Original subtitles

(music playing)

♪ I need a dollar dollar, a dollar is what I need ♪

♪ Hey hey Well I need a dollar dollar ♪

♪ A dollar is what I need Hey hey ♪

♪ And I need dollar dollar a dollar is what I need ♪

♪ And if I share with you my story ♪

♪ Would you share your dollar with me? ♪

♪ Well I don’t know if I’m walking on solid ground ♪

♪ And all I want is for someone ♪

♪ And I need dollar dollar, a dollar is what I need ♪

♪ And if I share with you my story ♪

♪ Would you share your dollar with me? ♪

(distant voices)

(music playing)

(indistinct chatter)

Fuck it.

Yo... sorry about that, Domingo.

But I gotta bounce.

Don’t let me stop you, dude. It’s all good.

Hey. Thank Celine for letting me crash here, okay?

- You’re-- - You’re welcome.

Do you want to have a snuggle with us, Ben?

A little snuggle. Aww...

Nah, I can’t, no. But that was fun last night.

Then you must come by Freeman’s later on this evening.

We’re having a little get together for my friend Carole.

She just booked the J. Crew Campaign.

Don’t you ever take a night off?

Never. I might miss something.

I’ll be there.

Yo, dude, man, I kinda have to say,

I like seeing you up early, you know.

Taking care of the denim business shit. It’s awesome.

Hey, you still like the name right?

CRISP? Hell yeah. Simple, understated.

Kinda like you.

I try. Hey, get some sleep.

Oh, yeah. Oh, I will.

After that, boom!

(music playing)

(indistinct chatter)

Professor Fresconi: And you’re not in here. Get that?

The problem is, that’s somebody else.

I want to see you work on you, okay?

- Next week? All right. - Thank you.

Professor Fresconi?

- Dan Epstein! - Ben.

Ben Epstein.

God, I mean, an F.I.T. classroom, no less?

- You remember, how are you? - I’m good. I’m good.

So, uh, what do you got?

Actually I, I stopped by to pick your brain about something.

I’m starting a denim line.

Oh, boy.

- It’s, it’s called CRISP. - Mm-hm.

And it’s inspired by 1970’s New York City.

So you got the birth of hip hop,

the birth of punk rock, you know?

- Not bell bottoms? - No. No.

Just the spirit of the 70’s.

No. Were you even alive in the 70’s?

- No. - This place was a dump.

I mean, Central Park was a war zone.

Times Square was full of hookers.

Yeah, what’s not to love, right?

Anyways, I was hoping you could hook me up with a good manufacturer.

Wow. You’re back 30 seconds,

you already want the keys to the kingdom.

I’ll settle for a recommendation.

All the good denim guys I know are in downtown L.A.

Yeah, that’s what I heard. But you don’t know anybody still in New York City?

Uh... Yeah, I’d be happy to make some calls,

but I gotta tell you, you know, people are a little funky

about sharing their sources.

I’ll see what I find out.

- Yeah? - Yeah.

I appreciate it. Thanks.

You know, I always thought you had talent.

It’s just-- your follow through wasn’t there.

- Wow. - Mm.

I’m honest with all my students, Ben.

Even the drop outs.

It’s gonna be high end, premium denim.

We gonna call it CRISP. Whatchu think?

You say Crisp, I think bacon.

Yeah, whatever. What you know about fashion?

Just hurry up with my sandwiches.

Yo. How’d it go?

Ben: I don’t know, man.

Did you get us a manufacturer?

Fresconi told me to go to LA.

- Believe that? - No. Fuck that and fuck LA.

What does Fresconi know? He’s only a teacher.

Yeah, well he’s a teacher who sold his apparel company

- for 80 million dollars. - Oh, for real?

Yeah. He knows the business.

Well so do I. Hey, listen.

Meet me at 14th Street at the Jean Shop in 20 minutes.

- Why? - Because that’s where our denim was headed before we got it.

They must have somebody local who makes their jeans. Think about it.

And why would they share that with us?

Just... let me do what I do.

Meet me there in 20 minutes. And I got your egg sandwich.

- Bye.

Hubba.

You wanna know the secret to selling jeans?

Cool pockets.

There you go. Yeah.

I’ll see you later.

(organ music)

- Rene. - Danny.

Father.

Hey. It’s nice to have you back with us.

Hey. It’s just nice to be on the outside

and not on the inside, if you know what I mean.

I understand. I led the the congregation up in Fishkill.

It’s no place for a man to live.

Yeah. Tell me about it.

I spent my life going in and out of there,

just to learn that very lesson.

- But you’ve learned the lesson? - Oh, I have.

Crime doesn’t pay. And that’s, that’s all behind me now.

I’m, I’m never going back inside.

I’m happy to hear that. Good news.

- You don’t have to do it alone. - No?

No. Jesus Christ will help you.

Like he helped me find my way, he’ll help guide you

so you stay with us from now on.

Well, I gotta tell you, he’s doing a pretty good job.

I got my own legitimate business. In fact,

if you’re ever looking for a partner for bingo night,

my company, Rasta Monsta, love to sponsor it.

Our Lady of Sorrow Rasta Monsta bingo night.

- Has a certain ring to it. - Yeah, no, no. I’m serious.

You know, I’ll set it all up, I’ll run the whole thing,

provide all the beverages.

- Okay? - All right.

- I’ll pitch it to the Fathers. - Sounds good.

He’s gonna be a good boy, now, Father Dan.

No more prison for him, huh?

That’s my promise to you, Grandma.

- Hmm. - All right.

- Rene. - See you.

(music playing)

- You like this stuff, right? - It’s fresh.

Salesman: That’s our most popular cut.

It’s made from Japanese salvaged denim.

- Cool. - Now, now let me ask you a question,

are these jeans made in America?

Cause I’m only buying domestic right now.

Yeah. All of our jeans are made locally.

Seriously? That’s awesome.

- Isn’t that awesome? - Yeah, that’s definitely awesome.

- So you make ’em in New York? - Yeah. In the Bronx.

BX! That’s where I’m from.

Born and raised.

- What, what part? - Uh. Not sure.

I could ask the owner, he’s in the back.

You’d be the man if you could do that.

Okay.

- Is the kid smooth or what? - Whatever.

- Hello. - Hey.

Hey, what’s up?

Um, am I catching you at a bad time?

- No, no. - Okay, good.

Listen, I was wondering if, uh, you wanted to get

together later, maybe to, just, you know, get a drink or something.

- Really? - Yeah, I, I think we should talk about

what happened the other night.

What night is that?

- The under the window night, Ben. - Right, yeah.

Well how bout, um,

how about that sake spot over on Second Avenue?

Okay, sounds good. 8 o’clock?

- I’ll be there. - All right. Bye.

Bye.

My grandfather was a tailor in a factory on Fordham Road

and I was wondering if that’s where you guys make these?

Fordham Road? Nah.

Oh. Really? Seems like the kinda work they do.

What factory do you guys use?

Yeah, we found a gem out in Hunts Point.

- 38 Minada Ave? - Oh yeah, I know that spot.

- Yeah, they’re the best. - Yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh, cool.

Anything else I can help you out with?

- I think we’re good. - Yeah, thanks man.

- Thanks. - Thanks guys.

(music playing)

Cam: The boogie down Bronx.

It just don’t got the same flavor like the lower east side,

- you know what I’m saying? - Can you keep your voice down

and not get us killed up here, please?

Yo, relax, I got peoples in every borough.

Yo, as a matter of fact, we gotta hit this Cuban spot after this.

- Where we going? - I can’t, I gotta get back.

- For what? - Rachel asked me to dinner, actually.

I’m ain’t even gonna say nothing.

Good, ’cause I don’t want to hear it.

Except that you’re fucking crazy if you’re trying to go back there.

I’m not trying to go back there.

If I wanted to I wouldn’t have broken up with her in the first place.

- She broke up with you. - Yeah, the last time.

But I broke up with her the first, so.

Whatever. I’m the one that’s always gotta hear it

at the end and it’s the same thing.

She wasn’t happy with you cause you were never happy.

What? I mean, she don’t appreciate your misery the way I do.

- Right? - All right, this is us, 38.

- - Hey, yo, yo. Yo.

- You feeling it? - I’m feelin’ it.

- No, are you feelin’ it? - Feelin’ it.

- All right, come on.

(electric buzzing sounds)

Hey, hey. Hey!

Do you guys make jeans around here?

I look like I make jeans, pal?

Yo, why don’t you kids make like you’re in a maze and get lost?

Oh, shit! I know you.

- You Rene Calderon! - Oh shit, Rene Calderon.

- Do I know you? - My pops grew up wit’ you.

He says you OG.

Yo, tell your father whoever he is,

that I said that he talks too much.

No, no problem. Let’s roll, let’s roll.

Yo, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Mister Calderon.

- We, we rolling. - Yeah, man.

They just children.

Nah, Grandma, they little troublemakers

who someday gonna become big troublemakers,

and I wanna keep you safe.

I am always safe, Rene. I have many angels

up there looking after me.

Yeah, but still, I figured we move you to some place nice like Yonkers.

What would happen to your Cousin Cam?

Abuela, he’s 30 years old.

He should be able take care of himself.

He’s 27.

He’s an imbecile.

He’s not imbecile.

He has not had the, the easy life.

I want you to look after him.

I, I’ll try, abuela. I mean, I’ll, I’ll try.

- Good boy.

Okay.

(music playing)

- Rachel: Work’s going good. - Ben: Yeah?

We’re working on like, four different apartments right now, so.

Gives Edie the excuse to be totally insane.

- How is, um, Alex? - Alex.

He’s getting over his breakup with John from suits, so

he’s more pleasant to be around.

- More pleasant is good. - Word that. Yeah.

- So, um... - So.

About the other night...

- Yeah, about that-- - I want to apologize.

- You do? - Yeah, I feel like it was really uncool for me

to bring Darren to that gallery.

And, um, you know, he, he sort of wanted to tag along

and, I couldn’t figure out a way to tell him no, so, um.

- Yeah. - I’m sorry.

- It’s fine. - Good.

Thank you though, for that.

- So you don’t hate me? - Never.

Good.

So what’s up with that guy anyway?

What do you mean what’s up with him?

Is he really opening a hotel?

Yeah, he’s... yeah.

- That’s cool. - Yeah, it’s cool.

- Yeah. Like, on his own? Just...? - Ben.

- What? - Don’t do that thing.

- What thing? - That thing that you do when you compare yourself

to everybody else in the world and then you get upset

that you’re not doing better than they are.

I’m not doing that thing. I’m just...

curious on who you’re dating, okay?

Okay, so why it is important?

You know, it’s like we’re both moving on, right?

Yeah. What?

What, you think you’re moving on and I’m not?

I thought you were moving on, Ben. But then you show up

underneath my window at 4:30 in the morning yelling and screaming.

- Well, I was drunk, Rachel. Come on. - Okay. But,

so, the alcohol made you come over there and say things

- that you just didn’t mean? - You want to do this?

- I-- - What about you?

I mean is it really a sign that you’ve moved on

when you care or not whether your ex-boyfriend hates you?

Ben it’s not a competition. I, I, I, I care about you.

And, and I’m checking up on you, seeing if you’re okay.

- Oh, you’re checking up on me. Thanks for that. - I was--

I’m more than okay, Rachel. I’m great.

- All right? - Okay, so--

Now if I hadn’t already moved on, which I did,

all it took was seeing the naked hotel guy

in your window and-- You know what?

I, um, I gotta go.

Really? Ben? Please, don’t.

Sorry.

Ben: What’s going on man?

Cam: Ah, oh-oh.

Look who made it in one piece.

- Yeah. - So you and Rachel, you guys back together?

Let’s put it this way- I didn’t even get a chance to order.

- Hey, these warm? - Yeah.

Yeah, let me get a slice of this cheese.

Yo, what happened?

What always happens?

- Thanks, man. - Thanks.

- Sorry, bro. - Whatever.

It is what it is. Pass that?

You know we gotta make our first payment on the denim tomorrow, right?

Jesus. Already?

- It’s $300 every Friday. - Fuck.

Well, don’t worry. I got my $150.

No, I know. It’s just that,

$1200 a month, that’s what, 15 grand a year?

That’s like a Honda with the rims and the navigation system.

This whole thing was impulsive. I mean,

we have to be the only two idiots in the loan sharking history

to pay a vig on a spool of denim.

That’s what’s gonna make our jeans gangsta, though.

Yo. You ready for Celine’s little get together tonight or what?

(music playing)

- Who is that? - You.

- Hey, yo. - Hey, what’s good?

- How you doing? - I’m doing grand.

I was beginning to get worried these ladies

were gonna get me wasted and take advantage of me.

- Yeah, you look petrified. - Yeah.

- Sure. - Boys, this is Carole, guest of honor.

- Congratulations. - Thank you.

Next up for you, maybe Vogue magazine?

Ah, we shall see. Just happy for today.

Well I’m happy for today too.

And your hair looks amazing, I’m just putting that out.

Talk about it later over a ’Rona.

- Yo, Domingo. - What?

- What’s the deal with Carole? - Forget it, Cam, all right?

She’s got a boyfriend and his pops is a Greek shipping magnate.

Yeah. And my pops is a Dominican mechanic

- but that’s not gonna stop me. - Yeah. All right.

- You’re a hater. - You’re a fool.

Ben, look, your boy needs serious intervention.

What’s up, what’s your deal?

Where you at right now?

Yeah, you see that guy that Celine’s talking to?

- Yeah? - Who? Who’s that?

Your shrink?

Yo, your jokes are so terrible.

That’s John Varvatos.

- The designer? - Ben: Yeah.

- Cam: And Celine knows him? - Domingo: Yeah, Celine knows

everybody. That’s my life.

Yo, she has to get us an introduction.

Varvatos could definitely hook it up with a manufacturer.

What?

John, is it all right if I introduce you to a couple of friends of mine?

Sure. Hey, how are you? I’m John.

- Cam. - Cam, nice to meet you.

- Ben Epstein, how you doing? - Ben, pleasure.

We’re, we’re really big fans.

Yeah, I wear your clothes like every day, man.

Oh, thanks so much. Yeah, I see, man.

I didn’t know I was gonna meet you.

You look cool, though.

They’re starting up a denim line so I thought

- it would be nice to introduce you. - Oh, that’s cool.

Yeah, we’re trying, you know. Just starting out.

- Good for you guys. That’s great. - Yeah, yeah.

- Sorry to interrupt. - Oh, no interruption.

You guys want to join us for a cocktail?

- For real? - Yeah, come on. Have a seat.

- Oh, thanks. - Thank you, yeah.

Why didn’t you just ask when we were talking to him?

I’m not just gonna hit him up while I’m shaking his hand, Cam.

I’ll ask him at the right time.

Hey, how you doing?

- Good, how are you? - You a friend of John’s?

Uh. No. No. I’m a friend of his.

He’s a friend of a friend of John’s.

(music playing)

Ben: Five espressos? Jesus.

My heart would explode.

He keeps drinking them like that, we’ll be here all night.

We have been here all night.

I should be getting it on with miss Carole somewhere.

Maybe we should just bounce. What do you think?

Hey.

- Ben: No. - Hey everybody...

Can I, can I have your attention, please?

Um, I just wanna say something on behalf of myself,

Cam Calderon, and, and my business partner, Ben Epstein,

and our new denim line Crisp Denim,

it was an honor to be here tonight and I just wanna thank

Mr. Varvatos for all his generosity.

Thanks, John.

And it was good meeting all of you

and I look forward to hanging out with you again.

We, we both do.

So, uh, to, to John.

Everybody: To John.

Very sweet. Nice toast.

What’s this gonna cost me?

We’d love a minute of your time.

Why don’t you come by my studio tomorrow afternoon?

Yeah. Thank you.

Nice, very nice, man.

(music playing)

Rene: Where’s my cousin and his little Jewish lover?

- Really? - He’s got a stupid sense of humor.

Oh. There they are, with my vig

as they will be every Friday for the rest of their lives.

Not if we outlive you.

Eddie, if I die I’m gonna will you their debt, okay?

- Eddie: Thank you. - You got it man.

You boys got something for me?

There you go.

Rene: Count it twice.

- It’s all there. - Rene: Who’s talking to you?

It’s all good.

I’m impressed.

I wanna show you guys something. C’mon.

Rene: I know you guys into that downtown art scene, you know, so.

- Oh, shit! - Wow!

Yo, don’t you touch that with your slimy hands, okay?

See, the thing here?

This thing is gonna make Rasta Monsta famous.

Who did this?

You ever hear of Lee Quinones?

Oh yeah. He’s a graffiti legend.

Yeah, to you. To me he’s Little Lee from the Smith projects.

Cam: Yo.

Lee did his thing.

The truck looks dope.

Yeah, well you know, you’re gonna be driving this thing

if you’re late with my vig.

Cam: Never gonna happen.

We got a big meeting today.

Who you got a big meeting with?

John Varvatos.

Who the fuck is John Varvatos?

He’s a fashion designer, stupid.

Why he meeting with you guys?

Cause we’re starting a denim line and he’s gonna help us.

You guys making skinny jeans?

- Cam: Ha, ha, ha.

Ya’ll can laugh all ya’ll want, but ya’ll gonna see.

We gonna change the game.

That’s what you said ’bout those ugly skate decks.

See you next Friday, Rene.

(phones ringing)

Cam: How you doing?

- Here are Ben and Cam. - Great, thank you.

Hey fellas, how’s it going? Mike Heller.

Oh, Cam.

- Nice to see ya. - Ben Epstein.

- Hey, how’s it going? - Hey. John sends

- his apologies. - He got called out of town

last minute on some urgent Converse business.

But he left instructions for me to take the meeting.

I hope that’s okay?

Uh. Yeah. Yeah, of course.

We can always wait ’till John gets back

and reschedule if that’s better for you.

No, no, no. No. Don’t worry about it.

Just to let you guys know, I’m the head

of all denim operations here at John Varvatos.

Oh, so, so he’s the man.

- I try to be. - Cool.

So now fellas, what can I do for you?

Well. We’re looking for a good denim manufacturer.

And I know that you guys don’t usually like to give out

that kind of information, but...

is there someone that you can recommend for us?

Well, we use a manufacturer in Macau.

That’s a little further than we want to go.

You guys got your samples?

No, that’s why we’re looking for a manufacturer to make them.

- Yeah. - No, you don’t need

a manufacturer to make your samples.

You need a pattern maker.

See, manufacturing takes care of your production line

once you guys start getting orders.

Well who makes John’s patterns?

Well we do everything in house.

- Can you make ours? - No.

I’m sorry Cam, we, uh, we don’t do that.

You know he was just kidding, right?

- No, I wasn’t. - Cam, please.

You guys have a business plan- you have any financing lined up? Anything?

Cam: Not yet, but we’re working on it.

Can I be straight with you guys?

- Yeah, of course. - Yes.

Okay. Before you guys do anything, look, just don’t.

Just don’t, don’t do it.

- Don’t do what? - Don’t start a denim line.

Do not waste your time, don’t waste your money. Look,

a million people before you have failed

trying to do exactly what you want to do.

Look guys, I’m really sorry, I mean I don’t mean to be a downer.

So. You think starting a denim line is impossible?

Look, all I’m saying is that I had ten

years experience, and I had backing.

And I still couldn’t get it done.

So... I guess we need a pattern maker.

- Yeah? - Yeah... Fuck that guy.

That’s why I love you, man.

Fuck that dude.

He don’t know how we roll.

Yeah.

(music plays)

♪ I was sayin’ let me out of here before I was ♪

♪ Even born, it’s such a gamble when you get a face ♪

♪ It’s fascinatin’ to observe what the mirror does ♪

♪ But when I dine it’s for the wall that I set a place ♪

♪ I belong to the blank generation ♪

♪ And I can take it or leave it each time ♪

♪ Well, I belong to the generation ♪

♪ But I can take it or leave it each time ♪

♪ Triangles were fallin’ at the window ♪

♪ He was a cartoon long forsaken by the public eye ♪

♪ The nurse adjusted her garters ♪

♪ The doctor grabbed my throat and yelled ♪

♪ I belong to the blank generation ♪

♪ And I can take it or leave it each time ♪

♪ Well, I belong to the generation ♪

♪ But I can take it or leave it ♪