Knock Down
Now R 475
Description
Anne Freeman has spent weeks planning a 60th birthday celebration for her husband, Mark, at their beach house in New Jersey. The aging mid-century structure which Mark's grandfather built, and she and Mark inherited from his parents, is Mark's favorite place in the whole world. Anne adores the house, too. Although, Anne's relationship with the house is complicated as she navigates her role as mistress of the house in the shadow of Mark's eccentric sister, Lori. Lori waltzes around the beach house playing her banjo, seemingly without a care in the world, while Anne frets over honoring a list of Freeman beach house traditions (there is only one correct way to fold the towels). Out of the blue, Anne and Mark have received an offer to sell the property for more money than they could ever have imagined. Should they sell, renovate, or knock the house down and build a new home on the original lot? The decision looms as family and friends assemble at the house. Anne's daughter and her mysterious French boyfriend, Anne's son and his aloof girlfriend, some quirky friends, and Mark's sister arrive at the beach house toting birthday gifts along with some shocking revelations. Lori is sporting a new tattoo in honor of her brother. Anne encounters the neighbor standing on his roof naked, holding a rifle. And is Mark lying to her? All this while Anne's mother is constantly texting Anne about her father's disturbing behavior in the Alzheimer's unit. A series of hilarious and poignant events, including a sailing accident that literally knocks Mark off his feet, leaves Anne increasingly irritated and confused. It doesn't help that Mark seems incapable of making any decisions concerning his beloved beach house as he clings to the comforting memories of spending time there. Even the houseguests have differing opinions about whether the house is worth saving, or if it is a knockdown. The only thing everyone seems to agree on is the great sex to be had in the outside shower. Anne is forced to examine her relationships — to the house, her children, her friends, and her husband. Surprisingly, Anne finds the clarity she is seeking from the most unexpected person. It's a gut-wrenching decision, but Anne and Mark arrive at it more in love than ever and focused on the future. Knock Down addresses the themes of family, legacy, friendship and aging. It prompts us to question the role of memory in our lives and how we choose what to hold on to and what to give up.
