Write When You Get Work

Ruth Duffy scrapes by as an assistant at an expensive girls school in Manhattan, trying to keep a steady life after a rocky adolescence. Jonny Collins fixes things and takes odd jobs near the Throgs Neck Bridge, living a much rougher, looser existence. When their paths cross again after years apart, Jonny is still fixated on Ruth from their high school days, and he works his way back into her orbit with motives that mix affection and self-interest. The film follows their uneasy reconnection, the friction between aspiration and survival, and the uncertain chemistry that follows without giving away how it ends.

Directed by Stacy Cochran and released in 2018, the film features Finn Wittrock, Rachel Keller, Emily Mortimer, Scott Cohen, and Jessica Hecht in key roles. It was presented as an indie feature rather than a major studio release, and it kept a relatively low profile during its rollout.

The movie saw a limited theatrical window and later became available on digital platforms, so it didn't register as a major box office contender. Financial returns were modest, in line with many small independent dramas that rely more on niche audiences than wide commercial appeal.

Critical reaction was mixed to negative, reflected in its low average score from a small number of votes. Reviewers often pointed out uneven tone, though many also noted that the leads brought an intriguing tension to the material. The story centers on class differences, obsession, and the messy overlap of romance and exploitation, with moments of humor that sometimes soften darker turns.

While it didn't become a mainstream talking point, the film prompted some discussion about power dynamics in relationships and the social distance between boroughs and Manhattan institutions. Performances from Wittrock and Keller were singled out by some viewers, and the movie has had modest resonance among audiences who follow indie romantic dramas.