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The Imbalance

Two best friends in their fifties leap back into acting — and dating — only to find an industry obsessed with youth, a culture addicted to reinvention, and a brutal truth: starting over is harder when you actually know who you are.

Sally Mayer and Celeste Bartholomew are best friends in their fifties who once believed acting was their future — until life intervened. Careers were paused, families were raised, and dreams were quietly shelved. Now, with children grown and time finally their own, they make a bold decision: to return to the industry that first broke their hearts.

What they encounter is not the enlightened, inclusive business they were promised — but a surreal maze of contradictory casting briefs, age-coded rejection, and industry professionals who insist the rules have changed while behaving exactly the same. Auditions demand both invisibility and relevance; confidence and apology. Youth is fetishized, experience politely ignored.

As Sally’s long-dormant ambition reignites — and her personal life becomes increasingly complicated — Celeste struggles with what success might cost their friendship, and whether wanting more at this stage of life is brave… or delusional. Between chaotic auditions, ill-timed romances, humiliating self-tapes, and moments of unexpected triumph, the women discover that reinvention in midlife isn’t about chasing youth — it’s about refusing to disappear.

The Imbalance is a sharp, warm, character-driven comedy-drama about friendship, resilience, and the absurdity of an industry — and a culture — still catching up to women who refuse to age quietly.

Interview
Written by:
Format:
Screenplay
Starring Roles For:
Kathryn Hahn
Robin Wright
Jason Bateman
In the Vein Of:
Swingers
Enough Said
Better Things
Posted:
12/18/2025
Updated:
12/18/2025
Author Bio:
Naomi Lisner is an actor, writer, and occasional director who refuses to age out, quiet down, or become “sensible.” She creates stories with heart, bite, and the kind of humour that makes people snort-laugh in public and then pretend they didn’t. After years in front of the camera, she began writing, directing, and painting — not because she needed more careers, but because her creativity has the self-discipline of a drunk flamingo and cannot be contained.

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Contest Results:
SENE Screenplay (First Place) [2021]
Houston Comedy (First Place) [2021]
Red Flight Pictures (Finalist) [2025]
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