Milkwater

Milkwater 2021

Runtime

101 min

Language

English

English

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Plot Summary


As the ordinary routine fades at Noor’s baby shower, Molly Bernard faces a deepening existential crisis that casts a long shadow over her twenties. The weight of purposelessness lingers heavily, much like an unwelcome guest. When Robin de Jesus departs for a date, his carefree spirit intensifies Milo’s feelings of isolation. In search of comfort, she ventures into a local bar, where she encounters Roger, a seasoned and insightful gay man whose life revolves around his cherished drag club. This unexpected meeting sparks an unlikely friendship, with Milo captivated by Roger’s honest reflections on his enduring dream of having a family. Despite his fervent attempts at adoption and surrogacy, his aspirations remain unfulfilled, resulting in a profound sense of yearning.

As their relationship deepens, Milo becomes increasingly aware of Roger’s struggles and bravely decides to step into the role of surrogate mother. However, as they navigate the complexities of potential parenthood, Milo begins to develop romantic feelings for Roger—emotions that he, apprehensive about compromising his own dreams, finds challenging to reciprocate. Concurrently, her connections with Noor, George, and his partner start to unravel, suggesting that her social fabric is fraying. With escalating tension in her life, Milo must face the complicated interplay between friendship and love while shouldering the significant responsibilities associated with carrying a child.

In the climax of their journey, Roger’s choice to raise the child alone prompts Milo to reassess her emotional boundaries. This pivotal moment brings about a deep understanding of the limits she must establish for herself. Armed with newfound clarity, she embarks on the challenging path of reconciling her initial intentions with the unforeseen developments that have altered her life.

Timeline


Noor's Baby Shower

The celebratory atmosphere of Noor's baby shower takes place, which serves as a backdrop for the unfolding drama. However, amidst the festivities, Molly Bernard, also known as Milo, confronts a deepening existential crisis that casts a long shadow over her life.

Milo's Isolation

As her friends enjoy the celebration, Milo feels increasingly isolated, especially after Robin de Jesus leaves for a date. This departure accentuates her feelings of purposelessness and reflects the growing chasm in her emotional state.

Meeting Roger

Seeking solace, Milo decides to visit a local bar where she unexpectedly meets Roger, a seasoned gay man whose life revolves around his beloved drag club. Their initial encounter sparks a unique friendship, allowing Milo to connect with someone who understands the complexities of life.

Local Bar

Roger's Aspirations

During their conversations, Milo learns about Roger's heartfelt aspirations of starting a family through adoption and surrogacy. His candid reflections on unfulfilled dreams strike a chord with her, deepening their bond.

Becoming a Surrogate

As their friendship flourishes, Milo makes a brave decision to become a surrogate mother for Roger, stepping into a role she never anticipated. This choice leads her to confront complicated questions about motherhood and personal identity.

Developing Romantic Feelings

While navigating the complexities of potential parenthood, Milo starts to develop romantic feelings for Roger. This emotional shift complicates their dynamic as Roger grapples with his own dreams and his reluctance to reciprocate her feelings.

Fraying Social Connections

Milo's relationships with her friends Noor, George, and his partner begin to fray as she focuses more on her evolving situation with Roger. This gradual unraveling of her social fabric signifies her growing inner turmoil.

Tension Escalates

As tensions rise in Milo's life, she is forced to confront the complex interplay between friendship and love while managing the responsibilities of being a surrogate. The weight of these conflicting emotions becomes increasingly difficult to bear.

Roger's Decision

In a pivotal moment, Roger decides to raise the child alone, which compels Milo to reassess her emotional boundaries. This choice leads to a critical reflection on her initial intentions and the path her life has taken.

Milo's Self-Discovery

Armed with newfound clarity about her situation and the limits she must set for herself, Milo embarks on a journey of self-discovery. She now faces the challenge of reconciling her original motivations with the unforeseen developments in her life.

Characters


Milo (Molly Bernard)

Milo is a young woman in her twenties grappling with an existential crisis, characterized by deep feelings of isolation. Her journey leads her to forge a meaningful connection with Roger, as she contemplates the complexities of friendship and love. Throughout the film, Milo's character evolves as she learns to navigate her emotions and responsibilities.

🎭 Main Character 💔 Struggling 🌱 Self-Discovery

Roger (Robin de Jesus)

Roger is a seasoned and insightful gay man whose life revolves around his aspirations for a family. His candid reflections on his dreams of parenthood draw Milo in, creating an unexpected bond between them. Despite his struggles with unfulfilled ambitions, Roger's wisdom and experiences guide Milo through her own challenges.

🎭 Mentor 🌈 Family Aspirations 💔 Emotional Complexity

Noor (Ava Eisenson)

Noor is Milo's friend whose baby shower serves as the catalyst for Milo's emotional turmoil. While she represents life and joy, Noor's presence also showcases the contrasts in Milo's feelings of purposelessness. This relationship highlights the societal pressures regarding motherhood and friendship.

👶 Expectant Mother 🎉 Celebration

Setting


Time period

The movie unfolds in contemporary times, reflecting the struggles and aspirations of individuals in their twenties. This period is marked by uncertainties, particularly around relationships, parenthood, and self-identity. As Milo navigates her experiences, the story sheds light on the emotional turbulence that often accompanies this stage of life.

Location

Local Bar

The local bar serves as a refuge for Milo, a place where she seeks comfort and connection amid her existential crisis. Known for its vibrant atmosphere, it becomes the setting for her unexpected friendship with Roger. It's a space where locals gather, share stories, and explore life's complexities over drinks.

🍹 Bar 🎭 Social Hub

Themes


💔

Love vs. Friendship

The film intricately weaves the theme of love and friendship, exploring the complexities that arise when these two emotions intertwine. Milo's bond with Roger evolves, leading her to grapple with romantic feelings that challenge the boundaries of their friendship. This theme highlights the difficulties in maintaining relationships when personal aspirations and feelings collide.

🌱

Self-Discovery

Milo's journey throughout the film represents a profound quest for self-discovery. As she confronts her sense of purposelessness and the responsibilities of becoming a surrogate mother, she gains clarity on her emotional needs and aspirations. This theme emphasizes the transformative power of uncovering one's true self amidst life's challenges.

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