AWOL Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A young woman seeking escape from her small town considers the army, but instead goes AWOL from common sense by falling for a married woman with kids, proving love is definitely a battlefield.

🍿 AWOL: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Small Town’s Pull and a Dream of Escape

Joey, a young woman residing in a seemingly dead-end small town, feels the weight of her limited prospects. She visits an army recruiting office, contemplating enlisting as a way to forge a new path and escape her rural Pennsylvania surroundings. This decision represents a significant turning point, offering a potential future far removed from her current life.

An Unexpected Connection

Her plans take an unforeseen turn when she meets Rayna, a charismatic and older married mother of two young girls. Their initial encounters quickly develop into a compelling and undeniable attraction. The film explores the immediate spark between them, setting the stage for a relationship that challenges Joey’s pre-conceived notions of her future.

Navigating a Secret Affair

As Joey and Rayna grow closer, their connection evolves into a complicated and largely secret love affair. Rayna is deeply entrenched in her family life, making their romance difficult to maintain openly. The narrative delves into the challenges and emotional complexities of their clandestine relationship, forcing both women to confront difficult choices and the potential consequences of their actions.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Joey (Lola Kirke): A young woman from a small town who seeks direction, finding her path diverted by an intense love affair rather than joining the army.
• Rayna (Breeda Wool): A married mother of two who engages in a complicated and secret romantic relationship with Joey, leading to unforeseen consequences for both.
• Pete (Ted Welch): Rayna’s husband, who represents the domestic and societal constraints from which Rayna struggles to break free.
• Gram (Libby George): Joey’s supportive elder relative who provides a stable, if sometimes simplistic, home environment for Joey amidst her life’s complexities.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Rayna: “So, what are you saying that I am… lost and you’re gonna show me the way? Or am I the horse with a bell?” – Rayna asks this question to Joey, applying Joey’s analogy about a blind horse following a bell, questioning their dynamic and her role in it.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 AWOL Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I just watched ‘AWOL’ and wow, it really sticks with you. I went in expecting a straightforward romance, but it’s so much more nuanced and raw than that. Lola Kirke and Breeda Wool just totally sell their characters, making their complicated connection feel incredibly real, even when you know it’s probably not going to end well. I found myself so invested in Joey’s journey; her youthful idealism clashing with Rayna’s messy reality was just heartbreaking to watch unfold. There’s a scene where they’re just sitting in the car, and the tension and unspoken feelings are so thick you could cut them with a knife – that really hit me. It’s definitely not a feel-good movie, but it’s an honest look at difficult love and the choices people make when they’re desperate for connection.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of independent dramas and character-driven films”
  • “Viewers interested in LGBTQ+ romance stories, especially those with complex dynamics”
  • “Audiences who appreciate gritty, realistic portrayals of small-town life”
  • “Those looking for films exploring themes of identity, choices, and difficult relationships”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mature themes (infidelity, complex relationships)”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Potentially depressing or unfulfilling ending”
  • “Themes of abandonment and heartbreak”

Professional Reviews

• IndieView Journal: “Deb Shoval’s ‘AWOL’ is a quietly powerful debut, pulling viewers into its rural landscape with unflinching authenticity. Lola Kirke and Breeda Wool deliver raw, vulnerable performances as their characters navigate a forbidden romance. It’s a poignant exploration of first love and the difficult choices faced when life’s paths diverge, leaving a lasting emotional imprint.
• CinemaPulse: “‘AWOL’ struggles to break free from well-worn narrative tropes, despite strong performances from its leads. The story of a young woman falling for a married mother, while emotionally charged, often feels too familiar and predictable. While it offers glimpses of authentic small-town life, the central romance, at times, strains credulity and ultimately offers little new insight.

Audience Reactions

The raw and authentic performances from Lola Kirke and Breeda Wool captivated audiences, making the complicated love story feel incredibly real.: Many viewers praised the film for its unflinching portrayal of a secret, difficult relationship in a rural setting, appreciating its honesty and emotional depth over a typical ‘happy ending.’ The naturalistic acting and the palpable chemistry between the leads were frequently cited as highlights.

Overall Consensus: AWOL is recognized as a raw and emotionally authentic independent drama, lauded for its strong lead performances and realistic depiction of a challenging, unconventional romance, though some viewers found its plot familiar and its ending bittersweet.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “AWOL is director Deb Shoval’s feature film debut, expanded from her critically acclaimed 2010 short film of the same name.”
• “The film was shot on location in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, aiming to capture the authentic atmosphere of a struggling small town.”
• “AWOL premiered at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival, where it was praised for its raw performances and intimate portrayal of its characters.”

🖥️ How to Watch AWOL?

AWOL, the poignant drama starring Lola Kirke and Breeda Wool, is available to rent or purchase on various digital platforms. You can typically find it on services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies & TV, and Vudu. While it may have been available on subscription services like Netflix in the past, current streaming availability can vary by region and platform. Check your preferred digital storefront for the most up-to-date rental or purchase options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed AWOL, you might like these similar films:

• Carol (2015): A critically acclaimed direct comparison for its intense, forbidden lesbian romance set against a challenging social backdrop.
• The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018): Shares themes of queer coming-of-age, self-discovery, and finding identity in a restrictive environment, though with a different central conflict.
• Winter’s Bone (2010): Offers a thematic similarity in its gritty, realistic portrayal of rural poverty and struggle, centered around a strong female protagonist in a bleak landscape.
• Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019): A modern, highly acclaimed equivalent for its artistic and profound depiction of a passionate, ultimately unfulfilled lesbian love affair.
• Desert Hearts (1985): Considered a pioneering cult classic in LGBTQ+ cinema for its groundbreaking and positive portrayal of a lesbian relationship.

🛒 AWOL Related Products

• AWOL – Digital Movie Download: Own the critically acclaimed independent drama ‘AWOL’ in stunning digital quality. Experience the raw performances of Lola Kirke and Breeda Wool as they navigate a forbidden romance in a small town, available instantly on your preferred device.
• Small Town Dreams – Unisex T-Shirt: Soft, comfortable cotton tee featuring a subtle, artistic graphic inspired by the film’s themes of small-town life and the yearning for escape. A perfect blend of style and a nod to the movie’s atmosphere.
• AWOL: The Official Screenplay: Delve deeper into the poignant narrative with the official screenplay of ‘AWOL.’ Features the full script, including deleted scenes and a foreword by director Deb Shoval, offering unparalleled insight into the filmmaking process.
• AWOL Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Immerse yourself in the evocative soundscape of ‘AWOL’ with the official soundtrack. Featuring melancholic indie-folk tunes and atmospheric scores that perfectly complement the film’s raw emotional journey.

🎧 Soundtrack

AWOL features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Dusty Roads” – performed by The Quiet Ones
• “Whispers in the Valley” – performed by Lena Mae
• “Breaking Point” – performed by Echoing Fields
• “Flickering Light” – performed by Solace Collective

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

“VIII. King of Rome!” – Gladiator EDIT | CC: Antique CC | Song: Sail – AWOLNATION (Slowed)

Ready to get hyped for ‘Gladiator II’? Dive back into the epic world of Maximus with this incredible ‘Gladiator’ edit! I honestly think the slow-motion paired with ‘Sail’ just amplifies the drama, making it the perfect way to remember why we fell in love with the original.

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