The Lifeguard 2013

As Leigh London (played by) navigates the concrete jungle of New York City, her life takes a dramatic turn when she’s tasked with reporting on a heart-wrenching story: a tiger cub kept as a pet until its untimely demise. The article fails to garner serious attention from her editor and former lover, leaving Leigh reeling and disillusioned with her urban existence. With a heavy heart, she makes the impulsive decision to leave without warning, abandoning her job and relationship, and returns to her hometown, where the familiar comfort of family and friends awaits.

Her mother is perplexed by Leigh’s sudden return, while her father is overjoyed at the prospect of having his daughter stay indefinitely. As Leigh reconnects with old acquaintances, including art appraiser Todd and vice principal Mel, she finds herself drawn to a new sense of freedom and spontaneity. Her decision to take up her old job as community pool lifeguard brings her into contact with the maintenance man’s son, Little Jason, who becomes an integral part of her newfound social circle.

Over the following weeks, Leigh forges strong bonds with Jason and his best friend Matt, indulging in wild escapades and reckless behavior. Todd is more than happy to join in on the fun, while Mel struggles to balance her own desires with the demands of her marriage, which is fraught with tension as they attempt to conceive a child. As Leigh becomes increasingly enamored with Jason, she begins to realize that their friendship has evolved into something more profound.

One fateful night, after an impromptu gathering at the pool, Leigh and Jason find themselves alone in the bathroom, where their mutual attraction culminates in a passionate kiss. The spark is rekindled, leading to a series of intense sexual encounters that define their summer together. As they grow closer, Leigh begins to acknowledge her genuine feelings for Jason, convincing him to stay longer than planned instead of leaving with Matt as originally intended. Matt’s desperation to escape the town becomes increasingly evident, setting the stage for a tumultuous summer that will test the boundaries of love and loyalty.

As the once-planned Vermont getaway slips away, Matt’s spirits sink into a morass of despair. Meanwhile, Mel’s husband grows increasingly exasperated by his wife’s carefree existence, which seems to be an endless source of frustration for him. In a moment of serendipity, Todd stumbles upon Leigh and Jason sharing a romantic kiss by the poolside, but wisely decides against revealing this newfound intimacy. Leigh’s mother, however, is less than thrilled about her daughter’s decision to move in with Jason, as it seems she’s not the only one struggling to get her life back on track.

As Leigh settles into her new living arrangements, a sense of disorientation sets in when her beloved cat goes missing during the chaos. Todd inadvertently lets slip that Leigh is now residing at Jason’s place, prompting Mel to discover the blossoming relationship between the two, much to her horror. Her anger boils over as she approaches Leigh, plotting to confide in Jason’s father about this development.

As Leigh and Jason embark on a mission to locate her missing feline companion, their world is shattered by an unexpected discovery: Matt’s lifeless body hangs from a tree in the woods, his repeated declarations of hatred towards the town and desire for escape now tragically fulfilled. It becomes clear that Jason’s postponement was Matt’s final glimmer of hope extinguished.

The weight of this tragedy crushes Jason, leaving him emotionally shattered. Leigh takes it upon herself to break the news to Matt’s grief-stricken mother, offering words of comfort as she struggles to come to terms with her loss. As she searches for her missing cat, Leigh finally finds solace near her parents’ residence.

The funeral marks a poignant moment of closure as Leigh reconciles with Mel, before making one final, tearful visit to Jason. In a heart-wrenching display of affection, the two share an emotional embrace, their feelings for each other palpable but ultimately unrequited. As she departs, Leigh gifts Jason $1,000 she’s won through her journalism prize, leaving him with a symbol of her love. The film concludes with a poignant postcard from Jason, revealing that he continues to think about Leigh frequently, his thoughts also haunted by the memory of Matt.