All These Small Moments 2019

Drama

Runtime

100 min

Language

English

Directed by

Melissa B. Miller-Costanzo

Made by

Orion Classics

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Plot Summary

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Sixteen-year-old Howie Sheffield lives in Brooklyn with his younger brother, Simon and their parents, Tom Sheffield and Carla Sheffield. Unfortunately, their family life is overshadowed by the increasing strain in Tom and Carla’s marriage, largely due to Tom’s infidelity. As the tension escalates, Howie and Simon quietly watch the emotional gap widen between their parents, feeling the weight of the situation in their own lives.

Howie’s world becomes more complex when he becomes enamored with Odessa, an older woman he often sees during his daily bus rides. Driven by curiosity, he decides to follow her one day, which sparks a tentative yet engaging conversation between them. This budding fascination with Odessa transforms into a near-obsession, providing Howie with an emotional escape from the instability of his home life.

At school, Howie begins to forge a connection with Lindsay, a classmate navigating her own set of social challenges. Their friendship develops gradually, evolving into a more balanced and reciprocal bond compared to Howie’s idealized fixation on Odessa.

As the prospect of his parents’ separation looms closer, Howie starts to confront the emotional ramifications of their failing marriage. Through a series of significant experiences—his complicated interactions with Odessa, the comforting yet confusing relationship with Lindsay, and the palpable disintegration of his parents’ relationship—Howie embarks on a journey toward a deeper understanding of intimacy, the path to adulthood, and the responsibilities that accompany emotional relationships. In the midst of all this, Howie learns valuable lessons about love, connection, and the importance of facing the tumultuous phases of life head-on.

Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of All These Small Moments (2019) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Introduction to the Sheffield Family

Sixteen-year-old Howie Sheffield lives in Brooklyn with his younger brother Simon and their parents, Tom and Carla. The family is facing rising tensions due to underlying issues in their parents' marriage.

Brooklyn

Tom's Infidelity

The marriage between Tom and Carla takes a toll as Tom’s infidelity comes to light, leading to significant emotional distance between them. Howie and Simon quietly bear witness to this deterioration, feeling the strain of their parents' relationship.

Howie's Fascination with Odessa

Howie becomes increasingly captivated by Odessa, an older woman he sees frequently during his bus rides. He eventually follows her one day, initiating a tentative conversation that sparks his deep fascination with her.

Bus

Escaping into Obsession

As his family life becomes more unstable, Howie's fixation on Odessa serves as an emotional refuge. His daydreams about her provide a temporary escape from the tensions he experiences at home.

Meeting Lindsay at School

At school, Howie begins to form a connection with his classmate, Lindsay, who is struggling socially herself. Unlike his idealized obsession with Odessa, his relationship with Lindsay starts to develop on a more mutual and grounded basis.

School

Growing Bond with Lindsay

Howie and Lindsay’s bond strengthens as they share their personal struggles and insecurities. This relationship begins to offer Howie a healthier perspective on intimacy and connection.

Strain of Parental Separation

As Tom and Carla move closer to separation, Howie grapples with the emotional weight of their disintegration. The atmosphere at home becomes increasingly charged, amplifying his internal struggles.

Sheffield Household

Learning About Emotional Responsibility

Amidst the chaos at home and his interactions with both Odessa and Lindsay, Howie starts to realize the complexities of emotional responsibility. He understands that relationships and intimacy require more than just obsession or idealization.

Self-Discovery Journey

Through his experiences, Howie embarks on a journey of self-discovery. He learns to confront his own feelings about love and adulthood while attempting to make sense of the fractured dynamics around him.

Concluding Reflections

In the culmination of his experiences, Howie acknowledges the realities of his family situation. The lessons learned through his relationships with Odessa and Lindsay help shape his understanding of love, loss, and growing up.

Characters

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Howie Sheffield (Brendan Meyer)

Howie is a sixteen-year-old navigating the tumultuous waters of adolescence amidst his parents' crumbling marriage. His character is reflective and observant, often seeking emotional solace in his fascination with older women like Odessa while struggling to form more meaningful relationships. Howie embodies the confusion and longing typical of teenage years.

👦 Teen 💔 Emotions 👀 Observant

Tom Sheffield (Brian d'Arcy James)

Tom is Howie's father, whose infidelity contributes to the family's emotional upheaval. He is portrayed as conflicted and lost, struggling to maintain his role as a father while grappling with his own desires and mistakes. His character represents the complexities of adulthood and the consequences of personal choices on family dynamics.

👨‍👩‍👦 Father 🌪️ Conflict 😔 Regret

Carla Sheffield (Molly Ringwald)

Carla is Howie's mother, who is deeply affected by her husband's infidelity. She portrays resilience but struggles with feelings of betrayal and emotional distance from her children. This character highlights the impacts of relational strife on parental figures and their attempts to cope with painful situations.

👩‍👦 Mother 💪 Resilience 😢 Heartbreak

Odessa (Jemima Kirke)

Odessa is an older woman who captures Howie's imagination and becomes a source of both fascination and idealization. Her presence in the movie symbolizes the allure and complexity of adulthood from a teenager's perspective. Odessa’s character brings themes of desire and emotional escapism into Howie's life.

👩‍🦰 Adult 🌌 Allure ✨ Fascination

Lindsay (Harley Quinn Smith)

Lindsay is Howie's classmate who shares her own social challenges. She represents a more authentic connection for Howie, contrasting with his fantasy of Odessa. Their budding relationship encapsulates the struggles of young love and the importance of mutual understanding and support.

👩 Classmate 🤝 Support 💕 Connection

Setting

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Time period

The movie takes place in contemporary times, where modern relationships and family issues are prevalent. This period is characterized by a focus on individuality and the challenges of adolescence as teens navigate their identities amidst familial turmoil.

Location

Brooklyn

Brooklyn is a vibrant borough of New York City, known for its diverse culture, arts, and innovation. It serves as a backdrop for the movie, reflecting the complexities of urban life and family dynamics. The city’s neighborhoods and social interactions resonate with the themes of growth and emotional challenges faced by the characters.

🏙️ City 🏠 Home

Themes

Discover the main themes in All These Small Moments (2019). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

💔

Family Struggles

The film explores the theme of family struggles, particularly through the lens of Howie's parents' deteriorating marriage. Their infidelity and emotional distance create a tense atmosphere that impacts Howie and Simon deeply. This theme underscores the impact of adult relationships on children and the challenges of maintaining familial bonds.

🌱

Coming of Age

Howie's journey represents the coming of age theme, as he grapples with the complexities of relationships and emotional maturity. His fascination with Odessa versus his connection with Lindsay illustrates the contrast between idealization and genuine intimacy. Through his experiences, Howie learns valuable lessons about love, responsibility, and understanding one's emotions.

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