Tone-Deaf

Tone-Deaf 2019

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Plot Summary


As a young girl, Olive Smith makes her debut in a piano recital, but her parents miss this crucial moment due to the turmoil at home — her father, Michael (played by Ray Wise), hangs himself after quarreling with Olive’s mother, Crystal (portrayed by Kim Delaney). Fast forward to adulthood, Olive finds herself in a tough position after breaking up with her demanding boyfriend York. She seeks solace among her friends, Lenore (played by Hayley Marie Norman) and Blaire (portrayed by AnnaLynne McCord), who support her after her sexist boss, Asher (played by Ray Santiago), fires her. Despite being tone-deaf, Olive plays on the keyboard for her friends, who reassure her of her talent.

Haunted memories resurface when Olive witnesses a ghostly apparition of her father near his ashes. In an attempt to cope, she reaches out to Crystal, her mother, who now resides in a hippie commune. Crystal shares that Michael had wished to have his ashes scattered in space and suggests Olive take a weekend break to clear her mind.

Meanwhile, Olive has another distressing encounter with the specter of her father when York arrives with his new girlfriend to collect his belongings. Through an Airbnb, she rents a secluded house owned by Harvey Parker (Robert Patrick), a widower grappling with loneliness and mourning his late wife, Edith. As Harvey bickers about millennials, he is plagues by visions of Edith, including a haunting scene of her committing suicide. When Agnes (Nancy Linehan Charles), a family friend, questions why Harvey is renting his home, tension escalates, leading to Harvey’s decision to confine her against her will.

As Olive plays the piano for her mother over the phone, Harvey is captivated yet disturbed by her performance, prompting him to reveal his grim desire to experience what it feels like to kill. Despite his intentions, he hesitates when it comes to harming Olive and instead resorts to smaller acts of cruelty, such as placing a spider in her contact lens case.

Complications arise when David (Ronnie Gene Blevins), Harvey’s estranged son, unwittingly stumbles upon Olive at the rental while collecting his belongings for a pitch on Shark Tank. Harvey’s mounting anger leads him to violent actions; he begins stalking Olive and takes drastic measures such as violently eliminating those who threaten his plans.

On her own, Olive experiences a psychedelic trip after consuming LSD, culminating in visions of her former boyfriends and a revealing conversation with her father, who encourages her to pick better partners. In the midst of this chaos, Olive receives an alarming phone call from York, only to reject his attempt to reconcile.

As Harvey’s malevolence intensifies, he sabotages Olive’s safety, leading to an ultimate confrontation. With a budding sense of resolution emerging, Crystal and her new acquaintance, Uriah (also linked to Olive’s mother), make their way to the house to assist her. Yet, under duress, they experience setbacks, including a flat tire.

In the climactic battle, armed with a letter opener belonging to Edith, Olive finds herself in a chilling showdown with Harvey. As the situation spirals into chaos, each character must confront their past and the haunting specters that loom over them, culminating in a tragic but cathartic resolution. The tumultuous familial ties intertwine with tragic outcomes, leading to the poignant moment when Olive and Crystal attempt to scatter Michael’s ashes using a toy rocket — a challenging yet hopeful gesture toward understanding their complicated histories and forging their paths forward, despite the lingering shadows of the past.

Timeline


Olive's Piano Recital

Young Olive Smith makes her debut at a piano recital, a significant moment in any child's life. However, her parents, embroiled in turmoil, miss this pivotal event due to a violent confrontation between them.

Piano Recital Hall

Michael's Tragic Decision

After a fierce argument with Olive's mother, Crystal, her father Michael takes his own life. This tragic incident leaves a profound impact on Olive and shapes her relationships moving forward.

Their Home

Breakup with York

In her adulthood, Olive faces a challenging breakup with her demanding boyfriend, York. This event marks a turning point as she seeks comfort from her friends, Lenore and Blaire, to navigate her heartbreak.

Fired by Asher

Olive's troubles worsen when her sexist boss, Asher, fires her. Feeling lost and unsupported, she finds solace in the company of her friends, who encourage her to explore her musical talent despite her lack of skills.

Olive's Workplace

Encountering Her Father's Ghost

Haunted by memories, Olive sees a ghostly apparition of her father near his ashes. This eerie encounter compels her to reach out to her mother, Crystal, to seek some closure and understanding.

Crystal at the Commune

Olive contacts her mother, who now lives in a hippie commune, seeking advice on how to cope with her father's death. Crystal reveals that Michael wanted his ashes scattered in space, suggesting that Olive take a weekend to clear her mind.

Hippie Commune

York's Return

Olive's emotional state worsens when York returns with his new girlfriend to collect his belongings. The confrontation stirs up old feelings, further complicating her attempts to move on.

Olive's Home

Renting Harvey's House

Seeking solitude, Olive rents a secluded house owned by widower Harvey Parker, who is in mourning for his late wife. Their interactions reveal Harvey's deep-seated loneliness and distress as he grapples with memories of Edith.

Harvey's House

Harvey's Dark Intentions

As Olive plays piano for her mother over the phone, Harvey becomes fascinated but also disturbed by her. His internal conflict escalates as he reveals his dark desire to kill, yet he hesitates when it comes to Olive.

Harvey's House

David's Discovery

David, Harvey's estranged son, unintentionally stumbles upon Olive during a visit to collect his belongings for a pitch on Shark Tank. This meeting increases the tension and leads to Harvey's violent reactions as his frustrations mount.

Harvey's House

Olive's Psychedelic Trip

Olive embarks on a psychedelic trip after consuming LSD, which leads her to confront her past relationships. During this journey, she has a poignant conversation with her father's spirit, gaining insight into her romantic choices.

The Call from York

Amidst the chaos, Olive receives a shocking phone call from York, who attempts to reconcile. In a moment of strength, she chooses to reject his overtures, affirming her decision to move forward on her own terms.

Confrontation with Harvey

As Harvey's menacing behavior escalates, he starts stalking Olive, leading to a climactic confrontation. Olive musters her courage to stand against him, confronted by the ghosts of her past as the situation becomes increasingly dangerous.

Crystal and Uriah's Arrival

In a bid to rescue Olive, Crystal and Uriah attempt to reach her but face obstacles, including a flat tire. This setback adds to the urgency of the situation as Olive faces Harvey alone.

On the way to Harvey's House

Scattering Michael's Ashes

In the poignant finale, Olive and Crystal try to scatter Michael's ashes using a toy rocket. This moment symbolizes their struggle for understanding and healing from their troubled pasts as they navigate their complex family dynamics.

Characters


Olive Smith

Olive is a young woman striving to find her identity amidst chaos and trauma. Despite her tone-deafness, she possesses a passion for music that becomes her solace. Her journey is marked by resilience as she confronts her troubled past and navigates complicated relationships, embodying both vulnerability and strength.

👩‍🎤 Musician 😢 Grief 🌱 Resilience

Michael

Michael is Olive's father, whose tragic actions profoundly affect his family's dynamics. His struggles highlight the impact of despair and unresolved conflicts. Appearing as a specter, he embodies Olive's haunting memories and ultimately serves as a catalyst for her journey towards understanding and healing.

👨‍👧 Father 🖤 Despair 🌫️ Ghost

Crystal

Crystal, Olive's mother, represents the complexities of coping with loss and seeking personal freedom. Her decision to live in a commune indicates her search for peace and self-discovery. The maternal bond is central to the film, as she and Olive strive to reconnect despite their tumultuous history.

👩 Mother 🌼 Freedom 🔄 Reconnection

Harvey Parker

Harvey is the widower and owner of the Airbnb, struggling with loneliness and grief over his late wife. His interactions with Olive reveal his darker side and the potential for dangerous impulses. Despite his antagonism, he also represents the challenge of processing loss while navigating new relationships.

👴 Grieving 🌒 Antagonist 😡 Loneliness

Setting


Time period

The events unfold in contemporary times, showcasing modern relationship struggles and the impact of past traumas on present life. The film captures the essence of today's societal challenges, including loneliness, familial loss, and the complexities of mental health.

Location

Airbnb, Hippie Commune, Secluded House

The movie takes place in a variety of settings, including a secluded Airbnb that serves as a retreat for Olive. The hippie commune where her mother Crystal resides symbolizes a search for peace and alternative lifestyles. The house owned by Harvey Parker reflects his isolation and struggle with grief, becoming a critical backdrop for the film's tension.

🏡 Airbnb 🌻 Commune 🌌 Seclusion

Themes


🕊️

Loss

The film deeply explores themes of loss, focusing on Olive's relationship with her deceased father and her mother's emotional struggles. Characters are haunted by their pasts, with each grappling with grief and the complexities of moving on. This theme underscores the importance of confronting and understanding loss to find resolution.

💔

Healing

Healing is a central theme in the narrative, showcased through Olive's attempts to navigate her troubled relationships and find solace. As she confronts her father's ghost and unravels her past, the film emphasizes the journey toward emotional healing and the necessity of addressing painful memories.

⚔️

Violence

Violence lingers throughout the film, manifesting in both physical and emotional forms. Harvey's malevolence towards Olive and his own son introduces a darker tone. The struggle between characters reveals how unresolved issues can escalate into harmful actions, highlighting the consequences of emotional turmoil.

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