Are You Here 2014

Steve Dallas, a charming yet indulgent weatherman, revels in a lifestyle filled with fleeting pleasures and extravagant spending, all made possible by his job at the WRSC news channel. Although he enjoys the luxuries of life, he often leans on his diligent assistant, Delia Shepard, to manage the weather forecasts. In his spare time, Steve hangs out with his old friend Ben Baker, a laid-back individual who lives for the blissful pursuit of happiness and cannabis.

Their carefree existence is disrupted when Ben knocks on the door of the WRSC office, visibly shaken and distressed. He conveys the news of his father’s passing, leading Steve to take him to the funeral. As fate would have it, their journey takes a detour when they decide to rescue crayfish intended for bait, resulting in their late arrival. They reach just in time to witness the casket being lowered, but warm greetings await them, especially from Ben’s stepmother, Angela, a youthful special education teacher.

When the will is read, a shocking revelation unfolds: Angela is left with nothing, as per her husband’s wishes, while Ben’s sister, Terry, inherits a considerable sum of $350,000. To Ben’s dismay, he finds himself the recipient of the family farm, the general store, and a sizable inheritance of $2,000,000. In a burst of inspiration, he resolves to use his newfound wealth to create a school dedicated to New Age practices, starting classes in the backyard of his family farm. However, his excitement is short-lived, as Terry questions his mental stability and pushes for a psychiatric evaluation.

As the evaluation day nears, Ben wrestles with anxiety and finds peace in the simpler ways of a nearby Amish community. The psychiatrist confirms that, although Ben is bipolar, he doesn’t pose a risk to himself or anyone else, allowing him to keep his inheritance. That night, in a celebration of sorts, Ben and Steve indulge in revelry, and Steve attempts to express his feelings for Angela.

Yet joy is fleeting for Ben, as a depressive episode strikes, clouding his thoughts and leading him to feel adrift in life. In an effort to support him, Angela shares a moment of intimacy with Ben, deepening their connection. The following day, after taking his medication, Ben makes a significant gesture by passing control of the store to Terry, who is eager to modernize it.

Meanwhile, Steve feels his routine pressing down on him, the monotony stifling his ambition, especially as he becomes more enamored by Angela’s radiant spirit. Unable to resist the pull, he heads to the farm, only to be confronted with disheartening news: Terry reveals that Ben has crossed a boundary by being intimate with Angela. Consumed by anger, Steve angrily confronts Ben, demanding ownership of the farm. Despite recent efforts to clean up his act for Angela’s sake, Steve loses his composure and retreats to the city, immersing himself in reckless distractions of drinking and marijuana.

On the other hand, Ben yearns for a fresh start and decides to settle in the town center, striving for a life grounded in authenticity. As Steve reflects on how much of himself he has invested in helping Ben, he realizes he’s been living through his friend’s struggles. This newfound clarity drives him to take bold action: he resigns from his weatherman position and returns to the farm. There, he reconciles with Ben, both of them ready to carve out a new direction.

As the story closes, Steve reaches out to Angela, inviting her to join him on the farm, where they can jointly embrace the joys of life. Angela agrees, offering her forgiveness and the promise of a blossoming romance. In an uplifting conclusion, Ben is seen taking his first steps toward building a connection with a single mother from the neighborhood, signaling a hopeful new beginning for him as well.