Laura Smiles

CHRIS and LAURA, both in their mid-twenties, are sitting across from each other in a New York City diner having a conversation about everything under the sun. The book he's writing. Her struggles as an actress. But most importantly - their wedding, which is only a few weeks away. There's an energy between them that can only be felt in the presence of a young couple in love. He pays the bill and they both make for the door. She grabs a newspaper, while he hails a cab. A loud screech! Laura looks up and sees Chris lying in the middle of the road...He is dead! CUT TO - Nine years later. Laura steps into a small therapist's office. That glow of youth is gone and has been replaced with the cold look of unwanted responsibility. It's her first session and we get most of the facts about her present life. She's married to a decent man named MARK and has a nine-year-old son. From the sound of things, life seems okay and her reasons for being in therapy are unclear. But gradually, it does become clear. The line between what is real and fantasy starts to blur for Laura, as she reluctantly sinks into the comforts of her quaint suburban existence. She begins to have many affairs, but only one that has any meaning. Unfortunately, it is with her husband's good friend, PAUL. Although Paul is honest about his deep feelings for her, Laura is too emotionally withdrawn to acknowledge whatever feelings she might be having for him. The tension gradually builds. We skip around in time and see different pieces of Laura's past, including that magical chapter when she and Chris first met, and fell in love. As we move closer to the end, Laura becomes completely unhinged. Her life falls to pieces and she tries to return to the only safe place she knows...The past!