(film roll effect)
( music )
( police siren blaring )
Shirin: Good morning, Marvin.
Officer: Good morning, and it's Officer Henderson, Miss.
License and registration, please.
Okay.
I know it's here. Um...
Uh, did you lose your license and registration again, Shirin?
No, no, no. It's in my purse.
It's got to be here somewhere.
Was I speeding again?
Oh, no. No, you weren't speeding, not this time.
-But let me ask you a question. -Uh-huh.
Does that big red sign mean anything to you back there?
Now look, we don't want any accidents out here, do we?
I forgot to stop again, didn't I?
Uh-huh.
I'm sorry.
How's the writing going?
Well, I'm still gonna write you this ticket.
I know.
It's just...well, the writing's so...
Go on.
Different, you know?
Definitely has potential.
Potential?
I gave you the ninth draft.
I know that.
It's really, you know, raw.
You know, fresh is what I mean.
But, I thought we agreed that Harry can't just kill his wife
because he's unhappy.
Well, maybe Harry...he does need to do something.
You know what? Maybe he kills her
then he tries to kill himself,
but through some way he survives somehow.
Or maybe he just lets her go.
Yeah. Maybe he just lets her go.
That'd be...maybe he just lets her go.
Maybe he just lets her... get the hell out of here.
( laughs )
( music )
-Hi Janet! -Hi.
Hi.
...have until tonight.
Then, you'll be hearing from my lawyers.
I've read all the books.
You've read them all in one week?
Uh-huh.
And I wrote a review on each of them,
although only one was worth reading.
The rest were the usual fluff.
You say that like it's a bad thing.
In The Storm is the new Rachel Harson novel.
I'm sure it'll be a best seller too, but I don't get it.
Have some kabob.
You've lost weight.
( speaking foreign language )
I have an offer for you.
We'll have the wedding here,
a big wedding, a beautiful wedding.
In return, you will do a big feature on Ms. Harson.
And we'll put it on the cover of the online issue
as well as three pages in the print publication.
Uh-huh.
You've been asking to write feature stories.
Here's your chance.
Rachel Harson, The Real Story.
Darling, go and interview her.
Write classy stuff, and I promise we won't change a word.
You know she doesn't give interviews.
She hasn't met my daughter.
Right.
Shirin!
My dress!
Shirin!
( music )
Oh, shoot!
Oh.
Is that beer coming?
Shirin: Coming!
Thank you.
Hey, Vicky, it's me.
Um, I have an emergency.
No, not another fire.
Um, do you have any beer?
( music )
Vicky: Hello boys.
Hello.
Hi Vicky.
( speaking foreign language )
Who is this blondie?
Take it easy, man. That's a patient.
She's a patient?
Yeah. I wouldn't mind giving her a filling, huh?
I would love to adjust her tailbone.
Chick, chick, chick, pow.
You're not even a doctor. You're a chiropractor.
That's a glorified masseuse.
I make people walk with beautiful forms.
What do you do?
Fill up their phenomenals?
Thank you so much.
Of course.
Oh, how romantic.
After all these years, Mike still sends you flowers.
American men never do that.
Here.
Thanks, beautiful.
Ba ba!
Tastes so good!
Ooh!
( laughing )
Mike is so adorable.
He did such a great job on these.
You should feel them.
-Oh, oh. No. I'm good. -Are you sure?
-Yeah. -Okay. Okay.
The tall one...the other doctor...is he married?
No. He's not married.
I'm Iranian. I got a chandelier in my car hanging,
just chandelier just hanging.
Tone it down, man. You're a little creepy right now.
I want to be married too! I love her!
I could look at her... one of her hair all day
and just wonder why did it wave like this instead of like that?
What are you reading now?
Hmm?
Oh, it's a new Rachel Harson novel.
Oh, she has a new one?
Yeah, In The Storm.
That's an advanced copy.
I love her.
It's her best yet.
Once I'm done reading it, I'll let you borrow it,
and I'll bring you some more beer.
Forget the beer.
Just bring the book and the tall doctor.
( music )
( speaking foreign language )
Mom, please. I don't want to.
-Come on. -Not tonight, please.
( indiscreet chatter )
Can we get out of here, please?
Yes, honey. We will shortly.
I just want you to meet Ali Ali. We call him Ali Dobey.
I'm glad you found something to look at.
-This is Shirin. -Pleasure to meet you.
Great.
Pretty cute.
Uh well, I was a human rights attorney,
and I...I gave it up to write.
She's a book reviewer from the magazine.
This one?
Uh-huh.
A big fan of Rachel Harson.
You do whatever you want, honey,
as long as you quit when we have children.
And you know I want a lot of children.
Here's to Rachel Harson and In The Storm.
I would say 50 is the best for you.
Oh, come on... ( foreign language )
Mom: Darling, I promised Roya
that we're gonna have grandchildren before too long,
and you're not gonna disappoint us, are you?
I'll do my best.
Don't keep on touching your hair.
Dr. June.
-Shirin. -What are you talking about?
Shirin, come on, come on.
That's okay.
Mom: She's just a bit nervous about the wedding.
Let's have the music louder.
Spring me.
That's interesting.
Mike: You go wash your face.
I'll go get you a water, okay?
I'll be right back, okay?
( laughing )
Woman: Don't you just love this music?
( Thundering )
Ahh!
Whew!
William: Ah, yeah?
Help me. I escaped.
Um, yeah. It's raining. Uh, you should probably go...
-Open the door. -Yeah, okay. All right.
Where...where do you want to go?
Please don't send me back.
Uh, okay.
So you just want me to go?
Okay.
( starts car )
Just go.
-Just go. -Okay. All right.
( music )
So, where are we escaping to?
Just go straight.
If I go back, I'm gonna kill them.
I'm gonna kill myself.
Okay. Straight it is.
And we're out of straight.
Any other suggestions?
Hello?
Awesome.
Pick up the phone.
( crowd talking )
Dude, I got a girl in my car right now.
She's passed out in the front seat.
It's the pretty book reviewer in the purple dress
that was drinking too much tonight at the party.
Long story... I need your help, okay?
'Cause I...I don't know what to do with her.
She's beautiful so please call me back.
Woman: Oh my gosh. Look at that. She's so drunk.
( laughing )
Woman 2: You were that drunk last night.
-No. -Yes. You were.
( laughing )
-This way. -Thanks.
Uh... Is there anything else you need?
You know, I think my hands are...are full.
Oh, oh yeah. Of course. Next time.
-For sure. -Thank you.
Rick..Rick, it's Will.
Pick...pick up, please!
I've got...this girl is in my room right now, okay?
Yeah, the girl from the party.
( music )
She's now in my bed, so um,
you got to... you got to come here,
and you got to help me handle this right now. Please?
Hey...hey, you need to wake up, please.
Oh.
There you go.
Okay.
Ho...ho...ho.
I've got to take your clothes off
'cause you're gonna get pneumonia if I don't. Okay?
So, I'm just doing that.
An engagement ring?
Oh man.
Okay. There ya go.
I can't... ( clears throat )
Okay. There we go.
( foreign language )
Mike: You don't drink whiskey. There was a guy here.
I'm gonna kill him!
Mom: No, you're not.
Mike: What do you mean, no I'm not?
Uh, my...my fiancee was in bed with someone.
-Calm down. Let me explain. -Calm down?
Uh, my fiancee is in somebody's bed!
Oh...oh my God. I'm going dizzy.
Here.
Oh, thank you.
Uh.
Where is he?
I'm gonna kill him!
I don't know how this happened, Mike. I swear.
What am I gonna do?
Mom: I had a call from Rick Davidson this morning.
Shirin had a little too much to drink
so she asked Rick to give her a lift home.
And ended up in bed with him?
Oh my God! ( speaking foreign language )
-Here. -Thank you.
Dr. June, you'll be very happy to know
that as soon as he brought her back to his hotel,
he went straight to his boyfriend, Trevor.
You should never let her drink in public!
Calm down.
Thank you.
( music )
Helen: Uh, oh.
Ha. I knew it.
Sweetheart, that's a red hair.
Do you see any other red-headed Asians walking around here?
Uh, major health code violation.
I'm not eating this.
Helen, I need to talk to you about something kind of important.
I just found out my mother is really sick.
I'm sorry.
That's terrible.
They don't think she's gonna make it to her next birthday.
I need more wine.
It's empty.
Can I have...are you gonna eat... that?
-Go ahead. -Yeah? Okay.
Thank you.
Broccoli, the long ones.
It's like a combination between asparagus and broccoli.
These are so good. ( slurping )
-Thanks, babe. -All right.
Please be careful and don't drive fast.
Oh, dad.
She couldn't drive fast even if she wanted to.
I can't believe you'd rather drive seven hours in this piece of junk
instead of taking a one hour flight.
You know I hate to fly, and please don't call Zuzu a piece of junk.
You know I don't want to put my first car to sleep.
The keys are in the ignition honey.
Oh yeah. ( starts car )
And you got the GPS, too?
Uh, yep, and I have this just as backup.
Where's your ring?
Oh, uh, I'm sure it'll pop up somewhere.
Oh my God. You lost it?
How could you lose...? Oh my God.
Do you know how long that ring's been in my family?
Since my great-great-great grandmother five generations!
Dr. June...Dr. June...don't let your blood pressure go up.
I didn't lose it.
I just can't find it.
She didn't lose it.
She lost it!
No. She can't find it. That's different.
Mike: What if she lost it? What's the difference?
No, no, no, no.
She didn't lose it. She just can't find it.
But it's the same thing! She lost it!
No, no, no. It's not the same thing.
She just can't find it.
( foreign language )
She lost it.
( music )
Ooh, there she goes again.
Start the car! Start the car!
( starts car )
( tires screech )
( sirens )
Officer Washington: You know what?
Let me handle this.
Good morning, Officer Henderson.
It's coffee, okay?
It's coffee and I spilled it chasing you!
I stopped at the stop sign, didn't I?
No, ma'am. No, you didn't stop.
You didn't stop at the stop sign.
I sent your manuscript to an agent friend of mine.
You know what?
My new partner is sitting back in the car there.
It's not gonna work this time.
Oh.
That's all right. No, oh. I know the number.
O six. Let me tell ya.
Are you leaving town?
Yes, sir.
Are you leaving for a long time?
-Yes, sir. -Good!
Officer Henderson, have you thought about changing that ending?
( officer sighs )
Well, I thought about, you know, when he kills her...
I thought maybe I'd make that a dream sequence.
Oh.
Dream sequences are kind of a movie thing. So...
I don't know.
You let me think about it, all right?
Promise me.
If you stay off my street for a few weeks,
I'm not gonna write you a ticket, okay?
I promise. Promise.
-You promise? -Promise.
'Cause I don't want to see you anymore.
Thank you, Marvin.
( starts car )
( music )
¶ Driving, Singing on the highway ¶
¶ Starin' at the skyline ¶
¶ Floating in space ¶
¶ Hey there ¶
¶ Scoot a little closer ¶
¶ What's your favorite color? ¶
¶ Posies in May ¶
¶ So lovely on my pillow ¶
¶ Spinning webs with rainbows ¶
¶ Sending telegrams to Mars ¶
( thundering )
Just my luck.
GPS: Turn left in 500 feet.
There is no left.
Recalculating. Recalculating.
Turn left.
What? You want me to drown in the ocean?
There's no left.
Turn left.
Ugh!
¶ Sunday ¶
¶ Coffee at the bookshop ¶
¶ Sirens out the window ¶
Oh, man.
GPS: Turn right.
Where am I?
You have arrived at your destination.
She lives in the middle of nowhere.
Where the hell are we?
( raining )
( thunder )
Rachel: Yes? May I help you?
Hi. Yeah, my car broke down.
Can I use your phone?
Oh sure. Come on in.
Thank you.
Oh.
I locked myself out of my car.
Oh.
You better wipe yourself off before you get pneumonia.
Clearly, that's not gonna work so I'll get you a bigger towel.
Thanks.
Here.
-Thank you. -Oh, you're welcome.
Oh. You know, why don't you make the call later.
Come on with me.
Yeah, just follow me. That's good.
Come on in. Sit by the fire.
I don't want to bother you.
If you could just give me a number for a taxi,
I'll go to a hotel and find somebody to help me with my car?
You're not from around here, are you?
No. Los Angeles.
Because the closest hotel is about 20 miles away,
no one is gonna come out here in this weather.
Stay here tonight.
You can take care of everything in the morning.
Oh, that is way too much trouble.
No. Shh. I don't want to hear about it.
Please, sit down.
Well...
I don't know. I really shouldn't be drinking.
You know, if you have just one keeps you very warm.
Okay.
There you go.
Thanks.
You're welcome.
So, what are you doing around here?
Work.
I'm a journalist.
You're a journalist?
Well, not really a journalist.
I'm more of a book reviewer for a magazine.
I'm looking for someone.
She's an author. Her name is Rachel Harson.
Hmm.
May I ask why?
Uh, I'm writing a story on her,
although I'm pretty sure she won't talk to me.
She seems like a pretty difficult woman.
You know, that's funny. I've heard the same thing about her.
What magazine did you say you wrote for?
BH Style.
Have you heard of it?
No, but I'm...I'm not a magazine person.
I'm sure it's very nice.
Uh, truth is, it's my first big assignment so I'm a little...
So you're nervous?
Yeah ( laughs )
Let's not talk about work anymore tonight.
You're tired. You need your rest.
Take that with you.
Okay.
You're very kind.
Oh, you have found me out.
( door opens )
This is my son's room.
Well, at least it was his room.
Oh, he's so cute!
Yes, he is cute.
Okay.
I'm so sorry.
I didn't even recognize you.
Why would you? See that picture?
That was taken 30 years ago.
Anyway, you need to get your sleep.
Good night.
( music )
( coughing )
( distant talking )
-The emotion. -Yes!
-So go to Kailee's. -Okay.
I got a flat of little teeny flowers.
Will: That reminds me...
Rachel: I want to put it back there near the stones.
Just bring 'em back.
Everything's looking so raggedy, and I've been out there every day.
Hi, Mrs. Harson. ( hoarse voice )
Oh, hi.
No.
No, not...not...no, not you again. Uh-uh.
Rachel: You two know each other?
Will: Yeah, I'm sorry.
I don't want to be rude, but we don't want any journalists in my house.
I...I don't know what you're talking about.
Don't strain your voice.
You know, this is my house. She's a guest in my house.
Mom, she is a journalist. You know what that means?
She told me she's a book critic.
-Really? -You know? Yes.
Will: Can I talk to you alone for a second.
Wait a minute! Just sit down.
First of all, I'm gonna take Shirin and put her back into the bedroom.
Go on, honey.
You are really embarrassing me in front of my guest!
Really?
Shirin...how do you even know her name?
Why is she here?
She is not feeling well.
I think she has a little bit of a temperature,
so she might have to stay a night or two.
Another night or two?
I don't want to talk anymore about it, okay?
Thank you.
She's cute, isn't she?
She thinks you're cute.
Here. Take that perfect tray and be nice.
Yes, ma'am.
I'm sorry to intrude.
-I'll leave. -No, no.
I'm...I'm sorry.
I, um, you know...what happened back there.
Let's see if I can...
Man, you know, I knew that was gonna happen too.
-I'm sorry. -It's okay.
It's kind of been one of those days.
Oh.
I'm sorry.
I'll, um...I'll get you some more orange juice.
-I'll get you... -Oh, no.
( coughs )
Shirin: Sorry again.
Where have I seen you before?
Um, I think...I think we met at a...at a party one time.
Please, sit down. I don't want you to ruin your voice.
-Thanks. -Yeah.
Um, great.
Thanks.
Yeah.
Happy boy.
Huh? Oh. Yeah.
I don't know why my mom has that...
Yeah, I wasn't quite as happy as...as I looked here, but uh...
but I was an amazing chess player, so you know?
A bit of a loner, you know?
Zuzu.
Huh? What'd you call me?
Zuzu. My car.
Oh.
You dropped a grape.
Five second rule. You can still eat that.
Thank you.
Yeah, I noticed that you got the blue beetle.
Yeah.
I used to have a beetle.
Um, it was my first car, so...
Thank you.
( car horn honking )
Oh, um, I got to take off.
Okay.
Yeah, but um...
-Thanks again. -Yeah. Feel better.
Take it easy.
( car horn honking )
Please, tell your friend not to honk.
Her name's Helen, mom.
It's been that way for seven years.
I'll tell her. Bye.
( phone ringing )
Answer it!
I'm too hysterical!
Hello?
Yes.
Is she okay?
Thank you. Thank you very much for calling.
Goodbye.
Well?
She is fine.
That was Rachel Harson.
Rachel Harson?
Herself?
Shirin is sick.
She has a high fever.
Great.
Great?
Are you out of your mind.
Don't you get it?
It's Rachel Harson, the writer.
She got her.
That's my daughter.
Rachel: "Harson's latest work is a literary sensation
combining a magical illumination of the ordinary
with exquisite lyricism
laced with elegance and compassion.
A tragic love story which brings to mind the best of Annie Poole."
Oh, hey, the best she gives it four stars.
( laughing )
Hey, you're not supposed to be out of bed.
Oh, I'm feeling much better, thank you.
Let me get a chair.
Yes, you have to eat!
-Thanks. -Yeah.
You want some meatloaf?
Yeah.
Some meatloaf.
-Thanks. -Uh-huh.
Um, I almost forgot.
You, uh...you left these.
Oh. Thank you. Thank you. I'm always losing things.
I'm hopeless.
No, you are not, and I'm gonna tell you why missy.
See this?
We just read the review.
You're a fantastic writer.
William, tell her how good she is.
You're good.
( laughing )
Where did you go to school?
Uh, Oxford for undergrad and then...
-Oxford. -Columbia Law.
Columbia Law?
Now, I'm learning how to write.
Hey, don't be so modest.
You are a very good writer.
Oh, that means so much coming from you.
Thank you. ( laughs )
Do you write, too?
Um, me?
No, I, um...why?
Uh, your room. All those books.
Oh, that's my fault.
See, I used to be an English teacher
so I made him read all the books that I love.
And it was horrible.
It was not!
Yeah. I didn't think a teenage boy would read all the classics,
especially the ones written by women.
He's a very unusual man.
Elizabeth Bishop is one of my favorite poets.
I hope you don't mind, but I was going through your collection
of poetry in your room, and loved the notes in the margins.
This is not like the big city, you know.
He had a lot of problems as a teenager.
-I don't mean problems. -It was boring.
I know...not for me but, you know, for William.
Hmm.
Rachel: Good huh?
I'd love to get the recipe.
Oh, well I just put it together. It's his recipe. He is the chef.
Oh, you know, my father's the chef in our house, too.
-Really? -Um, shoot.
-You know what? I got to... -You got to go to work?
Yeah. Um, you guys enjoy. Okay?
And uh...
-I love you. -I love you.
And um, yeah.
-Good night. -Good night.
Here.
Have some veggies.
Then we'll have some tea.
He's so good looking.
He lives in that lighthouse down the road.
When the weather is really, really stormy,
he listens to the radio in case somebody needs help.
Interesting.
His father died 12 years ago.
In a horrible storm.
The Coast Guard couldn't pick up the signal because it was too weak,
and William left New York, moved back here
and bought a whole bunch of high tech radio equipment,
and he sits there and he listens to the radio.
And he can hear even the weakest signal.
I am so sorry.
I had no idea.
Oh, just like the character from In The Storm.
I suppose I'm revealing some family secrets.
Oh, no.
I am definitely off duty tonight.
No, you write. You write what you want.
You write the truth.
I don't have a problem with that.
And I wish William would just stop hiding.
( phone ringing )
Oh, I'm...I'm sure that's for you.
-Do you mind answering it? -Okay.
Mom: Hello, Ms. Harson?
It's me, mom.
How come you called Mike and not me?
Be professional. Don't forget why you're there.
Yeah, yeah. I'm feeling a lot better.
Uh, I have to go now.
I'll call you tomorrow.
-Did you bring your cell? -No. Please, don't worry.
Be sure to take some good pictures.
( music )
( voices on radio ) Jesse. This is Jesse. Fishing vessel, this is Jesse.
Are you out there anywhere John?
About 3.5 miles off the coast
right about where we... ( ocean waves )
-Morning! -Hi.
So, I, uh, stopped by the store this morning.
I got cinnamon hazelnut coffee. We're all set.
Honey, you didn't have to go to all that trouble.
It's fine.
You look like you're feeling better.
Yeah. I am. Thanks.
Good.
You know what, William?
Why don't you take Shirin out for a lovely drive?
Oh no. I have to...
I have to get back to L.A. so...
Yeah. It's a long drive.
Yeah.
Honey, she came all the way up here,
now don't you want to see how beautiful everything is?
What a good idea to get out and get some air!
What a great idea!
Mom, there's not... there's not much to see. Really.
What are you talking about?
She's all the way up here, and you're not gonna show her around?
Honey, wait 'til you see the beauty of the landscape and the flowers.
So what do you think? A good idea?
Okay. Good.
( music )
Shirin: Wow. I see why Rachel's work is so inspired.
This is magnificent.
This is the main setting for Under Blue Skies, isn't it?
Yeah.
So what do you want to write about?
Oh come on. You got a novel in there, don't ya?
What makes you say that?
Maybe it helps that I have a writer in the family.
So why'd you stop?
Who says I ever started?
Really?
Okay, I've written 600 pages, but I haven't touched it in nearly two years.
-Why not? -Fear of failure probably.
What if no one wants to read it? What if it's bad?
Just write another one.
Easy for you to say.
I need to move somewhere peaceful so I can write.
Definitely old enough to go out on your own.
How did you know I live with my parents?
I guessed. I'm sorry.
I, um, the way you were dressed and uh,
your mannerisms. It was...
Well, just so you know, I didn't have much of an income
after I graduated so I had no choice.
-I just decided... -Yeah, I...I'm sorry.
That was none of my business.
( music )
You are so lucky.
Yeah, it's not too bad.
So, Mr. Adventure, why do you still live with your mother?
I don't live with my mom.
I live next to her.
Right.
Like...right next to her.
( laughs )
Next to her, and if you must know, the truth is is that, um,
I live next to her because she's not well.
Oh.
I'm sorry.
Perhaps you're right.
Maybe I miss her cooking just a little bit.
Anything else you want to pick on.
Well, I mean, since you asked.
You should really get some new clothes.
You don't dress very well.
Now, you're gonna go there?
All right. At least I don't look like a dentist assistant, so...
A dentist assistant, really?
-Uh-huh. -'Cause this is your sweater.
And you wear it well.
Thanks.
( music )
( waves crashing )
Rachel: William has created his own little world,
and Helen is one of the few people in it.
He doesn't really meet new people.
How long have they been together?
Oh, I'd say about seven years give or take.
You see, when he came back from New York,
his spirits were really low.
He was drinking too much, and he knew Helen from high school.
She was the manager of the local bar,
which was his favorite hangout.
She was really a good influence.
She was his friend, kind of brought him back to life.
Hmm.
So?
What about you? I mean, do you have a boyfriend?
Are you...?
I'm actually engaged.
I lost my ring.
I'm an idiot.
His name's Mike.
Our families have known each other since we were kids.
Now, he's a plastic surgeon.
Really nice guy.
My mom really loves him.
I'm very happy for you.
Thanks.
Okay, I'm gonna pry.
Why are you writing for BH Style?
( laughs )
Because my mom's the owner
and because I'm a coward.
I think you're very special.
Thanks.
Let me get some coffee. I don't know if you want any.
Ugh!
Rachel?
Oh.
You know, I was always afraid that something like this would happen
when I wasn't with her.
I'm grateful you were there for her.
You can't be there all the time.
I'm glad I was there too.
( coughing )
I didn't know you smoked.
I don't.
( coughing )
Give me that.
It's a hospital.
( ocean waves )
You know,
the dialogue in Rachel's novels feel so authentic.
She must rely on your help, right?
Next question.
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry.
It's just Rachel really knows how to capture this place, you know?
The sea, the villages where the fishermen live.
She has such strong insight into the pain her characters are feeling
and yet there's such optimism and romance in her writing.
I'm sure she'll be happy to hear your analysis.
You, on the other hand, I can't quite figure you out.
I mean, if Rachel bases all her characters on real people,
where do you fit in?
You're James, from In the Storm.
Absolutely not. No. ( laughs )
There's no way Rachel bases a sailor on me
because I put one foot into a boat, and I turn green.
Yeah.
And my father, on the other hand...
that guy was a fisherman.
So Rachel wrote about your dad.
I don't know. Maybe.
I mean, can you imagine,
I had to grow up in this... this fishing town.
My father's this great fisherman,
and I get sea sick the minute I... I step in a boat.
It was a disaster.
I think you turned out all right.
Will you come sit next to me?
You just seem so far away.
Please?
I don't bite, you know. I'm just...
So, William, where did we meet before?
What party?
Most guys don't greet me with, "Oh no, not you again."
Yeah, it was a...it was like a month ago.
Some fancy Persian party in a Beverly Hills mansion.
Darling, I promised Roya that we're going to have grandchildren before too long,
and you're not going to disappoint us, are you?
I'll do my best.
Don't keep on touching your hair.
Oh yeah. My mother's party.
I had way too much to drink that night.
Uh, yes you did.
I don't know why my mom buys all these dreadful paintings
when they're such great artists in L.A.
-Couldn't agree more. -Uh-huh.
I'm Sylvia Nelson, the purveyor of second rate dribble
you tore apart in your magazine.
Uh, oh gosh.
Did I do something stupid?
No.
I mean, yeah, you really were wobbly. But uh...
I'm glad you found something to look at.
-This is Shirin. -Pleasure to meet you.
Great.
She's pretty cute.
Oh, well I was a human rights attorney,
and I...I gave it up to write.
She's a book reviewer for the magazine.
-This one? -Uh-huh.
And a big fan of Rachel Harson.
You are a terrible liar.
You're just like my dad.
Your left eyebrow goes up when you lie.
What do you mean?
Yeah. Look, you're doing it again. Right now.
Doing it right now. Silly.
Uh, great.
Excuse me, but what about me?
-Uh. -Since yours is full.
I think we just established that you can't handle your alcohol, so...
Whatever.
( pours drink )
To new friends.
To loveless marriage.
Wow.
I mean, sorry.
There is nothing worse then a relationship that's convenient,
comfortable and boring.
Right?
I'll drink to that.
Man, so what's our problem?
I don't know,
but I do know you don't need anymore of that.
No, I do not need anymore of that.
( laughs )
I told my fiancé about you.
He asked me why I'm so interested in a guy
who lives off his mother's income,
sits around playing with his radios all day.
Sounds like a smart guy.
I'd listen to him if I were you.
I'm not stupid.
It's this the reporter in you trying to get more out of me.
Oh my God.
Will you stop with all the reporter crap?
Look at me.
You always avoid looking at me directly in the eye.
No, I'm looking at you right now.
No, you're not.
Look at me.
( music swells )
( phone ringing )
Mike?
Shirin, is everything all right?
I'm on my way.
That...that's not a good idea.
What?
I'm having trouble hearing you!
Don't worry. Everything is taken care of.
AAA will tow your car back to L.A.
I'll be there within an hour and then...
That's definitely not a good idea.
What?
Are you okay?
Yeah, I'm fine.
Will you stop rushing me? You always do that to me.
Shirin, what's going on?
Nothing.
I'm just having a really tough day.
It's really busy here.
Can you just come tomorrow?
What?
No, I can't come tomorrow.
I'm already on my way.
Just meet me at the local hospital, okay?
What hospital?
Sweetheart, what's the matter?
Oh.
-Hi. -Hi.
-Sorry I'm late. -Late for what?
I'm not going anywhere.
These are for you.
Oh.
Wild flowers.
They're my favorite. William picks them for me.
I had a feeling about that.
You look a lot better.
Compared to what?
Did I scare ya?
Yeah. You did.
You look...I don't know, different, beautiful, rosy.
Your cheeks are all a flush.
It must've been the rush to get over here.
My fiancé, Mike, is coming to pick me up,
so I came to say goodbye.
Goodbye?
How about the interview?
Oh no. You don't worry about the interview.
Please, just concentrate on getting better.
You saved my life.
I want to do the interview.
I do.
Write down your questions and put 'em on a piece of paper.
Give 'em to William, and he's my right hand man.
It'll be fine.
-Rachel, I don't... -Do not argue with me.
It's a losing battle.
I thought you knew that.
Thank you for everything.
I'm gonna be fine.
I wish I had some coffee and some cookies.
You know what? Get me a vase
from that nurse that has that mustache.
( laughing )
Don't tell her it's for me. She doesn't like me.
-Oh gosh. All right. -Okay?
-I...I'll get her. -Okay.
Okay.
Bye-bye.
I'm looking for Ms. Rachel Harson.
One second.
Yes, uh, room 241 to the left and the immediate right.
Thank you.
Hi.
What? What do you want?
No, I just...okay.
( giggles )
( typing )
You write on a typewriter?
What are you doing here?
I came to say goodbye.
Oh.
( ocean waves )
It's pretty, isn't it?
You should see it at night.
if the skies are clear you can see every star in the sky.
I don't know what to say.
You don't have to say anything.
I, um,
I...I want...I want to say something.
Ever since I met you, I... ( cell ringing )
It's my fiancé.
Yeah, of course it is.
He's probably trying to make sure he gets you to the church on time.
-Always in a hurry, so... -I would be to if I was him.
What are you writing?
Um, this is, uh...this is my mother's manuscript.
I'm pretty much her official typer now.
Can I take a peak?
Can I trust you?
You already have.
It's her most recent work.
It's beautiful.
( cell ringing )
Oh.
I really have to go.
Yeah.
I'm glad you liked this.
You have something you want to give me, right?
Here, um, it's not why I came.
No, of course.
I know there's something going on here.
I just don't know what it is...
yet.
Goodbye.
( music )
Bye.
( Persian music )
( sentimental music )
This is crazy!
You're moving into the apartment of somebody you just met.
You don't even know her!
What if she's a serial killer!
Mom, you need to relax. We've been Skyping.
It's all fine.
Skyping?
That's not talking.
Nader, do something.
What can I do?
My head is fine. Give me a hug.
Bye.
I should've done this years ago.
( starts car )
Did you see the way she was dressed?
She gave away all her beautiful clothes.
What have we done to deserve this?
Thank you so much.
Girl: You're welcome. We'll see you in six months.
Yeah.
Have a good time you guys.
You have a simple exciting concept.
For a novel, that's not enough, but for a movie,
it could be just what the studios want.
High concept.
Ooh, that's what I've got?
High concept?
I got concept.
High concept.
Uh, is something bugging you?
You want to talk about it?
You know I got nieces your age.
I'm getting married to a very nice guy
who I've been with for a very long time,
but I met someone new.
Um-hmm.
Uh-huh.
The first one, very successful,
and the second one, married but not so rich.
Kind of.
I mean, he's got a long term girlfriend, so...
I knew it. I knew it. You know why?
'Cause we police officers got a good sense of psychology.
So what do I do, Dr. Freud?
What do you do?
Hell, you just run off with me! ( laughs )
Marvin.
Okay.
Only if you let me drive.
Oh, hell no.
Not the way you drive. Deal's off.
Uh-uh.
That ain't happening.
Maybe I need more courage.
Well, hell, let's drink to courage.
And to all the writers in the world.
( music ) ¶ You said you're leaving, Today ¶
Dale: You know, in all the years I known ya, I never seen you looking like this.
Everything okay between, uh, you and Helen?
No shit.
I thought you two were gonna get married.
Ahh.
You got another one, huh?
I do, and she's getting married to somebody else.
Is she pretty?
Oh, Dale, she's gorgeous.
You know? She's... she's pretty, and she's clumsy.
Wow. Sounds like you're really into her.
She live around here?
No.
That's tough.
Hold onto her.
This one sounds like the one you don't want to let slip away.
Bye boys.
( music )
( cell message )
Will: Hey. It's me.
Listen, I have some bad news about my mom.
I, uh, wish I could've heard your voice.
I miss you.
( music )
I wasn't expecting you today.
Rachel died last night.
Darling, I'm so sorry.
Why are you smiling?
Do you think the son will give you an exclusive?
I'll send a photographer with you.
Mom, put the phone down! Mom?
This is a private funeral. No press.
No television. Nothing.
I'm invited, and I'm going.
I'll get a driver to take you.
No. You don't get it, do you? I don't want a camera!
And I definitely don't want one of your photographers
posing as a driver!
Mom: But how are you gonna get there?
Don't worry.
I'm Sasha Kapalov
from Russia.
I take care of you.
This is homemade vodka.
You relax.
You don't feel a thing.
I don't drink.
You don't?
I can't hold my liquor.
I hold it for you.
Don't be silly.
Everybody drinks, huh?
No, thanks.
Okay.
( speaking Russian )
Flight attendant: Please fasten your seat belts.
Flight attendants return to your stations.
We're expecting some serious turbulence up ahead.
Oh, oh, ho.
( music )
I'm sorry about Rachel.
Thanks for coming.
I almost didn't make it.
Um, I tried to get here sooner. I'm really sorry.
Don't apologize.
She...she'd be happy you were here.
I'm Helen. Will's girlfriend.
Aren't you going to introduce us?
Oh, I'm sorry.
This is, um... this is Shirin.
She's a friend of the family.
Nice to meet you.
Well, it was great to meet you.
Yeah.
Likewise.
If you don't mind, I'm gonna spend some time with Rachel by myself.
( tennis being played )
Yeah!
Yes! Aha! See? You can't beat me, brother!
( foreign language )
Come on now!
Don't make me nervous, baby!
You know that position makes me crazy.
-You can do it! -All right.
See what you got.
Shirin?
Yeah?
-Ahh! -Shirin? What is this?
What is this? What was that?
Next time, I get Vicky.
You get Shirin, huh?
-Ya! -Shirin?
( laughing )
Whew!
Shirin!
I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm trying!
Game, set, match.
Loser buys drinks.
Let's go. ( starts car )
Beetle just went through the stop sign.
No, it didn't.
Yes, it did.
No, it didn't. Not today. Didn't happen.
Trust me. Trust me. It didn't happen.
-Well, what? -You didn't see it.
Hey, Dad.
Shirin, what are you doing here?
Uh, I just thought I'd stop by and say hi.
You play tennis?
You hate tennis.
Yeah, I know, and it was really hot out, and Vicky and Ed
kept smashing the ball at me, and I kept missing
'cause I'm really uncoordinated. You know that about me,
and look, I'm just really trying to make everybody happy,
but I can't. So, I don't know what the...I just...
Please sit down and tell me what's going on.
Why did you marry mom?
What's the matter, Shirin?
I just know you're unhappy every time you're around her.
I don't want to make the same mistake.
So don't.
The truth is that you do not need a lot in life.
Find the man you love.
But you never answered my question.
Why did you marry mom?
Back home,
your mom was in love with a rich Iranian surgeon.
In fact, when he got engaged with someone else,
she wanted to get rearranged.
So, what does she do?
She proposes to her college professor.
Me.
Your mother was an excellent student,
beautiful, rich, the whole thing.
Of course, I couldn't believe my luck, and I said, "yes."
Before I knew it, you arrived.
( music )
So I was part of the mistake.
No, no, no, no.
You were the most wonderful thing
that could ever happen in my life.
The only thing that I'm sure I have done right.
( music )
Will: You probably guessed by now who the real writer is.
I didn't know how to tell you, and I was kind of embarrassed,
but it feels so good to finally be able to tell someone.
Hey, Will, you there?
Please leave a message after the beep.
Oh, God. I hate leaving voice messages.
Um, but I have so much I want to say to you.
Uh, thank you so much for my present
but mostly for trusting me.
Mom: Fine then.
Expect a call from my lawyers.
Why do you dress like a beggar?
This is a brand new outfit...
Never mind. We need to talk.
Of course, buttercup.
How much did you pay for it?
Mom.
Darling, don't make that face.
Tell me. What's going on?
Well, um, I think you should know that
I've decided not to marry Mike.
Do you have any idea how many women would give their right arm
to marry Dr. June?
I'm sorry. I can't go through with it.
Okay. What is it? Another woman?
So, he had a little adventure.
Come on. He had a little fling.
Let's be a big girl.
Actually, it's nothing like that.
I'm just not in love with him.
-You don't love him? -No, that's not what I said.
I love him. I'm not in love with him.
This isn't a romantic novel.
It's a legal contract.
You're getting married.
How many couples do you know that got married for love
and are now divorced?
I'm in love with William, Rachel Harson's son.
What?
That nut case who stares at the stars and plays with his radio all night
is in love with my daughter?
Unfortunately, he's involved with someone else.
So, I'm out of luck.
My daughter has gone cuckoo.
Uh, hi. Sorry to bother you.
Uh, I'm here to see Shirin.
( phone beeps )
Yes?
Who?
Really?
On my way.
I have to go to a meeting.
Not a word about this, promise me my dear, to anybody.
Fine. Fine. I won't say anything.
I'm Shirin's mother, Maryam.
Hi, I'm...I'm William Harson.
I, uh, didn't have an appointment, but I'm here to see Shirin.
It's kind of personal.
I'm so sorry, she's not here,
but I would love to speak with you.
Would you join me for lunch?
Uh, yeah.
Maryam: You have to forget about her.
I can't.
Ma'am, I'm in love with your daughter.
She is a married woman.
She's what?
She went through with this?
At the last minute, I agreed to drop the plans for a big wedding
because she was in such a hurry.
Can you believe it?
She went to Vegas.
No, I...I can't.
She got married in Las Vegas?
On a bridge over a canal, one of the most beautiful hotels.
She got married in a mall casino?
I thought it was very romantic.
In Vegas?
And fun.
Really?
Please, have some more kabob.
I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news,
but a handsome man like you,
well surely you'll have no trouble finding someone else.
Yeah.
Shirin told me everything.
What do you mean she told you everything?
Everything.
So...you know?
I was shocked, but you know,
mothers and daughters, no secrets.
If the public finds out about this, I'm ruined.
Do you understand that?
You have to understand that we didn't...we didn't plan this.
You know?
It just...it started off as a joke and then we...we just kind of went with it, and...
You call something like this a joke?
We never meant to deceive anyone.
I promise you.
But you did deceive.
I should've never trusted Shirin.
You're not gonna publish this, are you?
I want to be fair.
Will you tell me your side of the story
and please have some more Ghormeh sabzi.
( knock on door )
-Hi. -Hey.
Forgot your keys again, huh?
You look very wild. Where did you get that dress?
This is for you.
What are you talking about? Come on. Let's go inside.
No. I can't do this. I can't...I can't marry you.
What do you mean, you can't marry me?
It's another guy, huh?
It's that guy from the lighthouse, that hippy kid?
Shirin, how could you?
Mike, you're the type of guy who almost any woman would love to have.
Right, but not you.
I'm sorry.
I have to go.
Uh-huh.
( sighs )
Will: Give my friend a drink, please.
Girl: You have a name?
Yeah. Yeah. I can't remember it right now.
I never heard that one before. That's funny.
Hmm.
It is funny, and it's true.
Sometimes, I go by William, and then other times,
I go by Rachel.
I'd prefer to call you Rachel.
( meowing ) ( laughing )
Naughty.
Um-hmm.
Most people want to call me Rachel these days.
Yeah?
Why don't you come to my place and tell me about it?
She isn't worth it.
If you only knew, but I tell you what I will do.
I will drive you home.
Sure you will.
You dumped Mike for this?
Naughty night? What the hell?
There must be some kind of mistake.
Only in your choice of men.
Revolting.
This isn't like him.
Which part? Picking up sleazy bimbos
or driving through storefront windows?
( television playing )
Bev, I'll call you back.
You are a monster!
-Sweetheart. -Don't call me that!
I'm resigning, and I demand you publish a letter of apology!
I was just about to say congratulations.
You're not even giving me a chance!
How could you do this to your own daughter?
Calm down, darling.
I thought you'd be thrilled.
Thrilled?
Please.
Let's not be too theatrical here.
After all, this is BH Style.
We do our best to get the truth.
We're not just about fashion and gossip.
No, no.
We're about selling magazines.
Whatever.
The fact is, I made him confess his sins,
and I was kind enough to give you the credit.
You spent days at their home and came back empty-handed.
He told me everything in 20 minutes.
What are you talking about?
He came by, asked to have lunch and told me everything.
I don't believe you.
He wanted this to be a secret.
I never meant to deceive anyone.
After I published my first novel in New York which was a huge disaster,
I went home and I wrote Before The Morning.
My mother, Rachel, she loved it,
and she wanted me to send it to publishers,
but I only agreed to do it if she put her name on it.
So, we did.
So, my mom's book became a huge hit.
I couldn't go back,
and then I became Rachel Harson, the author.
I told you he was crazy,
mentally unstable, self-destructive.
Lots of writers are.
So sad.
Uh, hello, William?
I don't know what's going on?
I've called you five times.
Please call me back.
There's so much I want to say.
I...I read the article.
I...I'm so sorry if I hurt you in any way.
I...I don't know why you're not responding to my calls.
Can you please call me?
I miss you.
( knocking on door )
Who is it?
( knocking on door )
-Hi. -Hi.
Can I come in just one minute?
-Yeah, yeah. -Thanks.
What happened to you?
I thought it would be more your style.
I thought you'd like it. You know, hippy.
It's interesting.
Shirin, ever since I met you, I fell in love.
I can't look at any other woman.
Please, take me back.
I'll do whatever it takes.
No more boob jobs. Just nose jobs.
I...
Shirin, let's get married.
Mike, I...I can't.
Wait, wait, wait.
Hold on.
Let me show you this. Look at this.
-Mike, what are you doing? -You're gonna like it.
-Mike? -No, you're gonna like it.
You're gonna like it. Hold on. Huh?
( laughing )
Come on!
Smiley face.
You can't say no to that.
You're crazy.
Put your pants back on.
It was Ben's idea, but I mean, it worked, right?
It is working.
Oh. I missed you.
( Foreign language )
Congratulations.
Excuse me, officer, uh... any problem?
Oh, no sir. No sir.
I'm a friend of Shirin, and I just, I couldn't get off today,
and I just wanted to stop by and say hello.
Oh, of course.
You're welcome.
Shrin told me about you. The promising writer, right?
Oh. I'm working on it, sir. I'm still working on it.
Please, please go have some champagne.
Thank you, but I'm still on duty, and I really shouldn't.
Come on. It's only champagne.
Besides, how often does my daughter get married, huh?
( laughing )
( speaking Farsi )
I am speaking Farsi.
( speaking Farsi )
Whoa, you speak Farsi, too.
( laughing )
( music )
You look great.
Will: Please, just sell the house at any price.
I really feel sorry about what happened.
Thank you.
I know people are angry with you,
but it doesn't really make any difference,
and your novels have brought me so much happiness.
It means a lot.
I hope you write more.
I mean, I don't know if you know how much they mean to people
who still haven't found that special someone.
It's okay.
I can't help it, but I have to quote
a poem from the very famous Persian poet, Hafez.
Who said... ( foreign language)
Don't worry. He always gives big speeches,
plus I'm still expecting more important people.
( foreign language )
Aren't you proud of me?
Sure.
Any particular reason?
Silly girl almost left the doctor for that crazy writer.
I saved her.
Maryam, what have you done?
What do you mean?
You heard me. What did you do to save the marriage?
Nothing. He came to see Shirin.
I took him to lunch and made him talk.
Trust me, it wasn't easy.
What did you do?
Hi, how are you?
You didn't really think Shirin could write that story, did you?
All's well that ends well. Right darling?
Let me translate this poem for American friends.
That means I have never heard
a better and more beautiful sound than the sound of love.
Excuse me, sir. Is everything all right?
As a matter of fact, sir, it isn't.
We need to talk.
Okay.
There's not gonna be another one.
Man on phone: What are you gonna do now?
I think I'm gonna disappear.
Mike, do you take this woman
as your lawfully wedded wife?
I do.
Shirin, Shirin, do you take this man
as your lawfully wedded husband for life?
Shirin, would you commit yourself to this man, Mike,
and remain faithful to him for the rest of your life?
Shirin, would you commit yourself to this man
and stay faithful to him for the rest of your life?
Excuse me, please. Excuse me, please.
Stand back. Excuse me.
Excuse me, please! Excuse me!
-Excuse me! -What's the hell is going on?
Excuse me, sir. Excuse me!
Uh, you, you're under arrest.
-What are you talking about? -She's under arrest!
-For what? -You can't do this!
I can do this! I'm a police officer!
You can't come here and do that!
She has 300 outstanding tickets, and she's under arrest! Ma'am.
You can't do that now. This is a wedding!
No, no, no! Sir!
Stop it! Ma'am, you're under arrest. Come with me.
Mike, do something!
Ma'am, come with me, please!
That's not right!
Uh, I have a lawyer!
Jose, I got a lawyer. Jose!
Step back! Would you please step back!
Step back, please!
Please step back!
Mike: Call the police! Call the police! Dial 911.
Where are you going?
You can't her! This is a party!
Call the police!
( indiscreet chatter )
Stop it!
Would you mind telling me what the hell is going on?
Well, first of all, I'm probably gonna lose my job over this,
but a writer has to be fearless, you know what I mean?
That's what you said, isn't it?
I'm pretty sure I was talking about writing, Marvin.
Well, your dad told me exactly what's happened.
Do you know William came to visit you,
but your mother persuaded him to go to lunch with her instead?
She told William that you betrayed him.
-This is discrimination! -Discrimination!
It's discrimination!
Now, it seems like he loves you.
Do you love him?
It's up to you, Shirin.
Uh...
Mom: I'm warning you!
My lawyers will destroy you!
For once in your life, mother, shut up!
( crowd oh's )
Well...
Nader, do something!
What are we waiting for?
Let's do it!
( music )
I didn't write that article.
I had to tell you myself.
My mom tricked us both.
You didn't come all the way up here just to tell me that, did ya?
God, look at you.
You never looked more beautiful.
I'm gonna say what you're supposed to say to me.
I love you.
Will you marry me?
( music )
Yes.
Shirin, do you take this man as your lawful wedded husband?
I do.
As of this moment, I pronounce you husband and wife.
You may kiss the bride.
(Persian Music)