Mr. Roosevelt

Emily Martin, a striving comedian, has been navigating life in Los Angeles for the past two years, but her auditions remain fruitless. One day, a brief and disappointing encounter leads to a call from her ex, Eric Kline, informing her that their beloved cat, Mr. Roosevelt, is unwell.

Hastily, she makes her way back to Austin, Texas, where she unexpectedly runs into Eric at the veterinarian’s office. Their reunion is cut short when Eric introduces her to his new live-in girlfriend, Celeste Jones, leaving Emily taken aback. With Mr. Roosevelt having already passed away, Emily feels obliged to settle the vet bill. As the couple extends an invitation for her to stay in the home she once shared with Eric, she is dismayed to discover that Celeste has redecorated completely.

While following their lives on social media, Emily notices a stark contrast: Eric’s page is barren of photos, while Celeste’s is filled with images showcasing their life together, including their late cat. Later that night, Emily is invited to dinner with the couple and another set of friends. The evening becomes increasingly awkward when Emily questions Eric about his band, only for Celeste to reveal that he’s choosing a more stable career in real estate, while Emily explains her struggles as a comedian with aspirations that haven’t materialized.

Feeling frustrated, Emily leaves the table, only to bump into Jen Morales, a server who recognizes her from YouTube. In a moment of vulnerability, Emily shares her turmoil—her cat’s death, Eric’s new relationship, and her feelings of being replaced. To bring her back to the moment, Jen playfully splashes water on her, resulting in fits of laughter between the two.

However, upon returning to the dinner, Emily’s soaked appearance is met with confused glances. The following morning, Celeste offers Emily a flight back to LA using their frequent flyer miles, while Eric proposes to make breakfast for her. Their interactions stir old feelings as they find themselves once again physically close. But reality hits when Emily is starkly reminded of the absence of Mr. Roosevelt, causing her to recall Eric’s comment about a coffee-free house now that the cat is gone.

With a plan to reclaim her independence, Emily decides to cycle into town for coffee before meeting up with Jen again at her home. Spending a liberating day at the Greenbelt, Emily eventually finds herself cutting ties with her job over a phone call. After indulging in some marijuana, she receives news about her cat’s cremation being completed, compelling her to return to the vet. Unfortunately, she’s informed that Celeste has taken the ashes.

Frustrated, Emily confronts the couple about the urn being kept from her. As a brunch for Mr. Roosevelt’s memorial is planned for the next morning, Emily and Eric seize the chance to escape to a nearby eatery where they run into Jen and her band. Eric joins Jen onstage, furthering the night’s adventure. The two share a kiss, but Eric quickly backtracks, insisting it was a mistake, citing his desire for a family—a stark contrast to Emily’s commitment issues.

In a fit of anger, she spends a night with Art, only to awaken with regrets and stained clothes. Refusing to linger in her past, Emily throws on something old and heads to the brunch in a whirlwind of emotions. Discovering the situation absurd, she ultimately decides to take Mr. Roosevelt’s ashes and pedals away.

Back at Jen’s, Emily attempts to vent her frustrations, when another round of playful water splashing results in disaster—she loses control, sending the ashes flying. This moment triggers a long-overdue breakdown, which leads Jen to assist her in laying Mr. Roosevelt to rest in the backyard with Eric and Celeste.

As she packs up to leave, Emily scribbles a heartfelt goodbye and hastily discards most of her items in the shed before catching a ride to the airport with Jen, marking the end of this tumultuous chapter in her life.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 18:04