The Roads Not Taken 2020

Leo’s peaceful slumber is abruptly interrupted by the relentless ringing of the phone and the constant buzzing of the doorbell, yet he remains blissfully unaware of the turmoil spiraling outside his bedroom door. His daughter, Molly, eventually arrives, only to find Leo lost in confusion and struggling to grasp the reality surrounding him. As his caretaker, Xenia, vacuums the floor, Leo’s battle with dementia pushes him further into disorientation.

Their day takes a fateful turn when a visit to the dentist goes awry. Leo’s refusal to follow simple instructions results in an unfortunate incident, leaving Molly disheartened but resolute in her attempts to manage the situation. Once again, she hails a taxi for her father, yet his mind drifts away, causing him to tumble out of the passenger side and hit his head. The alert taxi driver calls for an ambulance, which swiftly transports Leo to the emergency room.

After being discharged, Molly, hopeful for a better outing, takes Leo to Costco. However, while she attends to a work call, he wanders off, only to return cradling a dog he mistakenly believes is Néstor, his beloved late pet. An angry woman accuses him of theft, leading to a chaotic scene that attracts security’s attention. With Molly explaining Leo’s condition to the guards, he is released, though visibly shaken.

Their next attempt involves a trip to the optometrist, where Leo once again struggles to adhere to basic directions, much to Molly’s growing annoyance. That evening, her world tumbles down when her boss informs her that her project has been taken over by someone else. The weight of reality crashes down on her as she realizes the charade can no longer continue. In a moment of desperation, Leo sneaks out of the apartment, embarking on an unplanned adventure through the streets, leaving Molly to frantically search for him. Fortunately, he is rescued by two kind taxi drivers.

Meanwhile, at home, Dolores urges Leo to rise and greet the day. As she prepares a bouquet in the kitchen, he clumsily stumbles upon her, igniting a violent reaction that leads to a hasty chase. Driven by confusion, Leo exits their vehicle on a desolate road, left to navigate his bewilderment alone. He ultimately hitches a ride on the back of a maize truck, ready to face whatever awaits him.

As night falls, Leo finds himself ensnared in a vibrant Day of the Dead celebration at the cemetery, a mystical experience guided by the presence of Dolores. At the grave of their deceased son, Néstor, Leo succumbs to his emotions, expressing anguish and blame for their heartbreaking loss. Tears streaming down his cheeks, he feels the warmth of Dolores’s embrace, embodying their shared sorrow while he longs to reclaim their son.

The next day, Leo seeks refuge at Mikael’s tavern by the sea, striking up a conversation with Anni, a captivating German tourist whose likeness to Molly serves as a wistful reminder of the life he once had. Their lively exchange centers around Leo’s unfinished novel — a poignant narrative reflecting a man’s struggle between the comfort of home and the temptation of escape. As Leo’s enthusiasm intensifies, Anni’s friends grow increasingly weary of his relentless inquiries regarding their opinions on his work.

That evening, Anni and her friends embark on a lively party cruise, which Leo, filled with jealousy and longing, follows from his rowboat. As he tires himself in pursuit, he ultimately finds himself left behind, adrift and alone in the dark sea. The following morning, fishermen discover Leo’s unresponsive body in his boat, diligently searching for identification and answers.

When the police deliver Leo to Molly’s doorstep, she tenderly guides him back into their apartment, where he begins to share stories of parallel lives that intertwine with his own narrative. He recounts his youthful marriage in Mexico and an unexpected demise in Greece. Through a mix of compassion and understanding, Molly reveals the history of their lives — that he was once married to Dolores and returned to the United States after realizing the depth of his mistake. As Leo lies in bed, Molly promises her unwavering support, while in a different reality, a version of Molly prepares to leave their apartment, enveloped in resignation.