Ordinary World

In 1995, Perry Miller performs on stage in New York with his punk band known as The Skunks. Before their energetic performance of the song “Devil’s Kind,” the band takes a moment to share their thoughts in a brief interview.

Fast forward twenty years, and Perry’s life has drastically changed. The once vibrant frontman is now a father of two, navigating the challenges of family life with his dedicated lawyer wife Karen and their talented guitar-playing daughter Salome, along with a newborn child. Unfortunately, on the day of his daughter’s talent show, Perry is disheartened to discover that his birthday has been forgotten by everyone around him. After picking up a new guitar for Salome, chosen by Karen, Perry heads to his family’s hardware store. There, he encounters his younger brother Jake, who oversees the store and criticizes Perry for his lack of motivation. When Jake learns that Perry’s family overlooked his special day, he generously gives him the day off along with $1000, hoping it will help renew Perry’s spirits.

Deciding to reclaim a piece of his past, Perry finds a nice hotel where he dreams of organizing a reunion for his band. While waiting to book a room, he unexpectedly encounters Christy, an old flame from his band days, who is now managing Joan Jett, performing in New York that evening. After securing the presidential suite from the owner, who warns him about the hotel’s strict “no-party” policy, Perry’s plans take an unexpected turn. When he calls his former bandmates to join him, he is reminded by Karen of his in-laws’ impending visit, which leads to chaos as his drummer Gary impulsively invites a stripper and more party-goers into the room.

After facing criticism from Karen’s parents about his life choices, Perry becomes increasingly frustrated. A misunderstanding during a crucial meeting about his stake in the family business leaves him feeling betrayed by Jake, who has initiated a buyout of Perry’s share. Upon returning to his hotel, he finds the suite overrun with unfamiliar faces and confronts Gary, who believes Perry has become no fun. Retreating to his room for a nap, Perry awakens to a conversation with Christy about their past, ultimately deciding to play her a song he wrote, “Ordinary World,” before the gathering calls him back to the party.

As the night progresses, Perry experiences mixed emotions upon reuniting with his old band. However, his excitement is quickly dashed when he discovers that he has been replaced by another singer, leading to a fit of rage where he destroys Salome’s guitar. The police show up to disperse the celebration, and Perry finds himself in handcuffs, confronting Gary about the betrayal. After being released due to a connection with the police chief, Perry rushes to Salome’s talent show, despite Christy’s offer to let him perform for Joan Jett, emphasizing the miss of a potential comeback.

At the talent show, amidst tension and anxiety, Perry arrives just in time to see Salome perform an acoustic version of “Unsatisfied” by The Replacements using his old guitar. After the show, a frustrated Karen informs Perry that his actual birthday is the next day, clarifying the confusion surrounding the dates. Her parents express gratitude for Perry’s love for their daughter, leading to a tender moment where Perry offers to sleep on the couch. In a heartwarming resolution, Karen forgives him, and they enjoy some time together watching House Hunters.

The following day, Perry takes Salome to a guitar shop and, in a heartfelt gesture, trades his treasured guitar from his glory days for a limited edition electric guitar for her. Salome’s joy is palpable as they leave the store, and as they get into the car, Perry excitedly asks what music they should listen to. Salome enthusiastically requests to hear their old band’s anthem, “Devil’s Kind.”

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 14:34