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Year: 1993
Runtime: 126 min
Language: English
Director: Steve Kloves
In this poignant drama, a troubled man's carefully constructed isolation is shattered by the reappearance of a woman linked to a long-buried tragedy. As they navigate their forbidden love, the specter of a dark legacy looms, forcing a confrontation with the painful truth and a father who refuses to let go of his past.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Flesh and Bone yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
In a charming town in Texas, a rural family unexpectedly discovers a mysterious mute boy resting in their front yard. This warm-hearted family embraces the boy, providing him with comfort and nourishment while they ponder the enigmatic origins of his arrival. As day turns to night, the boy awakens and stealthily permits an unidentified figure to enter their modest home. Together, they hatch a plan to plunder the household, but the father stumbles upon their scheme, leading to a dramatic confrontation. A shootout ensues, tragically resulting in the death of the mother, while the intruder, stirred by intrigue, sends the family’s young son upstairs, abandoning a crying baby.
Fast forward two and a half decades, and the boy has transformed into Arlis, now a solitary man navigating Texas with his vending machine venture. His life takes a turn when he meets Kay, a captivating stripper ensnared in her struggle against substance abuse. Arlis rescues her from a tumultuous marriage, and the two ignite a passionate romance, falling under each other’s spell.
One fateful night, a knock at the motel door reveals Ginnie, a clever petty thief Arlis has met in his travels. She seeks his assistance with her stranded vehicle, unaware that Roy, Arlis’s father and a man of dubious motives, is lurking nearby, injured and desperate for medical care.
In a twist of fate, Kay shows her benevolence by gifting Ginnie a set of nightclothes, leading to a significant discovery when Ginnie uncovers a haunting photograph in Kay’s suitcase. As Kay recounts the story behind the image, revealing her own family’s tragedy, both Arlis and Roy come to the chilling realization that Kay is the sole survivor of the massacre that shattered their lives two decades ago.
Determined to shield Kay from the repercussions of their sordid past, Arlis decides to distance himself from her. Meanwhile, Roy devises a malicious scheme with Ginnie to lure Kay back to the abandoned farmhouse where her life was ravaged. Arlis, sensing danger, tracks them down, leading to a tense showdown with his father that culminates in Roy’s demise.
With the threat of his father neutralized, Arlis quickly takes Kay away from the ominous farmhouse, leaving her at the safety of the motel while he returns to his solitary life once more.
Last Updated: November 18, 2024 at 20:17
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