A recent high school graduate with a fractured identity impersonates others as both her refuge and her sometimes charming, other times disturbing, journey to her true self.

SYNOPSIS:

Fresh out of her high school graduation in Oregon, HALLE MILLER crashes her Bronco, killing her mom and leaving Halle with a traumatic brain injury and a rare form of amnesia. To “get by” and to win people’s favor, Halle begins mimicking others. Halle’s dad decides they should move to a small surf town in California to be close to his sister, who employs Halle in her gift shop. Wanting to do a good job for her aunt, Halle Googles “shop girl” and discovers Steve Martin’s novella/film by that title. Since neither her dad nor aunt know her very well, neither recognizes—at least, not at first—that Halle is impersonating Steven Martin’s fictional character, Mirabelle Buttersfield.

When a local college football player named JOSH comes into the gift shop, sparks fly between him and Halle. Using the address he gives on the return slip, she rides her bike (as she’s terrified of driving ever since the accident) to his house to drop off some room spray he liked, but no one’s home. She peeks inside, spying Marilyn Monroe-themed decor. Desperately wanting Josh to like her, Halle undergoes a makeover to look like, and researches how to act like, the iconic bombshell. Halle’s abrupt and over-the-top transition causes concern in her dad, her aunt, and her avant-garde psychiatrist, DR. SANTOS. On the other hand—and to Halle’s delight—Josh finds her refreshing and irresistible. From skinny dipping to being roped in to a spontaneous singing telegram performance for Josh’s coach, Halle makes big waves in the sleepy surf town. Their budding romance brings out the jealousy in Josh’s ex-fling, surfer-girl CAMPBELL, who pretends to be Halle’s friend. Halle is none the wiser; in fact, she’s truly happy for the first time since her fateful accident …

Until she discovers the Marilyn-decorated house isn’t Josh’s, after all! In reality, Josh (who has dyslexia) messed up his house number and has only a vague idea of who Marilyn Monroe is, a revelation that leaves Halle lost, hopeless, and vulnerable. Grasping at straws, she begins mimicking Campbell, reasoning that Josh was once into the no-nonsense, fresh-faced surfer. Their friends see her as a pathetic wannabe. However, this is the time Halle hopes to make love with Josh, and since he’s truly fallen for her, her overtures are not in vain.

Meanwhile, Campbell’s patience has paid off, and when presented with the opportunity to steal Halle’s psychological file, she exposes Halle’s “craziness” on internet socials. Understandably, Josh wonders exactly who he’s been dating all summer and breaks up with her. Devastated and hopeless, Halle contemplates OD’ing on her prescription sleeping pills. Thankfully, she stops herself and instead agrees to Dr. Santos’s experimental treatment plan, despite being terrified that if it works, and she’s able to rediscover her True Self, no one will like her.

After making progress with her physical and mental healing, Halle brings her little cousins to the championship football game. Knowing Josh and his teammates will celebrate their big win at the beach, she gathers her courage and shows up. She and Josh discover their spark is still somewhere in there, and he encourages her to keep working on herself for her, rather than to be liked by others. Meanwhile, the losing football team crashes the party and a fight breaks out. Josh gets shoved into the bonfire, and since latecomer Halle is the sole sober one, he needs her to drive him to the E.R. Halle summons the courage to get behind the wheel for the first time since her fateful car wreck. Thanks to Halle, Josh is going to be okay. The next morning, she sees that her bike has been brought to her house from the beach, and glimpses Campbell’s truck driving away.

When her 19th birthday comes along, Halle’s dad surprises her with a new car. But the best surprise is Josh, who shows up at the door dressed like Elvis. After his surprisingly good singing telegram performance, he sticks around for cake, and for a kiss that starts their romance anew.

Writer’s Statement:

I’m fascinated with the ways trauma affects various individuals. The “Chameleon Effect” is one such response, where the person mimics other people, hoping to be liked. I love stories that take a serious subject matter and give it a good-natured, humorous spin. (Think “Juno” and “Lady Bird.”) Having been a Marilyn Monroe singing telegram, I thought having Halle Miller “become” a rendition of the iconic Hollywood star would make a unique and inspiring story.