The To Do List

In the summer of 1993, the sleepy town of Boise, Idaho becomes the backdrop for a bright‑eyed valedictorian ready to trade her meticulously planned future for a taste of spontaneity. Brandy Klark has spent years navigating a strict household and a reputation for academic perfection, but the excitement of graduation sparks a yearning to experience the world beyond the confines of her upbringing. With a mischievous “to‑do list” tacked to the wall of her bedroom, she sets out to fill her final months before college with moments that feel truly lived.

Surrounding Brandy are the friends who have witnessed her quiet brilliance and now encourage her daring shift. Wendy and Fiona bring a blend of loyalty and playful rebellion, acting as both confidantes and mirrors for her impulsive experiments. Meanwhile, a charismatic college student, Rusty Waters, linger in her thoughts as the embodiment of the carefree summer she craves. Their tentative interactions hint at the possibility of more than just a fleeting summer fling, offering a tantalizing glimpse of what might happen when ambition meets attraction.

To fund her newfound pursuits, Brandy lands a lifeguard job at the local pool, a setting that juxtaposes the orderly world of textbooks with the unpredictable rhythm of water, sun, and teenage camaraderie. There she meets the laid‑back manager, Willy, whose enigmatic presence adds a touch of mystery to the otherwise sunny atmosphere. The pool becomes a micro‑cosm of the larger world she wishes to explore—where responsibilities clash with desire, and the line between work and play blurs in the heat of summer.

At home, the dynamics shift between her supportive sister Amber and a father whose career as a judge carries an unspoken expectation of propriety. The tension between familial duty and personal freedom fuels Brandy’s internal journey, underscoring a larger coming‑of‑age narrative that balances humor, awkwardness, and heartfelt yearning. The film brims with the nostalgic glow of early‑90s pop culture, delivering a tone that is both light‑hearted and introspective, inviting viewers to wonder how far one will go when a checklist becomes a roadmap for self‑discovery.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 06:20