Vietnam, Texas (1990) - full transcript

[HELICOPTER BLADES WHIRRING]

-[INDISTINCT RADIO TALK]

-[GUNSHOTS]

[MISSILE APPROACHING]

[POLICE SIREN WAILING]

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

[INDISTINCT CONVERSATION]

[BOTH GRUNTING]

-You're pretty tough.

-[PANTING]

Son of a bitch!

I still don't know what you do

for a living, man. [CHUCKLES]

Yeah, well, it comes

with the territory.

I bet you can't get used to

them ass-whoopin's, huh?

Never.

Look, I gotta get

back to work.

-Same time next week?

-Yeah.

This is the Lamb of God

who takes away

the sins of the world.

Happy are those

who are called to His supper.

ALL: Lord, I'm not worthy

to receive you,

but only say the word

and I shall be healed.

[CHURCH ORGAN PLAYING]

CHOIR: ♪ Silent night.

♪ Holy night.

The body of Christ.

♪ All is calm.

The body of Christ.

♪ All is bright.

The body of Christ.

♪ Round...

The body of Christ.

♪ Young virgin mother

and child.

The body of Christ.

♪ Holy Infant

so tender and mild.

KID: [WHISPERS] Father.

Are you okay?

CHOIR:

♪ Sleep in heavenly peace

The body of Christ.

♪ Sleep in heavenly peace

-MAN: Here's to

the memories, gentlemen.

-[ALL LAUGHING]

-[GLASS TINKLING]

-So, finally I said,

"I will forgive you any sin,

"if only you will shower

-"before you come

to the church."

-[PEOPLE LAUGHING]

We're in Atlantic City,

right on the boardwalk,

and this big blonde

in a bikini cruises by.

And Monsignor's head

about twists off

when he sees me watching him,

and he turns to me

and he says,

"Even a man on a diet

has got a right to look

at the menu."

[PEOPLE LAUGHING]

Notre-Dame will take 'em

by 10...

But I always think

of Bing Crosby singing...

-No. Please, Father,

no singing, no singing.

-No? No.

Have you ever heard

Bing Crosby singing?

Oh, singing

in one of his sermons.

-Gentlemen, gentlemen.

-[ALL CHEERING]

You all have done

a great job this year.

Your individual work

in the parishes have honored

the Catholic Church

and served God well.

-Ah!

-[ALL CHEERING]

God bless you all.

Now there's a priest here

who is a special honor

for all of us.

Especially in his work

with children.

He's faced the worst kind

of intercity strife

and beaten it back.

-Sometimes in the boxing ring,

I might add.

-Yeah.

That he's been named

our new monsignor,

comes as a surprise to no one.

Gentlemen, I give you

Monsignor Thomas

Michael McCain.

[ALL CHEERING]

ALL:

♪ For he's a jolly good fellow

♪ For he's a jolly good fellow

♪ For he's

a jolly good fellow ♪

[WHISTLES]

[ALL SHOUTING]

We've got to break there.

We've got to break there.

We had so much...

You're a father?

-Are you?

-Okay, let's go back

to playing.

[ALL SCREAMING]

THOMAS: I'm going

to make a confession.

Before I was a priest,

I was a soldier in Vietnam.

While I was there,

I fell in love with a girl

I left behind.

I mean, I believe

she was carrying my child

when I left her.

We've all lived a life

before we were priests,

if you had indeed

fathered a child

I'm... I'm sure the Church

will help you financially

and otherwise.

I... I don't think that

the Church should help me, um,

because I'm not so sure

I'm going to continue

as a priest.

Oh, God! [SOBS]

-[CLEARS THROAT]

-You know where the child,

if indeed there's a child,

might be?

Yeah. I, um...

I think I know

where I can find her out,

you know. [SNIFFLES]

Do you want to see her?

I have got to see her and...

[SIGHS]

Amen.

Thanks, Father.

DRIVER: You're going to start

a church here, Father?

No, not exactly.

Sorry, this is as far

as I go.

You know, if it's the tip,

I, uh...

Oh, no, just... Just give me

the seven bucks on the meter.

I don't go in there.

Here you go.

[SIGHS]

Ever been to

the real Saigon, Father?

Yes, as a matter of fact,

I have.

This place's gonna bring back

a lot of memories for you.

WOMAN: Oh, yes. [MOANING]

[SLAMS DOOR]

Son of a bitch.

Hey, girl, I'll be back later.

[GLASS SHATTERING]

[WHISPERS] Come on! Come on!

Take it from the back.

Oh, shit!

[CUTLERY CLANKING]

Jesus Christ!

What did you come here to do?

What am I doing?

What are you doing?

I can't even get laid

around here

without you repo assholes

ripping off my shit!

-Huh?

-Max!

-Put the bat down, Max!

-Put the bat...

You tell him to drop

the motherfucker!

I'm gonna fucking line drive

this being

to Cleveland,

you understand that?

-Max, just drop it!

-Huh?

-Stay away from him,

he's drunk!

-Drunk!

Max, so you...

Will you do this the easy way

-I'm gonna be trying

the hard way...

-Or try the hard way?

With you two fuckers!

Now, move it!

-Max! Because you wanted

the hard way, dude!

-Huh?

-Beat me with the bat, huh?

-Hey, hey!

You're five payments behind!

Five payments!

Easy way!

-We're taking it with us, Max!

-Easy way.

-Put the bat down!

-Bat's going down.

Into the GI can.

No problems.

Here, you take this.

You take this.

Hairy mother fucker!

Stupid ass!

-You're a sick man, Max!

-Sick?

-You're a sick man. Yes.

-Sick?

-Come on, son! Come on.

-Do you think I'm sick?

[GRUMBLING]

Yeah, I really, really liked

that beer cooler.

[DOOR SLAMS]

Well, you son

of a bitch, I'll...

Priest?

I see not much has changed.

How are you hitting them?

[SIGHS] This... This is

a hell of a shock.

Don't you think I'm the type?

[SIGHS] I heard about this,

but knowing you,

I didn't believe it.

[METAL CLANKING]

What's all the noise about?

Oh, your brothers were here.

They came for

their beer cooler.

Oh, yeah? You didn't tell them

I was here, did you?

No, you'll always be

my little secret. Uh...

This is a friend of mine,

Tom McCain.

[CHUCKLES] You're a priest.

[CHUCKLES]

You guessed right off, huh?

Come here to save Max's soul?

Oh, you know, the Lord

works in strange ways.

I'm Catholic.

-Really?

-Mmm.

Bless me, Father,

for I have sinned.

Yeah. You bet your ass

you have, you little...

Nice little girl

you have there, Max.

Yeah.

So...

So...

I... I don't know what to say.

So I guess

this is for real, huh?

Well, it ain't Halloween, pal.

Makes you a little nervous,

doesn't it?

Nervous? Nah!

A little fucking

uncomfortable.

Excuse the language.

You're excused.

Bless you, my son.

"My son?"

Yeah, you son of a bitch,

you look great!

You look like shit.

I had early stages

of sclerosis, uh...

Bar's been a bust

ever since my old man died

and I shut it down every day

at happy hour

in his memory.

So, you know what, McCain,

it's been

a lot of years

and nobody knows

you're alive or dead,

and, uh, suddenly you show.

What's the deal,

you still pissed off?

No, no. I, uh...

I don't think much

about the past.

Ah. Yeah, right.

Me neither.

I don't give a shit either.

Hmm. Hey, listen.

I'd like to know

where is Mailan is.

-Not here, pal.

-[MUSIC PLAYING]

What? Hey!

What are you doin'?

Where you've been?

Hey, dude! I'm here now.

Do want to hear

my new opening?

The shit you got to put up

with when you run

your own business.

Hey! Hey!

There's something

I've been wanting to tell you.

You laugh too much.

[MIMICS SANTA CLAUS LAUGHING]

What the hell is that,

Santa Claus?

Hey, Johnny, you haven't aged.

You must be Oriental.

-Hey, shut up!

-[LAUGHING]

Clean the place up,

you fish-head.

You Americans,

you can never say

what you mean.

Like, this thing,

"I'm taking my dog

for a walk."

Come on! You're not taking

your dog for a walk.

You're taking your dog

for a shit!

-Jesus.

-What's this guy all about?

He's trying to get

an audition for the

Johnny-fucking-Carson Show.

Breakfast, Father?

No, thanks, uh...

Look, can we just

cut all this bullshit

and get to it?

Cut the what?

-Where is she?

-Who?

Want me to take the collar off

and just beat the shit out

of you right here and now?

-Just like old times, huh?

-Just like old times.

So...

-Yeah. She wasn't here

that long ago.

-How long?

Six months, maybe.

That's after four years

she spent in a Thai

refugee camp.

-What?

-Yeah. Her too.

She got a letter to me

through the VA.

I sent her some money

and got them over.

-Them?

-For her and the kid.

Come on, you knew

about the kid.

No.

No. I didn't.

So, um,

what's the child's name?

Lan.

It was really sad.

That little rug rat,

she used to ask about you

all the time.

But her mom and I,

we figured it was best

to keep her in the dark.

-You know.

-Her mom and you?

You married her?

Wasn't exactly

till death do us part,

if you know what I mean.

Yeah.

Why did she leave you?

I'm a shitty housekeeper.

She's a Viet, man.

Viet all the way.

What's that supposed to mean?

That is supposed to mean

that she wanted to be

with her own people.

She married a guy named Wong.

He can provide for her.

He runs a place called

the House of Flowers.

You know this guy?

Well enough to stay

away from him.

New mafia.

You got an address

or something?

Forget it. Just forget it.

I'm not going to forget it.

Don't you tell me

to forget it!

If I've got a kid, I got

the right to know who it is.

Look.

I don't know what the hell

you think you're doing here.

Priest or no priest,

you blew the chick off, okay?

You ain't welcome here.

Me? I'm just

running this place

for the shit-faced jarheads

who can't forget

the glory days.

So stay drunk for a week

on the house, all right?

But don't get involved

with these people.

Especially the women.

[JOVIAL MUSIC PLAYING]

MAN: Boom!

Hey!

Boom!

Hey!

Hey, look at it this way.

This is your

American foreign policy,

you fuck 'em then

you leave 'em.

You got a real good

outlook on life, Max,

a real good outlook.

I want you to take

me to see her.

Big-time Texas lawyer.

Late as usual.

[ANNOUNCING IN VIETNAMESE]

I'll be at breakfast.

I love the suit.

[ALL SPEAKING VIETNAMESE]

Good morning, Father.

I hope you slept well

last night.

[ALL SPEAKING VIETNAMESE]

[ALL GREETING IN VIETNAMESE]

-You're late.

-Good morning

to you, too.

You know,

we have a little problem

with our new

business operation.

It can wait till office.

-Hi!

-Morning.

You look so pretty today.

You ought to

put her in commercials.

Have something to eat.

Well, I ate downtown,

but I'll have a cup of coffee.

You, uh, you know of course

that your fishermen friends

are not cooperating.

Uncle Wong!

-Hi.

-Hi.

Hi.

I love you Uncle Wong.

Do you like children?

Not to eat.

You know, Mr. Wong,

a lot of work went

into this deal.

Our problem

with the community

is being handled.

Oh.

Special for you.

Koi, my favorite.

-From the pond?

-Correct.

[SIGHS]

MAN: Yellowjacket.

[SIGHS]

Please, Minh, we won't

do this anymore.

You're well paid

for your cooperation.

We don't want your money.

We're honest businessmen.

Don't argue with them.

Please. We're fishermen,

not criminals.

Please leave us alone.

You'll do

whatever we tell you.

Just be glad you're not

one of his fish.

No more. We shut down market.

We would rather

starve than do

this business of yours.

Fine. Have it your way.

May I have a word with you?

[SOBBING]

Away!

Put it in the trunk.

Seems we are not

welcome here anymore.

Joey. [WHISTLES]

[PEOPLE SCREAMING]

This is a new business

for us, too, Papa -san.

But teach your friends

the value of cooperation

or you'll wish you never

came to Little Saigon.

I do business

with these people!

Do you have any idea what this

is gonna cost me? Jeez!

[HONKING]

I see your driving habits

haven't changed much.

Yeah, I'm telling you,

you don't know

what you're getting into

down here, okay?

Priest or no priest,

damn it, man!

You don't understand

about these people.

So what do you suggest I do?

Just walk away

and forget about her?

Yeah!

Yeah, you should,

because they're prejudiced,

you know.

They don't like

this half-breed shit.

It's a cultural thing!

Jesus!

[POLICE SIREN WAILING]

Hey, what's happening here?

Pull over.

-What?

-I said, pull the car over.

What the hell?

Do what I tell ya!

Jesus! What the hell

is this all about?

THOMAS: Stop the car.

Hey, get that car out of here!

MAX: See, this is

what I'm talking about!

Whoa. What you doing,

making house calls?

What's the deal?

[WOMAN SPEAKING OVER

POLICE RADIO]

Excuse me. Can I be

of some help here?

Jeez, come on, guys,

for Christ's sake!

What are you doing?

Would you watch it?

Come on, move it on in there,

take care.

Hell of a mess,

ain't it, Paul?

Mind if I have a chew?

-What happened here?

-OFFICER: What happened?

How the hell do we know

what happened?

These people don't talk

to police down here.

Eight years in this district

and they're still not

talking to us.

It's all the same.

Let me tell you

a little secret.

Nothing goes on

in this neighborhood

without old Papa -san

over there knowing about it.

You ain't seeing shit,

are you, Papa -san?

Why don't you just

help this lady here?

You're gonna be all right.

Excuse me.

Is there anything I can do?

No. We do things our way.

Hey, Father,

you about finished here?

Yeah. He's finished.

Why don't you people

all finish and just

leave us alone?

Don't let him get

to you, Father.

It's just the way of life

down here in Little Saigon.

MAX: So, what made you

wanna see her now

after all these years?

THOMAS: Gave up

denying the past.

SAMMY: You know,

you can do something for me,

get me out

of this neighborhood.

Hey! Shut up.

MAX: This is a bad idea,

I'm telling you guys.

-[SIGHS]

-What about the agents?

Do you know any good agents,

like, who handles Woody Allen?

Shut up! Just shut up!

Listen, I don't think,

like I was saying,

I don't think

this is a good idea.

Maybe she's here,

maybe she's not.

-But I don't think...

-Who is asking you

to do anything?

I'm out.

Just do what

you gotta do, pal.

What are you looking at?

You know something, Sammy?

I'm gonna tell you something.

You're not gonna make it

in show biz.

-You wanna know why?

You ain't funny!

-I'll make it!

-I'll make it, all right!

You just watch me, all right?

-Yeah.

-I'll be on the Johnny Carson

Shownext year!

-Oh!

-SAMMY: You think I'm funny,

don't you, Father?

-[MUSIC PLAYING]

-No.

-[WOMAN CHUCKLES]

Excuse me.

May I have a word

with the manager, please?

[SPEAKING VIETNAMESE]

I... I don't think

he speaks English.

Well, why don't you

talk to him for me?

You... You want me to tell

this guy why you're here?

Yes, please. Go ahead.

[BOTH SPEAKING VIETNAMESE]

Do you want to tell me

what this is all about?

Oh, well, he says

it's been a long time since

he's been to church.

And he remembers

how much fun he had

when he was there.

[WOMAN CHUCKLES]

You know I'm gonna be great

in this place.

Women love me.

A sense of humor

is the most important element

in a sexual relationship.

Why don't you just

wait outside, huh?

-But...

-Just do what I say.

Thanks. Thanks for your help.

Thank you.

Hey, you wanna

do something after work?

No, thanks.

Excuse me, Mrs. Wong,

there's a priest here

collecting money

for the church.

Very well.

Merry Christmas, Mailan.

Thomas?

How did you find me here?

Max told me how I could

locate you.

Is he still a friend of yours?

No, no, no.

Not exactly.

I just didn't know

any other way to find you.

Now that I have, I'm...

I'm not sure exactly

what to say.

Maybe it's better

to say nothing.

Mailan.

I... I've come

a long way to find out

about my child.

I see.

So Max told you everything.

I know Max for who he is.

So do I.

MAN: [OVER PHONE]

Wong's residence?

May I speak to Mr. Wong?

Phone call, sir.

Thank you.

-Yes?

-Sorry to disturb you,

Mr. Wong.

But something's happened here

I think you should know about.

There's a priest here

talking to Mrs. Wong.

And it seems that

he's upset her.

I see.

Find out who he is.

Yes, sir.

And what he wants.

We'll take care of him,

Mr. Wong.

-We need to talk.

-No. We don't.

What happened between us

is in the past.

Please believe me

when I tell you,

I never knew for sure.

Oh, really?

And after all this time,

now you choose to find out?

[COUPLE SPEAKING VIETNAMESE]

You have no right to be here.

We have our own life now.

Well, I have the right

to know my own daughter.

[SIGHS]

You have no right.

You gave this up

a long time ago.

[WHISPERS] She's still

my child.

It doesn't matter now.

She thinks

you are dead. [WHISPERS]

That's what you told her?

Thomas, I have no choice.

Is there a problem here?

No. No problem.

This is Father McCain.

He was just leaving.

Anything we can do

for you, Father?

No. I was just visiting.

As a customer?

Father and I,

we knew each other

a long time ago.

-And where was that?

-Saigon.

Ah, as a priest?

I was a soldier.

It's all old story now.

I see. Looking forward

to seeing you again, Father.

Let's go.

Believe me,

it's best you go back

where you come from.

Let us go now.

Show the Father to the door.

Hello, Father.

-Something that

I can do for you?

-Move it.

-Max.

-Uh, what?

They're taking him somewhere.

-What?

-The Hojo.

The who?

[SCOFFS] Wong's men!

Oh, goddamn,

the stupid son of a bitch!

-[SWEARING]

-Are we gonna do

something or what?

What am I, I look

like a Good Samaritan to you?

I gotta... Damn! Damn it!

[ENGINE SPUTTERS]

I... I got it. I got it.

Come on, you skid mark, do it!

[ENGINE REVS]

[GROANS]

So if you really are a priest,

what is it that you want

with the boss's woman?

You used to know her

before, is that it?

Come on, you can tell us.

[SHOUTING IN VIETNAMESE]

[GROANS]

So, Father,

anything to confess?

[BOTH GRUNTING]

-Fuck you...

-[GRUNTS]

Come on!

Back off! Back off or this

will get as ugly as you!

You're making a big mistake.

Big mistake? You wanna discuss

mistakes, Andy, huh?

Boy! You're in the wrong part

of town, Father.

So far, I'm real impressed.

What's it going to be,

Father McCain's voice, huh?

You're gonna open up

a daycare center?

What the hell

is going on, huh?

[GROANS]

I leave you alone

for 20 minutes,

you piss Wong off,

get the shit kicked out of you

by his goop squad!

What are you doing?

What the hell do

you think you're doing?

I'm not really sure

what I'm doing.

I'm just doing the best

I can, all right?

Yeah. I thought

you priests had it all wired.

If this guy, Wong, finds out

you're Lan's father,

-you're a dead man.

-Shut up.

Give me something

to wrap this arm with.

I ought to wrap that collar

around your head!

You know the problems

that you are causing

in this town, huh?

So who's this priest

you were talking to today?

What priest?

The priest

everyone but you seems

to be talking about.

This... This is not important.

[STAMMERING] Just someone I

knew a long time ago.

How long ago?

What difference does it make?

Seemed to make a lot

of difference to Mr. Wong.

He seemed pretty upset.

Upset? Why?

What did he say?

Well, if you're not going

to tell me about the priest,

I'm not going to tell you

about Mr. Wong.

Listen. I'm not in the mood

to play games.

I'm not in the mood

to play any games either!

I just wanted to find out

about the priest, okay?

Did you know him in Saigon?

It's none of your business.

Why isn't it

any of my business?

You always say the same thing!

It's like we never existed

before we came

to the United States.

Well, I did!

He didn't know my father,

did he?

Stop it. That's enough!

I tell you

what I want you to know.

And not any more!

I have the right to find out

who my real father is!

If you don't want to tell me

about him, then fine!

I'll just go find out

for myself, all right?

Lan, all you know

your real father died

even before you was born.

Now you must stop this now!

You don't understand

the problem

you will bring to us!

I'm sorry.

Lan...

You know I love you

more than anything?

Yes.

We have survived

so much together.

-Yes.

-You must trust me!

You must leave the past alone.

My baby.

-[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]

-Nice crowd you got here.

Yeah. Just like Saigon, huh?

[CHUCKLES]

Yeah. Well, you know,

you just walk away.

Yeah, your old solution for

everything - turn your back

and run.

Okay. So, that's the real

reason why you're here, huh?

Believe me, pal,

you're not the reason

why I'm here.

Bullshit!

Okay, okay. So I ran,

so I was scared.

I thought you were dead.

What the hell

was I supposed to do?

I... I didn't know you...

You were in a prison camp

until I got back stateside.

What the fuck

was I supposed to do, huh?

So while

your best friend's rotting

in a POW camp for three years

you run off with his girl.

What a guy!

Hey, don't run off.

Goddammit that ain't how

it came down.

She begged me.

I was just trying to be

a good guy, you know.

But Saigon followed me home

like it did for a lot of us.

Look, it must make you

feel real good about it,

not dealing with

the real world,

when you bury yourself

in the mother Church, huh?

After where I've been, pal,

the Church is the real world.

Yeah. Well, if the church

is so goddamn good to you,

why are you trying to get

Mailan back in your life, huh?

She has nothing

to do with this!

It has to do with my daughter!

But a guy

like you can't figure

that out, can you?

That's a nice thought.

Having a Father for a father.

Listen, Mailan belongs

to Wong. Okay?

And that means the kid, too.

That's the way

Mama -sanwants it, man.

Well, it ain't the way

I want it.

Fine! Forget it!

But I'm telling you,

Wong ain't gonna let you get

near that kid,

you understand me?

This is Sammy Chen for

Eyewitness News.

I'm here with two sleazy

honkies arguing about one

Asian chick.

Shut the fuck up.

Their problem seems to be one

Mr. Wong, who runs girls,

guns, and ganja

out of Little Saigon.

Word has it, he's moving

into Disneyland.

Film at 11:00.

What about the police?

The cops say they don't get

involved down here, you see?

What about the locals?

You should check out my

Uncle Minh.

But he wouldn't talk to

any white cops.

Think he'd talk to a priest?

He'd play poker with a rabbi!

-Don't you have

something to do?

-Leave him alone.

Look,

do you think you could set up

a meeting between this

uncle of yours and me?

I'll see what I can do.

But it's going to cost you.

A ticket to see

Robin Williams.

[LAUGHING] He's big in

this community, ever since...

[YELLING]

Good Morning Vietnam!

[HECKLING FROM CROWD]

You frightened me.

I'm so sorry.

I have some gold

to send to Saigon.

Soon it'll be enough to buy

your family's release.

I owe you a great deal.

That's not what

I want you to feel.

I'm here with you.

Yes, I know.

But I feel something

has changed.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

THOMAS: So, I really

appreciate you taking

this time to see me.

[SIGHS] The old customs

die hard.

Change. Too much change.

Things are going

very fast here in America.

So, my nephew says you

could be trusted.

Well, I just...

Think, maybe I can be

of some help to you.

Oh. Really?

You're here to help me?

That's not what I heard.

Actually it has something

to do with this Mr. Wong.

Wong?

He's not your concern.

Well, you know what he's doing

to his community,

don't you?

Maybe.

He's just trying to be another

American success story.

The man's a criminal.

That's our problem.

We'll fix it our way.

So, you're just going to let

this guy run your life?

[SIGHS]

He does not run my life.

Besides, why are you

so interested in

the Vietnamese people?

Well, let's just say,

it's a debt I owe

from the war.

Ah!

So, you're here to

save us again?

Well, listen, I'm sorry

I bothered you.

Thanks.

MINH: Hey, Father.

Wait a minute.

I think I may know

where you can find

what you're looking for.

But, if I take you there,

you must do something for us.

Yeah, sure. If I can.

The locals around here

won't let us bring our fish

to market.

Now, you stand up for us

and they won't try anything

with a priest there.

Yeah. Sure.

You got a deal.

MAN: Pass me new one.

Shit smells as bad

as your sister, man.

[ALL LAUGHING]

[INAUDIBLE]

[INDISTINCT SPEAKING]

Hey. You ain't got

no business here, boy.

MAN: That's right.

It's a free country,

we have a right to bring

our fish to market.

See, you ain't got no rights

round here, zipper head.

This is America, kid.

[ALL AGREEING]

We have as much right to fish

as you do.

The market's

open for everyone.

Get your ass back to Saigon

where you zipperheads belong.

The market is closed

for you, boy.

Boys, good morning.

Well, maybe I could be

of some help here.

Wait a second, Padre.

These gooks here are stealing

all our fish.

[CLAMORING]

Collar or no collar.

You best stay

out of it, Father.

These people have every bit as

much of a right to be here

as we did.

I don't give a shit!

Well, considering that

I'm a priest, I wonder

if I might have a

private moment with you.

You know, being that I am

a religious kind of guy

if I were you, believe me

when I tell you, if you don't

get out of my way,

I'll kick the living shit

out of you.

MAN: Hey, what kind of priest

are you?

Bless you.

Hey! Weigh the man's fish.

Make sure you pay him

the same as you pay

the other people.

You heard me.

Pay the man.

Anybody else here

need any help?

-I don't give a shit

who he is.

-Get out of my way.

-[INDISTINCT SPEAKING]

-Where were you

during the war, Padre?

You need some help?

Don't worry,

it'll be all right.

[GRUNTING]

[ALL LAUGHING]

MAN: All right.

Okay, come on.

Is that your

girlfriend, Padre?

Come on, it's all right.

Okay, take it off, go ahead.

Okay.

So, what do you say,

we just take the collar off

we just do this all

one on one.

Just do this

man to man, all right?

Come on, let's do it,

you're tough guys.

Let's go.

See you all at mass.

It'll be okay.

Good.

HAROLD: Wong, my buddy,

it's time to move,

we've clients waiting.

I don't like this business.

What's not to like?

This is the American way.

All the other immigrants,

the Italians, the Irish,

the Jews,

they were smart enough to take

advantage of prohibition back

in the '30s.

You can do

the same thing right now.

But it's all a matter

of timing,

you wait too long,

you lose everything.

Don't touch.

Look Mr. Wong, if you

want me to run this side

of your business...

You're my attorney.

And you are very,

very well paid.

But...

All the decisions will be

made by me.

Then make a decision.

What's the problem?

It's that priest, isn't it?

Look, if he has you messed up,

let me handle it,

so we can get back

to business.

I know women.

Yes, well, I see your point

uh, Mainland is none of

my concern.

You handle your domestic

situation any way you please.

Just know that I'm here

if you need me.

If you really need me,

I'll be there. That has a

familiar ring to it.

God damn it.

Why don't you just

give it up, uh?

What is it? Is it the kid,

or does it have something to

do with Mailan? Come on.

It has something to

do with me, pal.

Minh is waiting in the car.

-We doing this or what?

-[SIGHS]

You should never have

come back here.

When do we make our move?

We're going now,

but remember,

once you go against Wong

there is no turning back.

You become the enemy.

First you wanna play

Father knows best,

now you wanna go on a

drug crusade.

I just want to get my kid

away from him.

This is one way to do it.

Let's go.

[ENGINE STARTS]

MAX: Last chance to bail out,

Padre.

THOMAS: Just drive.

Now, we do it my way

or nothing at all. All right?

Are we playing Charlie Chan

here, huh?

[DOG BARKING]

What do you want?

I'm looking for a job.

At this time of night?

Aren't you a little old to be

looking for a job here?

[GRUNTING]

Get him in.

-What the hell are you doing?

-[GUN CLICKS]

I didn't come here

to kill anybody.

That's great. That's great.

Come on, this way.

Jeeze. I'm freezing my balls.

There's the crate.

Come on.

Shit. Check this out.

Wait a minute,

I know this man,

he was a fisherman

who went up against Wong.

MAX: I don't care who he is,

I'm out of here.

MINH: I care.

These are my people.

This is the reason

I promised to help you.

Right.

-I'm getting

the hell out of here.

-No, wait here.

Do it, come on. Let's go.

[GUN SHOTS]

Move, move.

Let's go, keep moving.

Do I have your permission to

fire, Father?

Or do you want to give them a

sermon on gun control?

Get back.

Godammit, I'm not standing

around here like peking duck.

I'm hauling my old ass

out of here.

You're crazy, man, I could

have stayed in the service

and done 20...

Damn it, I don't need this.

I am not...

[SCREAMING]

Damn it.

I can't take this anymore.

I can't take this.

Damn it.

Damn it.

Dropping out of a tree,

these people, God...

Max, come here...

So what are you on?

First name basis

with these people?

Yeah, everybody knows me,

it's Max's Bar.

Yeah, you're a real big man

around here, aren't you?

Come on, give me

a hand with the crate.

You want a hand with

the crate, huh?

You want a hand

with your fucking crate?

And you? You bring me down

here for a box of

fucking fish?

Fuck.

Oh! The old man was right.

Holy shit!

I'm in smack heaven.

I don't believe this.

Would you look at this?

This is nirvana.

Do it.

God damn, Wong is gone

big time.

What are you gonna do with it?

Don't you lay a hand

on that, Papa -san.

What's mine is mine.

What are you talking about?

What am I talking about?

This is my big score.

THOMAS: You're way out

of line here, Max.

Don't worry

about a thing, Padre.

I'll cut you in,

you can build yourself

a new church.

I didn't come here

to do business with him.

Hey, you can nail Wong with

those frozen popsicles in

there if you want,

-but, this is...

-So what's the story,

you're gonna be a

dope dealer now?

-Hey, do you think

I'm fucking stupid?

-Yes, I do.

You don't get the big picture,

do you?

I rip this stuff off,

sell it back to Wong.

-Then what?

-Then I'm in business.

Hey, we never paid any

attention to the chaps,

now they own our asses.

It's the same thing

with the Vietnamese.

These people are smart,

they're taking over the 7/11s.

The fucking laundromats.

When is the last time

you saw a white guy

running a 7/11, huh?

Hey, what the fuck

are you doing?

You old crazy, I'll kill you.

You son of a bitch.

God damn it.

McCain, how come I can't get

something out of this fucking

shit world, huh?

-Max, listen...

-Now, fuck both of you

mother fuckers.

God damn it.

I'm out of here.

[TIRES SCREECHING]

I thought we were going

to the police

with the evidence,

why did you burn it?

Don't worry.

Be careful with that guy.

Yeah.

[SIGHS]

According to this

police report

your men didn't actually find

anything on my

client's premises.

Well, counselor,

someone found this.

Hmm.

[SNIFFLING] Cocaine?

Pure heroin.

Oh! Very impressive.

Yes it is.

But, it doesn't really

establish a chain of evidence

does it? I mean,

it's not enough

for a warrant, is it?

-I'm afraid you're right.

-Hmm.

How exactly can we

help you, gentlemen?

If Mr. Wong would cooperate

it would certainly assist us

in our investigation.

Well, Mr. Wong can't possibly

keep tabs on the activities

of all his employees.

But, naturally,

if there's someone

in his employ

who's doing some wrong

we'd like to know about it.

You have my cooperation

as always.

Well, we certainly

appreciate that.

Thank you.

And good afternoon, gentlemen.

We're out of here.

What are you, a

freaking Foster Grant

commercial?

This priest is a problem.

[DOOR CLOSING]

MINH: Good afternoon, Father.

The fishermen really

appreciate what you did

for them.

You're a man of your word.

I hope so.

For my own sake.

-Hi!

-Hi!

I'm Lan, Mailan's daughter.

I hope you don't mind me

wanting to see you.

I know you're an old friend

of my mom's.

I heard there was a big

argument or something,

because you knew her

back in Saigon.

Yeah. Yes, I did.

You didn't happen to know

my father by any chance,

did you?

-Yes.

-You did? Really?

Could you tell me about him?

I mean,

was he like handsome or tall?

[LAUGHING]

[LAUGHING]

I guess, I mean I don't know.

I'm sure your mother

thought so.

[LAUGHING] Well...

Well, what was he like?

Did he really love

my mom or...

Was he like some of those

other American soldiers?

No. He loved her very much.

Nice to hear.

He made mistakes.

And he wasn't perfect.

Mom was always saying that.

He was really brave and then

saved a lot of people's lives

before he was killed.

Lan, I need to talk to you.

Please, sit down.

More than anything,

your father would want

what's best for you.

I know,

that if he could

be here now...

[SIGHS]

He'd want you to know

how proud he is to be

your father.

[CHUCKLES]

And that, he loves you very,

very much.

I guess the war messed up a

lot of people's lives, huh.

Yeah, it sure did.

Well, I got to go.

But, thanks for

talking with me.

Oh...

Anytime.

Um...

Do you think we could see

each other again sometime?

I'd really like that.

[CHUCKLES] Great.

All right.

Well, then see you later.

Yeah.

Bye.

I really need to

talk to her mother.

Can you help me with that?

It's been arranged.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

MINH: This is one of the clubs

not owned by Wong.

But, it's still not safe.

She's in the back,

but don't take too long.

She is risking much

by being here.

I'll wait for you at the bar.

[SIGHS] Thank you for agreeing

to see me.

[SIGHS]

You haven't changed much.

Except from a soldier

to a priest.

15 years.

Yeah. It's a long time.

You're still very beautiful.

Did you ever think of me?

Yes.

God, I can't tell you...

How I wish I could make up for

things that happened

in the past.

You can't.

Hey, hey, I was just

dialing your number.

I was just trying to

get ahold of you guys.

MAN: Where's the priest?

Hey, listen, I had no idea

he'd get involved with

all these people, okay?

Uh, hey, hey,

he went to see Mailan.

You'll find him

at the Saigon cabaret.

Minh set it up.

You tell Mr. Wong

that I ain't involved,

I had nothing to do with it.

You guys know me.

Hey, wait a minute.

Hey, come on, you guys.

We ain't done yet.

I saw Lan today.

Did you tell her?

No. No.

I believe that's something

that we should do together.

Now that you've seen her

it's best you leave.

No.

I won't do that.

I can't know that

I have a daughter here

and just walk away from her.

Why not?

You did it to me.

And I've had to live with that

for these past 15 years.

I'm so sorry.

I know all about

what you went through.

But after that

you could go home.

How about me?

A Vietnamese woman with an

American soldier's child

has no home.

My family turned

their back from me.

No other Vietnamese

would marry me.

I was a disgrace to

my own people.

There is no way for my child

and me to survive in Vietnam.

Believe me, if I had known

I would have been

there for you.

No you won't. You ran.

You wanted to forget

everything about Vietnam.

I did not have to

keep our baby.

Many other women have buried

their mixed children.

But, I got her out.

And I'm not going to let you

or anyone take her away

from me.

I'm not trying to take her

away from you,

I just want to be

a part of her life.

It is impossible.

Why? Because of this,

guy, this Mr. Wong here?

[SIGHS] Yes.

He loves me.

And he has the money

to give my daughter

a good life.

What about you?

How do you feel about it?

You don't understand

my situation.

Thomas...

[WEEPING]

Do you think I like

this kind of life?

[INDISTINCT SPEAKING]

I have always had to fight

for my daughter.

That would never change.

Nothing will change.

Not you.

Not anyone else.

Get out.

Where's Mailan?

I said, get out!

[GRUNTING]

Where is Mailan?

Where are they?

[CROWD SCREAMING]

Minh. [CRYING]

Mailan...

[CRYING]

Thomas, you see,

this is not your world.

Please go back to

where you belong.

Please.

Live your life as the priest.

Please. [WEEPING]

Here's to you, Thomas.

To all the shit and beauty

in the world.

All the spineless

weasels like me.

[SIGHS] And forgiving bastards

like you, Father.

Life's a bitch

and then you die.

You did the right thing, Max.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

WOMAN: I don't know

if you can do

anything for me, Father.

It's been two years

since my last confession.

I've been living with my

boyfriend now for

over a year.

He come and go.

We have kind of an

understanding, you know

what I mean?

Well...

Couple of months ago

I got pregnant,

he got scared, he thought that

I was gonna force him into

marrying me or something.

Anyway,

he left me.

I couldn't handle the baby

all by myself.

I just couldn't.

So, I had an abortion.

Now I'm all alone.

And I can't find my boyfriend.

THOMAS: You're not alone.

I'm with you.

But isn't what I did

a mortal sin?

Will you please forgive me

for that?

There's nothing you can do

that can't be forgiven.

But, you are the one

who has to do it.

No, I need you to forgive me,

I need you to tell me that

everything's going

to be all right.

You must believe that

God is all forgiving.

You must try

to reach Him,

to find the strength to deal

with the pain you're feeling.

If I had the strength

I wouldn't need to be here,

Father.

You don't understand, do you?

What do you know about

real people's problems?

[BELL DINGS]

[SINGING IN VIETNAMESE]

[SPEAKING VIETNAMESE]

THOMAS: Mailan.

Believe me when I tell you

how sorry I am about this.

Thomas, please go away

and leave us alone.

Wong would rather see her dead

than with you.

So, it's because of him that

she doesn't get to know

her real father?

It's too late.

No, it's not too late.

We can get some help,

Max would get us out of here.

Max won't do anything for you.

What are you talking about?

I used him to get Lan

to America.

He got angry because

I wouldn't stay with him.

Believe me,

it was Max who told them

we were in the nightclub.

He's responsible for

all of these.

He hated me

because I loved you.

Can't you see?

He drove us to Wong.

There's nothing you can do.

If you truly feel anything

about our daughter,

give us up.

Accept things

the way they are.

[BELL DINGING]

Mr. Wong wants to

speak to you.

Just come along

quietly, huh, Father.

I've had just about

enough of you.

Hey don't cause a scene,

Father.

It could be bad

for your health.

We don't wanna see

anybody get hurt, huh?

You don't belong here.

Hey, you stay out

of this, man.

Let's go, Father.

Leave him alone.

It is none of your

business, man.

We make it our business.

Maybe some other time, huh,

Father.

Well, if it ain't

the messiah of Little Saigon.

Don't get in my way.

Why the hell did you

come back, McCain.

Why can't you forget the past?

I'm gonna go get my kid

out of here.

And I need more than

a rosary to do it.

It ain't worth it.

She don't even know

who you are.

I know who she is.

And I know who you are, pal.

What's that supposed to mean,

Father?

And don't give me your

holier than thou bullshit.

No more bullshit.

No more absolution.

Come on, let's go then.

Let's do it. Come on.

[GRUNTING]

Come on, Father.

Make me pay for my sins.

[GRUNTING] Uh, come on.

Come on. Why'd you have

to hurt her?

Why don't you ask yourself

the same question.

Come on!

[MAX GRUNTING]

[GASPING]

Jesus! You are one hell of a

tough guy for a priest.

I'm awful sorry about this,

Father.

See the thing is,

we're having some

business problems

and you are a big part

of that problem.

Why did you have to go

and destroy that shipment?

You now owe us a great deal

of money, and frankly

I don't know how

you're going to repay it,

not on your salary.

Well, I guess I do know.

Why am I telling you this?

You know, I think it's because

you're a priest

and I don't get to see

a priest very often

I feel compelled

to be honest with you.

You're the most

self-destructive

son of a bitch I've ever met.

I've never seen anybody go to

such trouble to get

themselves killed.

Ah... Max,

I just love what you've done

to this place.

Let him go.

Don't point that gun at me.

[SPEAKING VIETNAMESE]

You're a dead man, Sammy.

He always was...

You just went too far.

[GUNSHOT]

[GRUNTING]

Keep up the good work, Max.

And the ammo.

Come on.

[MAX WEEPING]

Oh, Jesus.

Christ, always the kids. Why?

You were funny.

You little shit!

Priest or no priest...

You don't take what is mine.

You know

what I'm gonna do?

I'm going to find something

really nice tonight.

Hey, Jo. How are you doing?

How about this right here?

It's nice.

It's not a good color, right?

It's not your size.

Yeah, it's a pretty

nice color. [GRUNTING]

Tell me where they took him.

Don't be stupid, Max.

You'll get yourself killed

for this.

Listen, I am tired of you

and all your bullshit,

got that?

Where'd they take him?

Hey, I don't know man,

they gave the job to Harold.

Harold?

You tell Harold

I'm looking for him.

You got that?

-You're a dead man, Max.

-A dead man, huh?

Huh? [GRUNTING]

How's that for your

fucking martial arts, huh?

[GRUNTING]

Because of you,

she suffered so much.

And now you must pay.

[GRUNTING]

[HAROLD SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

[HAROLD LAUGHING]

Where's he?

Who? What? Where?

What are you doing? You crazy?

Crazy? Yeah!

Yeah. I'm real crazy.

I'm going to turn you

into dog food,

if you don't tell me

where he is.

Oh, yeah? Oh, yeah, asshole?

So do it. Do it.

[GASPING]

He's at Wong's!

Get the hell out of here.

-Have another blast.

-Ow!

Oh! Get out! Get out! Get out!

[GRUNTING]

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

[SIGHS]

Let me talk to the boss.

Mr. Wong.

Mr. Wong.

Max knows you have the priest.

MAX: Christ, Tom. Jesus, man.

[DOOR OPENS]

What's going on around here?

[SPEAKING VIETNAMESE]

Take her up to her mother.

Wong? What's going on?

It's for your own good.

Oh, come on.

[GRUNTING]

Oh, man.

Skin's all ripped up.

Get me my gun.

You're okay, come on.

Tom, I'm sorry, man.

Let's go.

Get my kid.

Get my kid.

My kid.

You are not taking

what's mine.

It's all coming back down on

us, ain't it?

It's your call.

LAN: Mom? Why are you packing?

What's going on here?

MAX: Wait a minute, wait a

minute, let's even this out.

[THUD]

Come on.

-You all right?

-Yeah.

Let's go.

Get back.

-Are you okay?

-Yeah.

Cross, cross.

Move!

[WHIMPERING]

Let's go.

Do it.

Go!

[GRUNTING]

You're on your own, Tom.

Get him.

Tom, look out!

[GASPING]

[GASPING]

-[GUN CLICKS]

-Come along with me.

Now.

-Thomas, please go away.

-Mailan, come with me.

-No, please leave us alone.

-You've to leave here,

right now.

What's going on here?

MAILAN: No. Go away.

Please, I won't leave here

without you.

Come with me now,

and all this will end.

Drop the gun.

Drop it.

Please, drop the gun.

-Mama. What is going on?

-Lan.

This man is your real father.

-What?

-Listen to me.

Wait, what are you doing?

So, you've been lying

to me my whole life?

And you...

-Priest, you lied to me?

-Stop it!

You belong to me.

I gave you everything

and no one can take her away

from me.

MAILAN: No! No!

No!

Fire!

[SCREAMING]

[CRYING]

[LAN CRYING]

God forgive me.

[LAN CRYING]

-LAN: Ma!

-[SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE]

Lose the gun.

[TIRES SCREECHING]

Freeze, don't move.

Stay still.

LAN: It's been said that

everything in our lives

serves a purpose.

That at each moment

we're where we need to be.

And that the path before

us is clear.

And if we don't see it,

it's because

we've chosen not to.

My mother suffered

and sacrificed all her life.

My step father was the tragic

victim of his own rage.

And now I face the future

with the knowledge of my

true past.

In one terrifying instance,

I lost my mother

and found my real father.

Life is never

what you think it would be.

Every day is a new beginning.

And now that we're together

I know for the first time,

who I really am.