[woman singing in Chinese]
(music)
[phone ringing]
Elizabeth here.
[both moaning]
[phone ringing]
Alex: God. Hold on, Jane.
[Jane grunts]
[phone ringing]
Hello?
[all grunting]
[grunting]
Like that. Got it?
Just relax. You'll be okay.
Okay?
[phone ringing]
[sighs]
Your Dragon Mother.
Hello?
[phone ringing]
[speaking in Chinese]
(music)
[door closes]
(music)
Meimei: He's such a jerk.
My mother dies, and he doesn't want me leaving for the funeral.
Don't call my brother a jerk.
You do.
Of course. I'm his sister.
He's not a very good director.
I know.
But he's my younger brother.
What am I gonna do?
Kick his ass?
Okay.
[sobbing]
Mom, why are you so sad?
Grandma was a total bitch.
She treated us like shit.
Jason, where are you learning to talk like this?
School.
Oh.
Well, grandma wasn't all that bad.
She was just...
Well, she was Chinese.
Do you have to go out tonight?
I'm introducing the new Miss Taiwan
To all of Manhattan.
Our plane leaves early in the morning--
Darling,
I'm not going tomorrow.
Cindy...
My mother's dead.
And your daughter has a dance recital on Friday.
Priorities?
Look, I thought as a family we could--
We could pretend that we actually liked the dragon lady?
Look, we'll come after Emily's recital.
By the way,
Will your mistress be joining us in Seattle?
Jane, right?
(music)
So how did grandma die?
Oh, Emily...
Viola: I'm glad you all decided to come.
Your mother had one request:
A traditional Chinese funeral.
It takes seven days.
Seven days? We never did that for dad.
Dad didn't request it, mother did.
Alex: Yeah, but seven days?
What, your patients can't put off
Their botox injections for a week?
Viola, thank you.
We will do everything we can to give mother
A traditional Chinese funeral.
But how? We're Americans.
Hey, Alex and I don't even speak Chinese.
Well, Elizabeth, you know something about it, don't you?
You live in Hong Kong.
No, I don't know anything about it.
Sorry, Viola. Oh.
Our mother didn't want us to be raised Chinese,
That's why she hired you.
Well, I happen to know a hell of a lot
About traditional Chinese funerals.
I was Chinese in a previous life.
[Alex chuckles]
Alex: Oh, God. Give me a break.
Alex, I've been in this family since you were in diapers.
So please.
You missed her 70th birthday.
I was gonna come over, really.
I just didn't wanna be the only one.
You didn't call. None of you did.
I mailed a card.
Got here two days late.
Viola, thank you for taking care of her and us.
But you have no right to say any of this.
Your mother had cancer.
What?
She never told us.
You never asked her how she felt.
[sighs]
She died alone.
And look at you kids.
Do you ever talk to each other?
When was the last time you were together?
Stop that. Enough already.
Elizabeth, why isn't Michael with you?
We separated almost a year ago.
Just after Sammy died.
I'm sorry.
Look, our mother spent her entire life
Pitting us against each other
And hardly had a kind word for any of us.
Well, her last words were that she loved you,
And hoped you'd forgive her.
Now, the first thing
You have to do is get some monks.
Chanting monks.
And why can't you arrange that?
Okay, fine. Chanting monks.
How many, and where do I get them?
At the temple. I know the place.
According to tradition, children of the deceased
Must kneel at the shrine three times a day
10 minutes each, and before bedtime.
Has anyone heard from Meimei?
Oh, you really think she's gonna come?
(music)
Victoria: I can't believe she's gone.
The last time we spoke, I hung up on her.
Me too.
I was such a disappointment to her.
Hey, we all were.
I dreamt about this.
It was a nightmare.
Awful.
She had died, and we...
What? We what?
We didn't care, Alex.
That was the awful part.
(music)
[door closes]
[chuckles]
My, my,
Isn't this a Kodak moment?
Meimei. Dede.
Hey. Where's the body?
Uh, at the funeral parlor.
Mm-hm. Mm.
What's all this?
A shrine.
Wow, this is so cool.
We don't even have this in China anymore.
A shrine? Yes.
For dead people. Ghosts.
You wanna try this? Ha-ha.
[sobbing]
Meimei.
[sobbing] mama.
Meimei.
Meimei. Meimei. Mommy!
Oh, mama!
You left us too soon! Meimei.
[sobbing sarcastically]
That's really bad acting.
Yeah, Meimei, there are no cameras here.
Get up.
Your mom's dead.
Can't you just try and be nice to each other for once?
You're not family.
And you're not welcome here.
Alex, you asshole.
(music)
[door opens]
[door closes]
You didn't eat a thing.
I have to keep my figure.
Ever seen a fat ninja?
[chuckles]
Eat.
I subscribed to your magazine.
I read your column every month.
I saw your last film. It was very good.
No, it wasn't.
Okay.
Liz...
I know you're angry at me.
I'm sorry I didn't come to Sammy's funeral.
I am.
I just... I--
You were on location. It's fine.
No, it's not.
Damn it, Liz, just say how you feel.
All right. It was not fine.
[sighs]
So that's why you and Michael broke up?
Do you still see him sometimes?
He flew in from Los Angeles about a month ago
And spent the weekend with me.
Do you still love him?
You believe in love?
Oh, Liz.
Absolutely.
Hm. You really can't be that naive.
You sound just like mom.
No, I don't.
Dede and I are planning on having a baby.
You're gonna hate me?
A baby? How?
Sperm. Heh.
We just need some sperm.
Oh, sperm. Right, of course.
Are you gonna hate me?
No. Stop asking me that.
Excuse me.
What's with her?
She lost her son.
Yes, I know that.
(music)
[sighs]
Jane [on phone]: I want you to unbutton your shirt.
I want you to feel my tongue
Licking across your lips.
My hands slowly sliding up your thigh.
No, n-- not right now.
Not right now.
(music)
[monks chanting in Chinese]
[yawns]
[chanting continues]
Ten minutes.
[chanting stops]
[all clear throats]
[all chattering]
Victoria: Viola.
We should go to the funeral home now.
To, you know, see her.
Well, you will see her on the day of the funeral
When she's all made-up and looking pretty.
Now, those were your mother's wishes
And vanity was her middle name.
What do you think? Him.
Sperm donor.
Victoria: Dede, please.
Excuse me. We're trying to make a baby.
[Alex scoffs]
Ugh. That's disgusting. What did you say?
Look who's talking.
Slut.
Hey, why don't you just shut your nasty little--
Stop it, all right? We're only here seven days. Hm?
Viola: And there's a lot to do in these seven days.
We have to notify friends and relatives.
Cemetery, tombstone.
Things for your mother's afterlife,
Which we will then burn.
The banquet, the eulogy, some Chinese call it the résumé.
And then on the fifth day, people will come
And they'll pay their respects--
Embarrassing that you know all of this and we don't.
Isn't it?
Alex, when is Cindy gonna be here?
Yeah, where is the Ice Queen?
Oh, don't tell me Miss Taiwan 1993
Is not coming.
Cindy will be here on the weekend.
Emily has a recital.
She didn't wanna come any earlier
Because she can't stand any of you.
Sometimes I don't blame her.
Whatever.
(music)
Victoria: Just feel the feng shui here.
Look at the sunlight and the view.
Alex: It's very nice.
How did mom find it?
Victoria: Mom? I'm the real-estate agent.
Meimei: You sell homes to dead people?
Victoria: Shut up.
Real estate is real estate, okay?
You know, when these plots came out on the market
I got mom a really good price.
Plots?
You bought more than one?
It's tradition for a son and his wife
To be buried next to his mother and father.
Our father was cremated.
Oh, yeah, his ashes ended up in a vacuum cleaner.
By mistake. I was young.
W-wait a second.
What did you say about a son and his wife?
Mr. Wang: Mrs. Xiao bought three plots.
One for her, one for you, one for your wife.
It's tradition.
Buy two, get one for free.
I've heard of that tradition.
Would you stop?
My wife and I will not be buried here.
You like this place so much, bury yourself here.
Mr. Wang: I knew your father.
A powerful man.
That power is yours.
You just don't realize it.
You have a responsibility here.
Funerals are for respect.
You're grieving over your mother now.
That must be why you are not thinking clearly.
Right?
Alex. No.
It's hard to believe
You've devoted your whole life to this family,
All those years.
Well, I was married young.
Not my doing.
And I was widowed young.
Not my doing.
But here I am.
What about a family of your own?
Well, there are all kinds of families, Dede.
I would have thought you realized that.
Mm-hm.
Anyway, this is my family.
And I would do anything for them.
Anything.
Well, I wish
I had a mother like you.
Meimei talks about you so much.
Hey, did you see that?
What?
Dede: Bedroom curtain upstairs.
Mrs. Xiao's room.
It just-- it just moved.
No, it's the wind.
Well.
Do you believe in ghosts?
No.
Mm, maybe I don't. I don't. Do you?
Definitely.
[sighs]
I need to smoke a joint.
[monks chanting in Chinese]
Viola: Ten minutes.
So does that mean we can eat?
Yes, and I made your favorite. Pizza.
Hi. Hi.
What's your name?
Bruce Lee.
Bruce Lee?
What can I say? My parents are big fans.
Uh-huh.
Let's talk.
Come.
[phone ringing]
[phone beeps]
[dialing phone]
[line ringing]
Man [on phone]: Hello?
Hello, Michael?
So lesbians, huh?
Yes, we are. Yes.
Heh-heh. And you are a monk.
A kalupa monk.
We can have sex.
Dede: Hey, Bruce,
This is not about sex.
No sex?
No sex.
But how?
[both laugh]
Oh.
Oh. Right.
Of course.
[sighs]
I'm gonna have to think about this.
(music)
[doorbell ringing]
[ringing continues]
Meimei?
Yes. And you are?
Chow Lin.
Do you have any idea what time it is?
People are still asleep.
In Beijing, they are awake.
Oh. I'm a friend of your mother's.
You can get my bag.
Mm-mm.
Banana.
Potassium.
Good for digestion. Uh-huh.
You mother sent me photo of yours.
And, uh, videos
Of your awful movies.
I know you. All your life.
Viola: Chow Lin.
Oh, I am so glad that you have come.
[Viola clears throat]
Oh, I'm the person who called you.
Viola.
Oh, Viola.
The Jewish lady who can make
The best dumplings in the world.
Oh, is it?
Would you like something to eat?
American food.
I want to eat like a pig.
Come then. Like a pig.
Oh. Hm-hm.
Outdoing yourself.
[Lin grunting]
(music)
[burps]
[Lin sighs]
[exhales slowly]
[chuckles]
No good bagels in Beijing.
No good pancakes, no bacon.
I dream about a burger king.
Burger king.
Meimei dreams about burger king too.
[burps]
Ahh.
Oh, here you go.
Drink this.
Just drink and-- yeah.
[burps]
Happy to meet you.
Uh, finally. An honor.
Now,
I go have a good poo.
[farts] ooh!
[chuckles]
Go, go. I'll take you to your room.
[all laughing]
Who is that?
He's one of china's most celebrated pianists.
You're kidding.
No. Mother met him in Rome.
Oh, Rome.
Mom went to Rome?
Yeah, before you were born.
I went with her. School vacation.
Oh, so you know this guy?
I was just a child.
Liz, you were never just a child.
You know, I like chow Lin.
Anyone who has an appetite like that,
It's passionate. [doorbell rings]
Viola: I'll get it.
Today's day two, so we need--
No, I-- I thought it was day three.
Officially, it's day two.
But in truth, it's day three.
It's day two.
Look who's here.
It's Michael.
Elizabeth: Hello, Michael.
Hi.
Elizabeth: Thanks for coming.
Mother always liked you.
Hm.
I don't know why.
Me neither.
You know,
Of all the kids,
You're the only one who calls her mother.
What, is that a problem?
Liz,
She's your mom.
Look, I didn't come here for her.
I came for you.
For us.
(music)
Mother's gone.
Sammy's gone.
And he's not coming back.
There's no blame.
Come on. Some love.
[sobbing]
(music)
Hey, baby.
Aren't you done?
It's been a while.
Hello?
S-sorry, I--
Well, it's not something I can just,
You know, turn on like a faucet.
Isn't it?
No, I need inspiration or, uh--
Or activity.
Well,
You just have to imagine like this.
I told you.
We're not gonna have sex.
But you just have to...
...Imagine.
Imagine.
[chuckles]
[laughs]
I'm sorry.
I tried. I did. I just--
It's okay. Thanks.
I thought about it a lot last night.
And I figured,
I might as well be, you know, useful.
I mean, we're not here to celebrate death.
It's about celebrating life.
Maybe one day, we can all have dim sum together.
Meimei,
Do you know what the direct translation of dim sum is?
No.
It means "touch the heart."
Oh.
[chuckles]
So cute.
Hm.
(music)
Oh, by the way, Liz, mom liked the Benz SUV.
Really?
The g500 costs more than a hundred grand.
Uh, we're not buying the real car.
Oh, right. Sorry.
I always thought this was an odd custom.
Buy all this stuff, and then you just burn it.
Yeah, but I love the idea of mom taking all this stuff
With her into the afterlife.
Okay. Get the g500.
Elizabeth: She really liked her jag.
Why don't we just get that?
What? An old car?
And have people think we're being disrespectful?
Mm-hm. So, what do you think?
Should we get the jag convertible
Or the Benz SUV?
Buy both.
Your mother, right?
She'll only die once. Give her the best.
Give her everything.
Give her $1 million.
I'll pay for shipping and handling.
Shipping and handling?
We all are from Taipei.
Uh, we need all the stuff, like soon.
Yeah? So you never heard of FedEx?
We'll take the g500.
Victoria: And the million dollars.
Oh, and we need a house.
Why don't we just take a picture of mom's house?
Oh, no, no, uh, bad luck.
Uh, then no one would want to buy her house.
Victoria: We're not selling it. We're not?
Dad's will. He wanted us to keep it.
Why? It's not even the house we grew up in.
Now that house had class.
Who wants to live in the McMansion?
I don't.
Dad bought that house for mom out of guilt.
Guilt? Alex: Mm-hm.
Okay, so, what else? Uh, maid, butler?
No, I refuse to burn people.
Even if they are made out of cardboard.
No maid, no butler.
Uh, fine, what else?
I got my, uh, Phoenix and dragon. They're on sale.
[object thuds] aah!
You break, you buy, huh?
Hey, guys, these would hardly fit a child,
Let alone a grown woman.
Elizabeth: Well, they made them fit, didn't they?
Breaking the bones.
Binding the feet so tight that they wouldn't grow.
Disgusting. I'll stick to high heels.
Look, I have a letter. Uh, never mailed.
Written in mother's handwriting to her mother.
She had a mother?
Oh, my God.
What?
Mother's name.
What? Linda?
Her Chinese name.
Oh, it wasn't Linda?
It's Ling Yuen.
Ling Yuen.
That sounds beautiful.
What does it mean?
Highest cloud in the Sky.
It means strength.
Well, read the letter.
Okay.
Oh, my. Look at this.
I gave this to her. Mother's day.
I made it in the third grade.
I can't believe she kept it.
Ow, wow. Or this.
Oh, God. Twilly bear.
Alex: Hello. My name's Twilly bear.
Twilly bear?
Victoria: Alex slept with it till the 10th grade.
Shut up. Ha. Victoria: Hey.
I didn't know this. Meimei: What?
We didn't know any of this.
What is it?
During china's famine, mother was 16.
In love.
Her mother wanted her to marry someone
In one of those arranged marriages.
So she ran away to Hong Kong.
Her boyfriend was supposed to meet her
But he never made it.
Killed while crossing the pearl River.
Wow.
Meimei: That's so sad.
What else?
In Hong Kong, she met
A gentleman, much older than her.
Wasn't sure she loved him
But he was kind.
Dad?
Elizabeth: She grew to love him
And they moved here to Seattle.
And lived happily ever after.
Not quite.
I remember the arguments.
Right after you were born.
Dad had other women.
He did?
Alex: I saw him
With a few of them.
A few?
Mm-hm.
He said he still loved mom though.
[scoffs]
Well, of course he did.
Is that what you tell yourself
After you're done with your mistresses?
Meimei. Meimei: Oh, come on.
A big, successful doctor like Alex gonna tell us
That he doesn't have mistresses?
I'm not gonna tell you anything.
Oh. Good for you.
Why break the family tradition of secrets and lies?
Guys, can we cut this out?
I mean, we have to write a eulogy
About a woman we clearly didn't know.
What are we gonna say?
(music)
[sighs]
(music)
[birds chirping outside]
[shuts window]
Here you go.
(music)
[grunts softly]
[grunts]
Oh.
[laughs]
Ha-ha. I win.
I let you win.
Oh?
'cause you're old.
He's a good boy.
Where's his father?
Ask Mrs. Xiao.
Huh?
She made me break up
With the only man I've ever loved.
Why?
He wasn't Chinese, was he?
Oh.
We were gonna get married
But when mom made up her mind about something...
Yes, I know.
What are you doing here?
Really?
Viola says your mother wanted me to be here.
So...I'm here.
You loved her, didn't you?
(music)
[Michael panting]
Hey.
Can't believe you still jog.
I can't believe you stopped.
We're choosing a tombstone today.
Want me to be there for that?
No.
You really don't have to.
Look, you asked me to come.
I came.
But don't push me away again.
Liz,
It's okay to miss Sam.
I miss him every day.
But, Liz,
We have to move on with our lives.
Please, let me back in for good.
Please, Liz.
[sighs]
Man: Okay, so if it were my mother,
Nothing would be too big
Or too expensive.
Look at this lovely marble altar.
You could erect a statue to your mother on that.
Stunning. Heh.
I have a friend, he's a sculptor.
I could get you a deal.
If it were my mother,
I would have a portrait done.
Not as she was when she-- you know.
But how she is in my dreams.
You could mount it on that marble flat there.
Beautiful.
I have a friend. He's a painter.
I could get you a deal.
I like this one.
Oh, if it were my mother--
She's not your mother!
She's my mother. She's our mother.
Got that?
Mm. Mm.
Alex, are you all right?
I'm fine.
I like the simple white marble tombstone.
It's tasteful.
Agreed?
Mm.
Alex: Can you get me a deal on that?
Oh, of course, yes.
Great.
Meimei, show him to the door, please.
(music)
Meimei: Alex, what are you doing?
Alex.
I'm sorry.
I used to hate dad for cheating on mom,
For hurting her.
I used to tell myself I'd never become like him.
Here I am, I'm just like him.
While mom's looking down,
She knows I'm a liar,
A cheat,
And my wife hates me.
Well, there are reasons why we do--
I can't rationalize.
Where do I go from here?
Well,
Do you love Cindy?
Really love her?
I used to.
Could you love her again?
I want to.
Why?
Why do you want to?
Look, we have to be at Mrs. Sun's
In 20 minutes, okay? We really need to go.
[gong resonates]
[woman singing in Chinese]
I want to sing it at the funeral.
It was your mother's favorite.
It's very nice.
Meimei: I had no idea that mother liked that song.
Mm.
Victoria: Mrs. Sun, you were mom's
Favorite dressmaker--
Her only dressmaker,
Wasn't I?
Of course.
And so we need you to make her last dress.
[clears throat]
Back in china,
The daughters make the last dress.
[laughs]
[clears throat]
Well, this isn't china.
Um, what my sister really means to say is that--
You're the actress.
I think you mean lesbian.
She's the one who slept with a black man.
Elizabeth is the one whose son passed away,
And Alex here has a mistress.
We know what our mom thought of us,
So can we just be done with the gossip?
We're giving her exactly what she wanted.
A traditional Chinese funeral,
And a traditional Chinese dress.
So are you in or are you out?
I like you.
Your mother was proud of you.
All of you.
She wouldn't shut up.
"my son, the doctor. My daughter, the journalist.
"my daughter in real estate,
And the movie star."
Yak, yak, yak. Ha-ha-ha.
I will make the dress
And it will be beautiful.
Just like your mother.
I am so confused.
I thought I knew what to say in this eulogy, but now...?
How could she have been so proud of us to everyone else?
While with us, she was so... So--
Bitchy?
Selfish, cruel,
Rude, manipulative?
Uh, dictatorial?
Saving face.
(music)
Dede: Do you believe in Destiny?
Yes.
You?
Yes.
I believe each of us is connected.
Without even realizing it.
Just like the ingredients
In a wonderful meal.
I believe you're stoned.
I believe
I am in love.
[humming]
Michael: Liz, dinner's ready.
I'll be right down.
Okay.
Michael.
I don't blame you.
And I'm sorry I can't always express myself.
It's just gonna take a little more time, okay?
Okay.
I'm not going anywhere.
Meimei.
Hey.
I just want you to know that, well,
I could always try again.
You know, if you want me to.
Yes.
Okay. That'd be nice.
Thank you.
Well, great.
See you tomorrow?
See you tomorrow.
Good night.
[chuckles]
[clears throat]
Good night, Bruce.
Good night.
Ooh!
Is it hot?
No, it's great.
[yells]
Oh. Ha!
Oh, my God. Good.
Have we just corrupted a monk?
[laughs]
Viola: Your mother made me the executrix of her estate.
Alex: Why you? You're not even family.
Alex, Viola is family.
Yeah, but I'm the son.
Ugh. Isn't that sexist.
Alex: Okay, fine. Forget it.
I'm sorry, Viola. Please continue.
Okay, I just thought this would be a good time
To go over the contents of her will,
Seeing that you all seem
To be in a pretty good place.
Yeah, sure, so, what do we get?
Nothing.
Nothing? Nothing.
Nothing? Nothing?
Well, uh, the house is yours. It's all of yours.
That comes from your father's will.
Yeah, but what about her life insurance?
The other investments. The gold, the jewelry?
Well, she felt thanks to your father's inheritance
You were all in pretty good shape.
I don't-- I don't believe this.
So she gave everything
To the pacific coast community center.
The what?
The pacific coast community center.
Your mother believed in Charity.
She did?
Don't you tell me what my mother believed.
Well, I think it's a pretty good idea.
Alex: You know what?
Mom's will doesn't really surprise me.
I mean, when it came to us, she was so cheap.
And she was cheap with you too, Viola.
I don't know why you stuck with her all these years.
Because I loved her.
Because I loved all of you.
I still do.
[alarm beeping]
I have to go to the airport
To pick up Cindy and Emily.
You want me to go with you?
Alex: No, it's all right.
[truck beeping]
(music)
You took that picture.
Remember?
Near the Vatican.
I hope you didn't come
To shame the memory of my mother.
No. Never.
I never told anyone
After all this time.
I think that's why she criticized me the least.
Because she was afraid of me.
No. Grateful.
You keep the secret.
Cindy.
I'm sorry.
I wanna start over.
[sighs]
We're here.
Cindy.
Emily.
Welcome.
Hello, Victoria.
It's nice to see that some things remain constant.
[whispers] bitch.
What did she just say?
She said, "bitch."
Oh.
Uh...
(music)
I'm pregnant.
[gasps]
Liz.
[chuckles]
[chanting in Chinese]
(music)
Here, mom.
You take care of Sammy for us.
[whispers] go ahead.
(music)
Mom,
Meet Dede.
I think you'd really like her.
(music)
Bruce: Dede.
Here you go.
Wow.
That's a lot.
Well, it's been a while.
Heh. Thank you.
I've had an epiphany.
I'm not a monk.
But you are a monk.
Inside, I'm not.
Not anymore.
That's my epiphany.
Shoot.
Am I going to hell for this?
No.
Dede, I wanna thank you.
And Meimei. Really.
I became a monk for all the wrong reasons.
To please my parents,
To please everyone else but me.
And that's not a good way to live.
The honesty that you and Meimei have,
And the way you just
Live your lives openly without apology, I--
I find it inspirational.
I wanna get married.
I wanna have lots of children.
And I hope that one of them will be yours and Meimei's.
I'm not gonna be coming back tomorrow.
So please tell Meimei
That I said goodbye.
You can tell her yourself.
No.
It's better this way.
(music)
I'm pregnant.
When you came to Hong Kong a month or so ago,
That one night.
Aren't you gonna say something?
Thank you, God.
(music)
Dede: Hey, Meimei.
I've been looking all over for you.
Look.
The monk has delivered.
[chuckles]
Stop. Are you okay?
I found this on my pillow.
From whom?
My mother!
What did she say?
Meimei, are you okay?
No.
[sobbing]
No, I'm not okay.
Meimei, what is it?
Chow Lin: Meimei.
What is going on?
This letter, which says,
Time to tell the truth.
The truth?
I am Meimei's...
...Father.
Dede: Holy cow.
Meimei.
Your mother and I
Loved each other.
We keep it a secret
For you.
Shut up! [gasps]
Shut up!
Don't you talk to me!
Don't you dare!
My whole life has been a lie.
Meimei!
(music)
[crying]
[screams]
[screaming]
[crying]
[yelling]
[crying]
Why didn't you tell me?
Why didn't you say something?
Why?!
[crying]
Meimei, it's okay.
[Meimei sobbing]
It's all right.
Meimei: Why did you never tell me?
Elizabeth: Mother made me promise not to.
Everyone else knew?
Even dad?
Dad suspected.
Everyone suspected.
No one knew for sure.
Things aren't so black and white.
No.
They certainly aren't.
Saving face. Mm.
Saving face.
I hate that expression.
Yeah.
Me too.
So Chinese.
[laughs]
We are Chinese.
[laughs]
Yes. We are.
(music)
[snoring softly]
Good morning.
I'm gonna make myself a pot of coffee.
Would you like a cup?
I don't drink coffee, thank you.
Okay.
So, um,
Today is day five, right?
Where all the guests come to pay their respects?
Yes.
I'm sure you have everything organized.
Well, I think organization is about respect.
Well, um,
I'm really good at-- at preparing food.
Maybe I can help.
Well, it's already done.
Victoria knows a nice seafood restaurant.
They have a buffet.
Oh, my God. A buffet?
That's so tacky,
But again, it is Victoria.
[laughs]
You know,
You're not Miss Taiwan anymore.
I'm sorry, excuse me?
You heard what I said.
I said you're not Miss Taiwan anymore.
I think you have forgotten your place.
My place is with this family.
Where is yours?
Cindy, your mother-in-law wanted one thing.
That this family would come together
Finally and for real and I--
I'd like to believe that that can happen.
Wouldn't you?
You know, it's difficult to forgive.
I know.
I think forgiveness is just about
The hardest thing in the world to do.
And I hope you find a way to do it
Or you're gonna be one unhappy person.
(music)
So?
Starting over?
Clean slate.
(music)
Meimei,
Meeting you completes my life.
And completely changes mine.
I'm not gonna make any more cheap chop-chop movies.
Oh?
What are you going to do?
Mm.
I have no idea.
So does that frighten you?
No.
I don't know what to call you.
My name is chow Lin.
[monk chanting in Chinese]
[guests chattering]
Only one chanting monk?
So cheap.
May I have your autograph?
Do you like kung fu movies? Yes.
Every Friday, your mother came to me
To buy fresh flowers.
One of my best customers.
Cheap but loyal.
[chuckles]
These flowers.
Not from my place.
Oh, I'm sorry.
My sister Victoria got them from down the street.
Obviously.
Viola: Would you like something to eat?
Please.
Come. Sit down.
Your mama paid my husband's medical bills
For two years.
Well, how did you know her?
Your mama volunteered
At the pacific coast community center.
Oh. You didn't know that?
Well, our mom was full of surprises.
[sobbing]
You know, over 100 people have come by since this morning.
Mm-hm.
See, grandma wasn't that bad.
No. I guess not.
Hey, what are they gonna say about us?
When we're dead and gone?
They'll say we tried.
We tried.
So I heard people talking shit.
Talking shit?
You know, about you, grandma and Meimei.
Kids hear everything.
Because we're shorter, we're under the radar screen.
Oh, of course.
So we're related, you and me?
In a way. Is that a problem?
No, no, it's cool.
Want to learn something cool?
What is it?
I teach you tai chi.
Wow, like in the movies?
Mrs. Sun: Alexander. Thank you, Mrs. Sun.
Victoria. Thank you.
Meimei.
Elizabeth.
Tradition.
It's important.
Yes, it is.
Thank you.
Goodbye.
Thank you, ladies. Take care.
Goodbye.
Alex: Whoa.
Cindy: Speaking of tradition,
I seem to recall a long-standing challenge.
Between Alex and I,
And Victoria and Elizabeth.
Shall we?
Oh, no, no, no.
Elizabeth shouldn't play.
Why not?
Ask her.
Why not?
A-are you--?
[gasps]
Oh, God. Oh, my God.
God had something to do with it.
And Michael made a slight contribution.
[all laughing]
Oh...
I've sent the last monk home.
It is now time for Serenity and prayer.
According to the old ways,
At the end of the period of mourning,
The soul of the departed comes back
One more time.
I would like you to kneel at the shrine,
And close your eyes
And see her in your soul.
[thunder rumbling]
Now, can you see her?
(music)
Mrs. Xiao: I'm here with you, my children.
[gasps]
(music)
[thunder rumbling]
Even when she's dead she freaks me out.
But am I dead?
Alexander.
You look so serious.
Well, I need to sit.
Please have a seat.
Okay.
You are all angry.
But look, I am dying.
Liver cancer.
The doctors gave me six months.
Do you think I wanted to die like Mrs. Chiu?
Never a kind word from her children
Until she was gone.
Do you think I wanted to die like your father?
Full of regret.
No.
I wanted to bring my family together.
I know.
I haven't been the best of mothers,
But I hope I can manage to fix it.
I want to tell you how I feel,
And I want to hear how you really feel.
What you've done here
Is an example of just how manipulative,
Selfish, arrogant, and controlling you are.
It's a beginning.
I'm not finished.
And I don't believe for one moment
That you wanna hear how we feel.
Alex, we were just trying-- Alex: Don't.
You cannot rationalize this.
But dying is never rational.
Nor is your monstrous ego.
But I did this for you, Alex.
[scoffs]
Mother,
You're so full of yourself
That you actually believe that.
Anyone else? Hm?
Congratulations.
[door closes]
Very dramatic. Very Chinese.
See? She understands.
No, I don't.
You've put us through a great deal of pain.
You too, Viola.
Are you angry?
I am exceedingly pissed off.
[sighs]
Well, these are certainly not the reactions
I was expecting.
Victoria: What did you expect?
That we'd all fall at your feet
And be grateful you're still alive?
Well, yes.
Don't hold your breath.
Perhaps I should have just remained dead.
Victoria: That would have been a wise decision.
(music)
Do you know how much I love your daughter?
Yes, I think I do, and it warms my heart.
Welcome to our crazy family.
Thank you.
But I want to know how you did it.
Yeah.
Well, it's a big house.
There's a hidden room off my bedroom
With its own bathroom.
And Viola kept me informed
Of all the comings and goings, and of course,
I did overhear a thing or two myself.
Brilliant. Yes.
[chuckles]
Loose ends, you know?
And here's my favorite loose end.
I--
I should be angry with you.
Maybe a little bit.
[chow Lin chuckles]
What do we do about Alexander?
I will talk to him.
[phone rings]
Dede: Oh, excuse me.
I hope you're not upset with me.
It's a call from the set. I have to answer it.
Hello?
Man [on phone]: Hi, is this Dede Chan?
Yes, it is.
Who's calling?
I'm your brother's assistant director.
Your brother has just had a heart attack
On the set here in Los Angeles.
They've taken him to Peterson Memorial Hospital.
He's stable,
And they're keeping him under observation for now.
[sobbing]
Mrs. Xiao: Alexander.
Leave me alone, mom.
Alexander.
You are not your father.
You have made mistakes, and I have too.
But my children are not mistakes.
They are the best thing that ever happened to me.
You have been angry for a long time.
The past few days,
I've felt the anger lift.
Wouldn't it be nice if you could
Always live like that?
Huh?
Our handsome boy.
I did this
Hoping for happiness for all of us.
If it is selfish for a mother
Who wants to love her children
One last time,
Then I am that selfish woman.
I love you too, mom.
(music)
[sighs]
Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?
I'm packed. I'm ready.
No, Meimei, it's okay.
Dede, I mean it.
Meimei, stay here.
How many times do I have to tell you this?
Baby, your brother had a heart attack.
That's serious.
Let me be there for you.
I understand,
But your family needs you.
You stay here.
I love you, Dede Chan.
I love you too.
[car horn honks]
Come on, go.
You go on, baby.
Michael: Guys,
I-I don't wanna make excuses
For what your mother and Viola did.
I mean, look at us.
We're here, we're talking.
And, you know, I think I do recall, hm,
Hearing some laughter?
I mean, isn't it better that--
That all this happened before we die?
Before she dies?
I think that Dede did the right thing going there, don't you?
I mean, you'd do the same thing for your brother.
I know you would.
And he would do the same for you.
No question.
[chuckles]
[whispers] does he always eat like this?
[whispers] always.
Victoria: Mom?
I don't want you to die.
Neither do I.
(music)
Thank you, Victoria.
Victoria: And Meimei,
I'm sorry about Dede's brother.
Thank you.
Oh, I almost forgot.
We're gonna have to cancel the banquet tomorrow.
Elizabeth: No, we should still do it.
As a celebration of life.
Your life.
Michael, I've always liked you.
I don't know why. Oh.
Probably just to make Alex jealous.
[both chuckle]
Cindy: Mm.
You know, mom,
I don't think any of us ever really knew you,
Until this week.
Yeah, you are smarter than you look.
[all laughing]
Thank you.
As for you,
Bravo.
[all laughing]
(music)
[guests chattering]
[all chattering]
(music)
[glass clinking]
I want to say something to Mrs. Xiao.
That dress
Is worth a lot more than what I charged your kids.
[all laugh]
And I think what you did this week
For your children was great.
Now, do you think my kids would fall for it?
Oh, no.
Your children are too smart.
[all laughing]
[all chattering]
[clinking]
Thank you, everyone, for coming.
For those who came to the house and gave money,
Victoria will make sure that you get it all back.
But I will keep the dress.
This is such a beautiful sendoff.
You have made this old lady very, very happy.
Facing death changes everything.
So dragon lady no more.
Life is so fragile.
We must cherish each day,
And all those who have a place in our hearts.
Next week, I will leave for china
With Mr. Chow Lin.
I will die where I was born.
But before I do,
I hope to take care of some unfinished business.
If there's any advice I can give, it is
Don't leave things till it's too late.
Well...
...Let's dance.
(music)
Mr. Wang, can I ask you something?
Of course.
You're licensed by the state so...
...How could you do this with my mom?
Victoria, we're Chinese.
[both laugh]
(music)
[inaudible dialogue]
(music)
[train horn honking]
{{{ the end }}}