Lymelife

Set on Long Island in the early 1980s, Lymelife follows two middle-class families as infidelity, the fever of the real estate market, and a medical mystery test their bonds. Fifteen-year-old Scott Bartlett, portrayed by Rory Culkin, watches his world shift as the adults he relies on start to show cracks in the roles they’ve played. He lives with his parents Mickey and Brenda and his brother Jimmy, navigating a summer crowded with tense conversations, petty rivalries, and awkward awakenings. Lyme disease casts a shadow over the household, turning fear into a shared preoccupation and amplifying every argument. The film blends humor with pain as Scott confronts the messy reality of growing up and discovers that maturity is messier than he thought. The camera lingers on the scars of a summer borrowed from pool parties, family dinners, and the brittle humor that tries to hold it together.

Directed by Derick Martini from a screenplay by Steven Martini, Lymelife is an intimate indie drama produced on a modest 1.5 million dollar budget. The film emphasizes intimate performances and small, telling moments over spectacle, signaling the Martini siblings’ collaborative debut.

Awards: The film earned modest recognition within the independent circuit but did not become a major awards player. Critics highlighted the ensemble's poised performances and the film's unflinching look at family strain. It won no high-profile prizes, but earned respect for its craft.

Cultural Impact: Lymelife stands out for its grounded, character-driven portrait of suburban 1980s life and turning Lyme disease into a symbol of fear and vulnerability rather than a mere medical detail. The film’s candid conversations and setting on Long Island have lingered with many indie viewers.

Reception & Themes: Critics praised the film for crisp dialogue, natural chemistry among a strong ensemble cast, and a clear eye for mid-Atlantic social pressures. It threads humor through pain while interrogating loyalty, adolescence, and the ways a family's secrets shape a young man's coming of age.