Once Upon a Time in Vietnam

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This song...

...always breaks my head.

Your playing is even better than before...

If that's even possible.

I've had some time to work on it.

Of all people, they sent you.

I took an oath and I broke it.

I'm not going back.

Then it is fate.

Finish it!

General Long's orders...

...death penalty for all deserters.

Once upon a time...

...that's how mother

would start every night.

Before the irresistible warmth

of sleep...

Once upon a time foreign

invaders came from distant lands...

...to conquer our beloved country.

Time and time again,

they were exorcized...

...by the most elite of the Monk-Hood.

The elite of these elites

were known as The Masters.

When peace was restored,

some of their brothers.

But the Masters stayed behind,

bound by an oath to protect our nation.

Somebody says

they were forced to make...

But ask those who have been to battles.

Once your eyes have seen war...

...there is no returning home.

I hold my face in my two hands.

No, I'm not crying.

I hold my face in my two hands...

Two hands protecting...

Two hands nourishing...

two hands preventing...

Even though you're no longer one of us...

and your duty

has kept you from the temple,

You cannot forget its teachings.

Life is suffering,

that much I remember.

It's our duality thinking...

You feel too much.

- How can I not?

"Sleep."

You feel too much...

If you had a choice, I mean.

Between the two...

Easy. The love of a woman.

C'mon, you think I'm a kid?

My damn balls itch!

Means it's gonna rain.

What?!

Every time your balls itch, it rains?!

Yeah, like clockwork, sonny.

If that's true, then with me...

That's different.

You probably have herpes.

A room.

A man has needs, right?

Compliments of the house.

Hey darling!

Since I was a little girl...

I've never seen a sword...

Our nation is at peace,

So for the men and women...

for the brave souls who lost their lives...

our country is eternally

indebted to you.

We want to let you know...

Rise and shine, old man!

Get ready for school.

"WILL ALSO BE OPENED

FOR MOON FESTIVAL"

Good morning, Aunties!

The usual, right?

For God's sake,

"My" "sacred" hour!

Now I gotta carry...

When you get out of school

this afternoon...

...wanna help me at the bakery?

I'll teach you how to roll dough.

- It's fun. I have to do my homework.

Homework!

My son will be a scholar...

...and I'll be his personal cook.

Honey...

don't you think it's time...

He's just a kid.

Defend himself from what?

Have you spoken to Nam yet?

He's going through a tough time.

Cut him some slack.

He'll pay us back when he can.

And we're renting out a room

in our house...

...because we're rolling in dough?

I am "rolling in dough".

Alright.

I will talk to him.

Wife...

You'd think a woman like that...

Maybe he's hung like one

of his baguettes!

Hung!

Quickly.

Hung!

No "Good morning, Big Brother"?

If you don't show respect,

I'll give you another beating.

Your Mom is hot!

Back to class.

Let's go.

Thank you! Come again.

Free croissants across the street.

Wow!

The pastries here must be good,

business is booming.

If you come any closer...

I'll bite your wienies off.

- I'm scared.

May I have a taste?

Don't bother.

We're here to deliver a message

from the boss.

Don't bother.

Well... everybody sells eventually.

Listen up!

The boss would like to see you...

Tomorrow...

At...

The Moonlight Bar! The end.

That's it?

And you had to write all that down?

You idiots!

I said to let no one through the door!

You told me to guard this door,

not that one.

Mule face...

...best you scram, understand?

Uh, careful Huy.

He's taller than you.

You dimwit!

Look around,

everyone is taller than me!

And you, I don't care who you are...

Cause I'm not afraid of anyone.

Master...

maybe it's best you come back

another time.

Damn you...

- Alright, alright!

I'll meet your boss tomorrow.

But we do it here.

Now get out of my store.

Good call, Thick Lips.

Take it easy, Big Brother.

Well go on,

show him the room for rent.

We'll man the store.

My wife's little project...

she enjoys building stuffs.

She's pretty damn fast too.

Me? I'm good at baking.

If peace and quiet is what you want,

this is the place.

Say it! Say it!...

I...

- Say it! Say it!

...like monkey's ass.

What else?

Like... licking monkey's ass.

- Go on.

Say it!

Or I'll give you another black eye!

I like... the way monkey's

ass tastes in my...

Leave him alone, hoodlums!

That's right, you better run!

If I were your mother,

I'd be ashamed of you!

Are you all right, son?

Did they hurt you?

Hung...

What's the matter with you?

Hung!

Hung!

I'm talking to you.

Hung!

Of course he's a little embarrassed...

It's okay.

But... I couldn't just stand there...

If it were you,

how would you feel?

Come here.

Keep stirring or the lamb will burn.

Can I come in, son?

I understand

what you're going through.

You do?

What's on your mind?

You can tell me.

It's hard to explain.

I feel...

...angry all the time, Dad.

Why is there more food

than usual tonight?

Well...

...since the beginning of time,

Some...

...can be evil.

Why are they evil, Dad?

I don't know...

...some people are just born evil.

I don't think you understand.

C'mon...

Tonight,

I will pass on to you

the family's secret moves.

Step back son!

Every time I focus my energy.

Stuffs shoot out.

Okay, here we go.

When I tell you to,

punch me in the stomach.

You don't know how to do it.

Why didn't you...

For God's sake, Daddy!

Why didn't you punch

when I was ready?

Honey, what's taking so long?

Are you surprised?

I... invited our new tenant to dinner.

New tenant?

- Surprise!

Baking has been in my family

for generations.

When I was a young man...

...I did consider other professions.

But it seems you can't deny

what's in your blood.

I gotta bake.

But I figure later I'm gonna pass

it onto my son.

So he can learn the family's business.

Right, son?

Do you have a sword?

I've never seen a sword.

If it's alright with your parents...

...you can have a look tomorrow.

Do all monks carry weapons?

Only the ones who have taken.

Oath?

- It's like a promise, son.

Our country is at peace now...

...thanks to men like Master Dao here.

Our country is never at peace.

When we do have peace,

it's never for long.

History tells us this.

Surely...

...it's a heavy burden for you.

What happens if you don't

want to fight anymore?

Thousands of brave men and women...

If I decide to quit all of a sudden...

...it would be disrespectful

to their sacrifices.

That makes sense.

Once you have taken the oath,

it's for life.

Will you teach me how to fight?

Hung!

Why don't you ask Master Dao.

It's not up to me, really.

But while I'm here...

...and if your parents approve,

I'll teach you.

Really?

You promise?

Let me help.

It's alright. She's really strong.

She can even lift me up.

What a gentleman!

It's gotten very long.

Don't.

I beg you...

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