Loosely based on the childhood experiences of writer/director Steven Martini, Lymelife is one of the most charming and well-made indie features I’ve seen in recent years. Set in the turbulent world of the late ‘70s/ early ‘80s, Lymelife presents the story of Scott Bartlett (Rory Culkin), a young high school lad growing up on Long Island.
Scott is your average dork. He adores Star Wars. He also gets picked on a lot at school — something his older brother, Jimmy (played by Rory’s real life older brother, Kieran) took care of before he went into the Army. His father, Mickey (Alec Baldwin, who co-produced), has big dreams of cashing in on the great American Suburbia boom — so much so, that he has all but alienated Scott’s mother, Brenda (Jill Hennessey). This has taken Brenda’s motherly paranoia up a notch, to the point where she seals Scott’s pant legs and sleeves up with duct tape so he won’t contract Lyme Disease.
Lyme Disease, as it turns out, is an illness that the Bartlett’s neighboring family, the Braggs, are all-too-familiar with. Ever since Bragg patriarch Charlie (Timothy Hutton, once again proving that he can in fact act) was diagnosed with it, things have turned sour. His wife, Melissa (Cynthia Nixon) has engulfed herself in working with Mickey.
As if that wasn‘t bad enough, the Bragg’s daughter, Adrianna (Emma Roberts), has found herself at that odd period in life where she is starting her transformation into womanhood — a transformation that has engulfed Scott’s interest completely. Further complications arise as Charlie’s illness worsens, and Mickey and Melissa’s work relationship takes a downward spiral. Yes, it’s a turbulent world — especially for poor Scott, who’s having a hard enough time trying to find his place to begin with.
Article comments
1 - Fran
Wow, quite the movie. Looks like one to check into for sure. A very well done article.
2 - Luigi Bastardo
Thanks, Fran! :)