A teenage girl battling a life-threatening illness finds solace and connection with a troubled musician in a small mountain town, forcing them to confront their past traumas and fight for their futures.

SYNOPSIS:

A young family faces a life-altering diagnosis. Melodie, a gifted teenage songwriter, needs a transplant. Her songwriting rivals many contemporary artists and her lyrics are poignant, describing the depth of her struggle as she searches for independence. But this talent is hidden behind an angsty facade. The illness, however, sets off a chain reaction, challenging the family's life.

Isabella, Melodie's mother, battles stress and mental health. Her frailty is palpable as she fails to connect with Melodie as she once had.

James, a young guitarist set adrift by tragedy, unexpectedly enters their lives when he runs out of gas in their small Colorado town. His songwriting is an outlet that pierces his depression. Melodie and James find each other when he hears her music echoing through the thin air. They bond over music, and James encourages Melodie to share her music online, gaining her some recognition.

Isabella connects with James when he visits her coffee shop to avoid the cold. She makes it her mission to help him as an excuse to hide from her own problems, a consistent comfort that her ex, Eric, disapproves of.

The tension between Melodie and Isabella grows, revealing Isabella's mental health struggles. James reluctantly becomes a an ally for Melodie. Although, he hides secrets. James suffers from Asthma, and the suicide of his fiancée is still fresh in his memory. He has come to the small mountain town to end his life knowing the thin mountain air will make him hypoxic.

Melodie seeks support to intervene in Isabella’s manic behavior. James believes he’s the last one that should be involved and dodges her request. Melodie doesn’t understand his mixed reactions as in one moment he brings a possible solution but won’t be the voice she desperately needs to bring connection between her and her mother.

James is running out of time as the hypoxia filters through and complicates everything. He decides to help Melodie break through to Isabella. But Melodie’s condition worsens leading to an eventful rush to the hospital to save her. Her final moments are pressing as it’s now or never for her transplant. Her kidneys are failing.

Isabella discovers that James has been trying to kill himself in the thin air. The trip to the hospital has landed James attached to oxygen machines to treat his weak condition. This is when, of all people, Eric, Isabella’s ex, lends a word to James about his mixed actions. James should have avoided this family, but he decided to help. Is he really someone that wants to give up?

James makes the ultimate decision to be the transplant that Melodie needs despite the risks but she will only accept it if he finds the strength to keep fighting. During the transplant, James flatlines and the doctors and nurses need to save him.

At the edge of a new chapter filled with hope and optimism, Melodie is adjusting to her changing life. The song she’s posted online has become a success. Isabella mental health challenges are in a far better position and Melodie readies for a performance.

Melodie waits to appear on stage to perform. The packed small venue can be heard anxiously awaiting her. James, recovered from his experience, steps to her side to perform with her and asks if she’s ready.

SHATTERED MELODIES