Original subtitles

[music playing]

[yawning] I guess I fell asleep.

You deserved a nap.

Where are we anyway?

Coming up on Manville?

No, no, way past Manville.

Westin's coming up.

Westin?

Mm-hmm.

How long did I sleep?

An hour maybe.

You mean you drove 400 miles in an hour?

Yeah.

Miracle, isn't it?

I'll let you do the driving all the time.

I just wish I knew where we were going.

We've been on this road for three whole days

to God knows where.

Ain't that the truth.

What are we stopping here for?

I'm not sure yet.

I could use a soda pop.

How about you?

No, I'm fine.

Thanks.

Excuse me.

Um, but could we please have some change

for the soda machine?

I'm out of change.

Oh, [inaudible] take care of me too.

I'm out of change for them, not you.

Let's go.

What's wrong with them?

I see you're new around here.

Their kind came in and took half the jobs in the county.

Really?

They're just kids.

Well, they don't belong here.

If they want change, let them get it on their side of town.

Here's your change.

Where's your family from?

CASHIER: Wisconsin.

No, I meant before that.

Europe?

England.

Well, you better not ask an Indian for change.

They might feel the way you do.

Have a nice day.

Hey, kids.

Come here a minute.

Here you go.

It's on the house.

Gee.

Thanks, mister.

You're welcome.

Bye.

Ladders?

I guess we're here, huh?

Yeah, we're here.

Come on.

Remember to anticipate.

You've got to be moving as soon as that ball leaves the foot,

all right?

Try it again.

OK, Tim.

You try now, all right?

Let's go.

Come on, get him.

Let's go, right through there.

Let's go.

Yeah!

All right!

All right!

PLAYER: Way to go!

Nice pass!

[whistle]

Come on, guys.

Bring it in.

Monday afternoon, be here 15 minutes early

for a team meeting.

Got Marshall next week, and they're

going to be plenty tough.

We're going to be tougher, right?

ALL: Yes, sir!

COACH: Can't hear you.

ALL: Yes, sir!

Have a good weekend.

Hit those books.

Remember, there's more to life than soccer, right?

Right, girls!

[laughter]

COACH: Wise guy.

All right, get lost, all of you.

Have a good weekend.

Hey, dad.

Who are you going to put out winger against Marshall?

I thought Darren.

He's been real aggressive, good ball control.

I kind of like Jeff, coach.

He's fast.

Jeff, huh?

Well, we'll see.

About time you retired those shoes there, Lar.

I like you, coach, but what can I do, play barefoot?

Guess not.

Now that I think about it, Lare, try these on for size.

Hey.

Can't have our star forward running out of his shoes

every time he goes to kick a goal.

Thanks Coach.

I'll pay you back.

Forget it. They're a gift.

Try 'em on, will ya?

[music playing]

Hey, you want to come over?

I just got this new railroad magazine.

It's got the Zephyr locomotive I want you to see.

All right, yeah.

Larry, remember what you promised me?

Kind of told my mom I'd mow the lawn.

Later, mom, all right?

Better go on, son.

Your mom's depending on you.

Yeah, you're right.

See you tomorrow, Brad.

Bye, Coach.

All right, see ya later.

Richard, thanks for the shoes.

Don't mention it, Jeanette, my pleasure.

We're home.

Get off me, will ya?

Hey, Mom.

Hi, guys.

How did practice go? - Oh, great.

I was great.

I was excellent at everything.

You were fair, fair.

Bills, bills, junk mail--

seems like all we ever get.

Not quite.

[music playing]

What do you mean?

This came from immigration.

[music playing]

Dear lord, she's coming.

She is finally coming.

Who's coming, Dad?

Hey, Brad, you want to, uh-- want to sit down?

Your mom and I have something we want to tell ya.

Sounds serious.

It is, it is.

But it's, uh, something awful good.

At least your mom and I think it is.

And we-- we hope you will too.

Brad, you know how I was in the army in Vietnam?

I, uh, I met a woman when I was in Saigon, a Vietnamese woman.

I want you to understand that this is before your mom

and I were married.

Go on.

Well, this-- this woman and I lived together for a while.

It was very lonely there, son.

It was terrible at times.

And I cared-- I cared for her a great deal.

Did you know?

Yes.

Your father told me all about her.

Anyway, son, when my tour in 'Nam was over,

uh, they shipped me home.

The woman wrote me a letter.

She had a baby--

a girl.

That, uh, that girl is my daughter.

[music playing]

Now, I've kept in touch with them the best I could

all these years.

Here, here's a picture.

She's your sister, Brad.

Her name is Nguyen.

She's on her way here now, to live with us.

I won't be long.

Jonathan, you sure you need me on this one?

Why, what's wrong?

Well, this whole business of house painting, you know.

I don't know anything about it.

So you learn.

But ladders, you know.

I'm afraid of heights.

Don't look down.

Then-- around paint I get allergies.

I sneeze.

Look who's here to say god bless you.

I'll be right back.

He's got an answer for everything.

[doorbell]

Mr. Gaines?

Yes.

My name is Jonathan Smith.

I hear you're looking for a house painter.

Well, I was till I got a few bids on the job and found out

it was going to cost more than I can afford right now.

Well, my friend and I are two of the best,

and we're in between jobs.

I'm sure we could give you a fair price.

No, I'm sorry.

I-- it does need paint pretty bad.

Someone is coming to live with me.

Um, Mr, Smith, if you're fair enough,

you may have come along just at the right moment.

Great.

Well, I do that sometimes.

Achoo.

It's real nice layout you got there.

You build it yourself?

Yeah, my dad and I, and my friend next door.

That must have taken you some time.

We started it when Larry and I were eight.

It just kept growing.

My dad said we'll have to knock out a wall pretty soon.

But that was before.

I guess we all outgrow things.

Yo, Brad.

Come in, Larry.

I want to see that new Zephyr you were telling me.

What are you doing?

Someone's coming to stay with us.

Need the room.

Just let him sleep on the couch.

It's permanent.

What are you talking about, permanent?

My folks laid a heavy one on me yesterday.

I got a half-sister, Larry.

I never knew it She's my dad's daughter.

You're kidding.

Your dad has a daughter?

Yeah, she's Vietnamese.

Happened when he was over there in the war.

You're gonna have some gook living here?

Don't call her that.

They killed my father before I even got

the chance to get to know him.

Hey, those were North Vietnamese.

This girl's a South Vietnamese.

I don't care what she is.

You just keep her away from me, that's all.

[music playing]

I tell ya, my back is killing me.

What, from the painting?

No, from leaning over that sink in there,

picking paint out of my beard with tweezers.

(CHUCKLING) Yeah, you did look a little like Santa Claus

after work today.

There is nothing in this world worse than a pain in the back.

You know they got a machine for it now,

where you hang upside down?

Supposed to be great for you.

What do you think?

I don't know.

Maybe it works.

I never heard of a bat with a bad back.

Yeah, you wouldn't be making jokes,

you know, if your back felt like this.

Sorry.

Oh god, I wish I were hanging upside down right now.

[low, tonal music]

Whoa!

[lively music]

Hey, this feels kind of good.

Thanks.

Yeah, well, don't thank me.

I didn't do anything.

What, you mean the boss did it?

Mm-hmm.

All right, I think I'm going to take a little walk.

I'll see you later.

Yeah, you go ahead.

I'm just going to hang around here.

Do you get it?

"Hang around" here.

[laughs]

I got it.

I'll see you later.

Hey, that feels a lot better.

OK, that's enough.

I said, that's enough.

Hello!

Jonathan!

Jonathan!

Mr. Gaines, will this be the first time

that you've seen your daughter?

Yeah, that's right.

And do you expect her to have difficulty

in adjusting in American life?

She's young.

Kids you're adaptable.

And, uh, what-- what is your name?

Brad Gaines.

I beg your pardon?

Brad Gaines.

How's it going to feel, Brad, having

a big sister all of a sudden?

I don't know for sure.

Oh, here she comes.

[side conversations]

[camera shutter]

Did you have a good flight?

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Nguyen?

Are you--

[camera shutters]

I'm-- I'm your father.

[music playing]

Why does paint always go where you don't want it to?

I tell ya, it was easier being a cop.

You're doing fine.

Just try to get a little more paint on the wall and less

on yourself.

Oh, that's very funny, Mr. Housepainter.

Well, let me tell you something.

You don't put a drop cloth down here,

you're going to get paint all over the carpet.

I'll try to be careful.

I'm beginning to wonder what we're doing here.

I mean, these people want that little girl.

So what's the problem?

All right, so the little boy-- little boy,

he's a little jealous.

He's a little mule-headed.

But he'll get over it, won't he?

That's what we're here to find out.

I just don't know why you don't just zap him.

Fill him with brotherly love.

Then we can be on our way.

There-- see how much I've done?

You know, if you'd use a roller, you

could cover a whole lot more--

I was always a brush man, myself.

All right, now that's not fair.

You using that [buzz] and I gotta use the regular way.

[door opening]

Here we are, Nguyen, your new home.

It's so big.

It is mansion.

Like picture in magazine.

Not quite a mansion.

Brad, take this to Nguyen's room, will ya?

Nguyen, this is Mr. Smith, Mr. Gordon.

They're getting the place spruced up for us.

Pleasure to meet you.

Let's go see your room.

Come on.

Here we go.

This is your room.

I hope you like it.

This is where I sleep?

Well, yes, of course.

All of this, for me only?

For you only.

Susan fixed it up just for you.

My mother had picture taken before I leave.

I hardly recognize her.

[singing in italian]

Aside from your singing, how's it going?

Oh, I'll have this overhang done in no time at all.

Yeah, well, don't rush it.

I want this job to last a little while.

I'm going to run into town and get some trim paint.

What for?

Why don't you just--

you know.

Because I have to give somebody a ride.

Who?

[engine laboring]

See you in a little while.

[engine laboring]

Sounds like you could use a lift.

I'm going into town to get some paint.

No, we've got shopping to do. I--

I'm in no hurry.

I'll wait for you.

All right, thanks.

All right.

[singing in italian]

How's it going?

Hi.

Did you get the paint you needed?

Yep, everything's loaded in the car.

Well, you have to bear with us, Mr. Smith.

Nguyen has practically no clothes.

We've had to start from scratch.

Ah, no problem. Glad to help.

Thanks.

Susan?

Nguyen, you look beautiful.

You like, Mr. Smith?

I like it very, very much, Nguyen.

Here, look at yourself.

What do you think?

Cowboy.

Here, go try these on.

Hurry, Mr. Smith is waiting.

Janelle, hi!

Hi.

How's your girl working out?

Nguyen?

Oh, she is a doll.

Has she gotten the hang of using

an American vacuum cleaner yet?

What?

Well, you're the envy of every woman

on the block with that girl.

None of us have a maid.

I don't know what you're talking about.

Well, what other reason would you

have for bringing your husband's illegitimate daughter

into your house?

Jeanette, Nguyen is my daughter now.

And anyone-- I mean anyone-- who can't accept that

is not welcome in my house.

Well, that's just fine with me.

Why don't you ask her if her mother is

the one who threw the hand grenade that

killed my husband in Saigon?

[music playing]

I can't believe it.

I've known that woman for years.

We're best friends.

How can she have so much hate for a little girl

she doesn't even know?

People tend to hate what they don't know.

[music playing]

Do you like?

Do you?

I love it.

[music, crickets chirping]

Well then what did you guys do?

Then Mr. Smith drove us around,

and we bought a lot of nice clothes, didn't we, Nguyen?

Don't you like her new outfit? - It's great.

What do you think, Brad?

Yeah.

And then we went to the market and came home,

and Nguyen cooked this wonderful meal.

It's delicious, Nguyen.

I think I've finally gotten the hang of these,

uh, these chopsticks, too.

[laughter]

Maybe not.

I think you have the right idea, Brad.

I'm going to switch back to a fork.

Oh, Nguyen, you don't have to wait on me or serve me.

In this house, we do for ourselves.

In Vietnam, the children serve the parent.

Yeah, well, this ain't Vietnam.

Brad!

I have done something wrong?

No, no, no, Nguyen, you haven't.

It's just that here we--

we do things a little different, that's all.

Just different cultures.

Nguyen starts school tomorrow.

I want you to take her around to her classes and introduce her.

Why me?

Because I said so.

She needs someone, and you're her brother.

Well, I have exams in the morning.

I can't do both.

What is wrong with you, Brad?

You've been acting like a first-class jerk lately,

and I am fed up with it!

Richard.

[music playing]

If you're through eating, why don't you

go study for those exams?

[music playing]

Oh good, most of your classes are the same as mine,

so we'll be together most of the day.

I am grateful.

Don't worry.

All the girls want help.

And if I'm not around, somebody will be.

Your first class is English.

You're going to love Mrs. Wheeler.

Won't she, Brad? - Yeah, sure.

English-- good, I need much English.

Oh, I left my flute in the office.

I got to go back for it.

I'll see you guys later.

Come on.

He's coming.

Hello, gook.

Hello.

Just keep walking and ignore him.

At least, she answers to the right name.

Yeah.

Larry, you're supposed to be my best friend.

Why are you doing this?

Me, Jeff.

You, gook.

Me gook?

[laughter]

Yeah.

I said knock it off.

Who's going to make me?

Brad, please, do not fight.

I will say "gook."

[laughter]

Come on.

What did I do wrong?

Just shut up, OK?

Just shut up.

[music playing]

[music playing]

Ow, mm.

Excuse me, will you hand me a rag there?

I got a little paint in my eye.

Ah, thank you.

Boy, it burned to high heaven.

[birds chirping]

Mr. Mark?

What mean "gook"?

Where'd you hear that?

School.

School.

Well, I guess it means, uh, reckon it's, uh, just a mean,

spiteful word that should never be used.

Whoever said that was just trying to hurt you.

I mean, it was just a mean person.

I did not think there were mean people in America.

Yeah, well, there is.

I'm sorry to say.

In Vietnam, I am dust child.

Government make my people scorn and hate me.

So I want to come to America.

Well, "dust child," what is that?

It mean I am part American.

I am different.

I am of more value than dust under your feet.

All my life, I am told I am American

and not truly Vietnamese.

[music playing]

But when I come here, I am called gook, not American.

I do not know what I am.

You're a human being.

That's what you are.

You're a good human being that has a right to live and be

happy like everybody else.

But you gotta be brave.

It takes a very brave person to realize that she has that right

and to take it.

I will try to be brave.

[music playing]

[crickets]

You are not going to believe what I got.

I got some salami.

I got some cheese, here.

And I got some French bread.

Sure you don't want something to eat?

Now, I know you don't have to.

But just, once in a while, don't you

just get a taste for something?

I'm fine, thanks.

Well, look, I--

I got something for ya.

I think you're gonna like it.

Angel food cake.

That was nice of you.

[crickets]

[dog barking]

Are you all right?

You haven't said two words all night.

I'm just thinking about people.

Oh, how they must be a big disappointment

to Him sometimes.

How he created something capable of loving and caring,

and that it turns into something that hates for no reason.

Why does he let them get away with it.

I mean, why doesn't he punish them?

I don't know.

They're his children.

Maybe he feels they should learn by their own mistakes.

Besides, punishing people never really changes them.

I'd sure like to punish those two

kids that hurt Nguyen today.

I know you feel, but in a way, they punish themselves.

People who hate never really feel any peace inside.

It's a sickness worse than any plague

this world has ever seen.

And the sad part of it is, the cure's inside everyone of us.

What is it?

Love.

Simple, isn't it?

Just love.

[sports banter]

[grunt]

PLAYER: Get him.

[raucous crowd]

All right, break it up.

Break it up!

All right, break it up!

What's the idea anyway?

What happened?

Larry?

I'm sorry, Larry, you're off the team.

Pick up your equipment and get off the field.

Me?

What'd I do?

You've been late for every practice this week.

You've been insubordinate and a troublemaker.

I have no idea what's bugging you.

I'd be glad to talk to you about it any time.

But until you straighten out, son, this team

doesn't need you anymore.

Hey, I'm not your son, all right?

My father's dead.

[music playing]

We know your birthday's not until tomorrow,

but we couldn't wait to give this to you.

You have given me so much already.

This is something special.

This is my mother.

I took that picture a long time ago.

Had it enlarged for you.

She looks so young, so beautiful.

I never saw her be so happy.

She was pretty.

Brad, look!

See, this is my mother!

Hey Dad, can I talk to you now?

It's important.

Now, please.

All right.

I'll take my picture to my room.

Thank you.

Dad, you gotta let Larry back on the team.

No way.

I told him he had to come and talk to me, and he hasn't.

But Larry was my best friend.

He was like a part of this family almost--

like a brother.

I didn't push him out.

If he can't accept Nguyen, that is his problem.

Hey, those people killed his father.

The whole town hates them.

Now, you listen to me.

Nguyen and her people were not our enemy.

I know Larry's father was killed over there.

Larry never-- never got to know his dad.

He was cheated. All right.

That's a rotten thing to happen to anybody.

BRAD: So you became his father.

He loved you, Dad.

Everything was great until she came along.

LARRY: Can't you see that I have a responsibility to that girl?

She is my daughter.

Yeah, daughter that you should have never had.

How could you have been with that woman?

What right do you have to judge me?

You weren't there.

You don't know anything about it.

I saw people dying every day all around me.

And I knew that any day I was going to be one of them.

I needed some-- some peace in my life, some hope.

And Nguyen's mother gave me that when no one else in the world

could.

Can't you see that?

Yeah, I see.

I see that you had a gook's baby.

[grandfather clock clangs]

Don't ever let those obscene words out of your mouth again.

[music playing]

Hey, Larry, wait up.

We got nothing to talk about, Brad.

Hey, just hear me out.

You were right all along.

I know that.

My dad-- well, he just should have never lived with that dink

and had a kid.

I hate her.

Wait a minute.

You're telling me you hate your sister?

And she's not my sister.

She'll never be my sister.

Oh, yeah?

Prove it.

What are you talking about?

Take a look.

[bell rings]

You're either with us or with her.

He's right.

Which is it?

Eh, I told ya.

I-- I'm with you.

OK, let's find out.

Boy, something sure does smell like dog meat.

[sniff] It's you.

What are you looking at me for?

You are my brother.

Hey, I'm not your anything.

Everything was great until you got here.

Why don't you go back to Vietnam where you belong?

Please don't.

I only want--

I don't care what you want.

Go on back with the rest of the gooks.

[music playing]

[music playing]

About the only thing we accomplished here

was a paint job.

It's not over yet.

We can't just hang around.

The job's finished.

You're not thinking about giving this place a second coat?

Would I do that to you?

Probably.

Why don't you finish loading up?

I'll be right back.

Hey, great shot!

Ah, it's just luck, I guess.

I better quit while I'm ahead.

Oh, come on.

Let's have a game of Horse.

I'd like to see somebody beat Larry, here.

All right, maybe one game.

I'm Jonathan Smith.

Larry Everett.

I've seen you working over at Brad's.

Larry Everett?

Hey your-- your dad wouldn't be Sergeant

Larry Everett, by any chance?

3rd Infantry?

Yes, sir.

How'd you know that? - I'll be darned.

How did I know? I knew him in 'Nam.

We were friends.

You're kidding.

Larry, you need to come in now and do your homework.

Mom, mom, come here.

This-- this-- Mr. Smith, he-- he said he knew Dad in 'Nam.

They were friends.

Is that true?

Yes, ma'am, it is.

Well, what an amazing coincidence.

Well, tell us about him, Mr. Smith.

What was my dad like?

I think was the best soldier I ever met.

There's no telling how many lives he saved.

He was a real hero.

He saved lives?

Did you hear that, Mom?

They-- they should have given him the Medal

of Honor or something.

Well, your dad wasn't the kind of hero they give medals to.

Why not?

Well, because his real fight was not on a battlefield.

It was in the streets of Saigon.

It's where he was killed.

I know, on one of his missions.

I tell you, son, your father would beg, borrow

or steal to help a bunch of Vietnamese kids

that nobody wanted.

Brought them food, clothing, medicine.

Anything to keep his adopted kids

from suffering another night of hunger or pain.

Adopted?

Yeah.

Yeah, that's what Larry called them-- his adopted kids.

The day he died, he was taking a load of powdered milk

to a church orphanage.

Terrorists lobbed a bomb in his Jeep.

Tell you something, son.

Your father gave his life so that kids like Nguyen

could get a better life.

Nguyen made it.

I know your father would be very happy about that.

[music playing]

Mrs. Everett, I know how hard it is to lose a man like Larry.

But when you look at a child like Nguyen,

you know he didn't die in vain.

He was quite a guy.

Hey, I think I'd better skip that game.

My partner's liable to get mad if I don't help him load up.

It was a pleasure to meet you.

[music playing]

I never knew.

[birds chirping]

Hey, I gotta go.

I gotta talk to my family.

Can I come too?

I got some things that need to be said.

You like it?

It is great.

She's going to love this.

[door opens]

Dad, you're home early.

I wanted to get ready for Nguyen's party.

I don't suppose you'll be joining us?

I'd like to if you'd let me.

Me too, sir.

I, uh, I'm sorry about the way I've been acting.

Me too, Dad.

Give us a chance.

You have no idea how long I've wanted

to hear you guys say that.

Go tell Nguyen how you feel.

It has been so tough on her.

Oh, we're family again.

Hey Dad, come here!

What's wrong?

She's gone.

She left this.

"To the family--

I hope what I do is the right thing.

My mother loved me, sent me away to have a happier life.

I love you and I go away so that you will have a happier life.

I am strong.

Do not worry.

A dust child learns to be strong.

Goodbye, Nguyen."

It's my fault. It's all my fault.

Let's not start talking about whose fault it is.

We gotta find her.

You guys stay here in case she comes back, all right?

I'll go to the bus station first,

and then we'll notify the police.

What's going on?

It's Nguyen.

She's run away.

My folks went over to the bus station.

Wish there was something we could do.

I mean, it's our fault this happened.

Oh, maybe there is.

Why don't you two jump in the car.

I got a hunch I know where she might be.

Where we start?

I think we ought to split up.

Why don't you boys start at the restaurant here.

OK.

Right.

Come on, let's go.

Ah, no need.

What?

Oh.

She's my half-sister.

Her name is Nguyen.

Nguyen.

I know you ran away because of me.

I don't blame you.

I was rotten to you.

I mean, all of a sudden, it wasn't

just me and my folks anymore.

I was jealous, I guess.

And I'm sorry.

If you just give me a chance, I can

show you that I could be a good brother and a good friend.

So please forgive me and come home.

[music playing]

Do you mean that?

I sure do.

Nguyen?

What your brother said goes for me too.

[music playing]

Know what?

I really love this job.

Well, so do I.

[music playing]

Are we going in?

Nah, our job's done here.

It's time to go.

Come on, it's her birthday.

At least we can have a piece of cake.

Ah, no, we got a long drive ahead of us.

BOY: Hey, there's the gook lover's house.

BOY: Hey, gook lover!

Yeah, gook lover.

Hey, gook lover, gook lover, gook lover, gook lover,

gook lover, gook lover, gook lover, gook lover, gook lover,

gook lover, gook lover.

I probably shouldn't have done that.

You know, I don't think He's going to mind at all.

[music playing]

[theme music]

[chiming outro]