A coming-of-age story about a young man navigating trauma, romance, and artistic ambition to escape his hometown.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
Roots in the Projects
Joe navigates life in the Capehart Projects with his sister and mother, while developing a crush on Andrew. Friends Kris and Mandy encourage their budding romance.
Key Events
Life in Capehart Projects — Joe introduces his daily life with his sister and single mother in a notorious estate.
Location: Capehart Projects, Bangor
Joe's Crush on Andrew — Joe develops a romantic interest in Andrew, a high school football player. Characters: AndrewLocation: High School
Friends Encourage Romance — Kris and Mandy actively encourage Joe and Andrew to explore their mutual attraction. Characters: AndrewLocation: Social Gathering
Mutual Attraction Deepens — Joe and Andrew begin exploring their feelings and fall further in love. Characters: AndrewLocation: Private Space
Trauma Revelation — During a sexual encounter, Joe confesses to being gang-raped by three older men. Characters: AndrewLocation: Intimate Setting
Pursuit of Escape
Teresa's departure fuels Joe's determination to leave Bangor for arts school. He secures academic credentials through a blackmail scheme with his French teacher.
Key Events
Trauma Revelation — During a sexual encounter, Joe confesses to being gang-raped by three older men. Characters: AndrewLocation: Intimate Setting
Teresa's Departure — Teresa robs the store she works at to fund her move to Los Angeles.
Location: Convenience Store
College Ambition Forms — Inspired by Teresa's exit, Joe resolves to leave Bangor for arts school in Rhode Island.
Location: Home
Bathroom Fling — Joe engages in a brief physical encounter with his French language teacher.
Location: School Bathroom
Blackmail for Recommendation — Joe blackmails the teacher to secure good grades and a crucial college recommendation.
Location: School
Meeting Victor — Joe befriends Victor, an elderly disabled artist, who hires him as a model.
Location: Local Opera House
Mentorship and Loss
Joe moves in with Victor, an elderly artist who becomes his mentor and employer. Victor's suicide leaves Joe with financial freedom but profound grief.
Key Events
Meeting Victor — Joe befriends Victor, an elderly disabled artist, who hires him as a model.
Location: Local Opera House
Moving into the Loft — Joe relocates to live above the opera house, taking on domestic duties.
Location: Victor's Loft
Victor's Suicide — Victor commits suicide by overdose, leaving his wealth and possessions to Joe.
Location: Victor's Loft
Inheritance of Dreams — Joe receives Victor's estate, securing the financial means to pursue his artistic goals.
Location: Victor's Loft
Andrew's Downward Spiral — Andrew struggles with theft, heavy drinking, and his own sexual identity. Characters: AndrewLocation: Town
Confrontation and Resolution
Andrew struggles with personal demons while Joe and Andrew visit a gay club. Past trauma resurfaces when they encounter Tim and a tormentor, leading to revenge plans and future contemplation.
Key Events
Andrew's Downward Spiral — Andrew struggles with theft, heavy drinking, and his own sexual identity. Characters: AndrewLocation: Town
Visit to Styxx Venue — Joe and Andrew attend a nearby gay venue, seeking connection and escape. Characters: AndrewLocation: Styxx Gay Club
Confrontation with Tim — Joe recognizes childhood friend Tim, who aggressively shoves him away.
Location: Styxx Club
Tormentor Recognition — Joe spots one of his past rapists at the club, triggering a desire for revenge. Characters: AndrewLocation: Styxx Club
Revenge Planning — Joe and Andrew decide to team up to get even with the tormentor. Characters: AndrewLocation: Club Perimeter
Contemplating Futures — The couple reflects on their life paths, unresolved trauma, and relationship. Characters: AndrewLocation: Outdoors
Departure from Bangor — The film concludes with Joe and Andrew facing an uncertain but open future. Characters: AndrewLocation: Town Limits
Story Breakdown
Family Dynamics — Joe's relationship with his sister and mother shapes his desire to leave.
Sister Departure — Teresa robs her store to fund her move to Los Angeles.
Maternal Support — Joe lives with his single mother in a challenging environment.
Romantic Exploration — Joe and Andrew navigate mutual attraction amid social encouragement.
Friend Encouragement — Kris and Mandy push Joe and Andrew to explore their feelings.
Intimate Bonding — The couple deepens their relationship through shared vulnerability.
Academic Ambition — Joe's drive to attend arts school in Rhode Island requires strategic action.
Teacher Blackmail — Joe coerces his French teacher for grades and a recommendation.
College Application — Joe secures the necessary credentials to leave Bangor.
Mentorship Arc — Victor provides Joe with artistic guidance and financial liberation.
Loft Living — Joe moves into Victor's apartment above the opera house.
Artistic Guidance — Victor hires Joe as a model and helps him gain college acceptance.
Past Trauma — Unresolved abuse from older men haunts Joe and influences his actions.
Warehouse Assault — Joe and Tim were gang-raped by three older men at a warehouse.
Tim Rejection — Tim shoves Joe away at the club, highlighting unresolved pain.
Club Confrontation — A visit to a gay venue triggers encounters with past abusers.
Styxx Visit — Joe and Andrew attend a local gay venue to socialize.
Tormentor Recognition — Joe spots one of his rapists, sparking a desire for revenge.
Future Contemplation — The couple weighs their options as they face an uncertain tomorrow.
Revenge Planning — Joe and Andrew decide to confront the tormentor together.
Life Decisions — The film ends with both characters reflecting on their paths forward.
Filmmaker Todd Verow revisits his own youth in this film. The film's main character is Joe, who, like the director, grew up in Bangor in Maine. Joe, an 18 year old high school senior who longs to move away from poor white trash roots and this town, and dreams of attending art school, lives with his single mother and older sister Theresa on a notorious council estate called "Capehart Projects". Molested at the age of ten, Joe nevertheless decides to keep the incident to himself. He befriends an elderly disabled artist named Victor who hires him as houseboy/model. Joe moves in with Victor in his loft above the local opera house, hoping to escape Bangor with his help. He also works part time at a local market along with his sister, who wants to get out of town as much as he does. For most of high school, Joe has also had a crush on his best friend, Andrew, who plays on the high school football team.
