Kathmandu, May 18 -- Vietnamese-American entrepreneur Co Nga is searching for a bride for her reluctant son, Khai Diep. After interviewing and rejecting a dozen impeccable beauties in Ho Chi Minh city, she chances upon Tran Ngoc My, cleaning toilets at a hotel. Nga makes Myan offer: travel to California, seduce her son, and marry him-all while working at Nga's restaurant. If My is unable to persuade Khai, she will be sent back to Vietnam after her probation period.

Saddled with a daughter, mother and grandmother, and wanting a better future for them all, My agrees surprisingly quickly to the arrangement. Khai and My begin sharing a house and the latter tries to lure the man, but he seems unable to reciprocate. Another reason My agreed to...