Lymelife 2009

Set in 1979 Syosset, Long Island, New York, Lymelife presents a poignant narrative focusing on the struggles of two families, the Bartletts and the Braggs, as they navigate the complexities of life in suburbia. As real-estate issues intertwine with tangled relationships and the ominous shadow of Lyme disease, both families find themselves on the brink of collapse.

Fifteen-year-old Scott Bartlett, a sensitive and gentle soul, stands in stark contrast to his blustery father Mickey and his mother Brenda. Their community faces significant turmoil due to an outbreak of Lyme disease, breeding paranoia among its residents. The situation escalates when their neighbor, Charlie Bragg, falls ill, rendering him unable to work. Consequently, his wife Melissa steps up to keep the family afloat, reluctantly accepting a job from Mickey - a gesture laced with personal motives that strains the Bartletts’ marriage.

As the plot unfolds, we learn about Mickey’s history of cheating on Brenda, adding yet another layer of tension to their lives. Scott, who harbors a lifelong crush on the Braggs’ daughter Adrianna, begins to sense a shift as she starts to reciprocate his feelings. But complications arise when Charlie, trapped in the confines of his home, prefers the company of his obsession with deer hunting over confronting the realities of his condition. He convinces Melissa that he is in Manhattan attending job interviews, creating further rifts in their relationship.

When Scott’s older brother Jimmy returns home from the army on their mother’s birthday, the atmosphere grows electric. Tensions flare as Brenda becomes aware of Mickey’s affair with Melissa, prompting her to leave early from Jimmy’s send-off party. The familial discord culminates in a confrontation between Jimmy and Mickey.

Forced to confront the chaos of their lives, Scott learns the devastating truth about his father’s betrayal and turns to Adrianna for support. However, their bond is tested when a rumor stemming from a lie he shares with a friend causes friction between them. In the fallout, Brenda finds the strength to kick Mickey out, reclaiming her role as a nurturing parent. Meanwhile, Charlie confronts Mickey after witnessing the infidelity firsthand, which leads to a reckoning for both families.

Amidst the swirling chaos, Scott and Adrianna reconnect, culminating in a poignant moment as they share their first time together. Despite the underlying turmoil, Brenda allows Mickey to stay the night, albeit on the couch, hinting at the intricate and often painful dynamics that define their lives.