Loving Leah (2009)

[bunniefuu]

♪ ♪

Beautiful.

(indistinct)

(indistinct chatter)

How are you feeling now,
Mrs. Wellers?

You’re pretty.

We’re good to go.

Benjamin, what are you
doing here?

Who’s the woman?

My girlfriend.

What are you doing here?

You and I...

...are okay.

What?

Jake.

Hmm?

Lunch.

That’s a lot
of bridesmaids.

Don’t worry, I’m only
going to have eight.

But it will be
in a church,

and it will be big.

That’s my family’s thing.

Jake?

I had a dream
about my brother.

"Brother"?

I told you
I have a brother.

"I have a brother."

That’s about it.

He’s a rabbi.

A religious one.

I haven’t seen
him in six years.

Now, he comes
to me in a dream.

Maybe it’s time
to reconnect.

Eight bridesmaids, huh?

Diane, my younger
sister, had 14.

Oh, that’s ridiculous.
(phone rings)

Yeah, I know.

Hey, Mom, what’s up?

What?

♪ ♪

(baby cries)

The brother’s
single, a doctor.

He’s coming
with the mother.

Point him out to me.

I never met him.

He’s Reform,
like the mother,

who shows up once
a year, if that.

Leah.

You’re in
my prayers.

Thank you, Mrs. Goldfarb.

Malka.

He should’ve
been here already.

You sure you told
him the right time?

Oh, I have on
open-toed shoes.

What was I thinking?

Ma, it’s fine.
Come on.

Mama, they’re here.

Dr. Lever?
Yes?

My condolences to you both.

If you would stand with the men.

And if you would join Leah.

Janice.

I always thought of Benjamin
as my own son.

Here, sit.

In the days
and weeks to come,

when we think Rabbi Lever,

we may be compelled
to ask God,

"Why?

"Why would a man
so full of life,

"in his prime

be taken from his wife
and his family?"

We come into this world
with a purpose.

And because death
is so much a part of life...

...we come to see
Benjamin’s departure,

as a, a lesson,

which we must take as a gift.

And in time,

it will become apparent

what his gift is

to each of us.

Amen.
MEN:
Amen.

(whispers):
Are they going to stare at us
the whole time?

Shh-shh, shh-shh.

Danish?

No, thank you.
No, thank you.

I’ll be back around
with a tray of fruit.

I think the fruit
comes next.

Esther.

Why he never comes to visit?

He disapproves of us?

MALKA:
Esther!

The fruit is ready.

To drop dead
just like that--

I tell you, it’s best
that Leah has no children.

It’s a terrible thing

when children
are left...
Yeah, I know.

Well, what happens now?
Well, Rabbi Tenzer’s

family will take the apartment
since the shul owns it,

and Leah’ll move
back here with me.

Oh...

Janice?

Can I get you something?

Nothing, thank you.

I’m going to get some air.

Sorry, look, I’ll...

It’s okay.

I should go.

Don’t leave

because of me.

I should be downstairs.

I just needed some air.

I wish I had worn an old suit.

What’s the meaning behind it?

The rending of the garments.

It allows the mourners
to express

their grief and anger.

There are things of Benjamin’s
you should have.

Thanks, but don’t rush.

I know you have to pack.

I heard you’re moving.

It’s just down two flights.

Your mother lives
in the same building?

Yes, and my sister, too.

He wanted you in his life.

I know he did.

I just couldn’t find a way
to relate to him.

Everything I did was sinful.

I should have been around.

You know, I might,
I might have

seen the signs, and then...

you and I, you and I wouldn’t
be standing here right now.

When it happened,

Benjamin couldn’t find me.

I should have felt something
when he d*ed.

He couldn’t find me
to say good-bye.

What do you mean?

A person’s soul finds the one
they love to say good-bye.

He found you?

It was just a dream.

(door opens)

The rabbi is downstairs.

You’re wanted now.

Oh, you, too.

Me?

(clears throat)

The Levirate Marriage
takes place

between the childless widow
whose husband

has just d*ed
and the unmarried

brother of
the deceased.

It’s his obligation
to marry her,

so the brother’s name
will carry on.

You’re kidding right?

Well, I-I, I can’t.

I’m in a relationship.
I’m sorry, but...

I mean,
it’s no offense, Leah,

or to all of you, but I...

Shh-shh, Dr. Lever.

We no longer practice this.

However,
to release

both of you from
your obligation,

we have to perform a ceremony.

Great. What do I have to do?

You have to wait
three months

to see if Leah is pregnant.

If not, we reconvene

for the Halizah,

that’s the
ceremony that will

release Leah from the law.

(door unlocking)

Tante.

All right,
everybody inside.

No running like meshugges, huh?

Come on, come on,
in you go.

In you go.

Hannah Rifka?

Come. You’re in charge, okay?

Play quietly.

Bubbe, she has
more toys!

What a mistake
giving them sugar.

Here, I saved the last
two doughnuts for us.

Have you seen Mama yet?

Why?

She’s meeting
with Mrs. Finkelman.

(sighs)

I’m sure it’s only
preliminary, you know?

To see who’s out there
and interested in you.

Nothing can really happen
if you’re...

What? Pregnant?

I’m not pregnant,
and you and Mama know it.

Things do happen.

She called the matchmaker?

What is her hurry?

I got other plans, Essy.

I don’t like that look.

What are you digging?

Vayzmeer.

I’ve got my interview
this afternoon.

How are you going
to tell Mama?

Winging this
would not be advised.

I’m not moving
back in with Mama.

Come on,
I’m going to be late.

Help me with my wig.

♪ ♪

We’ve got your
transcripts.

You’re not applying
for financial aid.

You plan to matriculate

as a bachelor’s
candidate.

That’s right.

So, uh, okay,

well, all we need are
your, uh, SAT scores.

Yeah, uh, no, I know
I have to get that over with.

So are you applying

for housing?
Oh, yes.

Actually...

do you have a kosher meal plan?

We do-- I’ll, uh, I’ll
make a note of it.

So you’ll be requesting
a roommate who is also

of your faith?
Oh. I didn’t even know
that was an option

seeing I’m applying so late
for this semester.

Oh, Mrs. Lever,

the earliest if accepted
here or... anywhere

would-would be
for next semester.

That’s almost six months away.

Yeah, I know.
I’m sorry.

You’re covering for me
in clinic tomorrow, right?

Sure. What’s up?

Remember? I have to be in
Brooklyn tomorrow morning

to divorce my sister-in-law.

Right. And people think
my religion’s strange.

What do you have to do?

It’s all online.

Recite some biblical passages,
get spit on by Leah,

and then the rabbi will
consider my obligation broken.

Strictly ceremonial.

No. It’s my experience

that in the presence
of God and religious men

that nothing’s
strictly ceremonial,

especially when
there’s spitting.

Oh. That, they say,
signifies...

Oh, one special.

Ten even, please.

"To shame the brother

for not building up
his brother’s house."

"For he shall
be forgotten now

that no offspring shall
be raised in his name."

It sounds different
when it’s read aloud.

Like I said.

WOMAN (on screen):
Do you love him, Loretta?

Ma, I love him awful.
Oh, God, that’s too bad.

MAN:
She loves me.

♪ ♪

What’s the
matter, Pop?

(crying) I’m confused.

(champagne cork pops)

(several characters
speaking at once)

♪ ♪

(doorbell jingles)

I’m sorry I’m late, Ruth.

You have Mama’s order ready?

Yeah.

♪ ♪

LEAH:
Hi, Mama. Ruth gave away
your lemon cake,

so...
MAMA:
Oh...

here she is.

I told Carmie you
might stop by.

Join us for a
L’Chaim, Leah.

Mrs. Finkelman
thought it’d be nice

for you two to
get reacquainted.

Hello, Leah.

Hi, Carmie.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

Why do you have to go
so far away, Benjie?

There are good
colleges right here.

I just do.

I want you to
have something.

This a Jewish thing?

It’s a Hamsa,
for each of us.

It protects against
evil forces.

Bless these artifacts
and make them holy.

Let them be a symbol
of our bond.

We will always be
there for each other,

no matter what.

No matter what.

Amen.

♪ ♪

(doorbell buzzes)

Hey.
Hey.

I’m right
over here.

When does your
train leave?

Not for another hour.

What is that?

My brother’s prayer shawl.

Leah’s note said Ben wore
this one on the High Holidays.

Really? Do you have to
wear it for the ceremony?

I don’t know.

"Be prepared" is my motto.

I’ll definitely be needing
one of these, however.

(laughs)

So, is Leah nice?

Is she pretty?

She’s pretty religious.

She can still be pretty.

Do you think you’ll keep in
touch with her after this?

I hadn’t really
thought about it.

It’s not like we
have much in common.

Except your brother.

Make an effort, Jake.

She’s family.

♪ ♪

MAMA (calls):
Leah?

(footsteps approaching)
Leah?

Leah.

The new tenants are ready
to hang the drapes.

You’re still going
through boxes?

I’m going away to college.

Okay.

I’ve got this figured out, Mama.

I’m sure you
think you do.

Tell me.

Does running off to college
include a family, huh?

I’m not any good at marriage.

All right,
this is grief talking.

Mama...
No, it is.

You were a good wife
to Benjamin, Leah.

What do you think,
every marriage

doesn’t have its
share of problems?

He loved you, Leah.
I know, Mama.

I just always...

...thought that...

a marriage could be
something more.

You’re living
in a fantasy world.

Marriage is not
like those movies

you’re always
sneaking off to see.

Before I married your father,
I lived in that world.

Everybody chasing
crazy dreams...

looking outward
inside of inside themselves

for a spiritual life.

Leah...

the answers you seek are not
to be found in a movie theater

or a college campus.

Well, maybe for you
they weren’t, Mama.

Leah...

you have got to erase

this meshugge dream
from your head.

I can’t.

Then I fear

God may grant it to you.

After you put on
the Halizah shoe,
take a walk in it.

Make sure it fits.

Walk here, in front
of the judges.

It fits.

Okay.

Now, Leah,
repeat after me.

"My husband’s brother
refuses to establish a name

for his brother
within Israel."

My husband’s brother refuses
to establish a name

for his brother
within Israel.

"He does
not consent

to perform
the Levirate marriage to me."

He does not consent to perform
the Levirate marriage to me.

Do you prefer
to marry your sister-in-law

or release her through
this ceremony?

Release her.

All right, go lean
against the wall over there.

Now press your foot down
hard hard on the ground.

All right, now, Leah,

go over and put your
left hand on Jacob’s calf.

Go on, it’s all right.

Go on.

Then with your
right hand,

undo the loops

on the Halizah shoe.

Now raise his leg.

No, not so high.

Now, take off the
shoe and cast it

across the room.

Put down his leg.
Now, Leah...

spit on the floor
in front of Jacob.

(spits)
Now, repeat
after me, Leah.

"That is what shall
be done unto the man

who doth not build up
his brother’s house."

LEAH:
This is what
shall be done

to the man that doth not
build up his brother’s house.

JUDGE:
Jacob, you deny
your brother’s existence?

You deny

your brother’s
existence?

(whispers):
We got to talk.

RABBI:
Dr. Lever?
We’ll be right back, Rabbi.

I can’t do this, Leah.

I thought I could,

but I can’t.

You have to, Jake.

Because if you
don’t, then...

you will be obligated
to marry me.

Then I’ll marry you.

I can’t go back
in there and let them
finish this ceremony.

If I do, I’ll be denying
my brother’s existence.

I did that, for years,

and now he’s gone,
and I... I j...

I can’t.

(sighs)

I worshipped him.

He gave me one, too.

I kept it with me...

...since I was 11.

We can do this.

Not like what you
and Ben had, but...

Uh, what are you
suggesting?

We’ll be roommates;
separate bedrooms.

Didn’t you say you
have a girlfriend?
Yes.

But she’ll understand;
family’s very important to her.

My plan is to
go to college--

is that gonna be
a problem for you?

Not at all.

There’s plenty of
good colleges in DC.

My mother would have to
believe that we are married

in the traditional way--
if we do this.

Absolutely.

But, then...
really, we would...

have separate lives.

Is that what you mean?

Yes. Yes.

(clears throat)

All right.

We’ll start, uh,

begin at, uh...
JAKE:
We’d...
actually like

to talk about
the other ceremony.

What other ceremony?

Marriage.

(horn honks)

(sighs) I know Jake
wasn’t your choice,

or Mrs. Finkelman’s,
but I did as you wanted.

Maybe this is God’s plan.

Only He commands

who shall be
with whom,

Mama.

(sighs)

It’s gonna be fine. Really.

He’s not religious.

And this is far from fine.

♪ ♪

No, I got it, I got it.

Thank you.

So, who lives there?

Are you serious?

(laughs) No.

It’s a joke.

(laughs)

This is your home?
Yeah.

Oh, but... only
the first floor.

JAKE:
Sorry, I...

wasn’t expecting company.

Or a wife.

(chuckles) Yeah, right.

It’s nice.

Well, it’s, uh, usually cleaner.

At least... tidier.

But don’t worry, I have someone
who comes in and cleans

once a week, so...
I can’t believe

I’m going to be living
in Washington, DC.

It’s actually Georgetown.

It’s not my mother’s house.
Come on,

I’ll show you your room.

It’s, uh, kind of
a mess right now, but...

don’t worry, I’m gonna...
I’m gonna clear it out for you.

There’s a storage area in back.

♪ ♪

This’ll be just fine.

Great. Well, um, I’m gonna
make some room for you

in the medicine cabinet--
how many shelves do you need?

One.

You must be hungry.

Here. One of these
is probably kosher.

No. I’ll shop tomorrow.

What do you want
me to buy you?

Oh, no, don’t worry about me.

You just take care of you.

Map. You’re gonna need a map.

(drawer rattling)

(grunts)
I fight my junk drawer
just like the Maccabees.

(both laugh)

Maccabees, right.

Um, I know you know
that I’m not religious,

but I’m-I’m
really not religious.

How you choose to live

is between you and Him.

(drawer rattling)

(grunts)

All right.

Map. House key.

You know,

I just don’t... I don’t want
my lifestyle to offend you.

I’m in the middle
of my fellowship,

and I work long, odd hours,
I’m not here that much, and...

when I am, I’m
usually sleeping.

But you’ll be
in school--

you said you wanted
to go to college, right?

Yeah.

Do you think...

that at my age, that’s...

a crazy dream?

No, no. My first
year of med school,

my roommate was 35.

(beeping)

(chuckles softly)

Like I said, I’m never here.

(calling):
I could, uh,
drop you off somewhere

on my way to the hospital--
you could check out M Street.

No, I think I’ll
stay and unpack.

Hey, do you need
any money?

(quiet gasp)

No, thank you.

All my numbers.

So, I’ll, uh...

I’ll see you.

See you.

Yeah.

See you when?

Um...

I’m not sure.

But soon.

Tomorrow morning, maybe.

Will you do me a favor

and just let
the machine

pick up if anyone calls.

I should first tell people
what’s going on here.

It is probably best
to do in person.

(chuckles)

Yeah.

All right, um...

I’ll see you.

(door closes)

You married her?!

Yes, but not in
the biblical way.

We’re roommates-- she’ll have
her life; I’ll have mine.

There’s nothing
more to it.
You were supposed

to go there and get unmarried,

not bring her back
as your bride!

I know, but I
couldn’t do it.

I just couldn’t.

You did say I should
stay in touch with her--

that was your idea.
Shut up. Shut up.

14 months we’ve
been going together.

I’m the one that you
should be getting married to.

You said you wanted
to take it slow.

I know what I said,
but I didn’t think

you were gonna marry
somebody else first!

We’re roommates.
Roommates.

You call it "roommates"--

everyone here
will call it married.

How old is she?
You know, it doesn’t matter.

You’re married. That’s it.

You’re not hearing me.

No, you’re not hearing me.

Until you get unmarried,
we’re done!

(chuckles)
Oh, come...

(door opens)
Carol...

Good morning.

Do you like scrambled eggs?

Do you want a cup of tea?

Uh, coffee’s fine, thanks.

(pouring coffee)

I made you lunch.

(chuckles) You really
don’t have to wait on me,

cook for me.

Some habits are hard
to break, I guess.

Right.
Can I now

pick up the phone if it rings?

Sure.

So Carol is fine
with me being here?

She’s very cool with it, yeah.

I really should run.

Mmm.

These are really good.

By the way,
a man is coming today

to blow-torch your oven.

Makes it kosher.

Okay.

Well, I got to go.

Oh, don’t forget
your lunch.

(chuckles)

Thanks.

(gentle intro playing)

♪ Long walks ♪

♪ In the dark ♪

♪ Through woods grown
behind the park ♪

♪ I asked God ♪

♪ Who I’m supposed to be ♪

♪ The stars smile down on me ♪

♪ God answered ♪

♪ In silent reverie ♪

♪ I said a prayer ♪

♪ And fell asleep ♪

♪ I had a dream ♪

♪ I could fly ♪

♪ From the highest tree ♪

♪ I had a dream ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh... ♪

Welcome, movers and shakers

of tomorrow.

So, you are here
to prepare for the SAT,

the mother of all tests.

You can say good-bye to your,

uh, TV, your iPod, your...

text-messaging

for the next eight weeks.

On your desks,

you will find a packet

that contains your
study material.

Please take those out,

and let’s begin.

JAKE:
Can I see this one, please?

Not gold, dude.

What you did
calls for platinum.

I have it in platinum.

One moment.

Welcome to matrimony.

I’m not married.

Not like you and Priya
are married.

Eventually, Leah will move out,
we’ll get this annulled.

You mean divorced.
Whatever.
Leah will move on,

Carol will calm down,
and everything will go back

to the way it was.
And you’re on Demerol.

Here it is.

The other one
didn’t have diamonds.

I know.

We’re out of
those-- but...

these are Pavé diamonds.

She’ll love them.

How much?

Only $4,200.

(chuckles)
He’ll take it.

(woman singing in distance,
vacuum running)

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah,
oh, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Uh-huh, huh ♪

♪ All right,
all right, now ♪

♪ Hey, hey, hey, hey ♪

♪ Hey, yeah ♪

♪ Uh, uh, uh ♪

♪ Uh-huh, uh-huh,
uh-huh, uh-huh ♪

♪ Uh, uh, yeah,
yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Yeah, huh, huh,
huh, uh-huh... ♪

Lee-ah, right?

It’s Leah.

Oh, Leah, yeah.

Well, I’m Emily.

Everybody calls me Em.

I was hoping you’d be back
before I finished cleaning.

Here, let me help you.

Oh. Jake didn’t
tell you about me?

Uh, no... He did.

He-he just didn’t mention
that you were coming today.

I’m so sorry--
this place is a disaster.

And I got to get this
stuff out of your way.

Oh, it’s taken care of.

Herbert, my husband, moved
everything into the back.

Thank him for me.
(laughs)

I will.

Well, it looks like somebody’s
gonna be doing some baking.

Yeah. I’m
making challas.

The elderly lady I work for
on Wednesday, Mrs. Blaustein,

she makes those, too.

Maybe you know her.
No.

Hm. I thought-- she wears
the same hair as you.

Oh, because she’s married,
she wears a wig?

Is that why?

Our real hair

shouldn’t excite men
other than our husbands.

Mrs. Blaustein has
nothing to worry about
in that department.

Mm-hmm.

EMILY:
I’m guessing,

but you being here

has shaken things up a bit.

What do you mean?

You’re here,
and Carol isn’t.

(Emily chuckling)
(laughs) No.

No, it’s not like that.

We’re roommates.

Nothing more.

Hm. Well, that’s too bad,

because he is fine!

How long have
you worked for Jake?
For years.

But seriously,
he is a good man.

Well...

I’m hoping to get
to find out.

He doesn’t spend
much time here.

Oh, that’ll change.

I have never known a man
to stay away from a home

where there’s
someone cooking.

Well, he doesn’t want
me cooking for him.

That will definitely change.

Carol, will you wait up?

I don’t want to
speak to you.

All right,
so don’t talk then.

But please,
just take it.

Hey, congratulations,

you two, you finally did it.

Let me know
where you’re registered.

♪ ♪

(whistle blows)

(gasps)

WOMAN:
Closing time.

Almost 11:00.

Five more minutes.

♪ ♪

I love it here
this time of day.

I’m Gerry.

Though some people here
call me Rabbi.

It’s nice to meet you.

I should go.

I’d hate to think
that I’d sent you away.

Well, you have a
beautiful shul.

Thank you.

I’m sorry, I’ve never
met a female rabbi.

Wow, that’s a lot of pressure,
me being your first.

So what brings you here?

Oh, my brother-in-law’s got
an apartment in Georgetown.

Well, technically
he’s my husband now,

but really he’s just
my brother-in-law.

The Levirate marriage?

I thought that wasn’t
practiced any longer.

It’s not.

We were having the
Halizah ceremony,

and... something happened.

I was a part
of something

being married
to Benjamin--

having my family
around me, the shul.

Yes.

Now I’m trying to make
a life for myself.

Jake has his life.

But I’m having trouble
with all the alone time.

(chuckles)

That’s understandable.

You miss your husband.

I miss the job.

I don’t have that
now... or a real home.

I mean, it’s a place to
sleep, but it’s not a home.

I really don’t know what
I thought would happen

when I did this.

This is the
first time

I’ve ever run away,

except for when I’d
sneak off to the movies.

Sometimes on Sundays,

I run away
and I go bowling.

Shh.

(laughs)

This will get easier, Leah.

Life will take hold again.

Looks to me like you need
a little smothering.

In a good way.

Hey, thanks for coming.

It looks really pretty on you.

Thank you, it’s stunning.

Must have really set you back.

Miss?
Yes?

Grilled salmon to go.

Mm-hmm.

And for you?

Hamburger,
medium rare, for here,

and a Coke, thanks.

Okay.

So what happened
to having lunch?

Look, I’ve been trying to
wrap my brain around this.

I understand
why you did it.

You just have to end it if
you want us to be together.

I just can’t do
it any other way.

Okay.

I’ll talk to Leah
this weekend.

(sighs)

Good.

I’ll stay.

Great.

(door opens
and closes)

JAKE:
Leah?

Leah?

(knocking)

♪ ♪

(both speaking Hebrew)

BOTH:
Amen.

ALL:
Amen.

Shabbat Shalom.

Shabbat Shalom.

ALL:
Shabbat Shalom.

MAN:
Nice service.

Shabbat Shalom.

Good Shabbos.

She’s been here for a month.

Maybe she’s out with friends.

JAKE:
Leah has no friends.

Look, I got some takeout.

Come over, and when you
get back, she’ll be there.

It always works that way.

Yeah, you’re probably right.

All right,
I’ll be there in a few minutes.

Bye.

(sighs)

Go ahead, Jake.

What?

Call her.

You know you want to.

Just one more time.

Maybe she met someone.

Leah is not like that.

You have feelings for her.

(scoffs)

Don’t be silly.

I can’t believe this.

I’ve become the other woman.

What are you talking about?

You’re making me out
to be the bad guy

and I’ve done nothing
to deserve this.

You’re right.

I’m sorry.

Look.

You and me,
Jamaica, my treat.

What do you say?

A nice long
weekend.

As soon as Leah is gone,
once, once she’s found.

Yes?

Hmm?

No?

Hmm?

Is that a yes?

WOMAN (over intercom):
Dr. Perkins,
call the pharmacy, please.

Dr. Perkins,
please call the pharmacy.

Hey.

Hey, man,
what’s up?

None.

Called the
police?

48 hours before I can report
a missing person.

Called the morgue.

Thankfully nothing.

(door unlocking)

(door opens)

(sighs)

Where have you been?

I’ve been going out of my
mind worrying about you.

Y-You didn’t answer my calls,
you didn’t leave a note.

You can’t do that, Leah.

I spent Shabbos
with the rabbi.

I don’t use the phone
on Shabbos.

Shabbos... of course.

(sighs)

Look, you need to tell me
when you go out.

I don’t need to tell you, the
same way that you don’t tell me.

This isn’t
Brooklyn.

I’m responsible for you.

No one told you to do that,
so stop.

(scoffs)

Fine.

Good.

(unzips and zips purse)

I’m sorry.

I was looking
for an address book,

some, some way to find you.

I like what you’ve done

with the room.

(sighs)

You look good with long hair.

The picture
on the desk.

Thank you.

I thought
maybe you packed up and left.

Is that what you were hoping?

No.

No, I wasn’t.

I asked you to come here,

but I’m not sure I
know how to do this.

Let’s stop then.

This... is ridiculous.

I don’t want to feel
like a boarder,

and you, you don’t even
treat me like I’m a guest.

When I cook
for you,

you’re never home to eat it.
I told you not to.

I can’t help it.
I like to cook.

And you’re a great cook.

How would you know?

I liked your eggs.

(sighs)

(laughs)

(chuckles)

Do you like Chinese food?

This is my first time
asking a man out.

So... you never just
hung out with guys?

Where I’m from, we don’t go
out with the opposite sex

besides our husbands
or our brothers.

Even in high school?

No, we’re kept separate until
we’re ready to get married,

and then we’re set up
by a family friend

or a professional
matchmaker.

You mean
like you and my brother?

Yes.

Esther’s husband
set us up.

Then you guys dated.
It’s not

like what you would
consider dating--

dinner, dancing.

(chuckles)

It’s more like seeing if we
could make a life together.

Excuse me,
may I?

Thank you.

Thanks.

So how did you
meet Carol?

At the hospital.

We had the same
late lunch schedule,

started eating together,

and, and it turned
into what we have now.

She can’t be too pleased
with this arrangement.

(chuckles)

I should move out.

It would be
easier for you.

Look, you’re the one
who uprooted your life

because I asked you to.

When you’re ready,
I’ll help you find a place.

Till then, let’s just keep
this arrangement.

From now on, we’re gonna
let the other one know

when we plan
to spend the night out.

Deal?

Deal.

Are you cold?

Oh.
Here.

Thank you.

Sure.

Here you go.

You’re not at all
what I expected.

Why, what did
you expect?

I don’t know.

You’re kind of sassy.

"You got spunk, kid."

Bogart.

Seriously, though,
Ben was smart to grab you.

He was a lucky guy.

Thank you.

You know...

the day he d*ed
I told everyone

I was on Delancey Street
looking for Torah covers...

(quavering):
...but really I was
at a revival house

watching The
Way We Were.

So Ben couldn’t find me
to say good-bye.

(phone ringing)

Hey.

Yeah, she’s found.

Shabbos.

Yeah.

I’ll be there
in 30 minutes.

Okay.

All right, bye.

Sorry.

It’s okay.

(vehicle starts)

(drives away)

♪ ♪

(sighs)

Want some help?

Sure.

Here, you want
to translate?

"On Tuesday, Kate
buys an apple pie.

"She eats two-fifths
of the pie that night.

"On Thursday, she
takes out the pie again

and eats two-fifths
of what is left."

You see what I mean?

What’s the lowest
common denominator?

So five...
five times five is 25.

Remember, two-fifths
of what’s left.

So... so it’s 9/25.

So the answer is "D"?

You know this, you’re
just over-studied.

(sighs)

You know what I do
when I feel burnt out?
What?

I told you
I don’t really know how to swim.

I’ll teach you.

You planning

on swimming in your towel?

♪ ♪

(beeping)

JAKE:
Hey, Leah, I forgot to tell you

that Carol and I are leaving
Wednesday for Jamaica.

I’ll be back Sunday,
but we’ll talk before then.

Herbert loves
those scary movies.

You know,
any excuse to grab for me.

Though I did make him
pick me up that one movie--

you know, the one you told me
about-- Doctor Zhivago.

Leah?

I’m in love with him, Em.

Oh.

Well, have you two,
you know...?

No.

Of course not.

Jake loves Carol.

How could I have let
this happen?

He’s taking her to Jamaica.

Well, maybe to try
to convince himself

there’s nothing
between you and him.

Oh,

honey.

You are not the type of person

to have these feelings
for no reason.

Obviously,

I am.

He was just being nice.

Here, men can be nice
and take you to dinner...

(quavering):
...and swimming,
and it doesn’t mean anything.

I’ve got to move out, Em.

Leah.

(horns honking)

Hi, I’m calling
about the studio apartment.

Is that still available?

Yeah, that would be great.

Oh.

Could you hold on?

Hi, Mama.

No, I’m shopping for dinner.

I think this arrhythmia case is

a better choice
for Journal Club.

Dr. Lever,

your wife is
on the phone.

My what?
Your wife.

JAKE:
Leah?

My mother is coming here.

When?

Tomorrow.
Tomorrow?

Yes.

She’s coming to check on us...
and this marriage.

Uh... I have got to make
your place look like a home.

Leah, why don’t you
just tell her?

No, n--
you don’t "just tell" Mama.

Well, this might be the perfect
time to stand up to her.

Just tell her the truth
about us.

You don’t understand.

She will make my life
a living hell.

She can do that.

She’s a professional.

Look, I know you’re going away,

and I can just make something up
about why you’re not there,

but...

if you’d help me to get
your apartment into shape,

I promise I’ll never ask
anything of you ever again.

Well?

BOTH:
We’ll take it.

Excellent.

What else?

Um, curtains.

end tables,
lamps.

Let me see.

Let’s get a rug
for the coffee table.

I’ve got
some fantastic area rugs,

20% off.

Those pillows are perfect.

Right up her alley.

Which medical conference
should I say you’re attending?

Let me look at the schedule
to see what’s coming up.

Hi.

How did you
like the...?

(Jake clears throat)

Um, we’re looking

for very simple wedding bands
like those.

What are you going
to make your mom for dinner?

Um, brisket.

I do love
your brisket.

What?

(chuckles)

You’re not going
to believe this.

It involves Leah.

Her mother--
she’s coming.

I have to help her.

I’m sorry,
but I have to.

I-I will more than
make this up to you--

I will do the re-booking.

Whenever you say--
next week

if that works for you.

Really, no more interferences.

You told me that she was going
to get her own place

and you were end this marriage.

I know.

But I felt like a jerk.

I mean, she came
down here for me.

I just can’t abandon her.

Good-bye, Jake.

(over P.A.):
Dr. Lao, pick up
extension 632.

Dr. Lao, pick up extension 632.

LEAH:
Thank you for coming with me.
Yeah, of course.

Oh, when you get
to Jamaica

don’t forget to call

to make it look like
you’re checking in.

Well, actually, there’s
been a change in plans.

I’m staying.

Really?

Vayzmeer!

What?

If you’re staying,

that means I’ll be sleeping in
your bedroom with you in it.

Oh, yeah, that’s right.

Leah.

Hi, Mama.

Oh...

Hi, Mom.

Could you
get this?
Sure.

Uh... I’ll take that.
Thank you.

How was your trip?

Short.

Like your skirt.

Oh.

Uh-huh.

Ah.

Nice pillows.

No.

Honey...

we’re having brisket tonight.

No butter.

Oh! Of course.

I’m sorry, sweetcakes.

"Sweetcakes"?

It’s... his name for me, Mama.

(quietly):
Well, I certainly hope
he doesn’t use it in public.

It smells delicious.

Mama,

Jake is one of three
who was accepted

to the cardiac
fellowship program.

Out of thousands.

Actually, it was hundreds.

Do you belong to a shul, Jake?

(clears throat quietly)

A shul?
Yeah.

No.

I belong to a gym.

(chuckles softly)

That’s the sense of humor
you said he had.

JAKE:
I got Leah there

for a swimming lesson.

Hm.

Time for recreation;
no time for shul.

JAKE:
We talked...

about joining,

for the future.

Does the future
include a family?

Sure, yes.

After I get
my practice started.

I want to be the kind of dad

who has time to spend
with his kids.

Then what’s Leah’s job?

Oh. Well...

my wife.

Leah’s...

gonna make
a great mom.

Just as you have.

And wha-what a cook.

But you’re still the best, Mama.

Yes, you are.

Are you saying
I’m better than your wife?

(clears throat):
Uh...

I-I don’t have an answer
for that one.

(basketball game playing on TV)

(TV turns off)

I’d say we pulled it off.

(laughs) Shh.

(big sigh)

That’s just a warm-up.

Wait till tomorrow.

(sighs) When you brought up
the swimming...

What, you’re not allowed
to swim?

Not with the opposite sex.

Where’s the fun in that?

Do you have an extra blanket?

Yeah, it’s in the closet--
I’ll get it.
I’ll get it, I’ll get it.

(loud clattering)

Shh-shh...

Sorry.

Here.

(groans)
(gasps)

What?

I left my nightgown
under the pillow.

Oh, no.

What do we do?

I’ll just tell her that

I had to sleep
in the guest room,

’cause you, uh, had
the German measles.

(laughs)

Look, if she asks,
go with a cold.

Or even better, say
your snoring kept me up,
and I had an early call.

That’s good.

I don’t know if I snore.

Look, don’t worry,
we’ll figure it out.

Okay.

Here, try these.

Oh.

Thanks.

MAN (on TV):
Find romance.

Jamaica awaits.

Come find your paradise.

Jamaica.

(tropical music plays)

(exhales)

(laughs quietly)

Leah, the bed is

wider than Rhode Island.

Look.

I’m in Massachusetts.

I’m sorry.

Um...

I can see how this is all
really new for you.

You do whatever
makes you feel comfortable.

I’m gonna turn
the light off now.

Ready?

This is like that movie,
It Happened One Night.

I don’t know that one.

Black-and-white, 1934.

Clark Gable
and Claudette Colbert.

They shared a room,
not married, in a motel,

and they were broke,
so Clark Gable hung a sheet

between their beds.

Called it
the "Wall of Jericho."

Was she worried
that he’d try something?

Or was he worried
that she’d try something?

I don’t know.

Good night.

Good night, Leah.

♪ ♪

This would be the perfect
school for me, Mama.

If I can get in.

It’s close to
the apartment.

I am already familiar
with the library.

And thankfully,
you don’t have to choose

a major until
sophomore year.

Which isn’t gonna be anything
that involves math.

The shul is right up here.

Uh, this is far enough.

No, Mama,

I want to show you.
What? What?

Another one of your charades?

I found your nightgown.

And don’t tell me
you slept there

because you got sick
or Jake did.

And now you want to bring me
to a reformed temple

with a woman rabbi,
and you think

this is okay?

Leah,

you come from two
completely different worlds.

You are not right

for each other.
You don’t know him.

No, I but I know you!

You don’t hold
the same values as him.

Where is his love of God, huh?

He jokes.

He puts vanity...
he puts a gym before God.

Well, he was nervous;
you scare him.

He puts his career before God?

He’s ambitious.

And his profession
is saving lives.

You’re in love with him?

God and you come last
in this man’s life.

It’s all about him!

You’re not being fair.

I am telling you,

this is wrong.

You’re becoming so assimilated
that God won’t know who you are.

I can’t find you.

It’s still me.

I’m still observant.

Okay, so...

come back with me today,

and we’ll tell
everybody at home...

Mama, this is home!

♪ ♪

Know that you have a home
back in Brooklyn.

Hey. Sorry I’m late.

Shlomo’s was a madhouse.

So, is it a good thing
or a bad thing

that your mom left early?

(sighs)
Did she say
something

to upset you?

I moved my clothes
out of your room.

We can return the furniture,
bring back your pool table.

Thanks, but I kind of like
what we’ve done here.

You want chopsticks or fork?

Chopsticks are good.

So, when are you and Carol
leaving on your trip?

We’re not.

There is no more
Carol and me.

We broke up.

It’s my fault.

You canceled your
trip to help me.

No, it is not
your fault at all.

The truth is, I was
never gonna marry Carol.

And I...

I probably should’ve told
her that a long time ago.

I guess I just
got comfortable.

(laughs)
Besides, she’s a...

she was a better
dancer than me.

It’s a black-tie event
for a doctor who’s retiring.

I want you to go with me.

I’d like you to go with me.

(laughs)
Will you go with me?

Is this a date?

Yeah, it’s a date.

(laughs)

EMILY:
We don’t want you trashy,
stuff all hanging out.

Everybody seeing what you had
for breakfast.

We need you looking clean.

All right, try those.

See what else
we got here.

Ooh! Ooh-ooh-ooh, yes.
Like it.

All right, go.
Put it on. Hurry up.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

Wow.

Hors d’oeuvres, sir?

Good evening.

No, thank you.
No, thanks.

Do you want some?

Not nervous, are you?
Doctors.

Kind of a stuffy crowd,
but nice.

Sure.

MAN 1:
You know, he hired
a personal trainer.

MAN 2:
Oh, yeah,
heard that.

Hey, thanks for
coming with me.

Thank you.

Jake! I see they got you here.

Feldman.

Hello.

Oh, I’m sorry.
You haven’t met.

Um, Dr. Feldman,

this is Leah.

Is this one your wife?

Yes, this is Leah.
My wife Leah.

Hello.

LEAH:
Not much.

I’m gonna take
the SATs soon.

So how are
your studies going?

Jake told Raj that
he’s been helping you.

I think that’s sweet.

Oh, he’s been a lifesaver.

Looks like the fellows
are moving up in this world

to get invited
to this.

Hi, Carol. Carter.

This is Leah.

Carter Weston,
renal transplant.

It’s nice
to meet you...

both.

You guys are

so tan!
Where you been?

Jamaica.
Away for few days.

(piano playing light melody)

Carter, I love this song.

Nice to meet you, Leah.

Raj, ask me to dance.

To this? I-I can’t
dance to this.

Lucky for us
you won’t be tempted

to make any of your
breakout moves.

You do work with
these people. Come on.

(Raj clears throat)

Carter can dance.

She’s looks pretty,

but in person,
Carol is really beautiful.

You’re the one
that’s beautiful.

Come on.

Come on.

I’ve never danced
with a man before.

(chuckles nervously)

Just follow my lead, okay?

(chuckles)

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪ You’re a falling star,
you’re the getaway car ♪

♪ You’re the line in the sand
when I go too far ♪

♪ You’re the swimming pool
on an August day ♪

♪ And you’re the perfect thing
to say ♪

Want more juice?

♪ And you play it coy,
but it’s kinda cute ♪

♪ When you smile at me,
you know exactly what you do ♪

♪ Baby, don’t pretend
that you don’t know it’s true ♪

♪ ’Cause you can see it
when I look at you ♪

Eggs.

♪ And in this crazy life ♪

No, I got it. I got it.

♪ And through
these crazy times ♪

♪ It’s you, it’s you ♪

♪ You make me
sing your every line ♪

♪ Your every word,
your everything ♪

Go get ’em.

♪ Do not touch your pencils
until we have... ♪

♪ You’re a carousel,
you’re a wishing well ♪

♪ And you light me up
when you ring my bell ♪

♪ You’re a mystery,
you’re from outer space ♪

♪ You’re every minute
of my every day ♪

♪ And I can’t believe
that I’m your man ♪

♪ And I get to kiss you, baby,
just because I can ♪

♪ Whatever comes our way,
we’ll see it through ♪

♪ And you know that’s what
our love can do ♪

♪ And in this crazy life,
and through these crazy times ♪

♪ It’s you, it’s you,
you make me sing ♪

♪ Your every line, your every
word, your everything ♪

♪ And in this crazy life,
and through these crazy times ♪

♪ It’s you, it’s you, you make
me sing your every line ♪

♪ Your every word,
your everything ♪

♪ Your every song,
and I sing along ♪

♪ ’Cause you’re my everything ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah ♪

♪ So la, la, la, la,
la, la-la-la, la-la-la. ♪

Sorry. We were late
leaving Greenwich.

So, uh, where
is Jake gonna meet us?

Oh, at home
after his shift.

I’m really glad
you’re here.

Yeah, me, too.

Yeah. Thank you.

You’re so, uh...

What happened
to the Brooklyn you?

I’m still here.

With some modifications.

Aha. (chuckles)

Your cooking puts
me to shame, Leah.

McDonalds puts you
to shame, Ma.

It’s true. It is true
I cannot cook.

I could never cook.

Jake was always very,
very kind about it.

He never complains.
Very diplomatic child.

On the other hand,

Benji used to call up his
friends every single night

to find out what their
mothers were cooking.

He re, he enrolled me
in cooking school.

Do you remember that?

I went, but I
couldn’t do it.

I can’t measure.
It’s just not me.

I was giving the
teacher agita.

I was, I was,
driving her crazy.

They finally
threw me out.
(laughing)

They gave him
his money back.

(laughing)

I’m gonna tell
that story

at the unveiling, I think.
And you know what?

You should pick a good
story about your brother.

Or, or maybe that’s
not permissible
where he’s buried?

No, it is.

Is it? Good.

And what’s with
the little rock

that they put
on the gravestone?

It shows the soul
that someone’s been
to visit.

Isn’t that nice?

Actually, I haven’t heard
from the mortuary

since I picked out
the stone.

That was in September.

Oh, I got a letter.

Jake, did you get
a letter?

Mm-mm.

It’s just a little reminder
to say, you know,

you have to set a date
for the unveiling.

It’s been almost a year.

And listen, you two,
whatever you want,

whatever you decide,
it’s fine with me.

What do you think?

I’ll have to check my schedule.

Ma, how’s Aunt Francine doing?

Francine?
Yeah.
She’s fine.

She’s complaining about
everybody and everything.

Darling, what
do you think?

Should we have
maybe a little lunch?

the day of the unveiling?

I’d like that.

Jakie?

What?

Oh, lunch, sure.

Okay. Well, we’re gonna
have to set a date.

Ma!

I heard you,

and I’ll get to it!

I’m sorry.

Excuse me.

Hey.

What’s wrong?

I don’t want to talk about it.

Is it me?

No.

It’s us. It’s...

it’s these.

Our letters.

I feel like I’m betraying Ben.

I mean, you
were his wife.

Don’t you feel guilty?

No.

I love you.

That’s what I feel.

Did you love him?

Our marriage wasn’t
set up like that.

I was 18.

Your brother

was a good man.

He was very serious,

dedicated...

but there was something
missing between us.

You didn’t answer my question.

Did you love him?

You know, I didn’t plan
this would happen between us.

I gotta go.

(sighs)

(phone ringing)

I don’t know what to do.

Dude, it was so much easier
when you dated non-relatives.

Sorry.

Look, man, maybe you’re
looking at this all wrong.

Maybe the brother you
shunned all those years

is actually looking
out for you.

Don’t go.

I don’t know how to make
this right for him.

It’s just too complicated.

Next is room 217.

(cell phone chirping)
65-year-old Caucasian male,

who developed end stage
heart disease...

Excuse me one second.

Leah’s SAT scores
arrived.

She’s gone.

That’s for you.

Listen, I know how much
you loved your brother.

So I know what’s
eating you.

But you love Leah,
and she loves you.

So, if God

arranged this marriage,
which apparently He did,

I think He’s going to take
a very dim view of it

if you mess it up.

(applause)

Good to see you.

Shabbat Shalom.

Shabbat Shalom.

WOMAN:
Thank you so much.

Shabbat Shalom.

Shabbat Shalom.

Nice service.

Well, I hope that means
you’ll come again.

I think I might.

My brother was a rabbi.

He, uh, d*ed this past May.

My condolences.

I need to ask his forgiveness.

Is that possible?

Your brother is in what
we call a place of truth.

Sort of a holding pattern.

It is in this place
that it is possible

to fix a wrong.

Can you show me a prayer?

(door closing)

MAMA:
Three days you’re
here and not a word?

You want to talk?

Everything I prayed for...

came true.

(voice breaking):
Just like you said.

(sniffling)
Only I ran away.

This is the only thing
I seem to do well.

Look at me back here.

I’ve got to stop running away.

You’re right.

Go back to your home.

You love him.

He, Jake, loves you.

Leah, even in the best of
marriages problems don’t leave.

People do.

What if he can’t
get over the fact

that I was married to Benjamin?

You know, I saw something
back there in Washington.

You and he-- Jake, you and Jake,

work together as a team.

Even if it was just to convince
me that you were living together

as husband and wife.

I think he’ll get over it.

Does this mean you
accept me with him?

Leah-- a mother,

you should only
find out soon,

is only as happy
as her saddest child.

I want you to be happy.

And back there, you
were happy, right?

Yeah.

God kept you two together
long enough to find each other.

And you know me--
I never argue with God.

Come here.

What are we doing out here
when you’ve got packing to do?

Okay.

All right, another hug.

Me, too.

The meter’s running.

Go, go.
Bye.

Penn Station, please.
You got it.

(car horn honking)

Wait, Leah!

Wait, wait, wait.

Wait.

Hi.

Hi.

Hi.
Hi.

Uh, your test scores.

Oh.

And?

Um...
Open it.

Go on.

Yeah? So?

She did great.

1920 total score,

600 on math.

I did great!

She passed.

MAMA:
And you drove
all this way

to give her test scores?

Esther.

Get in. We’re going
for a short ride.

I want you to go around
the block slowly.

You know,

things happen
when you’re around.

I think I’m growing on them.

Yeah.

You look good.

I mean, you
always look good.

You, too.

I went to temple.
You did?

It’s still standing.

(both laughing)

You remember Ben’s funeral--

the rabbi said that Ben
left us a gift

in the form of a lesson?

It was you, Leah.

Ben’s way of taking care of me

was to bring me
someone I could love.

I know.

He did the same for me.

I want to marry you.

We’re already married.

No. No, no.

This time for the right reasons.

I love you.

RABBI:
May his soul be bound up
in life eternal.

Amen.

ALL:
Amen.

♪ ♪

No matter what.