Giles De'Ath is a British author who has written a series of successful novels set in the Victorian era. He leads a quiet, solitary life in his remote country home, surrounded by his collection of antiques and his beloved cat, Sebastian. One day, while waiting for his car to be repaired, he stumbles into a screening of a lowbrow American teen movie, starring the handsome and charismatic young actor Ronnie Bostock.
To Giles' surprise, he finds himself utterly transfixed by Ronnie's performance, and begins to develop an obsession with the young man. He watches all of Ronnie's movies, studies his every move, and even begins to dress and act like him. He becomes convinced that Ronnie is a true genius, a master of his craft who deserves far more respect than he is given by the film industry.
Giles decides that he must meet Ronnie in person, and sets off for Long Island City, where Ronnie lives. He arrives unannounced at Ronnie's apartment building, and manages to talk his way past the doorman by pretending to be a famous literary critic. He meets Ronnie in the lobby and pretends to be a fellow actor, eager to work with him on a new project.
Over the course of several weeks, Giles and Ronnie form an unlikely friendship. Giles is fascinated by the young man's carefree lifestyle, his easy charm, and his ability to effortlessly navigate the complexities of modern American life. Ronnie, for his part, is drawn to Giles' erudition, his old-fashioned manners, and his cultured British accent.
As their friendship deepens, Giles finds himself falling in love with Ronnie, despite the fact that he is more than twenty years older than the young actor. He begins to dream of a life together with Ronnie, far away from the glare of Hollywood and the superficiality of the film industry. But when Ronnie's girlfriend arrives on the scene, Giles' idyllic fantasy begins to unravel, leading to a shocking and unexpected conclusion.
Love and Death on Long Island is a poignant and often humorous exploration of the power of art, the complexities of human relationships, and the transformative nature of love. With a standout performance by veteran actor John Hurt and a charming turn by Jason Priestly as Ronnie, the film is a must-see for fans of independent cinema and romantic dramas.