*batteries not included

In the heart of New York City’s East Village, a once vibrant neighborhood faces impending demolition to make way for Lacey Plaza, an upscale office tower coupled with a bustling sports complex. Amidst the chaos, the residents of a quaint four-story apartment building stubbornly refuse to abandon their beloved home, turning their backs on the developer’s tempting offers to relocate. At the center of this heartwarming tale are the elderly couple, Frank and Faye Riley, portrayed by the talented Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy, who not only run a charming diner on the ground floor but have also made the second floor their cozy dwelling for over five decades. The apartment’s eclectic mix of characters includes the struggling artist Mason Baylor, played by Dennis Boutsikaris, the expectant single mother Marisa Esteval, portrayed by Elizabeth Peña, and the retired boxer Harry Noble, acted by Frank McRae.

The oppressive shadow of developer Mr. Lacey, brilliantly brought to life by Michael Green, looms large as he employs ruthless thugs, including the menacing Carlos played by Michael Carmine, to intimidate the residents. In a shocking display of aggression, Lacey’s henchmen vandalize the diner and the tenants’ apartments, pushing them closer to their breaking point. In desperation, Frank seeks police intervention, but they advise him against pressing charges, warning that retaliation from the thugs is imminent once they are released.

The situation worsens when Sid and Muriel Hogenson, portrayed by Tom Aldredge and Jane Hoffman, elderly neighbors assisting Frank with Faye’s mild dementia, give in to the pressure and move to a retirement community in New Jersey after their apartment is vandalized. Feeling increasingly isolated and overwhelmed, Frank finds himself contemplating following suit, but he notices an unexpected development—a series of broken items throughout the building have mysteriously been repaired.

One fateful evening, Frank and his fellow tenants are taken aback when Faye leads them to the rooftop to showcase her newfound companions—two small, flying, saucer-like entities she affectionately names “The Fix-Its.” Through sheer coincidence, these little beings have been responsible for the repairs, sparking curiosity and wonder. With Mason making calls to officials about missing military technology, the group contemplates whether these Fix-Its are indeed aliens or figments of their imagination. As they interact with the Fix-Its, treating them as if they were playful children, Faye gleefully “feeds” them various odds and ends from around the apartment.

The tension escalates when Carlos witnesses the miraculous repairs and, feeling threatened, storms into the building, only to face an unexpected and comical confrontation with the Fix-Its. A clash ensues, but Frank wisely advises against overanalyzing these miraculous beings, stressing that questioning the essence of a miracle could lead to its demise, quoting, > “The quickest way to end a miracle is to ask it why it is, or what it wants.”

As the magic of the Fix-Its continues, their antics lead to various comical yet endearing situations, including dramatic attempts to nurse the recovered male Fix-It to health after Carlos attacks it. Meanwhile, the grubby diner, which should have been a focal point of the destruction, begins to thrive more than ever, allowing Faye to serve as waitress while Frank and the Fix-Its harmoniously prepare meals.

However, the villainous Lacey remains undeterred, pressing for the immediate displacement of the residents. With simmering tension, Mason reaches out to Marisa, an unexpected romance blossoming amid the turmoil, only to discover her circumstances are fraught, leading to various emotional conflicts.

As Carlos attempts a more grievous act of destruction against the tenants by sabotaging the building’s utilities, chaos reigns. Faye, now deeper into her delusion, mistakes him for her deceased son, adding another layer of emotional complexity. In a dramatic twist, amidst a desperate race against time, Carlos manages to save Faye just as the building succumbs to a fiery explosion ignited by Lacey’s underhanded tactics.

The morning after the devastation paints a grim picture of loss—only remnants of the once-beloved home of the tenants remain. But the indomitable spirit of community thrives as the Fix-Its return, not only to restore the homes of its inhabitants but to breathe life into the very essence of hope and resilience. With the apartment rebuilt overnight, and Lacey flummoxed by the unwavering tenacity of the residents, he realizes that even behind the façade of progress, the heart and soul of a community cannot be easily uprooted. Thus, Lacey Plaza rises around the very building he sought to tear down, standing testament to the power of unity, love, and the unexpected magic that can arise from the most challenging circumstances.

Last Updated: January 18, 2025 at 14:36