Original subtitles

[singing in Spanish]

[in English] Wow!

The Augusto and Adriana.

[Older Memo] Are you doing okay?

Are you nervous?

Me?

Why would I be nervous about giving a eulogy

to a room full of people who have been mad at me for 30 years?

Oh, come on. No one's still mad at you.

[gesturing] Go to hell.

Okay, s-some people are still mad at you.

[sighs] I knew this was a mistake.

- [grunts] - Máximo.

[gasps]

Uh, sorry, Lorena.

I just thought you were a ghost.

You look just like your tía.

You think I look like Lupe?

You're literally the only one that says that!

- [in Spanish] You're crazy. - [laughs]

Ay, ay, ay, ay, ay.

- Don Máximo. - Mariano.

[in English] Thank you again for doing this for my grandfather.

Of course, it's an honor.

Excuse me.

[gasps]

I'm the closer?

Héctor should go last.

He still looks 30 an-and he-he's got that lisp thing

that makes everything sound more important.

[stammers] I'm leaving.

- No way. - Sí way. [speaks Spanish]

[in English] Okay, we came all the way here for this,

and honestly this place is pretty awesome.

I mean, it's like a party, but also kind of sad, you know.

Almost emo.

Celebratory emo is exactly the way we deal with death in Mexico.

It actually reminds me of Día de Muertos at Las Colinas.

Yo, yeah, Día de los Muertos. I know that.

- No, no, no. - No.

It's Día de Muertos.

Yeah, Día de los Muertos.

Yeah, like that James Bond movie.

- Uh, no. No, no, no. - Nothing like that.

So, like Coco?

- Eh, kind of. Yeah. - Mmm. Mm-hmm.

So, it was Día de Muertos in 1985.

And my family and Julia were celebrating around my father's altar.

[in Spanish] I also baked him a bread of the dead.

- [Nora] Thank you. - That's so nice of you.

I married his wife. It's the least I can do.

[sighs]

I can only imagine how proud you must be

of our kids.

Sara has been doing extra school things all year...

[both] Debate is not school!

And Máximo is doing so well at the hotel

and with his girlfriend, Julia, who is an amazing woman.

Thank you. That's so sweet.

No, thank you for being here.

Well, I know how much he meant to Máximo.

I just wanted to say hi.

Well, if I'm going to keep doing well at the hotel I really have to get going...

But we have breakfast with your father every year.

Oh, sorry, Mom. I was actually talking to Dad.

And he says it's fine.

He wants me to destroy Memo's sister too! Bye!

- See you later! - [mutters]

[people chattering]

[Memo clicks tongue]

[in English] My great grandmother, Fidela.

[sighs] One of 13 girls.

She died as she lived, fighting over couch space.

- [chuckles] - [Memo sighs]

Who's that?

[Lorena] My abuelo, Octaviano.

He was the ultimate man's man.

My mom tells this story

of how he fought a wolf that went after his cows

with his bare hands.

The same hands he used to build his home.

- Wow, he's-he's so... - Incredible, right?

All of the men in my family modeled themselves after him.

My hermanos, my tíos, my first, second and third primos.

They say he taught them what it means to be a man.

- [in Spanish] Bye, my little bitty baby. - [giggles]

[in English] Bye.

[chuckles]

[in Spanish] His eyes...

It's like he's looking right into my soul...

[groans]

- [Diane, in English] That is not... [laughs] - Lolita.

Remember when you used to make me leave before breakfast?

- [sighs] I was in denial... - Mm-hmm.

...but I do need us to keep this a secreto just a little longer.

Amor, I'm just happy to be with you.

Again.

I'll follow your lead to... to anywhere, really.

[knocking on door]

- [exclaims] - [grunts]

- [door opens] - [sighs]

Mom, I need to talk to you about something.

Something that you've been hiding from me for a long time.

It hasn't been that long.

I have felt like something has been missing for a while now.

I mean, that's why I went to Peru, and I climbed Mango Piña.

- Oh, it's getting worse. - And it wasn't enough.

So then I went through every position at the hotel.

I was a waiter, I was a... a pool boy, a lifeguard,

and then two of the Cuatro Manos.

I still feel like something is missing.

Oh, God, you're gonna learn to play the sitar, aren't you?

[sighs] I need to know who my father is.

Oh, I see.

I'm not sure this is a good idea, Chad. We've talked about this.

No, you've talked. I listened.

There's always some excuse. There's s-s-some reason.

But not anymore. It-It's time.

This is my choice to make.

Okay.

If that's what you really want.

[sighs]

I just need to get his info together and later today we will try and call him.

Sound good?

Yes.

Thank you.

[door closes]

[Héctor grunts]

I know that wasn't easy, my love.

[sighs]

[people chattering]

Don Pablo! There you are.

I just wanted you to know that I am a hundred percent at your service today,

if you should need any service, no matter what that service may be.

I'm glad to see you, Máximo.

I actually have a very big challenge for us today.

Your biggest test yet.

What is it?

Another dead body? Two dead bodies?

Oh, my God, is it ten dead bodies?

Brace yourself.

We just got hit with a big delivery

from our newest liquor distributor.

And they insist we try all of these today.

[Older Máximo] While I was thrilled

to spend the Day of the Dead drinking with Don Pablo,

Sara was in a less celebratory mood.

[Nora, in Spanish] What's wrong, my love?

Are you sad because of your dad?

Yes.

But there's something else...

It's okay to be sad about more than one thing.

This one time I was sad about being sad,

so then I got more sad.

How sad.

[chuckles]

Well...

I'm sad because of a girl.

Ah.

[clears throat] That's okay.

[gulps]

Do you want to talk about it?

No, not anymore! I saw the face you made when I told you.

That's not true!

You know I'm okay with your thing.

My "thing?"

Mom, you can't even say it!

Maybe you're "okay" with it in theory

but...

when will you actually accept me?

Darling! Sara, wait!

- [door slams] - [grunts]

I screwed up again, just like with Roberta.

Don't worry, my love.

- What I think you should... - [door slams]

Hmm.

...what a family we have, huh?

[sighs]

...the bottle was frozen because my cousin had filled it with water!

[chuckles] We were so scared how my dad would react to us stealing his tequila.

We were so hungover, my dad just started laughing!

He was dying of laughter!

[laughs]

[sighs]

Look at us, Máximo,

just two kids from Arenal Street.

Working at the best hotel in Mexico.

And drinking on the job.

If they know what we're like, why do they invite us?!

[laughs]

This next one is a white tequila from Nayarit...

Mmm.

I need you to know that the only reason

I push you so hard

is because I want you to succeed in this job.

I've wanted that ever since you burst into my office

holding that matchbook.

I can't believe I did that.

[laughs]

Never lose that part of you, Máximo.

Never forget that optimism,

that enthusiasm, because that is who you really are.

Thank you, Don Pablo.

That means a lot, especially from my mentor.

[laughs]

To me, our relationship has always felt like more than that.

Look... My son and I have cognac as our drink.

Now this añejo will be ours.

[door opens]

[in English] Excuse me, Don Pablo...

Oh, and Máximo.

[stammers] Bonding together, how fun!

What is it, Dulce?

Uh, i-in preparing for the quince años next week,

I stumbled upon some inconsistencies with the inventory.

These figures don't match the liquor orders.

[Dulce sighs]

- Someone must be stealing from the hotel. - My thoughts exactly.

- [stammers] Shall we... - Máximo, follow me.

We need to get to the bottom of this.

I guess he needs his trusty ol' right hand on this very important...

- [chuckles] - Oops, not a door.

I knew that, but did you?

Okay? Bye, Dulce!

You can do way better.

Well, sorry but I suck at burns when I'm tipsy.

No, I mean this. Your eulogy.

It doesn't feel personal at all.

Honestly, it doesn't even sound like you.

That's because I had Obama's head speechwriter write it for me.

- No! - Máximo!

That's why it says "hope" so much.

So, let's just forget about this

and you tell everyone the story you've been telling me right now.

That's the opposite of a good idea, Hugo.

[scoffs] Come on.

Do you know what?

I suddenly need añejo.

I know what happened to me that day.

I couldn't stop thinking about Lorena and the legend of her abuelo.

And I couldn't help but wonder,

would she really want to be with someone like me

when she had an abuelo like him?

[screams]

Time-out. Okay,

you're telling me you saw an actual ghost that day

and he was disappointed in you?

And what's so weird about that?

Everyone sees ghosts in Mexico.

Y-You really need to get in touch with your culture, Hugo.

And no matter where I turned that day, I felt like someone was...

I don't know how to put this.

[singing "Somebody's Watching Me" in Spanish]

[gasps]

[whimpers]

[screams]

[exclaims]

Why are you wearing makeup?

I am working a shift at Kids Klub.

You know, that thing I came up with.

[exclaims]

Héctor, what words would you use to describe me?

Oh, I love this game!

Okay, um... [clears throat]

Annoying, exasperating, concerning, confusing, challenging, overbearing...

- A tad much. - Héctor, please!

I want you to list only my strongest attributes.

Ah, okay, that is less fun,

but delightful, amiable, agreeable, empathetic, refreshing, prepubescent.

Hey, that's not positive.

It means you're getting close!

Goodbye, my sweet, cherubic, bubbly, effervescent friend!

[kisses]

[Older Memo] It was then I realized I had to prove my manhood to Lorena.

The '80s were so extra

with the toxic masculinity and outdated gender norms.

I didn't understand any of those words.

[gasps] Oh, boy, a full bottle.

- Oh, things have taken a turn. - [sighs]

Did you figure out your speech yet?

Nope. [sighs]

But I'm pretty sure this añejo will help.

Maybe you could keep telling your story?

It might help you figure out what you wanna say.

[sighs] Fine.

But, Hugo, it is time to strap in,

buckle your seat belt, or whatever other gringo expression means...

[in Spanish] Pay attention, man.

[in English] Dulce's right. These numbers don't add up.

Someone is stealing.

Who would do something like that?

[customers cheering, chanting] Beto! Beto! Beto! Beto! Beto!

[in Spanish] Oh Beto...

I should have known.

A part of me did. I just didn't want it to be true.

Well, that does it. We have to give him a warning!

No, Máximo.

I've already given Beto many warnings over the years.

About giving out free shots

and other "Beto-perks" in exchange for larger tips.

- [customer shouts] - Chilaquiles are never free!

So what should we do?

I know he's your friend, but Beto has to go.

You're going to fire him?

No, Máximo.

You are.

Me? As in me, me?

- Why me? - I'm sorry.

This is the most difficult part of the job,

but it is also necessary.

...yeah. Okay.

I'll do it.

[in English] So I told my friend, Prince, why not write about the rain?

[laughs]

Hey, bro. We're doing shots on the house!

No, nothing is on the house. That's the problem.

We need to talk, now!

Beto, be honest, have you been giving out free drinks to get bigger tips?

Uh...

Yeah.

And I'm so, so, so, so sorry.

You know, my abuela warned me not to, and she was right of course,

but I was like, "Abuela, we need the money. You're sick."

Oh, no, she's sick?

Ah, it doesn't matter.

My deep love for her is no excuse.

I... I guess I just wanted to help her so much.

Well, maybe you can help by spending more time at home with her?

I wish, but this job pays for her medicine.

And she's not all alone. She has her cheagle with her.

Uh, that's a half chihuahua, half beagle, all fighter. Poor little guy.

Wait, the dog is sick too?

I think he just lost the will to live, you know?

When their house burned down.

Oh, God, okay.

Listen, Beto,

I'm sorry about your abuela, and her dog, and their house,

but we can't tolerate stealing, so...

Uh...

Don't let it happen again. Consider this the sternest of warnings.

I promise. Thank you so much, Máxi.

- Here, let me give you one on the house. - No-no, Beto, we're the house!

Stop it!

[rock music playing on record player]

[knocks on wall]

- [music stops] - Máximo?

[in Spanish] I thought you had to vanquish Memo's sister at work?

[Nora] Hello, my love.

- Mom? - Yes.

How did you know about the Portal of Truths?

Máximo's name, not mine.

I clean your rooms. I know everything.

I just thought, if we talked through here

you wouldn't have to worry about what face I make.

[clicks tongue, sighs]

Mom, you don't get it!

I don't want to have to talk to you through a wall.

Then I'll come in there

and we can start small. Maybe you could just tell me...

her name,

- and tomorrow we can start... - [clicks tongue] It's not that easy.

I don't want any part of my life to be a secret.

But I'm not ready to trust you.

[rock music resumes]

[in English] I-I'm just gonna grab one right now,

but I could lift like... like 12 probably.

Weird. But I'm sure you could.

[in Spanish] This one here, sir. I want the salad, please.

[in English] Someone's extra hungry.

[Paco, in Spanish] I also want the stew and rice.

That's broccoli, right? That too.

Hey!

Hey, hey, hey. Hey!

Did you cut in front of my woman?

Oh no. Sorry. You can go ahead of me.

I don't even really like this food.

No, no, no!

No one cuts in front of my woman!

Memo, calm down!

It's okay, my love, I'm defending your honor.

Paco, let go of the tray.

- No, why? - Give it to me!

- Why? - [Memo mutters]

Give me the tray!

- [grunts] - [gasps]

I'm BLEEDING!

HELP!

HELP! I'M BLEEDING!

- [whimpers] - [Lorena speaks Spanish]

[Memo] I'M BLEEDING!

Some of the stew and salad please.

[in English] All right, Chad.

I wanna prepare you because you'll probably recognize him.

[sighs] This is your father.

Who is this guy?

You don't know who that is?

Is he, like, the prime minister of Mexico or something?

[gasps] Oh, my God, am I secretly Mexican?

No!

He's a very famous American actor/director

who made what many consider to be the greatest film of all time.

Oh, my God! My dad directed Porky's.

[sighs] Homeschooling was a mistake.

Listen to me.

I worked with this man on the only film I ever made,

before the scandal ruined my career.

Not his, obviously.

Well, I still wanna talk to him.

Of course. I understand.

- [sighs] - [phone beeping]

[sighs]

[phone rings]

- [line clicks] - [assistant] Hello. How can I help you?

Hello. This is Diane Davies. Is he available?

His son would like to speak with him.

Oh. You haven't heard.

It was all over the news here in the States.

He passed a few weeks ago.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

He's dead?

Chad, I'm so sorry. I didn't know.

Why would you, Mom?

I mean, you weren't talking to him. And you certainly didn't let me reach out.

Chad, trust me. I tried.

Oh, you tried? Come on!

Every time I tried to call him, you would always talk me out of it.

And now he's dead.

This is all your fault, okay?

I never got to meet him and now I'll never know who I am.

Oh!

Ah! Ah! Ouch.

[in Spanish] You're picking fights now?

Who are you? All of my exes?

I'm sorry, I just...

ever since you told me about your abuelo

I've been feeling like...

maybe I'm not the kind of man you want.

What are you talking about?

[clicks tongue, sighs]

Look... [sighs]

I could never build a house with tools

let alone my bare hands!

I'm not macho like your abuelo!

That's a good thing!

But you said he fought a coyote!

He was a liar, Memo!

The only reason I didn't tell you the truth was because I didn't...

want to speak ill of the dead on Día de Muertos.

Oh, I get that...

Do you know how much better the world would be

if men spent less time trying to be macho

and more being as kind and caring as you?

I mean... that definitely would have made middle school

a more positive experience. [chuckles]

There's not one way to be a man, Memo.

To me, a real "macho" is someone who is generous,

always there for his friends

and who makes everyone around them feel better

just by showing up.

Someone just like you...

You mean that?

Yes, my love! That's why I love you. [chuckles]

That's why I choose you.

- I choose you too! - [chuckles]

- Come here you! - [laughs]

[sighs]

[people chattering]

[in English] How did it go?

It didn't.

I'm so sorry, but Beto has a sick abuela and a dog that...

You mean his abuela who has died six times over the years

so he could get a week off from work?

But it's okay, Máximo.

I understand why you didn't want to do this.

It's hard for you.

You are a loyal friend.

But just in case, I made a contingency plan.

Dulce.

- Fire Beto, please. - Of course.

[in Spanish] I can't believe this. Why would you ask Dulce?!

Because someone has to do it.

But Dulce just got here this summer!

You can't trust her!

She'll betray you, I swear!

Stop, Máximo.

I'm about to announce the best person for the job as my successor

as Head of Operations.

[Dulce, in English] Okay. Put that down! That is company property!

- [customers cheering] - Just... [screams]

[in Spanish] And I need someone who can make

these kinds of difficult decisions when I'm gone.

Well, that's me! I'm that person!

I mean, I wasn't this time!

But I swear I can do it!

Máximo. It's fine if you're not that person.

You can't change who you are.

And you shouldn't.

[customers shouting, cheering]

[Dulce shouts]

[in English] Put it down! [shouts]

[customers cheering, chanting] Beto! Beto!

[in English] Sorry about your grandmother.

Oh! She's alive.

This is for my cat who died.

This is, uh, my dad, who I never met, and I just found out is dead.

[in Spanish] Put him over there then.

[in English] Part of the tradition is that you can put some things on the ofrenda

that the people who died liked.

That's why I have this butter.

It was her favorite.

I miss you, Mantequilla.

Yeah, I don't know what my dad liked.

And it's weird. I thought I would feel sadder right now, but I don't.

Of course you don't.

That man never even came to visit you.

Not once.

I guess you're right.

But Ms. Davies, she was always here.

I remember watching her teach you how to swim in the pool outside.

[Chad] Hmm.

She even bought you this whole hotel.

She's like two parents in one.

[sighs]

She really is.

Thanks, Lupe.

[in Spanish] Scram.

[in English] I'm having a moment with my cat.

Thanks, Lupe.

[in Spanish] Scram... [in English] ...to you too.

[sighs]

[Chad] Ma!

You taught me how to swim!

That's true. I did.

How did you remember that?

Lupe told me.

And then I remembered how you taught me all the things.

Like how to tie my shoe.

And to always tip the maître d' $20 so you can get a great table.

And to always, always moisturize and never skip the neck.

It's the beauty secret.

I've been so focused on what I lost, I forgot about what I had.

[sighs]

A mom who'll love me no matter what.

Oh, my darling.

I want you to know, I did reach out to your father, many times.

He just... He didn't want to be part of our lives.

And I am so sorry for that.

- I wish I could have done more. - Mom, you-you've done more than enough.

You even left your career to protect me from an industry

- that protected my loser dad. - [chuckles]

Well, I mean, he did win an Oscar.

[chuckles]

You know what should have got an Oscar? Weird Science.

I wish I could build a woman.

DO NOT DISTURB!

- Ta-da! - [laughs]

[in Spanish] Uh... Why are you dressed like The Saint?

Because...

I have been taking dance classes from Máximo's boss.

- Ah! The gringa? - Mm-hmm.

Why?

Because...

I started to feel like you and Máximo

didn't need me anymore.

And that made me feel scared.

And outside of work...

it felt like I had no purpose.

And this is really helping with that feeling.

That's awesome.

And weird.

But mostly awesome.

[chuckles]

My love, I understand that...

I can't expect you to trust me and confide in me

when I've been keeping secrets of my own.

Remember that girl who crushed me at the debate?

- [gasps] The preppy girl? - Yes!

- [gasps] - Her name is Aida

and I saw her at Julia's opening.

- Mom, it was incredible. - [gasps]

She even wrote her number on my arm.

Oh sweetie, that can give you ink poisoning...

No! That day, we went into the ocean to swim

and her number washed off...

- and I wrote it down here. - Uh-huh.

And I can't call her because I don't have a full number.

And that's why you were off when you saw her at the debate...

[singing in Spanish]

[in English] That day took a turn for the worse.

In many ways it marked the beginning of why everyone's still mad at me.

I messed up. This is really bad.

I basically just handed the Head of Operations to Dulce.

- What? - Damn it,

I should have just fired Beto when I had the chance.

I knew it! You did wanna fire me.

Cabrón!

I was just telling the story to my good friend Lin-Manuel.

Beto. Hey... Beto! Beto! Beto!

Bet... [sighs]

Great. Another person is mad at me, just like Julia was.

Máximo, do you hear yourself?

You better be careful before this place starts to change you.

- That's not what's happening. - Really?

Because you ran out of breakfast with your family just to get a leg up here.

And now you're so upset that you didn't get to fire your friend

rather than the fact that your friend just got fired!

It's complicated. You wouldn't understand.

Oh, no, I understand.

I understand very clearly.

I have some clients to attend to.

I should have listened to Julia that day, but I was too upset.

Don Pablo was really mad at me for not firing Beto.

And I don't blame him.

Don Pablo wasn't angry at you.

He was proud that you stayed true to who you really are.

You've been wrong all these years.

You never really understood what he was trying to tell you.

[in Spanish] Thank you, Don Pablo.

[mourner] Whoo! Lorena!

Don Máximo.

It's your turn.

Sí. [speaks Spanish]

[sighs]

[in English] What do I say?

Just speak from the heart, tío.

- [sighs] - You can do this, tío.

[sighs]

[sighs]

[sighs]

[in Spanish] When Mariano asked me to speak

I have to admit, I was hesitant.

But when he told me it was Don Pablo's request

I thought...

[in English] "The guest gets what the guest wants."

[in Spanish] And so here I am,

finally understanding the lesson

Don Pablo tried to teach me over 30 years ago.

About how sometimes the secrets we keep

only hurt the ones we love the most.

[in English] Rosebud?

- This whole thing is about some sled? - Mm-hmm.

God, this movie sucks.

Yes.

Yes, it does suck.

[Older Máximo, in Spanish] And how facing our fears

and sharing our insecurities

can only bring us closer together.

Recently I've been reminded

that those who love you the most

are the ones who want you to stay true to yourself.

Don Pablo,

I'm so sorry I stopped being that kid from Arenal Street.

I forgot the Máximo who

had the courage to burst into your office

and beg you for a job.

But I hope

that I can also learn from you, Don Pablo

that it's never too late to make things right.

And that's why I am here

in front of all of you

my Las Colinas family,

to apologize.

To apologize for the mistakes I made in the past

and the ones I've made since.

I hope to finally

learn from you, Don Pablo

that our mistakes do not define us.

And this time,

I'm going to take the right lesson with me.

Thank you.

Cheers!

[all speak Spanish]

Paloma?

Julia?