The Savages

In the scorching desert landscape of Arizona, a senseless act of vandalism erupts as Lenny, an elderly man, unleashes his frustration by scribbling feces-covered messages on his bathroom wall. His daughter, Wendy (insert name), an aspiring playwright and temp worker in New York City, is grappling with her own turmoil, having confided to her boyfriend Larry about a false diagnosis of an abnormal pap smear.

As Wendy's life becomes increasingly complicated, she reaches out to her brother Jon (insert name), a drama professor in Buffalo, seeking solace. However, Jon's indifference only adds fuel to the fire, leaving Wendy feeling isolated and helpless. The situation takes a dramatic turn when their father's girlfriend suddenly passes away during a manicure, prompting Wendy and Jon to converge on Arizona.

The siblings are taken aback to learn that their father has been hospitalized at the behest of his girlfriend's children, who can no longer tolerate his behavior in their home, courtesy of a pre-existing legal agreement. Upon visiting Lenny, they're met with his characteristic anger, but also discover that he's struggling with dementia indicative of Parkinson's Disease.

As Wendy and Jon attempt to navigate this crisis, they find themselves at an Arizona nightclub, where they commiserate about their father's fate. Lenny insists that they locate a nursing home, while Wendy is hesitant but unsure of what else to do. The tension between them simmers as they search for a solution.

That night, Wendy overhears Jon on the phone with his ex-girlfriend Kasia, breaking down in tears about their recent breakup. Jon departs early the next morning, leaving Wendy to deal with the aftermath. She returns to the hotel room where she'd been staying and begins to sort through her father's belongings, now that the house is being sold.

Meanwhile, Jon calls from Buffalo to inform Wendy that he's secured a nursing home for their father. As they prepare to reunite Lenny at the hospital, Wendy's anxiety reaches a boiling point. At the airport, she helps her father board a flight, but things take an embarrassing turn when his pants fall down in the aisle.

Jon meets them at the Buffalo airport and escorts them to the nursing home, which is masquerading as a "rehabilitation center" – a stark reminder of their father's new reality. As Wendy watches Lenny struggle to comprehend his surroundings, she becomes overwhelmed with regret. Jon reassures her that they're taking better care of their father than he ever took care of them.

That night, Wendy delves into the research and videos Jon has compiled on nursing homes, a poignant reminder that even in the darkest times, there's always more to be learned and discovered.

As the trio navigates the complexities of Lenny's healthcare directives at a diner, the elderly gentleman's confusion regarding his living arrangements only serves to heighten the tension. His unexpected request to "pull the plug" if necessary catches Wendy and Jon off guard, yet they remain steadfast in their commitment to supporting their father's wishes. Meanwhile, Kasia's sudden return to Poland casts a poignant shadow over the family's dynamics, particularly as Lenny becomes emotionally overwhelmed by her impending departure.

As the siblings' relationships with each other continue to evolve, Jon's tennis mishap results in an injury that forces Wendy to lend her expertise in administering traction support at home. This unexpected turn of events also prompts Jon to invite Wendy to spend Thanksgiving together, with a shared goal of tackling their respective creative projects - a prospect that fills both artists with excitement and trepidation.

Wendy's phone conversation with Larry back in New York serves as a stark reminder of her own emotional turmoil, as she struggles to reconcile her feelings about her cat's care with the uncertainty surrounding Lenny's condition. The siblings' subsequent foray into eldercare education at the local nursing home underscores the challenges they will face in navigating their father's final days.

A screening of The Jazz Singer, requested by Lenny himself, becomes a surreal experience as he becomes convinced that he is the protagonist, prompting Jon to intervene and reassure his father. As they accompany Lenny to a nicer nursing home for an interview, Wendy's growing frustration with her father's declining mental faculties culminates in a heart-to-heart with Jon, who feels compelled to confront their mother's impending mortality.

As Larry arrives on the scene, bringing with him Wendy's feline companion, the stage is set for a poignant exploration of the complexities and contradictions that define human relationships. A drive around Buffalo, punctuated by visits to Niagara Falls and an intimate hotel encounter, serves as a backdrop against which the characters' true emotions are revealed - a delicate balance of vulnerability, empathy, and ultimately, the power of human connection.

As Wendy storms out of Larry's car, she finds herself in the midst of a chaotic scene: Jon (character name) sitting with Lenny (character name), oblivious to the commotion surrounding them. Her anger reaches new heights when she discovers that Lenny's precious pillow has been pilfered by a fellow patient, prompting Wendy to reclaim it. Her frustration only intensifies as she tries to return the pillow to its rightful owner, only to be met with indifference. The stress of the situation eventually boils over, and Wendy flees the room.

Seeking solace from the bitter cold outside, Wendy encounters Jimmy (actor name), a male nurse who offers her a cigarette and invites her to take refuge in his van. As they smoke, she confides in him about her mother's absence and her passion for playwriting. Jimmy proves to be a sympathetic ear, offering words of wisdom when he reveals that her father is not quite ready to meet his maker – at least, not yet. He explains that the toes have not begun to curl, signaling impending mortality.

Reinvigorated by their conversation, Wendy returns to Lenny's room and subjects his toes to an inspection, only to discover that they remain uncurling. The siblings soon embark on a Christmas shopping excursion, with Jon having uncovered the truth about Wendy's Guggenheim fellowship rejection. Her ire is piqued, leading to a heated exchange between the two as they navigate the crowded streets.

Their disagreement carries over into their drive back to the home, with Lenny tuning them out by turning off his hearing aid. Back at the care facility, Lenny's toes begin to betray him, signaling the onset of his demise.

Wendy, oblivious to this development, pays a visit to Jimmy, who has not only read her play but also possesses an impressive understanding of its themes and motifs. Seized by the moment, she launches into a passionate kiss, only to be met with an apology and the revelation that he is already committed to another.

Meanwhile, Jon receives a distressing phone call that leaves him visibly shaken. The siblings soon find themselves at the care facility, where they are confronted with Lenny's rapid decline. They spend the night by his side, and it is Wendy who awakens first, only to be struck by the reality of her father's passing. She rouses Jon from slumber, and together they gaze upon Lenny's lifeless form, her voice barely above a whisper as she declares, "That's it."

In the aftermath of their loss, the siblings gather up Lenny's belongings and prepare for the inevitable goodbye. Wendy eventually returns to New York, where Larry (actor name) pays her a visit, bearing flowers and bearing news that his aged dog requires euthanization due to advanced hip and leg degeneration. In a poignant display of empathy, Wendy envelops him in a warm embrace before he departs.

As the seasons change and time passes, Wendy finds herself reconnecting with Jon at an intimate theatrical setting, where she's helming a production that re-imagines a pivotal moment from their shared past - a haunting tableau of childhood trauma. The weight of the scene proves too much for Jon to bear, and he is overcome with emotion, his tears falling like autumn rain.

As they exit the theater, Jon reveals plans to travel to Poland, where he'll be meeting Kasia's associates - a move that hints at a deeper connection between the two characters. Meanwhile, Wendy takes to the streets, embarking on a solo jog through the city's waking landscape. Unbeknownst to her, she's being shadowed by Larry's faithful canine companion, its movements facilitated by a clever wheeled device as it keeps pace with Wendy's steady stride.