Accidents Happen

In 1974, the Conway family finds themselves at a drive-in theater in Connecticut, enjoying a screening of The Three Stooges. The household is headed by Gloria (Geena Davis), a foul-mouthed and formidable matriarch who is fiercely dedicated to her family’s well-being. Beside her is Ray (Joel Tobeck), her laid-back husband, and their children: Linda, Gene, Larry (Harry Cook), and Billy (Harrison Gilbertson), the clumsy younger sibling prone to accidents.

While at the drive-in, tensions run high as the family’s neighbor, Douglas “Doug” Post (Sebastian Gregory), rides by on his bike. Gloria harbors a deep disdain for Doug, often hurling insults his way due to the troubles he brings upon their family. In a mischievous act, Gene leads Doug up to the top of the drive-in screen, where he then proceeds to urinate on it. Gloria, incensed and oblivious to the commotion she’s about to walk into, trips as she approaches the screen, prompting angry honking from confused patrons.

As they drive home through the rain, an argument between two of the children distracts Ray, resulting in a tragic collision with a pick-up truck. While Gloria, Ray, Billy, and Larry sustain only minor injuries, the accident takes a devastating turn for Linda, who loses her life, and Gene, who suffers severe injuries that leave him brain-damaged and paralyzed from the neck down.

Fast forward to 1982, eight years after that life-altering day, the family’s dynamics have drastically changed. Ray is now divorced, facing ongoing struggles concerning Gene’s precarious health. Billy, now fifteen, maintains a friendship with Doug despite the sordid history between their families. One fateful night, a dispute arises over a TV dinner involving Larry, who has spiraled into alcoholism. In a moment of chaos, Billy accidentally spills the dinner on Larry, igniting an argument which escalates into a physical altercation between Doug and Larry.

Subsequently, in a reckless attempt to play, Billy and Doug inadvertently cause the death of Doug’s father during a stunt gone wrong involving a bowling ball and a moving car. Shortly after the incident, tensions rise within the Conway household when Larry’s relentless torment leads to a confrontation between him and Billy. When Gloria interjects and discovers the evidence of Billy’s injuries — remnants from the cooking mishap and newspapers referring to the robbery — she becomes furious. As Ray appears, heightening the family disputes, Gloria imposes a stringent ban on Billy’s contact with Doug, unaware of their connection to the tragic car crash that led to Doug’s father’s death.

When Doug receives a mix-up regarding his father’s supposed suicide, the urgency to confess the truth to the police arises. However, upon relaying this news to Gloria, she reacts with disbelief, harshly reprimanding Billy, whom she views as selfish, before breaking down in tears. As law enforcement questions Billy and Doug, the unfortunate news arrives that Gene has finally passed away. A poignant moment occurs at Gene’s funeral, where it becomes evident that Gloria has found it in her heart to forgive Doug for his part in the past incident. The film culminates with Billy taking the bowling ball linked to the tragedy and rolling it down the sidewalk, a symbolic act as he processes the immense weight of their shared history.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 18:18