Hidden Palms

Johnny Miller is in his room studying, but when his Dad comes in, things get ugly as he commits suicide, right in front of Johnny.



One year later, Johnny is out of alcohol and drug rehab and his mother, Karen has remarried to a man named Bob Hardy. Johnny is taking pictures in his new home, Palm Springs. Karen empha that she wants everything to work. A girl, Liza, is working on a science experiment that goes wrong. Johnny sees someone stab somebody in the neighbor's window, but it turns out to be Cliff, a prankster. Cliff tells Johnny about an Eddie that lived in the house that Johnny lived in. Johnny sees a girl running, so he chases her. Her name is Greta and they have some fun in the sprinklers.



Cliff helps his mother, Tess, with her new nose. While Karen meets some local mothers, Johnny bumps into Liza. Johnny takes some pictures of Greta at the pool. Johnny meets Michelle, the former new kid. Cliff tells Johnny that Greta can be enigmatic. Greta deletes the pictures of her from Johnny's camera.



Johnny visits the church. There, Johnny meets Jesse Jo. While riding through the town, Johnny meets up with Greta, where they talk and get to know each other more. Cliff tells Johnny more about Greta and Eddie and that Eddie died, all while Liza watches. Greta and Johnny have a dip in the pool, where Johnny tells her about his father's suicide.



There is a night ime party. Tess meets Karen. Liza tries to talk to Johnny, but he is interrupted my Michelle. Cliff and Greta have a mysterious chat. Johnny and Greta talk and she leaves hastily. Johnny and Karen talk about Johnny's dad and Karen's rushed marriage afterwards. Johnny spills his feelings about Bob. A strange confrontation between Cliff and a dog shows how Cliff brings people in and then is so quick to push them away. A montage of Greta crying, Johnny looking at the pictures that Greta took of herself, Cliff in bed and the doorbell rings, and Karen looking at Johnny. Greta tells Cliff that she hates him and they hug and again, Liza secretly watches.