MAN OUT OF COUNTRY

Synopsis

Happily married, Iranian immigrant AMIR MOLAVI (55) and his American wife KATE (45) juggle romance with cultural differences and music teaching careers while raising two teenage sons in California. Kate’s teaching style is well suited for their young, impressionable students but Amir’s strict approach can be intimidating. When KENDALL (7) arrives for a guitar lesson without saying hello, Amir orders her to re-enter the studio with a proper greeting.

During guitar practice, Kendall’s mother TANIA mentions that her family always has dinner together. Amir admires their tradition and is suddenly inspired to do the same -- he longs to bring his independent family members together so they can create lasting memories before the boys leave for college. Later, Kendall quietly cries during her lesson. Amir and Tania soon learn that Kendall had an accident because she was too afraid to ask Amir for a bathroom break. Amir apologizes but Tania fires him for being “too uptight.” When Amir tells Kate about the incident, she says he needs to “smile more” to engage his students.

That evening, Amir is determined to make chili for a united family dinner, but Kate isn’t a fan of the “silly” tradition. She also doubts that their busy teenage sons will embrace the new ritual on a Tuesday night. Amir explains that he wants to know his sons better before the birds leave the nest. Kate gives her “sensitive” husband a hug and says that he can achieve his goal outside of dinnertime. Their son DANIEL (17) says he’s too busy for a family dinner but Amir insists that he attend.

When Daniel asks if his uncles can attend his high-school graduation, Amir worries about a potential travel ban in the current political climate. Kate says that she envies Daniel’s close relationships with extended family because she never had an uncle. Suddenly, Kate and Amir realize that they forgot to pick up their son JAKE (15) from school. They’re both relieved to find Jake on his phone in his room – but when Amir asks Jake about his day, the teen is reluctant to engage his father in conversation. When Amir notices Jake’s reddened eyes, the teen blames a chlorinated pool during water polo practice. Amir now demands that Jake take a drug urine test as per their agreement but Kate wants Amir to take it easy on their troubled son.

Amir is distracted when teenagers JOY, MAYA and JOE arrive to rehearse a play with Daniel. Kate’s mother CAROL (72) also arrives for a surprise visit. Jake uses the distraction to sneakily ask Daniel to take the drug test for him but Daniel refuses. When Joy offers to do it for $20, Amir overhears the scheme and sends her home. Meanwhile, Carol wants to take Kate home to for a private talk about “something important” but Amir doesn’t want anything ruining their family evening. He now invites Carol and her husband WYMOND (70) to stay for dinner.

When Jake delivers his urine sample, he admits to smoking weed. Amir grounds him for using drugs and demands his phone, adding that his second punishment will be tonight’s family dinner. As Kate sends Jake to his room to do homework, Amir’s cousin GITTY (42) arrives for yet another surprise visit. Invited to stay for dinner, Gitty insists on replacing Amir’s chili with a traditional Persian dish. Daniel happily invites his friends to stay for a great meal.

When SOPHIE (15) arrives to hang out with Jake, Amir is caught off-guard yet again. Moments later, Sophie and Jake go missing. Amir immediately sends Daniel to check Jake’s usual hiding places and bring him home. As Daniel and his friend form a search party, Kate wonders if she and Amir should motivate Jake instead of punishing him. Meanwhile, Wymond asks how Kate feels about Carol’s news. Carol promises to share the issue after dinner. Daniel returns with Jake who was found smoking sage cigarettes outside.

As everyone finally sits down for dinner, Kate admits that a traditional family meal is a good idea. Suddenly, Carol decides to share her news: Kate has an uncle she didn’t know about! Kate and Amir are shocked. Later, as Carol and Wymond drive home, she worries how the family will react to the other skeletons in her closet.