Auggie Rose 2001

In the midst of his uninspiring career as a life insurance salesman, John Nolan (Jeff Goldblum) finds his life drastically altered when he inadvertently witnesses the brutal murder of Auggie Rose (Kim Coates), a former convict striving to reintegrate into society. This traumatic event weighs heavily on John, igniting a deep sense of responsibility and anger towards the lack of action from law enforcement in solving the crime and finding Auggie’s loved ones.

As he digs deeper into Auggie’s history, John learns that this man had spent twenty years behind bars for armed robbery before being released—and now murdered under tragic circumstances. Despite warnings from LAPD officer Decker (Richard T. Jones) to stay out of it, John’s obsession intensifies, leading him to neglect his relationship with his girlfriend, Carol (Nancy Travis). Amid this turmoil, a collection of letters unveils a connection between Auggie and Lucy (Anne Heche), a charming Southern woman who remains blissfully unaware of her friend’s fate, set to arrive the following day.

With only his secretary Noreen (Paige Moss) knowing he’s on leave from work, John embarks on a mission to meet Lucy. However, he finds himself taking on the identity of Auggie, moving into his apartment and fostering a relationship with Lucy while securing a position at a local market as a stock boy. Meanwhile, the intriguing Roy Mason (Timothy Olyphant), another ex-con connected to Auggie, approaches John with a plan to rob the L.A. Transit Authority, which handles an impressive haul of $200,000 daily with minimal security. Confronted with this proposition, John grapples with his evolving loyalty to the deceased and the allure of a dangerous heist.

As John’s metamorphosis from a mundane businessman to an audacious free spirit unfolds, he finds joy in the simple pleasures of life and the warmth of his connection with Lucy. Yet, his new persona does not go unnoticed, as both Roy and Decker trail him closely. Tensions mount when Roy, consumed with paranoia, tracks John to his workplace and uncovers a photograph of him, leading to an explosive confrontation outside Auggie’s apartment. Accusations fly as Roy believes that John has maliciously taken Auggie’s identity.

Amidst the chaos, their disagreement culminates in a physical altercation, whereby John ultimately asserts his dominance, compelling Roy to leave. In a surprising turn of events, John decides to appease Roy by offering him a counterfeit insurance policy in Auggie’s name, a policy valued at $100,000, with no designated beneficiary. This move effectively concludes their heated exchange.

Simultaneously, John’s own trauma resurfaces as he grapples with recurring visions of the night he witnessed Auggie’s tragic end. He frequently relives the nightmare—the moment he stepped into the open with a bottle of wine only to meet a sudden, violent fate.

Lucy, sensing John’s turmoil, opens up about her past, revealing that she had once married a man she never loved after Auggie’s death. This marriage was short-lived, disrupted when her husband learned about her letters to Auggie, leading Lucy to confide in John, who represents everything she believed Auggie could have been.

Stricken by Lucy’s revelation, John recognizes it’s time to unveil the truth about himself. This burden of deception proves overwhelming for Lucy, driving her away from John’s life and leaving him to bear the weight of his choices alone.

Navigating this emotional quagmire, John decides to sever his ties with his previous identity, selling his stake in the automotive business to his partner, Carl (Casey Biggs). A poignant moment arises when John runs into Carl’s family at the office, where they seek his financial advice. In a moment of reflection, John offers this sage advice: > “I think you should go home and make love to your wife and pray that nothing bad happens, and ask yourself each day, ‘if it were to end right here right now, would it be enough?’”

This introspection leads John to create a symbolic headstone for himself, inscribed with the phrase “Free at last.” He also tip-offs Decker about Roy’s upcoming heist, resulting in Roy’s apprehension for breaching his parole while attempting to cash in on the life insurance policy.

Finally, as John returns to the bustling market to continue his new life, he is assigned to retrieve a fine bottle of wine from storage. Emerging into the sunlit day, he is unexpectedly greeted by Lucy, who enthusiastically exclaims, “Hi, Auggie.” This encounter throws John off balance, gradually dissolving his defenses as he absorbs the genuine warmth radiating from Lucy’s presence.