Addicted to Fresno

In the sun-soaked streets of Fresno, California, Martha Jackson’s vibrant optimism shines brightly as she goes about her role as a housekeeper in a local hotel. In contrast, her older sister Shannon grapples with a deeply entrenched addiction, often seeking refuge in rehab facilities. With Shannon’s joblessness weighing heavily on her, Martha decides to extend an olive branch by offering her sister a position at the hotel, aiming to instill a sense of structure and normalcy in their lives. To mark Shannon’s first day at work with a special celebration, the sisters head out to a nearby bar. There, Martha takes a moment to guide her sister through the contours of their shared domestic space before she heads off for a solo workout.

As their paths intertwine, Shannon sees an opportunity to reconnect with Edwin, her married therapist, whose affections she has been nurturing in secret. While Martha finds herself smitten with Kelly, her dynamic trainer at the gym, Shannon’s surreptitious encounter ultimately spirals out of control, leading to a hasty retreat from Edwin’s home.

The following morning, the sisters convene once again at the hotel, where they cross paths with Boris, a lovable yet disheveled man who prides himself on his extensive connections within their workplace. As Shannon becomes increasingly entangled in another illicit conversation with Edwin over the phone, her frustrations explode, pushing her to seek comfort in an unexpected rendezvous with Boris. Martha, returning just in time, stumbles into chaos as she discovers herself inadvertently caught up in a murder scene.

In a frantic bid to conceal their tracks, Martha and Shannon concoct a cover story to mislead Boris’s family into thinking he has abandoned Fresno. With Shannon posing as Boris’s spiritual guide, they convincingly persuade Margaret, his sister, that her brother has overcome his flaws and embarked on a new journey.

Yet their troubles are far from resolved. They find themselves in an astonishing predicament at a pet cemetery, thanks to their friends Gerald and Ruby. As they unveil Boris’s remains once more, the threat of exposure looms large, giving way to blackmail demands of $25,000 by Monday from their friends in exchange for their silence.

Desperation sets in as Martha and Shannon devise a scheme to pilfer merchandise from an adult store, planning to resell the goods at a lesbian event hosted at the hotel. Unfortunately, their daring plot falls through, leaving them floundering as they seek alternative methods amidst the growing anxiety that envelops them.

In an attempt to escape the tension, Martha heads back to the gym, where Kelly shares exciting news about a bar mitzvah celebration hosted by one of her students. Accepting the invite to be Kelly’s plus-one, Martha eagerly agrees. Meanwhile, Shannon opts for a passionate encounter with Eric, causing strife for Martha upon her return home. As the group navigates the convolutions of the bar mitzvah, they stumble upon a tempting chance to swipe the funds. In a moment of audacity, Martha fakes choking to distract the crowd, enabling her to snag cash as both Kelly and Eric look on in amazement.

As they double-date at the bar mitzvah, putting a façade of sisterly support in place, Martha’s mood shifts when she learns of Kelly’s budding feelings for her, feelings she swiftly brushes aside by sharing stories of Shannon’s woes. Departing the event, the group realizes their heist yielded a meager $12,000—far below the needs of Gerald and Ruby.

Initially hesitant, Ruby ultimately consents to cremate Boris’s remains, orchestrating a faux funeral for her “dog.” Martha reaches her limit when she catches Shannon with Gerald, compelling her to sever ties with her friend. Turning to Margaret, Shannon finds thanks for her guidance, leaving her feeling dreadfully alone and despondent.

In a final attempt at reconciliation, Shannon chooses to turn herself in, while Martha begins a series of letters to her incarcerated sister, reflecting their convoluted relationship. Two years later, it’s clear that their correspondence has become a vital connection for both, with Shannon poignantly confessing, > “I hate you, which, in case you forgot, means I love you like a sister.”

Last Updated: November 22, 2024 at 18:14