Set in 1983, in the fictional town of Owl, North Dakota, the story centers around three intangibly connected residents—Horace, an old man who spends his afternoons reminiscing better times from the past at the local coffee shop, Mitch, a depressed high school backup quarterback, and Julia, an English teacher at the local high school who recently moved to Owl—whose lives, along with those of the town’s other residents, are upended by a whiteout blizzard.
United StatesThe 2023 film "Downtown Owl" is a character-driven dramedy set in the fictional town of Owl, North Dakota during the winter of 1983. The looming threat of a historic blizzard serves as a backdrop for the intersecting lives of three main characters:
Horace (Ed Harris): An aging resident who spends his days at the local diner reminiscing about the town's past.
Mitch (August Blanco Rosenstein): A high school student burdened with depression and stuck as the backup quarterback on the football team.
Julia (Lily Rabe): A new English teacher who arrives in Owl seeking a fresh start but finds herself grappling with the town's insular nature and social dynamics.
As the blizzard approaches, the film explores themes of isolation, small-town life, and the search for connection. Here are some additional details about the story:
Dark Comedy: The film is described as a "sparkle dark" comedy, meaning it uses humor alongside more serious themes.
Reagan Era: The story takes place during the 1980s, capturing the social and cultural climate of the era, particularly in a small, isolated town.
Interconnected Lives: While Horace, Mitch, and Julia are the central characters, the film likely explores the lives of other townsfolk as their lives are disrupted by the impending blizzard.
Overall, "Downtown Owl" looks at how a significant event like a blizzard can shake up the routines and relationships within a small community.