Post Grad 2009

As Ryden Malby (Ryden Malby) stands at the precipice of graduation, the culmination of a meticulously planned academic journey since high school, her carefully constructed future hangs precariously in the balance. With her bachelor’s degree in English in hand, she prepares to take on the challenges of a late-2000s recession, her optimism tempered by the harsh realities of a changing world.

The graduation ceremony is marked by a sense of drama and disarray as Ryden’s family arrives fashionably late, their tardiness causing a ripple effect of chaos. Her father, Walter (Walter), a well-meaning but slightly eccentric individual, insists on taking charge of every situation, while her mother, Carmella, carefully manages the family’s limited resources like a hawk. Meanwhile, Ryden’s younger brother, Hunter (Hunter), is fixated on racing in a boxcar derby, his enthusiasm and energy infectious.

As Ryden navigates this tumultuous backdrop, her longtime rival, Jessica Bard, takes center stage with a poignant graduation speech that serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges that lie ahead. Following the ceremony, Ryden and her family celebrate their achievement alongside Adam Davies (Adam), her trusted friend who has harbored unrequited feelings for Ryden since they first met during their freshman year. Adam’s own path is marked by uncertainty, as he weighs his options between pursuing a career in music or law at Columbia University.

As the night wears on, Ryden confides in her family about an upcoming interview for her dream job as an assistant editor at the prestigious publishing company Happerman and Browning in Los Angeles. She has also secured a stunning loft to rent, a symbol of her growing independence. However, fate has other plans, as Ryden’s car collides with a truck en route to the interview, leaving her shaken but determined.

When she finally arrives at Happerman and Browning, disheveled and stressed, Ryden is directed to a waiting area filled with other hopefuls vying for the same position. Her subsequent interview is marked by a series of awkward moments, as she eloquently explains her passion for editing and her desire to make it her life’s work. Unfortunately, her interviewer seems more interested in chatting with Jessica Bard (Jessica), who arrives shortly after Ryden departs, ultimately securing the job that was meant to be Ryden’s.

As Ryden’s frustration reaches a boiling point, she abandons the loft and retreats back to the comfort of her family home. The move is facilitated by Walter, whose hasty decision to step in cat poop left by David Santiago’s feline friend sets off a chain reaction of events. Meanwhile, Adam (Adam) bears witness to Ryden’s blossoming connection with David, as she navigates the challenges of job hunting and a series of cringe-worthy encounters with Jessica. The turning point arrives when Walter accidentally runs over David’s beloved cat with Ryden’s car, leading her and David to grow closer as they bond over their shared experience.

As Ryden’s romantic connection with David deepens, Adam remains uncertain about his own plans, opting instead to focus on his burgeoning music career by securing a headlining gig at a local venue. He plans a grand celebration dinner with Ryden, but she ultimately spends the evening with David, leaving Adam feeling heartbroken and betrayed when he discovers her absence. The relationship between Adam and Ryden finally comes to an end as Adam criticizes her inability to commit.

However, Ryden’s fortunes take a dramatic turn when Happerman and Browning notify her of Jessica’s dismissal from the company due to her aggressive behavior. Ryden seizes the opportunity to join the firm, but soon finds herself disillusioned by the monotony of her new role. In a last-ditch effort to make amends with Adam, she embarks on a grand gesture, driving an ice cream truck to his basketball game and reminding him of his earlier wisdom that an Eskimo Pie can solve any dilemma.

Adam forgives Ryden but reveals that he will be departing for New York the following day, leaving her heartbroken. David, sensing Ryden’s distress, offers words of wisdom, advising her that the person she chooses to spend her life with is far more important than her career. Inspired by his counsel, Ryden makes the bold decision to leave her job, travel to New York, and surprise Adam with a heartfelt confession of her romantic feelings towards him. As they finally begin their long-delayed relationship, Ryden realizes that sometimes it’s necessary to take a leap of faith and follow one’s heart.