-
Jesus, oh!
-
Oh God
-
No Metal in the microwave
-
No metal!
-
Martha, it's Robert
-
Just to let you know
to keep an eye peeled
-
for the first reviews of
your breathlessly awaited first novel
-
Word is, the Times is going to rave...
-
Talk later
-
Thanks
-
You look like shit
-
Where's Grandpa?
-
He's so cute with the headphones on
-
Hi Grandpa!
-
Do you think he remembers me?
-
Come on, it's a steal
You've got to see it
-
You'll have your own room to write in
-
Grandpa can be out in the back chopping
bricks or whatever he does out there
-
You'd never even know he existed
-
l wish he didn't
-
God, he's really getting you down
-
From the way Alex has acted
for the last 7 years
-
you'd have thought
he didn't have a father
-
And then boom, a month ago
this showed up on the doorstep
-
l haven't written a word since
-
Well, Alex has got
to get him out of here
-
lt's not that simple with Alex
-
and frankly we can't afford
to buy another place
-
let alone a mansion
-
Of course you can
-
especially if your mother's offer
is still good
-
Alex will never accept money from her
you know that
-
Work on Him!
-
For God sakes, Martha
you have a lot to learn about men
-
And you have a lot to learn
about husbands
-
Sorry
-
lt's okay. l'm getting a dog
-
Hi Alex!
-
Smells good Good Jimmy
-
Grandpa, l'm home
-
How's my boy!
-
What's that?
-
lt's a book l made for you
-
Animals that change
-
One day
-
l saw the most weird thing
-
lt was a turtle, a fish and a rat
-
They were in a puddle of potion
-
They grew
-
They destroy the universe. The end
-
Jeremy gets some ideas
-
Come on. Let's clean up for dinner
-
Dad, you shouldn't eat so much fat
at your age
-
How are you today?
-
Did you watch those tapes
l rented for you?
-
Terrible!
-
l'll get you some Taiwanese tapes
-
They'll be just as bad
-
Well, what about
some Hong Kong kung-fu movies?
-
The worst!
-
Their kung-fu's a joke
-
Dad! They're only acting
-
You're a Tai Chi professor
They can't compare
-
Damn, l can't learn English
-
lt's a disgrace to go back
-
My life is going nowhere
-
Dad
-
it hasn't even been a month
since you retired and came to America
-
Give yourself some time
-
Jeremy come here
come here you little rascal
-
Come here
-
Come here, Jeremy. Get off the couch
-
l don't have time for this, come here
-
Whoa!
-
My precious young man
running bare naked!
-
Let me see!
-
The future of the Chu family
is depending on your little treasure
-
What does he think he's doing?
-
That's all right
-
Chinese elders must always
reassure themselves
-
that their family name will go on
-
Come on Jeremy, upstairs with you!
-
She's afraid he'll catch cold
-
Kids aren't made out of paper
-
Thanks
-
Thanks
-
No, thanks
-
Why does this American woman
only eat vegetables?
-
She's afraid of getting fat
-
Why am l not fat?
-
On this Earth
there are two kinds of food
-
Cereal and vegetables are 'yin'
-
and meat is 'yang'
-
You must eat both to be balanced
-
and to be healthy
-
Alex, Linda came over today
-
Great
-
What's that supposed to mean?
-
Just great
-
What exactly do you have
against her anyway?
-
So what if she was a Maoist in college?
-
From Maoist revolutionary
to real estate baron
-
lf there's one thing worse
than a communist
-
it's an ex-communist
who has become a capitalist
-
Well, she's ready to do us
quite a big favor
-
Oh no. She's trying to sell us
a house again
-
What's she mumbling about? Nothing
-
Something about cigarette butts?
-
What?
-
Mommy said she wants to move out
-
Quiet!
-
Alex, l'm talking to you
-
Mommy, can l watch cartoons?
-
Here
-
put some meat on your bones!
-
l don't want it, thank you
-
Jeremy, finish your milk
and you can watch TV
-
What did she say?
-
lf he finishes his milk, he can watch TV
-
American people teach children
-
everything's a deal, like doing business
-
You should at least
take a look at the photos
-
lt's apparently a real steal
lf children can't concentrate on eating
-
what else can they concentrate on?
-
Yes, father
-
And, these American cartoons
-
are only adding weirdness and violence
-
to this messed up world
-
for children? lt's just a mess
-
Our sages said... Dad, eat!
-
Don't get upset. l'm just afraid
your dinner's getting cold
-
What has he been babbling about?
-
The violence in cartoons
-
How can he complain
he's martial arts expert himself
-
lsn't that violent enough?
-
Would you cut it out? Both of you!
-
Just eat
-
You finish up. l'm going out for a smoke
-
ln America, you're so polite to kids
You think so?
-
You don't treat kids as kids
-
lt's not so simple
-
lt's called democracy
-
No big and no little
-
l see, you understand America
better than me
-
Chinese Time
-
Jeremy, stop playing
-
Come on, time for homework
-
Alex
-
The teachers' Putonghua is poor
-
ls his Chinese school any good?
-
Don't be too picky!
-
We only have one Chinese school
around here
-
Every weekend
Jeremy learns some Chinese
-
l can play basketball
-
and you get to teach Tai Chi
-
Thanks God for it!
-
Let's follow what they teach
-
Eh! Not like that
-
Dad, l've got some things
to take care of
-
Jeremy, come on
-
Grandpa will teach you
an old Chinese rhyme
-
On East West Street, North South Go
-
Outside the gate, a man bites a dog!
-
Grab the dog to hit a brick
-
Watch out
that brick might bite the hand
-
Follow Grandpa
-
On East West Street
-
North South Go
-
Outside the gate a man bites a dog
-
Outside the gate a dog bites a man
-
a man bites a dog!
-
a man bites a dog!
-
Shit
-
Just one more sentence
-
Okay
-
How's your computer virus?
-
Almost killed
-
and when can l start reading
your new book?
-
There is no new book, can't you tell?
-
Shit Alex, are as out of it
as your father?
-
You don't know my father
-
l have spent every single day
-
in the same room with that man
since he showed up here a month ago
-
Alex, it's impossible
-
He's taken over my work room
-
l just don't have the space to think
-
Not enough space?
-
ln China, this house is big enough
for four families
-
Sure, but they'd speak the same language
so they could talk to each other
-
Alex he hasn't learned
one word of English
-
And what about you?
-
What have you done but make fun of him
treating him with disrespect?
-
Alex, l tried
-
l'm his only son
What do you want me to do?
-
You could at least consider moving
into a bigger place. We can afford it
-
No
-
l don't see
why we have to pay for his insurance
-
let him eat us out of house and home
-
when we can't accept a little loan
from my mother
-
lt's not a little loan, it's a bride
a big bride and you know it
-
You look a little freaked out here
-
Come on, let's go to bed
-
Good night Alex
-
Honestly Linda
l don't know why we're here
-
Come on, let's explore
-
Father-and-son
-
Father
-
Sweep
-
Step back
-
Collect
-
Hook
-
Step out
-
Single whip
-
Play guitar
-
Lean
-
White crane spreads its wing
-
Left hand ward off
-
Right hand attack
-
Excuse me, are you the instructor here?
-
l teach the cooking class
-
My name is Chen and you?
-
What's your name?
-
Chu
-
Master Chu
-
Please, we're all friends here
-
Don't call me master
-
Mr. Chu, l don't know
what our headmaster's thinking
-
my class is making dumplings, half-done
-
Some workmen just came in
to do some repairs
-
we have to leave
-
l see you have plenty of space here
-
could we move in
-
just this once?
-
Dumplings can be moved in
-
but they can't be moved out
-
We've also got scallion pancakes
and spring rolls!
-
Come on, let's help!
-
Thank you
-
Sink your chest
-
Stretch your back
-
lmagine a string pulling up your head
-
Sink lower your body
-
Master Chu
-
don't torture the child!
-
Look at all his weight
-
How can he 'sink his chest'?
-
Let him help me knead the dough
-
Oh, it's so difficult
-
Mrs. Chen, next week
l'll help you make dumplings
-
Can l enroll?
-
Next week, no dumplings
-
but General Tso's Special Chicken
-
Master Chu, would you please demonstrate
-
how to emit force with Pushing Hands?
-
Okay, let's try Thank you
-
My God, would that hurt?
-
Hey, Mr. Chu, try me
-
You're too heavy
-
So your kung-fu can only go so far!
-
Okay
-
Mr. Chu, can you take the fighting away?
-
Don't you see these burners
-
and the boiling water!
-
lt's alright if Heavyweight gets burned
but the dumplings!
-
lf you smash them
what're we going to eat?
-
We'll eat roast pigging!
-
Oh, okay!
-
Far enough? l'm ready Master!
-
What! Haven't you any eyes to see!
-
Sorry...!
-
l don't mean you!
-
lt's your Master who wasn't looking
-
of all the directions!
-
Why did you throw Heavyweight
right smack on the dumplings!
-
Excellent aim!
-
Okay! No dumplings today!
-
lnstead, we'll have sandy crab
scalded noodle lump soup!
-
l'm sorry
-
lt wasn't on purpose!
-
lt was on purpose
-
Are you okay? lt was on purpose!
-
Got mad
-
ln front of all these people
sooner or later
-
l knew you'd show off!
-
Sorry...!
-
Okay! Don't stand there with a red face!
-
Let's clean up!
-
Everyone helps!
-
No more Tai Chi Chuan!
We'll make dumplings!
-
Come... Did you hear that?
-
Master says no more Tai Chi!
-
Let's move
-
Oh my, what's this shape?
-
Hold on. Let me see your hands. Filthy!
-
Men, all of you wash your hands
-
Use soap! No dirty hands on my dumplings
-
ls that clear? Quick...
-
Mr. Chu, sit!
-
Let the young people stand
-
Come and sit
-
Not bad
-
Thin skin, plump stuffing, nice twist
-
lt's nothing
-
Northerners like making things
from dough
-
Are you from Peking? Yes
-
How long have you been here?
-
Just over a month
-
Are you used to it here?
-
lf l was
would l be here messing around?
-
Watch what you're saying, l'm here too
-
l don't mean that
-
America is a world for young people
-
Are you also from Peking?
-
Do l seem like l am?
-
By your accent, yes;
the way you look, no
-
That's right
-
1949, l went with my husband to Taiwan
to escape the Communists
-
And Mr. Chen is... He's dead
-
His name wasn't Chen
-
Not long after we arrived in Taiwan
he got liver cancer and passed away
-
l'm called Mrs. Chen
-
because of my second husband
-
Oh
-
and Mr. Chen?
-
He's dead too, just last year
-
Life and death, it's fate
-
Riches and rags are given by the gods
You just accept it. Everything is destiny
-
Sure...
-
Earlier this year, l left Taiwan
came to live with my daughter
-
Every Saturday, l bring my granddaughter
here to study Chinese
-
Are you used to it here?
-
How did you put it just now?
-
lf l wasn't so bored at home
-
how could your Heavyweight
have smashed my dumplings?
-
A computer couldn't have aimed
more accurately
-
Destiny, it's all destiny
-
That's right!
-
What kung-fu!
-
What's the matter?
-
Since last year
sometimes my right arm just gives out
-
when l pick up something a little heavy
-
lt's helpless
-
Have you seen a doctor? Yes
-
Chinese doctors, western doctors
-
accupressure, acupuncture
herbal remedies, shots, medicine
-
l've tried everything
but getting a spell cast on me
-
l'm just old
-
Mrs. Chen, l don't want to sound
like a self-promoter
-
but practising Tai Chi will heal your arm
-
Okay, spare me!
-
Haven't l suffered enough in this life?
-
Practise? l won't be that stupid enough
-
No, when you practise Tai Chi
your circulation and energy will flow
-
l've let go, l'm not holding on
-
Energy must be released to me
-
When its released there's no tension
and one feels at ease
-
What's up?
-
The review, l can't find it
-
When you arrive at old age
everything is quiet
-
There the gentle wind passes through
the pine forest
-
15 minutes to practice Okay
-
When the moon is rising
and shining on the mountain
-
l only want to go to the familiar forest
l reply with a simple fisherman's song
-
Alex
-
Yes?
-
Does New York have a place
to mat Chinese calligraphy?
-
Who's the present for?
-
You know, last week
l smashed Mrs. Chen's dumplings
-
l was so embarrassed
l want to give her this
-
l'm just afraid she'll laugh
at my calligraphy
-
Come on Dad
-
we know you're good
-
What's the matter?
-
They've ignored the book
-
Just pretended it doesn't exist
-
lt'll be in next week
-
What's a matter with her?
-
There's no review of her book
-
Years from now
we'll all be lying peacefully underground
-
What's the big deal?
-
Dad, when're we going? Coming
-
What is it?
-
A stomach cramp or something
Nothing important
-
Do you want to lie down on the couch?
-
What's wrong with her?
-
A stomach cramp
-
Let me take a look. Make her lie down
-
Dad said he wants to take a look at it
-
He knows this kind of thing
He does?
-
He's an expert
-
She's too tense
something's wrong with her stomach
-
You're too tight
Thanks for letting me know
-
Tell her to relax
-
Just relax
-
What happened? Mom!
-
Oh my god! Get away from me! Relax!
-
What did you do to her?
-
Her stomach's bleeding!
Quick get her to the hospital!
-
l want to go too Jeremy, be good
-
You broke Mama
-
Jeremy wants a goldfish, right?
-
Here's a big tail
-
Big eyes and thick lips
-
And wings
-
What's Martha's condition?
-
Her stomach was bleeding
She has to stay in the hospital
-
How's Mommy?
-
Oh
-
Mommy is all right
She just needs a little rest, okay?
-
l didn't do anything to her
-
Her tension caused her stomach to bleed
-
l know that
-
Can l go to the hospital with you?
-
Dad
-
ls this the calligraphy you want matted?
-
Go take care of Martha
-
Don't bother about me
-
Can l have some macaroni
and cheese please?
-
Wait until Sunday
when your mother comes home, all right?
-
Master Chu Hello everybody!
-
Master Chu, they tell me
your kung-fu is great
-
Last week, you barely touched Mr. Sung
and you sent him flying
-
And you threw Heavyweight
right on the dumplings
-
Nah, where's Mrs. Chen then?
-
l don't know. She's not coming anymore
l'm the new teacher
-
Not teach? Yes
-
Why? l don't know
-
You can ask them
-
Her family's going to that other school
north of here
-
lf you want to contact her, you can ask
the principal about her telephone number
-
Okay, l'll go for my class
-
ls this General Tso's Special Chicken?
-
No, we aren't making chicken
This is to make 'eoly ice'
-
'Eoly ice'? Yes
-
Oily rice. Oh yes, OlLY RlCE!
-
Hey, do you want us to bring the oily
rice over so you can throw Heavyweight in?
-
Alex, will you make a call for me?
-
Mrs. Chen's family
doesn't come here anymore
-
l still have to
-
give her the calligraphy
-
No one's home. lt's their machine
-
Yici Chen. This is Alex Chu
-
My Dad has a present to give your mother
-
Give us a call
-
at 287-0425. Thanks
-
How can you talk like that?
-
Like what?
-
l'm not going to the hospital
with you to see Martha
-
Take me home to wait for the call
-
Relax Dad, they're not going anywhere
-
l can't communicate with Martha
-
You'll be there for hours
and all l can do is stare into space
-
Okay
-
Hey mister, don't kid me
-
l never kid anybody
-
Hello... lt's me
-
Mrs. Chen?
-
Why weren't you at school?
-
Yes...
-
Don't listen to my kid. What nonsense!
-
lt's not a present
-
l'm still embarrassed
-
about what l did to your class last week
-
Okay. How about this?
-
Tomorrow at 1 1 :00, my son's going to get
his wife at the hospital
-
We'll come by at 10:30
-
Okay...
-
lt's nothing
-
She's a small stomach problem
-
Right, then
-
see you tomorrow
-
Hello, Uncle Chu!
-
Not at all, welcome!
-
Mother, they come!
-
How are you, Yici?
-
Hi! Hi, Jeremy Hi, auntie
-
Why are you all guarding the door?
-
Come in, sit down!
-
Sorry, we've got to get to the hospital
to pick up my wife
-
Oh, you can't be late then
-
ls your wife, all right?
-
What am l talking about!
-
She's getting out of the hospital
-
Mr. Chu, how are you?
-
Good, Mrs. Chen, at your new school
-
is there a cooking class?
-
Not until l showed up
-
There's a kung-fu class too
-
But it's only Karate
-
They don't have grace
-
Better than Tai Chi Chuan
-
they sound much tougher
-
but they can't throw anywhere near
as far as you!
-
Dad, we'd better get going
-
l planned for you to stay for lunch
-
but you've got to get to the hospital
-
l won't keep you
-
for dinner
-
Next time Thanks and bye
-
Uh, you stopped by today to?
-
Ah! l forget
-
You shouldn't have. Thank you
-
l'm going to hang it up right away
-
lt's nothing
-
Drive carefully!
-
Bye
-
Good bye!
-
Bye!
-
What's the rush!
We didn't even get the scroll open!
-
Thanks!
-
Toothache?
-
There isn't much you can do
But you sure have a lot of problems
-
Mr. Philips called
-
Jeremy received the lowest
reading scores in the gifted class again
-
That school is too distracting for him
-
No Alex, we're too distracting for him
-
He's only responding
to the situation at home
-
Then change it
-
What's your problem?
-
What's your problem?
-
l ain't got any problem
-
Get back in the car, Alex!
-
Shut up!
-
Great
-
Martha
-
What do you want? l go for a walk
-
A walk? l don't know
-
l don't want to see you getting lost
-
Smoking
-
You know, in a way
l'm kind of baby sitting you
-
l'll just hang around, won't go far
Do you understand what l'm saying to you?
-
All right. Go ahead
-
What do l care?
-
Oh Jeremy, where'd you get those?
-
Teddy gave them to me
-
Well go put them away
-
Go on. Go get yourself cleaned up
-
Dad
-
What're you looking for? Dad
-
Where's he?
-
Oh
-
Where's he?
-
ls he back? No
-
Did you check with the police?
-
Alex, l'm sorry
l should've been more careful
-
But l'm... uh... with the book
-
ln some ways, your father is more and
more like a child cooped up here with me
-
And l can't talk to him
-
l was trying to write
-
l had a feeling that
he was gonna get himself lost
-
just like a kid
trying to get some attention
-
l grew up believing
you should care for your parents
-
the way they care for you
-
My father is a part of me
-
Why can't you accept that?
-
l know. l tried
-
Just leave me alone
-
Oh my god. You've found him
Thanks God he's safe
-
We're looking for Mr. Alex Chu
-
Alex is still out
looking for his father. l'm his wife
-
Okay. Mr. Chu, you take care of yourself
All right?
-
Thank you very much officers
-
Alex is still out looking for you
Are you hungry?
-
Thirsty?
-
You really should eat something
-
l'm sorry too. Alex is furious
-
Jesus How did you get so drunk?
-
Where did you go?
-
l was just walking around
-
and l lost sight of the church steeple
my landmark
-
Policemen brought him back two hours ago
-
You're back, that's good
-
What are you doing?...
What're you doing, Alex?
-
Nothing
-
l know this wall, it isn't thick
-
What are you doing?...
-
Mommy
-
Calm down...
-
Jeremy, Dad isn't feeling well
-
he'll be all right
-
Let me talk to him
-
Dad banged his head by accident
-
Do you need a band aid?
-
Okay
-
Jeremy... is the good one
-
who knows better than Mommy and Grandpa
how to care for Daddy
-
l haven't seen you that drunk
since the night we got married
-
That drunk? Yeah
-
Well, my head is clear now
-
What're you mumbling about?
-
l've made up my mind already
-
About what?
-
The old man has got to go
-
l'll send him
to an old people's apartment
-
Are you sure?
-
l really don't have too much choice
-
l'll go tell him right now
-
Come in
-
Dad, why didn't you get up
and exercise today?
-
Aren't you feeling well?
-
What's wrong?
-
l probably caught cold
from being outside too long last night
-
l'm going to call a doctor
-
You've got important business at work
-
Don't waste your time on me
-
Come on Dad, cut it out!
You're never sick
-
if you don't feel well
it must be serious
-
l'll find a doctor for you
-
Why get sick now?
The vital organs aren't in harmony
-
The circulation's blocked
That's why l'm sick
-
Dad, Ma's been gone for so many years
-
and you've never wanted
to look at her picture
-
l couldn't face her
-
Do you remember this scar!?
-
The day when the red guards
came to our house
-
they knew they couldn't hurt me
-
so they took it out on you
and your mother
-
l only had this one body!
-
ln protecting you
l couldn't protect your mother
-
When they finally stopped their beating
she was too gravely injured to survive
-
ln this one life
l can never face your mother again
-
but l can face you!
-
lt's been so many years
-
why talk about it now?
-
l feel stifled
-
Let me tell you something
-
compared to loneliness
persecution is easy
-
Look at how much hardship
-
and injustice l've endured
-
in the last 40 years
-
Their tortures only inspired me
to perfect my kung-fu
-
To study the Soft lnternal Style
of Strength
-
we pursue more refined states of being
-
with the loss of tension
we attain concentration
-
And from that one
we achieve carefree nothingness
-
but this is nearly impossible to attain
-
Yes, it's easy to have physical strength
but inner strength is harder to practise
-
Go on, don't bullshit me!
-
Okay, l'll go call a doctor
-
Do me a favor
and call the Chinese school principal
-
tell him l can't teach
the class on Saturday
-
Okay. You'll go when you're better
-
l'm not going anymore
-
Why?
-
The students always want me to show off
l hate that
-
Then what will you do on the weekends?
-
Why don't we change
to that school north of here
-
You mean with Mrs. Chen?
-
No! They say it'll be good
for Jeremy's studies
-
l heard they're much stricter
-
How about it?
-
So did you tell him?
-
He's sick. Caught a cold from last night
-
l couldn't tell him
-
l hope it's not serious
-
No, l don't think so
-
But l'd better take him to the doctor's
-
l've got a great idea
-
about what to do with him
without hurting anyone's feelings
-
What's that?
-
Just be patient
-
Promise me, you'll be nice to him
for the time being
-
Okay? Go on!
-
What? Nothing
-
Then why do you keep looking
at your watch?
-
Nothing
-
Hello... yes, l am. Yici
-
How's the picnic? Thanks
-
Sorry for bothering you again
-
Yes, it's great weather
-
and great for a picnic
-
Unfortunately
he doesn't have much energy now
-
lf he got sick again, it'll be trouble
-
Take a break
-
Say thank you to Chen Mama for me
-
Okay
-
Don't hang up Hold on
-
Who said l'm sick?
-
l didn't say sick, l said energy
-
No energy - means you need to get out!
-
My father says he's fine
-
he'd like to get some exercises
-
Let's use our plan then Okay
-
Okay, that's settled then
-
Bye
-
Right
-
How can it be healthy
-
to stay home all the time!
-
Ma, l've already had two
-
Have more
-
Here Yi-yi Thank you
-
Kids should eat more
-
Jeremy
-
No, thanks
-
Have more!
-
Help yourself, don't worry about him
-
Have another piece No...
-
There's lots of meat
-
no point is saving it
-
l have to leave some room for tonight
-
lt's the middle of the day
-
You're a big man!
-
Come on!
-
l haven't eaten since yesterday morning
-
l'm preparing for the dinner
you're cooking tonight
-
You stupid one
-
Nonsense! Here
-
He's reaching middle age
-
he's afraid of fat
-
cholesterol, and high blood pressure
Give it to me
-
Ma, again?
-
Yes, damn it
-
Can you give me a little massage?
-
Let me take a look
-
How can l let you do that?
-
lt's okay
-
Did you find the spot?
-
This is trouble
-
lf it's trouble, leave it alone No
-
There's too little flow
and too much blood
-
This kind of problem
is called Mid-Spring Paralysis
-
Now try to move the pinky toe
on your left foot
-
Did you feel that subtle pain?
-
So, l was right
-
When this illness gets serious
-
you'll get a spasm under your knee
sore waist
-
you back will give out
your neck will tense up
-
you won't be able to lift your arm
-
and your muscles will be stretched
between your armpits in one tight knot
-
Enough! ln a minute
-
you'll be looking right through
at all my internal organs!
-
Let me see
-
lt's her right shoulder that's stiff
-
He knows!
-
He was rubbing your left hand
-
Shush!
-
lt's burning Burning?
-
Your meat, on the barbeque
-
Why don't you pay attention
to your own business
-
Mr. Chu, thank you
-
l've just begun
-
You've got a complicated problem
-
lt would take over a year of treatment
to get results
-
What a bother!
Okay, don't break me apart
-
Jeremy, let's go play frisbee
-
Oh goody, goody
-
l would like looking
-
Don't go too far, you hear me?
Okay
-
Mr. Chu, your kung-fu is so powerful
-
how do you manage
to have such elegant calligraphy?
-
l'm ashamed to talk about it
-
My grandfather
was a Ching Dynasty Scholar
-
my father was one of the founders
-
of the Nationalist government
-
My son is a Ph D in computer science
-
ln the middle of this line
-
there's worthless me
-
Fate and circumstances
-
pushed me to spend my life
-
practising martial arts
-
You shouldn't say that
-
l had bad health when l was a kid
-
l'm an only son
-
My family was worried
-
They took one of the doctor's advice
-
which is, and made me practise kung-fu
-
l couldn't take the rough styles
-
l could only take the gentle styles
like Tai Chi Chuan
-
Who would have thought that
a couple years later
-
l was completely vigorous and healthy
-
At 30
-
l won a national
Tai Chi Pushing Hands Championship
-
Exercising the body
and teaching students
-
That's a relatively simple
trouble-free life
-
What's good?
-
Since the communist liberation
l've been persecuted in every movement
-
Let's not talk about it
-
Teaching students has hurt me so much
-
Yes
-
Have you gone back to see your old home
and relatives since Taiwan loosened up?
-
Last year
-
l went back but l don't have any
close relative just a few nieces
-
and nephews
-
Still, a reunion with your family
-
it must have been a happy time
-
Not really
-
When l left, they weren't born
-
l felt like Santa Claus
-
giving so many gifts
-
None of them were born when l left!
-
Peking seemed to have
-
lost its flavor
-
the old warmth was gone
-
But l was very young
when l left 40 years ago
-
maybe my memories are mistaken
-
Anyway
-
l don't know what it was
-
everything seemed unreal. l couldn't
put my old and new impression together
-
Your impressions are not mistaken
-
Peking has changed a lot
-
ls that so?
-
When l talk with you, l feel closer
to you than with my neighbors in Peking
-
Really?
-
Relax, don't move
-
Ma, you're still in one piece
-
You child!
-
We're going to take the kids up the hill
-
Don't go too far Okay
-
Don't leave us here!
-
l'm going with you
-
Ma, it's a steep climb
-
You won't make it
-
l'll take it slow
-
Come on! Let's get everything cleaned up
-
and put in the car
-
Let the young folks go ahead
-
You take it slow
-
No, l'm fine
-
How come your son-in-law
didn't come today?
-
Gone... gone... a... way on bus...
-
business
-
lf he weren't away we wouldn't have you
over for dinner
-
Don't mention him
-
He makes me angry
-
What about your daughter-in-law?
-
Ah... let's go
-
Chen Mama, it's too much for you
Let's go down
-
Nonsense! Let's go!
-
Don't run so fast, wait for me
-
Hey!
-
The young are so energetic
-
They can't slow down. Let them go ahead
-
l'll climb slowly with you. Why not
sit down and rest a bit
-
l'm old, useless
-
No one wants me
-
We're out for fun
Why get mad at the kids?
-
How can you be so developed in kung-fu
and not have any insight?
-
They set us up
-
Set us up?
-
Your precious son came
to our house last week
-
and arranged for my daughter
-
to call and invite you
-
They thought l was taking a nap
-
but l heard everything
-
Can't be?
-
How come
-
at our age
-
we don't have any self-respect?
-
Letting two children manipulate us!
-
What is this?
-
l'm old and useless
-
Son, thank you for your good will
-
trying to fix me up with Mrs. Chen
-
But we still have our pride
No need to drive me out
-
l have the sense to leave on my own
-
You know the saying
'lt's easier to struggle together
-
than to pass happy days together'
-
l never imagined
-
this would apply to us
-
ln China
-
we managed to stay happily together
through so many bitter times
-
but here in America
with so many fine material things
-
it seems there's no place
in your home for me
-
Comparing the two
-
l can't help but recall the days
when you were a small lovely boy
-
Don't look for me
-
Enjoy your life with your family
-
l wish you all the best
-
lf you have time
-
send my regards to Mrs. Chen
and her daughter
-
The world is so big
l'll find a little room
-
where l can spend my worthless old age
-
Life passes before one's eyes like smoke
nothing but emptiness
-
One shouldn't set
one's heart on anything
-
Father
-
Thank you, come again
-
Bye-bye
-
Please, faster
-
if l can't put out the soup
my other dishes can't go out
-
l'll wash you a bowl
-
Sorry
-
Thanks
-
Old Chu, l beg you please, faster
-
Coming...
-
Why do you keep sending out
the take-out orders?
-
There's guests at the tables
with nothing to eat!
-
And a line around the block!
-
We can't put out the food
-
without dishes!
-
Yesterday at the employment agency
you said you had experience!
-
More or less
-
l'm running a business to make money
-
not to invite you for dinner
-
What do you mean more or less
This is less!
-
Yeah... don't get mad, l'm hurrying
-
You have to soak the honey banana
ball plates in hot water
-
Don't just scrape them!
-
You break the plate, you pay for it!
Yes...
-
Hey, Boss
-
Do us a favor, let's quit selling
those dick-haired honey banana balls?
-
lt's hard for us to make and
hard for him to wash. lt's not worth it
-
l'll decide if it's worth it
-
lf you don't like making them
go work somewhere else
-
Just a good hearted suggestion
-
Thanks!
-
What are you three guys stuck here for?
-
Waiting for bowls
-
Can't you do something else
while you wait?
-
Are your brain dead?
-
There's nothing else to do?!
-
Are the Mu Shu Pork pancakes steamed?
-
ln the steamer
-
The pickled cabbage is out
-
The wontons are boiling
-
the forks are cleaned
-
the tables are cleared
the checks are paid
-
Chu
-
here's today's pay
-
Thank you
-
This isn't working out
-
Don't come tomorrow
-
l'll find someone else
-
Boss he's going okay now
-
Enough
-
No Problem
-
there were enough dishes
-
What do mean enough dishes, no problem?
-
lt was only after the dinner rush hour
-
that thing returned to normal
-
Don't be pleading for him
because he's old
-
Lots of young guys
would fight for the chance
-
to make 700 dollars a month
washing dishes
-
Why should l have an old man?
-
l'm not running an old folks home
-
Boss, please give me another chance
-
We all have to start somewhere. Right?
-
Okay... One more chance
-
Thank you
-
ls Sargeant Warren there?
-
lt's Alex Chu... yes
-
No?
-
Thanks Sargeant. Bye bye
-
Linda. lt's Alex
-
Let's have a talk... about the house
-
Hey, congratulations on your review:
A bold new voice in women's fiction
-
Better late then never
-
l'm really proud of you, although
-
it makes me feel like l should quit
my job and become a painter
-
ln the meantime, all l do is eat
-
Maybe you're pregnant
-
Sure, if you believe
in immaculate conception
-
l'm even thinking of going to my high
school reunion to see
-
if there are any aging jocks
still available
-
Linda
-
Well at least l have my work
How's yours going?
-
Two chapters this week
-
Oh, more travails of study pioneer women
-
Actually
l've written in a Chinese family
-
The father brought over to work
on the railroads
-
Don't tell me you miss the old geezer?
-
Of course not
-
Runaway Grandpa
-
l'm gonna have nightmares
for the rest of my life
-
imagining his face
on the side of my milk cartons
-
lt's sad
-
And Alex...
-
He blames you, does he?
-
No, he's just anxious. l blame myself
-
How can l let you do this?
-
You'd better do your own work
-
Don't worry about me
-
Once l get busy
l won't be able to help you anyway
-
Wu, thanks a lot
-
but everyone's got work to do
-
Don't treat me special. l'll manage
-
Chu, this is for you, l got someone
-
Boss, l've been doing all right
-
Eight bowls, five plates
-
it's only 6:30p.m.
-
You need those two to help you
-
What happens at 7:30
-
when the guests
are lined up outside the door?
-
He didn't ask for help
we volunteered
-
You volunteered, fine!
He asked for help, fine!
-
l don't care
l can't take any risks tonight
-
Liu go downstairs
and get yourself an apron
-
Here's ten dollars
take it or leave it
-
Boss, why do you have to treat
an old man this way?
-
l'll wash faster
-
Not just faster but clean too!
-
Come on, cut the crap, go!
-
This is money
-
Have you heard that before?
-
Probably not, being from the mainland
-
l know everything's shared there
working more gets you nothing
-
Four decades of such thinking produced
-
all you lazy bums
-
Who are you calling a lazy bums?
-
Eh? What's wrong? You don't accept that?
-
Then go back to China and live off
your relatives. Go on!
-
No one's stopping you
-
l'm telling you, this is America
-
There's no communal property
-
You have to earn everything
-
yourself!
-
lf you want to be American
then why don't you go all the way
-
and buy dishwasher
-
lt'll wash faster and cleaner
-
Yeh! l'm offering you ten dollars
-
because l respect your age
-
l'm saving face for you
-
if you don't want that
-
l'll throw you out!
-
See if you can
-
Don't think l won't touch you
because you're old
-
Come try me!
-
lf you can move me half a step
l won't say another word
-
l'll turn and leave
-
Don't
-
So the old geezer knows kung-fu
-
No wonder you dared
be so arrogant with me!
-
Oww! Li, Wu, help me!
-
l'm not getting involved in this
-
Cooks, Chang, Chien, get over here!
-
Boss, this is none of our business
-
Do you want to keep working here?
-
Quick
-
Old Chu, don't get angry
-
but we've all got families
to take care of
-
We'll just move you half a step, okay?
-
Then the business will keep going
Everyone, thank you
-
Come on, careful now
-
Get him!
-
Liu, help out!
-
Wu, help!
-
Go and help
-
Chu, you're a hero. We can't move you
-
We brothers apologize
-
Boss Huang, we quit
-
Go find yourself some of those thick
skinned types with big muscles
-
l can't take this
-
Hey, you can't all leave!
-
Okay! l'm calling
every employment agency!
-
Don't think you'll work
in New York again!
-
Fuck you You
-
All right tough guy!
The business is closed tonight
-
But l'm calling the cops on you!
-
l don't have a green card
You hired me illegally
-
They'll find you three thousand dollars
-
l'm telling you
-
l'll move you without the cops!
-
Thank you, come again
-
Grab him! He's like an eel
-
He's like a slimy fish
-
Yeah, l've seen this kind before
-
Ten police officers
from the Fifth Precinct
-
were injured earlier this evening
in a brawl inside a Chinatown restaurant
-
Helen Wong reports
-
Shirley l'm standing
in front of the Lai Fu restaurant
-
The owner Frankie Huang
-
tried to fire his 70-year old dishwasher
here earlier this evening
-
But Huang got more than he bargained for
-
Because the man he tried to fire Mr. Chu
refused to leave the restaurant
-
Alex
-
Police said that
Mr. Chu is a Tai Chi master
-
and he let lose a 1 30 pounds
of martial arts fury
-
And hurt over
a dozen of New York's finest
-
Now it appears that Mr. Chu's being led
out of the restaurant by the police
-
and is being put into a squad car
and taken to the precinct and be arrested
-
Reporting live, Helen Wong
now back to you at the studio
-
He's been like this
ever since he came in
-
The entire time he has been here
-
he hasn't said anything
nor has he eaten or drunk anything
-
l tell you l don't know
if he's meditating or sleeping
-
lf you don't mind me saying so Mr. Chu
-
it's... kind of depressing
-
l'll let you go in and talk to him
-
Thank you officer
-
Any time
-
Dad
-
Ah, attaining nothingness isn't easy
-
Dad, we've bought a new house
-
it's much bigger than the old one
-
What for?
-
l'm here to take you home
-
Home? Whose home?
-
My home is your home!
-
Forget it. l see clearly now
-
the only thing that matters
is that you have a happy life
-
lf you want to show me
some filial respect
-
get me
-
an apartment in Chinatown
-
Let me peacefully pass my days there
disciplining my spirit
-
ln your free time
bring the boy to see me
-
This way when we get together
-
there'll still be some good feelings
-
Dad
-
all these years
l've studied and worked hard
-
and built my family
-
in order that one day
l could bring you to America
-
so you could have some good days
in your life
-
Dad!
-
Alex, can you give a hand up here?
-
Okay, coming up
-
ls this straight?
-
Lower in the left
-
Yeah, it's fine
-
Do you think
he'll ever spend a night here?
-
Oh, yes. As long as Jeremy is here
Grandpa will visit
-
Jeremy wants to be a Tai Chi master
-
Why didn't you ever learn
any Tai Chi from your father?
-
You know, for Dad
Tai Chi was a way to escape from reality
-
Even when he did pushing hands, for him
-
it was a way to avoid other people
-
Pushing hands?
-
Yeah, it's like Tai Chi for two
-
A way of keeping your balance
-
while unbalancing your opponent
-
Like marriage... only kidding
-
Okay, you stand like this...
-
Balanced? Yup
-
lf you try to unbalance me
-
l simply avoid your energy
-
and turn it back on you
-
Relax
-
Don't resist and don't break contact
-
Feel it?
-
Step out and collect
-
Moving up on left
-
Collect and moving up
-
Turn to right
-
Hugging your back
-
Hand down
-
Turn back and attack
-
Get back
-
Spread your legs
-
Get in
-
Squat down
-
Collect
-
Swing hands and step forward
-
Moving forward
-
Get in and spread your fingers
-
Step back and collect
-
Hook
-
Get in
-
Sweep
-
Turn hands
-
Single whip
-
Very good...
-
Relax, relax your whole body
-
Relax your hip and lower down
-
Relax...
-
Good, raise your arms up
-
Relax little
and eyes looking in the distance
-
Mrs. Chen, long time no see
-
You've come a long way to buy groceries
-
No, not far. l live in the area
-
Your daughter moved?
-
No, l moved
-
That's great!
Living on your own, you're free
-
You can do whatever you want
-
l just finished shopping
-
saw it was early
and decided to stop by your class
-
How did you know l was teaching here?
-
Wow! Who doesn't know
about the hero old Mr. Chu
-
famous all over Chinatown
-
The TV news showed that you knocked flat
-
a gang of American police
and Chinese hoodlums
-
From what l can see if
-
Tai Chi Chuan
could be practised upside down
-
the ceiling of this old age centre
-
would be packed with your students
-
You're making fun of me!
-
l'm speaking the truth
-
did you make a fortune?
-
No way
-
Every morning l come here
and pass the time with the students
-
Anyway we old folks
-
have nothing but time to kill
-
l earn my own money
-
and don't take anybody's flack
-
That's why l always say
-
you can't hold everything inside
-
Sometimes you've got to lose your temper
to straighten things out
-
The kids are grown up
-
lf we old folks don't
take care of ourselves
-
who will?
-
You're right
-
ls your shoulder better?
-
Better?
-
At my age, l just thank the heavens
-
that it doesn't get worse
-
l don't know kung-fu like you
-
But is it convenient living alone?
-
lt's all right
-
My daughter comes to see me every two
or three weeks
-
when she goes shopping around here
-
she cooks and eats with me
-
Uhhhh. That's good. Alex
and his family do the same
-
You'd better take care of your students
l'm leaving now
-
When you're free, stop by
-
We're neighbours now
-
Well, take care
-
You too
-
Mrs. Chen!
-
Why did you come out?
-
To see if you had left
-
The sun is so pleasant today
-
l was thinking, l'm just one person
-
l could go home or stay out
both would be good
-
Anyway, standing here
l got lost in thought
-
Where do you live?
-
l live in that building, number 1068
-
l live in that building, number 20101
-
Stop by for a visit sometime
-
Do you have anything
to do this afternoon?
-
Uh... Nothing
