Groundswell (2022) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Emma balances culinary ambition, personal healing, and a developing relationship while facing an unresolved future.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Chance to Be Seen

Emma works in Garrett's demanding kitchen when Sheridan arrives to review the restaurant. Her family-style presentation earns Sheridan's approval and briefly raises hopes of professional recognition.

Key Events

• Sheridan Reviews the Restaurant — Sheridan unexpectedly arrives to review Garrett's restaurant while Emma works in the professional kitchen. Characters: Emma, Sheridan, Garrett Location: Garrett's restaurant
• Emma Takes a Creative Risk — Emma serves the meal family style to show that the new establishment offers something different. Characters: Emma, Sheridan, Garrett Location: Garrett's restaurant
• Sheridan Enjoys the Food — Sheridan enjoys Emma's food, and Garrett prepares to introduce her. Characters: Emma, Sheridan, Garrett Location: Garrett's restaurant
• Emma Shares Her Restaurant Dream — Emma tells Aunt June that owning her own restaurant remains her dream. Characters: Emma, Aunt June Location: Oahu
• Aunt June Remembers Home — Aunt June reminds Emma that Oahu will always be her home away from home. Characters: Emma, Aunt June Location: Oahu

Entering the Culinary Trial

Emma joins Frankie on team South by Southeast for an island cooking competition. Their rum dessert suffers a technical failure, but quick improvisation allows them to present it successfully.

Key Events

• Aunt June Remembers Home — Aunt June reminds Emma that Oahu will always be her home away from home. Characters: Emma, Aunt June Location: Oahu
• Emma Joins the Competition — Emma joins Frankie on team South by Southeast for an island cooking competition. Characters: Emma, Frankie Location: Island cooking competition
• Rum Dessert Challenge — The team must create a dessert featuring Ko Hana Rum as the main ingredient. Characters: Emma, Frankie, Katie Lee, Lee Anne Wong Location: Competition kitchen
• The Cake Sticks — Emma discovers that the cake has stuck to the pan during the first challenge. Characters: Emma, Frankie Location: Competition kitchen
• Dessert Improvisation — Emma and Frankie improvise and successfully present their pineapple rum trifles. Characters: Emma, Frankie, Katie Lee, Lee Anne Wong Location: Competition kitchen
• Judges Demand More Personality — The judges praise texture and flavor but urge the team to show more personality and take greater risks. Characters: Emma, Frankie, Katie Lee, Lee Anne Wong Location: Competition kitchen

Learning to Trust the Elements

Ben teaches Emma to surf as she confronts her fear of the ocean. Their lessons and hike through a sacred landscape create a deeper emotional bond.

Key Events

• Ocean Fear Emerges — Emma struggles with a fear of the ocean as Ben begins teaching her to surf. Characters: Emma, Ben Location: Ocean
• Ben Teaches Emma to Surf — Ben patiently teaches Emma, and the surfing lessons gradually deepen their emotional connection. Characters: Emma, Ben Location: Ocean
• Sacred Landscape Hike — Ben takes Emma hiking and explains how a ho’ailona can guide someone's path. Characters: Emma, Ben Location: Sacred landscape
• Aunt June Offers Guidance — Aunt June notices Emma and Ben's connection and urges Emma to trust herself. Characters: Emma, Aunt June Location: Oahu

Survival Under Judgment

The team presents taro mofongo, Creole mojo sauce, and hibiscus-mint tea, but the judges again demand more personality and risk. Despite the criticism, South by Southeast advances to the finale.

Key Events

• Taro Mofongo Challenge — South by Southeast presents mofongo de taro, Creole mojo sauce, and hibiscus-mint tea. Characters: Emma, Frankie, Katie Lee, Lee Anne Wong Location: Competition kitchen
• The Team Receives Criticism — The judges again criticize the team for not showing enough personality or taking sufficient risks. Characters: Emma, Frankie, Katie Lee, Lee Anne Wong Location: Competition kitchen
• South by Southeast Survives — South by Southeast advances to the finale while two other teams are eliminated. Characters: Emma, Frankie, Katie Lee, Lee Anne Wong Location: Island cooking competition

Dreams Without Answers

The approaching finale coincides with uncertainty about Emma and Ben's future. Ben says he will not obstruct Emma's dreams, and the film ends before Emma makes her next decision.

Key Events

• The Finale Approaches — As the competition reaches its finale, Emma faces both professional pressure and an uncertain personal future. Characters: Emma, Frankie, Katie Lee, Lee Anne Wong Location: Island cooking competition
• Ben Steps Aside — Ben says he does not want to stand in the way of Emma's dreams. Characters: Emma, Ben Location: Oahu
• Emma Faces an Unresolved Choice — The story ends without resolving Emma's relationship with Ben or her next decision. Characters: Emma, Ben Location: Oahu

Story Breakdown

• Kitchen Recognition — Emma seeks acknowledgment for her culinary talent while working in Garrett's restaurant.
  • Unexpected Review — Sheridan arrives unexpectedly to review the restaurant.
  • Family Style Risk — Emma serves the meal family style to make the establishment distinctive.
• Restaurant Dream — Emma continues to imagine owning her own restaurant and discusses that ambition with Aunt June.
  • Hopeful Introduction — Garrett prepares to introduce Emma after Sheridan enjoys her food.
  • Oahu As Home — Aunt June reminds Emma that Oahu remains her home away from home.
• Culinary Competition — Emma and Frankie enter a demanding island competition as team South by Southeast.
  • Rum Trifle Challenge — The team creates pineapple rum trifles featuring Ko Hana Rum.
  • Improvised Recovery — They recover after the cake sticks to the pan.
• Lessons From Judges — The judges praise flavor but repeatedly challenge the team to express more personality.
  • Risk And Personality — The first judging encourages greater creativity and risk-taking.
  • Taro Presentation — The team presents taro mofongo, mojo sauce, and hibiscus-mint tea.
• Ocean And Connection — Ben helps Emma confront her fear of the ocean while their relationship becomes emotionally deeper.
  • Surfing Lessons — Ben patiently teaches Emma to surf.
  • Sacred Hike — Ben explains the ho’ailona during a hike through sacred land.
• Trusting Her Path — Aunt June encourages Emma to trust herself rather than repeat the painful pattern associated with Garrett.
  • Family Guidance — Aunt June recognizes Emma's growing connection with Ben.
  • Breaking Old Patterns — Emma is urged to make a self-directed emotional choice.
• Unresolved Future — The competition reaches its finale while Emma and Ben face uncertainty about their relationship and her dreams.
  • Team Advances — South by Southeast survives elimination and reaches the finale.
  • Ben Steps Aside — Ben says he does not want to stand in the way of Emma's dreams.
  • Decision Deferred — The story ends without resolving Emma's next decision.

Directed by

Lee Friedlander

Key Cast

• Lacey Chabert — Emma
• Ektor Rivera — Ben
• Omar Bustamante — Frankie
• Tracy Yamamoto — Aunt June
• Katie Lee Biegel — Katie Lee