Tigertail (2020) - full transcript

MANDARIN SUBTITLES IN WHITE

My father died

when I was a year old.

My mother did her best to

take care of me on her own,

but after she lost her job, she couldn't

afford to provide for me anymore.

She left me with my grandparents,

who lived in the rice fields,

while she looked for work

so we could be together again.

I missed my mother.

I felt alone without her.

So alone that, sometimes,

I saw things because I wanted to see them.

Inspection.

Who lives here?

I'm going to take a look.

Mmm.

Come on. Let's go.

Sorry I was a little late.

I didn't even know you were in Taiwan

until Bobby asked me to pick you up.

How was your trip?

Fine.

For a few moments,

I forgot my loneliness.

Yuan and I spent

much of the next year together.

It was one of the happiest times

of my life.

After my mother found a job

and I moved back to my hometown,

I thought I'd never see her again.

But then, many years later,

fate intervened.

One more dance.

I'm going outside to get some fresh air.

Maybe when I come back. Maybe.

She's beautiful.

What the hell is she doing with you?

We met when we were kids,

when I was living with my grandparents.

She moved here recently,

and it just sort of happened.

Some guys get all the luck.

You have a girl like that,

you ask her to marry you.

Her parents would never allow it.

They're well off.

I'm a poor kid from a nothing village.

Better have fun with her

while you can, then.

I guess so.

I think you'll like this one.

Where'd you learn to dance?

Movies.

What movies?

American movies.

Someday, I'll go there.

I'll bring my mom.

She won't have to work anymore.

Can I come?

Of course.

Who else am I going to dance with there?

Maybe Faye Dunaway.

Never mind. Don't come.

You would only get in the way

of me and Faye.

I'm hungry.

Should we get something to eat?

Let's go to Yuelu.

No way. That's too expensive.

It's fine. My treat.

I can't let you do that.

I want to take you somewhere special.

We're going to Yuelu.

No more discussion.

You're the most stubborn person

I've ever met.

Mmm?

Hello. Have you dined with us before?

Yes. Many times.

Really? Then you've seen the menu.

Prices are on the right.

Of course. We come here all the time.

I'm surprised you don't recognize us.

Fine, then. What would you like to order?

We'll start with the fried fish...

and also the bitter melon...

and a bowl of beef noodle soup.

Great. Thank you.

- Is that it?

- That's it.

Right away.

Screw that guy.

He doesn't think we can pay?

Who is he to judge us?

Is he wrong, though?

Not really, no.

Hey. They've been rude to us all night.

Let's play a trick on them.

No. What are you talking about?

On the count of three,

let's run out the door.

No, come on.

Get ready. One, two, three!

Hey! Come back, you bastards!

You're crazy.

I want to spend the whole night

with you, but I have to go home.

Why don't you ever let me see your place?

It's too fancy.

If I let you see it,

you'll want me for my money,

instead of my good looks and charm.

I thought you were sleeping.

Just out with some friends.

Go to sleep, Ma.

So do you. You should rest up,

or else Old Li is going to

pick on you again tomorrow.

Well, we can both

agree that we don't like Old Li.

You didn't do

your dishes before you left.

I can help you with them.

No, it's okay.

I'll do it later.

I'm sorry about Grandma.

Thank you.

Are you all right?

Mmm-hmm.

I know this is a hard time for you,

but I really wish

you had told me about the funeral.

It was a small ceremony.

She was my grandmother.

You didn't really know her.

You never visited.

The last time you were in Taiwan

was when I took you and your brother

when you were kids.

That's true.

It's a long trip. Very far away.

And I know you're busy at work.

You never talked much about her.

What she was like.

Are you sure

you don't want help with the dishes?

- No.

- It would only take me a second.

I'm fine.

Thank you for the ride.

Say hello to Eric for me.

Okay.

My mother and I

worked in the factory every day.

It was very hard work.

Sometimes, I wasn't sure

if I would make it through the day.

Sorry.

No.

- Hey!

- Hmm?

No.

Hey. Hey.

Hey, I think those are my gloves.

I've got something to talk to you about.

Walk with me.

Mmm-hmm.

I've heard you're interested

in going to America. Is that true?

Um...

It's okay. You can tell me.

- Yes. It's a dream of mine.

- Mmm-hmm.

It's a good goal.

Many opportunities there.

Very expensive to go, though.

How will you get there?

I don't know.

No, thank you.

I have a daughter, Zhenzhen.

We've been looking

for someone dependable for her.

Would you be interested in meeting her?

So, do you like going to school?

It's okay.

What do you want to do after you graduate?

I'm not sure.

Maybe become a nurse or a teacher.

Food's not bad, huh?

You're late.

I'm sorry.

Where were you?

Nowhere. I lost track of time.

And then I had to stop and pick up this.

You didn't steal that, did you?

I've heard you go to restaurants

and leave without paying.

I only do that

when I'm with my girlfriend.

She's a bad influence!

Come on.

This is nice.

Yeah.

You know who I heard on the radio today?

Otis Redding.

It's been stuck in my head all day.

♪ Sitting in the morning sun ♪

♪ I'll be sitting when the evening comes ♪

♪ Watching the ships roll in ♪

♪ Then I watch 'em roll away again ♪

♪ Mmm ♪

♪ Sitting on the dock of the bay ♪

♪ Watching the tide roll away ♪

♪ Sitting on the dock of the bay ♪

♪ Wasting time ♪

You have a beautiful voice.

So do you.

You should be a singer.

Maybe in another life.

Where were you earlier?

I was at home.

It's not like you to be late.

Were you with somebody else?

No.

Don't be silly.

I'm just asking.

Do you want to see where I live?

Told you it was fancy.

Do you like it?

Mmm.

I like it.

Do you like the apartment?

It's very nice.

Sure you can afford it?

Yeah.

Is this about Eric's job again?

I would just feel more comfortable

if you were with someone

who could support you.

Money's not the only

important thing in a relationship.

It's very important.

You're too young.

You don't really know

what's important yet.

And you do?

More than you.

I don't know why you think

you're the one to give advice.

It's not like

your marriage turned out perfect.

He's not very ambitious.

He should work harder. He's not like you.

Maybe that's good.

I could use some balance in my life.

It's too soon.

We've been together for eight months.

That's not very long.

You don't know him well enough.

I know he's a good person.

He makes me happy.

You really think that's enough?

We're getting married.

I don't know what else there is to say.

Don't go so fast. Take your time.-

Slow down, take it easy.-

Are you okay?

You've got to fix these machines!

They don't stop!

Are you sure you're okay?

I'll go get a bandage.

That job is too dangerous.

Those machines are old and broken.

You shouldn't have to work there anymore.

No, you don't. It's miserable there.

You complain every day.

What if I made enough money so you could

retire and live somewhere else?

Hmm?

Mmm.

- You can get in.

- All right.

I'll send for you when I get settled.

Bye, Ma.

Hello?

Pin-Jui?

It's Zhenzhen.

Hello.

I know it's been a long time

since we've spoken.

I just talked to Angela.

She told me your mother passed away.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Thank you.

How are you?

I'm okay.

She lived a long life.

I know you cared about her very much.

Angela said

you didn't tell her about the service.

Why not?

She's very busy with work.

I didn't want to bother her.

She works too much.

She's never at home.

I'm worried.

I think she's having a hard time.

I didn't know that.

Maybe it would help

if you talked to her more.

We live separate lives.

You're very hard on her.

I'm not hard on her.

I only want what's best for her.

That may be your intention,

but it's not the way it seems to her.

Think about it.

You should see her more.

She's your only daughter.

Don't cry.

Crying never solves anything.

Be strong.

When we arrived in America,

it wasn't exactly as I had pictured it.

But I had made my choice.

There was no turning back now.

Uh... There's a window.

Yeah.

Should we go out to eat to celebrate?

Okay.

Mmm.

We can't afford this.

It is very expensive.

This is embarrassing.

It's okay.

We don't have to eat here.

Let's go.

Uh... Do you dance at all?

Um... Not really.

I get too embarrassed.

Do you?

I used to. Sometimes.

Do you want to dance?

Um... No, it's okay.

Excuse me.

Are you Taiwanese?

- Yes. Why?

- Oh.

Uh, I just moved here.

I don't know anyone in the city.

Not very many Taiwanese people here.

Mostly black or Puerto Rican.

I thought maybe you were Korean.

No. I'm from central Taiwan.

I'm from Zhongli.

- Oh.

- Thank God you're not Korean.

I have Korean neighbors.

They're very loud

and they cook kimchi all day long.

Stinks up the whole building.

I haven't talked to anyone

besides my husband in a long time.

Do you like him at least?

Um...

He's okay. He has to work a lot.

I get so bored in the apartment.

Nothing to do but clean

and sit on the couch by myself.

I actually come to the laundromat

with small loads just to see other people.

That's very sad.

I know.

Come have tea with me.

Always good to have

someone to speak Mandarin with.

Okay.

You're back.

Yeah.

How's Peijing?

She's okay.

She sprained her ankle last week.

Again? Didn't she do that a month ago?

Yeah.

The doctor gave her a funny boot

to walk around in this time.

That's too bad.

- Should I make us something to eat?

- Wait...

First, I want to show you something.

Come on.

Do you like it?

I know I haven't been home very much,

and you haven't had the easiest time

adjusting to America.

It's okay.

I thought maybe we could learn

how to play together.

Thank you.

Uh...

What should I make us tonight?

Mapo tofu?

Sure.

- I'll go make it now.

- Mmm.

Hey!

You know how to play already!

I learned it just while you were out...

Here. Eat some more.

Thank you.

It's even worse

since he took over the store.

He's always tired.

He never wants to go out or do anything.

You've been married for a while.

Of course

he doesn't make an effort anymore.

At least he's still handsome.

Look at this guy.

You're not winning any beauty pageants.

We don't have anything in common.

Eventually, your life together

is what you'll have in common.

Maybe. It hasn't happened yet.

What'd you put in this meatball?

It tastes like shit.

Then cook it yourself. Quit your whining.

We're ready for you.

The apartment's ready. Everything's ready.

I told you already.

It's not big,

but it's bigger than your house.

You wouldn't have to do anything.

You could retire, like we talked about.

I didn't either, but you can meet

people once you're here.

We talked about this before I left.

I thought this is what you wanted.

Ma?

Hello?

Hello?

Where were you?

I went to Peijing's for dinner.

You didn't tell me.

I thought you'd be at work.

I lost track of time.

There was no food in the house.

I'm sorry.

Peijing thinks

if I go to school for just a few years,

I can get a teaching credential.

What for?

Then maybe I could become a teacher.

Forget about it.

After we have kids,

you won't have time to work anyway.

Well, we don't have them yet.

Screw him!

Just take the classes

and see what happens.

Mmm. I think you're right.

I'll look into when they start.

Good. You won't regret it.

Let's go get ice cream.

Again? Aren't you worried you'll get fat?

I'm already married. Who gives a shit?

Do you want to pack these?

No. You can throw them out.

Okay.

- Are you done?

- Yes.

Is something wrong?

You asked me to have lunch with you.

And I appreciate that.

But then, after we sat down, you just...

sat there for an hour

and barely said anything.

Didn't seem like you wanted to talk.

How you doing?

Is everything okay?

Yeah. I'm fine.

Actually, that's not true. I'm not fine.

Eric left me.

I don't think he's coming back.

I'm sorry.

It's been really hard.

And the worst part is...

I think it was my fault.

Are you gonna say anything?

Sounds difficult.

What else is there to say?

I don't know.

Something.

Didn't you go through

the same thing with Mom?

It was different.

I wouldn't know

because you never told me what happened.

Would that help?

Why can't you just say something nice?

You could try to make me feel better.

You could tell me that

everything's gonna be okay.

All I ever wanted, my whole life...

was to feel like I had someone

who cared about me,

no matter what happened.

I never got that from you.

You're my father.

I don't even know how to talk to you.

I never have.

Maybe it's easier if we just stop trying.

Hey.

What happened to the hedges out front?

I told the gardeners they could trim them.

Why did you do that?

They trimmed too much.

You weren't here.

I didn't know what you wanted.

They look terrible.

How could you not know?

Hey.

They'll take forever to grow back now.

I don't want to be with you anymore.

What?

I want a divorce.

No, you don't.

Don't tell me what I want.

I'm leaving.

You're acting crazy. Go to sleep.

The kids are gone.

I only stayed for them.

- This is my house. You do what I say.

- I don't care about your stupid house.

I've made up my mind. I'm leaving.

You treat me like a servant.

I give you everything.

Nice clothes, a nice car.

I don't care about that stuff.

Oh, I see.

You're spoiled by America.

That's not how we do things.

Don't forget,

I was the one who brought you here.

My dad paid for it.

You had nothing.

Yes, I came here with nothing.

And I built all of this myself,

while you stayed at home.

I raised our children

while you were never home.

Where were you all those nights? Where?

I never cheated on you.

It doesn't matter.

You take me for granted.

I'm leaving.

Good! Get out.

I never wanted to marry you.

Go.

I used to think you could learn to care

about anyone other than yourself.

But you can't.

And you never will.

You're broken inside.

If I could travel back in time,

I would go back to the moment I met you

and run far away.

So far that I would never see you again.

- Yuan?

- Pin-Jui?

Yes. It's me.

Did you get taller?

I think you shrank, old man!

Probably. Here, come sit.

- How was your trip in?

- Not bad.

New York is amazing.

Much more exciting than Maryland!

Is the weather

always this nice in the spring?

Usually, yes.

Maybe I should spend more time here.

You definitely should.

Hey, they have

spicy beef noodle soup here.

Do you still like it?

- Should we get some?

- Of course!

This is delicious.

You have such good Chinese food here.

Yes. Another perk of living here.

Should we run away without paying

like we did at Yuelu?

It would be fun...

but I have money to pay now.

You used to be so crazy.

You were crazier.

I was just doing crazy stuff

to impress you.

You scared me.

We were bad for each other.

I don't think so.

Can I ask you something?

Of course.

The day I left, I was in

the back of a car leaving town.

I thought I saw you out the window.

Was that you?

Yes.

I thought it was you.

But when I looked back, you were gone.

I didn't know if I was dreaming or not.

I saw you.

But I couldn't bear to watch you go,

so I left.

It's a shame.

Can I ask you something?

It's so long ago,

I feel like I can finally ask.

Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?

I had to find out where you went

from neighborhood gossip.

What good would it have done?

What would have changed?

I guess we'll never know.

You seem to have a good life now.

It's not bad.

My husband just retired.

We have a lot of time on our own now.

That's nice.

- And you?

- Hmm?

How are your kids?

Good. Bobby has a band

that's done very well.

He just got back from a tour in Europe.

What about Angela?

She's having a harder time.

She works too much.

She has trouble getting along with people.

I don't know how to talk to her.

She's very stubborn.

You should know something about that.

Maybe before she opens up,

she needs you to open up to her first.

It's never too late.

Mmm.

This was fun. Thank you for lunch.

You're welcome. It was good to see you.

- Bye.

- Bye.

Hi, everybody.

I just wanted to say a little something.

As you know,

this hasn't been the easiest year for me,

but it really means a lot

to see all your faces again,

and be able to celebrate together.

Thank you so much for coming.

Happy Chinese New Year.

Happy New Year.

Do you want anything else to drink? Wine?

No. Tea's fine.

Okay.

- Here you go. Of course.

- Thank you.

I'm so glad you guys

could make it out here for the party.

You should visit more often.

It's hard for me to miss work.

My students miss me!

I substitute for her sometimes.

They love her.

They think she's very funny.

I'm sure they do.

Are you guys traveling anywhere this year?

For spring break,

we're gonna go to Costa Rica

and then, in the summer,

we go back to Croatia.

Wow! That sounds really fun.

- Yeah.

- We can't wait.

I thought you'd left.

No.

You don't have to help. I got it.

It's okay.

Thanks.

I can do the rest.

Why don't you go to the dining room?

I'll make us some tea.

Okay.

Mom seems happy.

I'm glad for her.

This is the first time

I've hosted this party by myself,

without Eric.

Sometimes, I wonder

if I'll ever find anyone like him again.

When we were together...

it just felt different.

Do you know what I mean?

There was a woman once.

I knew her before your mother.

In Taiwan.

I didn't know that.

There are many things I never told you.

What did you do after Mom left?

I went home.

My father died

when I was a year old.

My mother left me with my grandparents,

who lived in the rice fields.

I worked here with my mother

for several years.

It was hard work,

but I was grateful that we were together.

Your grandmother was a very strong woman.

Like you.

We walked home together

on this path every day.

This was our house.

It didn't look like this

the last time I was here.

There was a bar down there.

The girl and I used to go there to dance.

What was her name?

Yuan.