Event

Film Block 9

Palace Living, Masque

Tom and Maria are in their early 30s, just married, and living in a tiny NYC apartment they can barely afford. When Tom loses his job, they realize they can't pay the rent with Maria's salary as a substitute teacher. Tom finds an apartment they can afford: a studio in an old resort in the Catskills. Maria isn't excited about leaving the city, but the building looks like fun, and they don't have a lot of options.Meanwhile, their friends Ethan and Teresa are engaged. Teresa wants a break from her high-pressure career, and is ready to have kids. Ethan is a freelance designer, and he figures he can find freelance work upstate. They decide to join Tom and Maria in moving to The Palace.After moving upstate, the couples spend time at the pool and poker room, bonding. They become friends with the quirky building residents, including someone who may or may not be a serial killer. There isn't much to do, but doing nothing is half the point of being up there, right?As summer turns to fall, Ethan struggles to get freelance work. Tom wins money at the poker table in the building's card room, before moving on to more questionable deals. Teresa becomes increasingly desperate to have a baby, and takes her frustration out on Ethan. Maria, like Ethan, misses home and wants to go back to the city. As Maria and Ethan grow closer, the group dynamics reach their breaking point...