The Disappearance of Mrs. Wu (2021) Movie Script
1
[theme music]
[]
[electricity buzzing]
[]
[no audible dialogue]
[girl] Grandma,
where's your red sweater?
Where is it?
In the bottom drawer.
Open it.
There's something for you.
A tape.
VHS?
-Wow, this is older than me.
-[chuckles]
I was asked to give it to you
on your 18th birthday.
That was last month.
-Oh, it slipped my mind.
-Nothing slips your mind.
Old age.
It is from your father.
My real father?
Who else?
Your mother doesn't know
about it, so not a word.
Why? I thought he was dead.
Mom... are you ready yet?
-That's a good question.
-Let's go.
Everyone is waiting.
This party, it's all for you.
No, it's not for me.
It's for you, Mary, to look
like a good Chinese daughter.
Grandma, that's not very nice.
But it is true.
The truth is
I'll take what I can,
seeing how many I've missed.
[girl]
Ah, here is the red sweater.
-Okay.
-[grunts]
Uncle David is here.
This really is for you,
Grandma,
to celebrate you.
Emma, you didn't come home
last night again with Karen?
Why? I don't see a problem.
Oh, let's go, let's go.
Where's Charlotte?
She's busy.
I'll push you.
With your bad hip?
My hips are fine.
Come on. Let's go.
[Mary sighs]
[group]
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Dear Grandma
Happy birthday to you
[Emma singing in Mandarin]
Happy birthday
Dear Grandma
Happy birthday to you
[cheering]
Grandma, close your eyes
and make a wish.
[pensive piano music]
[Mary] Come on, Mom.
Just one wish.
Then you can open
all your gifts.
I wish for this party
to be over.
[nervous laughter]
I guess that counts as a wish.
-[blowing breath]
-[applause]
Now my brother and I
will cut the cake.
[clown] Ooh, ooh-ooh.
Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh!
Born in the year of the dragon?
-[balloon pops]
-[group gasps]
O-kay.
-Let's go.
-[Charlotte] Okay.
[David]
Mom. Mom. Mom.
Um, stay.
[laughs] Mary and I
were just trying to...
Oh, you two know what I want?
You can't live on your own.
Why not? I have--
I have a friend.
For a few hours a day.
Why can't you just accept
we are trying to do
the right thing here?
Well, enjoy your party.
-Let's go.
-Oh, Grandma. Selfie.
Come on, guys.
-Good.
-[chuckles]
Get inside.
[camera clicks]
[]
[Charlotte sighs]
You could have stayed
a little longer,
put in some effort.
That was so rude.
You don't even know
the difference
between rude and honest.
Oh, I do, and honestly,
you can be a real rude bitch.
-[Emma gasps]
-Emma, take me to the garden.
You two, go get some iced tea.
-[Karen] Oh, but I hate
iced tea.
-I don't.
Come on.
Mom just hates this place.
[chuckles]
You could have
moved her into your place.
[Mary] So easy for you to say,
living in Seattle.
I am the one here
who's taking care of everything.
David, we've asked your mother
to move in with us.
She flat-out refused.
-Because she hates me.
-No, she doesn't.
Well... [scoffs]
I'm not you, the golden boy.
Mary, you know full well
David offered to move her
to Seattle,
and she said no to him too.
You make such a drama
out of everything.
Me? Make a drama?
Says Miss Taiwan from another
century who still thinks
she wears a crown.
-[woman clears throat]
-Better a former pageant queen
than a current--
Okay, okay, okay.
We have company.
Hello.
Ah, I buy my cakes
from Costco too.
It's not from Costco.
[woman]
Well, my mistake.
May I have a word with you?
I'm so sorry to take you
away from the party,
but there's
just a couple of things
that I need to discuss with you.
Your mother's health
is fragile.
The last infection took a toll.
What are you saying exactly?
-Just that--
-Did you bring my sanitizer?
With congestive heart failure
at her age
and in her general
physical condition,
it's just hard to predict
how much time she has left.
Then why do you have her
eating in the cafeteria
with all that noise
and all those people?
Well, at her age,
isolation is unhealthy.
What about the germs?
-[chuckles] Germs?
-Germs?
You had me eating rotten eggs
when I was ten.
-That was in China.
-[sighs]
Can we please
stay focused on Mom?
Sometimes
you're just impossible.
[woman] If you have
any other questions,
you can please feel free
to call my office.
-[David] Thank you.
-Mm-hmm.
[sprinklers hissing]
What about my birthday gift?
You know,
I don't have much time left.
Well, I can't
just get you out of here.
Oh, so you'd
rather leave me here
and die with regret?
Well, now that you
put it that way...
You know, I want to see
the beautiful beach,
the waves, the sunset.
[chuckles]
And my special rock.
And there's something
we have to do for Friday.
Friday?
The day after tomorrow?
-Yeah.
-How are we gonna get there?
With Karen's special plan.
We have to leave tonight.
[Emma sighs]
-[Mary] Mom?
-[David] Mom.
We're sorry
if the party upset you.
I hope you know
Mary and I meant well.
We're leaving tomorrow, so...
-Oh, take the gifts.
-Uh, but they're for you.
Give them
to the charity you run.
It's a charity for girls.
Don't they have grandmothers?
Got a terrific golf charity
that would love the money.
Brian, she gave them to me.
It's a cultural thing.
You're not Chinese.
Angela, how many times
do I have to tell you
don't talk to my husband
like that?
What?
I'm just telling the truth.
The truth-- just wait
till the next time
you're in my dental chair.
[chuckles]
[Karen gasps]
Oh, it's like a spy movie.
-I love it.
-Stealing your dad's van?
Stealing?
I'm not stealing.
I'm just borrowing it.
You don't think
he'll get upset?
-Maybe, maybe not.
-I'm not sure about this.
Maybe we should just ask Mom.
[Lily] Oh, no, no.
Don't tell your mom.
Listen to your elder.
That's Chinese.
-[laughing]
-[Emma] But Carmel
is so far away.
What if something
happens to you?
If something happens,
something happens.
Can I rely on my granddaughter?
Yeah, sure.
Of course you can
count on me, Grandma.
Mm.
[Karen laughing]
Oh, remember,
Charlotte doesn't know.
Charlotte doesn't know what?
Oh, Charlotte doesn't know
how to make Irish soda bread.
You love my soda bread.
It's the best, not too dry.
Eat it, grouchy.
Hmm.
-Oh, it doesn't look so awful.
-[laughter]
All right,
what are you three plotting?
Mm, you know my plan.
I call it "Operation Songbird."
-Would you help?
-Songbird, huh?
All right, I'm in.
-Okay.
-[laughter]
-[Karen] Oh, my gosh.
-[Emma] What?
Your grandma and Charlotte,
what a pair.
Uh-huh.
-A lot of history there.
-Yeah.
Charlotte's gonna be lost
without her.
What about you?
I don't know.
Feels like everybody's leaving,
including you.
Okay, okay.
Look.
I'm not even leaving town.
UCLA is awesome.
I don't know what I want to do.
Architecture? Act? Sing?
Oh, Mom says, "Be a dentist."
-Boring!
-[chuckles]
Emma, your life isn't boring.
Well, high school is
without you.
No more hanging out
on the bleachers,
making fun of cheerleaders.
-What about Rick?
-He likes cheerleaders.
Okay, I wasn't talking
about cheerleaders.
You should ask him to prom.
No. I can't do that.
It's up to the guy to ask,
and he's not going to ask me.
[Emma]
Rick is too...
gorgeous.
[scoffs]
And you're so ugly?
[chuckles] What?
[laughing]
[Karen] Okay, see you later...
Operation Songbird.
Karen, do you really think
that's a good idea?
[Karen]
Sure, it is.
But just remember
you can't tell your mom.
'Cause this mission
is top secret.
[both laugh]
Hey, you should
reach out to Rick
'cause you are gorgeous.
[kisses]
[Emma and Karen giggling]
-[vehicle door closes]
-Bye, Mrs. Carter.
[engine starts]
Someday when I grow up
And it's only like number four.
Not too many.
Emma Lillian Carter, stop.
-I saw that.
-So what?
No big deal.
No big deal?
Oh, so the two of you
do that all the time?
What else do you do with Karen?
What's that supposed to mean?
Karen's a lesbian.
She's not.
Oh, you sure about that?
-Ben.
-What?
My hockey coach is a lesbian.
She's awesome.
So what if she is?
That was a best friend kiss,
not a kiss kiss.
-What is a best friend kiss?
-[laughter]
-Ben, hey.
-[Mary] Ben, Henry.
This isn't funny.
What if neighbors
saw what I just saw?
What will they think?
Who cares?
This is West L.A.
But do you know how much
this would upset
your grandmother?
[Emma] Oh, now you care
about her? Really?
[speaking Mandarin]
And so why did you put her
in that prison?
I did not put her...
That is none of your business.
I am your mother.
You will respect me
and do as I say.
This isn't China.
We live in America.
Oh, listen. Why don't we all
just take a breath?
Emma, you are not going
to see Karen anymore.
You understand?
I won't allow it.
Know what you are?
Control freak.
Unfair and judgmental
and way more of a dragon lady
than Grandma.
Why did I bother
coming back here?
[stomping]
[door slams]
This is actually
like that one game
between the L.A. Kings
and the Vancouver Canucks,
when everyone
was fighting so much
they forgot why they were there
in the first place.
Why?
To play hockey.
[chuckles]
What happened from the start
-Before you broke my heart
-[phone beeps]
It wasn't anybody's fault
I don't know
And then you cut me off
And so much love I lost
And it was really hard
To get back up
But I did
So I've been trying hard
To make it
[Brian] Look, we've been
good parents, you know?
You've been a great mother.
And she's still a teenager
for heaven's sakes.
Don't forget that.
You know, maybe it wouldn't be
a bad idea for you to...
No.
-Why not?
-She doesn't need to know.
I don't want to talk about it.
Okay.
[phone rings]
Hey, Emma, I was just
thinking about you.
Oh, you were?
Yeah. So, what are your plans
for prom this year?
Why?
Wondering what you think about
the whole prom thing or not.
Oh.
Prom sucks.
It's so 2015.
Yeah. Yeah.
[chuckles]
So, Jane said Karen told her
that she's into girls.
Like... did you know that?
Well, yeah.
So Karen told you too?
No, no, she didn't.
I just knew.
Wait, what?
You didn't know?
-[knocking at door]
-[Mary] Emma?
[Emma] Rick, I gotta go.
Incoming dragon lady.
-Later?
-All right. Yeah.
Cool. Sure.
I'm gonna be up.
[Mary] Emma?
You missed dinner.
I made your favorite.
Spicy noodles.
You can keep seeing Karen.
Emma.
I love you.
[]
[music fades]
Charlotte?
[Charlotte coughs, sighs]
It's bad down there.
I could teach the cleaning staff
a thing or two.
-It's time.
-Okay.
[engine starts]
[phone ringing]
-Hey.
-[Karen whispering]
Operation Songbird is a go.
Operation Songbird is a go.
[Charlotte grunting]
[]
[Lily] Can I take
this thing off now?
Oh, yes. Yes.
[Charlotte sighs]
Why did we have to do all that?
Well, so we won't--
we won't get into trouble.
-Okay.
-They won't know who we are.
[vehicle doors shut]
They're here.
Let's go.
-[Emma] It's us.
-[Lily] No kidding.
We have to stop
for coffee first
and waffles with whipped cream.
-[Lily] Anything else?
-[Charlotte] Nope.
Yes, bacon and sausages,
home fries, an omelet.
That's all.
[Lily] Okay.
Breakfast, here we come.
[Karen] I also have
some dumplings for us.
-[van doors close]
-[engine starts]
[]
[man singing in Mandarin]
[sighs]
Hey.
Who took out the van?
[mouse clicking]
-[pop music on radio]
-[Karen] There are some
veggie ones too.
-[Lily] I like the chicken ones.
-[Karen] Well, I'm so glad
you like 'em.
And there's hot sauce
in the bottom of the bag.
Karen, your dad's dumplings
are the best.
[Emma and Karen laughing]
I could go be on my own
Sure, I would kiss you
Or lay with you
You broke
No, I can't fix you
I won't, no
Won't dis you, but, babe
Yeah, might miss you...
[Emma]
Grandma, are you okay?
The van smells of onions.
Sorry! Only one I could get
the keys for.
You love onions.
-In my food, not in my nose.
-[laughter]
Grandma, we got you
out of that place.
That's what you wanted.
Stop complaining.
Be grateful.
Okay, I'm grateful.
Happy?
Give me a dumpling.
[Emma laughs]
Karen, show Grandma
the magic trick.
[gasps] Oh.
Your dad taught you well.
Wishing you
a long, prosperous life,
-from The Magic Dumpling.
-[Emma chuckles]
If I live any longer,
I'll be a fossil.
[laughter]
-To Grandma being a fossil.
-[laughter]
Look, Karen.
Llamas!
-Llamas?
-[girls squealing]
-[laughs]
-Happy llama, sad llama
Totally rad llama
Super llama, drama llama
Big fat mama llama
[Emma]
Camel!
-Moose!
-Goose!
-Awkward turtle!
-Awkward turtle!
[cheering and laughter]
What I need, what I need
What I need
Is to tell me
That a show's no, no, no
And who you do it for
No, no, no, no
Need you to be sure
No, no, no, no, no, no
Need you to be sure
Need you to be sure
Room 110, Mrs. Wu...
she wasn't here for breakfast
and she isn't in her room.
Can you show me
the security camera footage,
please?
[Angela]
I can't wait to get home.
I mean, so much to do
for the Girls Club,
helping you run your campaign
to head up
the Pilots Association.
Angela, told you
I was just thinking about it.
Sweetie, if you run,
you'll win.
He likes to fly planes,
not play politics.
I know my brother.
-Ben, more pancakes?
-Oh, sure.
Mom, I want to play hockey,
like Ben.
That is not happening.
Why not?
Hockey's a great game, right?
He needs all his teeth to smile.
-Oh...
-[phone ringing]
[Brian] I've been working
on your teeth since
you were this big.
-I love your teeth.
-[Ben] Thank you.
[chatter continues indistinctly]
[sighs] This is Mary.
Jill Crane
from Paradise Corners.
-It's about your mother.
-My mother?
I don't quite know
how to explain this.
Oh.
Uh...
What is it, then?
Yes. A kidnap?
We've called the police,
but purely as a precaution.
Emma, something's happened.
Emma?
Brian?
-Ow!
-Oh!
Honey.
[David grunting]
[David shouting]
Please.
Men.
Okay, thank you.
Emma?
Oh, God.
She's run away.
Honey, let's not jump
to conclusions.
I mean, who would make the bed
before running away?
That's Emma, total neat freak.
I can't imagine
where she gets that from.
[knocking at door]
-[door opens]
-[man] Mrs. Carter?
-Yes?
-Detective Martinez, LAPD.
I'm here about
the disappearance of Mrs. Wu.
-Come in.
-[door shuts]
My daughter's also gone,
probably because
of the whole lesbian thing.
Well, that must be my mother
in her wheelchair.
Okay, what about the person
pushing the chair?
Is it possible
that that's your daughter?
No, that is definitely
not Emma.
-You sure?
-Of course I'm sure.
You don't think I would
recognize my own daughter?
Wait. Wait.
What?
Our home surveillance system.
Maybe it'll show us
what happened to Emma.
That's Karen
kidnapping my mother.
-No way.
-How do you know?
Well, Karen wouldn't do that.
Ben thinks she's cute.
I thought you said
she's a lesbian.
-Doesn't mean she's not cute.
-Oh.
-I told you wait upstairs.
-But I wanna know
where Emma is.
[Brian] We all do, bud.
[Emma] Hi, this is Emma.
You know what to do.
-If you don't, well...
-[phone beeps]
Emma?
Where are you?
I'm worried.
And I'm sorry.
You have reached Lily Wu.
-Leave a message.
-[phone beeps]
Mom...
whoever did this
is going to pay.
-Show me that footage again.
-Let me have that back.
There you go.
Charlotte.
That's Charlotte.
Who's Charlotte?
That person.
I was here at 6:30,
and it was gone by then.
I don't know, it just...
Eddie?
-Where is Karen?
-Brian?
-Eddie, how are you?
-Uh, Karen...
I would assume she's at school.
School? Seriously?
Does she drive there
in a Magic Dumpling van?
I-- I don't know what this is.
Um...
-If you're covering for her--
-[Eddie] Covering?
What are you talking about?
I think she's talking
about the Magic Dumpling van.
Oh, damn, that, uh...
that's Karen.
Uh, no stolen van.
Sorry.
Obviously a misunderstanding.
Sorry to trouble you, Officer.
-Thank you.
-I know Karen.
She's probably cooked up
some scheme
and dragged Emma into it.
Wait, hold-- hold on.
Hold on.
Karen's my daughter.
Whatever she's doing,
I'm sure she has a good reason.
A good reason?
Then why didn't she ask you
about taking the van?
I guess she didn't want me
to know about it.
So how good a reason
could it be?
Okay, can we all just
pump the brakes, Mrs. Carter?
Let's just think
this thing through, okay?
You got your mom,
you got her former caregiver,
your daughter,
and her best friend.
They're driving around
in a dumpling van.
That doesn't exactly sound
like a kidnapping.
It sounds like
they needed a van
for the wheelchair
to go somewhere.
-Carmel.
-[Brian] Carmel.
They're going to Carmel.
[Charlotte]
'Tis you, 'tis you
Must go and I must bide
But come ye back
When summer's
In the meadow
When all the valley's
Hushed
And white with snow
Yes, I'll be here
In sunshine or in shadow
Oh, Danny boy
Oh, Danny boy
I love ya so
[cheering]
Thank you. Thank you.
I was so lucky
to have you as my nanny.
I was lucky to have
my first job
in this country
working for Miss Lily Wu.
[laughs] We began
bickering soon as we met.
What?
[laughter]
I feel like
this is my American family.
Oh, it is.
But sometimes
you drive me crazy.
You drive everyone crazy.
[laughter]
Did you ever consider
a singing career?
Yeah, sure,
when I was younger.
At my age,
who wants to hear that?
Sing us another song.
[Emma and Karen] Please!
Please, please, please.
Just gimme a moment.
You folks have a nice lunch.
Enjoy your afternoon.
Thank you.
How can you walk away?
Mrs. Carter,
if your mom is competent
to manage her own affairs,
we don't exactly
have the authority
to stop her
from taking a road trip
with her granddaughter.
I have power of attorney.
What if she isn't competent?
Mary. [chuckles]
You know, your mother
would never
forgive you if you...
She won't forgive me
if she's dead.
If you think
you know where she's going,
Mrs. Carter,
have you thought about--
just considered maybe going
there and talking to her?
Talk? To my mother?
I have never been able
to convince her of anything.
-Anything.
-My whole life.
These Magic Dumplings,
are they so good
-that they're magic?
-[Eddie] And delicious.
Are they really?
Please let me try one.
-The best in L.A.
-Cool.
-You know what?
-Oh!
-On the house.
-They do smell good.
You know,
we didn't have any breakfast.
Do you think maybe we--
We didn't eat.
Okay. No dumplings.
You're right. Let's go.
[phone ringing]
Hi, this is Emma.
You know what to do.
If you don't, well...
Hey, Em. It's Rick.
I thought you were
gonna call me back.
I guess you were busy
or something. That's cool.
Yeah.
Okay, I'll catch you later.
What happened?
I'm going to Carmel.
Wow, okay. Going with you.
David, what we really need
is somebody to look after Henry.
-Dave and I will watch him.
-Yeah?
Thank you.
[]
[David clears throat]
[sigh] I can handle this.
Mom will listen to me.
[Mary] I'm going.
You're staying.
For once,
you can take second place.
You two are
always butting heads, so...
And you, you got the best
of everything.
It's not that simple,
and you know it.
All that immigration law stuff,
you were 18 already
and couldn't be
on Mom's visa application.
Mom did the best she could
to get you here
as soon as possible.
[Mary sighs]
I'm always chasing rainbows
Remember?
Watching clouds
Drifting by
-My schemes are just like
-[sirens wailing]
-All my dreams
-Police!
Oh, no! I knew it.
My mom called the cops.
-[Karen] Okay, plan B.
-[Charlotte] There's a plan B?
There is now.
[Emma] I'll take the blame
and say it was my idea.
Oh, nonsense. It was my idea.
Grandma, do you want them
to put you in handcuffs?
I'm 88 and I'm dying.
-I don't care.
-[chuckles]
We won't let them do that.
They'll have to put me
in handcuffs.
Grandma, Charlotte, focus.
[officer] Pull the car
over to the right.
Oh-oh-oh!
[laughter]
Wow.
Oh, thank you, Emma.
And thank you, Karen,
for doing this for me.
I'm very grateful.
If you can't get what you want
at your age, then--
What's the point?
You know, Emma,
I can see in you
part of myself,
strong and decisive.
Me? Decisive?
You don't think so?
Look where we are
and what we're doing.
[Karen] Hey, if your mom
really did call the cops,
in this van,
it's pretty obvious.
Let's go paint the van.
Another day has just begun
You are shining like the sun
You're beautiful
Yeah, so beautiful
Oh, everyone
Can see your glow
And now it's time for you
To know you're beautiful
Yeah, so beautiful
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh, oh-oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh, oh-oh-oh, oh
Another day has just begun
And you are shining
Like the sun
You're beautiful
Yeah, so beautiful
Everyone can see
Your glow
And now it's time
For you to know
You're beautiful
Yeah, so beautiful
So beautiful
You're beautiful
[Mary] I'm not angry
at you, at Dad or Mom.
Coming to America,
it was for all of us.
-I get that.
-[woman] Excuse us.
Why can't you guys understand?
I get it.
I wanted Mom
to come and move in with me
to make up for all the times
we were apart.
That's the truth.
I don't want her to die
thinking I hate her.
That's why I don't want her
to go to Carmel.
Let me give you a hug.
Why ask?
Why not just give me one?
[David laughing]
You're so uptight.
I'm not uptight.
I'm Chinese.
[laughing] Yeah.
That's the truth.
[chuckling] Well?
[David laughing]
-Who did you borrow this from?
-My uncle.
Once a Girl Scout, always
a Girl Scout, always prepared.
-[Charlotte laughs]
-[Emma] My mom called 20 times.
[Charlotte] Only 20?
Do we want to know
what she has to say?
No.
[laughs] And Rick called.
[chuckling]
Who's Rick?
[Rick] Catch you later.
-Oh, no! A flat tire?
-[Charlotte] Oh, God.
[Emma] What?
How did that happen?
Do you know
how to change a tire?
Oh, yeah, of course.
[chuckling] Oh, thank goodness.
[Karen sighs]
[Emma]
Hey, nobody's gonna be here.
[Karen] Will you quit whining,
you big baby?
God.
"Once a Girl Scout,
always a Girl Scout,
always prepared."
Stop it.
For the record,
it's not my fault
there wasn't a lug wrench
in that tool box.
You should have checked before.
Before what? Stealing the van?
Oh, finally.
Come on. Yes, we're saved!
-Lug wrench.
-Lug wrench.
-Lug wrench. Lug wrench!
-Lug wrench.
-Lug wrench.
-Hey! Wait!
Oh, my God.
-[horn blaring]
-Hey, lug wrench!
Lug wrench!
Why can't they stop and help us?
Maybe we can help you.
Uh, no, thanks.
Don't need help.
Adios.
So, what are
two little kids like you
doing out here on your own?
Where's Mommy and Daddy?
We're not little kids, okay?
Just leave us alone. Buzz off.
You're not from around here.
I think you gals
should take a ride with us.
Know what they call me?
Bruce Lee.
Yeah.
She will kick your hairy butt.
Yeah.
[laughing]
Really? Bruce Lee?
I had to think of something.
[Emma laughing]
Oh, gosh.
I cannot believe that worked.
There might be
a hardware store nearby.
[Emma] Sure, okay.
Well, here it is.
Ten miles. Thank God
for your quick thinking, huh?
-You're gonna walk 10 miles?
-[Emma] No, jog.
[Karen] But you don't
even go to the gym.
[Emma] Shut up.
[Karen] And you suck
at track and field.
Oh. Hey, kids.
Welcome back.
Never travel
without a lug wrench.
Wait. Where's Charlotte?
-What did you do to her?
-Hey, no worries.
She went and checked out
a fruit stand nearby.
Strawberries.
He said
you don't trust strangers,
but I say
your nanny taught you well.
Grandma.
You know,
my first crush was Bruce Lee.
[chuckling] Oh, gosh.
Oh, get some dumplings
for these nice young people.
[laughter]
Thanks for your help.
I'm sorry if I was rude earlier.
No apology necessary... Bruce.
[laughter]
We hope to see you around.
Me and him. Bears.
Come on, sweet pea.
-[Lily laughing]
-I like bears.
-Everybody likes bears.
-[Lily] Yes.
-[Brian] You want to drive?
-[Mary] You want me to drive?
[Brian] Okay. Okay, I'll drive.
[Mary] No, we should take 101.
No, no, no. We should take 101.
Okay, okay. Take PCH.
Are we sure we are doing
the right thing here?
I wish I knew more
about my family.
They built their
American dream in Carmel.
Some of their happiest memories
were on that beach.
But Mom says she hates Carmel.
By the time your mother
got to the States,
your grandad had already
moved the family to Los Angeles.
[Emma] Grandma's tired.
We should find a place
to stay tonight.
Oh, look at that cute
little bed-and-breakfast.
Do you want to stop there?
[Mary] Can you drive faster?
[Brian] Relax.
Want to hear some music maybe?
[Mary] No, I don't want
to listen to music.
[Brian] You should take a nap.
[Mary] Can't you see?
I'm worried.
[Brian] Okay, look. We'll stop.
We'll get some gas.
You want some water?
[classical music playing]
-[doorbell rings]
-[woman sighs]
Ah, welcome, welcome.
You made it.
Hello. I'm Carol.
That's my husband, Bob.
-[laughter]
-[Bob] Hello.
I'm afraid we only
have two rooms available.
Oh, perfect. Cash, one night.
[Emma]
Did you see the chandelier?
[Carol] I'll go
and get your keys.
Is that a VCR?
[Carol]
Yes, it is.
[laughter]
So, today, the most awesome
thing I've ever done.
Yeah. Me too.
Awesome.
So, you told Jane something
that you should have
told me first.
Oh, that.
That.
[Karen laughing]
[Emma] Do you think it's funny?
Oh, come on.
You know Jane.
She loves to gossip.
[Emma] I didn't think
we kept secrets.
Okay.
Let's not fight about Jane,
okay?
It's not about Jane.
It's about you.
Best friends
tell each other everything.
You should have told me first,
but coming out is a big deal.
Why should Jane
be the first one to know?
You don't...
you don't even like Jane.
Or-- or do you?
Emma, wait.
Okay, no secrets.
I like girls.
Okay.
So, why not tell me before?
Because...
I... you know,
haven't actually
done anything about it.
Wow.
I've always seen you
as the experienced one.
Yeah, well,
inexperienced real me.
Then how do you know for sure?
Well... [sighs]
...how do you know what you are?
I just know
inside.
There's your answer.
I did not say a word
to Jane, okay?
You are the first one
that I'm telling, Emma.
Here and now.
I will be back.
Later.
[door opens]
[sighs]
[owl hooting, insects buzzing]
[videotape sliding]
[man speaking indistinctly]
It's me, your baba.
Xiao Wei, your name.
It means "precious."
Happy 18th birthday, Xiao Wei.
Sorry... no present.
Just this old videotape.
I wish I was there
all this time
to see you grow up.
Because when I look
into the camera,
I think I can almost see you,
so strong and beautiful.
Xiao Wei, Baba is sorry
to make you wait
all this time
wondering what really happened.
Maybe now you're big enough...
[sighs]
...to understand
and for me
to tell you everything.
Me and your mama,
we were arranged to be married
ever since we can remember.
Your mama was only 18
when your grandparents
left her in China
to go to the U.S.
She was so upset and lonely.
Lucky I was there.
I let her take it all out
on me.
So I was so used to her pq.
Do you have a pq too?
[Emma chuckles]
Actually,
your mama,
she's the kindest,
most loving
and giving person I know.
She gave me a gift
more precious
than I can ever imagine.
You, my daughter.
Because of you,
a piece of me
will always be by her side.
Because of you,
she will never be alone again.
I'm sure you're with her
right now, right?
Make sure you give her
a hug for me, okay?
Thank you.
We went to the U.S.
six years later,
but a piece of my heart
stayed with somebody else
back home.
[man speaks Mandarin]
This is my special one,
Huiliang.
[sniffles]
When I told your mother
about Huiliang,
she just nodded
like she always knew.
So when the doctor told me
I only had
a little while left to live,
she gave me another gift
I never expected.
She gave me my freedom.
She knew this meant
I would have even less time
to spend with her.
And I realized this also meant
that I could never
see you born, daughter.
I still don't know
if I made the right choice.
Xiao Wei, you need to know
that your baba loved you
very, very much.
[sighs]
Because...
even if my story ends...
[Emma sniffling]
...that is when yours
will begin.
[sobbing]
When I saw your father
the day he was born,
I knew he was special.
And I couldn't just
leave Mary there all on her own.
But you did
when she was no older than me.
You should watch the tape
with your mom.
[Lily sighs]
I'll be right back.
I'll be right here.
[dialing phone]
[phone ringing]
Hi, this is Emma.
You know what to do.
-If you don't, well...
-[phone beeps]
Emma.
Hey. Um...
Listen,
we're worried about you.
All of you.
[phone ringing]
[phone chimes]
I just wanna say
I think what you're doing
for your grandmother
is a beautiful thing,
a gift, really.
When you get this,
I hope you'll reach out
to your mom.
That would be a nice gift too.
I love you. Good night.
[phone chimes]
[]
-[]
-[birds chirping]
[water running]
-Hey.
-[Karen] Hey.
Breakfast first. Then we go.
So,
you didn't come back last night.
I stayed with my grandma.
Oh, is she okay?
She's fine.
And, um, are you okay?
[Emma chuckles]
I-- I just figured
maybe you weren't comfortable
-spending the night
with me anymore.
-Karen.
We are best friends, Karen.
That hasn't changed.
It's just this...
It's from my dad.
Oh.
Well, what did he say?
A lot of things.
Grandma said I should watch it
with my mom.
Guess I'll have to find
a VCR someplace.
[zipper zips]
-[classical music playing]
-[chatter]
-Morning.
-[Emma] Good morning.
Where's Karen?
Said she had to go do something.
-Pancakes?
-Yes, thanks.
Thank you.
[phone ringing]
-Mmm, that smells good.
-Where have you been?
You'll see.
But first, pancakes.
This is for you. A VHS player.
Bob said he saw it
in a thrift shop up the street.
So you can watch the tape
with your mom.
[]
Oh, Garlic World.
Let's stop.
[Emma chuckling] Really?
You want to stop
and smell the garlic?
Garlic is always
very good for the blood.
You always say that. Don't you?
[laughter]
[Karen] I love garlic.
Clearly.
[laughter]
Charlotte,
you have to eat something.
If you smell like garlic--
[burps]
[chuckles]
Emma Carter,
did I not to teach you anything?
Ew.
-Okay, we'll share.
-Grandma, let's go look around.
Wait, wait,
we should finish these fries.
-[Emma] Bye.
-[Karen] Bye.
[Emma] You watched the tape.
That's why you didn't give it
to me on my birthday.
It didn't slip your mind.
I didn't want you to hate me
or see me as selfish.
You know, leaving your mother
behind almost broke me.
You didn't break.
And my mom suffered.
When we first came here,
life was very hard
and it was such a struggle.
It was doing her a favor.
Okay, okay.
Don't get so defensive.
We are not going to Carmel only
to watch the sunset, are we?
[Lily laughing]
It's got something to do
with Mom.
You're counting on Mom
going there too, right?
Right.
Who else knows about my father?
Oh, just your mother and I.
Perhaps Brian too.
Keeping secret takes a toll.
Maybe I have a secret.
Oh?
Some things are private,
you keep to yourself.
And some things are secrets.
And secrets
are no good for families.
So what is yours?
There's a boy I like. [chuckles]
His name is Rick.
He's Black. I'm not sure
how Mom's gonna feel about that.
Oh, don't worry
about your mother.
How do you feel?
Well, when I see him,
I get, um, I get these
butterflies in my stomach.
[laughs] Got butterflies?
But he thinks
we're just friends.
Does he know
how you feel about him?
No.
Is he supposed
to read your mind?
Well, what if I'm wrong?
What if he doesn't like me
the same way?
Have you not heard
your father's tape?
You know,
he was doing everything
to please others at first,
and that's how I got you.
And I'm very grateful
because I'm a selfish woman.
[Emma chuckles]
But later,
he was very brave
and he did what he wanted
and be really
with the one he loves.
And I'm very glad he did it.
Aren't you?
Yeah.
Just follow the butterflies.
They always fly
to the right direction.
I don't want you to die.
[laughs]
You think I have a choice?
[Lily laughing]
-Oh, will you look at this?
-It's so beautiful!
-It's just as I remember.
-It's so cool.
-[Charlotte] All right.
-[Emma] Isn't that beautiful?
Are we ready for our picnic?
-Oh, no time for that.
-What?
What are you talking about?
Are you not feeling well?
Of course not.
I'm 88 and I have COPD.
All right. We're gonna go
to the hospital then.
Oh, no, no, no. We go shopping.
That outfit of yours
just won't do.
[chuckles] Won't do for what?
We'll get something
in town, yeah.
-[Emma laughing]
-Let's just go shopping.
Stop blathering. Come on, go.
-It's a seal.
-Oh, so beautiful.
-I guess we're going shopping.
-Oh, we're go--
-Oh, let's go shopping.
-We are going shopping.
Ah, shopping.
[laughs]
-[Charlotte] Come along.
-Okay, we gotta go. We gotta go.
[Charlotte] Karen, I can drive.
[Mary] Here, here. Try here.
[Brian] Okay.
[Mary sighs]
Not here.
They-- they have to be here.
My mother told me
again and again
that she wanted
to come here one last time.
Maybe they're just not here yet.
But what if...
Oh, God.
What if she took
a turn for the worse?
-What if they were in the--
-Mary.
If anything like that
had happened,
Emma would've called us.
I'm sure of it.
Don't worry.
Where are they?
[chatter, laughter]
[Lily] Hey, wait, wait,
wait, wait, wait.
Wait, look, look.
That dress
would look good on you.
On... [chuckles]
Oh, please. Where would I
wear something like that?
For your audition
for America's New Voice.
It's happening here tonight.
What?
[Lily] You always said
you always want to sing
in a live audience
and life never gave you
the chance.
So, life finally came through.
But how?
[Lily] I signed you up online.
Oh, come on.
You don't even know
how to use a smartphone.
-How could you do that?
-[chuckling] Oh...
Alice, the 80-year-old geek.
Die, alien scum.
Ah, I got ya, I got ya.
-Alice.
-There you go.
My application,
have you did it or not?
Almost. Don't get
your boxers in a bunch.
Can't you see I'm working here?
Ah. Oh, there goes
my retirement.
Oh, and the Bitcoin's gone.
What?
You remember her.
At Paradise Corners.
[hiccups] Oh, this is silly. I--
It's impossible. I can't.
Oh, you always said
life never gave you the chance.
Now you have a chance
and you are not singing?
You're a coward?
Oh, maybe you are not as good
as you said you are.
-Hmm.
-Mm?
-Mm?
-Hmm-hmm.
All right. All right.
-I'll do it.
-[Karen squeals]
What-- What's with the hiccups?
Uh, it's the garlic.
Oh, look. Emma.
That dress
will look good on you.
I don't need a new dress.
I'm your grandmother.
If I say
I want to buy you a new dress,
I'm buying it,
and you just say thank you.
-[Emma] Oh, thank you.
-[laughter]
[woman]
Silent night
Holy night
-All is calm...
-Two minutes.
Oh, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
[sighs]
-[hiccups]
-Water. You need water.
My dad says
try holding your breath
and taking ten swallows
in a row.
No.
[hiccups]
Maybe we should try
scaring her.
-[Karen laughs]
-Sometimes it works.
Charlotte.
I'm dying.
Stop it. I'm already scared.
None of that will work.
This is why
I didn't try it for a career.
Because every time
I walk on to the stage...
[hiccups]
Why didn't you say something?
Oh, it's too embarrassing.
Okay, it's time for
Charlotte Kelly and Emma Carter.
[Emma chuckling]
What? Emma Carter?
Yeah.
Yeah. Yeah. A duo.
You signed me up too?
That is so manipulative.
You should take a risk.
Karen, did you know about this?
Um, maybe. Maybe not.
I didn't know any about this,
but come out there with me.
We sing so well together.
[Lily] You always say
you don't know what to do
with your life.
Remember what your father did.
[applause]
[woman] Charlotte Kelly,
Emma Carter,
why do you two think you should
be a America's new voice?
Because this is Charlotte.
-[applause]
-She's from Ireland.
And my grandmother and my mom
are from China.
My little brother,
half and half.
Tonight,
Hollywood comes to Carmel.
[Mary] This martini
is the biggest ever.
-Look at this glass.
-[Brian] Huh?
But, you know,
I think the bartender,
I think he's watering down
the vodka.
Okay, hon.
-[Emma] I've got...
-[bartender] One more?
...a crazy family.
But we are a family
when it counts.
We're here because
we are America's new voice.
[applause and whistling on TV]
[Emma and Charlotte]
You're coming home today
So I write this final letter
Two months you've been away
I never planned
For stormy weather
A lifetime to play
A lifetime to say
You probably know
Can't stand when you're away
Let's promise here
To never stray for fear
To always travel near
Where we can always hear
-Each other's crystal voice
-[no audible dialogue]
Something I hold dear
So come on back to me
And I'll hold you closer
-Than ever
-So worth it.
We did good.
My gift, come back to me
-I'm gonna love you
-You okay?
More than ev--
[woman] No worries.
Take care of your grandmother.
[Emma] Okay, okay, thank you.
[siren wailing]
-Mom?
-[Mary] Emma?
I'm so sorry I--
She'll be okay.
Shame on you, Charlotte.
Allowing my mother
to manipulate you like this?
Manipulate me? We came up
with this plan together.
Sort of.
The singing part was a surprise.
You should have informed me.
You should have listened
to your mother.
[woman] Excuse us.
She loves this place.
All of the memories, that rock.
You don't know the whole story.
Hi. I'm Dr. Conrad.
Are you Mrs. Wu's daughter?
Yes.
Well, your mother is stable now.
Oh, thank God.
Vitals are good
considering her condition.
Looks like a pretty clear case
of dehydration
exacerbated by her running out
of supplemental oxygen.
[Charlotte]
She ran out of oxygen?
I'll check on her later.
Will you give us a second?
Thank you.
Honey.
This is what
your mother wanted.
She lived a good life.
Who are we
to disrespect her at the end?
What about my time with her?
What if this is...
What if I hadn't gotten
a chance to say goodbye?
It's okay. It's all right.
You have some time left
with her.
Make good use of it.
I'm gonna call David.
-I'm gonna check on my mother.
-Okay.
Are you gonna be okay though?
-They're gonna take care of her.
-Right.
But are you gonna be okay
with them?
Okay, look, um,
my dad is meeting me
at a hotel.
-Oh.
-But it's only 10 minutes away.
Mm.
[Mary] Once she's stable,
I want her home.
No more hospitals or facilities.
-Okay.
-Not so fast.
Mom.
It's all my fault.
Oh, it's my own fault.
You know, when I ran out
of oxygen, I thought--
Oh, never mind what I thought.
You're gonna feel better, Mom.
You just need more rest.
Oh, I can rest when I'm dead,
but I don't want to die
in this kind of room
full of machines.
You do know what I mean?
[ringing]
[phone ringing]
Oh, hey, you.
[laughs] Sorry to wake you up.
Oh, no, no, don't be.
Um, I'm just glad
to see your face
and know that you're okay.
Are you okay?
Yeah, I'm good.
I really am. Just been
a crazy couple of days.
-[chuckles]
-I saw you on TV.
That's-- Whoa, that's--
that's awesome.
Was that part
of the whole mission?
A part of it, yes.
And there's a lot more.
Okay, well, I want
to hear all about it.
What are you doing tomorrow?
Uh, Saturday?
Nothing planned.
What's up?
I want you to meet someone
special, my grandmother.
She's a big part
of this mission.
Sure, I'd-- I'd love to.
And you'd have to come
to Carmel.
I can do that. That's cool.
And there's one more thing.
Rick, do you wanna go
to prom with me?
[Rick laughing]
Wow, you-- you know how long
I've been waiting
for you to ask that?
Well, the guy's supposed to ask.
Oh, no, but that's so 2015.
[laughs] So, is that
a yes or a no?
Um...
-That's a yes. [chuckles]
-[chuckles]
So just text me
the details about Carmel,
and I'll see you tomorrow.
You have a good night.
You too. Night.
[phone beeps]
Yes!
[woman on P.A.] Dr. Roberts,
two, seven, four, four.
Dr. Roberts,
two, seven, four, four.
Come.
We need to talk
about what's next.
What's next?
After I'm gone.
[sighs] Do we have to talk
about that?
Come.
You know, you have
to forgive your mother.
I already have.
Good.
No matter how American
you are,
you're still Chinese.
In our culture,
the bond
between mother and daughter
is profound.
Okay.
Then what about you and mom?
Oh, I love your mother
so much it hurts.
-Does she know that?
-Of course.
That's why she put me
in the best, best place to stay
and she didn't want me
to come to Carmel
because she's afraid
of losing me.
Losing me
will break her heart.
She's not as strong as you are.
I'll take care of her.
And also, about Brian.
You must be an ally to Brian
when it comes
to dealing with your mother.
But you just said
my mom needs me.
Oh, you know
how your mother could be.
And Brian
isn't from our village.
[Emma chuckles]
I'm gonna miss you.
Butterfly, that's what we are.
Here for one season
and then gone.
Butterflies.
Mm-hmm.
[parking brake clicks]
[man] Excuse me,
where's the emergency room?
My mom's...
[Ben] Wow.
I don't blame Grandma
for wanting to come out here.
It's way nicer than L.A.
Don't let her catch you
saying that.
That's a whole other drama.
-[Eddie] No!
-Uh-huh.
Yeah.
I can pay to fix it if you want.
My van!
Yeah. And this and this.
-Don't forget this part either.
-[laughs]
Do-- do you know
what this means?
Uh... no.
Emma's grandmother
had me write it.
It means, more or less,
uh, "Let me go.
Let me be free.
Let me be me."
[]
Why didn't you tell me
the truth about my dad?
[Mary sighs]
-I was trying to protect you.
-By lying to me?
It wasn't totally a lie.
He is dead.
Mom,
that's not what I meant.
Okay, I'm sorry
I didn't tell you the truth.
Can we not fight about this?
But why? Were you afraid
I'd turn out the same way?
Then maybe I should be
a lesbian in his honor.
[chuckles] I'm joking, Mom.
Sometimes I find
your sense of humor quite odd.
Well, I think I get it from you.
Mom, your hands are clean.
Trust me.
I'm sorry
I called you a control freak.
And I'm going to prom
with a Black guy, Rick.
I like him. A lot.
I hope it's not a problem
for you.
Why would you think
such a thing?
'Cause you're so complicated.
Emma, I want you to be happy.
If Rick makes you happy,
then I'm happy.
Is that so complicated?
A woman of grace,
loving and giving.
That's what my dad called you.
When he told me,
I was devastated.
I thought
I had done something wrong.
He gave me a beautiful gift.
You.
Hearing his voice,
seeing his face,
meant the world to me.
When we get home,
let's watch the tape together.
I would like that.
I would like that very much.
Okay.
Now it's your turn.
Tell me why
you don't like Carmel,
why you don't want Grandma
to be here.
Could you ask me
to do something next time,
Grandma?
[chatter, laughter]
[Charlotte] Now we know
where Karen gets it.
-[laughter]
-[Karen] I agree.
Do you want to have
another singing contest?
Emma.
Mary.
[Mary]
Here. Come.
Grandma says this rock,
they had it brought to the beach
from your property,
a special place.
"Victor loves Lily Lee."
My Chinese name.
It means "beautiful."
I think that's romantic.
So, why is that complicated?
[Mary] After they settled
in Carmel,
your grandmother spent
a lot of time on this beach.
For six years.
Blaming herself
for leaving me behind.
Your grandfather would find her
taste the ocean water
saying it had my tears in it.
With her fingernails,
she tried carving my name
on this rock
until her fingers bled.
Your grandfather
pretended not to notice.
Then he secretly
finished the carving for her.
Why would I ever bring her here
to relive all that pain?
Mom, Grandma wants us
all to be here.
It's not about pain.
It's about love.
I love her so much.
It hurts.
That's exactly
what she said about you.
I wish I could hear her
saying that.
[both laughing]
So maybe we should turn
this rock into a happy place,
make it our rock.
Put my name on it, Mom.
[Brian]
You remember when we met?
You were just six years old,
little girl.
All you spoke to me
was in Chinese.
Yeah. Mom only wanted me
to speak in Chinese.
That's a really cool thing
though.
She taught you her language.
You speak
your parents' language.
-That's a real gift.
-I guess so.
[woman] Excuse me.
She taught me how to say
"baobei."
Her treasure.
-Remember that?
-Yeah.
I remember what I did to you
the first time
you called me that.
Yeah. You spit on me.
Twice. The next day too.
And then you threw up in my car.
[chuckles] Yuck. Sorry.
It's all right.
It was my fault, really.
You know, I gave you
too much chocolate cake.
Who was I to say no to you?
Honey.
You know
how proud of you I am?
You helped me with my homework,
corrected my English,
made me pancakes,
taught me how to drive
without actually
running people over,
taught me how to floss
the correct way.
You know what that makes you?
My dad.
You never called me that before.
Is it too late to start?
[clears throat] As long as you
keep flossing correctly?
[Emma laughs]
No.
-[Emma laughing]
-Yeah?
[chatter, laughter]
[Rick clears throat]
[Charlotte] Look.
Someone's here for you.
Hello.
Hey, I'm sorry I'm late.
Traffic was crazy.
No problem.
So, guys, this is Rick.
And, Rick,
here's my crazy family.
That includes Charlotte,
Karen, and her father.
-Wow.
-And, um--
Hello. Nice to meet you,
crazy family.
This is my dad.
Hey.
-Hey, Rick.
-Nice to meet you.
You too, sir. Join us, please.
-Thank you.
-Yeah.
-Come on.
-[chatter]
Dumpling for you,
chopsticks for you, good sir.
You've got to have
some of these.
This one has been sitting here
all day.
[]
[Mary exhales]
[speaking Mandarin]
[Mary chuckles]
[both laughing]
[Emma] What's so funny?
We were just talking about
who is more of a dragon lady,
me or her.
[chuckles]
That's a tough one to answer.
This is Rick.
-Hi.
-Hi.
Rick?
-Oh, you can play that thing.
-Yeah. Yeah.
And you know, I should have
signed you up
for the audition too.
Grandma. [laughs nervously]
[laughs] I'm just joking.
[Rick and Lily chuckle]
Nice meeting you, Rick.
Oh, it's an honor
to meet you, Miss Wu.
Emma here has said
a lot of great things about you.
When it comes
to her grandmother,
she's a little biased.
[laughs]
[Rick laughs]
Go on. Have a nice time.
Follow the butterfly
and don't stay
with a dying fossil.
[Lily chuckles]
Okay.
You know, Mary...
[speaking Mandarin]
[kisses]
[Mary] Dr. Conrad,
may I speak with you please?
[Dr. Conrad] Yes.
I want to remove my mother
from the hospital.
No more tests.
Can't allow that.
Her medical directive
gives me the right
to make that decision.
It's my duty.
It's my duty
to take care of my patients
in case anything happens to her.
What's happening to her
is that she's dying.
-Ma'am, I--
-Doctor.
Is your mother alive?
-Yes.
-Do you love her?
Of course.
Then when it's her time,
remember this conversation.
[]
[]
[]
["Closer Than Before" playing]
You and I agreed
This was just
A risk worth taking
We're getting closer
We're getting closer
Darling, come what may
Making up the answers
Every day
We're getting closer
We're getting closer
To our perfect stars
Aligned
A shining beacon in our sky
I'll hold tight to you
Hold tight to me
As we fall just like
The waves into the sea
Rise above
What we thought we could be
Closer than before
[]
[theme music]
[]
[electricity buzzing]
[]
[no audible dialogue]
[girl] Grandma,
where's your red sweater?
Where is it?
In the bottom drawer.
Open it.
There's something for you.
A tape.
VHS?
-Wow, this is older than me.
-[chuckles]
I was asked to give it to you
on your 18th birthday.
That was last month.
-Oh, it slipped my mind.
-Nothing slips your mind.
Old age.
It is from your father.
My real father?
Who else?
Your mother doesn't know
about it, so not a word.
Why? I thought he was dead.
Mom... are you ready yet?
-That's a good question.
-Let's go.
Everyone is waiting.
This party, it's all for you.
No, it's not for me.
It's for you, Mary, to look
like a good Chinese daughter.
Grandma, that's not very nice.
But it is true.
The truth is
I'll take what I can,
seeing how many I've missed.
[girl]
Ah, here is the red sweater.
-Okay.
-[grunts]
Uncle David is here.
This really is for you,
Grandma,
to celebrate you.
Emma, you didn't come home
last night again with Karen?
Why? I don't see a problem.
Oh, let's go, let's go.
Where's Charlotte?
She's busy.
I'll push you.
With your bad hip?
My hips are fine.
Come on. Let's go.
[Mary sighs]
[group]
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Dear Grandma
Happy birthday to you
[Emma singing in Mandarin]
Happy birthday
Dear Grandma
Happy birthday to you
[cheering]
Grandma, close your eyes
and make a wish.
[pensive piano music]
[Mary] Come on, Mom.
Just one wish.
Then you can open
all your gifts.
I wish for this party
to be over.
[nervous laughter]
I guess that counts as a wish.
-[blowing breath]
-[applause]
Now my brother and I
will cut the cake.
[clown] Ooh, ooh-ooh.
Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh!
Born in the year of the dragon?
-[balloon pops]
-[group gasps]
O-kay.
-Let's go.
-[Charlotte] Okay.
[David]
Mom. Mom. Mom.
Um, stay.
[laughs] Mary and I
were just trying to...
Oh, you two know what I want?
You can't live on your own.
Why not? I have--
I have a friend.
For a few hours a day.
Why can't you just accept
we are trying to do
the right thing here?
Well, enjoy your party.
-Let's go.
-Oh, Grandma. Selfie.
Come on, guys.
-Good.
-[chuckles]
Get inside.
[camera clicks]
[]
[Charlotte sighs]
You could have stayed
a little longer,
put in some effort.
That was so rude.
You don't even know
the difference
between rude and honest.
Oh, I do, and honestly,
you can be a real rude bitch.
-[Emma gasps]
-Emma, take me to the garden.
You two, go get some iced tea.
-[Karen] Oh, but I hate
iced tea.
-I don't.
Come on.
Mom just hates this place.
[chuckles]
You could have
moved her into your place.
[Mary] So easy for you to say,
living in Seattle.
I am the one here
who's taking care of everything.
David, we've asked your mother
to move in with us.
She flat-out refused.
-Because she hates me.
-No, she doesn't.
Well... [scoffs]
I'm not you, the golden boy.
Mary, you know full well
David offered to move her
to Seattle,
and she said no to him too.
You make such a drama
out of everything.
Me? Make a drama?
Says Miss Taiwan from another
century who still thinks
she wears a crown.
-[woman clears throat]
-Better a former pageant queen
than a current--
Okay, okay, okay.
We have company.
Hello.
Ah, I buy my cakes
from Costco too.
It's not from Costco.
[woman]
Well, my mistake.
May I have a word with you?
I'm so sorry to take you
away from the party,
but there's
just a couple of things
that I need to discuss with you.
Your mother's health
is fragile.
The last infection took a toll.
What are you saying exactly?
-Just that--
-Did you bring my sanitizer?
With congestive heart failure
at her age
and in her general
physical condition,
it's just hard to predict
how much time she has left.
Then why do you have her
eating in the cafeteria
with all that noise
and all those people?
Well, at her age,
isolation is unhealthy.
What about the germs?
-[chuckles] Germs?
-Germs?
You had me eating rotten eggs
when I was ten.
-That was in China.
-[sighs]
Can we please
stay focused on Mom?
Sometimes
you're just impossible.
[woman] If you have
any other questions,
you can please feel free
to call my office.
-[David] Thank you.
-Mm-hmm.
[sprinklers hissing]
What about my birthday gift?
You know,
I don't have much time left.
Well, I can't
just get you out of here.
Oh, so you'd
rather leave me here
and die with regret?
Well, now that you
put it that way...
You know, I want to see
the beautiful beach,
the waves, the sunset.
[chuckles]
And my special rock.
And there's something
we have to do for Friday.
Friday?
The day after tomorrow?
-Yeah.
-How are we gonna get there?
With Karen's special plan.
We have to leave tonight.
[Emma sighs]
-[Mary] Mom?
-[David] Mom.
We're sorry
if the party upset you.
I hope you know
Mary and I meant well.
We're leaving tomorrow, so...
-Oh, take the gifts.
-Uh, but they're for you.
Give them
to the charity you run.
It's a charity for girls.
Don't they have grandmothers?
Got a terrific golf charity
that would love the money.
Brian, she gave them to me.
It's a cultural thing.
You're not Chinese.
Angela, how many times
do I have to tell you
don't talk to my husband
like that?
What?
I'm just telling the truth.
The truth-- just wait
till the next time
you're in my dental chair.
[chuckles]
[Karen gasps]
Oh, it's like a spy movie.
-I love it.
-Stealing your dad's van?
Stealing?
I'm not stealing.
I'm just borrowing it.
You don't think
he'll get upset?
-Maybe, maybe not.
-I'm not sure about this.
Maybe we should just ask Mom.
[Lily] Oh, no, no.
Don't tell your mom.
Listen to your elder.
That's Chinese.
-[laughing]
-[Emma] But Carmel
is so far away.
What if something
happens to you?
If something happens,
something happens.
Can I rely on my granddaughter?
Yeah, sure.
Of course you can
count on me, Grandma.
Mm.
[Karen laughing]
Oh, remember,
Charlotte doesn't know.
Charlotte doesn't know what?
Oh, Charlotte doesn't know
how to make Irish soda bread.
You love my soda bread.
It's the best, not too dry.
Eat it, grouchy.
Hmm.
-Oh, it doesn't look so awful.
-[laughter]
All right,
what are you three plotting?
Mm, you know my plan.
I call it "Operation Songbird."
-Would you help?
-Songbird, huh?
All right, I'm in.
-Okay.
-[laughter]
-[Karen] Oh, my gosh.
-[Emma] What?
Your grandma and Charlotte,
what a pair.
Uh-huh.
-A lot of history there.
-Yeah.
Charlotte's gonna be lost
without her.
What about you?
I don't know.
Feels like everybody's leaving,
including you.
Okay, okay.
Look.
I'm not even leaving town.
UCLA is awesome.
I don't know what I want to do.
Architecture? Act? Sing?
Oh, Mom says, "Be a dentist."
-Boring!
-[chuckles]
Emma, your life isn't boring.
Well, high school is
without you.
No more hanging out
on the bleachers,
making fun of cheerleaders.
-What about Rick?
-He likes cheerleaders.
Okay, I wasn't talking
about cheerleaders.
You should ask him to prom.
No. I can't do that.
It's up to the guy to ask,
and he's not going to ask me.
[Emma]
Rick is too...
gorgeous.
[scoffs]
And you're so ugly?
[chuckles] What?
[laughing]
[Karen] Okay, see you later...
Operation Songbird.
Karen, do you really think
that's a good idea?
[Karen]
Sure, it is.
But just remember
you can't tell your mom.
'Cause this mission
is top secret.
[both laugh]
Hey, you should
reach out to Rick
'cause you are gorgeous.
[kisses]
[Emma and Karen giggling]
-[vehicle door closes]
-Bye, Mrs. Carter.
[engine starts]
Someday when I grow up
And it's only like number four.
Not too many.
Emma Lillian Carter, stop.
-I saw that.
-So what?
No big deal.
No big deal?
Oh, so the two of you
do that all the time?
What else do you do with Karen?
What's that supposed to mean?
Karen's a lesbian.
She's not.
Oh, you sure about that?
-Ben.
-What?
My hockey coach is a lesbian.
She's awesome.
So what if she is?
That was a best friend kiss,
not a kiss kiss.
-What is a best friend kiss?
-[laughter]
-Ben, hey.
-[Mary] Ben, Henry.
This isn't funny.
What if neighbors
saw what I just saw?
What will they think?
Who cares?
This is West L.A.
But do you know how much
this would upset
your grandmother?
[Emma] Oh, now you care
about her? Really?
[speaking Mandarin]
And so why did you put her
in that prison?
I did not put her...
That is none of your business.
I am your mother.
You will respect me
and do as I say.
This isn't China.
We live in America.
Oh, listen. Why don't we all
just take a breath?
Emma, you are not going
to see Karen anymore.
You understand?
I won't allow it.
Know what you are?
Control freak.
Unfair and judgmental
and way more of a dragon lady
than Grandma.
Why did I bother
coming back here?
[stomping]
[door slams]
This is actually
like that one game
between the L.A. Kings
and the Vancouver Canucks,
when everyone
was fighting so much
they forgot why they were there
in the first place.
Why?
To play hockey.
[chuckles]
What happened from the start
-Before you broke my heart
-[phone beeps]
It wasn't anybody's fault
I don't know
And then you cut me off
And so much love I lost
And it was really hard
To get back up
But I did
So I've been trying hard
To make it
[Brian] Look, we've been
good parents, you know?
You've been a great mother.
And she's still a teenager
for heaven's sakes.
Don't forget that.
You know, maybe it wouldn't be
a bad idea for you to...
No.
-Why not?
-She doesn't need to know.
I don't want to talk about it.
Okay.
[phone rings]
Hey, Emma, I was just
thinking about you.
Oh, you were?
Yeah. So, what are your plans
for prom this year?
Why?
Wondering what you think about
the whole prom thing or not.
Oh.
Prom sucks.
It's so 2015.
Yeah. Yeah.
[chuckles]
So, Jane said Karen told her
that she's into girls.
Like... did you know that?
Well, yeah.
So Karen told you too?
No, no, she didn't.
I just knew.
Wait, what?
You didn't know?
-[knocking at door]
-[Mary] Emma?
[Emma] Rick, I gotta go.
Incoming dragon lady.
-Later?
-All right. Yeah.
Cool. Sure.
I'm gonna be up.
[Mary] Emma?
You missed dinner.
I made your favorite.
Spicy noodles.
You can keep seeing Karen.
Emma.
I love you.
[]
[music fades]
Charlotte?
[Charlotte coughs, sighs]
It's bad down there.
I could teach the cleaning staff
a thing or two.
-It's time.
-Okay.
[engine starts]
[phone ringing]
-Hey.
-[Karen whispering]
Operation Songbird is a go.
Operation Songbird is a go.
[Charlotte grunting]
[]
[Lily] Can I take
this thing off now?
Oh, yes. Yes.
[Charlotte sighs]
Why did we have to do all that?
Well, so we won't--
we won't get into trouble.
-Okay.
-They won't know who we are.
[vehicle doors shut]
They're here.
Let's go.
-[Emma] It's us.
-[Lily] No kidding.
We have to stop
for coffee first
and waffles with whipped cream.
-[Lily] Anything else?
-[Charlotte] Nope.
Yes, bacon and sausages,
home fries, an omelet.
That's all.
[Lily] Okay.
Breakfast, here we come.
[Karen] I also have
some dumplings for us.
-[van doors close]
-[engine starts]
[]
[man singing in Mandarin]
[sighs]
Hey.
Who took out the van?
[mouse clicking]
-[pop music on radio]
-[Karen] There are some
veggie ones too.
-[Lily] I like the chicken ones.
-[Karen] Well, I'm so glad
you like 'em.
And there's hot sauce
in the bottom of the bag.
Karen, your dad's dumplings
are the best.
[Emma and Karen laughing]
I could go be on my own
Sure, I would kiss you
Or lay with you
You broke
No, I can't fix you
I won't, no
Won't dis you, but, babe
Yeah, might miss you...
[Emma]
Grandma, are you okay?
The van smells of onions.
Sorry! Only one I could get
the keys for.
You love onions.
-In my food, not in my nose.
-[laughter]
Grandma, we got you
out of that place.
That's what you wanted.
Stop complaining.
Be grateful.
Okay, I'm grateful.
Happy?
Give me a dumpling.
[Emma laughs]
Karen, show Grandma
the magic trick.
[gasps] Oh.
Your dad taught you well.
Wishing you
a long, prosperous life,
-from The Magic Dumpling.
-[Emma chuckles]
If I live any longer,
I'll be a fossil.
[laughter]
-To Grandma being a fossil.
-[laughter]
Look, Karen.
Llamas!
-Llamas?
-[girls squealing]
-[laughs]
-Happy llama, sad llama
Totally rad llama
Super llama, drama llama
Big fat mama llama
[Emma]
Camel!
-Moose!
-Goose!
-Awkward turtle!
-Awkward turtle!
[cheering and laughter]
What I need, what I need
What I need
Is to tell me
That a show's no, no, no
And who you do it for
No, no, no, no
Need you to be sure
No, no, no, no, no, no
Need you to be sure
Need you to be sure
Room 110, Mrs. Wu...
she wasn't here for breakfast
and she isn't in her room.
Can you show me
the security camera footage,
please?
[Angela]
I can't wait to get home.
I mean, so much to do
for the Girls Club,
helping you run your campaign
to head up
the Pilots Association.
Angela, told you
I was just thinking about it.
Sweetie, if you run,
you'll win.
He likes to fly planes,
not play politics.
I know my brother.
-Ben, more pancakes?
-Oh, sure.
Mom, I want to play hockey,
like Ben.
That is not happening.
Why not?
Hockey's a great game, right?
He needs all his teeth to smile.
-Oh...
-[phone ringing]
[Brian] I've been working
on your teeth since
you were this big.
-I love your teeth.
-[Ben] Thank you.
[chatter continues indistinctly]
[sighs] This is Mary.
Jill Crane
from Paradise Corners.
-It's about your mother.
-My mother?
I don't quite know
how to explain this.
Oh.
Uh...
What is it, then?
Yes. A kidnap?
We've called the police,
but purely as a precaution.
Emma, something's happened.
Emma?
Brian?
-Ow!
-Oh!
Honey.
[David grunting]
[David shouting]
Please.
Men.
Okay, thank you.
Emma?
Oh, God.
She's run away.
Honey, let's not jump
to conclusions.
I mean, who would make the bed
before running away?
That's Emma, total neat freak.
I can't imagine
where she gets that from.
[knocking at door]
-[door opens]
-[man] Mrs. Carter?
-Yes?
-Detective Martinez, LAPD.
I'm here about
the disappearance of Mrs. Wu.
-Come in.
-[door shuts]
My daughter's also gone,
probably because
of the whole lesbian thing.
Well, that must be my mother
in her wheelchair.
Okay, what about the person
pushing the chair?
Is it possible
that that's your daughter?
No, that is definitely
not Emma.
-You sure?
-Of course I'm sure.
You don't think I would
recognize my own daughter?
Wait. Wait.
What?
Our home surveillance system.
Maybe it'll show us
what happened to Emma.
That's Karen
kidnapping my mother.
-No way.
-How do you know?
Well, Karen wouldn't do that.
Ben thinks she's cute.
I thought you said
she's a lesbian.
-Doesn't mean she's not cute.
-Oh.
-I told you wait upstairs.
-But I wanna know
where Emma is.
[Brian] We all do, bud.
[Emma] Hi, this is Emma.
You know what to do.
-If you don't, well...
-[phone beeps]
Emma?
Where are you?
I'm worried.
And I'm sorry.
You have reached Lily Wu.
-Leave a message.
-[phone beeps]
Mom...
whoever did this
is going to pay.
-Show me that footage again.
-Let me have that back.
There you go.
Charlotte.
That's Charlotte.
Who's Charlotte?
That person.
I was here at 6:30,
and it was gone by then.
I don't know, it just...
Eddie?
-Where is Karen?
-Brian?
-Eddie, how are you?
-Uh, Karen...
I would assume she's at school.
School? Seriously?
Does she drive there
in a Magic Dumpling van?
I-- I don't know what this is.
Um...
-If you're covering for her--
-[Eddie] Covering?
What are you talking about?
I think she's talking
about the Magic Dumpling van.
Oh, damn, that, uh...
that's Karen.
Uh, no stolen van.
Sorry.
Obviously a misunderstanding.
Sorry to trouble you, Officer.
-Thank you.
-I know Karen.
She's probably cooked up
some scheme
and dragged Emma into it.
Wait, hold-- hold on.
Hold on.
Karen's my daughter.
Whatever she's doing,
I'm sure she has a good reason.
A good reason?
Then why didn't she ask you
about taking the van?
I guess she didn't want me
to know about it.
So how good a reason
could it be?
Okay, can we all just
pump the brakes, Mrs. Carter?
Let's just think
this thing through, okay?
You got your mom,
you got her former caregiver,
your daughter,
and her best friend.
They're driving around
in a dumpling van.
That doesn't exactly sound
like a kidnapping.
It sounds like
they needed a van
for the wheelchair
to go somewhere.
-Carmel.
-[Brian] Carmel.
They're going to Carmel.
[Charlotte]
'Tis you, 'tis you
Must go and I must bide
But come ye back
When summer's
In the meadow
When all the valley's
Hushed
And white with snow
Yes, I'll be here
In sunshine or in shadow
Oh, Danny boy
Oh, Danny boy
I love ya so
[cheering]
Thank you. Thank you.
I was so lucky
to have you as my nanny.
I was lucky to have
my first job
in this country
working for Miss Lily Wu.
[laughs] We began
bickering soon as we met.
What?
[laughter]
I feel like
this is my American family.
Oh, it is.
But sometimes
you drive me crazy.
You drive everyone crazy.
[laughter]
Did you ever consider
a singing career?
Yeah, sure,
when I was younger.
At my age,
who wants to hear that?
Sing us another song.
[Emma and Karen] Please!
Please, please, please.
Just gimme a moment.
You folks have a nice lunch.
Enjoy your afternoon.
Thank you.
How can you walk away?
Mrs. Carter,
if your mom is competent
to manage her own affairs,
we don't exactly
have the authority
to stop her
from taking a road trip
with her granddaughter.
I have power of attorney.
What if she isn't competent?
Mary. [chuckles]
You know, your mother
would never
forgive you if you...
She won't forgive me
if she's dead.
If you think
you know where she's going,
Mrs. Carter,
have you thought about--
just considered maybe going
there and talking to her?
Talk? To my mother?
I have never been able
to convince her of anything.
-Anything.
-My whole life.
These Magic Dumplings,
are they so good
-that they're magic?
-[Eddie] And delicious.
Are they really?
Please let me try one.
-The best in L.A.
-Cool.
-You know what?
-Oh!
-On the house.
-They do smell good.
You know,
we didn't have any breakfast.
Do you think maybe we--
We didn't eat.
Okay. No dumplings.
You're right. Let's go.
[phone ringing]
Hi, this is Emma.
You know what to do.
If you don't, well...
Hey, Em. It's Rick.
I thought you were
gonna call me back.
I guess you were busy
or something. That's cool.
Yeah.
Okay, I'll catch you later.
What happened?
I'm going to Carmel.
Wow, okay. Going with you.
David, what we really need
is somebody to look after Henry.
-Dave and I will watch him.
-Yeah?
Thank you.
[]
[David clears throat]
[sigh] I can handle this.
Mom will listen to me.
[Mary] I'm going.
You're staying.
For once,
you can take second place.
You two are
always butting heads, so...
And you, you got the best
of everything.
It's not that simple,
and you know it.
All that immigration law stuff,
you were 18 already
and couldn't be
on Mom's visa application.
Mom did the best she could
to get you here
as soon as possible.
[Mary sighs]
I'm always chasing rainbows
Remember?
Watching clouds
Drifting by
-My schemes are just like
-[sirens wailing]
-All my dreams
-Police!
Oh, no! I knew it.
My mom called the cops.
-[Karen] Okay, plan B.
-[Charlotte] There's a plan B?
There is now.
[Emma] I'll take the blame
and say it was my idea.
Oh, nonsense. It was my idea.
Grandma, do you want them
to put you in handcuffs?
I'm 88 and I'm dying.
-I don't care.
-[chuckles]
We won't let them do that.
They'll have to put me
in handcuffs.
Grandma, Charlotte, focus.
[officer] Pull the car
over to the right.
Oh-oh-oh!
[laughter]
Wow.
Oh, thank you, Emma.
And thank you, Karen,
for doing this for me.
I'm very grateful.
If you can't get what you want
at your age, then--
What's the point?
You know, Emma,
I can see in you
part of myself,
strong and decisive.
Me? Decisive?
You don't think so?
Look where we are
and what we're doing.
[Karen] Hey, if your mom
really did call the cops,
in this van,
it's pretty obvious.
Let's go paint the van.
Another day has just begun
You are shining like the sun
You're beautiful
Yeah, so beautiful
Oh, everyone
Can see your glow
And now it's time for you
To know you're beautiful
Yeah, so beautiful
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh, oh-oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh, oh-oh-oh, oh
Another day has just begun
And you are shining
Like the sun
You're beautiful
Yeah, so beautiful
Everyone can see
Your glow
And now it's time
For you to know
You're beautiful
Yeah, so beautiful
So beautiful
You're beautiful
[Mary] I'm not angry
at you, at Dad or Mom.
Coming to America,
it was for all of us.
-I get that.
-[woman] Excuse us.
Why can't you guys understand?
I get it.
I wanted Mom
to come and move in with me
to make up for all the times
we were apart.
That's the truth.
I don't want her to die
thinking I hate her.
That's why I don't want her
to go to Carmel.
Let me give you a hug.
Why ask?
Why not just give me one?
[David laughing]
You're so uptight.
I'm not uptight.
I'm Chinese.
[laughing] Yeah.
That's the truth.
[chuckling] Well?
[David laughing]
-Who did you borrow this from?
-My uncle.
Once a Girl Scout, always
a Girl Scout, always prepared.
-[Charlotte laughs]
-[Emma] My mom called 20 times.
[Charlotte] Only 20?
Do we want to know
what she has to say?
No.
[laughs] And Rick called.
[chuckling]
Who's Rick?
[Rick] Catch you later.
-Oh, no! A flat tire?
-[Charlotte] Oh, God.
[Emma] What?
How did that happen?
Do you know
how to change a tire?
Oh, yeah, of course.
[chuckling] Oh, thank goodness.
[Karen sighs]
[Emma]
Hey, nobody's gonna be here.
[Karen] Will you quit whining,
you big baby?
God.
"Once a Girl Scout,
always a Girl Scout,
always prepared."
Stop it.
For the record,
it's not my fault
there wasn't a lug wrench
in that tool box.
You should have checked before.
Before what? Stealing the van?
Oh, finally.
Come on. Yes, we're saved!
-Lug wrench.
-Lug wrench.
-Lug wrench. Lug wrench!
-Lug wrench.
-Lug wrench.
-Hey! Wait!
Oh, my God.
-[horn blaring]
-Hey, lug wrench!
Lug wrench!
Why can't they stop and help us?
Maybe we can help you.
Uh, no, thanks.
Don't need help.
Adios.
So, what are
two little kids like you
doing out here on your own?
Where's Mommy and Daddy?
We're not little kids, okay?
Just leave us alone. Buzz off.
You're not from around here.
I think you gals
should take a ride with us.
Know what they call me?
Bruce Lee.
Yeah.
She will kick your hairy butt.
Yeah.
[laughing]
Really? Bruce Lee?
I had to think of something.
[Emma laughing]
Oh, gosh.
I cannot believe that worked.
There might be
a hardware store nearby.
[Emma] Sure, okay.
Well, here it is.
Ten miles. Thank God
for your quick thinking, huh?
-You're gonna walk 10 miles?
-[Emma] No, jog.
[Karen] But you don't
even go to the gym.
[Emma] Shut up.
[Karen] And you suck
at track and field.
Oh. Hey, kids.
Welcome back.
Never travel
without a lug wrench.
Wait. Where's Charlotte?
-What did you do to her?
-Hey, no worries.
She went and checked out
a fruit stand nearby.
Strawberries.
He said
you don't trust strangers,
but I say
your nanny taught you well.
Grandma.
You know,
my first crush was Bruce Lee.
[chuckling] Oh, gosh.
Oh, get some dumplings
for these nice young people.
[laughter]
Thanks for your help.
I'm sorry if I was rude earlier.
No apology necessary... Bruce.
[laughter]
We hope to see you around.
Me and him. Bears.
Come on, sweet pea.
-[Lily laughing]
-I like bears.
-Everybody likes bears.
-[Lily] Yes.
-[Brian] You want to drive?
-[Mary] You want me to drive?
[Brian] Okay. Okay, I'll drive.
[Mary] No, we should take 101.
No, no, no. We should take 101.
Okay, okay. Take PCH.
Are we sure we are doing
the right thing here?
I wish I knew more
about my family.
They built their
American dream in Carmel.
Some of their happiest memories
were on that beach.
But Mom says she hates Carmel.
By the time your mother
got to the States,
your grandad had already
moved the family to Los Angeles.
[Emma] Grandma's tired.
We should find a place
to stay tonight.
Oh, look at that cute
little bed-and-breakfast.
Do you want to stop there?
[Mary] Can you drive faster?
[Brian] Relax.
Want to hear some music maybe?
[Mary] No, I don't want
to listen to music.
[Brian] You should take a nap.
[Mary] Can't you see?
I'm worried.
[Brian] Okay, look. We'll stop.
We'll get some gas.
You want some water?
[classical music playing]
-[doorbell rings]
-[woman sighs]
Ah, welcome, welcome.
You made it.
Hello. I'm Carol.
That's my husband, Bob.
-[laughter]
-[Bob] Hello.
I'm afraid we only
have two rooms available.
Oh, perfect. Cash, one night.
[Emma]
Did you see the chandelier?
[Carol] I'll go
and get your keys.
Is that a VCR?
[Carol]
Yes, it is.
[laughter]
So, today, the most awesome
thing I've ever done.
Yeah. Me too.
Awesome.
So, you told Jane something
that you should have
told me first.
Oh, that.
That.
[Karen laughing]
[Emma] Do you think it's funny?
Oh, come on.
You know Jane.
She loves to gossip.
[Emma] I didn't think
we kept secrets.
Okay.
Let's not fight about Jane,
okay?
It's not about Jane.
It's about you.
Best friends
tell each other everything.
You should have told me first,
but coming out is a big deal.
Why should Jane
be the first one to know?
You don't...
you don't even like Jane.
Or-- or do you?
Emma, wait.
Okay, no secrets.
I like girls.
Okay.
So, why not tell me before?
Because...
I... you know,
haven't actually
done anything about it.
Wow.
I've always seen you
as the experienced one.
Yeah, well,
inexperienced real me.
Then how do you know for sure?
Well... [sighs]
...how do you know what you are?
I just know
inside.
There's your answer.
I did not say a word
to Jane, okay?
You are the first one
that I'm telling, Emma.
Here and now.
I will be back.
Later.
[door opens]
[sighs]
[owl hooting, insects buzzing]
[videotape sliding]
[man speaking indistinctly]
It's me, your baba.
Xiao Wei, your name.
It means "precious."
Happy 18th birthday, Xiao Wei.
Sorry... no present.
Just this old videotape.
I wish I was there
all this time
to see you grow up.
Because when I look
into the camera,
I think I can almost see you,
so strong and beautiful.
Xiao Wei, Baba is sorry
to make you wait
all this time
wondering what really happened.
Maybe now you're big enough...
[sighs]
...to understand
and for me
to tell you everything.
Me and your mama,
we were arranged to be married
ever since we can remember.
Your mama was only 18
when your grandparents
left her in China
to go to the U.S.
She was so upset and lonely.
Lucky I was there.
I let her take it all out
on me.
So I was so used to her pq.
Do you have a pq too?
[Emma chuckles]
Actually,
your mama,
she's the kindest,
most loving
and giving person I know.
She gave me a gift
more precious
than I can ever imagine.
You, my daughter.
Because of you,
a piece of me
will always be by her side.
Because of you,
she will never be alone again.
I'm sure you're with her
right now, right?
Make sure you give her
a hug for me, okay?
Thank you.
We went to the U.S.
six years later,
but a piece of my heart
stayed with somebody else
back home.
[man speaks Mandarin]
This is my special one,
Huiliang.
[sniffles]
When I told your mother
about Huiliang,
she just nodded
like she always knew.
So when the doctor told me
I only had
a little while left to live,
she gave me another gift
I never expected.
She gave me my freedom.
She knew this meant
I would have even less time
to spend with her.
And I realized this also meant
that I could never
see you born, daughter.
I still don't know
if I made the right choice.
Xiao Wei, you need to know
that your baba loved you
very, very much.
[sighs]
Because...
even if my story ends...
[Emma sniffling]
...that is when yours
will begin.
[sobbing]
When I saw your father
the day he was born,
I knew he was special.
And I couldn't just
leave Mary there all on her own.
But you did
when she was no older than me.
You should watch the tape
with your mom.
[Lily sighs]
I'll be right back.
I'll be right here.
[dialing phone]
[phone ringing]
Hi, this is Emma.
You know what to do.
-If you don't, well...
-[phone beeps]
Emma.
Hey. Um...
Listen,
we're worried about you.
All of you.
[phone ringing]
[phone chimes]
I just wanna say
I think what you're doing
for your grandmother
is a beautiful thing,
a gift, really.
When you get this,
I hope you'll reach out
to your mom.
That would be a nice gift too.
I love you. Good night.
[phone chimes]
[]
-[]
-[birds chirping]
[water running]
-Hey.
-[Karen] Hey.
Breakfast first. Then we go.
So,
you didn't come back last night.
I stayed with my grandma.
Oh, is she okay?
She's fine.
And, um, are you okay?
[Emma chuckles]
I-- I just figured
maybe you weren't comfortable
-spending the night
with me anymore.
-Karen.
We are best friends, Karen.
That hasn't changed.
It's just this...
It's from my dad.
Oh.
Well, what did he say?
A lot of things.
Grandma said I should watch it
with my mom.
Guess I'll have to find
a VCR someplace.
[zipper zips]
-[classical music playing]
-[chatter]
-Morning.
-[Emma] Good morning.
Where's Karen?
Said she had to go do something.
-Pancakes?
-Yes, thanks.
Thank you.
[phone ringing]
-Mmm, that smells good.
-Where have you been?
You'll see.
But first, pancakes.
This is for you. A VHS player.
Bob said he saw it
in a thrift shop up the street.
So you can watch the tape
with your mom.
[]
Oh, Garlic World.
Let's stop.
[Emma chuckling] Really?
You want to stop
and smell the garlic?
Garlic is always
very good for the blood.
You always say that. Don't you?
[laughter]
[Karen] I love garlic.
Clearly.
[laughter]
Charlotte,
you have to eat something.
If you smell like garlic--
[burps]
[chuckles]
Emma Carter,
did I not to teach you anything?
Ew.
-Okay, we'll share.
-Grandma, let's go look around.
Wait, wait,
we should finish these fries.
-[Emma] Bye.
-[Karen] Bye.
[Emma] You watched the tape.
That's why you didn't give it
to me on my birthday.
It didn't slip your mind.
I didn't want you to hate me
or see me as selfish.
You know, leaving your mother
behind almost broke me.
You didn't break.
And my mom suffered.
When we first came here,
life was very hard
and it was such a struggle.
It was doing her a favor.
Okay, okay.
Don't get so defensive.
We are not going to Carmel only
to watch the sunset, are we?
[Lily laughing]
It's got something to do
with Mom.
You're counting on Mom
going there too, right?
Right.
Who else knows about my father?
Oh, just your mother and I.
Perhaps Brian too.
Keeping secret takes a toll.
Maybe I have a secret.
Oh?
Some things are private,
you keep to yourself.
And some things are secrets.
And secrets
are no good for families.
So what is yours?
There's a boy I like. [chuckles]
His name is Rick.
He's Black. I'm not sure
how Mom's gonna feel about that.
Oh, don't worry
about your mother.
How do you feel?
Well, when I see him,
I get, um, I get these
butterflies in my stomach.
[laughs] Got butterflies?
But he thinks
we're just friends.
Does he know
how you feel about him?
No.
Is he supposed
to read your mind?
Well, what if I'm wrong?
What if he doesn't like me
the same way?
Have you not heard
your father's tape?
You know,
he was doing everything
to please others at first,
and that's how I got you.
And I'm very grateful
because I'm a selfish woman.
[Emma chuckles]
But later,
he was very brave
and he did what he wanted
and be really
with the one he loves.
And I'm very glad he did it.
Aren't you?
Yeah.
Just follow the butterflies.
They always fly
to the right direction.
I don't want you to die.
[laughs]
You think I have a choice?
[Lily laughing]
-Oh, will you look at this?
-It's so beautiful!
-It's just as I remember.
-It's so cool.
-[Charlotte] All right.
-[Emma] Isn't that beautiful?
Are we ready for our picnic?
-Oh, no time for that.
-What?
What are you talking about?
Are you not feeling well?
Of course not.
I'm 88 and I have COPD.
All right. We're gonna go
to the hospital then.
Oh, no, no, no. We go shopping.
That outfit of yours
just won't do.
[chuckles] Won't do for what?
We'll get something
in town, yeah.
-[Emma laughing]
-Let's just go shopping.
Stop blathering. Come on, go.
-It's a seal.
-Oh, so beautiful.
-I guess we're going shopping.
-Oh, we're go--
-Oh, let's go shopping.
-We are going shopping.
Ah, shopping.
[laughs]
-[Charlotte] Come along.
-Okay, we gotta go. We gotta go.
[Charlotte] Karen, I can drive.
[Mary] Here, here. Try here.
[Brian] Okay.
[Mary sighs]
Not here.
They-- they have to be here.
My mother told me
again and again
that she wanted
to come here one last time.
Maybe they're just not here yet.
But what if...
Oh, God.
What if she took
a turn for the worse?
-What if they were in the--
-Mary.
If anything like that
had happened,
Emma would've called us.
I'm sure of it.
Don't worry.
Where are they?
[chatter, laughter]
[Lily] Hey, wait, wait,
wait, wait, wait.
Wait, look, look.
That dress
would look good on you.
On... [chuckles]
Oh, please. Where would I
wear something like that?
For your audition
for America's New Voice.
It's happening here tonight.
What?
[Lily] You always said
you always want to sing
in a live audience
and life never gave you
the chance.
So, life finally came through.
But how?
[Lily] I signed you up online.
Oh, come on.
You don't even know
how to use a smartphone.
-How could you do that?
-[chuckling] Oh...
Alice, the 80-year-old geek.
Die, alien scum.
Ah, I got ya, I got ya.
-Alice.
-There you go.
My application,
have you did it or not?
Almost. Don't get
your boxers in a bunch.
Can't you see I'm working here?
Ah. Oh, there goes
my retirement.
Oh, and the Bitcoin's gone.
What?
You remember her.
At Paradise Corners.
[hiccups] Oh, this is silly. I--
It's impossible. I can't.
Oh, you always said
life never gave you the chance.
Now you have a chance
and you are not singing?
You're a coward?
Oh, maybe you are not as good
as you said you are.
-Hmm.
-Mm?
-Mm?
-Hmm-hmm.
All right. All right.
-I'll do it.
-[Karen squeals]
What-- What's with the hiccups?
Uh, it's the garlic.
Oh, look. Emma.
That dress
will look good on you.
I don't need a new dress.
I'm your grandmother.
If I say
I want to buy you a new dress,
I'm buying it,
and you just say thank you.
-[Emma] Oh, thank you.
-[laughter]
[woman]
Silent night
Holy night
-All is calm...
-Two minutes.
Oh, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
[sighs]
-[hiccups]
-Water. You need water.
My dad says
try holding your breath
and taking ten swallows
in a row.
No.
[hiccups]
Maybe we should try
scaring her.
-[Karen laughs]
-Sometimes it works.
Charlotte.
I'm dying.
Stop it. I'm already scared.
None of that will work.
This is why
I didn't try it for a career.
Because every time
I walk on to the stage...
[hiccups]
Why didn't you say something?
Oh, it's too embarrassing.
Okay, it's time for
Charlotte Kelly and Emma Carter.
[Emma chuckling]
What? Emma Carter?
Yeah.
Yeah. Yeah. A duo.
You signed me up too?
That is so manipulative.
You should take a risk.
Karen, did you know about this?
Um, maybe. Maybe not.
I didn't know any about this,
but come out there with me.
We sing so well together.
[Lily] You always say
you don't know what to do
with your life.
Remember what your father did.
[applause]
[woman] Charlotte Kelly,
Emma Carter,
why do you two think you should
be a America's new voice?
Because this is Charlotte.
-[applause]
-She's from Ireland.
And my grandmother and my mom
are from China.
My little brother,
half and half.
Tonight,
Hollywood comes to Carmel.
[Mary] This martini
is the biggest ever.
-Look at this glass.
-[Brian] Huh?
But, you know,
I think the bartender,
I think he's watering down
the vodka.
Okay, hon.
-[Emma] I've got...
-[bartender] One more?
...a crazy family.
But we are a family
when it counts.
We're here because
we are America's new voice.
[applause and whistling on TV]
[Emma and Charlotte]
You're coming home today
So I write this final letter
Two months you've been away
I never planned
For stormy weather
A lifetime to play
A lifetime to say
You probably know
Can't stand when you're away
Let's promise here
To never stray for fear
To always travel near
Where we can always hear
-Each other's crystal voice
-[no audible dialogue]
Something I hold dear
So come on back to me
And I'll hold you closer
-Than ever
-So worth it.
We did good.
My gift, come back to me
-I'm gonna love you
-You okay?
More than ev--
[woman] No worries.
Take care of your grandmother.
[Emma] Okay, okay, thank you.
[siren wailing]
-Mom?
-[Mary] Emma?
I'm so sorry I--
She'll be okay.
Shame on you, Charlotte.
Allowing my mother
to manipulate you like this?
Manipulate me? We came up
with this plan together.
Sort of.
The singing part was a surprise.
You should have informed me.
You should have listened
to your mother.
[woman] Excuse us.
She loves this place.
All of the memories, that rock.
You don't know the whole story.
Hi. I'm Dr. Conrad.
Are you Mrs. Wu's daughter?
Yes.
Well, your mother is stable now.
Oh, thank God.
Vitals are good
considering her condition.
Looks like a pretty clear case
of dehydration
exacerbated by her running out
of supplemental oxygen.
[Charlotte]
She ran out of oxygen?
I'll check on her later.
Will you give us a second?
Thank you.
Honey.
This is what
your mother wanted.
She lived a good life.
Who are we
to disrespect her at the end?
What about my time with her?
What if this is...
What if I hadn't gotten
a chance to say goodbye?
It's okay. It's all right.
You have some time left
with her.
Make good use of it.
I'm gonna call David.
-I'm gonna check on my mother.
-Okay.
Are you gonna be okay though?
-They're gonna take care of her.
-Right.
But are you gonna be okay
with them?
Okay, look, um,
my dad is meeting me
at a hotel.
-Oh.
-But it's only 10 minutes away.
Mm.
[Mary] Once she's stable,
I want her home.
No more hospitals or facilities.
-Okay.
-Not so fast.
Mom.
It's all my fault.
Oh, it's my own fault.
You know, when I ran out
of oxygen, I thought--
Oh, never mind what I thought.
You're gonna feel better, Mom.
You just need more rest.
Oh, I can rest when I'm dead,
but I don't want to die
in this kind of room
full of machines.
You do know what I mean?
[ringing]
[phone ringing]
Oh, hey, you.
[laughs] Sorry to wake you up.
Oh, no, no, don't be.
Um, I'm just glad
to see your face
and know that you're okay.
Are you okay?
Yeah, I'm good.
I really am. Just been
a crazy couple of days.
-[chuckles]
-I saw you on TV.
That's-- Whoa, that's--
that's awesome.
Was that part
of the whole mission?
A part of it, yes.
And there's a lot more.
Okay, well, I want
to hear all about it.
What are you doing tomorrow?
Uh, Saturday?
Nothing planned.
What's up?
I want you to meet someone
special, my grandmother.
She's a big part
of this mission.
Sure, I'd-- I'd love to.
And you'd have to come
to Carmel.
I can do that. That's cool.
And there's one more thing.
Rick, do you wanna go
to prom with me?
[Rick laughing]
Wow, you-- you know how long
I've been waiting
for you to ask that?
Well, the guy's supposed to ask.
Oh, no, but that's so 2015.
[laughs] So, is that
a yes or a no?
Um...
-That's a yes. [chuckles]
-[chuckles]
So just text me
the details about Carmel,
and I'll see you tomorrow.
You have a good night.
You too. Night.
[phone beeps]
Yes!
[woman on P.A.] Dr. Roberts,
two, seven, four, four.
Dr. Roberts,
two, seven, four, four.
Come.
We need to talk
about what's next.
What's next?
After I'm gone.
[sighs] Do we have to talk
about that?
Come.
You know, you have
to forgive your mother.
I already have.
Good.
No matter how American
you are,
you're still Chinese.
In our culture,
the bond
between mother and daughter
is profound.
Okay.
Then what about you and mom?
Oh, I love your mother
so much it hurts.
-Does she know that?
-Of course.
That's why she put me
in the best, best place to stay
and she didn't want me
to come to Carmel
because she's afraid
of losing me.
Losing me
will break her heart.
She's not as strong as you are.
I'll take care of her.
And also, about Brian.
You must be an ally to Brian
when it comes
to dealing with your mother.
But you just said
my mom needs me.
Oh, you know
how your mother could be.
And Brian
isn't from our village.
[Emma chuckles]
I'm gonna miss you.
Butterfly, that's what we are.
Here for one season
and then gone.
Butterflies.
Mm-hmm.
[parking brake clicks]
[man] Excuse me,
where's the emergency room?
My mom's...
[Ben] Wow.
I don't blame Grandma
for wanting to come out here.
It's way nicer than L.A.
Don't let her catch you
saying that.
That's a whole other drama.
-[Eddie] No!
-Uh-huh.
Yeah.
I can pay to fix it if you want.
My van!
Yeah. And this and this.
-Don't forget this part either.
-[laughs]
Do-- do you know
what this means?
Uh... no.
Emma's grandmother
had me write it.
It means, more or less,
uh, "Let me go.
Let me be free.
Let me be me."
[]
Why didn't you tell me
the truth about my dad?
[Mary sighs]
-I was trying to protect you.
-By lying to me?
It wasn't totally a lie.
He is dead.
Mom,
that's not what I meant.
Okay, I'm sorry
I didn't tell you the truth.
Can we not fight about this?
But why? Were you afraid
I'd turn out the same way?
Then maybe I should be
a lesbian in his honor.
[chuckles] I'm joking, Mom.
Sometimes I find
your sense of humor quite odd.
Well, I think I get it from you.
Mom, your hands are clean.
Trust me.
I'm sorry
I called you a control freak.
And I'm going to prom
with a Black guy, Rick.
I like him. A lot.
I hope it's not a problem
for you.
Why would you think
such a thing?
'Cause you're so complicated.
Emma, I want you to be happy.
If Rick makes you happy,
then I'm happy.
Is that so complicated?
A woman of grace,
loving and giving.
That's what my dad called you.
When he told me,
I was devastated.
I thought
I had done something wrong.
He gave me a beautiful gift.
You.
Hearing his voice,
seeing his face,
meant the world to me.
When we get home,
let's watch the tape together.
I would like that.
I would like that very much.
Okay.
Now it's your turn.
Tell me why
you don't like Carmel,
why you don't want Grandma
to be here.
Could you ask me
to do something next time,
Grandma?
[chatter, laughter]
[Charlotte] Now we know
where Karen gets it.
-[laughter]
-[Karen] I agree.
Do you want to have
another singing contest?
Emma.
Mary.
[Mary]
Here. Come.
Grandma says this rock,
they had it brought to the beach
from your property,
a special place.
"Victor loves Lily Lee."
My Chinese name.
It means "beautiful."
I think that's romantic.
So, why is that complicated?
[Mary] After they settled
in Carmel,
your grandmother spent
a lot of time on this beach.
For six years.
Blaming herself
for leaving me behind.
Your grandfather would find her
taste the ocean water
saying it had my tears in it.
With her fingernails,
she tried carving my name
on this rock
until her fingers bled.
Your grandfather
pretended not to notice.
Then he secretly
finished the carving for her.
Why would I ever bring her here
to relive all that pain?
Mom, Grandma wants us
all to be here.
It's not about pain.
It's about love.
I love her so much.
It hurts.
That's exactly
what she said about you.
I wish I could hear her
saying that.
[both laughing]
So maybe we should turn
this rock into a happy place,
make it our rock.
Put my name on it, Mom.
[Brian]
You remember when we met?
You were just six years old,
little girl.
All you spoke to me
was in Chinese.
Yeah. Mom only wanted me
to speak in Chinese.
That's a really cool thing
though.
She taught you her language.
You speak
your parents' language.
-That's a real gift.
-I guess so.
[woman] Excuse me.
She taught me how to say
"baobei."
Her treasure.
-Remember that?
-Yeah.
I remember what I did to you
the first time
you called me that.
Yeah. You spit on me.
Twice. The next day too.
And then you threw up in my car.
[chuckles] Yuck. Sorry.
It's all right.
It was my fault, really.
You know, I gave you
too much chocolate cake.
Who was I to say no to you?
Honey.
You know
how proud of you I am?
You helped me with my homework,
corrected my English,
made me pancakes,
taught me how to drive
without actually
running people over,
taught me how to floss
the correct way.
You know what that makes you?
My dad.
You never called me that before.
Is it too late to start?
[clears throat] As long as you
keep flossing correctly?
[Emma laughs]
No.
-[Emma laughing]
-Yeah?
[chatter, laughter]
[Rick clears throat]
[Charlotte] Look.
Someone's here for you.
Hello.
Hey, I'm sorry I'm late.
Traffic was crazy.
No problem.
So, guys, this is Rick.
And, Rick,
here's my crazy family.
That includes Charlotte,
Karen, and her father.
-Wow.
-And, um--
Hello. Nice to meet you,
crazy family.
This is my dad.
Hey.
-Hey, Rick.
-Nice to meet you.
You too, sir. Join us, please.
-Thank you.
-Yeah.
-Come on.
-[chatter]
Dumpling for you,
chopsticks for you, good sir.
You've got to have
some of these.
This one has been sitting here
all day.
[]
[Mary exhales]
[speaking Mandarin]
[Mary chuckles]
[both laughing]
[Emma] What's so funny?
We were just talking about
who is more of a dragon lady,
me or her.
[chuckles]
That's a tough one to answer.
This is Rick.
-Hi.
-Hi.
Rick?
-Oh, you can play that thing.
-Yeah. Yeah.
And you know, I should have
signed you up
for the audition too.
Grandma. [laughs nervously]
[laughs] I'm just joking.
[Rick and Lily chuckle]
Nice meeting you, Rick.
Oh, it's an honor
to meet you, Miss Wu.
Emma here has said
a lot of great things about you.
When it comes
to her grandmother,
she's a little biased.
[laughs]
[Rick laughs]
Go on. Have a nice time.
Follow the butterfly
and don't stay
with a dying fossil.
[Lily chuckles]
Okay.
You know, Mary...
[speaking Mandarin]
[kisses]
[Mary] Dr. Conrad,
may I speak with you please?
[Dr. Conrad] Yes.
I want to remove my mother
from the hospital.
No more tests.
Can't allow that.
Her medical directive
gives me the right
to make that decision.
It's my duty.
It's my duty
to take care of my patients
in case anything happens to her.
What's happening to her
is that she's dying.
-Ma'am, I--
-Doctor.
Is your mother alive?
-Yes.
-Do you love her?
Of course.
Then when it's her time,
remember this conversation.
[]
[]
[]
["Closer Than Before" playing]
You and I agreed
This was just
A risk worth taking
We're getting closer
We're getting closer
Darling, come what may
Making up the answers
Every day
We're getting closer
We're getting closer
To our perfect stars
Aligned
A shining beacon in our sky
I'll hold tight to you
Hold tight to me
As we fall just like
The waves into the sea
Rise above
What we thought we could be
Closer than before
[]