At Middleton 2014

As Edith Martin and George Hartman, along with their children Audrey and Conrad, embark on a campus tour of Middleton College, led by the charming yet clumsy Justin, an unexpected bond begins to blossom between Edith and George. While their kids dive into the group activities, the two parents take advantage of the moment to discuss their common worries and fears about parenting. Their first encounter occurs in the library, a moment that amusingly embarrasses their children.

Tensions flare when Audrey accuses her mother of not backing her decision to attend Middleton, pushing Edith to take a daring step. She fabricates a story about having an exclusive tour with the Dean of the university, leaving Audrey and Conrad to fend for themselves in the group activities as she and George discreetly sneak away. They take a couple of bicycles for an impromptu campus adventure, indulging in some playful antics as they ascend the belltower and sneak into an acting class. This spontaneous experience deepens their emotional connection.

Meanwhile, Audrey confides in Conrad about her aspirations to attend Middleton, driven by her longing to be mentored by the renowned Professor Roland Emerson. However, Conrad remains uncertain, keeping his options open. At lunchtime, Audrey finds out about Edith’s deceit and confronts George, demanding to know her mother’s whereabouts. He discloses that Edith has been enjoying a casual lunch with him in the cafeteria, casting doubt on the status of their relationship.

As the friction between Audrey and Conrad rises, they stumble upon a locked observatory. Frustrated, Audrey lashes out at Conrad, critiquing him for his lack of ambition and implying that his future is bleak. Hurt, Conrad walks away, leaving Audrey feeling isolated. On the other hand, Edith and George engage in a conversation with film student Daphne, as they explore the complexities of their relationships with their respective children, aided by their company, Travis.

In private talks with professors, Audrey shares tea with Emerson, while Conrad meets with Boneyard Sims, who manages the campus radio station. Audrey receives the crushing news that Emerson will be taking a sabbatical, making him unavailable as a mentor for her academic journey. Her emotional response leads Emerson to advise her against letting ambition turn into obsession. Concurrently, Conrad begins to discover his genuine passion lies in radio rather than academia.

As the day wanes into a beautiful twilight, Edith and George return to the belltower, their footsteps resonating through the quiet as they cherish the moments they’ve shared. Meanwhile, Conrad approaches Audrey with a heartfelt apology for her challenging day, expressing his newfound desire to consider attending Middleton. But Audrey, resolute, firmly states her decision to abandon that path.

As Edith and George get ready to part ways, the farewell is tinged with a poignant sense of nostalgia. Their emotional goodbye resonates between cherished memories and present realities, yet as they regroup with their children, they share comforting embraces, setting off on their journey home.

In a scene infused with warmth, Edith reassures Audrey with her encouraging words, asserting, “We’ll be okay.” George, wishing to mend bridges, extends an olive branch to Conrad, suggesting he take the scenic route, subtly reminding them that even through challenges, compassion and flexibility are always essential.