dad guesses Sex in The City. Gabe was irritated that Hazel didn't get that since she wasted most of her adolescence watching that crap.
Irrated by Hazel's attitude, Jenny threatens if Hazel doesn't tell her what's wrong. Hazel reveals the truth. Jenny takes a moment, then laughs. Jenny asks how, to which Hazel never saw a photo of Bee. Jenny advises Hazel to tell the truth. But Hazel & Gabe haven't talked about anything since Mom died. He's warm to her now, even hugged her. Jenny warns it's the right thing. Hazel sits down feeling uneased.
Hazel tries to tell her dad but needs a drink. There she finds he has no alcohol in the house. Bee helps him acknowledge that it hurt his & Hazel's relationship and is sorry. Hazel's unsure of talking as Gabe begins to suspect it's about a boy. Hazel loses her nerve.
After Hazel is pussed out, Jenny reminds Hazel's plan about coming out. Still, Hazel counters this would be the worst way possible. He's clarified how embarrassing it'd be to have a gay daughter. Jenny relents since it's not her secret. Hazel thanks her. Jenny smokes a doobie asking if Hazel wants. To both of their surprise, Hazel accepts.
At home, Gabe puts on a DVD of old home videos of toddler Hazel & Jenny playing. Everyone has fun until Noaimi, Hazel's mother, appears. We see Hazel & Naomi playing till black. Gabe's shaking, having turned the TV off. He storms out as Hazel's face lowers.
Late at night, Hazel awakens to Bee & Gabe arguing. Bee comforts him as Hazel tears up. Gabe pours some scotch, his first in months. He takes a massive gulp in Bee's face. She stares as he crumbles in his seat.
Jenny does Hazel's hair for Bee's bachelorette party hosted by Bee's son, Collin. Jenny's shaving Hazel's hair into a ponyhawk. Walking down, they're greeted by Collin, who's excited about meeting Hazel. He takes out "Bride or Die" printed tank tops. Gabe walks in, seeing Hazel's new haircut. He pauses, then nods & smiles. He gives Collin a huge hug. Hazel's setback since how out & proud Collin is. They leave as Bee reminds Collin about the one rule of no strippers.
Each bachelorette party guest sits behind an easel with a glass of wine. Bee sips wine, staring at the model's newly nude torso. Hazel draws a detailed pencil sketch of the model wearing a shirt. Collin loves it. Alison loves how you couldn't tell Hazel's a lesb... Jenny stops her mom. Hazel takes a big gulp of wine. Hazel comments on how close Collin & Bee are. Collin plops down, confessing they became best friends since his adoptive mother left them.
Hazel comments Bee's an extraordinary person. Realizing how earnest this came out, Hazel takes another big sip of wine. Moving to SF, he worried Bee'd be lonely until he set her up on Tinder, where she met Gabe. Surprising Hazel, Collin remarks Gen X is much classier on it.
As the model's pants go, Hazel asks how her father reacts to Collin's orientation. He thanks her for breaking Gabe in. Confused, Collin remarks how Hazel's gay due to the hair, Alison's comments, and/or Collin's beeping gaydar. Hazel stops herself, not ready to share. She drinks more instead. Collin says It's more about the people. Gabe thinks Bee's bisexuality's "just a phase" Before he answers, Colin (Nicholas Hamilton) stops the model from going full frontal. The party has migrated to a gay San Francisco bar. Drunkenly, Alison almost falls off her chair, grabbing Jenny for support. Hazel is pretty wasted too, but she keeps sucking down more punch.
The next day, Gabe wakes Hazel for a morning run since the Wilson Family Soccer Cup is fast approaching. Hazel realizes she won't be able to get rid of him. She groans, getting up.
Hazel tries to keep pace. He's not going all that fast, but Hazel's still hungover. Gabe asks about Hazel's dating life. Gabe wants to see Hazel taken care of by a nice guy, but Hazel pukes. Gabe joins her, but she waves him ahead. Gabe comments she went "went hard" last night. Gabe knows having Collin there motivated it since he's "over-the-top." Hazel thought he liked Collin. Hazel tells him Bee's been with women. Gabe excuses himself since it's not an appropriate conversation right now.
All the women are hungover. Marianna gulps an egg. Jenny weakly refuses to puke. Gabe walks in w/ Victor loving this scenery. The boy's party was about steak, cigars, football, etc. Bee asks if that means "included alcohol." Gabe snaps that it isn't a conversation for the family. Bee and Gabe extremely tensely stare at each other. Alison shows renderings of the sip and paint model for a distraction. Marianna comments buck-naked one is hers. Gabe remarks Hazel CAN appreciate the male form. Another tense silence falls.
Victor and Hazel walk through a grocery store. Hazel asks if Dad drank last night. Victor nods reluctantly. Victor comments Bee can help, but Gabe has to want to change. Victor explains no relationship is perfect. Someone catches Hazel's eye: a woman studying two different flour types. Hazel has flashbacks to when she was 12.
A full circle of middle schoolers, including Young Hazel, a cute mess of braces and flyaway mermaid hair, who sits directly across the circle from Lindsay. Hazel spins the bottle, landing on Lindsay. The room erupts as Hazel and Lindsay's faces both burn up.
In a closet, Hazel suggests waiting. Lindsay kisses Hazel. At first, Hazel's eyes open, but then she kisses back. Gabe aggressively opens the door. Consumed by drunken rage, Gabe yanks Hazel out of the closet by the arm. Mortified, Hazel takes in all her friends without knowing what to do. After over a decade of the church, Gabe yells about finding Hazel in a closet with a girl. He demands an answer lunging for her again, but Hazel flees.
Hazel runs like hell down the street with Gabe chasing after her. Tears streak her face. Agile, sober and young, Hazel turns sharply into a sideyard. She climbs a tree as Gabe lumbers past. Hazel shuts her eyes in fear. When Gabe finally moves on, Hazel sobs, letting the tree's arms hold her body.
Hazel swigs down a White Claw in her room. Jenny warns Hazel to pace herself. Jenny pops something in her mouth. Hazel turns to her cousin, reaching for one. Jenny denies her since it'd be terrible by how drunk Hazel is. Jenny leaves for the bathroom. Hazel waits for a beat, then yanks the drawer open to find another gummy edible. She unwraps it and pops it into her mouth.
Hazel stares at her reflection in the ladies bathroom at the rehearsal dinner, trying to get her shit together. Jenny comes up behind Hazel. Hazel gets very confusingly overwhelmed as Jenny's reflection appears beside her own. Hazel asks if Jenny is there. After being pressured, Hazel confesses to taking the edible. Jenny cusses her out that it's a chill dose for her but not for Hazel. Jenny agrees to cover her, telling everyone Hazel's sick or something. Hazel says she's okay, but Jenny's not convinced.
At the rehearsal dinner, Hazel struggles to focus. Collin stands up and toasts how Bee's been lonely w/out him. He was prepared to nominate Bee for Queer Eye before Gabe arrived. Hazel laughs obnoxiously, which makes Jenny shoot her a look. Bee beams at her son, and Gabe smiles at Collin in fake acceptance. Making a snap decision, Hazel stands up unsteadily, glass held in a vise grip. Jenny groans as Hazel says she's happy for her dad.
Hazel knows she probably shouldn't bring Mom up. Hazel's glad Gabe found someone because he and she never talked much. Jenny holds her breath, beyond stressed out. Hazel wants Gabe to stop asking about her dating life. Jenny relaxes. Hazel waits for Gabe to respond. He agrees to lay off. Suddenly Bee stands, having something to say. Bee looks across the table at Hazel. Bee cheers to marrying Gabe, who stands to kiss her. Suddenly Hazel pukes onto a carpet. Alison pukes, too and Gabe gags.
The next day, Jenny & Hazel walk to the soccer field. Jenny scolds Hazel for taking Jenny's edible, then starts a puke storm and now is forcing her to do a tradition that always made them both cry as kids. As Hazel & Jenny approach the field, Marianna argues with Alison stretching was for pansies in her day. Victor & Jenny quickly escape to set up cones. Hazel looks over to see Gabe & Bee arguing out of earshot. Bee walks away in tears. Marianna remarks Gabe's hungover again, noting she hasn't seen such unrest since her third divorce.
Gabe & Victor, the captains, pick teams. Victor picks Jenny & Marianna, who enjoy being before Alison. Gabe picks Hazel and Bee & is about to pick Alison before Bee grunts. Gabe turns to Bee, irritated. Hazel awkwardly stands beside them. He picks Collin, who's ignored what happened. Alison demands to know why she's last, but Victor looks at Alison's flats.
The game's in full swing: Gabe dribbles the ball down the field. Victor steals the ball from him. Victor runs away with it. Bee calls from a little way up the field. Gabe runs after Victor, leaving Bee behind. Bee looks disappointed. Bee stays flat-footed. Gabe yells at Bee, then shakes his head, running after the ball. Marianna swoops in to make an interception. Jenny's deftly dribbling down the field.
After Hazel looks, Jenny sighs, pretending to fumble. Gabe lights up behind them. Hazel grins as she turns back toward their goal with the ball. Victor comes in hot, but Hazel is unstoppable, with her dad's praise pushing her forward. Hazel kicks the ball into the goal past Marianna. Hazel and Gabe run around, pretending to be airplanes to celebrate the goal.
Hazel sees Bee to the side, crying. She mentions Gabe's being too intense w/ Bee. Gabe's nonplussed. Hazel asks him to talk to her. Gabe sighs, walking up to Bee. Collin joins to check on Bee. Gabe tries to intervene, but Collin glares at him. After Bee reassures him, Collin walks away. Hazel watches as Bee throws up her hands, storming off the field.
Jenny is tired of Hazel's BS. Hazel knows she should save Gabe & Bee from a toxic relationship. Hazel wants her father's approval so much, so she cowers away. Hazel doesn't think that's true. Jenny notes Hazel's not out to him and can't even say anything about her mother. Jenny remarks they need to stop enabling him. Jenny confesses how her relationship w/ her parents is strained. Hazel apologizes for never noticing. Bee couldn't tell Gabe the truth, and he refused to go to AA. Hazel watches Bee walk away.
Hazel sees Bee crying on the bed in Gabe's room. Bee looks over her shoulder. Hazel apologizes to her dad, knowing he gets too competitive. Hazel hurts to see Bee in the pain she's experienced so many times. Hazel tells Bee the story of when she kissed a girl named Lindsay. Gabe taught being gay is to be a freak. He chased her out of the house. After three hours of hiding, she slept on the back porch after being locked out. Bee comforts Hazel.
Hazel walks down the street, spotting Lindsay w/ a stroller and the toddler from a parked car. Hazel looks in the opposite direction, but she steels herself. Hazel and Lindsay sit across from each other. The toddler alternates between gnawing on a hunk of baguette. Hazel smiles at the toddler, who grins back. Hazel apologizes for what happened after they kissed. Such a long time ago, but Hazel's still so embarrassed. Especially since Hazel stopped talking to Lindsay afterward, Lindsay waves it off, citing Gabe scares her too. Hazel asks if she can tell Lindsay something.
Lindsay cracks up at Hazel's completed story. Hazel smacks her playfully. Hazel doesn't know how to tell her dad since it's a weird disaster. Lindsay notes Hazel confronted him at the rehearsal, but Hazel was drunk/high. Lindsay knows through First Kiss intuition; Hazel can do it. Hazel remarks that's not a thing and smiles at each other. She's glad to run into her.
Bee's having the final touches done at the wedding as Collin gets the bridesmaids ready. Gabe knocks on the door, and Hazel goes out to greet him. Bee watches, making a face. Gabe asks if Bee's okay, but Hazel confronts him about him & Bee being a mismatch for each other. Gabe begs her pardon. Hazel does her best to stay strong. Hazel asks if he's happy. Hazel explains You have to work through your stuff to be a good partner. Gabe gets irritated, asking why she thinks that's okay to say on his fucking wedding day. Gabe storms away down the hall. Hazel watches him leave, immensely conflicted.
MUSIC starts to play inside the church. The church fills up as Hazel stands with the rest of the wedding party. Bee takes a deep breath, playing off her emotion as nerves. Alison smiles wide, saying it's showtime. Collin glances back at his mom and offers her an encouraging grin.
Hazel takes a seat in the front pew beside Marianna. "Bridal Chorus" Bee walks past slowly, face hidden by her veil. He reaches out to lift her veil, revealing that Bee's face is stained with tears. Gabe raises an eyebrow. Hazel sees how startled and upset Collin is to see his mom so unhappy.
As the personal vows begin, Gabe clears his throat. He says he was in darkness for a long time. Bee pulled him out and, for that, made him a better man. Bee forces a smile. Bee's so glad to have found a companion in Gabe. Bee is less alone when we're together. Before the traditional vows, the priest asks if anyone has any objections. A moment passes. Hazel, whose heart's pounding. She objects to this union.
Jenny smiles proudly. Hazel continues by coming out to her father. She's been gay since having a crush on Emmy in "Dragon Tales."Hazel confesses to hooking up with Bee in a single-stall LaGuardia Airport bathroom. Marianna mutters it's not the worst place to have sex. She's sorry to do this but wants to ensure they're both happy. Gabe sees on his fiancé's face pure relief. The audience realizes Bee doesn't want to do this. Gabe runs down the aisle out the back door. Hazel sprints after Gabe.
Almost to the property's front gate, Hazel trails Gabe. Gabe turns onto the sidewalk. He tells her to return to NYC NOW! Hazel stops, heartbroken. All the wedding guests spill out of the venue. Hazel takes in the guests who gaze at her in shock, just like her middle school friends did before Gabe chased her from the house. Hazel turns back to see her dad disappear around the corner. It takes everything inside of her to make the decision. She runs after him.
Hazel runs after Gabe. He looks over his shoulder, sees her coming, and speeds up. Hazel continues after Gabe. Gabe is so determined he's not letting her close the distance. Hazel and Gabe have slowed to a jogging pace. Hazel is now beside Gabe, but he still won't stop. Gabe finally gives up and bends over, hands on thighs, done. Gabe admits he's ashamed not of Hazel but of himself.
Gabe knows he messed up everything. Gabe cries that everyone has left him. Hazel didn't leave. Even when Gabe told her to. Even before Mom died, Gabe drank, got mad and never seemed to like Hazel. Gabe wants to change but needs to learn how. Gabe admits to not understanding Hazel's sexuality but will try to, even if it's with his ex-fiancé. Hazel confirms it isn't happening, which Gabe's happy to hear.
He still can't believe it. A LaGuardia bathroom stall? Hazel thinks it's best to avoid getting into the other details. Gabe quickly agrees. Her mom would be proud of her for helping him out. Hazel counters that she'd be proud of him for letting her.
In Gabe's living room, Hazel, Gabe, Jenny, Alison, Victor, and Marianna are all seated around the table. Finally, Alison can't take it anymore and asks Haze how far it went. Everyone scolds her. Gabe explains Bee joined Collin in San Fran. Alison ponders if they ever kissed the same person before. Jenny incites she can't say things like that. Gabe hopes to move on from this. Hazel's surprised but happy to hear this smiling at her dad.
Alison hugs Hazel tightly again, joking maybe Marianna will be the one getting married next time. Marianna swats at Alison. Marianna winks at Hazel as she moves on to hug Victor. Hazel tells him Jenny's a talented teacher. Victor smiles slightly, noting this. Gabe picks up Hazel's suitcase. Gabe loads Hazel's suitcase into the back, then turns to Hazel. Gabe pulls Hazel's framed self-portrait of herself as a tween and hands it to her. Hazel takes it and pulls her dad into a hug.
Hazel watches her family get smaller in the side mirror. Jenny thanked her for the good word to her dad. Hazel thanks Jenny for calling her on her BS. Jenny rummages in the glove compartment and pulls out a joint, which she offers to Hazel. Hazel laughs at how Jenny's such a bad influence. Jenny reminds Hazel that she stole a gummy from her. For the millionth time, Hazel apologizes.
Months later
On the phone, she asks how her dad's AA meetings are going. It's better than when he left halfway through. Hazel excuses herself, thinking it's her publisher. Hazel picks up Bee. Bees at a Hawaiian Spa w/ Collin. Bee's happy, enjoying her "honeymoon." Hazel's glad but apologizes for messing up things. Bee thanks her for doing it. Bee wasn't strong enough. Collin thanks Hazel and is happy to know his mom still can pull hot-ass chicks. Hazel awkwardly thanks him. Bee hopes to see Hazel again.
Hazel opens her door to find her neighbor Aubrey with another incorrectly delivered package. Aubrey jokes about adding "Back-Up Mailwoman" to her resume. Hazel confidently laughs at that. Hazel asks if the offer of dad talk is still available, which Aubrey happily accepts. Hazel's happy because she has the craziest story forever. Smirking, Hazel asks if she'd want to put money on that. Aubrey bets to top it. Hazel closes the door.
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