Synopsis
Autumn Leaves is a romantic comedy with two separate story lines. The protagonists are in their middle twenties; the setting is a mid-sized Midwestern city.
Jason and Katie are lovers. He’s an assistant campaign manager for a conservative city councilman, a job he takes very seriously. She’s a college dropout working as a waitress and wondering what she’ll do with her life. Katie’s love for Jason is not returned. She sees only what’s good in him; he finds her sweetness off-putting, and in turn becomes callous towards her. After Katie confronts Jason about his insensitivity, his attitude towards her softens, and he begins to discover that he needs her. But does she need him?
Matt and Deb are friends. They were lovers, several years ago; now they share an apartment. Deb’s an actress with the role of Ophelia in a production of Hamlet and an eye on Brad, the play’s star. Matt does nothing – even though his parents just cut him off. His lackadaisical approach to life is a sharp contrast to no-nonsense Deb. But their constant bickering masks a good friendship, a friendship threatened by Matt’s jealousy over Deb’s relationship with Brad…