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[♪♪♪]
MAN 1: 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.
[KEYBOARD KEYS CLICKING]
[♪♪♪]
[DISTANT JANGLING]
WOMAN 1: How's the writer's block?
MAN 1: 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.
MAN 1: You sound like Mom.
Ooh, money.
Hey, I'm broke, too.
How the audition go?
Good.
Can you do kung fu?
WOMAN 2: 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--
MAN 2: Where are your parents from?
Can we try it again, or...
M-- m-- m... m-- m-- me-- me don't day nothing.
[CLAPPERBOARD CLAPS]
No, I mean, what-- where were you born?
MAN 1: New York City.
- Oh. Uh... - [PHONE RINGING]
Can I call you back in two minutes?
WOMAN 2: Could you do Korean?
MAN 1: What do you think?
WOMAN 1: You're the next Captain America.
Oh, you know what?
You should wear your lucky jersey.
[SNIFFS]
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.
- [MAN GRUNTS] - WOMAN 1: Mm-hmm.
Look, when were you talking about me?
Um, when we were talking about your breakup.
Which one is this again?
MAN 1: The 12th?
Right.
You're like an Asian Ross and Rachel.
[CHUCKLES]
We're not that annoying.
Okay.
Do you have any snacks?
MAN 1: I always have snacks.
[WOMAN GASPS]
Ooh, come to Mama.
Hey, do you think I can get to Midtown in 20 minutes?
WOMAN 1: Have you ever taken the subway?
No.
I have that audition with Chloe.
Mm. She's not goin'.
MAN 1: Wait, why?
Um, you broke up? [CHUCKLES]
I mean, I know we're not technically together,
but we're--
WOMAN 1: But what?
I'm gonna sit.
Mm, she's workin'.
I'm really convincing.
No.
Why not?
WOMAN 3: Why don't you just ask Chloe?
We broke up.
- [CHUCKLES] - 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?
[SIGHS]
The code is 25184.
MAN 1: Thank you.
WOMAN 3: Wait, you forgot your coffee!
MAN 1: There she is.
The girl who is about to change everything.
[BIRDS CHIRPING IN DISTANCE]
MAN 1: Nora Dawson dreams of making the world cleaner.
Her sanctuary, Central Park, is where her sketches come
to life.
MAN 3: 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.
[CLEARS THROAT]
So Nora's white?
MAN 1: Yeah.
And Jason is Asian.
Yeah.
Would you consider making Nora Asian?
Um...
Actually, how about this? What if Jason was white?
- [SNAPS FINGERS] - 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--
GEORGE: 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.
MAN 1: Later, Nora sits in her interview
in the office of a cold executive.
You know the type.
Judgmental, aloof.
- [TELEPHONE RINGS] - [CLEARS THROAT]
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.
MAN 4: I'll be contacting her then.
MAN 1: With another door closed on her dream,
Nora was starting to lose hope.
[TRAFFIC WHISTLE BLOWING]
MAN 1: 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.
[DOOR SHUTS]
Yeah, five minutes.
- No, no! - Just five minutes.
All we need is five minutes.
WOMAN 3: I have a customer. I can't help you.
You know what? I'm gonna try Starbucks.
They have nicer baristas, so...
- [WOMAN GASPS] - [DRINK SPLASHES]
[SIGHS]
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.
[CHUCKLES]
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.
NORA: What were you drinking?
Uh, an Americano.
NORA: 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.
[CHUCKLES]
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?
MAN 1: Each.
Next time, lead with that!
NORA: Real couples only?
- [SCOFFS] - 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.
[PING]
Yeah, I don't see you in any of these.
I'm also her Instagram boyfriend.
That means that I take all the photos.
[PING]
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.
WOMAN 5: So how did you two meet?
Uh, we met in a long...
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.
[CHUCKLES]
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.
NORA: I'm so sorry.
I mean, I'm still sorry.
How long have you been together?
MAN 1: 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.
[CHUCKLES]
WOMAN 5: 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?
NORA: Do I look like a Yankees fan?
Okay, so what were you doing 2015, the World Series?
I was at Standings on 7th.
- MAN 1: Game one? - All of them.
WOMAN 6: You see it, right?
Two souls living
these parallel lives,
just waiting to cross paths.
It's destiny.
It's kismet.
[CHUCKLES]
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.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
Harry, Sally, it's giving me main character energy.
[CHUCKLES]
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.
WOMAN 1: Chao ma is ready!
Oh.
Looks so good.
Did you see Sara getting married?
- [PLATES CLINKING] - Where did you see that?
Facebook.
You still use Facebook, Dad?
Only to look at pictures of cats.
- WOMAN 1: Mm! - MAN 1: Why?
Because I keep clicking on your ad when it shows up.
Mm! Which one?
Mm, Kute Kritter Kitty Litters.
[CHUCKLES]
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.
- [GASPS] - WOMAN 1: Ooh!
That's amazing, Jason!
WOMAN 1: I told you that dress was lucky.
Yeah, it's for a dating app.
DAD: You booked it with Chloe?
No.
You guys broke up again?
Okay, she broke up with me again.
Yeah?
[SPEAKS MANDARIN] family!
Hi!
[INDISTINCT SPEECH]
WOMAN 7: [SPEAKS MANDARIN]
Hi!
[KISSING]
- Happy New Year! - Happy New Year!
[GASPS] This looks amazing!
- WOMAN 1: 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.
WOMAN 1: Ooh.
So, what did I miss?
[CROCKERY CLINKS]
Oh, nothing. Just raggin' on Jason.
What else is new?
[LAUGHS]
As we should.
WOMAN 1: Mm-hmm.
Jason told me you broke up.
[CHUCKLING]
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.
DAD: Isn't it great when we can all get together?
[WOMAN CHUCKLES]
[CAMERA CLICKS]
Jason, why are you so zoomed in?
- WOMAN 7: What? - JASON: I'm not zooming in.
I'm just tryin' to...
[EXHALES]
[FOOTFALLS]
[CLEARS THROAT]
- 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.
MAN 3: 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.
[SIGHS] And it's just one day?
Just one day.
And then we're back on track, right?
Just like our plan.
[THUD]
[LOCK OPENS]
JASON: 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.
JASON: Yeah, come on.
NORA: This is amazing.
I mean, this is my job, so...
NORA: Yeah, it's really, really spectacular.
[CHUCKLES]
NORA: All these people just looking at us.
It's for us. *
[CHUCKLES]
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?
[CHUCKLES]
- JASON: What are you doin' here? - What's up, man? I'm workin'.
[OVERLAPPING SPEECH]
[CHUCKLING TOGETHER]
Nora, this is Akash and...
Hi, I'm Dan.
[CHUCKLES]
NORA: Hey, nice to meet you.
Yeah, we're, uh, the token gays on set here today.
We're just, uh, checkin' that box.
AKASH: You know, the industry still likes to keep us in those boxes.
This is not 2024. [CHUCKLES]
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.
[LAUGHING]
You're not in love?
Oh, honey, do we look like Portia and Ellen to you?
It's only been three months. [LAUGHING]
AKASH: We fell in love when the first pay check came through.
Let's put it that way.
- Money talks. [CHUCKLES] - JASON: 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.
NORA: Okay, that's what I thought.
Shut up, baby.
[LAUGHING]
So, wait, hold on.
What's this app about?
AKASH: Okay, so Jason did not do his homework.
- That's not a shock to me. - AKASH: 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. [CLICKS TONGUE]
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
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.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
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.
DAN: You'll enjoy it.
- Okay. - Dan!
It's hair and makeup. You'll be fine, I promise.
NORA: Enjoy your pile of cream cheese.
Okay.
WOMAN 8: 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?
[CHUCKLES]
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.
JASON: Uh, she did her undergrad at Yale.
Mm, smarty pants over here.
And actually, that's perfect.
Can you put that on?
NORA: Yes.
JASON: 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.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
Okay, Billy.
All right, Meg.
You know which scene this is from, right?
Mm, bookstore?
- No. - [CHUCKLES]
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.
NORA: Okay.
DAN: 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?
[BOTH LAUGH]
AKASH: 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.
AKASH: 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.
- NORA: Mm-hmm. - It's not my fault.
[CHUCKLES] That's right.
But then we ended up going upstairs and just--
DIRECTOR: Cut!
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: That's a cut.
- Mm, excuse me. - DIRECTOR: Okay, guys.
DIRECTOR: Some direction from the directoire.
AKASH: Is that you? Or...
DIRECTOR: It's me, I'm the director.
- AKASH: Oh! - DAN: [INDISTINCT SPEECH]
- Yeah, that's a lot. - [BOTH CHUCKLE]
So what do you think about all this?
- DIRECTOR: Um... - I can't believe it's real.
All of this is so magical.
Scary, but magical.
It's like there's so many...
JASON: Possibilities?
- JASON: Yeah, yeah. - Yeah.
Hey, Jason, Nora, we need you guys on set right now.
[INDISTINCT SPEECH]
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.
JASON: Yeah. It gets better.
Really?
No, actually, not even a little bit.
[EXHALES]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER IN BACKGROUND]
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.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: But also, please stick to the script.
- There is a script? - DIRECTOR: 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.
JASON: Wait, one-- one take?
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: One take!
Mooks said we need to get it in one.
[CHUCKLES]
But it's fine.
I was simping for y'all at the audition,
so just do that.
Are we getting last looks?
What's...
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: I've seen worse.
Thank you.
What are we supposed to be doing?
[CLEARS THROAT] Just be ourselves.
Um, be us. Oh.
We're not an us.
[PAGE RUSTLES]
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.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: 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.
[CHUCKLES]
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.
DIRECTOR: Cut!
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: That's a cut.
- Ah! - [SNAPS FINGERS]
God, who needs a script
when you got chemistry like that?
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: They made me feel.
NORA: It wasn't that bad, no.
It's kinda fun.
I actually had fun, yeah.
Okay, good.
[CHUCKLES]
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.
[PAPER RUSTLES]
- Yeah, definitely. - NORA: Yep.
Friends.
Now that you're not a stranger anymore.
Okay.
[SCRIBBLES]
You can have my number.
This is real old school, writing down a number.
- Thanks. - NORA: Yeah.
[HORN BLOWS IN DISTANCE]
Oh, there's my ride.
- Yeah. - Okay, I'll see ya.
Get home safe.
[CHUCKLES]
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.
- [NOTIFICATIONS CHIME] - [WOMAN SNORES]
WOMAN 9: Jason and Chloe get back together.
Is that what you're saying?
Mm, mm, mm, hot. [GROANS]
JASON: You've never been in an on-again, off-again
relationship?
WOMAN 9: No, I always thought it was best to just, you know, move on,
clean brakes.
[PHONE BUZZING]
[PING]
- What the-- - ♪ Is this love
♪ Or a dream
♪ Perfect scene
♪ You're too good to be true
♪ Ha, ha, ha
♪ Everywhere
♪ On the screens
♪ City streets
♪ All that I see is you
♪ Ha, ha, ha
♪ Got me like
- ♪ La-da-da - Bro, what is this?
♪ Just like a movie
♪ La-da-da
[LAUGHS]
You should call your girl.
- Yeah. - [PULLS DOWN ZIPPER]
♪ La-da-da
♪ I'm in this story with you
[PHONE RINGS]
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.
WOMAN 7: No, I can't have this conversation right now.
I am late.
[INDISTINCT SPEECH]
[DOOR OPENS]
[SIGHS]
[DOOR SHUTS]
[HORNS HONKING IN DISTANCE]
Hold on, hold on.
Is this movie gonna pass the Bechdel test?
I--
WOMAN 9: Surely Nora has a close girlfriend to give us some
perspective on things.
Just make sure she's named.
JASON: How about Haley?
How does it feel to be a celebrity?
[NORA SIGHS]
Honestly, I can't wait for it to all be over.
You don't like the attention?
NORA: I'd sell my soul to Applethorpe for six figures and benefits.
WOMAN 10: 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.
[HORN HONKING IN DISTANCE]
How's Kip?
I honestly never see him.
He's always working.
WOMAN 9: 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?
- [SCOFFS] - 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.
[BUZZER BUZZES]
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.
NORA: 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.
NORA: 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.
[NORA CHUCKLES]
You're the Brad Pitt in this scenario?
JASON: You could be my Angelina.
Just take the job.
At least for me.
I guess we didn't totally suck.
JASON: 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.
[INDISTINCT LYRICS]
It would be nice if our partners were on board.
I am working on that.
[WOMAN EXHALES]
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?
[EXHALES]
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.
WOMAN 11: Jason, how did you feel when you were on set with Nora?
I was happy.
[GASPS]
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? - WOMAN 11: Chloe!
But he's--
WOMAN 11: Let's have a calm and open conversation about this.
I'm so calm.
Okay, I was texting Nora.
[GASPS]
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.
[EXHALES]
Fine, I'll do it.
But I get to pick the place.
♪ Yummy, yummy, hair gummy
♪ Okay
♪ Yummy, yummy, hair gummy
VOICEOVER ARTIST: 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.
CHLOE: [INDISTINCT SPEECH]
JASON: [INDISTINCT SPEECH]
CHLOE: Yes, maybe if you hadn't waited till the last-minute shower
like you always do.
JASON: I called for an Uber, didn't I?
CHLOE: [INDISTINCT SPEECH]
- 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.
[KISSING]
Oh, you're so-- aren't you pretty?
[CHUCKLES]
Um, Kip, this is Jason.
Jason, this is Kip.
So, you're the fake boyfriend.
I prefer non-sexual gigolo.
[CHLOE LAUGHING]
He's so cute.
Would you guys like to sit?
Mm...
[GASPS]
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.
NORA: Okay.
- Why is that-- - I don't know.
- Better lighting? - NORA: I don't know.
JASON: Good?
Yeah, thank you.
- [CLEARS THROAT] - [GRUNTS]
So, where did you and Jason meet?
Oh, we met at drama club because we were such huge
theater nerds. [CHUCKLES]
CHLOE: You know, in sophomore year, we beat out all the seniors
for Romeo and Juliet because chemistry.
- CHLOE: Hmm. - [JASON CHUCKLES]
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.
[CHUCKLES]
Or someone who didn't know where his next meal
was gonna come from.
Aren't foundations just large income tax dodgers?
- Oh. - [CHUCKLES]
It doesn't compare to your meet-cute.
Oh, don't use that word though, 'cause that's a trigger
for him.
- [LAUGHS] - I-- I love rom-coms.
Yeah, you're obsessed!
Hmm. How cute. Rom-coms.
[LAUGHS]
- JASON: 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. - KIP: 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.
- [CHUCKLES] - JASON: So...
Sure, sure.
So what do you do?
Oh, I'm an influencer. [CHUCKLES]
- Influencer? - CHLOE: Yes.
What does that mean?
[LAUGHS]
Seriously?
Um, do you-- how can you not--
I mean, it's pretty self-explanatory in the title.
Uh, you know, it's about--
KIP: 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.
KIP: Metrics.
It's actually kind of amazing.
CHLOE: 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.
[BOTH LAUGH]
- Not everyone can do it. - KIP: Hmm.
I mean, I just don't think anyone can live their life
with every detail planned out for the next 10 years.
CHLOE: 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.
KIP: 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-- [INDISTINCT SPEECH]
I'm gonna have the car drop you off at the apartment.
CHLOE: No, I have an event later, remember?
But, you know, it's okay.
- NORA: Where are you going? - CHLOE: We can meet up later.
Jackson's bachelor party. [OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION]
It's a work thing.
NORA: Everything can't be a work thing.
Hey, we'll talk about it later.
- Uh, the purse. - CHLOE: Thank you.
See you later, okay?
CHLOE: 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.
[CLEARS THROAT]
[INDISTINCT LYRICS]
♪ Yummy
I think they liked each other.
[BOTH LAUGH]
JASON: You know, you could have just taken the train
to Grand Central.
NORA: Well, what's the fun in that?
JASON: You know, it's less walking.
NORA: Are you in a rush?
JASON: No.
NORA: Well, good.
JASON: 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.
[CHUCKLES]
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.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
NORA: When the city is too much, I come here.
Do you notice anything?
JASON: Other than the stars?
NORA: The entire thing is backwards.
JASON: Seriously?
NORA: 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.
JASON: 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.
NORA: Oh no, that's okay.
Thank you.
[♪♪♪]
[WATER LAPPING]
[BOAT WHIRRING]
[HORN HONKS IN DISTANCE]
So, I have an annoying older brother.
Anyone else? Anyone?
Oh, you, too?
[CHUCKLING]
Yeah, am I right? [CHUCKLES]
My brother Jason is the complete opposite of me.
Yeah, for one, he's a hopeless romantic.
Yeah, I know. I know.
Boo!
[AUDIENCE LAUGHING]
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.
[AUDIENCE LAUGHING AND CLAPPING]
WOMAN 1: He also held my Barbies hostage
and practiced Oscar's acceptance speeches with them.
Like, no wonder our parents thought he was gay.
[CHUCKLES]
WOMAN 1: Then he came out as an actor.
[AUDIENCE LAUGHING]
I'm Lily Lin, and thank you so much for coming.
Have a good night.
[APPLAUSE]
[CHEERING]
LILY: Thanks for coming!
Yes, I couldn't miss it.
You were so good.
LILY: 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... - [INDISTINCT SPEECH]
- Jesus. - [LAUGHS]
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.
[LILY CHUCKLES]
So what's the deal with your boyfriend?
Um, we met in college.
Hmm.
Finance bro?
[CLICKS TONGUE]
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!
- LILY: Yes. Yeah, you have to. - No.
- Absolutely not. - [CHUCKLING]
You have to see him in his full, like, Sweeney Todd getup.
It is chef's kiss.
[CHUCKLES]
LILY: 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.
LILY: Where are you from originally?
NORA: Connecticut.
LILY: Oh, wait, which part?
NORA: New Haven.
LILY: Nice.
ALLISON: 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?
JASON: 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.
[FOOTFALLS]
[♪♪♪]
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.
LILY: Hey, are you coming?
We're gonna miss the train!
Wedding Crashers is a romantic comedy!
JASON: No, it is not!
MOM: 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.
- [LAUGHING] - Yeah!
Okay, so is La La Land a romantic comedy?
- [TOGETHER] No. - No. No.
No?
Because the characters don't end up together.
- That's right. - LILY: 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.
- [CHUCKLES] - Oh, we didn't make the rules.
Uh, Mom, you literally did.
What?
Okay, so is Anchorman a rom-com?
- MOM: No. - DAD: No.
Because the characters aren't changed by the courtship.
Come on!
MOM: Oh, come on.
This is all very complicated.
[CHUCKLES]
Don't worry, you'll get the Lin family humor soon.
[LAUGHS]
- MOM: Yeah. - DAD: Yeah.
LILY: We're just getting started.
Yeah, it's gonna go all night.
Okay, but what I'm saying is Love Actually.
NORA: Oh my God, is this you?
JASON: Yep, that was high school.
- I was the Oompa Loompa. - [CROCKERY CLATTERS]
Well, there is no small roles.
I was literally an Oompa Loompa.
[CHUCKLES]
NORA: 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?
LILY: Jason, we're starting Wedding Crashers!
Come upstairs!
I should get going.
[VEHICLES WHOOSHING AND HONKING IN DISTANCE]
♪ Vroom, vroom
♪ Pull up every day like
♪ Vroom, Vroom
♪ Kill it every time, I bring the bass ♪
[LYRICS IN KOREAN]
♪ I am a boss
- ♪ Ahem - [CAMERA CLICKS]
♪ Aha
♪ I bring the car crush
[LYRICS IN KOREAN]
[DOOR SHUTS IN BACKGROUND]
♪ I bring the car crush
♪ I am a heart breaker
- ♪ Ah, ah, yeah, yeah, yeah - [CAMERA CLICKS]
♪ I am a heart breaker
Chloe?
[BOXES CLATTER]
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.
[CAMERA CLICKS]
♪ I bring the car crush
[CAMERA CLICKS] Okay.
[CAMERA CLICKS]
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.
JASON: 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.
JASON: 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.
[CLEARS THROAT]
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.
[PHONE RINGING]
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.
JASON: I'm sorry, George.
Divorce must be really hard.
I'm sorry you're going through that.
[COUGHS]
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.
JASON: So, a week later, it's time for the second ad shoot.
[SCRIBBLING]
[FOOTFALLS]
Thought we weren't supposed to eat in costume?
JASON: 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?
NORA: 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?
JASON: 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.
[CLICKS TONGUE]
[JASON CHUCKLES]
NORA: So, what does Chloe think about all this?
I honestly have no idea.
NORA: 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.
[CHUCKLES]
It's got a good ring.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Nora, Jason, we're ready for you on set.
JASON: 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.
[CAMERA CLICKS]
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'.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Billie, for the love of God!
- Copy that. - Shit!
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: We are three days behind!
Where is Billie?
What is that supposed to mean?
I have no clue.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Quiet on set!
[♪♪♪]
[MACHINE WHIRRING]
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
[VEHICLES WHIRRING]
[HORN HONKING]
WOMAN 10: Okay, so they loved your resume.
But can I get you anything?
Coffee? Water? Xanax?
I'm good, thanks.
[TELEPHONE RINGING IN BACKGROUND]
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...
WOMAN 10: 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
Single.
♪ It's gonna be all right
JASON: So the director yells "action", right?
I go, full Maguire.
You. Complete. Me.
NORA: No.
[CHUCKLES]
And then Nora goes, "You had me at hey."
[LAUGHING]
- Oh no. - I've never seen the movie.
It's an iconic line.
WOMAN 10: 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.
[GLASS CLINKS]
Excuse me.
WOMAN 10: 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 ♪
[HORN BLARING IN BACKGROUND]
[TEXT MESSAGES POPPING]
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?
[SCOFFS]
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?
NORA: 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.
JASON: 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.
[EXHALES]
Okay.
So, um,
what happens next?
Tell us a little more about this world-changing,
altering love that you speak of.
[ALLISON CHUCKLES]
So...
...the second ad campaign comes out a few weeks later,
but everything's different.
[♪♪♪]
[VEHICLES WHOOSHING AND HONKING]
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.
[BIRDS CHIRPING IN BACKGROUND]
JASON: 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.
[TEXT MESSAGE POPPING]
JASON: Nora wondered if she was chasing her dreams, or someone else's.
[BUZZER BUZZES]
[THUD]
WOMAN 12: 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.
[WOMAN CHUCKLES]
Uh, that's incredible.
Could we get some time to think about it?
Sure, take all the time you need.
[INDISTINCT BACKGROUND CHATTER]
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.
NORA: 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.
[FOOTFALLS]
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
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.
[GLASSES CLINK]
[CHUCKLES]
[SLURPS]
[GULPS]
Where do you need me to pick you up?
Um, they should be sending me a call sheet.
[CHUCKLES]
It's still this disorganized, huh?
[CHUCKLES]
It's mostly Jason.
He always forgets to send it to me.
Hmm.
[TEXT MESSAGE POPS]
Let me see if I can find an old one.
[TEXT MESSAGE POPPING]
[KNOCKING]
JASON: Hi.
JASON: 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--
NORA: 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?
NORA: 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.
[SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE]
[DOOR SHUTS]
[SIGHS]
So what happens next?
[TELEPHONE RINGS IN BACKGROUND]
[GRUNTS]
LILY: Jason, are you coming?
[GRUNTS]
Mm-hmm.
[♪♪♪]
What were you doing last night?
[SCRUNCHING]
I was with Nora.
Jason, don't be a douche!
She has a boyfriend!
It's not like that.
[SIGHS]
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?
[EXHALES]
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.
[SCRUNCHES]
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.
[SCRUNCHES]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER IN BACKGROUND]
Are you guys okay?
No.
What happened?
It's over.
WOMAN 8: 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.
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATION]
And don't forget to zip this up.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER IN BACKGROUND]
[♪♪♪]
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.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Start rolling.
JASON: 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.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER IN BACKGROUND]
[RUSHING FOOTFALLS]
NORA: 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.
GEORGE: 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.
JASON: Another Asian male ends up taking his spot.
Nora moves in with Haley to start her career as
an architect.
GEORGE: 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.
GEORGE: That's a real millennial move.
ALLISON: Mm, millennial.
Speaking of, what happens with Chloe?
JASON: I was just about to get to her.
[THUDDING]
You should lock your doors!
[LAUGHS]
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?
[EXHALES]
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?
- [CHUCKLES] - [SIGHS]
Yeah.
[SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE]
What have you been working on?
I'm packing my life into a lot of little boxes.
And it's going well.
[LAUGHS]
I can see it. [CHUCKLES]
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.
[GASPS]
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.
[CHUCKLES]
You got it.
Oh, yes!
[INDISTINCT LYRICS]
[SNIFFLES]
[GRUNTS]
These are the plans for the building goin' up
on Lexington.
They're great.
MAN 6: 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--
MAN 6: 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?
[SIGHS]
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?
ALLISON: 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.
JASON: 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.
ALLISON: We need a happy ending.
GEORGE: Right, but how often is it that two people get together?
ALLISON: But we're selling a dream.
And people buy tickets to escape reality,
not to be reminded of it.
JASON: 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.
[♪♪♪]
[FOOTFALLS]
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?
JASON: 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.
JASON: Because of the stars?
There's a better reason.
What's that?
NORA: You're here.
[KISSES]
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
So is this gonna be a new fun fact about Grand Central?
Shut up.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
[♪♪♪]
BILLIE: Cut!
NORA: 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.
BILLIE: 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?
[BILLIE CHUCKLES] BILLIE: 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.
- GEORGE: I know you will. - Yeah.
- Babe. - You like it?
- I love it. - Good idea.
- Great idea, babe. - Come on.
- You're so nice. - [KISSING]
- So great. - Hey, it takes two.
ALLISON: 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.
BILLIE: Jason, you gotta be on your mark.
NORA: That's my cue.
[CHUCKLES]
Gotta go back to work.
Someone wants a quote on a rooftop garden.
Well,
you know where I'll be.
[♪♪♪]
BILLIE: 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
♪ Everywhere on the screens
♪ City streets
♪ All that I see is you
♪ 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
♪ 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
♪ Everywhere on the screens
♪ City streets
♪ All that I see is you
♪ 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
♪ Love you like la-da-da
♪ Ooh
♪ La-da-da
♪ Ha, ha, ha
♪ La-da-da
♪ I am in this story with you
♪ Ha, ha, ha
[HORN HONKS]