Fourth of July plot
"An American Mess"
Jeff is a recovering alcoholic and anxiety-plagued jazz pianist from NYC who visits a therapist. List uses events from his own life to shape his character. An ongoing problem is that his girlfriend Beth desperately wants a child, which puts a strain on their relationship. Though far from recovered, Jeff is approached by his AA sponsor to sponsor his musical friend Bobby. The therapist also wants him to face his unresolved personal issues with his difficult parents, so Jeff leaves town alone to attend the annual Fourth of July party at his reactionary family's vacation home in Maine. There he greets countless relatives from whom he is estranged.