American Cowslip (2009)

In the desolate stretches of the California desert, the quiet town of Blythe harbors Ethan Inglebrink, a colorful agoraphobic consumed by his dual obsessions - his enchanting garden and a crippling heroin addiction. This gritty comedy delves into Ethan's world, painting a portrait of a man in search of meaning when time itself seems to have forsaken him. His intricate web of deception, woven to justify his frequent syringe use, convinces his elderly poker companions of his fictitious diabetes. As he battles his addiction, he gambles to finance his twin vices - the entrancing allure of his garden and the relentless grip of drugs. With eviction looming, Ethan dedicates himself to a feverish bout of gardening, aiming to secure the coveted "$10,000 Garden of the Year" prize to settle his mounting debts. Amidst sugar-fueled obsessions and interactions with a quirky assembly of local characters, Ethan's heart is set on cultivating the perfect "American cowslip", a rare, resplendent flower that he believes mirrors his own turbulent existence. When his ambitions are disrupted by his landlord and neighbor, the formidable Trevor O'Hart, Ethan finds himself on the precipice of losing not just his precious garden and sanity, but also the companionship of his closest ally, Roe. When Ethan encounters Georgia, a radiant seventeen-year-old desperate to flee Blythe and her violent father, he believes he's discovered true love, unknowingly hastening his own downfall. Engaging in an uproarious horticultural face-off with Trevor, Ethan is propelled towards a quest to amend his mistakes and rescue Georgia. As he grapples with the shadow of death, Ethan resolves to meet his end with panache, echoing the rare beauty of his cherished American cowslip.

American Cowslip is a comedy movie featuring Rip Torn.

American Cowslip is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Redbox, Tubi TV and VUDU Free and it's also available on FilmBox+.