After a young man discovers a windfall of cash, he decides to leave a dying town in Middle America. But before he can, his abusive father shows him why that would be the biggest mistake of his life.

SYNOPSIS:

The story follows Robby Banks, a young man growing up in a small Indiana town in 1978. Robby dreams of leaving town to pursue a career in photography, but his working-class father Big Jack expects him to stay and get a job at the local plant like everyone else.

Robby and his best friend Louie discover a large stash of cash hidden in the walls of Robby's house. They secretly open a bank account, planning to use the money to fund Robby's escape to Los Angeles with his girlfriend Wendy. However, Louie gets involved with a drug dealer named Bishop who ends up stealing most of their money.

Meanwhile, the plant that employs most of the town's men, including Big Jack, announces it is closing. This puts immense strain on Robby's family. After a series of confrontations, Big Jack kicks Robby out of the house.

Robby continues making plans to leave, despite Wendy expressing doubts about going with him now that the money is gone. On what is supposed to be his last night in town, Robby gets in a street racing accident and ends up in the hospital. Big Jack risks his own life speeding through a dangerous storm to get to the hospital to donate blood to save his son.

In the end, Robby realizes he can't abandon his family or Wendy's family in their time of need. He decides to stay in town and build a life with Wendy there. The script ends with a flash-forward to 2002, showing an adult Robby living a happy life in his hometown with Wendy and their son Colin, finally at peace with his decision to stay.

EVERYTHING WE LEFT BEHIND