Sweet Virginia

Sweet Virginia 2017

Directed by

Jamie M. Dagg

Jamie M. Dagg

Made by

IFC Films

IFC Films

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Plot Summary


As the evening unfolds at Lou’s bar, a lively game of poker engages Tom, Lou, and Mitchell, their laughter echoing off the walls. However, this cheerful atmosphere is abruptly disrupted by an uninvited guest—a man who storms in, ignoring the clear “closed” sign. Mitchell, ever watchful, firmly requests his departure, but instead, he faces hostility and a threat that sends the trespasser away. Yet, the story doesn’t end there; this stranger returns with deadly intentions, unleashing a barrage of bullets that tragically leaves Lou, Mitchell, and Tom in a pool of blood.

Amidst this chaos, Sam embarks on a reflective journey through his past as a bull rider. His nostalgic memories come crashing down when he reads about the horrific shooting at Lou’s bar in the morning paper. Struggling to grasp the reality of such senseless violence, he is drawn to a disturbance in room 128. Attempting to quell the noise, he receives nothing but a slammed door for his efforts.

Later, Bernadette, the grieving widow of Tom, reaches out to Sam, inviting him to a gathering honoring her late husband. Initially hesitant, Sam finds himself worn down by her persistence, and they eventually share an intimate night together. However, this encounter is tinged with regret and unresolved emotions as they navigate the intricacies of their developing bond. The following morning, Bernadette awakens him in the dead of night, driven not merely by physical desire but by deeper, more complex motivations as the photograph left behind by Sam—a picture of a woman and a young girl—reveals.

Sam’s morning routine is marred by the lingering effects of his bull riding days; his struggles with mobility serve as a constant reminder of the past. Despite these challenges, his thoughts remain consumed by the tragic shooting at Lou’s, and he grapples with the aftermath of such a devastating incident for so many lives involved.

In a tense confrontation, Lila, filled with venom, faces the man responsible for her husband Mitchell’s death. She demands to know his rationale for the unexpected shooting that claimed Tom and Lou as victims. The man’s lack of remorse is chilling as he shifts the blame back onto Lila, contending that her husband’s demise was a direct consequence of her failure to ensure his timely exit from the bar. He even suggests that perhaps Lila should be celebrating, given her prior desire for vengeance against Mitchell.

The conversation soon turns to financial matters, as the man inquires about his payment. Lila assures him her arrangement will arrive by the week’s end after consultations with Mitchell’s lawyer. This news only intensifies Lila’s resolve as she uncovers the truth about her husband’s deceitful state, marked by bankruptcy and hidden life-insurance policies—a revelation further complicated by the pursuing wrath of his former business associates.

As Lila processes the fallout from Mitchell’s passing, a mysterious figure, Elwood (the shooter), reveals himself to Sam at a local motel. Eager to cover his tracks, Elwood spins a tale of admiration for Sam’s bull-riding skills, claiming that his deceased father once revered him. Captivated, Sam finds himself forging an unexpected friendship with Elwood, and they venture to a diner where vulnerabilities are shared through the stories of their respective struggles.

In the midst of their dialogue, Lila arrives at the diner, her entrance punctuated by the sound of Bernadette’s laughter over milkshakes. Encountering Elwood, a wave of recognition washes over her, prompting a hasty retreat that leaves both men in confusion.

As the night progresses, Lila and Bernadette’s journey home from an ice cream parlor leads to an unsettling tail from Elwood. Utilizing her sharp instincts, Lila evades him deftly, increasing the tension in this growing web of deceit.

The emotional strain surfaces during a phone call with his mother, leading Elwood to a fury-fueled outburst against two unsuspecting men. His menace escalates as he leaves Lila a threatening voicemail, pursued by a rampage that culminates in Lila’s brutal encounter with Elwood’s escalating violence. Determined, she reassures him of her plans to fulfill his monetary demands.

As midnight strikes, Sam prioritizes an evening with Bernadette, inadvertently drawing the attention of Elwood and his accomplice, Paul, who lurk in the shadows, scheming against the oblivious couple. The ensuing chaos reveals Elwood’s intention to rob the wall safe, while Sam’s earlier peaceful night crumbles as he is thrust into a confrontation at the motel over noise complaints from room 128.

Upon discovering the mayhem, Sam’s instincts propel him into the conflict, but his physical limitations leave him vulnerable. After barely escaping, he makes his way to Bernadette’s home to piece together the evening’s chaotic events.

With dawn breaking, Sam’s curiosity prompts a chance encounter with Elwood, ultimately discovering him to be Bernadette’s assailant. A thrilling chase ensues, leading to a confrontation that ultimately challenges both men’s resolve. The violent showdown culminates in Sam grabbing his grandfather’s firearm, which he wields against Elwood, leading to a climactic end to the lawless threats he had posed.

In the aftermath of the night’s violent eruption, investigators uncover Lila’s name from Elwood’s possessions, leading to her arrest. As the scene fades, we find Sam calmly sitting, enveloped in calming memories, while Bernadette expertly trims his hair; his thoughts, however, remain ensnared in the echoes of his tragic riding accident.

Timeline


Poker Night Begins

The evening at Lou's bar kicks off with a spirited game of poker involving Tom, Lou, and Mitchell. The atmosphere is filled with laughter and camaraderie as the friends enjoy each other's company.

Evening Lou's bar

Uninvited Guest Arrives

The jovial environment is disrupted when a man barges into the bar despite the 'closed' sign. Mitchell confronts him and demands he leave, showcasing his protective instincts.

Evening Lou's bar

Threatening Encounter

Instead of leaving peacefully, the intruder responds with hostility, threatening Mitchell and forcing him to back down. This unsettling encounter foreshadows the violence to come.

Evening Lou's bar

The Shooting

The intruder returns with deadly intentions, opening fire in the bar. Lou, Mitchell, and Tom are caught in the crossfire, leaving the scene filled with tragedy and bloodshed.

Evening Lou's bar

Sam's Reflection

As morning breaks, Sam reads about the shooting in the newspaper and reflects on the senseless violence. This moment triggers a wave of nostalgia and some painful memories from his past.

Morning

The Disturbance in Room 128

Sam hears a disturbance coming from room 128 and attempts to intervene. His efforts are met with a slammed door, illustrating the isolation and frustration he feels in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Morning Motel

Bernadette's Invitation

Bernadette, widow of Tom, reaches out to Sam to invite him to a gathering in honor of her late husband. Sam's hesitation crumbles under her persistent urge, leading to a complex connection.

Later that day

Complicated Night Together

During their intimate night together, Sam and Bernadette navigate the complexities of grief and unresolved emotions. The encounter, while passionate, leaves them both feeling conflicted.

Night

Lila's Confrontation

Lila, filled with rage over her husband Mitchell's death, confronts the shooter. Her demand for answers reveals the shocking lack of remorse from the man responsible, deepening her anguish.

Unspecified

Financial Deception

As Lila processes the fallout from Mitchell's death, she learns about the financial troubles he hid from her. The revelation of his hidden life insurance policies adds a layer of betrayal to her grief.

Unspecified

Elwood's Encounter

Elwood seeks to protect his own interests by befriending Sam, masking his true intentions. Their chance meeting at a diner leads to a bonding moment that distracts Sam from the looming danger.

Unspecified Diner

Tension at the Diner

Lila arrives at the diner, creating an awkward situation among the three. Her recognition of Elwood triggers alarm bells, prompting her to leave quickly and raising the stakes of their intertwined fates.

Unspecified Diner

Elwood's Escalation

Angered by a phone call with his mother, Elwood's fury spills over into a violent rampage. His unpredictable nature leads to threats against Lila, intensifying the web of danger surrounding her.

Unspecified

Midnight Chaos

As Sam spends an evening with Bernadette, Elwood and his accomplice plot against them. The peaceful night rapidly degenerates into chaos as their plans take a dark turn.

Midnight

Climactic Confrontation

The night ends in a confrontation between Sam and Elwood, culminating in a desperate struggle. Sam musters his courage and uses his grandfather's firearm to confront the threat posed by Elwood.

Dawn Motel

Characters


Lila Mccabe 🌟 (Imogen Poots)

Lila is a complex character fueled by grief and vengeance after the killing of her husband, Mitchell. Her confrontational nature arises from a desire for answers and closure, yet she also grapples with the repercussions of her husband's hidden life. Lila's evolution throughout the film embodies the struggle between seeking justice and managing heartbreak.

💔 Grief 🔍 Justice 🤔 Complexity

Sam Rossi 🐴 (Jon Bernthal)

Sam is a former bull rider dealing with physical and emotional scars from his past. His character reflects vulnerability as he navigates love, loss, and violence. Sam's growth throughout the story shines a light on resilience while he grapples with feelings of inadequacy and responsibility towards those around him.

💪 Resilience 🤼 Responsibility 🌪️ Turmoil

Bernadette Barrett 🌹 (Rosemarie DeWitt)

Bernadette is portrayed as a grieving widow, struggling to find her footing without her husband, Tom. Her initial vulnerability transforms into a complex relationship with Sam as they navigate their shared grief. The depth of her character reveals layers of emotional struggle and the depth of human connection in times of despair.

💔 Grief 💞 Connection 🌹 Vulnerability

Setting


Time period

The film unfolds in contemporary times, where modern societal issues such as violence and emotional turmoil are explored. The characters’ actions reflect the complexities of today’s world, including the repercussions of past decisions and the struggles of coping with loss.

Location

Lou's bar, local motel, diner, ice cream parlor

Lou's bar serves as the central hub of chaotic events where laughter transforms into tragedy. The local motel is a site for dark encounters and unexpected alliances. The diner acts as a place of vulnerability, where characters share personal struggles while enjoying casual meals. Lastly, the ice cream parlor symbolizes fleeting moments of joy amidst the heavy turmoil.

🍺 Bar 🏨 Motel 🍽️ Diner 🍦 Ice Cream Parlor

Themes


🔫

Violence

The movie grapples with the sudden onset of violence, illustrated through the tragic shooting at Lou's bar that sets off a chain reaction affecting all characters. It raises questions about the senselessness of such actions and their ripple effect on the community. The theme of violence acts as both a plot catalyst and a deeper commentary on its consequences.

💔

Grief

Grief permeates the narrative, especially through Bernadette, who mourns the loss of her husband Tom. Each character's journey reflects different aspects of coping with loss, highlighting the emotional burdens they carry. The film delves into how grief can forge unexpected connections and complicate personal relationships.

🤝

Betrayal

Betrayal is a key theme as characters navigate deceitful relationships, particularly in the aftermath of Tom's death. Lila's revelation about her husband’s secret life insurance policy illustrates the complexities of trust. The intertwining lives of the characters showcase how betrayal can escalate tensions and lead to tragic outcomes.

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