The World We Make 2019

Lee and her older brother Casey, portrayed by Richard Kohnke, share a deep bond with horses, a love instilled in them by their late mother. When Lee finishes high school, Casey proposes they embark on a cross-country horse-riding adventure together, a notion that delights Lee, as it grants her the opportunity to contemplate her future. However, after an unexpected tragedy claims Casey’s life in a devastating car accident, Lee’s world turns upside down. Struggling with grief, her father, Jeff, played by Kevin Sizemore, isolates himself in the garage, obsessively working on the car he was building for Casey.

In the midst of this turmoil, Lee finds herself carrying the weight of responsibility for the family. Just when she feels overwhelmed, Casey’s best friend, Jordan, steps in to lend a hand, despite his own fears of horses. As portrayed by Caleb Castille, Jordan becomes a crucial figure in Lee’s life, also forming a connection with her younger brother Logan, played by Gunnar Sizemore. As their friendship blossoms, the two begin to develop feelings for each other, which forces them to confront the societal tensions tied to their different backgrounds.

Unlike Lee, Jordan’s life seems to be on a clear path. He is currently attending a local college and has secured a spot at a prestigious university in California through a football scholarship, aiming to attend business school. However, he faces challenges stemming from his father, Thomas, played by Gregory Alan Williams, who squandered all of Jordan’s college savings on gambling. As their romantic relationship unfolds, Jordan finds himself grappling with both personal and external pressures, compounded by the racial profiling he frequently endures.

As the community notices their relationship, the hostility faced by Jordan intensifies. Lee, too, finds herself confronting her biases, which are highlighted when she wrongly assumes Jordan will excel at basketball simply due to his race. After their dating begins, Jordan starts to fill the void left by Casey among Lee’s family. In a significant gesture of trust, Jeff even allows Jordan to take the first ride in the newly restored car, a connection further complicated when a confrontation with Lee’s classmates leads to Jordan’s hospitalization. This incident forces Lee and her family to recognize the harsh realities of racism that Jordan invariably faces. Simultaneously, Lee encounters her own prejudices, particularly from Thomas.

Despite the external pressures trying to pull them apart, Lee and Jordan craft a private sanctuary for themselves. Yet, real-world struggles disrupt their refuge, particularly when doctors advise Jordan against playing football if he wishes to avoid serious injury. Without the sport, his scholarship hangs in the balance, and lacking alternatives, he reluctantly seeks work at Thomas’s workplace, igniting frustrations and insecurities within their relationship.

Jordan ultimately decides to end their relationship, resigning himself to a fate he believes is inevitable. However, Lee’s unwavering support shines through as she navigates her own path of grief. Caught in a cycle of responsibilities, she clings to Casey’s horse, a poignant reminder of her brother. When she finally sells the horse, her grief surfaces, but it also catalyzes a selfless decision: gifting Jordan some of the money so he can pursue his aspirations, despite their separation.

Jordan initially struggles with feelings of inadequacy and the belief that he and Lee don’t truly belong together. Nevertheless, Lee’s actions demonstrate her commitment and willingness to actively support him through difficult times. The uniqueness of their bond prompts Jordan to reassess his views. Eventually, their relationship expands to include both of their families, as even Thomas recognizes the need for healing and acceptance.

The horseshoe, once belonging to Casey, becomes a symbol of resolution; he had hoped to toss it into the Pacific by the journey’s end. With newfound courage, Jordan learns to ride, empowering him to confront his past and the difficulties he faces. Reunited, Lee and Jordan set out on the journey Casey envisioned, joined by Jeff and Logan in a car. The trip offers all of them a chance for catharsis, culminating in a poignant moment as Lee fulfills Casey’s final wish by throwing the horseshoe into the ocean, symbolizing both closure and the enduring bonds of family and friendship.