Synopsis/Details
Having lost his wife recently and unable to care for himself due to a stroke that has left him paralyzed on one side, Ed Gurney, a retired Oscar-winning actor, is admitted-against his will-to Sunset Manor, a tinsel-town assisted living facility for aged actors presided over by a matronly R.N. reminiscent of Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Ed's daughter and her husband, also actors, have decided that it's time for Ed to be cared for professionally and have chosen Sunset Manor as his new home.
Ed and his daughter are given an introductory tour of the posh facility-replete with parody-but only Ed's daughter is impressed. Ed views it as his banishment to hell. And to confirm that opinion, his new roommate, Jack, turns out to be a rival actor who, years earlier, slept with Ed's wife.
Given the choice between residing at Sunset Manor or moving to a "cheaper" care facility, Ed elects to remain at "the zoo" after being reassured by his daughter that she will return to visit him regularly.
Ed reluctantly accepts his fate and falls into the daily routine of life in a care facility. However, his life is far from mundane as quirky residents present him with bizarre and challenging situations that divert his time and attention away from his own troubles. And underlying drama is added by the fact that, despite the efforts of the police and the facility's administration, someone is methodically killing off the residents. And identifying the perpetrator is going to be difficult since the behavior of many of the residents and staff only serves to make them a suspect.
Ed finally opens up and makes a few friends, including forming a close relationship with Maria, a "Black Widow" whose previous husbands have all died mysteriously. Maria invites Ed to the monthly "Senior Prom" where the killer is exposed and the whodunnit is finally solved, with Ed coming out in the end as the hero.
All Accolades & Coverage
Semifinalist, Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards 2019 Holiday Season Competition
Story & Logistics
Story Situation:
Falling prey to cruelty/misfortune
Story Conclusion:
Happy
Linear Structure:
Linear
Moral Affections:
Good Man
Cast Size:
Several
Locations:
Few
Characters
Lead Role Ages:
Female over 45, Male over 45
Hero Type:
Ordinary, Unfortunate
Villian Type:
Criminal
Stock Character Types:
Wise old man
Advanced
Subgenre:
Comedy, Comedy Thriller, Crime/Caper Comedy
Equality & Diversity:
Disability Focused, Disabled Protagonist, Elderly Protagonist
Life Topics:
Retirement Home/Nursing Home, The Elderly
Time Period:
Contemporary times
Country:
United States of America (USA)
Illness Topics:
Physical
Relationship Topics:
Elderly
Coverfly All-time Overall Top 35%