Original subtitles

There's a time for love and a time for living. Take a chance and face the wind.

An open road and a road that's hidden. A brand new life around the bend.

There were times when you're three or two.

Found prayer.

And at the end was you There's a path you take and a path not taken The choice

is up to you, my friend It ain't so long, but you might awaken To a brand

life, brand new life A brand new life all around the bend

Well,

now, here we are, right?

Okay, so what we'll do is we'll head straight up this way here to your first

interview at Ryerson College.

Then we'll head over to here to Marston, then up to Winnetka, then over to

Sinclair College, and then to Northeastern University. And then we'll

route as we come all the way back home. Oh, you know something?

If we detour at Woonsocket, we'd have Bob Hope's nose.

Right, five colleges in three days.

I could get smart and carsick.

I wish I was going to check out colleges.

I wish I was graduating a year earlier.

I wish my name was Vivian.

Don't worry.

Next year's your year, Viv.

This year's Sam's. You know, I've been waiting 17 years for this, Sam.

Now, when you were a little baby, I used to put you on my knee, and you'd look

up at me and give me that old college cheer.

You'd say, rah -rah.

Maybe it was da -da.

Maybe it was ca -ca. But anyway, all I know is my Sammy's going to college.

Let's get out there and find you one, huh? Oh, Dad, you said we could wait

the mail comes.

Oh, Sam, Sam, please. We're not back on a Tate University thing. I mean, if they

haven't set up an interview for you yet, I don't know if they're going to. Dad,

there's still time. I mean, maybe the problem is that I'm an M, and the

admissions office is only up to the L's.

Zoe Zucker got her letter.

Okay, maybe the problem is that they're working backwards through the alphabet.

Adam Anderson got his.

Okay, so maybe... They're using the Hebrew alphabet.

Moishe Greenberg got his.

You see, Moishe got his, huh?

Why are you putting all your eggs in one basket, Samuel? Why are you setting

yourself up for the big disappointment?

And why do you want to call yourself Vivian?

Isn't it obvious?

Oh, holy massive. What a

beautiful campus, isn't it?

Dad. How could you tell it's buried under snow?

Well, that's the beauty of it, Sam. You could ski to class, you know.

I know, Dad, but Tate is so... Oh, please, Sam, Sam. You promised me you

going to keep an open mind.

Now, look, this college has one of the best communications departments in the

whole Northeast.

Right, you're right. Good curriculum, a chance at a scholarship, and once the

snow melts, I'm sure we'll never run out of drinking water.

I'm Tony Maselli, and this is my daughter, Samantha, and she has an

with Dean Miyashiro.

He'll be right with you.

Okay, okay, thank you, thank you.

Hey, Sam, get a load of this building, huh?

Excuse me, what do you call this style of architecture?

Old.

See, old, Sam.

Old traditions, old values. That's what you look for in a college, old, Sam.

Actually, this spring, they're tearing down this building to make room for a

one. Out with the old and in with the new, Sam.

Progress, Sam. That's what you look for in a college, progress.

Dad, you don't have to oversell.

You're 100 % right, Sam. I don't have to oversell. You know why? Because this

place sells itself.

Am I right?

God, I'd give anything to get out of here.

If only I could find my car.

Well, it's probably white. You know what I mean?

Ooh, great shoes.

Yeah? Hey, Sam, making friends already, huh?

We don't see many shoes around here before Memorial Day.

Oh, yeah? Really? Why not? Well, that's when the snow ends.

It snows until May. Oh, well, that's great, Santa. That means the luge will

open all year round.

Not really.

That's when the rains start.

What's after the rain?

Locusts?

Mosquitoes?

Was this the college that was destroyed in the Bible?

Sam. Sam, you don't judge a college by its cover. You look at its courses. Its

academic standing.

The teachers, Sam. And Ryerson is a terrific school.

But we still have four more colleges to look at.

And this is our student union.

Oh, wow.

Nice. Very nice. Isn't it beautiful, Sam? It's nice, huh? Lynn, thanks so

for the tours. Great. Thank you. Sam, look.

Shoes. Open -toed.

Dad, can I borrow some change? I want to call home and see if I got the letter

from Tate. Oh, Sam, your fixation is showing, Sam.

Come on, here. Take a look around.

Isn't this nice?

I mean, couldn't you see yourself going here?

It's possible. It's possible. Yeah, come on.

One question.

All I've seen here are girls. Where are all the boys?

He's sick.

He? But the college guide said that the male -female ratio was three to one.

No, that was misprint.

Well, girls could be fun too, Sam.

All right, all right. Hey, wait a minute, wait a minute. There's a boy. I

boy. Look, there's a boy.

No, it's my roommate, Annie.

You know, the facial hair threw me, you know.

She's a big girl, too, you know.

Okay, Ryerson and Marston are out, but there was nothing wrong with those other

colleges. They just weren't Tate.

What have you never heard from Tate?

I don't know.

Maybe I'll take the year off and bum across Europe.

Hey, Sam, you're going to college, all right, but in America.

Oh, beautiful for spacious skies.

Hey,

buddy!

Move it already!

Hey, hey, hey!

There's singing going on here about America.

The purple mountain majesties above the fruited plains.

Dad, I'm not being picky. I just want to go to Tate. Sam, you are being

stubborn. I mean, you know, sometimes in life you just can't get what you want.

I mean, sometimes you have to live with snow or a narrow curriculum or Harry

Annie.

Tate's going to come through for me, Dad. I know it.

If you're somebody college -bound, you're acting awfully immature.

Now, Tate is gone.

Tate is history.

Tate is ghost.

It ain't gonna happen.

Oh, you are here.

Guess what? You got a letter from Tate. I wanted to tell her.

Well, you snooze, you lose.

Tate. Wait a second. Okay, okay, okay.

There will be a representative in our area, and he wants to interview me.

Sweetheart, this illustrates something that I've tried to instill in you your

whole lifetime.

When you have a dream, hold it close to your heart and never, ever, ever let it

go.

Bula bula, bula bula, bula bula, bula bula. Scientific American, foreign

affairs. Yes, yes, that's so. When the interviewer gets here, he'll see that

comes from a cultured, cerebral environment.

Mad magazine.

Well, that shows him we're smart, but farcically inclined.

Sam is going to get in on the strength of her academic achievement and the

impression she makes. Of course, Angela, don't you think I know that?

But every little bit helps.

A perfect Rubik's Cube.

Don't touch it.

I bought it that way.

If anybody asks, Sam did that.

Tony, do you think this outright blatant pandering could turn him off?

Hmm. Well, maybe you're right, Angela.

I'll mess this up a little bit. That's what I'll do.

But then again, it might not.

Oh, Angela, please. Don't do this to me.

Okay, okay, okay.

Look, how do I look? Is my hair okay?

Do these earrings go with this outfit? And what about these shoes? You know,

maybe I should have worn the blue dress. Blue is so much more decisive and

assertive, isn't it?

I'm going to go change. Now, wait, wait, wait. Sam, Sam, wait a minute.

Look, you're going to get into college on the strength of your academic

achievements, not on what you wear.

But let me ask you a question. Does this color wash me out?

What did you say? Blue is more decisive? Because I could change, too. Let me go

change. Stop, stop.

You both look terrific.

Nothing is going to spoil this interview.

Hi, hi.

You know, Sam, I've been thinking about your interview.

And I have two words for you. Body language.

I got two words for you.

Adios.

I am serious.

You sit up straight. You look him directly in the eye.

And you nod intelligently.

And if all else fails, use me as a reference.

Mother, she's not trying to get into the floozy Institute of Technology.

I am just trying to be helpful here. After all, I got into every college I

applied to. And a couple I didn't.

Adios.

Okay, here we go.

Good afternoon.

Welcome to the Bauer House.

I'm Everett J. Warner.

From Tate University?

A pleasure.

My transcript.

Keep it on file.

And remember... Hi. I am Samantha Maselli.

It's nice to meet you, Mr. Warner. It's nice to meet you.

Won't you come in?

This is Tony Maselli, her father.

How do you do, sir? And Angela Bauer, my mother. Hello. Who is not above

greasing some palms to ensure her son's academic future.

I am good.

Why don't we get comfortable? Would you like to take a seat? A little

refreshment? No, thank you. Oh, okay.

Oops. Oh, Sam, Sam. How many times must I tell you to not leave your proust

lying about?

Unbelievable.

Unbelievable.

She's not normally like this.

Don't worry.

When something's this important, it's natural to be nervous. I can't believe

My daughter.

My little girl being interviewed by one of the finest colleges in these here

fine United States.

These here fine.

And you go to college?

I was just using hyperbole, Angela, to express my pride and exhilaration at my

progeny's achievement.

And don't tell me that ain't hyperbole.

Imagine the two of you, both of you, going to college at the same time next

year. Yes, yes.

Me at Ridgemont, her at Tate. Two Miss Ellis in the hallowed halls of learning.

I'm telling you, Angela, we got brains coming out of our ears.

Very good SATs.

Impressive GPA.

Gee, thanks.

I take my schoolwork very seriously.

Well, that's one of the things we look for in a Tate student. Oh, of course.

But we also look beyond academics.

Oh, of course, of course.

Like what?

Well, we look for well -rounded, self -motivated individuals.

People with verve and fire.

For example, I just interviewed a student who spent the summer in

helping design irrigation ditches.

Tell me, Samantha, what's your irrigation ditch?

Well, I helped pick out the typeface for the yearbook, Helvetica.

But I bet you're looking for something a little bit more Peace Corps -ish,

right? Samantha, tell me something that's not in here. I really want to go

Tate. Something you haven't said four times already.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I just really, really want to go to Tate.

Oh, sorry.

I want to know what you hope to get from our school.

A full scholarship. Oh, God, did I just say that?

No, no. See, what I meant was that I really feel that I could benefit...

from Tate because it's got an excellent communications department and the

faculty is first rate and it's got one of the most beautiful campuses in these

here fine... I mean, in the United States.

You're right.

And because of that, we have 50 applications for every opening.

50? Well, what do you think my chances are?

I usually don't discuss that.

I know, but if you could kind of tell me how you're leaning... And the

admissions committee notifies the applicants.

Oh, yeah, but your opinion must mean so much.

Well, if you really want to know, I'm leaning towards Appalachia.

Oh.

I'm sorry.

But you must have some other options.

Where else have you applied?

Uh, Ryerson, Marston, Northeastern, um, Winnetka. All good schools.

But there's an excellent school right in your own neighborhood.

Ridgemont.

Ridgemont? It's got a solid communications program. And because

you have a great chance of that full scholarship.

Yeah, but it's Ridgemont.

Well, if you're not sure, why don't you talk to some of the other students? Do

you know any?

Just one.

A guy named Tony.

Great. You should get together with him.

Well, thanks for the interview, Mr. Warner.

It's been nice meeting you. You too.

Good luck.

So when does orientation start? Is someone

in the Tate class of 94?

No one I know.

How you doing, sweetheart?

Never been better.

Sam, I know how you feel.

It's tough not to get into the school that you want to go to, but, oh, that's

happened to all of us.

Did it happen to you?

Well, no, but, you know, I'm no stranger to disappointment.

I never went to the prom.

Well, at least not with a boy over 4 '10".

You know, there must be another school out there that's right for you.

Well, actually, Mr.

Warner did suggest one. Well, that's wonderful. You see?

Ridgemont.

Tony's Ridgemont?

Yes.

Well, is that a school that you would consider?

Yeah, if my dad didn't go there.

Angela, this would be such a disaster. I mean, I'd never have my own space. I'd

never have freedom.

You'd always have a ride to school.

Honey, I can empathize with you.

But maybe you should just step back and look at it. You don't want to limit your

options for your future because of your father.

I know, but it's not fair.

Oh, this is tough for you.

It's just not fair.

Oh, Sam.

If I could make things right for you, I would.

I mean, why me? Why does this have to happen to me? It's not fair.

Sam, honey. It's just not fair. Enough.

That's right.

Life isn't fair.

And nobody ever said that it was.

Now, you didn't get into Tate, so you've got some tough choices to make.

You be a big girl and make them.

It's still not fair. Oh, come on.

Go to Ridgemont?

Don't go to Ridgemont. Go to Ridgemont? Don't go to Ridgemont. Go to Ridgemont.

Go to Ridgemont?

Don't go to Ridgemont.

Albert Schweitzer, Mother Teresa, and Ernest Hemingway.

What do these people have in common?

I think they all won Nobel Prizes. Correct.

And not one of them went to Tate.

Hey, listen. No one who has ever walked on the moon has gone to Tate. No Supreme

Court justice has ever gone to Tate. You know, the more I find out who didn't go

to Tate, the more I'm starting to believe it's just an educational black

There you go. There's a little smile now, Sam. Come on.

We're going to find you the perfect school. I promise.

Well, actually,

Dad, the Tate recruiter did mention one.

Oh, really? What was it?

Ridgemont.

Ridgemont? Well, academically, it's got everything I'm looking for,

unfortunately.

Ridgemont? And I'd have a chance at a full scholarship.

Bummer.

I mean, Sam, you realize that's where I go to school.

No, so that's what's been bothering me.

Oh, Sam, I mean, I don't know if I like this, Sam. I mean, really, it must have

some other options, some options far, far away.

Dad, it's not like I don't want to go far away. It's just that I've looked at

this from every angle, and it looks like Ridgemont is the way to go.

Sadly enough.

I don't know, Sam. I think you just got to look a little harder, that's all.

Dad, I don't get it. I thought you'd be in daddy heaven. You get to keep your

little girl home.

Hey, Sam, it's taken me a long time to accept the fact that you're an adult.

And as an adult, you have to make the decision that's right for you. I don't

want you settling.

Dad, I am not settling. I know it's best for me, and it's Ridgemont.

Oh, my God, did I just say that?

Sam, are you positive about this?

I'm afraid I am.

I see.

Oh, this is great.

We'll go to school together. We'll come home. We'll have lunch together. We'll

drive home together. We'll study. That's if I live at home.

Huh?

Well, I've been thinking, and even though I'm not going away to college, it

doesn't mean I can't go away to college.

Huh?

I'm thinking about living in a dorm.

Huh?

A dorm?

Oh, wouldn't you be happier if you were just... Oh,

wouldn't you like it a lot more? No.

Well, it's not fair, Sam.

Dad, sometimes life isn't fair.

I'll see you at registration.

Oh, but Sam, it's not fair, Sam.

It's not fair.

But it beats the hell out of bombing across Europe.

Tony, when are you going to be through studying? I want to play.

No, I want to be a concert pianist.

But that ain't gonna happen either.

But I'm bored.

Well, here, here.

Here. This should keep you busy for about a thousand years.

Rubik's Cube.

Here you go.

How'd you do that?

I used to date Rubik.