Michael Without Apology

While waiting for Mr. Dunning at the student union, Michael texts Madeleine. They make arrangements to see each other that evening. Dunning arrives, and they discuss Michael’s submission process. Dunning offers to contact some friends in the industry to help Michael.

A week later, Michael receives a call from Jonah Levy at Netflix. Netflix is interested in buying and streaming his documentary short. It won’t pay much, but it would give Michael the exposure he needs.

At Madeleine’s that evening, Michael is surprised to meet Madeleine’s sister Patricia. Patricia is cold toward Michael but gives him and Madeleine space to talk. The couple discuss the possibility of accepting the Netflix offer, which Madeleine encourages. She assures him that Patricia will stay with her while he travels to Los Angeles, California.

Michael travels to LA and works with Jonah on his film. Jonah and his husband, Dennis, invite Michael to stay with them, too. Jonah discusses the upcoming process with Netflix, and they review their edits of the film before sending the final submission. That evening, Michael and Jonah talk, take a swim, and share dinner with Dennis. Jonah reflects on his career, friendship with Dunning, and excitement over Michael’s film.

The next day, Jonah informs Michael that his film will be streaming within the month. Michael calls Madeleine with the news, but Patricia says she’s asleep. Then, he sends the film to his mother so that she can watch it before it goes up on the site. The next day, Michael returns home. His parents greet him warmly. Judy congratulates Michael and expresses her pride in him.

Michael receives word of press releases for his film. He soon discovers that he’s been accepted into several festivals and that the LA Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and Santa Barbara Independent want to interview him. One newspaper suggests that they want to include Mr. Dunning in a press release and question-and-answer session. Dunning insists that Michael do the interview and session himself, as it’s his work and accomplishment.

Michael visits Madeleine. He is surprised to run into her mother, who treats him coldly. She saw his film and accuses him of exploiting Madeleine’s story. Michael argues otherwise, and Madeleine’s mother leaves. Alone, the couple discuss the film, newspaper interviews, and the future. Madeleine agrees to be interviewed but wants it to be short since her strength is waning. Then, she encourages Michael to “find a nice girl who [he] can love, and trust” after she dies (181). An uncomfortable Michael promises to try.

LA Times reporter Zach Brownstein conducts interviews with Michael and Madeleine. Zach remarks on his emotional response to the film and what good care Michael is taking of Madeleine. After he leaves, Michael and Madeleine lie in bed together. Madeleine drifts in and out of consciousness, asking questions about their relationship. She falls asleep and doesn’t wake up again.

After her memorial, Michael reads Zach’s interview. He pours over Madeleine’s portion through tears.

The college shows Michael’s film and hosts a question-and-answer session afterward. Michael is shocked when the firefighter who reported to his fireworks incident stands up from the audience and speaks. He explains his role in the event, insisting on his own culpability. He scared Michael, which caused him to jump on top of the rocket. Then, Jeffrey emerges from the audience and shares his response to the film. Michael is moved, as he hasn’t heard from him since he was seven.

Outside afterward, an attractive young woman named Caroline approaches Michael about his film. She expresses her condolences over Madeleine’s death and gives him her number if he ever wants to talk.

On the drive home, Michael has a conversation with his parents about Madeleine. He explains that he needs time to grieve. In his room, he rewatches Madeleine’s portion of the documentary. He crumples up Caroline’s number and tosses it. Then, remembering his promise to Madeleine to date again, he retrieves the number.

Three weeks later, Michael receives a letter in the mail from his birth parents. They saw his film and now want the chance to explain what “really” happened when he was a child. They reference the letter they wrote Michael years prior.

A furious Michael confronts Judy and Charles about the matter. They insist that they don’t know what happened to the Costas’ original letter because they gave it to Michael. Michael suddenly remembers ripping up and flushing the letter when he was a kid. Afterward, Judy joins Michael in his bedroom and asks him if he’s going to contact the Costas. She encourages him to think about it.

Michael tells Mr. Dunning about the Costas’ letter and his confusion over the past. Dunning encourages him to try contacting Thomas first. In the days following, Michael considers calling the Costas for Thomas’s number. Instead, he writes them a letter requesting to talk to Thomas before talking to them.

Three months after Madeleine’s death, Patricia calls Michael to see if he is dating. She promised her sister that she would check in about his relationship status every three months.