(rousing orchestral fanfare playing)
(bell clangs, train whistle blows)
: Ah...
MAN: Mm. What are you reading?
Hm?
The Overcoat by Gogol.
Gogol? Uh-huh.
Mm-mm.
Never heard of him.
Hmm.
(train rumbling, dog barking, birds chirping)
Seen much of this world?
Uh-uh. I went to Delhi once.
Every year I visit my grandfather in Dungarpur.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
: Not this world.
I mean, England, America.
I was in England for two years.
It was like a dream.
Sparkling clean streets.
Nobody spitting on the road.
Have you ever thought of going abroad?
No.
You should.
You are young.
You are free.
You will never regret it.
My grandfather always says that is what books are for.
Hmm.
To travel without moving an inch.
: Mmm.
To each his own.
* *
(woman wailing song in native language)
Show us.
* *
Hm?
Mmm...
(indistinct conversations in distance)
It's not just that she is my daughter...
(father continues indistinctly)
Uh, my son has been living abroad...
for the last two years.
He's in New York.
He's doing his PhD in the field of fiber optics.
Hm?
Hmm... hmm.
Our daughter's best subject is English.
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills
When all at once I saw a crowd...
A host of golden daffodils.
: This was my father's
favorite poem.
Used to read a lot, my father.
Please.
My child?
Have you ever flown in a plane?
Will you be able to go
halfway across the world?
Live in a cold city...
with freezing winters...
Huh? Oh!
* *
It is freezing today outside.
Bread... milk...
apple tea...
The rest we'll buy from the Indian shop
after I come home in the evening.
How are you feeling?
It will take you several days to recover.
After all, you've just flown halfway around the world.
It is the American way.
Now go, go.
(speaks native language)
Okay.
Hot and cold water, too.
Red one and blue one.
Don't confuse between the two.
You will get burned.
And you can drink water straight from the tap.
No need to boil it.
Our washing machine is just down the street.
I will show you when I come home.
Now...
Once you are settled,
I will take you to my department
and introduce you to my professor here.
You won't believe it.
* *
Just a minute.
No, no, no, no, no, no!
ASHIMA: I am very happy.
And everything here is wonderful.
The plane journey was long but enjoyable.
And I'm feeling fine.
How is Rini?
The house is very nice.
Big, with lots of windows.
Do you know...
over here...
we get gas all day and all night.
I mean, who asked you to wash my clothes?
We only have so much money to buy...
Where are you going?
Hel...
Ashima.
Ashima?
Open the door, Ashima.
I'm sorry.
Ashima.
Your intention was good.
It was my mistake not to tell you.
Ashima, please, open the door.
Please?
Sorry, Baba.
ASHOKE: Take One or Three train
from here all the way to...
Fulton Street.
Get out of the station, ask anybody...
* *
Uh...
(singing tranquil melody in native language)
Do you have a longer frock?
What's that?
Uh... I need to here.
And hide those gorgeous legs?
Here we go. Let's get you under the covers. Here we go.
All right.
Time those contractions.
Being rescued was the first miracle of my life.
You are the second.
Mrs. Ganguli, I'm Mr. Wilcox.
You, um, have a name for the baby?
One minute.
My husband is coming.
Yes, the name.
We are waiting for my wife's grandmother to choose.
Will she be here soon?
She is in India.
She is more than 85 years old.
But there is no hurry.
Some of my cousins, you know, they were not named
until they were six years old.
Until then they were all called by their daknams only.
Daknams?
Pet names.
We all have two names.
One pet name-- daknam.
One good name-- bhalonam.
Unfortunately in this country a baby can't be released
from the hospital without a birth certificate,
and a birth certificate requires a name.
How about "Baby Boy Ganguli"?
Baby Boy?
Uh, uh, till the letter arrives.
Afterward we can change it?
Is that what we should do?
I wouldn't.
Endless red tape.
Expensive, too.
Sleep on it.
Baby Boy Ganguli?
Gogol.
Gogoloo.
What do you say?
We could call him Gogol.
Till the letter arrives.
Later we could change it on the birth certificate.
Mmm.
We would not be here but for Gogol's blessings.
Hold still.
Don't move.
One, two, three.
Say "cheese."
...Gogol!
Gogol! Hey, lady-killer!
Think of Gogol's future.
This is the land of opportunity, Ashima.
He can become whatever he wants,
study whatever he desires.
You know, options are limitless.
Don't you want to give him that?
Huh?
Here you go.
Thanks. You're welcome.
Come here.
Yeah.
Fish.
Leave it, leave it, leave it.
Come. Come.
Don't go so far
that I cannot see you!
He's too little!
MAN: Welcome to suburbia, Ashoke.
You have a beautiful house, Ashoke.
Congratulations.
Everything is bought in a yard sale.
Ashima does not like it,
but I say, what is wrong with it, you know?
Even my chairman, who lives in a huge mansion,
wears a tie he had bought for 50 cents.
That is America, Ashoke.
Hey, guys.
Hey, kids, catch it.
ASHIMA: Gogol?
Where are you?
Hey, Gogoli.
Poor Baba.
He's probably feeling very left out
because of his sister Sonia's naming ceremony.
Is he going to be called Gogol in school?
No.
We have decided on a good name.
Finally.
What is it?
Nikhil. Bah.
The all-encompassing one.
Of course they will turn it into Nick, you know.
Gogol?
Hey, Gogol.
Missing your sister's ceremony, huh?
Hey, Gogoli.
I found him!
GOGOL: I don't like the baby.
Sonia, eat this.
And now will be the grand finale.
Ashima.
What will your baby girl's future be?
She wants everything.
Ask her to pick up the pen.
Hey, Sonia, pick up the pen.
Pick up, pick up. Be the first female...
Put the dollar in her hand.
Pick up something, Sonia.
American girl must be rich.
She's not picking anything.
So...
how did you like your first day in big school?
Great! Oh.
And what is this?
"Due to your son's preference,
"he will be known as Gogol in school.
Mrs. Lapidis, Principal."
Hmm.
And what about your parents' preference?
Hmm?
ASHIMA: In this country the children decide.
He wants to keep Gogol and not Nikhil as his good name.
Fine.
No big deal.
With a president named Jimmy, there is nothing we can do.
As long as our kid is happy, you know.
So late?
Hello.
Hello?
MAN: Hello, Ashoke...
Don't, don't worry, I, I will.
ASHIMA: He told you something you're not telling me?
Yesterday when your father was
playing patience on his bed,
he died of a heart attack.
* *
Gogol, go on.
Go on. Look, Baba, Gogol!
Ashima. G-O...
...G-O-L!
ASHOKE: Oh, very good, very good.
Come on, we'll lose the plane.
Huh? Come on, come on.
Push, push, push...
Not your ordinary guy, Nikolai Gogol.
Hey, Gogol, it's your namesake.
Today, he is respected
as one of Russia's most brilliant writers,
but in his own lifetime he was understood by no one.
Least of all himself.
One might say
that he was an eccentric genius.
Yo, Gargle, way to go!
Shut up! Hey, Mr. Hatch!
Mr. Epstein!
I will see you both after class.
Thank you. Out. Come on.
Out.
Thank you,
gentlemen.
Now, Gogol was reputed to be a hypochondriac.
He was deeply paranoid,
frustrated, friendless.
He never married and he fathered no children.
Ooh. Towards the end of his life
he proceeded to commit slow suicide
by starvation. GIRL: What?!
Did you guys know all this stuff
about him when you decided to name me?
That he was paranoid, suicidal, friendless, depressed?
ASHOKE: You forgot to mention that he was
also a genius.
I don't understand how you guys could
name me after someone so strange.
And don't call us "guys."
Sometimes when I close my eyes
and listen to you both,
I feel I have given birth to strangers.
Just because you're graduating
does not mean you can behave like this, Gogol.
So, I'm two inches away from her.
Her luscious lips part.
Just as I'm about to kiss her...
she looks at me and she says...
"What's your name?"
Gogol Ganguli.
End of Seduction 101.
Plain Jane loves your name.
: Gogol, Gogol, I love you.
Gogol! Oh, Gogol!
Don't bogart that joint, man.
You know, of all the frickin'
Russian writers in the universe...
...why'd they have to go and choose the weirdest?
What the hell's wrong with Leo or Anton?
Shit. You know, I just want to sit 'em down and be, like,
"Man, Gogol is your favorite author, not mine."
Shit.
What?
I got the thing. Oh, shit.
Hey, where you going?
See ya!
Good-bye, Air India!
Whoo-hoo!
(woman singing in native language on TV)
: I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
They have been here for two hours already. Come.
This is our son, Gogol.
Sorry I'm late. ASHOKE: Hey, Gogol.
Mr. and Mrs. Mazumdar, they just moved
into New York from London.
Oh, wow, that's far.
WOMAN: Hey, Gogol...
Hey, Mira Mashi. I'll show you something.
And this is our daughter, Moushumi.
Both the same age also. Oh.
They'll have a lot in common.
Oh, I'm sure.
GOGOL: Hi.
: Hello.
What are you reading?
Bonjour Tristesse.
In French. Oh...
Want to go watch some TV?
I detest American television.
MIRA MASHI: Gogol...
Come and sit next to your Mira Mashi.
Come. Come.
Why are your eyes so red?
Someone's envy has definitely...
I'm fine.
Ashima...
Chilies.
Nicky?
Hmm. Oh, Mira Mashi.
I promise you there are no evil eyes
in the United States of America.
That is what you think.
You be careful where you're going.
What is the name?
Yale.
There will be plenty of girls
in this Yale place
who will want to trap you.
Have as much fun as you want.
Mm-hmm. But...
BOTH: Marry a Bengali.
* I admit it *
* What's to say? *
* I'll relive it *
* Without pain *
Gogol? * Backstreet lover on the side of the road *
* I got a bomb in my temple * Hey, Baba.
* I got a 16-gauge buried under my clothes *
How are you feeling now?
Yeah, I'm feeling a lot better. Uh-huh.
Thank you. Good.
* I could control myself *
Listen.
I have never given you any presents
apart from what your mother buys, but...
for your graduation,
I have something special.
* Oh, try and mimic *
* What's insane *
Thanks, Baba.
* I am in it *
* Where do I stand? * I ordered this
just for you from the bookstore.
Took four months to arrive.
* Indian summer and I hate the heat *
* I got a backstreet lover on the passenger seat *
* I got my hand in my pocket so determined, discreet *
* I pray *
* Once upon a time *
* I could control myself *
* Ooh, once upon a time *
I hope you like it.
Very nice.
Thanks, Baba.
* *
Thanks again.
You know, I feel a special kinship with Gogol
more than with any other writer.
Do you know why? Yes.
Gogol's your favorite author. I know, Baba.
Apart from that,
he spent most of his adult life
outside his homeland.
Like me. Right.
But...
there...
there is another reason.
Hello?
Hmm?
What's the other reason?
No, there isn't.
Okay, good night.
Good night, Baba.
We all came out of Gogol's overcoat.
One day you will understand.
MAN : Your attention, please.
Indian Airlines announces
the departure of their flight IC408 to Calcutta.
WOMAN : Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of Indian Airlines
and Captain Das Gupta,
we hope you enjoy your flight.
WOMAN: Flight IC408.
* *
Take out the luggage.
Gogol! Hi, Daadima.
Earphones.
Earphones!
(speaks native language)
Oh, New York and Calcutta.
What's wrong with you?
I want to go home.
I have something that'll cheer you up.
Here. My planner says
that there are only
89 days left to go.
What is wrong with you?
What, are you hot? You're hot? Here.
Have some ancient air conditioning.
Go away!
You are going out?
Jogging.
Jogging? Running.
On the street.
I'm in training. Training?
Yep. Don't worry, Daadima.
I'm not gonna go far.
Chotu?
Ah. What?
Oh, good morning.
Gogol, Gogol, Gogol!
Gogol!
Stop!
Gogol!
Stop!
They sent you to follow me.
Heart.
Chotu... die. Don't die.
Want to go back?
(man singing in native language)
(engine hissing, brakes squealing)
There is something I always wanted to ask you,
but never had the courage.
All those years ago, why did you...
say yes to me?
You were the best of the lot.
Huh?
Better than the widower with four children
and the cartoonist with one arm.
GIRL: Please?
You have an extra...?
Oh, my God...
I also liked your shoes.
Oh. Oh, okay, okay.
You want me to say...
"I love you"...
like the Americans?
Eh.
Huh.
(rock music plays over headphones)
(bell clinks, indistinct chatter)
Stop sulking, Sonia.
You actually look really great in that outfit.
It suits you. Shut up!
Hmm.
Why don't you get in, my American son?
Sonia can sit on my lap.
Come on. No. Because being pulled
by another human being is feudal and exploitative,
and I don't want to be part of something like that,
because... Hmm.
(humming and clicking tongue)
Ma, stop!
It's embarrassing me!
Okay, guess where we are going tomorrow.
Another relative's house?
No.
The botanical gardens, for the hundredth time.
To Agra to see the Taj Mahal.
Are you serious? You're not kidding?
Really?
Mm. That's awesome, Ma.
Oh, my God!
It's a wonder of the world.
(music plays over loudspeaker, loud, overlapping chatter)
Come on.
We should have taken the plane.
It's right here.
Huh?
* *
I've always wanted to come here with you.
Just imagine how much Shah Jahan must have loved Mumtaz
to make this for her.
Other husbands also love their wives, Ashima.
Only we cannot afford to build Taj Mahals.
Hey, guess what?
I think I'm gonna major in architecture.
What about engineering?
Come on, Baba.
Architecture has everything.
It's got engineering, drawing,
aesthetics.
Our family Shah Jahan.
* *
Show you something.
Look.
"Gangrene."
What the...
Can you believe this?
I'm gonna catch the racist punk who did that.
ASHIMA: Don't be upset. Come on.
Frickin' welcome home.
Just some kids having fun.
GOGOL: So,
I've been thinking a lot about my name.
"Gogol's" fine on-on my high school diploma,
but can you imagine "Gogol"
on a résumé or a credit card after that?
What are you trying to say?
I'd like to change my name back to my good name.
ASHIMA: What is done is done.
Now Gogol has become your good name.
It's too complicated now.
You're too old.
And anyway, you have only yourself
to blame. Oh, yeah.
It's my fault 'cause I was four years old?
That's right, Goggles.
Ow!
Anything is possible in America.
Do as you wish.
An excellent choice, sir.
GOGOL: I'm home.
Hi, Nick.
Hello.
Hi, Lydia. How you doing?
Good. Have you got it?
Yup.
Where's my girl?
Where's my Master of Fine Arts?
Congratulations.
Thank you, Daddy.
Thank you all so much for coming.
This means so much to me.
Drink! Celebrate!
Beep, beep! Excuse me, darling. Sorry.
Ooh. There we go.
Cake?
I still can't believe it's over already.
Hey. I'm gonna get a drink.
Hi.
Nick.
Open it.
You like it?
Yeah. It's beautiful.
LYDIA: Hello!
Oh, I want you to meet the young Indian architect
who has so captured Maxine's heart.
Oh.
This is Pam Burton, a dear college friend,
and this is Nikhil Ganguli. How do you do?
Maxine, look who's here.
It's very nice to meet you.
You, as well.
Now, how old were you when you moved to America?
I was actually born in New York. I'm from here.
I once had a girlfriend who went to India.
Came back thin as a rail.
I'm sure.
I was horribly envious of her!
Don't your parents want you to marry a nice Indian girl?
I don't care what they want.
This is what I want.
Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick,
Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick...
ASHIMA: Sally gave them to me
before anybody else could check them out, huh?
Ah. Reading Chekhov.
What perks I get from my wife, the librarian.
Mmm.
MAN: What, are you blind?
MAN: Today, huh?
Uh...
WOMAN: Hey! MAN: Lady, get out of the way!
(speaking native language)
You have to learn to drive faster.
Don't talk to me.
I will have an accident, huh?
If you keep on driving like this, you will have an accident.
Everything's fine, Mom.
Mom, why are you calling me? Hey, hon.
ASHIMA: Because you're not at your apartment.
Shh, whoa.
You are never at your apartment, Gogol.
In the middle of the night,
I have called and you are not there.
I am, Ma.
I need my sleep.
I turn off the phone.
Ooh.
Gogol, are you there?
Yeah, yeah, I'm here, I'm here.
I want you to come home next Saturday.
Then you can come with us
to the airport the next day.
Baba is going to teach in Ohio
for six months.
You remember or not?
Yeah, I remember, Mom, but what's the big deal?
He's only going to Cleveland.
Sonia's not coming home.
Sonia lives in California, Gogol.
: Mom, I can't come home that weekend.
I'm going on a vacation with my girlfriend.
Her parents have a place in Oyster Bay.
Mom?
Would you mind if we went to go see my parents
on the way to Oyster Bay?
You mean I'd finally get to meet them?
Mm-hmm.
I'd love to, baby.
: Oh, that's too much.
I'm back...
You know, he is willing to go on vacation
with someone else's parents,
but not to see his own.
Oh, forget it, this is America.
As soon as the kids turn 16, they're gone.
I lost the company of my parents
when I first came to this country.
Now I feel I'm losing my family all over again.
Besides, what kind of a girl is called Max, huh?
Maybe it's a boy.
There are some things you should know.
Um, no kissing, no holding hands.
My parents are not Lydia and Gerald.
I've never seen them touch, let alone anything else.
A little depressing.
Ah, a little bit.
You know, you really don't have to get all this stuff.
Come on, why are you getting truffles?
God, they won't like them, will they?
: No.
Come on, Nick, everyone loves truffles.
GOGOL: Ma, we're here.
Ma.
Hi.
Ma, this is Maxine.
Max, this is my mother.
Hello, Ashima.
It's so nice to finally meet you.
Mm.
These are for you and Ashoke.
Oh.
There was no need.
Thank you.
Please come in.
Come. Thank you.
Please sit.
I will get drinks.
It's nice. Thank you.
This is where you grew up, huh?
Yeah.
Thank you. Nikhil's father is upstairs
with the man from the alarm company.
Why on Earth are you getting a security system?
It was your father's idea, now that I will be on my own.
You know, even in good areas like this,
these days there are crimes.
Ashima,
I've been admiring what you're wearing.
Is this,
uh, a kanta?
: Oh, yes.
I grew up with fabrics.
My mother curates textiles at the Met.
The Met?
The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
You remember, Ma, I took you there.
It's the museum with all the steps and the Egyptian temple.
Uh-huh, I remember.
My father was also an artist.
That painting you're seeing there...
that is his painting.
Oh, it's nice.
MAN: We're all set, Mr. Ganguli.
ASHOKE: So it'll be installed tomorrow, all right?
Uh-huh.
Let me give you a receipt.
Hmm, it's really lovely.
Thank you, Mr. Odin.
GOGOL: Hey, Baba.
Hi.
This is Maxine.
Max, this is my father.
Hello. Hello, Ashoke.
How are you?
Fine.
Hmm.
This is the best Indian food I've ever tasted.
Nikhil's mother has been cooking for the past two days.
It's better than this boy here makes.
ASHOKE: Oh...
I forgot the ice cream.
Nikhil, come with me to Breyer's, would you?
Sure.
I'll come with you.
Why don't you stay here and keep Nikhil's mother company?
We'll be back in no time.
Yes? Okay.
ASHOKE: I wanted to tell you something before I leave
for my semester in Ohio.
It is about your name.
My name?
Yeah, Gogol.
There is a reason for it, you know.
I know.
Gogol's your favorite author.
I remember.
It is more than that.
It was, uh...
1974 when I was a student in Calcutta.
Every year I would take the train to visit
my grandfather in Dungarpur.
I carried one book with me to read on the journey.
Gogol?
Yes, The Overcoat.
So, in the train late at night,
a Mr. Ghosh befriended me.
He kept trying to persuade me to leave India...
...I was in England for two years...
...and I just wanted to get back to my book.
My grandfather always says that is what books are for:
to travel without moving an inch.
And that's when it happened.
(people speaking in native language)
* *
ASHOKE: I kept hearing Ghosh's voice in my head.
GHOSH: Pack a pillow and blanket.
See the world.
You will never regret it.
That is how I came to America and you got your name.
Come.
Maxine will be waiting for you.
Baba, is that what you think of when you think of me?
Do I remind you of that night?
Not at all.
You remind me of everything that followed.
Every day since then has been a gift...
Gogol.
Samosas for the journey.
Thank you.
Thank you for lunch.
It was lovely to meet you. Bye.
Bye, Ma.
Same here.
Remember to check in on your mother now and again.
Okay, Baba.
And call to let us know that you arrived safely.
I will.
ASHOKE: Drive safely, Gogol.
What did your dad just call you?
I'll explain later.
MAXINE: I'd never have guessed they're your parents. You're so different.
* Well, I don't need no nine-mil Glock *
* These hands are deadly guns *
* From smoking, drinking, being a thug *
* I sip Hpnotiq from a coffee mug, yeah *
* I keep a healthy state of mind *
* I only drink and drive at night... *
Oh, we're here.
This is beautiful.
You like? Yeah.
It's a perfect example of New England Victorian.
Thus spake my architect.
We got truffles!
GOGOL: Hey, Gerald. Hey, Lydia.
Hey!
Hi, Boomer! Hi!
GERALD: Hi, Nick.
MAXINE: This is my absolute favorite place on Earth.
I can map my life here.
You know, I envy you this place.
My parents never felt the need to be so far away from things.
Where did you guys go?
On the road.
In rented vans, we would travel with Bengali families
to see other Bengali families,
inevitably getting lost along the way.
Dads mulling over AAA maps on the side of the road.
And when it was time to eat, we would pull over again
at some rest stop and pull out a nine-course Indian meal
from a bunch of tiffins when all I really wanted
was McDonald's to begin with.
It was kind of fun, though, you know,
if you didn't know anything else.
Mm...
Well, you're here now.
Mm...
So, Ms. Maxine Emma Faye, what's it gonna be?
The museum job or the book on Montagna?
I don't want to think about it right now.
I want to be free!
He never called.
I'm sure they're fine.
Hmm.
It is you I am worried about.
You know, being alone...
for the first time.
No big deal...
as the children always say to me.
It is easy for them, Ashima.
They grew up here.
You will be alone, too.
How will you manage?
But I will see you every third weekend.
I wish you would change your mind and come with me.
Hmm?
(indistinct announcement over P.A.)
* *
TELEPHONE OPERATOR: That was Radcliff?
I do have a number for a G. Radcliff in Oyster Bay.
But I'm afraid it's unlisted.
Happy Birthday, Gogol.
Happy Birthday, Nick.
Thank you. Ooh!
Make a wish.
LYDIA: Yea!
Thanks, you guys. This is really nice.
You just... see?
* *
Hello?
ASHOKE: Hello, Ashima?
Hey.
Ashima, I'm in Cleveland General Hospital.
(Ashima speaking native language)
I don't know.
My stomach's been bothering me since morning, and I was...
invited by some Bengali students for dinner.
Take an Alka
I did. It didn't help.
I came to the emergency room because, uh...
all the doctors' offices are closed today.
So who drove you there?
No one. I am here on my own.
I, uh...
I wish I had come with you.
I was also so selfish--
only thinking about myself.
Ashima...
Don't worry. It is nothing.
Ashoke, what does the doctor say?
I'm waiting to see him. There's a long line.
Very long line.
And don't worry.
Hmm.
I am feeling better already.
Huh?
All right.
Ashima...
I'll call you when I get home.
Okay.
ASHOKE : This is Professor Ganguli.
Kindly leave a message.
Yes.
"G" for green...
"A" for apple...
"N" for Nancy...
"G" for gold...
"U" for umbrella...
"L" for letter...
"I" for India.
I have already spelled my name five times.
WOMAN: Uh, I'm just going to have to put you on hold, ma'am.
WOMAN: I apologize for the wait. To whom am I speaking?
Ashima Ganguli.
Ashoke Ganguli's wife. Who I am speaking to?
I'm sorry, ma'am.
I'm the intern who first examined your husband.
I have been holding on for half an hour.
Is my husband still there, or has he gone?
He said he will phone me.
I'm very sorry, ma'am. We've been trying to reach you.
The patient, your husband...
Ashoke Ganguli, passed away at 5:35 p.m.
Hello?
It is a mistake.
He was not there for emergency.
Only for stomachache.
Your husband had a massive heart attack.
All attempts to revive him failed.
Is there anyone
in the Cleveland area to identify and claim the body?
* *
That's why the Blair Building's my favorite.
Yeah, it's beautiful.
Hi. LYDIA AND GERALD: Hi.
Jesse... Come here, Jesse.
Come here. Jesse! Jesse, Jesse.
Uh, Nick, your mother called for you twice. Sit, sit!
Okay, thanks. I'll give her a buzz in the morning.
Okay.
What about it? What about this?
It's nice. It's the colors for downstairs? Hello?
Yeah. For just that little...
Nick, it's your sister this time.
I might wear it for the...
Hello, Sonia?
It's so pretty, isn't it?
Nice.
I like it. Do you like this?
* *
ASHOKE: I take 20 rounds every morning before going to work.
Baba...
I'm sorry, Baba.
* When I was young *
* I thought that life was about muscle *
* But it's really all about surviving the struggle *
* On the block I learned life and death *
* Sometimes it's hard to breathe so I fight for breath *
* And where I'm from you don't know right from left *
* Too many obstacles, so I watch my step *
* Yeah, that's just the way I live... *
* 'Cause I'm the chosen one, the torch forever passed *
* From old to young *
* I've been on the grind for years *
* This life's about pain, ain't no time for tears *
* Huh, yeah, man, I came from nothing *
* I kept on hustling and now I'm something *
* But the pain tries to drown my brain... *
Ma.
Gogol.
* *
Excuse me, have you seen Nick Ganguli?
Oh, um, he's over here.
Somewhere.
So tragic about Ashoke.
Him going like that.
I'm so sorry.
Hey. Hey.
How are you? Good.
Thanks for bringing my stuff.
WOMAN: Gogol.
Excuse me.
The ceremony's about to begin.
Do you want to sit?
MAXINE: Thank you.
Come sit down.
(man chanting in native language)
So when are you coming back to the city?
I don't know.
They've given me a month.
More if I want.
I miss you.
I know how hard this must be for you.
But you guys can't stay with your mother forever.
You know that.
Listen...
I really, really, really, really,
really want to come to India with you
to scatter the ashes.
It's a family thing.
I thought we were family, Nick.
You were certainly part of mine.
I have so many regrets, Max.
You're bound to.
Listen...
why don't we still go away for New Year's?
Like we planned.
It might do you good to get away from all this.
I don't want to get away.
: What do you want from me, Nick?
I'm trying to be here for you,
but it's like I don't even know you anymore.
Max, this is not about you.
Maxine?
We will all miss him, you know.
Yeah.
(chanting in native language)
Gogol. (speaks native language)
Father's name?
Ashoke.
(chanting in native language)
Ashima.
Ashoke.
Gogol Baba.
Maybe you should let
bygones be bygones now.
What do you mean?
Make up with Maxine.
Ma, you never liked her, did you?
That is not the point, Gogol.
The point is that now you should move on with your life.
You know,
by the time I was your age,
I had already celebrated my tenth wedding anniversary.
This is America, Ma.
People have twins when they're 60.
Oh, Gogol, very funny.
Uh, do you remember, uh,
Moushumi Mazumdar?
"I detest "I detest
American television." American television."
Mm, don't be so rude.
You think your accents
don't sound funny to other people?
Poor thing.
Terrible, terrible tragedy.
You know, she was supposed to have been married.
But it was canceled at the last minute.
The invitation cards were sent out.
The hall was booked, even.
She's also in New York-- alone--
doing her PhD.
I told her parents,
"Don't worry, Gogol is also there. He will call her."
Hey, hey, hey, Ma!
You don't have time for one cup of tea, Gogol?
Her parents came to Baba's funeral, also.
This is the least we can do.
Okay, look, time out.
Let's say
that I take her out to tea, okay?
Then what? What are we going to talk about?
As far as I recall, she doesn't even speak.
Only reads. Weird French stuff, Ma.
Bye, Ma.
Later, Goggles. See you later.
This is her number.
Ma... Call her if you want.
Don't call her if you don't want.
Yeah.
Okay.
Thank you.
Nikhil.
Yes.
As opposed to Gogol?
Yes.
Excuse me. Yeah?
Single malt, please. Thanks. Okay.
WAITER: Single malt.
I've never done this before.
What's that?
Gone out on a blind date engineered by my mom.
It's not a blind date exactly.
No?
No, we sort of
know each other, in a way.
Here you go.
I don't remember our ever talking, really.
Actually, neither do I.
Does your family still live in the same house I used to visit?
Yeah.
I remember the kitchen.
It had these very blue cupboards.
Yeah, those are still there.
I was sorry to hear about your father.
Oh.
How's your mother getting along?
She's all right.
You know, Sonia's been living with her, so that helps.
So why'd you leave Paris for New York?
Wouldn't you rather study French literature in France?
I moved here for love.
Surely you know about my prenuptial disaster.
Not really.
Well, you ought to.
Every other Bengali living on the East Coast does.
So, uh...
should we make our mothers happy
and see each other again?
Maybe.
Give me a call.
Okay.
I know why he went to Cleveland.
He was teaching me how to live alone.
WOMAN : * Bonjour, monsieur, bonjour monsieur... *
MAN : * Bonjour, madame, bonjour, madame... *
MOUSHUMI: So of course, my mother is
appalled that I'm not cooking you Indian food.
You told her I was coming over?
She called today.
What about you? Have you been giving your mother updates?
Sort of.
Oh, God! I need to add more liquid.
Are you all right?
God. Um...
Yeah, um, could you please help me
with my glasses? Get them off for me.
WOMAN : * Comment allez *
MAN : * Bien, merci, et vous *
* *
God, did I really say that?
You sure as hell did.
No wonder you never talked to me back then.
Hey, I tried.
You were the one who used to treat me like an untouchable.
How'd you get so sexy?
Paris.
After years of convincing myself I'd never have a lover...
...I began to have affairs.
How many?
How many what?
Lovers.
You don't want to know.
MAN: But you must understand
that without fire, this entire ceremony's invalid.
I'm sorry, sir.
I cannot allow you to light a fire
anywhere within the hotel premises.
* *
ASHIMA: I wandered...
lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills
When all at once
I saw a crowd
A host of golden daffodils.
You're next, Sonia. Beauty!
(continues speaking native language)
* *
Mm, mm, mm, mm, mm.
Mmm-hm, mm-hmm.
Mmm? Ah. Hmm.
Hmm?
* *
Mmm!
$101 from the Banagi family.
All right. That brings the total...
...to $7,035.
: Not bad, Mr. Ganguli.
: I'd say we made a killing, Mrs. Ganguli.
Oh, hold it, hold it.
Ms. Mazumdar's the name.
We've already discussed this.
Yeah, but I thought, you know, both names.
Do you know how many letters that is?
Imagine spelling that over the phone.
I've begun to publish under my name.
No one would know me.
Oh, come on, Nikhil.
What if somebody asked you to
change your name?
I already have, remember?
Forget it, I was just being silly, Ms. Mazumdar.
GOGOL: But it's our anniversary.
MOUSHUMI: So, we'll celebrate. Wish we didn't have to go.
Tonight of all nights. We promised.
No, no, no, no. We didn't promise. You promised.
I bought your gift. Mmm-hmm.
Have you bought mine? I'm not buying it, I'm making it.
I'm designing a dream house for you, Ms. Mazumdar.
So you're just gonna have to wait.
So, we're thinking Prescott.
I'm sorry Why? Prescott?
It's a family name.
What does it mean? The name should mean something.
What does Moushumi mean?
A damp, southwesterly breeze.
Well, stop worrying.
If he doesn't like his name, he can always change it.
I'd never change my name. It's my grandmother's.
Nikhil changed his.
Really?
What do you mean, he changed his name?
Nikhil, it wasn't the name he was born with.
Well, what name were you born with?
Gogol.
As in The Overcoat? Yes.
Ah, I get it.
Nikolai Gogol.
Exactly. What in the world made
your parents choose that name?
My father was a fan.
What I told you about my name was personal.
: Nobody cares.
It's not just some joke or conversation piece, okay?
And for you to bring it up in front of these people...
These people happen to be my friends.
You know, I had a life
before I met you. You can't wish away my past!
You know I can't read French.
It's an offer to teach... at the Sorbonne.
Don't worry. I turned it down.
I'm going to be a good Bengali housewife,
and make samosas every Thursday from scratch.
It's so hard to know what to do sometimes.
I was looking at this Joseph Campbell book the other day.
And he says when you feel lost,
you should close your eyes
and think of when you were most happy.
Not thrilled.
Just... deeply happy.
It's called "following your bliss."
You wanna try it?
Well?
Ashima
Hmm.
I've been thinking of leaving.
Is that very selfish of me?
You know, I thought now that the children are both well settled.
* *
ASHIMA: You don't know how
happy I am that both my children
have found their life partners.
You don't mind that Ben's not Indian?
Times have changed.
No, I don't mind.
He's a very good boy, you know?
And he makes Sonia very happy.
She is following her bliss.
You've been reading Joseph Campbell.
: * Bonjour, monsieur, bonjour, monsieur... *
* Bonjour, madame, madame... *
I still can't believe my little sister's getting married.
Better believe it, Goggles.
ASHIMA: I have something to say.
Gogol, I did not want to tell you on the phone.
Uh, I have decided to sell the house.
I am going to do what
your father and I had always planned.
Six months in India,
and six months here with all of you.
And then I can go ahead and start
my singing again in Calcutta.
That is, if any guru wants a 45-year-old student.
Of course they will. Of course, Mom.
I want to be free.
Mm-hmm, like your name.
GOGOL: What do you mean?
Ashima means "without borders."
"Limitless."
Mo.
ASHIMA: No Mo. Your ma.
Hey, Ma. What's up?
Uh, Gogol, there's a buyer for the house.
Are they meeting your price?
Yes.
Then do it, Ma.
I have told them they will have to wait until after Christmas.
Both of you are coming, aren't you?
Of course.
It will be the last party at Pemberton Road.
I know.
I don't see it.
Ooh.
So, this year...
Mm-hmm.
...they're renting a house in the Pyrenees for the summer.
Oh.
And I told them we might join them.
Astrid and Donald for an entire summer.
Can't.
Yeah, but the Pyrenees are so beautiful.
Pierre says it's possibly...
Who's Pierre?
Hmm?
Are you having an affair?
Are you?
(train cars whirring and rattling)
Who is he?
Someone I've known a long time.
Why?!
I saw myself becoming my mother.
I saw myself stuck.
Look, maybe it's not enough that we're both Bengali.
That's not why I love you.
So, when are you giving us the good news?
Just because your mother's going
doesn't mean you have to forget about us.
Yes. You must come over.
You should not feel shy.
Hey... Hey.
Remember, we're your family, also.
Mm-hmm. And we're still there.
Thanks.
Dude, I am never gonna remember all these names.
It's all right, man. You don't have to.
Just call everyone Auntie. You'll be fine.
Sonia? Where's Moushumi?
* You are not far wrong if you think... *
Ah.
Take into considering our evolutionary stage.
Uh-huh.
* ...morals could lose... * Nah. Nah.
Lose, lose. Morals lose.
And about morals, we care a hang if you think...
* You are an awful good... *
(distant singing and chatter)
* From the above... *
* ...Neither fish nor flesh... *
Ah.
We all came out of Gogol's overcoat.
One day, you will understand.
Hey, Gogoli.
Hey, Ma.
Oh, Baba...
Everything is okay?
Hmm, between Moushumi and you, hmm?
Ma, Moushumi found someone else.
Some... some old boyfriend.
A French guy named Pierre.
For once, somebody else's name bothered me more than my own.
Oh.
It is all my fault.
I am sorry, Gogol.
Ma...
Ma, it has nothing to do with you.
We're different people.
We wanted different things.
I will not go back to India now.
I cannot go.
Oh, you have to go.
Listen to me...
you know, I-I know that I'm supposed to be devastated.
Everybody's gone,
but... I know this is gonna sound crazy, but
for the first time in my life, I actually feel free.
Look...
Look what I found.
It's Baba's graduation gift from high school.
See?
ASHOKE: "For Gogol Ganguli.
"The man who gave you his name,
from the man who gave you your name."
There are no accidents, Gogol.
Baba made you find it.
He is with us.
* *
ASHIMA: Don't go so far
that I cannot see you!
He's too little!
Jump, jump.
The camera.
It is in the car.
All this way, and no picture.
Huh?
We just have to remember it then, huh?
Will you remember this day, Gogol?
How long do I have to remember it?
Ah, remember it always.
Remember that you and I made the journey,
and went together to a place
where there was nowhere left to go.
ASHIMA: For 25 years, I missed my life in India.
And now, I will miss my life here,
and all of you
who became my family.
I will miss
living with my daughter
and the surprising friendship we formed.
I will miss phoning my son
at all times of day or night.
And I will miss this country
in which I had grown to know and love my husband.
And though his ashes are scattered in the Ganges...
...it is here, in this house,
in this town,
amongst all of you...
that he will continue to dwell in my heart.
Hear, hear!
Long live Ashima.
Cheers. Cheers.
Cheers.
Thank you.
GOGOL: "After several minutes blushing all over,
"he begin reassuring them quite simple-heartedly
"that it was not a new overcoat at all.
"That it was just so, that it was an old overcoat.
"Finally, one of the clerks,
"even some sort of assistant to the chief clerk said,
"'So be it.
I'll throw a party instead of Akaky Akakyevich...'"
ASHOKE: Pack a pillow and blanket.
Go, see the world.
You will never regret it, Gogol.
(woman singing traditional Indian melody)
* *
* How many roads have I wandered? *
* None, and each my own *
* Behind me the bridges have crumbled *
* No question of return *
* Nowhere to go but the horizon *
* Where then will I call my home? *
* Nowhere to go but the horizon *
* Where then will I call my home? *
* How many roads have I wandered? *
* None, and each my own *
* Behind me the bridges have crumbled *
* Where then will I call my home? *
* Where then *
* Will I call my... *
* Home? *
(atmospheric electronic music plays)
* Someday *
* The wind will change and you will see me clearly *
* One day *
* But that's a million somedays from today *
* Lately *
* The sunshine makes a different shape around me *
* Lately *
* My music has a different sound to show me *
* Oh, lately *
* I ask questions of the world *
* No one's listening *
* Falling, falling *
* Falling *
* Or am I flying? *
* Flying, flying, flying *
* Or am I falling? *
* Falling, falling *
* Falling... * (female backup singer wails accompaniment)
* Or am I flying? *