I'm Still Here

Nathan Woodrow is a college professor on summer vacation in the Colorado mountains with his wife Andrea and teenage children Luke and Chloe. One morning, Nathan receives a call from an attorney, who informs Nathan that his long-estranged father, Norman Woodrow, has died and left some things to Nathan. Nathan isolates himself from the family to process the news. Meanwhile, Luke and Chloe go on a hike and discuss the grandfather they never met. Andrea goes to Nathan and they discuss what to do next. Nathan resolves to explain his history with his father. Nathan also calls his best friend Ella, and invites her to the cabin for emotional support. After Ella accepts and the kids return from their hike, Nathan gathers his family and fills them in. The next morning, Nathan is waiting patiently for Ella to arrive. She does, as does a parcel from the attorney. They share a joint and catch up while Nathan retrieves the package. Once inside the cabin, Ella greets the family while Nathan begins sorting through the documents. Nathan finds a handwritten letter from his father. He begins to read it, but grows too upset. Nathan leaves the cabin and goes to his workshop to be alone. Once in the workshop, Nathan begins a woodworking project to clear his mind. As he finishes, Norman appears to Nathan. Norman tries to apologize to Nathan, but Nathan refuses to listen, instead asking Norman to leave him. Norman obliges and disappears, and Nathan returns to the house. Back in the house, he finds the family playing cards and joins them, enjoying their company. Later that night, after Luke and Chloe have gone to bed, Nathan, Ella and Andrea go onto the porch to talk and smoke. After a while, Nathan goes to bed, while Ella and Andrea stay out and talk. The following morning, Luke wakes Nathan up and informs him of a trailer in the driveway. Nathan goes out to discover that his father's old truck has been delivered to him. Nathan initially refuses the truck, but relents and accepts it, as a gift to Chloe. Chloe volunteers to help Nathan tune up the truck, and the rest of the family returns inside. Once Nathan is alone with the truck, Norman appears once again. Norman explains that the truck is a sort of peace offering to his son, but Nathan once again refuses to listen to Norman. Norman disappears once again. As Chloe joins Nathan and they begin working, Nathan finds another hand-written letter and reads it to Chloe. Back in the cabin, Luke, Ella, and Andrea discuss Nathan's emotional state, and Luke reveals that he has a boyfriend. Although his entire family is supportive and accepting, Andrea advises Luke to wait to tell his father until after Nathan has had time to process Norman's passing. That afternoon, Chloe and Nathan return to the house after completing the tune-up, and the family enjoys the dinner that Luke, Andrea, and Ella prepared. During the meal, Nathan reveals that he knew about Luke's boyfriend and approves of the relationship. After dinner, Nathan begins going through the legal papers in earnest, and finds Norman's will. Nathan reads it in full and, without a word to his family, leaves the house. Nathan gets into the old truck and drives to a mountain overpass. As he watches the sunset, Norman appears again. They talk, and Nathan is finally willing to listen. Norman explains his actions in life, and apologizes. Nathan, finally processing his pain, accepts. Before he leaves, Norman tells Nathan of a last surprise under the seat of the truck. Nathan looks, and finds his old childhood backpack. Having settled things with his son, Norman disappears for the last time. Nathan returns to the cabin, and finds his family very worried. Nathan reassures them and shows them the backpack. Finally ready to process everything, Nathan invites his family to join him as he goes through the backpack. Inside, he finds old toys, old photos, a stack of un-mailed birthday cards, and one last letter from Norman. Nathan reads the letter to his family, finally at peace with his past.