Breakfast Lunch Dinner (2010) - full transcript
Helmed by three female directors, this omnibus features three films set in China, Thailand and Singapore respectively. Each story occurs at a specific mealtime, and seeks to interpret the frailties and complexities of love through different Asian perspectives. All three stories are tethered with the question, "Will you marry me?" Mirroring the repasts themselves, Breakfast and Dinner are heavier in tone, while Lunch is light with a sprinkle of humor.
The cold air will affect Nanjing for 3 days
and cause temperatures to fall tonight
Tomorrow's temperature
will range between 6 and 16 °C
The wind force will reach 5 to 6
on the Beaufort Scale...
If we look at it,
there's an overwhelming sense of sadness
The fate of two generations.
The fate of her family
Also, I feel that this seems
to make a woman's fate tragic
Yes, she's Pakistan's
first female Prime Minister
The world's youngest female Prime Minister
The first of a few...
What is that? A compass?
Yes
Planning to travel?
No, just for fun
What is so fun about that?
I never seem to get my directions right
around this area
You are not local?
I've been here for 2 years
but I always lose my bearings
in this area
I don't mean to brag.
Not knowing this side of the city is normal
I have driven for many years
The local drivers are ok
but those from other places will be lost
Due to the lake ahead
which you'll see in a bit
It obstructs the road.
So we have to build the tunnel and viaduct
Comrades, your attention please
North-bound Train No 454
leaving the West Station is at Platform 2
Comrades, your attention please
North-bound Train No 454
leaving the West Station is at Platform 2
Passengers at the end of the queue:
purchase your tickets from Counters 10, 11 and 12
Tickets to all cities within the next
9 days are available at these 3 counters
Passengers at the end of the queue:
purchase your tickets from Counters 10, 11 and 12
Tickets to all cities within the next
9 days are available at these 3 counters
Mei!
Have you been waiting long?
Not really.
It was too stuffy inside so I came out
I was writing my articles till late last night.
And slept at 3am
I woke up late.
Tried calling you, but your mobile phone was turned off
I fell asleep on the train
And realised later
that my phone had run out of battery
I called you from that public phone
Where shall we go now?
Let us walk around first
My flatmate will leave around noon
Oh
He has been working overtime
And can only leave at noon
When you are here for good
We will find a new place for ourselves
Let's eat something first?
How long have you not had breakfast?
Let's leave. It is very noisy everywhere
The train heading in the direction
of the Olympic Stadium is arriving
Please do not stay close to the door
And wait behind the safety line
When boarding, please take note of the gap
between the platform and the door
Are these for your publisher?
No, I simply take them for fun
It has become a habit
Whenever I pass by a newsstand,
I'll take a picture
I got this at the outdoor adventure shop
Why buy such a multi-purpose gadget?
You do not go camping
It's entertaining
Take it, since you run around so much
This may come in handy
The next station:
Mingji Hospital Zhongsheng Stop
Please alight
from the right side of the train
Waitress, 2 bowls of wonton
The temperature is so low
It's only slightly above 10 °C
Thank you
60% humidity
It's rather comfortable
Not as dry as the north
Where can I buy this?
You can get this anywhere.
Even in the supermarkets
Are you getting one?
Another multi-purpose gadget
It is good to have one at home
I can know my surroundings anytime
So?
It's good to know
You're from the north?
Just arrived here?
You're still not used to the climate here,
I suppose
She is. I am from Chungming
Oh, Chungming. That's near Shanghai
Quite a big island
Are you new here?
I have never seen you before
This is my uncle's restaurant
Will be torn down soon
The workers have all left
so I am here to help
Oh...
The state is going to lay the tracks here
Hello. How do I get to Bai Xia Road?
Let me take a look
From here you go through Ji Qing Gateway
Turn left and you will be
at Sheng Zhou Road
Then go past two junctions.
Turn left again and you'll be there
So troublesome
Yes. The traffic there is one-way.
So be careful
Okay, thank you
These were taken a few months ago
My instincts have been very sharp recently
It happens
that whenever I want to go to a place
There'll be matters I need to go there
Perfect opportunities
to take some pictures for my thesis
Where were these taken?
This is East Lake in Wuhan
This seems fun
This is Hou-hai
It is already freezing in the north
And many were playing ice hockey
over the frozen lakes
This is Lake Jinyang in Taiyuan
It has become a dumping ground
for industrial water
The power plant next to it
discharges hot water into the lake
The hot water
comes into contact with the ice
Forming these white lines
It's rather peculiar
When you get closer to the lake
You'll hear a very strange noise
coming from it
Something like the sound of a motor
You must be exhausted
Having gone to so many places
Every place is quite fun
But staying at one place
can be rather boring
Wonton
Thanks
I attended Xiao Shi's wedding last month
They have to eat dumplings
when they get married
Supposedly symbolise
the kneading together of 2 lives
It's rather interesting
The wonton I used to eat
were those small ones
The size of my thumb
It was only when I got to the south
That I realised there are bigger ones
Like dumplings in the north
Those old classmates of ours
Are getting married one after another
When are we getting married?
It's still too early. Why think about it?
Waitress. Do you have any more chilli?
On the next table
Oh, sorry
The weather's got colder.
Eating chilli keeps you warm
How nice if we could be like the birds
They migrate to warmer regions
when the weather turns cold
Just like that place
It must be very comfortable over there now?
Have you thought of what to do
after graduation?
To look for a job or continue studying?
There'll be a few recruitment fairs
these few days
Like to go take a look?
We'll see
Have you thought of changing your job?
You can be a photographer at National Geographic,
for example
I can then move around with you
Me?
I prefer to be led
Sleepy?
My flatmate should be leaving soon
Would you like to sit for a while
Or would you prefer to go elsewhere?
How about going for a movie?
The theatre should open soon
Thelasttime,
we could still go rowing in the park
But the lake is almost frozen now
We can't possibly go to the park, can we?
Want a ride? Sightseeing on a coach
- No need
- The park is very big
There's really no need
It's a guided tour of the park
You can stop at scenic spots to take photos
I can even take you to the lover's garden
No, we will walk
We are now having a discount
for the off-peak season
It's only half the price
I really think it's fine
You will regret it
Where are we now?
Let me see... We are here
There's a bird sanctuary there
The bird sanctuary is on that island
Are we also on an island now?
Yes
You can only tell it's an island
when you're a distance away
But not when you're standing on it
When I was 10,
my father first took me out of Chungming
Only then did I realise
I was living on an island
My father fell ill last month
I wanted to return to the island
to visit him
But I had a whole pile of write-ups
to be completed
So I applied for leave
Perhaps the editor had been unhappy
with me recently
He told me to complete all my work
before taking leave
It was actually a whole heap
of useless reports
Anyone could have done it
I worked through the night
And the next morning,
without even washing up
I went to the office to submit my papers
On the way home
I took a bus
I felt really sad and unjustified
The bus was very packed
I fell asleep
When the bus made an abrupt turn
A girl lost her balance and fell onto me
I was about to complain
When she started picking up her many bags
and apologised profusely to me
At that moment
I was rather moved
I had a sudden impulse
to offer her my seat
But I still had a few more stops to go
If I had given her my seat
And she sees me
still standing next to her
She would likely misunderstand
To avoid any misunderstanding
I should alight once I gave up my seat
But... I was really exhausted
What happened next?
I did not give up my seat
I sat there until I reached home
Hello?
Hello?
Hold on
Okay, sure. Got it
We're at the park
Will be back in a while
You're coming back on Monday?
No problem
I'll look for a room elsewhere
when you are back
Okay. Bye!
Where's that girl who was here earlier?
She has left
Sorry, the subscriber's number you just dialed
is powered-off
May I know where this leads to?
To the city wall
Is it open now?
Yes
Here are your drinks
Bill, please!
Coming
Your noodles
Give me a moment, please
Bill, please!
Coming!
Who would you choose in the US elections?
I don't know
I'd choose the man
Do you think Thailand
will ever have a female Prime Minister?
I seriously doubt it
Why not? Even Pakistan had one
We're not ready yet
Who's we?
Who's we? We are eating noodles
Umm... I'm still waiting...
We're really busy today, you know
Just one moment...
Actually, can I have a coke first?
Wait, my friend's here
Can I have the thin noodles,
with extra fish balls?
Yellow noodles, no bean sprouts
- You haven't ordered?
- No, I was waiting for you
Slow poke
Sorry...
- Drinks?
- A coke, please
What took you so long?
Sorry, Miss Usa kept us behind.
She was lecturing us about ethics
Ethics?
What time's the movie?
1:45
We'll make it
Are you sure you want to see it?
Yeah, why not?
What's it about?
Teenage flick
Wait...
"Play it again"...
A dark twisted tale
about a pair of teenagers
as they yield their youth to the devil
in return for a week of fame
Four and a half stars
Sounds good
What's your afternoon class?
Physics. You?
English
Sure you wanna skip that?
Why not?
I wouldn't learn what I didn't already know anyway
Smart ass
I know, just can't help it
That's mine
Why did you put 2 spoonfuls of chilli
None of your business
Isn't that too spicy?
None of your business
Hey
What?
- Hey!
- What?
Slow down, man.
You're gonna choke to death
No girl's gonna fall for a pig like you
Girls are stupid, anyway
- So, you're into boys, huh?
- Hey...
I think boys are stupid,
but always think they're clever
Girls are more stupid
What about me?
You're all right
You hang out with me,
so you can't be stupid
Whatever
Bill, please!
Coming
Hey!
You know, you should
never save the best for the last
Yummy...
Excuse me
- Yes?
- Another bowl of noodles, please
My, you're really hungry!
The portion's tiny
So, I finished reading "Harry Potter"
last night
How was it?
So so. I liked the last one better
I prefer the first one
Then you really have no taste
Ake likes it too
Wait, does that guy even read?
I lent it to him
Here are your noodles
I think he likes me
Hey...
I heard you
And?
And what?
Well, what do you think of him?
He's an okay guy
What does that mean?
Okay means okay
Average. Dull. Boring
- You're such a jerk
- But I'm not dull
Whatever. Just finish your noodles
Let's skip the movie
- I don't wanna go back to class
- No, no
I mean let's go somewhere else
What do you wanna do then?
Let's go picnic
Picnic?
Yeah. It's a nice day
But we're eating now
And?
Well...
Isn't a picnic supposed to involve food?
We'll have one without food then
C'mon, when was the last time
you went for a picnic?
Like, never
See!
All the more reason why we should go
C'mon, let's go, okay?
Since when are you so fussy?
Ready to go
That's a good boy
All set?
Just follow me
Don't stop, okay?
Can you see without your glasses?
Kind of but it's blurry
I can see my future
Oh, yeah? What's in it?
Complete darkness?
No
I'm a successful photographer
I'm married
I have 2 kids
Who's the unlucky guy?
I haven't met him yet
How old are you?
27. Wait...
30, I think
Now, it's your turn
No way, it's silly
C'mon
No
You're so boring
No, I'm not
Then do it, and tell me what you see
Close your eyes
What do you see?
I don't see anything
You have to try harder and concentrate
So, did you see something?
What did you see?
What? What did you see?
Why should I tell you?
That's bullshit, man.
I told you what I saw
So? I didn't ask you
You're a shithead.
I hate your guts sometimes, you know that?
I watch the buses passing by
But never seem to get on one
I'm always late for work
And hooked on cough syrup
How's my singing?
What? Still angry with me?
I'm sorry, okay?
Don't say sorry if you're not sorry
What the hell is wrong with you?
What's wrong with me?
You're asking me what's wrong?
Fuck you
I watch the buses passing by
But never seem to get on one
I'm always late for work
And hooked on cough syrup
My boss told me he'd dock my pay
How's my singing?
Who's the song by?
Me. You like it?
Hey, Van
What?
Can I ask you a question?
Yeah, sure
Have you done it,
you know... with a girl?
Oh, god...
- Why? Are you embarrassed?
- Hell, yeah
There's nothing to be embarrassed about.
You can just tell me
No
No what? No, you're not gonna say
or no, you haven't done it?
- I haven't done it
- Really?
What do you want me to say,
that I've slept with 10 girls or something?
You could have lied
You could have said 1 or 2,
and I would have believed you
But thanks for being honest
Hey, you wanna play a game?
No
No again?
What's wrong with you today?
Why all these silly games?
They're not silly
You know, I read on the Internet
that Rock-paper-scissors
is more complicated than you think
Mei...
If you believe everything online,
then you're an idiot
But this is for real
There's a Rock-paper-scissors Competition
held in Canada every year
And every year
people from around the world
just flock there
The winner this year won 250,000 baht
No way
They interviewed a contestant
He's not that young, about 24 or so
Know what he said?
He said...
There are no such things
as random throws
A computer can be
a random-number generator
but a person
can never be completely random
Anyway, this guy came in 2nd
and he still won 50,000 baht
Shall we have a go?
Hmm...
Rock-paper... scissors!!
Fuck!
Watch your language
- Do you wanna continue?
- Yeah
Let's get married
Sure
But only if I win 3 times in a row
My, you're hooked!
Deal?
Deal
Rock-paper-scissors!
Rock-paper-scissors!
I'm kinda hungry
Do you still wanna catch the movie?
We missed it already
We can go to another show
Let's just stay here
Move aside!
You're in my way
Why are we hiring an ex-convict!
Rong, come here!
What are you thinking of over there?
People like to talk rubbish.
Don't let it get to you
He's usually a nice guy
Really? He must have a lot on his mind
That's a good attitude.
You're old enough
No girlfriend?
- No
- No rush. Marriage is a big decision
Find the right girl
Need me to introduce a girlfriend?
Okay
Shy?
Boss, how long have you been
in this business?
Oh, very long
I was your age
when I first came here from China
I had many jobs:
noodle-seller, trishaw man, dishwasher
Till a friend gave me his job
while he went back to China
to get married
I guess he was so happy
he never came back
Singapore was so different then
But some things never change
Life doesn't get easier
Young man,
patience and perseverance always pays off
Thanks for giving me a second chance
Don't bring up the past again
Time to start work!
All right!
Granny, are you waiting for a cab?
Are you lost?
No
It's so quiet here. Aren't you afraid?
Afraid? Of what?
No? Must be that you can't sleep!
Young man, you sure are nosey
I know.
That's what my grandma always says
So what are you doing here?
I'm waiting for someone
Waiting for someone?
Looks like your friend is not coming
Where do you stay,
can I give you a lift?
Okay
Young man, can you go faster?
Sure! Sit tight!
Old newspaper, old clothing,
spoilt radios and tv sets...
Old newspaper, old clothing,
spoilt radios and tv sets...
You're here. Please come
Granny,
do you have something for me today?
Watch your step
I'll tally it later?
Sure
Have you had dinner?
Not yet
Why not take a break?
Come in for some bread?
No time
Not even for a meal?
Granny? Are you okay?
I'm fine
I feel a bit tired
You should go in and rest
I'll come by another day
You're always welcome
Take care
Bye
Old newspapers, old clothing,
spoilt radios and tv sets...
What's her name?
Who are you talking about?
Stop pretending
The girl in the picture
She's cute. Your girlfriend?
It's so obvious that you miss her
Grandma Mei!
It's pouring!
Still waiting for your friend?
Yes
Why don't I join you?
Okay
I wonder when the rain will stop
It doesn't matter. I'm here with you
Is there someone waiting for you at home?
Wish there were
That means there's none
I don't know where she is
Lost touch with her?
It's been a while
Are you still waiting for her?
I don't know. Let's see how it goes
Tell me more about you
How many in your family?
Just me. Everyone passed away
What about you?
Like you, my loved ones have all died
Except for me
We have a lot in common
Let me give you a hand
Press on! 3 bags to go!
Okay. Let's do it
Here comes the last bag
We're done!
You are waiting for someone?
I am. She's staying right up there
You have come all the way to see her?
I have
She's my special girl
I will battle oceans to see her smile
And now, here I am
You know?
Today is the 7th day of the 7th month
Qi Xi
The day when
the cowherd and the weaver-girl are reunited
It's Chinese Valentine's Day
Then I've come just in time
But I've also come prepared
I can't wait to ask her...
Will you marry me?
Granny!
Granny!
Are you home?
Old newspapers, old clothing,
spoilt radios and tv sets...