Everything Must Go 2011

In the scorching heat of the Arizona desert, salesman Nick Halsey finds himself in the midst of a devastating downfall after a 16-year career comes to an abrupt end. At the heart of this crisis is a fateful incident in Denver, highlighted by his ongoing battle with alcoholism, which ultimately leads to a chain of unfortunate events. Nick’s farewell gift – a Swiss Army Knife inscribed with his name – becomes an emblem of his crumbling world.

Upon his return to Arcadia, Nick is confronted with the stark reality of his wife’s disappearance. Catherine has left behind a letter detailing her departure, intensifying his sense of loss. The once-familiar surroundings of his lawn seem to mirror the turmoil of their failed marriage, bearing the emotional scars of their relationship’s collapse.

As dusk falls, Nick finds an unexpected connection with Samantha, a pregnant neighbor who has recently endured her own hardships. Together, they create a bond forged through shared struggles and displacement. Meanwhile, a young boy named Kenny takes on the role of Nick’s ally, agreeing to look after his belongings in exchange for promises of baseball lessons and a bit of money.

Navigating a landscape fraught with challenges, Nick discovers that his access to credit, joint bank accounts, and communication services have all been severed, forcing him into a corner. His company car is repossessed, leaving him without transport or a means to communicate with others. In this moment of desperation, he seeks the guidance of Detective Frank Garcia, his supportive AA sponsor.

Frank’s assistance proves crucial as he secures a permit for Nick to hold a yard sale, offering him a temporary relief that spans three days to regroup. As the clock ticks down, Nick begins to face the harsh realities of his addiction and the profound effects it has had on his life.

With each item sold, Nick is reminded of his situation, yet finds comfort in nostalgic memories of old friends, like Delilah, a former classmate who encourages him to recognize the goodness still within him, amid the bleakness. As withdrawal symptoms begin to take their toll, Samantha’s compassion provides a stark contrast to Nick’s spiraling despair. She pushes him to confront his issues, highlighting the parallels between his alcoholism and her own experiences with her husband’s drinking.

However, Nick’s defensiveness creates distance between them, leaving him alone to grapple with the abyss of his choices—a poignant indication that genuine change requires embracing one’s own darkness.

In a surprising turn, Nick wakes to find Kenny has organized his possessions with care. Their collective decision to sell nearly everything signifies a profound acknowledgment of the reality they now face. Nick offers a heartfelt apology to Samantha, who admits that he was right, stating that she has encouraged her husband to reconcile or proceed with divorce. With this burden lifted, they go out for dinner, leading to an encounter with Gary—a meeting charged with tension over a prior brewing incident in Denver involving a former colleague’s history.

In a pivotal moment, Nick resists the temptation of beer left behind by Gary, choosing sobriety over indulgence. Later, when Nick visits Frank in search of guidance, he receives shocking news: Catherine has been staying with Frank, triggering a heated confrontation and his subsequent realization that she deserves better. As they drive home, Frank asserts that Nick’s marriage was always doomed, presenting him with divorce papers and a restoration of some old ties.

Nick connects with Kenny, ensuring he receives his share of the promised payment. With Samantha offering a photograph from just days before, complemented by a fortune cookie message declaring that “everything is not yet lost,” Nick realizes that a significant chapter of his life is drawing to a close.