Synopsis/Details
"Beautiful & Broken" opens with Jackson Ward, a young man with a head injury, in therapy, struggling with memory loss and deep-seated despair after a suicide attempt. His sessions with Mrs. Peterson reveal a past riddled with trauma, including a volatile relationship with his ex-girlfriend Wendy and a strained dynamic with his abusive father, Troy.
Jackson's journey in a treatment facility leads him to a group counseling session where he meets Clair Lanzarotta, a seemingly fragile young woman with a visible scar on her jaw. Clair shares her own harrowing past, including a drug overdose and being held captive by her stepfather, who she believes was wrongfully accused. Despite their initial guardedness, Jackson and Clair form a connection, finding solace in their shared brokenness. They sneak out with other residents to a hilltop, sharing dreams and vulnerabilities, and a tender romance begins to blossom.
However, their budding relationship is complicated by Jackson's lingering emotional ties to Wendy, leading to a painful confrontation. This triggers a relapse for Jackson, who, in a destructive episode, trashes Mrs. Peterson's office. He grapples with the guilt of potentially harming Clair, who has also experienced a setback.
Through further therapy, Jackson confronts his past, particularly his anger towards his mother for abandoning him and his resentment towards his father. He visualizes a funeral for Clair, a symbolic act of processing his grief and accepting his own healing journey. This vision helps him realize the importance of letting go of the past and embracing his own happiness.
Eight months later, a recovered Jackson is living with his father, who has also made strides in his own life. Jackson has learned to cope with his emotions and is ready to build a future. He attends a sober party with his friends from the facility, Logan and Big Willy. There, he is unexpectedly reunited with Clair, who is also clean and radiant. Their reunion is a testament to their individual growth and the enduring power of their connection, as they share a hopeful dance, ready to embrace a future together.
