In Country

In Country 2015

Directed by

Meghan O'Hara

Meghan O'Hara

Made by

BOND360

BOND360

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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of In Country (2015). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


Six old friends, Abby (Amy Poehler), Rebecca (Rachel Dratch), Catherine (Ana Gasteyer), Naomi (Maya Rudolph), Val (Paula Pell), and Jenny (Emily Spyvey) take a weekend vacation to Napa Valley to celebrate Rebecca’s fiftieth birthday, even though Rebecca keeps downplaying her birthday and insisting it’s just a vacation. Abby has recently lost her job but doesn’t tell anyone, Catherine is a successful TV chef who is constantly getting work calls and texts, and Naomi is a mom of four who keeps dodging calls from her doctor.

The ladies arrive to their rental home and meet the eccentric owner, Tammy (Tina Fey), who shows them around and warns them that they’re all going to devolve into wine-soaked fighting, which the girls dismiss. Abby is a little controlling and has a very tight itinerary, and so the women go to a dinner at a fancy local restaurant. Their waitress, Jade Maya Erskine), mentions that she’s recently broken up with her girlfriend, which piques Val’s interest. Before they leave the restaurant, the women spot Brené Brown and rush to ask her questions before politely getting asked to give her space.

After dinner, Catherine takes out some molly pills, but the girls are concerned about their various medications and decide not to do it and instead have more wine and dance. The next morning Abby is startled by Devon (Jason Schwartzmann), who Tammy neglected to tell the women “comes with the house” – he’s an in house chef and driver. Though everyone is very hung over, Abby has a tarot card reading scheduled on the itinerary. Lady Sunshine (Cherry Jones) arrives to do the reading. She tells Abby she’s adrift and panicking, Naomi gets the “death” card (meaning transformation… or death, Sunshine tells them), and Rebecca gets told she’s unmoving and done. She then reads the group, and tells them they need to shed the skins they’ve built up if they want to remain friends.

The women leave for their wine tastings, and Devon drives them to and from the vineyards. Catherine keeps taking work phone calls, Val worries about the text messages she sent to Jade, and Abby is concerned that Rebecca is not facing her fiftieth birthday. One of the vineyards has live music, and Naomi, wine drunk, commandeers the microphone and starts to sing “Eternal Flame”… and then falls off the piano.

Later on, Abby tries to wrangle the group for a drone photo, and gets very irritated when the women aren’t sticking to her itinerary. Rebecca goes to “offer her feedback” (her therapy term), and Abby begins picking at the other girls, which leads to some squabbling before tearfully confessing she lost her job. When the women leave, Abby throws the itinerary out the window. Val gets a text from Jade inviting her to her art show, so they head there. The entire art exhibit is a tribute to Fran Drescher and “The Nanny.” The wine ladies confront the young artists about the art being stupid while Catherine leaves to make another work call. Catherine runs into Tammy, who advises her that if her friends won’t let her talk about work they do not appreciate who she is. Meanwhile, Val thinks that she and Jade are having a moment, but Jade thinks Val is trying to buy a painting.

That night, Abby sleeps with Devon, and Rebecca throws her back out and is discovered by Naomi in the morning. She finally admits she’s scared of getting older and wants to make changes, and admits that she’s in a bad marriage and that her husband Brian sucks (which the other women have been saying the entire trip). Rebecca decides life is too short, and that they are going to do everything on the itinerary for her birthday, and the women wheel her out on a rolling chair. Catherine is missing, with the other women suspecting she abandoned them to do her new TV show. The women surprise Rebecca by recreating the pizza restaurant they all met working as waitresses at. They begin dancing when Catherine walks in furious about once again being left out, and Naomi gets extremely upset, saying Catherine makes herself left out when they all need her. Naomi admits that she got the BRCA gene test and is too scared to get her results, and storms out. When Abby tries to go after her, Rebecca asks her to admit that since she lost her job planning the birthday has given her the only sense of control she’s had, and that’s why she hasn’t listened to any of Rebecca’s wishes about the birthday, and that the weekend is really all about her. Abby storms out after Naomi, and all the women follow. As they argue, Naomi is bitten by a snake. With all the ladies unable to get signal, they all take turns rolling down the hill to get help – which fixes Rebecca’s back. Catherine decides to turn down the big TV offer she’s received because she wants to spend more time living in the present, but tells the others she loves working and that will always be a part of her – which they can’t hear from the bottom of the hill.

At the hospital, Naomi is told the snake that bit her was non-venomous. With the support of the other girls, Catherine calls back Naomi’s doctor, and they find out she does not have the BRCA gene. Val ignores a phone call from Jade, realizing she’s too cool for her. Tammy stops by with flowers and gives the women a ride back to the house. The women, including Tammy, who they invite to stay, finally just simply drink wine and relax and laugh together. Abby admits she slept with Devon – and so does Rebecca. They all celebrate Rebecca’s birthday, happy they came on the trip.

Timeline

Track the key events of In Country (2015) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Arrival in Napa Valley

Six old friends arrive in Napa Valley for a weekend vacation to celebrate Rebecca's fiftieth birthday. They meet their eccentric rental owner, Tammy, who warns them about the potential for wine-soaked fighting, which the group dismisses.

Napa Valley

Dinner at Fancy Restaurant

The women head to a local fancy restaurant for dinner, where they meet their waitress, Jade, who sparks Val's interest. Before leaving, they get a chance to ask questions to the renowned Brené Brown, who they spot at the restaurant.

Local Restaurant

The Molly Dilemma

Catherine suggests taking molly pills for fun, but the rest of the group expresses concern over their respective medications. Instead, they choose to drink more wine and dance the night away.

Tarot Card Reading

The next morning, a tarot card reader named Lady Sunshine arrives to give readings. Each woman's card reveals personal challenges, including Abby's feelings of being adrift, Naomi's fears about transformation, and Rebecca's reluctance to face her age.

Rental Home

Wine Tastings Begin

The group embarks on wine tastings, with Devon, the in-house chef, driving them. During the tastings, tensions rise, as Catherine takes constant work calls, and Abby worries that Rebecca is not embracing her upcoming birthday.

Local Vineyards

Naomi's Performance

At one of the vineyards, Naomi, feeling wine drunk, grabs the microphone and performs 'Eternal Flame' before dramatically falling off the piano. This highlights the carefree yet chaotic evening.

Vineyard

Conflict Arises

Frustration builds when Abby tries to control the group with her strict itinerary. The situation escalates into a confrontation where Abby reveals that she lost her job, leading to a heartfelt moment among friends.

Art Show Experience

The friends visit an art exhibit dedicated to Fran Drescher, but they end up critiquing the art harshly. Meanwhile, Catherine receives advice from Tammy about being true to herself and expressing her work-related frustrations.

Art Exhibit

Rebecca's Realization

After experiencing back pain and a heart-to-heart with Naomi, Rebecca confronts her fears about aging and her unhappy marriage. This ultimately pushes her to embrace her birthday celebrations more fully.

Friendship Strains

During a celebratory pizza restaurant reunion, tensions flare as Catherine expresses anger over feeling excluded. This leads to Naomi revealing her fears about her health, culminating in a dramatic moment when she is bitten by a snake.

Recreated Pizza Restaurant

Rolling for Help

With no cell signal, the group takes turns rolling down a hill to summon help after Naomi's snake bite. This bizarre yet humorous act inadvertently helps Rebecca's previously strained back.

Hill

Hospital Revelation

At the hospital, it turns out Naomi's snake bite was from a non-venomous snake, relieving the tensions of the group. They also discover that Naomi does not have the BRCA gene, leading to a collective sigh of relief.

Hospital

Return to the Rental Home

Tammy returns to check on the women, bringing flowers and a ride back to the rental home. This moment symbolizes the end of their tumultuous weekend, as they choose to relax and enjoy each other's company.

Rental Home

Confessions and Celebration

As they unwind, Abby admits to having slept with Devon, mirroring Rebecca's confession. The women finally come together to celebrate Rebecca's birthday, finding joy and connection amidst their emotional ups and downs.

Characters

Meet the characters that bring In Country (2015) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Abby (Amy Poehler)

Abby is a controlling yet well-meaning friend who is trying to maintain order during the chaotic birthday celebration for Rebecca. Her struggles with losing her job and controlling the weekend’s itinerary highlight her desire for stability amid turmoil. Through the trip, she evolves by learning to prioritize her friendships over her rigid plans.

👩‍🍳 Planner 😟 Insecure 🌈 Supportive

Rebecca (Rachel Dratch)

Rebecca is the birthday girl who downplays her milestone while grappling with the prospect of aging and her unsatisfactory marriage. Her journey reveals her vulnerability and desire for change, prompting her to confront significant truths about her life. The film helps her rediscover joy and the importance of cherishing friendships.

🎂 Birthday Girl 🎭 Complex 🥳 Transformative

Catherine (Ana Gasteyer)

Catherine is a successful TV chef caught between her work obligations and her friends' needs. Her character represents the struggle of balancing career aspirations with personal relationships. Ultimately, her decision to embrace the present and reconnect with her friends marks a significant moment of growth.

👩‍🍳 Ambitious 🌟 Career-Focused 🎉 Social

Naomi (Maya Rudolph)

Naomi is a dedicated mother of four who is dealing with her emotions about potential health issues. She often deflects from addressing her own fears, but the trip allows her to confront her anxieties and discover a stronger sense of self. Her heartfelt moments deepen the emotional connections within the group.

👩‍👧‍👦 Motherhood 😨 Anxious 🎤 Spirited

Val (Paula Pell)

Val's character navigates her romantic interests while being supportive of her friends. Her dynamic personality and pursuit of connection add humor and warmth to the group. Val's journey with Jade reflects the complexities of affection and friendship.

💖 Romantic 😄 Witty 🎨 Artistic

Tammy (Tina Fey)

Tammy, the eccentric rental owner, plays a pivotal role in guiding and challenging the group during their stay. Her quirky personality and insights add levity to the tense moments, serving as a catalyst for self-reflection among the friends.

🎨 Quirky 🔑 Wise 🧑‍🍳 Chef

Setting

Uncover the settings of In Country (2015), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

The events in the movie take place in contemporary times, showcasing the lives of modern women navigating personal challenges and friendships. The story reflects current societal themes, such as work-life balance and the pressures of aging, relevant to today's audiences.

Location

Napa Valley

Napa Valley is renowned for its picturesque vineyards and fine wine production, making it a popular destination for wine enthusiasts and travelers alike. Known for its luxurious resorts and charming small towns, this region provides a serene backdrop for relaxation and celebration. The area's beauty and vibrant culture make it an ideal location for gatherings and personal milestones.

🍷 Wine Country 🎉 Celebration

Themes

Explore the core themes of In Country (2015). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


🌟

Friendship

Friendship is at the core of the film, highlighting the bonds among a group of women who have shared experiences over the years. As they face personal struggles and celebrate milestones, their relationships are tested and strengthened. The journey in Napa Valley serves as a reminder of the importance of support and understanding among friends.

🍾

Self-Discovery

The theme of self-discovery threads through the narrative as each woman confronts her fears and aspirations during their getaway. From Abby's career loss to Rebecca's anxieties about aging, the characters embark on individual journeys that lead to personal revelations. The vacation serves as a catalyst for change, allowing them to reflect on their lives and what truly matters.

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