You're Not You 2014

As the clock strikes Kate’s (Hilary Swank) 35th birthday milestone, she and her husband Evan (Josh Duhamel) embark on a tender moment in the shower, their intimacy punctuated by the gentle lapping of water against the tile. Later that evening, they host a dinner party for their closest friends, with Kate showcasing her remarkable piano skills to an audience entranced by her talent. However, as she plays on, her hands begin to tremble and shake, betraying the subtle fragility that now defines her life.

A year and a half would pass before we meet Bec (Emmy Rossum), who wakes up in bed beside a stranger, the lingering echoes of their night’s passion slowly fading. As reality sets in, she scrambles to get ready for an important job interview, her sense of urgency only intensified by the ticking clock.

Meanwhile, Kate’s world has been turned upside down. Diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), a merciless and incurable disease that ravages the motor neuron pathways, leaving its victim slowly paralyzed and eventually succumbing to death. Despite Evan’s best efforts to support her, Kate finds herself increasingly reliant on caregivers, her dignity and autonomy gradually eroding. Her latest hire, Bec, may not have impressed Evan with her initial interview, but Kate sees something in her - a glimmer of empathy and understanding that transcends the superficial.

Bec’s first foray into Kate’s care is a baptism by fire, as she struggles to help her new charge onto the toilet, only to tumble down alongside her, their bodies entwined in an awkward dance. As they navigate this precarious new reality together, Bec’s own insecurities and fears begin to surface.

In the evenings, Bec finds solace in drinks with her best friend and roommate Jill (Stephanie Beatriz), who offers a sympathetic ear as Bec confides about her latest misadventures. It’s here that she encounters Wil (Jason Ritter), a charming and affable presence who tries to lift her spirits. However, this chance encounter is soon complicated by the reappearance of Liam (Julian McMahon), a college professor with whom Bec shares a troubled past. His very presence seems to trigger a primal response in her, as she seeks to assert her independence by hooking up with Wil - only to reject his advances the following morning, her boundaries still reeling from the aftershocks of their night together.

As the days blend together in a haze of hangovers and broken promises, Bec finds herself consistently running late to Kate’s doorstep, her apologies and excuses worn thin like the threads on a frayed rope. But despite the constant delays, Bec proves to be a loyal and well-intentioned companion, doing her best to help Kate navigate the treacherous landscape of their lives. It’s only when Kate asks Bec to fetch her laptop and reveal the truth about Evan’s (Evan) clandestine affair with his secretary Cynthia (Erin Chenoweth), that the dam breaks, and reality crashes down on them both.

The evening wears on, with Kate struggling to find her footing - literally - as she attempts to walk unassisted for the first time in a long while. Her fragile confidence shattered by a tumble down the stairs, Kate sends out a distress signal in the form of a blank text message to Bec, who arrives just in time to lend a helping hand. As they navigate the aftermath of Kate’s fall, Bec proves herself to be a rock-solid support system, helping Kate into the shower and eventually coaxing her onto her own feet - or at least, as much as she can.

As the days turn into weeks, Kate’s physical decline becomes more pronounced, her speech and breathing growing increasingly labored. Despite her worsening condition, Kate remains resolute in her refusal to accept experimental treatments, instead choosing to face her mortality with a mix of resignation and defiance. Meanwhile, Bec finds solace in her own illicit affair with Liam (no actor credited), a secret that she’s desperate to keep hidden from prying eyes.

It’s against this backdrop of secrets and lies that Kate and Bec embark on a series of adventures designed to shake off the blues and find some semblance of joy. A chance encounter with Marilyn (Loretta Divine) and her husband John (Ernie Hudson), both of whom are dealing with their own health struggles, provides a much-needed dose of perspective and camaraderie. As they bond over their shared experiences and indulge in a little recreational indulgence, Kate’s inhibitions begin to slip, revealing a side of herself that she thought had long been silenced.

As the stakes grow higher and the tension between Bec and Kate reaches a boiling point, it seems as though their friendship may not be enough to keep them afloat. But even as they face down the challenges ahead, Kate finds solace in the arms of Wil (no actor credited), a charming stranger who brings out the best in her. And when she begins to reminisce about an old flame from before her marriage to Evan, it’s clear that Kate still holds out hope for a love that might just be waiting in the wings.

As Evan (actor name) attempts a belated apology to Kate for his transgressions, she entrusts Bec to convey her sentiments, revealing a deeper concern - not the infidelity itself, but the crushing sense of invisibility that came with being struck by the disease. This vulnerability sparks an unexpected camaraderie between Kate and Bec, as they bond over shared experiences and forge a stronger connection. Their friendship blossoms, culminating in a heartwarming Thanksgiving celebration with Marilyn (actor name), John, Jill, Jill’s lesbian partner, and Wil. Amidst the merriment, Wil and Bec share a tender moment on the dance floor.

As the story unfolds, Marilyn’s health takes a turn for the worse, and she is placed under ventilator care in the hospital. Kate implores Bec to ensure her friend does not succumb to a similar fate. Days later, Alyssa and Keely (Ali Larter) extend an invitation to lunch, probing Bec about her standing in Kate’s will - a query that seems particularly egregious given Alyssa’s own close relationship with Kate.

Evan returns to check on Kate’s well-being, only to be met with a candid assessment: she knows he never truly saw her for who she was, and it’s a shared responsibility that their relationship ultimately floundered. As the holiday season approaches, Bec finds herself immersed in the festive atmosphere at Kate’s home, where an unexpected visit from her parents (Gareth Williams and Marcia Gay Harden) disrupts the tranquility. When Bec and her mother retreat to another room, Kate and Jill eavesdrop on a heated argument that reveals a long-held secret: Bec’s abandonment of college.

The tension dissipates only briefly before Bec is asked to depart, her presence having inadvertently stalled her own progress. The sting of rejection lingers as Bec returns to deliver the devastating news of Marilyn’s passing. As Kate and Evan pay their respects at her funeral, John delivers a poignant eulogy, referencing Marilyn’s self-proclaimed moniker - “the black Lou Gehrig” - a poignant reminder of her indomitable spirit.

As Kate’s condition worsens, her parents arrive to take charge of her care, only to be met with a devastating turn of events: Kate has granted Bec the power to make decisions on her behalf, rather than Evan. This revelation sets off a chain reaction as Bec rushes to the hospital to process the news alongside Kate’s parents, while Gwen implores Bec not to take away her daughter from her.

As Kate is brought back home, Bec and Evan work together to keep her comfortable, even rekindling her passion for playing the piano. However, the reality of Kate’s situation proves too much for Evan, who must come to terms with his wife’s new limitations. In a poignant moment, he shares one final embrace with Kate before departing, leaving Bec to care for her friend.

As the night wears on, Kate’s breathing becomes labored once more, and Bec, aware that she cannot intervene, rushes to her side, holding her until the end. The stillness of the night is punctuated only by the sound of Bec’s tears.

In the aftermath, Bec sits alone on the steps outside her home, lost in thought. Wil appears beside her, and for a moment, they sit together in silence, their thoughts consumed by the promise Kate extracted from Bec: to find someone who sees her for who she is. As the credits roll, we are treated to a glimpse of Bec’s resilience as she takes the stage at a local bar, her voice soaring in song.

In this bittersweet conclusion, Bec has not only kept her promise but also found solace in her music, a testament to Kate’s enduring spirit and their unbreakable bond.