Boys on the Side 1995

As Jane, a struggling musician, attempts to heal from a shattered relationship and an abandoned band, she makes the daring choice to venture from the familiar streets of New York City to the sun-drenched allure of Los Angeles. By happenstance, she answers a newspaper advertisement posted by Robin, a real estate agent also on a quest to journey across the country. Initially unsure, Jane’s decision is cemented when her car falls victim to a tow truck, prompting her to hit the road with Robin. Their first pause along the way takes them to Pittsburgh, where Jane reconnects with her friend Holly.

However, this seemingly innocent reunion swiftly escalates into a dramatic confrontation as they find themselves in the midst of a vicious altercation between Holly and her abusive boyfriend Nick, sparked by missing drugs. In a gripping turn of events, Jane and Robin rally with Holly to confront her assailant, whose aggressive actions pose a significant threat. In a desperate act of self-defense, Holly grabs a baseball bat to fend off Nick and protect her friends. After subduing him temporarily, they bind him to a chair with duct tape and crank up the music for four relentless hours. Before leaving, Holly captures a Polaroid of the trio triumphantly standing over their adversary.

Later, fate takes a dark twist when Nick escapes, suffers a fatal accident, and ultimately dies from his injuries. The following day, Robin stumbles upon a newspaper article reporting Nick’s demise, which propels them into a heated discussion about their next steps. Holly then reveals her pregnancy and expresses her dread of being implicated in Nick’s death, leading them to decide to continue their journey to California together.

As they travel onward, they find themselves in Tucson, Arizona, where Robin suddenly collapses in a diner due to pneumonia, only to be diagnosed with HIV. Faced with this grim news, Jane and Holly choose to plant roots in Tucson, prompting a much-needed reassessment of their lives and relationships.

Robin’s health markedly improves, Jane secures a singing gig at a local bar, and Holly falls head over heels for Abe Lincoln, a charismatic police officer. Settling into this newfound routine, they collectively plan a surprise birthday party for Jane, highlighted by a generous gift from Robin - a sparkling new piano. Unbeknownst to Jane, Robin has developed deep feelings for her, creating a complex layer to their friendship.

However, their tranquility shatters when Jane’s well-meaning but ultimately harmful action inadvertently exposes Robin’s HIV status to a bar’s smitten bartender. This revelation triggers a fallout, leading to Robin asking Jane to leave the establishment, putting their once-close bond in jeopardy as Robin grapples with confusion over Jane’s intentions.

Simultaneously, in a parallel storyline, Abe excitedly proposes to Holly, only to have his hopes dashed when she admits lingering feelings for Nick. The discovery of Holly’s photo results in Abe arresting her, ultimately sending her back to Pittsburgh to confront trial for murder.

As the ensuing legal drama unfolds, Jane and Robin, now estranged, follow Holly to Pittsburgh, leading to a heartfelt reconciliation amid chaos. The weight of reality collides with Holly’s acceptance of a plea deal, sentencing her to one to two years for involuntary manslaughter. In the wake of this turbulent chapter, Robin’s health begins to deteriorate rapidly due to a lung infection. Surrounded by the stark hospital environment, Jane and Robin reestablish their love for one another in a tender moment.

Fast-forward to Holly’s release, where she gives birth to a daughter named Mary Todd and embarks on a renewed journey of redemption. Holler and Abe eventually get married, returning to Tucson for a celebratory gathering. However, joy turns bittersweet when Holly witnesses Robin, now wheelchair-bound and gravely ill with AIDS, struggling to sing “You Got It” in a soft, weakened voice.

In the film’s heartrending conclusion, Robin succumbs to her illness, leaving behind a legacy of love and heartache. As Holly and Abe plan their future, nurturing a family in Arizona, Jane embarks on her own path, heading to Los Angeles in search of a fresh start, forever transformed by the trials she endured alongside her friends.