Grand Isle (2019 film)

A father and husband (Luke Benward) has been charged with murder. To prove his innocence he must recount the previous night's events to a police detective (Kelsey Grammer).

The film begins with the star, Buddy, in police custody. Buddy is a struggling but honest handyman and veteran trying to support his wife and newborn daughter. He has been accused of murder, and tells his side of the story, which is shown in the form of flashbacks.

Buddy has been hired to fix a fence in front of a stately home, owned by Walter (Nicolas Cage), a disheveled and embittered veteran with a drinking problem, and his wife, Fancy (KaDee Strickland). Tension is obviously high between the two of them, as both are physically abusive. As Buddy fixes the fence, Walter fires several shots at him from an upstairs window and Fancy displays romantic feelings for Buddy.

Buddy completes his task, but not before a torrential rainstorm and a malfunctioning truck prevent him from leaving the house. He takes shelter in the house and shares an awkward dinner with Walter and Fancy. After dinner, Walter invites Buddy into the attic for a drink. The two men reflect on their experiences in the military and share traumatic memories. Walter accuses Buddy of being a coward and then asks him to kill Fancy, explaining that she is terminally ill. Buddy seems unsure, but goes off to find Fancy. While speaking to her, he learns that she is not ill at all and that Walter was lying to him. The two develop feelings for one another and resolve to run away together.

The next day, Buddy attacks Walter and ties him to a chair. As Buddy and Fancy are leaving, Walter warns Buddy that Fancy is not to be trusted. Fancy pulls a gun on Buddy, who tries to escape. Fancy and Walter, who is now free, catch up with Buddy and knock him unconscious. The pair leave Buddy tied up in his truck, where the police eventually find him.

The narrative reverts to the present moment. The chief believes Buddy's story and releases him to his wife, who is heartbroken to learn of his infidelity with Fancy. She leaves him and moves in with her mother, leaving him alone.

Some time later, Buddy is enjoying breakfast in a diner when Walter, now clean-shaven and wearing a military dress uniform, is holding Buddy's wife and child hostage. The police arrive to negotiate and Buddy allows Walter to take him hostage so that his wife and daughter will be safe. Walter claims that his actions represent a sacrifice against the government for its poor treatment of veterans and begins shooting at the police. In the shootout, Walter is apparently killed and Buddy is wounded.

As Buddy recovers in the hospital, his wife forgives him for his actions and lets him hold his daughter. The couple resolves to repair their relationship.

The film closes with a gruesome crime scene in Buddy's house. A news reporter states that Walter and Fancy were holding hostages in their basement. The reporter note's that nobody truly knows their neighbors.

• Nicolas Cage as Walter, a Vietnam veteran
• KaDee Strickland as Fancy
• Luke Benward as Buddy, a USS Stark sailor
• Kelsey Grammer as Detective Jones
• Zulay Henao as Detective Newton
• Emily Marie Palmer as Lisa

• Grand Isle on IMDb 
• Grand Isle at AllMovie