That Night

In 1961 on Long Island, 10-year-old Alice Bloom becomes infatuated with 17-year-old Sheryl O'Connor, whom she often observes from her bedroom window. Alice admires Sheryl's personality and the attention she receives from her father, contrasting it with her own home life. This sets the stage for Alice's fascination and obsession with Sheryl.

Alice begins to copy Sheryl's habits, including her perfume and listening to her favorite records. Her admiration deepens as she monitors Sheryl from afar, projecting her idealization onto her. Her infatuation becomes more intense, highlighting her longing for connection and approval.

While out with friends at the bowling alley, Alice faces ridicule from her peers. Her mood shifts when she notices Sheryl entering with a group of boys, and she becomes captivated by Sheryl's presence. Sheryl, meanwhile, is approached by Rick, leading to a developing attraction between them.

Sheryl and Rick share their first kiss after Rick calls her back from her job at the counter. During this time, a police officer informs Sheryl that her father has died, affecting her deeply. The death marks a pivotal moment in her emotional state and relationships.

Sheryl attends her father's funeral, visibly upset and mourning his loss. Later that evening, she cries over her father's death at the bowling alley. Rick walks her home and they share another intimate moment, solidifying their emotional connection.

Sheryl, Rick, and his gang spend a day at the beach, sharing oysters and tequila. During this outing, Sheryl confides in Rick and pours out her feelings about her father's death. Their bond deepens as they spend the entire day and night together, despite disapproval from Sheryl's mother.

Sheryl's mother forbids her from seeing Rick, leading to familial gossip and social pressure. Despite this, Sheryl refuses to obey her mother, and she, Rick, and Alice secretly continue to meet, with Alice often helping them sneak around town.

Sheryl becomes pregnant, prompting her mother to send her to an unwed mother's home far from Long Island. Rick's repeated calls to her house are ignored, intensifying their heartbreak and separation. Rick and his gang eventually go to her house, but she has already left.

Rick drives to Sheryl's house and demands to speak with her, leading to him pushing past her mother. A crowd gathers as neighbors intervene, and a brawl ensues between Rick's gang and local residents. Rick spends a week in jail as a result of the altercation.

Disillusioned and overwhelmed, Alice decides to run away. Rick finds her under the boardwalk and they talk, agreeing to escape upstate to find Sheryl. They plan to reunite with her, hoping to rebuild their future together.

Alice helps Sheryl sneak out at midnight to meet Rick, but Sheryl reveals she intends to give her baby up for adoption. She feels unable to envision a life with Rick due to their financial situation and her responsibilities, and Rick offers her an engagement ring to consider.

Alice questions Sheryl about true love, but Sheryl insists she is too young to understand. Despite her feelings, Sheryl chooses her family over Rick and their future, watching as Rick and she embrace before her departure by bus.

Alice returns home safely, and her parents are relieved she is back. She reflects on the gossip surrounding Sheryl and receives a postcard from her, confirming that Sheryl and Rick are heading west and are doing well, providing her with emotional closure.