Love and Death on Long Island 1998

Giles Locks Himself Out

Giles De'Ath, a quintessentially British writer, finds himself locked out of his flat due to misplacing his keys. As a storm rages outside, he is unable to return inside, setting the stage for unexpected events.

The Wrong Theater

In search of entertainment during the storm, Giles plans to watch an E. M. Forster film. However, he mistakenly enters a theater playing *Hotpants College II*, a film that introduces him to the charming Ronnie Bostock.

Giles Becomes Obsessed

Captivated by Ronnie's youthful allure, Giles develops an all-consuming obsession with the young actor. This fascination propels him to frequent the cinema, where he immerses himself in Ronnie's filmography.

Collecting Memorabilia

Giles' obsession leads him to collect teen magazines and memorabilia featuring Ronnie Bostock. He invests in a VCR and television to watch Ronnie's movies on rented tapes, further alienating himself from his daily life.

Isolation Increases

As Giles becomes more engrossed in his newfound passion, he increasingly isolates himself from his housekeeper. He restricts her access to his office, creating a cocoon of solitude where his obsession can thrive.

Friends' Concerns

Giles' friends and associates begin to notice his eccentric behavior and growing obsession. Concerned for his well-being, his agent suggests that he take a vacation to alleviate his unusual fixation.

Traveling to Long Island

Determined to connect with Ronnie, Giles embarks on a journey to Long Island. Upon arrival, he begins his quest to find the actor, navigating unfamiliar surroundings in pursuit of his idol.

Meeting Audrey

Giles' luck turns when he spots Ronnie's girlfriend, Audrey, at a supermarket. He devises a bold plan to collide his shopping cart with hers, leading to an introduction under the pretext of his fictitious goddaughter's admiration for Ronnie.

Building a Connection

Engaging with Audrey proves fruitful as she appreciates Giles’ admiration for Ronnie. Their lengthy conversation establishes a rapport, with Audrey promising that she and Ronnie will invite Giles over to discuss his career soon.

Frequent Visits to Ronnie's Home

Giles begins to frequent Ronnie and Audrey's household, becoming a familiar face. He flirts with the idea of penning a script for Ronnie, convinced it would showcase the actor's talents more effectively than current roles.

Audrey's Wariness

As time passes, Audrey grows suspicious of Giles' intentions toward Ronnie. She decides to inform Giles of her plans to take Ronnie on a trip to visit her parents, worrying Giles with this news.

Giles Confronts Ronnie

Disturbed by the news of Ronnie's impending trip, Giles steers the conversation to his feelings for Ronnie. He implores the actor to rethink his relationship with Audrey, presenting a misguided perspective on relationships between artists and younger men.

Rejection and Compassion

Although Ronnie firmly rejects Giles' advances, he expresses genuine concern for Giles' well-being. This moment reveals the complex dynamics of admiration and the boundaries of friendship.

Climactic Screening

The film culminates in a screening of Ronnie's new project from the *Hotpants College* series. The emotional weight of the film is underscored by a poignant scene where Ronnie recites Walt Whitman’s words at his mother’s funeral, showcasing his range as an actor.