All language subtitles for Meet.Cute.In.Manhattan.2025.1080P.Dd51.Playweb.eng

Welcome to New York,

where on a given day
you'll cross paths

with hundreds of people.

Or one person a 100 times.

Every New Yorker knows

that while the city
can be overwhelming,

it's also full of magic.

You can be shoulder-to-shoulder
in a subway car,

or waiting in line at a deli,

and suddenly you lock eyes
with a stranger

who feels familiar,

or you bump into an old friend
on a street corner you've

never been before.

In a city of millions,
it's a wonder how certain people

consistently cross our paths.

Is it destiny?

Coincidence?

Whatever it is about New York,

countless rom-coms come to life
every day here,

making us believe
in the unexpected.

While the city never sleeps,

it dreams up meet-cutes
and chance encounters.

Where coffee spills aren't
accidents,

but the universe playing
matchmaker.

How's the writer's block?

How many times do I have to tell you?

Stop sneaking into my apartment.

It's not sneaking if you don't
lock the door.

You sound like Mom.

Ooh, money.

Hey, I'm broke, too.

How the audition go?

Good.

Can you do kung fu?

Do you have an accent?

I'm reading for the part
of Dr. Choi.

You think you're tough?

Well, we're gonna show you
who's really in charge around--

Where are your parents from?

Can we try it again, or...

M-- m-- m... m-- m-- me--
me don't day nothing.

No, I mean, what--
where were you born?

New York City.

Oh. Uh...

Can I call you back
in two minutes?

Could you do Korean?

What do you think?

You're the next Captain America.

Oh, you know what?

You should wear your lucky
jersey.

I don't need to be
more of a stereotype.

You know, Chloe says you should
bring more authenticity

into your acting.

Well, I feel all her Botox
undercuts her message

of authenticity.

Yeah, you could really use
some right there, actually.

You're gonna get old too
one day.

Mm-hmm.

Look, when were you talking
about me?

Um, when we were
talking about your breakup.

Which one is this again?

The 12th?

Right.

You're like
an Asian Ross and Rachel.

We're not that annoying.

Okay.

Do you have any snacks?

I always have snacks.

Ooh, come to Mama.

Hey, do you think I can get
to Midtown in 20 minutes?

Have you ever taken the subway?

No.

I have that audition with Chloe.

Mm. She's not goin'.

Wait, why?

Um, you broke up?

I mean, I know we're not
technically together,

but we're--

But what?

I'm gonna sit.

Mm, she's workin'.

I'm really convincing.

No.

Why not?

Why don't you just ask Chloe?

We broke up.

What a surprise!

Okay, don't be like that.
Help me out here.

We're not a couple!

Yeah, but we're actors.
We can act.

Okay, well, right now I'm acting
as a manager, a barista,

a cookie assembler, a human.

I don't even know at this point.

Okay, uh, can I at least
use your bathroom?

The code is 25184.

Thank you.

Wait, you forgot your coffee!

There she is.

The girl who is about
to change everything.

Nora Dawson dreams of making the world cleaner.

Her sanctuary, Central Park,
is where her sketches come

to life.

Let me double check my notes here.

Nora is Asian?

Uh, no, she's Caucasian.

Uh, I thought this was
an Asian-led rom-com.

Uh, Asian-led,
but not Asian-only.

So Nora's white?

Yeah.

And Jason is Asian.

Yeah.

Would you consider making Nora
Asian?

Um...

Actually, how about this?
What if Jason was white?

Okay, George, you know what?

I think this is a non-issue.
Yeah, I mean, it's just--

Oh, no, no, it's not a racist
thing.

It's a marketability thing.

From a business perspective,
we're lookin' for--

I-- I don't think that's kind
of the direction that--

Hey, hey, hear me out.

We keep the essence
of the character, right?

Struggling actor, Knicks fan,
cute little sister,

all these things--

This movie isn't about being
Asian,

but being Asian is a huge part
of who Jason is.

Mm. Mm.

Important.

Okay.

Uh, who wrote the coverage
on this?

Yeah.

Great, thanks a lot.
You're done.

Yeah.

Later, Nora sits in her interview

in the office
of a cold executive.

You know the type.

Judgmental, aloof.

Olmsted and Vaux envisioned
Central Park to be a natural

oasis amidst the urban jungle.

As we continue to build upward,
I believe that we can innovate

our skyline by integrating
green spaces into our rooftops.

For my thesis at Columbia,
I was researching

the environmental impact
of gray water

in metropolitan areas.

Who set this interview up
for you?

My advisor, Mrs. Anderson.

I'll be contacting her then.

With another door closed on her dream,

Nora was starting to lose hope.

It seemed like nobody believed in her or her vision.

Working at a coffee shop wasn't
what she thought she was going

to be doing,

but sometimes life doesn't
go to plan.

Here's the beauty of meet-cutes.

They always come
when you least expect it.

Yeah, five minutes.

- No, no!
- Just five minutes.

All we need is five minutes.

I have a customer. I can't help you.

You know what?
I'm gonna try Starbucks.

They have nicer baristas, so...

That's so hot.

Oh my God, I'm so sorry.
Are you okay?

No, not really. It's...

Um, I could pay for the jersey.

I have Venmo and...

$8.

How much is it worth?

Well, nothing now, so...

Uh, you know what?
Don't worry about it.

This happens to me
every morning.

What do you mean?

You know, every day I like
to spill a little something

on myself.

Keeps me humble.

It's a ritual.

Well, then maybe you should
consider switching to water.

Or wearing a bib.

Nice to meet you, Nora Dawson.

Columbia grad.

Wait, are you really
an architect?

I thought that was one of those
made-up movie jobs.

What were you drinking?

Uh, an Americano.

Coming right up.

Hey, I think I came up with
a way you can pay me back.

Cash App? Zelle?

PayPal?

No. Come audition with me.

I'm not an actor.

You don't need to be an actor.

It's not that hard.

And it pays really, really well.

Five grand.

Each?

Each.

Next time, lead with that!

Real couples only?

Um--

Is this just some lame
attempt to hit on me?

No, I have a girlfriend.

- Sure you do.
- No, no, no, hold on.

Look,
I can show you her Instagram.

Yeah, I don't see you in any
of these.

I'm also
her Instagram boyfriend.

That means that I take all
the photos.

She's actually pretty cute.

Don't act so surprised.

So...

Can we fake it?

But we're not a real couple.

For $5,000 we are.

So how did you two meet?

Uh, we met in a long...

Coffee shop.

Coffee shop.

Um, yeah.

So I was walking without
looking,

that typical New Yorker thing,
and I kind of just ran into her.

His coffee fell all over
his jersey.

Yeah.

Jeremy Lin.

Number 17.

New York Knicks. My idol.

I just remember waiting
in line for that jersey.

Was that jersey special to you?

Every kid growing up
in New York dreams of playing

for the Knicks.

Seeing someone that finally
looked like me,

lighting up the garden, it...

...meant everything.

I'm so sorry.

I mean, I'm still sorry.

How long have you been together?

Um, for, you know, four, five years.

Depending on when
our first date was.

We're not really sure
how long it's been.

Yeah, it's been kind of
a whirlwind romance.

Do you identify as millennials?

- Uh...
- As...

Yeah.

When did you move to New York?

I, uh, I'm from Flushing, so I
used to go to Grand Central

all the time.

My mom and I used to take
the 7 all the time to Shea.

Wait, you're a Mets fan?

Do I look like a Yankees fan?

Okay, so what were you doing
2015, the World Series?

I was at Standings on 7th.

-Game one?
- All of them.

You see it, right?

Two souls living

these parallel lives,

just waiting to cross paths.

It's destiny.

It's kismet.

You, you are the conduit

of the female gaze.

I'll take this from your point
of view.

I lurve this. I lurve this.
I love, uh--

Let's get back on track.

So, where else could
you have crossed paths?

- Um...
- Um...

Well, Grand Central, the bar,
Standings.

- Um...
- Well...

Anywhere else I would
have missed you?

Okay, so I used to get
super drunk at Standings,

so I'd have to go to, uh, get
these huge pastrami sandwiches

- ...at, um--
- Ted's Deli.

That's where I used to go after
all the time.

- Are you serious?
- Yeah.

Did you sit under the table
where they have the--

The sign with--

Yeah, I'll have what
she's having, of course.

Harry, Sally, it's giving
me main character energy.

Um, uh,

can we book you right now?

Yeah, for when?

Tomorrow?

Wait, this is a rush casting.

I didn't know this was
for tomorrow.

I am sensing, like, a lot
of negative vibes in the room

right now.

Okay, but it's still
for $5,000, right?

Right.

$5,000 for talent.

Yeah, so, you know what?

Uh, send the information to
my agent, and we'll be there

tomorrow for $5,000.

Bet.

Chao ma is ready!

Oh.

Looks so good.

Did you see Sara getting
married?

Where did you see that?

Facebook.

You still use Facebook, Dad?

Only to look at pictures
of cats.

-Mm!
-Why?

Because I keep clicking
on your ad when it shows up.

Mm! Which one?

Mm, Kute Kritter Kitty Litters.

They made him wear cat ears!

Dad, you don't have to click
on it.

I don't get paid per click.

No, it's okay. I like cats.

Keep clickin'.

So, I-- I booked another ad
today.

Ooh!

That's amazing, Jason!

I told you that dress was lucky.

Yeah, it's for a dating app.

You booked it with Chloe?

No.

You guys broke up again?

Okay, she broke up with me
again.

Yeah?

family!

Hi!

Hi!

- Happy New Year!
- Happy New Year!

This looks amazing!

-All right.
- I'm so excited.

I get to celebrate
with my favorite family.

Are you wearing that
for New Year's?

Oh, this is from ChiOut.
It's sponsored.

Ooh.

So, what did I miss?

Oh, nothing.
Just raggin' on Jason.

What else is new?

As we should.

Mm-hmm.

Jason told me you broke up.

Silly boy.
It was just an argument.

You were the one that told me
we can't talk about certain--

Oh, actually, before we eat,
can I take a few photos?

I have to post.

- Sure!
- That's sweet.

You're the best. Thank you.

Isn't it great when we can all get together?

Jason, why are you so zoomed in?

-What?
-I'm not zooming in.

I'm just tryin' to...

- Hey!
- Hey, baby.

- I missed you.
- Hmm.

How's work?

Uh, work's not over yet.

What is this?

I picked somethin' up
on the way home.

You didn't have to do that.

Open it.

I saw it and I thought of you.

I love it.

I love you.

I love you, too.

How was the interview?

Not good.

I think I need to rethink
my whole strategy

and do the mindless
buzzword thing.

Well, you have another one
tomorrow, right?

They postponed.

Nora, you can't let them
do that to you.

- Kip?
- Mm-hmm?

I got another job.

You quit the coffee shop?

No.

I actually ran into a guy

and spilled his coffee
all over him.

So I owed him a favor

and he took me
to an audition with him.

An audition?

What do you mean?

Like Law & Order or something?

No. It's for an ad.

It pays $5,000.

I don't care about the money.

Nora, what's goin' on?

I just really don't wanna do
coffee and dead-end interviews,

even for just a day.

But you're still applying
to these architecture jobs,

right?

I'm still applying.

And it's just one day?

Just one day.

And then we're back on track,
right?

Just like our plan.

Hey, I'm sorry.

It was like a four,
five situation and then--

- It's okay.
- City bike in.

It was a whole thing.

It's okay. We made it.

Wow.

Yeah, come on.

This is amazing.

I mean, this is my job, so...

Yeah, it's really, really spectacular.

All these people just looking at us.

It's for us. *

Oh my God.

Now, this is how you know we're
big time.

Normally we just get pizza for
breakfast, lunch, and dinner,

but, uh...

You know, you can grab
something.

Clementine, banana,
vitamin water.

- I think I'm good.
- It's free.

What?

Free food is the best food.

Got enough cream cheese?

-What are you doin' here?
- What's up, man? I'm workin'.

Nora, this is Akash and...

Hi, I'm Dan.

Hey, nice to meet you.

Yeah, we're, uh, the token gays
on set here today.

We're just, uh, checkin'
that box.

You know, the industry still likes to keep us in those boxes.

This is not 2024.

No, hey, we're-- at least,
we-- you know,

the pay is pretty good, right?

I've done a lot worse for free,

so we just pretend we're
in love.

You're not in love?

Oh, honey, do we look like
Portia and Ellen to you?

It's only been three months.

We fell in love when the first pay check came through.

Let's put it that way.

- Money talks.
-Same thing.

We're kind of, you know,
pretending, too, so...

Oh, I thought we weren't
supposed to tell anybody.

I know him. It's fine.

This is your first lesson
in acting.

Just don't tell anyone.

Okay, that's what I thought.

Shut up, baby.

So, wait, hold on.

What's this app about?

Okay, so Jason did not do his homework.

- That's not a shock to me.
-Professional acting.

Yeah.

It is their version of Grindr.

Yeah, yeah, so, you, like,

you, uh, put down
your favorite meet-cute spots,

and then you go
there and, like, have coffee.

You don't even get
to hook up or anything.

It's not that fun.

Got it.

Still sounds pretty invasive.

Uh, Dan, Akash, you guys
are on set next.

And, Nora, if we can get you
in the chair.

Which chair?

The makeup chair.

She's just really new at this,
so, you know?

I'm learning.

I hate this chap.

You're doing great.
Don't listen to him.

It'll be fine.

We'll see you guys in a bit.

Yeah, see you guys.

You'll enjoy it.

- Okay.
- Dan!

It's hair and makeup.
You'll be fine, I promise.

Enjoy your pile of cream cheese.

Okay.

So Jason tells me that you guys met in Rome.

Something about a Vespa
and coffee.

It all sounds so romantic.

Oh, wow. Did he tell you that?

Yeah, no, he says you're
new to this whole acting thing.

Yeah, acting was always
Jason's forte.

I recently just got my Master's
in architecture from Columbia.

Wait, wait, I thought he said
you went to Yale.

Uh, she did her undergrad at Yale.

Mm, smarty pants over here.

And actually, that's perfect.

Can you put that on?

Yes.

Are you almost done in there?

Well, is there anything else
about our dating life you forgot

to tell me about?

How are we supposed to act
like a real couple if you can't

even get the basic details
right.

Okay, listen.
It's called improv, okay?

The best actors can turn lies
into truths.

So we're screwed?

That's really nice.

Now, acting's like lying
with emotion.

Okay, Billy.

All right, Meg.

You know which scene this is
from, right?

Mm, bookstore?

No.

Remember that huge carpet
that, you know, Harry rolls out?

Yeah, of course, in that
massive apartment.

And is very unrealistic.

- Yeah.
- Yep.

Okay, um, we both know you need
a new pair of jeans.

So you wanna put that on?

Yeah, go ahead.

There's-- there's a nicer way
to say that.

I'm sure there is.

And, Nora, you're perfect.
You can go to set.

Okay.

About a half a bottle of wine in and it's going.

And, uh, then my phone
lights up, right?

And it's a notification
from cute.

And who is it but Akash
right here.

- And we matched.
- Uh-huh.

And we're supposed to meet
at the Rooftop Bar, The Met.

- The Met. Yes, that's it.
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.

We're both art snobs,
and we love to drink.

Oh God.

What's better than gin
and Jackson Pollock, right?

So there we are.

We, uh, start the day off just
wandering through the halls,

taking in all the beautiful
paintings.

The guard comes over
and he's like, "Excuse me...

Hey, Akash is such a natural.

And I was like, "I'm sorry."

Yeah, I mean, I've been in
class with him for seven years.

And he started off wanting
to work on his confidence,

but now he's getting paid
to act.

-Mm-hmm.
- It's not my fault.

That's right.

But then we ended up
going upstairs and just--

Cut!

That's a cut.

- Mm, excuse me.
-Okay, guys.

Some direction from the directoire.

Is that you? Or...

It's me, I'm the director.

Oh!

Yeah, that's a lot.

So what do you think about
all this?

-Um...
- I can't believe it's real.

All of this is so magical.

Scary, but magical.

It's like there's so many...

Possibilities?

-Yeah, yeah.
- Yeah.

Hey, Jason, Nora, we need
you guys on set right now.

Why am I sweating so much?

I was super nervous
the first time

I booked something like this,
too.

So...

You keep wondering if you're
pretty enough, talented enough,

good enough.

That sounds awful.

Yeah. It gets better.

Really?

No, actually, not even a little
bit.

Hey, uh, what lens are we using?

Um, the one with all the bokeh?

And so our frame is...

Perfect.

- Right here.
- Okay.

Sit on down.

Okay.

Little cuties.

Okay, so while we talk,
I want you to, like, you know,

go with what you're feeling.
Okay?

Don't stick to the script
if it doesn't feel right.

But also, please stick to the script.

- There is a script?
-No. Okay, besties.

Besties, besties, besties.

Okay, listen up.

This is gonna be
a metanarrative that, like,

deconstructs a rom-com.

Okay?

It's all about authenticity,
but with like an ironic wink

to the audience.

Okay, we're gonna get this
in one take.

So, you know,
give it all you got.

Wait, one-- one take?

One take!

Mooks said we need to get it
in one.

But it's fine.

I was simping for y'all
at the audition,

so just do that.

Are we getting last looks?

What's...

I've seen worse.

Thank you.

What are we supposed to be
doing?

Just be ourselves.

Um, be us. Oh.

We're not an us.

Something about us worked
at the audition,

so just do that.

Okay.

What if I don't know who
I'm supposed to be?

It's fine.

Just find the camera
and be yourself.

You're Nora.

You love architecture, the Mets,
and for right now, me.

Quiet on set!

We're rolling.

So, how'd you guys meet?

Um, it all started
at Grand Central.

I was late for a date

and I saw Nora
out of the corner of my eye.

She was just looking
for the schedules,

but I couldn't help but stare.

I was also waiting for a date,

but to a guy that looked
nothing like his pictures.

I couldn't stop thinking
about her,

but I had no idea how
to find her.

What happened next?

Apparently, we just kept
crossing paths all over

the city.

Yeah, we were actually
at the same exact Mets game,

but on opposite sides
of the stadium.

I mean, she was behind
a home plate

and I was all the way out
in the outfield.

But that's okay.

Later, we met at Katz's Deli.

All because of Meet Cute,
we finally had our meet-cute.

Not at Grand Central.

Not at the Mets game.

But at Katz's.

Fate was tryin' to keep us
apart, but...

Um, Meet Cute brought us
together.

Cut!

That's a cut.

Ah!

God, who needs a script

when you got
chemistry like that?

They made me feel.

It wasn't that bad, no.

It's kinda fun.

I actually had fun, yeah.

Okay, good.

So how're you getting home?

Kip's gonna pick me up.

Kip is the...

Boyfriend.

Check's out.

Uh, do you want me to wait
with you or...

No, I'm fine.

Hey, where are we gonna see
this?

These get buried somewhere.

Like online or in the back
of a magazine.

So you don't know.

- Not my department.
- Right.

Well, Jason, this was fun.
Thank you.

I enjoyed pretending for a day.

Yeah.

Even if we never get to see
this thing,

I hope we can still be friends.

- Yeah, definitely.
-Yep.

Friends.

Now that you're not a stranger
anymore.

Okay.

You can have my number.

This is real old school,
writing down a number.

- Thanks.
-Yeah.

Oh, there's my ride.

- Yeah.
- Okay, I'll see ya.

Get home safe.

Uh, shouldn't Nora and Jason
hate each other at the end

of act one?

They don't have to hate
each other.

They have to hate each other.

That's how they fall in love.

Oh, George.

Not everything has to be about
your personal life, okay?

Hey, that has nothing to do
with it.

All right. Can I continue?

Yeah, go for it.

So a few weeks later,
the ad is everywhere.

Jason and Chloe get back together.

Is that what you're saying?

Mm, mm, mm, hot.

You've never been in an on-again, off-again

relationship?

No, I always thought it was best to just, you know, move on,

clean brakes.

- What the--
- ♪ Is this love

♪ Or a dream

♪ Perfect scene

♪ You're too good to be true

♪ Ha, ha, ha

♪ Ha, ha, ha

♪ Everywhere

♪ On the screens

♪ City streets

♪ All that I see is you

♪ Ha, ha, ha

♪ Ha, ha, ha

♪ Got me like

- ♪ La-da-da
- Bro, what is this?

♪ Just like a movie

♪ La-da-da

You should call your girl.

Yeah.

♪ La-da-da

♪ I'm in this story with you

Hey, Kip.

You didn't tell me it was
with another guy.

Oh.

The dating app.

Would it be better
if it was condoms?

We were sitting on a couch.

Romantically sitting on a couch.

- Who--
- Is the girl?

- She's--
- A stranger.

We met the day before and--

We haven't talked since
the shoot.

Did you have to find someone
so pretty?

I mean, why is she--

Is he looking at you like that?

- Like he's in--
- Love with you.

Well, he's not.

Sure looks like he is.

I was acting, okay?

No, no, listen.
I don't love her.

She doesn't love me.

I love you.

No. Mm-mm. No.

You can't get out of this
anymore.

We are going to therapy.

My insurance
does not cover that.

I told you a million times
I will pay for it.

Any other excuses?

♪ Ha, ha, ha

I have a very packed schedule.

You do not. You're an actor.

We'll talk about this later.
I have to get back to work.

I love you.

I love you, too.

No, I can't have this conversation right now.

I am late.

Hold on, hold on.

Is this movie gonna pass
the Bechdel test?

I--

Surely Nora has a close girlfriend to give us some

perspective on things.

Just make sure she's named.

How about Haley?

How does it feel to be
a celebrity?

Honestly, I can't wait
for it to all be over.

You don't like the attention?

I'd sell my soul to Applethorpe for six figures and benefits.

Oh, it's not all it's cracked up to be.

I'm drafting
cookie-cutter condos

to destroy
beautiful brownstones.

They don't tell you in school
it takes 20 years to do what you

actually wanna do.

Do you ever wonder if this
is what we're really meant

to be doing?

You have to pay your dues.

How's Kip?

I honestly never see him.

He's always working.

Wait, wait, wait.

This movie needs to pass
the Bechdel test.

Nora and Haley don't
have anything to talk about

other than men?

Uh, Nora talks to Sydney
at the coffee shop

and Billie on set.

Right, for, like, two lines.

So...

How long do they need to talk
about something other than men?

Like, has that ever been
specified?

No, George.

It's not been specified,
but it matters.

No, Allison, I'll-- I'll work
on it, I promise.

Thanks, Jason. Appreciate it.

Yeah, so after the ads, Jason
obviously has to go talk

to his agent, Deanna.

There's my beautiful,
beautiful boy.

Come here.

Did you see the ads?

I mean, I don't know how
I couldn't.

Uh, I'm just happy you're happy.

Happy?

Who wouldn't be happy?

You're gettin' paid.

We're all getting paid.

They took the full rollout
option for an additional 5k.

Yeah.

I've already gotten three
request castings for you.

But that's not even the best
news.

What's the best news?

The director loved you.

And they wanna bring you back
for two more spots.

Yeah, you two are like
the biggest thing to dating apps

since swiping.

What do you know about swiping?

You're married.

Mm, a girl could have fun.

There's somethin' about
the analytics for Asian men

goin' through the roof.

I got you straight
to a callback.

What's the callback?

The liquor commercial.
They want an Asian male.

Can we start going for more
legit stuff like TV, movies?

I think I could do rom-coms.

Jason, you're a workin' actor
now.

So remember, 80% of somethin'
is better than 100% of nothin'.

♪ Take me home

♪ Keep me by your bedside

♪ I was feeling so alone
till you came... ♪

They wanna do more.

More ads, more shoots.

Good for you.

Good for us.

No.

You just said good for you.

Great for you, not for me.

Okay, listen, uh, it's a lot
of money.

It's 20 grand.

It's money for, you know,
rent, food, coffee.

I get my coffee for free.

Yeah, but listen, you're not
totally against the idea

of more commercials, right?

Not totally.

We could be the Brad
and Angelina of the commercial.

You're the Brad Pitt
in this scenario?

You could be my Angelina.

Just take the job.

At least for me.

I guess we didn't totally suck.

We didn't suck. We worked.

We're professionals.

One time.

Yeah, but one really good time.

Look, bonus check.

You keep all of this money
crumpled up in your pocket?

When I can.

It would be nice if our partners
were on board.

I am working on that.

Okay, that's like cheating
with the nails.

That's like cheating
on your girlfriend.

Okay, I never ever cheated.

You're gonna lie to my face
right now?

I-- What? How did I--

Let's start over.

What happened this week?

Well, it was kind of a big week
for me.

A commercial
that I shot three weeks ago,

finally aired
with this girl, Nora.

Me and Nora were everywhere
in New York.

How dare you say
her name right now?

I cannot believe you would
bring that into this space.

I saw it on my commute today.

Whose side are you on?

I'm not on anyone's side.

My boyfriend was being all
lovey-dovey with another woman!

It's called acting. It's my job.

I never met Nora
before the commercial.

I find that hard to believe
because of how you talked

about her.

Let's practice some radical
honesty here.

Jason, how did you feel when you were on set with Nora?

I was happy.

See?

How could you say that?
That is so hurtful.

- I was happy because I--
- I have the stick.

I was happy
because I was on set.

I hadn't worked in months

and I thought my agent forgot
about me.

Chloe, how does that make you
feel?

I feel like he needs
to fire his agent.

Is he asking for a solution
or is he asking to be heard?

Well, here's the thing.

He doesn't really listen to me,

so I feel like if I--

- Who are you texting right now?
-Chloe!

But he's--

Let's have a calm and open conversation about this.

I'm so calm.

Okay, I was texting Nora.

Okay, I-- I just thought
we should all meet up.

You would like that,
wouldn't you?

Oh no.

- I thought me, you, Nora--
- Oh!

And Kip, her boyfriend,

we should all meet up
and talk about this.

Double date sounds like a great
idea.

Fine, I'll do it.

But I get to pick the place.

♪ Yummy, yummy, hair gummy

♪ Yummy, yummy, hair gummy

♪ Yummy, yummy, hair gummy

♪ Okay

♪ Yummy, yummy, hair gummy

Yummy, yummy, hair gummy.

So yummy, you won't even know
it's vitamins.

Where are they?

They still have a few minutes.

Early is on time.

On time is late.

Late, yeah, I get it.

Yes, maybe if you hadn't waited till the last-minute shower

like you always do.

I called for an Uber, didn't I?

- Oh, is that her?
- Yeah.

Be nice.

Don't you tell me
tell me what to do.

Hi, it's so nice to finally
meet you!

Nice to meet you, too.

Oh, you're so--
aren't you pretty?

Um, Kip, this is Jason.

Jason, this is Kip.

So, you're the fake boyfriend.

I prefer non-sexual gigolo.

He's so cute.

Would you guys like to sit?

Mm...

Why don't we sit over there?

The lighting's so much better.
Right?

Oh, come on.

- It's important for a job.
- Baby, come on.

Okay.

- Why is that--
- I don't know.

- Better lighting?
-I don't know.

Good?

Yeah, thank you.

So, where did you and Jason
meet?

Oh, we met at drama club
because we were such huge

theater nerds.

You know, in sophomore year, we beat out all the seniors

for Romeo and Juliet
because chemistry.

Hmm.

Uh, h-- how did you guys meet?

- We met--
- College.

We were volunteering, right?

For Big Brothers
and Big Sisters.

Yeah, Kip's goal is to
eliminate child hunger.

He's gonna create a foundation
once he becomes partner.

Well, I figured money
for money's sake is kinda

pointless.

Might as well do something
with it, right?

Yeah, well, that's what
people with money say.

Or someone who didn't know
where his next meal

was gonna come from.

Aren't foundations just
large income tax dodgers?

Oh.

It doesn't compare
to your meet-cute.

Oh, don't use that word though,
'cause that's a trigger

for him.

I-- I love rom-coms.

Yeah, you're obsessed!

Hmm. How cute. Rom-coms.

-Yeah.
- Yeah.

♪ Tell me about yourself

♪ If you believe in love

Um, my parents learned English
watching rom-coms.

Yeah, and him and his sister
get together once a month

to watch one still.

It's so sweet.

Actually, my sister has this
show tomorrow night, um,

if you guys are free.

So you're, like, a commercial
actor, right?

- Well, he's a success.
- Um, they're n--

It-- more of a professional
auditioner.

- Hmm.
-Ah.

You haven't lived until you
spent, you know, 16 hours

of your Saturday
doing some NYU student film

that no one's ever gonna see.

So...

Sure, sure.

So what do you do?

Oh, I'm an influencer.

- Influencer?
-Yes.

What does that mean?

Seriously?

Um, do you-- how can you not--

I mean, it's pretty
self-explanatory in the title.

Uh, you know, it's about--

Being on YouTube and making videos about your day

or something?

Actually, um, Chloe does a huge
amount of work

on data analytics.

Uh, she follows hashtags,
trends, caters her feed

to her followers.

Metrics.

It's actually kind of amazing.

Cute. It is.

You see that?

She's got a plan in place
and she's executing on it.

- Cool.
- Hmm.

Nora's still applying
for architecture jobs,

but that's a part of our plan,
right?

I get the promotion,
you get the job,

Two years, we're married,

and then living the DINK
lifestyle for another five.

Ho-- hold on.

- DINK?
- Dual income, no kids.

I love that!

You know, it's so great to see
a man with vision and a plan,

right?

You know, you could use
a little structure yourself.

- Not everyone can do it.
-Hmm.

I mean, I just don't think
anyone can live their life

with every detail planned out
for the next 10 years.

Well, a little bit of direction can't hurt when, you know,

for example, we don't even live
together and we've been together

for more than 10 years.

10 years?

And, well--

You know, I think that the ad
campaign is actually gonna

do that for him.

It's structure and--

Yeah, that's true, Nora.

Thank you for bringing that up.
That's so true.

So you're into it?

Mm-hmm.
Yeah, I'm so good with it.

If you're happy, then I'm happy.

Yeah, I'm fine with it, too.

Well, great.

Shall we get going then?

Yeah.

Uber? I can--

I'm gonna have the car
drop you off at the apartment.

No, I have an event later, remember?

But, you know, it's okay.

-Where are you going?
-We can meet up later.

Jackson's bachelor party.

It's a work thing.

Everything can't be a work thing.

Hey, we'll talk about it later.

- Uh, the purse.
-Thank you.

See you later, okay?

Okay, I'll see you later.

Bye, Nora.
It was so nice to meet you!

Bye, it was so nice meeting you,
too.

Take care.

Okay.

♪ Yummy

I think they liked each other.

You know, you could have just taken the train

to Grand Central.

Well, what's the fun in that?

You know, it's less walking.

Are you in a rush?

No.

Well, good.

So, how're you getting home?

Gonna take the 6 in...

...20 minutes.

Do you want me to wait with you?

This place can get eerily empty.

I think it's peaceful.

Doesn't it get pretty sketchy?

Actually, it doesn't.

I would know.

It's my favorite building
in the city.

Hold on.

All of New York,

and your favorite place
is a train station?

It's actually a train terminal.

Grand Central Station
is a post office.

What?

Look up.

This was designed
by Paul Helleu,

but over 50 people actually
painted it.

For years, ash hid it,
but now...

Do you get it?

I think so, it's...

Tens of thousands of people walk
through here every single day,

and so few of them actually
take the time to look up.

It's stunning.

It's the only place in the city
where you can really see

the stars.

When the city is too much, I come here.

Do you notice anything?

Other than the stars?

The entire thing is backwards.

Seriously?

Yeah. Look at the sky.

See Orion?

Completely flipped around.

Why?

Instead of looking up
at the night sky,

it's as if we're looking down
at Earth from above.

So, it's a mistake?

I like to think that Helleu
did it on purpose.

'Cause that one small thing
makes you see everything

in a new light.

People think it's a mistake,
but I think it's meant for us

to change our perspective.

Once you know, you can never
see it the same way again.

I mean, when I look out,
I know exactly who I am,

exactly what I'm supposed
to be doing,

and who.

Are you free tomorrow night?

It-- it's for Lily's show.

Oh, uh, sure.

My train's coming.

I-- I can wait with you.

Oh no, that's okay.

Thank you.

So, I have an annoying
older brother.

Anyone else? Anyone?

Oh, you, too?

Yeah, am I right?

My brother Jason is the complete
opposite of me.

Yeah, for one, he's a hopeless
romantic.

Yeah, I know. I know.

Boo!

When I tell you that he bullied
me as a kid,

I mean that he literally stole
my Fruit Roll-Up

and wouldn't give it back until
I recited word for word

Meg Ryan's monologue
from When Harry Met Sally.

He also held my Barbies hostage

and practiced Oscar's acceptance
speeches with them.

Like, no wonder our parents
thought he was gay.

Then he came out as an actor.

I'm Lily Lin, and thank you
so much for coming.

Have a good night.

Thanks for coming!

Yes, I couldn't miss it.

You were so good.

Thank you. Thank you.

I mean, one of us had to
have the funny genes

in the family.

You wrote the whole show
about me, okay?

Wasn't you, so...

Jesus.

So nice to finally meet you.

Same!

I feel like I know you
already from the ads.

Those are just pretend.

I'm much more boring
in real life.

So what's the deal
with your boyfriend?

Um, we met in college.

Hmm.

Finance bro?

I wouldn't say bro.

Knew it.
Six feet, six figures, six pack?

Be nice.

Oh, where's your girlfriend,
Jason?

And your six pack?

Okay, you know that Chloe's
busy.

And I thought you'd wanna
meet Nora.

Yeah, Jason and I are just
friends.

The whole Meet Cute thing
was just pretend.

Have you seen baby Jason acting?

- No.
- Oh no!

-Yes. Yeah, you have to.
- No.

Absolutely not.

You have to see him in his full,
like, Sweeney Todd getup.

It is chef's kiss.

Wait, why don't you come with us tonight for dinner?

Um, I mean, I would love to,
if that's okay with you.

Yeah, no, I think Mom and Dad
would love that.

Yeah.

I'm gonna grab my stuff
in the back.

You wanna come backstage
with me?

- I'll show you my dressing room.
- Okay.

Where are you from originally?

Connecticut.

Oh, wait, which part?

New Haven.

Nice.

Hold on a sec.

I think we need one more scene
here.

Nora, I feel like she needs
to see Jason in his element.

He's back at the theater.

I mean, he's an actor, right?

Yeah, but commercials.

He hasn't been on stage
in years.

Right, but it's kind of like
riding a bike, isn't it?

I mean, you never really forget.

It's acting, it's easy.

We need Jason to be our Romeo
in this moment.

Oh, she doth teach the torches
to burn bright.

It seems she hangs upon
the cheek of night.

Like a rich jewel
in an Ethiop's ear.

Beauty too rich for use,
for earth too dear.

So shows a snowy dove trooping
with crows,

as yonder lady o'er her fellow
shows.

The measure done,
I'll watch her place of stand.

Then touching hers make
blessed my rude hand.

Did my heart love till now?

Forswear it, sight.

For I never saw true beauty
till this night.

Hey, are you coming?

We're gonna miss the train!

Wedding Crashers is a romantic
comedy!

No, it is not!

Central plot is romance

where the romantic partners are
both changed by the courtship.

And there is comedy.

Romantic comedy.

That's right.

Your mom's got a point.

Okay, I don't watch
Wedding Crashers

when I wanna be reminded
of romance.

I didn't say it was a good
romantic comedy.

Yeah!

Okay, so is La La Land
a romantic comedy?

- No.
- No. No.

No?

Because the characters don't
end up together.

- That's right.
-Yep.

Okay, so the leads have to end
up together for it to be

considered a rom-com?

- Exactly, right.
- Yeah. Yeah!

Yeah, now you're getting it.

Okay, there are a lot of rules.

Oh, we didn't make the rules.

Uh, Mom, you literally did.

What?

Okay, so is Anchorman a rom-com?

-No.
-No.

Because the characters
aren't changed by the courtship.

Come on!

Oh, come on.

This is all very complicated.

Don't worry, you'll get the Lin
family humor soon.

-Yeah.
-Yeah.

We're just getting started.

Yeah, it's gonna go all night.

Okay, but what I'm saying
is Love Actually.

Oh my God, is this you?

Yep, that was high school.

I was the Oompa Loompa.

Well, there is no small roles.

I was literally an Oompa Loompa.

Theater was like your whole life.

What changed?

Well, the only thing they want
us to be doing now is math,

jumping someone in the chest,
or speaking in an accent, so...

I never saw true beauty till
this night.

I'm sorry, that's--
that's really embarrassing.

That's Shakespeare, right?

You're a fan?

No, I never really understood
Shakespeare.

He wrote those words
400 years ago.

He made his audiences laugh
together, cry together,

feel together.

Jason, this is what you should
be doing.

No, I'm just some idiot clinging
on to high school glory.

No, when you said those words,
I believed them.

Yeah, well, there are not a lot
of Asian Shakespeare companies

flyin' around, right?

That doesn't mean you shouldn't
try.

I gave up on that dream stuff
a long time ago.

It's easier to just do this,
okay?

Just do commercials.

You don't really believe that,
do you?

Jason, we're starting Wedding Crashers!

Come upstairs!

I should get going.

♪ Vroom, vroom

♪ Pull up every day like

♪ Vroom, Vroom

♪ Kill it every time,
I bring the bass ♪

♪ I am a boss

♪ Ahem

♪ Aha

♪ I bring the car crush

♪ I bring the car crush

♪ I am a heart breaker

♪ Ah, ah, yeah, yeah, yeah

♪ I am a heart breaker

Chloe?

Jason!

I am really so--

You're late!

You said you'd be here by 9:00,
remember?

You're supposed to help me
with my yummy, yummy hair gummy

campaign.

I thought you did a post
for them already.

Yes, but it's multi-week,
multi-post.

I told you about this.

♪ I bring the car crush

Okay.

What do you feel about me
replacing Nora in those

Meet Cute ads?

Can you even do that?

Well, she's just some random
girl.

You and I have way more
chemistry.

I mean, we've never booked
anything together, so...

Yeah, but we're actually
together.

It would be great for your
brand.

Plus, I really think we should
take advantage of all

this Meet Cute momentum.

Can we not talk about this right now?

Why are you being so mopey?

This could be huge for you.

It's huge for you.

It's never about me.

I'm just trying to help.

You're not my publicist.

I'm Chloe. I'm your girlfriend.

You're Ka-Lai. Just use your real name.

I don't even know who Chloe is.

We have to make sacrifices
sometimes.

I'm not willin' to sacrifice
that.

Not for my brand.

You're not willing to do much
these days.

What the fuck do you want?

I wanna do more than this.

There are things that I want
to say, that I need to say.

So-- so what?

You wanna go back
to being an actor?

Doing plays in basement theaters
that nobody's ever gonna see

in the hopes of being
discovered.

If you wanna keep doing that,
that's fine.

But can you please take a second
just to appreciate what we have?

What you have.

You get to make a living
being an actor.

An actual living.

And I get to make a living
posting pictures.

I mean, think about that.

Do you love me?

Of course I do.

Then why don't you believe me?

You don't like me, do you?

Oh, oh my God.

I'm really exhausted.

I'm sorry.

I just-- I-- I can't turn into
the person that you want me

to be.

And we both deserve more
than this.

Yeah.

Right, and, uh, where's
the conflict gonna come

from now?

Well, there already wasn't
that much conflict, so...

Well, the story won't
work without conflict.

It's boring without it.

Jesus Christ, George.

Not everything has to be
about your divorce, does it?

I'm sorry if my life
is affecting my viewpoint.

I'm sorry, George.

Divorce must be really hard.

I'm sorry you're going through
that.

Thanks.

I know when I was writing this,
it was hard to separate what

I was going through versus
what was happening on the page.

Wait, I'm sorry.

This actually happened,
like, in real life?

Yeah.

All right.

Uh, keep goin'.

I'm intrigued.

So, a week later, it's time for the second ad shoot.

Thought we weren't supposed
to eat in costume?

I'll be careful.

You sure about that?

I'll be very careful.

Wait, that's incredible.

Thanks.

This was always my favorite part
of school,

watching the visions
in my head come to life.

Can I have that?

Are you serious?

Yeah, but you have to sign it.

Okay.

See, now when you have a tower
in the New York skyline,

I'd be like, "I knew her way
back when."

You really think?

I know.

I'm not sure what a good
architect does,

but this is what you should
be doing.

Or I'll just sell it when the ad
money runs out.

So, what does Chloe think about all this?

I honestly have no idea.

She seemed pretty chipper on her story this morning.

We actually broke up
a few days ago.

I'm sorry.

Don't be.

They gave me a three-month free
trial for Meet Cute,

so I'm very optimistic.

Plan the unexpected.

Wow.

It's got a good ring.

Nora, Jason, we're ready for you on set.

So many great on-screen moments happened up here.

Mm-hmm.

What's your favorite?

Probably Gossip Girl.

I'm team Blair.

Of course you are.

You know what they
were referencing, right?

Sleepless in Seattle.

- Really?
- Yeah.

Did you watch it?

Honestly, no.

I thought you did your homework.

I was studying lines.

Something you can learn from.

Wow, okay.

So you know what happens
in the finale, right?

I'm assuming they fall in love.

Yeah, but, I mean,
that's not the point.

So, the whole movie,

Sam is a widower, and he lives
in Seattle, obviously.

And Annie is all the way
across the country.

And Jonah, Sam's son, just
wants him to find love again.

So Jonah runs off.

And Sam panics.

And chases after him all
the way to New York City.

And so through all
this craziness,

Sam and Annie end up at the top
of the Empire State Building

on Valentine's Day.

And...

...he just holds out his hand,

and she takes his,

and they just know.

You guys!

Oh my God, you're not just
a couple anymore, okay?

You are a movement.

All right, we are creating
something today that is going

to literally change
the zeitgeist.

Do you have any real
direction in there or...

Um, you know, just vibe
like you were just doin'.

Billie, for the love of God!

- Copy that.
- Shit!

We are three days behind!

Where is Billie?

What is that supposed to mean?

I have no clue.

Quiet on set!

Action!

♪ Fade me in

♪ That first day we met

♪ Your cafe, spilled latte

♪ Is it love or just a cliche

♪ Oh, you're framed
so perfectly ♪

♪ In and out of focus,
got me weak ♪

♪ Technicolor vision kinda
dream ♪

♪ Yeah this film
is in the makin' ♪

♪ And we go

Hey,
how do I play into this scene?

I don't know.

I've never seen Say Anything.

Great. Me neither.

♪ Just like Harry and Sally

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh

♪ Sam and Annie

♪ Known from the touch

♪ Falling in love

♪ On the Empire State

♪ 'Cause we're just living life
in a montage ♪

♪ Blur of light,
in a story we write ♪

♪ We're just living life,
life in a montage ♪

♪ And every single moment's
magic ♪

♪ Just like a movie

♪ Frame by frame

♪ Fragments on replay

♪ Starry sky, wandering eyes

♪ Can we freeze this frame
in time ♪

♪ You and me on the silver
screen ♪

♪ You be Audrey, I'll be Gene

♪ Vintage lovers,
timeless scene ♪

♪ Now we're ridin' off on
a Vespa ♪

♪ And we go

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh

♪ This story's gonna be you
and me ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh

♪ Just like Noah and Allie

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh

♪ Don and Kathy...

♪ Falling in love

Okay, so they loved your resume.

But can I get you anything?

Coffee? Water? Xanax?

I'm good, thanks.

So, uh, how are the ad sheets
going?

Jason broke up with
his girlfriend.

How do you feel about that?

I mean, I feel bad for him,
but...

But what?

But nothing.

Eleanor!

Hey, we should set him up
with Kate.

Because they're both Asian?

No, because he's amazing

and she's...

♪ It's gonna be all right

♪ It's gonna be all right

Single.

♪ It's gonna be all right

So the director yells "action", right?

I go, full Maguire.

You. Complete. Me.

No.

And then Nora goes,
"You had me at hey."

- Oh no.
- I've never seen the movie.

It's an iconic line.

And then you kissed?

No, uh, it's like
a sexually-charged hug.

They actually don't kiss
in the scene.

I think the first kiss tells you
everything you need to know

about a guy.

Really?

So, when are you gonna
find out about me?

Well, that depends on you.

Excuse me.

You okay?

♪ I gotta take care of my baby,
my lady ♪

♪ My vision can't never
be cloudy ♪

♪ Even about the criminal
that I'm gonna come back with ♪

Hey, hey, hey.

You forgot your purse.

Oh my God.

Thank you.

Are you okay?

Yeah, I just needed some
fresh air.

I could use some air, too.

Getting a little hot in there?

Hey, I'm sorry about Kate.

No, nothing to be sorry about.

I can handle a gorgeous woman
being all over me.

Just don't wanna see you get
hurt.

I can handle myself.

Hey Jason, we're friends, right?

We're friends, Nora.

Then can I ask why you
broke up with Chloe?

Can we not talk about her
right now?

I'm sorry.

You guys were just together
for so long and your lives were

so intertwined.

I was lonely.

I was really lonely.

And for the longest time,
I thought that being lonely

and being alone were the same
thing.

And Chloe was just there.

She was...

Comfortable.

Yeah.

They should kiss.

They definitely shouldn't kiss.

Why not?

It would be cheating.

They've already been
emotionally cheating.

What are we all looking
for at the end of the day?

Love.

It's about more than love.

It's about finding someone
that understands us.

It's about finding someone who
knows our hopes and dreams,

and believes that we're worthy
of them.

It's about someone who accepts
us for who we are,

but knows that we can be
so much more.

When you find that person,

your world changes.

Okay.

So, um,

what happens next?

Tell us a little more about
this world-changing,

altering love that you speak of.

So...

...the second ad campaign
comes out a few weeks later,

but everything's different.

Bro, we were down in SoHo
getting bottomless mimosas.

You should have been there.

We saw those billboards
with your girl.

Oh, great.

When are you gonna lock
her down, bro?

I don't know.

Maybe when she gets a real job.

Not as an actress or a barista,
but, like, as an architect.

Look, I'm just saying, bro.

Max had to spend his last
paycheck on some Tiffany locket

after his girl found out about
those strippers

at Jackson's bachelor party.

What-- Chad, we're at work.

Who cares?

We were all there.

Okay, man.

As the flowers bloomed in Washington Square Park,

elsewhere Kip climbed
the corporate ladder,

landing the promotion he'd
been planning for.

Meanwhile, Nora anxiously
awaited the answer that could

change her life after two
follow-up interviews

with Ricker and Applethorpe.

And then, it came.

It's strange how the thing
you've been obsessing about

for years all of a sudden
hits you differently.

An email that you've been
waiting for doesn't matter

as much as you once thought
it would.

It feels like a step
in a direction

that you didn't choose,

and you keep wondering
about what could be,

and what you really want.

Someone that makes you feel
seen,

and not just a checkmark
on a list.

Nora wondered if she was chasing her dreams, or someone else's.

They wanna sign you to an exclusive

for the next two years,

making you two the face
of the company.

You're gonna be like Jake
from State Farm.

You won't have to work another
job.

Actually, you can't work another
job.

No auditions, no nothin'.

Just steady work.

Uh, that's incredible.

Could we get some time to think
about it?

Sure, take all the time
you need.

Don't sign that contract, Jason.

I got the offer
from Applethorpe,

and I plan to start in the next
couple weeks.

That's amazing.

All part of my plan.

Your plan or Kips?

Hello, here are your checks.

Thanks.

Listen, Jason, I know you care
about her,

but don't let her talk you
out of this.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime
deal.

You could live off
this for a while.

I knew you could do it.

Thank you.

I'm so happy.

Oh my God, Kip.

I don't know what to say.

You don't have to say anything.

How much did this cost?

Don't worry about it.

I got the promotion,
and you got the job.

We're on track.

It'll all work out.

I have one more shoot,
and then it's no more actress,

Nno more ad campaign,

just you and me.

Wait, you're still gonna
do the commercial shoot

even after you got the offer?

I signed a contract.

But then you're done?

Then I'm done.

I love you, Nora.

You know that, right?

Of course.

All right.

Let's get dinner after
your last shoot, okay?

I wanna celebrate this
new chapter in our lives.

Sounds nice.

Where do you need me to pick
you up?

Um, they should be sending me
a call sheet.

It's still this disorganized,
huh?

It's mostly Jason.

He always forgets to send it
to me.

Hmm.

Let me see if I can find
an old one.

Hi.

Hi.

Uh, do you want something to drink?

Uh, something to eat?

I, uh--

Can I just grab my bag?

Yeah.

I just wanted to tell you that
I say that--

Take this.

You need it more than I do.

I have money, Nora.

I know you wanna do more
than commercials.

You wanna affect and move
people.

So take the check and do
what you're meant to do.

I don't want your money.

It's-- it's rich coming
from you, right?

What does that mean?

When's the last time
you made a choice?

A real choice.

About something that matters.

Can everyone stop questioning
every choice I make?

I'm not everyone.

Do you love Kip?

I do.

Did you choose him?

Or was it all part of some plan?

Why do you care?

Say it.

I'm not dumb.

At least Kip knows
what he wants,

and he's not afraid to say it.

I know you love me.

You don't know me.

How many hours have we actually
spent together, Jason?

We were co-workers.

It was all just pretend.

This was real to me.

So what happens next?

Jason, are you coming?

Mm-hmm.

What were you doing last night?

I was with Nora.

Jason, don't be a douche!

She has a boyfriend!

It's not like that.

What do you want with her?

I don't know.

You know, you can't do that
to people.

I'm not doing anything to her,
okay?

Do you know why we like
rom-coms?

They're about falling in love.

No, they're fantasies.

They're literally made-up.

They're like an escape from--
from reality.

But Mom and Dad always--

They love rom-coms, yes,

but they also work
at their relationship.

They understand that you-- you
have to make happily ever after,

okay?

It doesn't just, like,
magically appear.

Look, if...

...you wanna be with Nora,
then tell her.

And be honest about it.

How long have you been holding
that in?

A long time.

When did you get so smart?

Mm, I've always been the smart.
Yeah.

I just hold it back so you
can feel better about yourself.

All right, this is my favorite
part.

Hmm.

Are you guys okay?

No.

What happened?

It's over.

What's over?

Nora and me, we were--

We were never a real couple.

What do you mean?

Our meet-cute was real,
but we met the day before

the shoot.

She was just kind enough to
audition with me and pretend.

Jason, I've seen pretend,
and whatever that was,

it wasn't pretend.

And don't forget to zip this up.

Hey, you have more poster board
and Sharpie, right?

Wait, did you hear all that?

Hi, hey,
so this is a closed set.

Yeah, no, I-- I got a text
from Nora.

Uh, I am her-- friend.

Picking her up.

Cool.

Uh, why don't you just hang out
here, get him an apple box?

Nora, Jason, can I get you
to set right now, please?

Thank you.

Jason and Nora, to your marks,
right now.

I, uh, I just wanted to tell
you.

And the last time we saw each
other, I said it, but--

This isn't in the script.

Start rolling, I do not care.

Start rolling.

And in case I--

In case I never see you again,
Nora...

I love you.

What do you want me to say?

That it's okay
that you insulted me?

I believed you when you said
that what I did mattered.

That I matter.

And now...

...you're too late.

Stop!

You love him.

You really love him.

I don't.

I'm not blind.

What do you want from me?

I want the girl I fell in love
with in college.

The one I planned my life
around.

She grew up.

Yeah.

I can see that now.

That hits close to home.

Oh.

Are you okay?

Thank you.

Yeah.

There you go.

- Yeah.
- You're all right.

No. Oh, we're fine.

You took the trainer
in the settlement, didn't you?

- Oh yeah.
- Hmm.

You take what you can get.

It's working out for you.

Uh, so, does, uh,
Nora finish the shoot?

No, um, so Jason's agent drops
him.

Yes, well, blowing a five-figure
commission will do that to

an actor.

Another Asian male ends up taking his spot.

Nora moves in with Haley
to start her career as

an architect.

Wait, wait, wait.

Are we wrapping everything up
in a montage?

I mean, come on.
Gets the job done.

Jason moves in with his parents.

That's a real millennial move.

Mm, millennial.

Speaking of, what happens
with Chloe?

I was just about to get to her.

You should lock your doors!

Chloe, what are you doing here?

Your mom told me you
were moving back home.

Please stop texting my mom!

Let's talk.

Aw, you have baby Lily.

Yeah, that was a long time ago.

Are you all right?

My mom told you I'm
an unemployed actor again?

I mean, when was the last time
either of us were employed,

if we're gonna be specific?

Yeah.

What have you been working on?

I'm packing my life into a lot
of little boxes.

And it's going well.

I can see it.

No, but seriously,
what have you--

What have you been working on?

Uh, I've got leads on some
other agents, other projects.

You know, the actor stuff.

You know, I figured out why
you were so moody all the time.

- Yeah?
- Yeah.

Do tell me.

You think I'm a sellout, right?

I never said that.

Well, you didn't have to.

And I get it.

I-- I play these little
caricatures of like who I am

and who they want me to be.

And they pay me for it.

But I'm happy.

But that's not who you are.

You are someone who needs
meaning and fulfillment.

Stop waiting around
for other people

to give you opportunities.

I mean, go out
and make your own.

Yeah?

♪ New York City lover

♪ Lost between Park
and Madison ♪

♪ The skyline is a cover

♪ Breaking...

What are you workin' on?

Uh, rom-com.

So classic.

Wait, interior coffee shop.

Oh my God, can I be in this?

Hold on.

You know I was gonna
put you in anyways, right?

- Wait, really?
- Yeah.

I could just be the comic
relief.

I don't even care.

I can just stand in
the background.

You got it.

Oh, yes!

These are the plans
for the building goin' up

on Lexington.

They're great.

I'll have you shadowing some of our more senior associates

designing cornices in the lobby.

Actually, I think we should
go in a different direction.

Excuse me?

For my thesis at Columbia,
I was studying--

I remember. The rooftop gardens.

This building is going
to last for decades.

How many times in our lives are
we going to be able to design

something like that?

If our work is going to
define us,

then we should let ourselves be
a part of our labor.

How will this part
of the skyline reflect

the people who built it?

You're off this project.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to overstep.

We have a smaller client
in Brooklyn

who's looking for someone to

re-imagine her brownstone.

Why don't you take a meeting?

That's great.

Career woman. I love that.

- Mm.
- Hmm.

So what happens next?

Ah, don't you see?

It's like La La Land.

They don't end up together,
but they're both changed

by the relationship.

Hmm, changed.

No, no, no, hold on.

La La Land isn't a rom-com.

You remember the rules, right?

- God.
- There are so many rules.

Yes, it's really starting to be
boring.

Well, this is the most important
one.

We need a happy ending.

Right, but how often is it that two people get together?

But we're selling a dream.

And people buy tickets
to escape reality,

not to be reminded of it.

Nora shows up at Grand Central.

It's where she fell in love
with New York, with Jason.

She sees him at the top
of the staircase where he'd been

going for weeks,
writing their story

into the rom-com he always
dreamed of.

It's like fate brought them
back together at the same place,

at the same time,
for one reason.

Nora?

Hi.

Um--

Uh, did you know that the clocks
here are always a minute off?

No, I-- I didn't.

They do it purposely,
so that you can always catch

your train on time,

even if you arrive
a little late.

What?

No, I just forgot how much
I missed...

I missed Grand Central.

Shouldn't you be off filming
some cool ad somewhere?

I didn't sign that contract.

You didn't?

No.

Uh, it turns out that blowing
a five grand commission

will lose you your agent.

I'm sorry.

No, don't be.

It gave me some time to write.

Well, what are you workin' on?

It's a movie.

It's about a guy, a girl,
and Grand Central.

You know, someone once told
me that this is the best place

to see things with
a new perspective.

That's my favorite building.

Because of the stars?

There's a better reason.

What's that?

You're here.

So is this gonna be a new
fun fact about Grand Central?

Shut up.

Cut!

How's your day goin'?

Good.

God, I love it.

It's like a romantic
merry-go-round.

That's great.

Now, Billie, we do need
to move on.

Slay, slay, slay, slay, slay, guys.

Oh my God, glow up, queens.

Um, that was so good.

It felt, like, real.

Like, literally so real.

Hmm, I mean, after 25 takes,
I would hope so.

I know, 'cause we had to get
the perfect take, and we did.

You'll thank me for it later
when you see the dailies.

Um, but, Nora-- Abigail,
I wanna talk to you

about Nora's opening shot.

We need to, like, capture
her essence.

Yeah.

Uh, also, what does DINK mean?

Oh my God. So lame.

It's, um, dual income,
no kids.

Oh, Jason, Jason, hi.

Can we just grab a quick word?

Yeah.

So, listen, we were wondering
if you'd had a chance to think

of some, you know, alternative
titles, because, mm,

the truth in advertising doesn't
really work for a rom-com,

does it?

Yeah, it's more like a college
podcast.

Uh, but how about Murray Hill?

It's the neighborhood where
Grand Central is

and a nod to Notting Hill.

Dang it.

Grand Central
isn't in Murray Hill.

Oh.

Grand Central's at the edge
of Murray Hill.

Also, I remember more people
there that night.

Yeah, but I just remember
the two of us, so...

Can I steal him for a moment?

Yeah.

Oh, absolutely,
you two lovebirds

take all the time you need.

Hey, Jason, drop the "the",
right?

Truth in advertising.

It's cleaner.

I'll think about it.

-I know you will.
- Yeah.

- Babe.
- You like it?

- I love it.
- Good idea.

- Great idea, babe.
- Come on.

You're so nice.

- So great.
- Hey, it takes two.

Oh, it does.

So, what do you think about
all this?

I'm so proud of you.

This is our story.

I love you.

I love you, too.

Jason, you gotta be on your mark.

That's my cue.

Gotta go back to work.

Someone wants a quote
on a rooftop garden.

Well,

you know where I'll be.

Action!

♪ Pretty ai'nt a word
that defines who you are ♪

♪ Those five little letters

♪ Got you talking
to the mirror ♪

♪ Baby,
you're much more than that ♪

♪ You wanna show the world
that you're a star ♪

♪ 'Cause you ain't just pretty

♪ You could own the whole
damn city ♪

♪ You like words
like fascinating ♪

♪ And no kind of hesitating

♪ Don't say you're just
a pretty face in the crowd ♪

♪ Cause you're worth
the conversation ♪

♪ Got the motivation

♪ Always say
you won't back down ♪

♪ So much more than pretty

♪ You could own the whole
damn city ♪

♪ Yeah, you could own the whole
damn city ♪

♪ Yeah

♪ You could own the whole
damn city ♪

♪ You're askin' if you wanna
come with me ♪

♪ Yeah

♪ 'Cause we're gonna take
the whole damn city ♪

♪ 'Cause we're gonna take
the whole damn city ♪

♪ Mm

♪ Ah

♪ Locked eyes, sweet smiles

♪ We're not just friends

♪ Rewrite, rewind, this day
can't end ♪

♪ New York, Meet Cute
replays in my head ♪

♪ Hmm

♪ You were so unexpected

♪ I knew when I met you

♪ That this could be special

♪ Ooh

♪ Was it only a minute
or just the beginning ♪

♪ Could this be forever
with you ♪

♪ Is this love or a dream

♪ Perfect scene, you're too good
to be true ♪

♪ Ha, ha, ha

♪ Ha, ha, ha

♪ Everywhere on the screens

♪ City streets

♪ All that I see is you

♪ Ha, ha, ha

♪ Ha, ha, ha

♪ Got me like la-da-da

♪ Just like the movie,
la-da-da ♪

♪ Doin' it to me,
la-da-da ♪

♪ I'm in this story with you

♪ Ha, ha, ha

♪ Ha, ha, ha

♪ Hand touch, heart rush,
feels like first sight ♪

♪ Should I think twice,
you're on my mind ♪

♪ Walk by each sign,
wish you were mine ♪

♪ Hmm

♪ You were so unexpected

♪ I knew when I met you

♪ That this could be special

♪ Ooh

♪ Was it only a minute
or just the beginning ♪

♪ Could this be forever
with you ♪

♪ Is this love or a dream

♪ Perfect scene, you're too
good to be true ♪

♪ Ha, ha, ha

♪ Ha, ha, ha

♪ Everywhere on the screens

♪ City streets

♪ All that I see is you

♪ Ha, ha, ha

♪ Ha, ha, ha

♪ Love you like la-da-da

♪ Just like a movie

♪ La-da-da

♪ Doin' it to me

♪ La-da-da

♪ I'm in this story with you

♪ Ha, ha, ha

♪ Ha, ha, ha

♪ Love you like la-da-da

♪ Ooh

♪ La-da-da

♪ Ha, ha, ha

♪ Ha, ha, ha

♪ La-da-da

♪ I am in this story with you

♪ Ha, ha, ha

♪ Ha, ha, ha