Best Man Down 2013

In the midst of a sun-kissed Phoenix wedding celebration, Scott (Justin Long) and his new wife Kristin (Jess Weixler) are oblivious to the impending doom that awaits them. Scott’s best man, Lumpy (Tyler Labine), is determined to ruin the party with his inebriated antics, much to Kristin’s dismay. As the night wears on, Lumpy’s excessive drinking leads him down a path of self-destruction, culminating in a fatal fall onto a cactus. The next morning, Scott and Kristin are devastated by the news of their friend’s passing, and it falls to them to arrange for his body to be returned to Minnesota for a proper burial.

Meanwhile, in the small town of Northern Minnesota, 15-year-old Ramsey Anderson (Addison Timlin) is struggling to navigate her tumultuous home life. Her mother (Frances O’Connor), a recovering addict, has a penchant for moving around, while her mother’s boyfriend (Evan Jones), a former soldier turned meth cook, poses a constant threat to the family’s well-being. Ramsey finds herself in a precarious situation when she catches their local priest (Michael Landes) in a compromising position with another man, and she uses this knowledge to blackmail him for groceries.

As tensions escalate at home, Ramsey resorts to shoplifting cold medicine from the local pharmacy, only to be caught by the same priest who had previously bailed her out. This turn of events sets off a chain reaction that will forever alter the trajectory of Ramsey’s life.

As Kristin and Scott delved deeper into the enigmatic world of Lumpy, their search for answers led them down a rabbit hole of intrigue. The discovery of his name in phone records yielded nothing but silence, prompting them to venture into the depths of his past by visiting the law school and workplace where he once studied and worked. However, their quest was met with an unexpected revelation: Lumpy had abruptly quit school and been fired from his job due to allegations of embezzlement, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions.

As they pieced together the puzzle, Kristin prodded Scott to confront the truth about Lumpy’s mysterious connection to a certain someone. The catalyst for this epiphany came in the form of an uncomfortable Christmas dinner, where the tension finally boiled over and Scott was compelled to embark on a journey to uncover the secrets surrounding Ramsey.

Through a series of flashbacks, it became clear that Lumpy had first crossed paths with Ramsey ten months prior when he knocked on her door seeking permission to traverse her family’s property for some ice fishing. The ensuing events saw Lumpy falling through the icy surface and being rescued by Ramsey, an act that sparked a chain reaction leading to their growing friendship.

Fast-forwarding to Scott and Kristin’s arrival in Ramsey’s town, they found themselves at her doorstep, bearing the somber news of Lumpy’s passing. However, instead of accepting their condolences, Ramsey asked them to leave, leaving the couple perplexed. As they checked into a local hotel for the night, Scott confided in Kristin about his own career setback – being denied a commission had left him feeling defeated, and it was Lumpy who had gifted them their honeymoon funds.

The next morning, Ramsey appeared at their doorstep, her eyes red from crying, as she requested a ride to Minneapolis for Lumpy’s funeral. This revelation was followed by an astonishing admission: Ramsey was pregnant with Lumpy’s child and desperately needed to escape the circumstances that had defined her life thus far. As they reluctantly agreed to take her to her mother’s house to seek permission to leave, they found themselves face-to-face with a gun-wielding boyfriend who mistook them for law enforcement.

In a poignant turn of events, Ramsey’s mother intervened, recognizing this as her daughter’s chance to break free from the cycle of despair. With tears in her eyes, she handed over a small sum of money and gave her blessing for Ramsey to start anew, finally giving her the freedom she so desperately craved.

As the reality of Lumpy’s mortality sinks in, a heated confrontation erupts between Ramsey, Kristin, and Scott when she shares the shocking truth: her former flame had been harboring a life-threatening secret, his impending demise. The argument culminates with Ramsey storming out, leaving behind a trail of emotions. The following day, at Lumpy’s funeral, Ramsey delivers a stirring eulogy, replete with intimate details about their relationship that only she knew. Her somber tone belies the revelation that follows: Lumpy was a chivalrous gentleman who never succumbed to their physical desires. In a poignant moment, Lumpy’s mother presents Ramsey with an envelope containing a thoughtful bequest from her late son, accompanied by the promise of additional funds in a safe deposit box, earmarked for Ramsey’s education.

As the funeral procession disperses, Ramsey can’t help but notice Scott’s boss, Rick (Sasha Andreev), in attendance. She takes him aside and engages him in conversation, leading to a breakthrough that ultimately results in Scott regaining his job. The next day, as Ramsey prepares to depart for Minneapolis, Scott shares the news that her mother has ended her toxic relationship and is relocating. With a newfound sense of freedom, Ramsey’s mother grants her permission to live with Scott and Kristin until she gets back on her feet.

As they begin making plans for dinner, Scott curiously inquires about the circumstances surrounding his boss’s reinstatement. Ramsey coyly deflects his query, leaving him to wonder what secrets she might be hiding. As the credits roll, the trio is seen preparing for a night out, their futures illuminated by the promise of new beginnings and the lingering memories of Lumpy’s all-too-brief life.