It's the 1960s, a time when young Bobby enjoys a close relationship with his older brother, who treats him as an equal and serves as a significant role model. Tragically, his brother dies in a freak accident during a party at their home, walking through a closed plate glass door, leaving Bobby with an unfillable void. In school, Bobby encounters a boy named Jonathan, who bears a striking resemblance to his lost brother. Bobby, a quiet and musical soul drawn to pot, grapples with the recent loss of his mother and the inadequate parenting from his father, forcing him to navigate through life on his own.
Jonathan comes from a traditional home; his mother is a homemaker, while his father runs a movie theater. Although they live together, the family conceals their discontent, each longing for a different existence. Bobby introduces Jonathan to the liberating experiences of pot and rock music, while Jonathan invites Bobby to move in with his family after Bobby’s father passes away. In Jonathan’s home, Bobby finds the love and support he has desperately missed since losing his brother.
Jonathan develops strong feelings for Bobby, admiring his confidence and carefree nature. One fateful evening, while sharing a moment of intimacy, their connection evolves. The boys occasionally explore their physical relationship, but their bond remains primarily brotherly. Bobby's influence also extends to Jonathan's mother, Alice, as he introduces her to pot, breathing warmth back into her often mundane life. Bobby's joyous demeanor and appreciation for her cooking talents spark a renewed passion in Alice, who begins teaching Bobby culinary skills to alleviate her boredom.
As years pass, Bobby continues to flourish while Jonathan heads off to college. Bobby finds employment at a local bakery and stays with Alice and her husband, Ned. When Ned’s health declines, the couple decides to relocate to a drier climate in the desert, prompting them to encourage Bobby to find his own path. Bobby reaches out to Jonathan, now in NYC, seeking a place to stay.
Fast forward to the early 1980s, Bobby arrives in the bustling West Village of NYC, reunited with Jonathan after years apart. Jonathan has embraced his sexuality and engages in fleeting encounters with various men. He shares his living space with Clare, an artist with a free spirit, trapped in an unrequited love for Jonathan. Together, they express unconventional ideas about family and fulfillment, creating a unique living dynamic. Bobby quickly integrates himself into their lives, maintaining his job at a bakery as the trio shares moments of joy.
However, the harmony fades when Clare, affected by a change in her feelings towards Bobby, takes him by surprise. She initiates an unexpected romance with him, leading to jealousy and confusion for Jonathan, feeling left out as he navigates his feelings towards both of them. Soon after, Bobby receives news that Ned has passed away, and he flies out to the desert to confront loss once again, with Jonathan grappling with feelings of inadequacy.
After a tumultuous series of events leading to a candid confrontation about love and loyalty, the trio navigates complex emotions. With Clare expecting Bobby's child, they find themselves in a tender but complicated situation. They opt for a fresh start away from the city to the historic town of Woodstock, NY, where life revolves around the birth of their daughter and the opening of their restaurant, "Home."
As Clare immerses herself in motherhood, she experiences loneliness and solitude, creating a rift in their idyllic lives. The boys foster their companionship, yet the emergence of Jonathan’s health concerns casts a shadow over their future. When Bobby discovers a sore on Jonathan's hip, he offers comfort, despite knowing the reality it signifies—Jonathan’s battle with AIDS is beginning. As Clare embarks on a visit to her mother, the feeling that she might not return engulfs their home with tension.
They share a moment of significant closure as Jonathan and Bobby spread Ned's ashes together, facilitating a bittersweet conversation about mortality and unresolved affection. Ultimately, the film closes with Bobby and Jonathan, in their own unconventional way, affirming their commitment and the unique bond they share, inviting viewers to reflect on the complexities of love, friendship, and loss.
