Plot Synopsis:
Coney Island on a cold winter's day is the setting for this thoughtful, yet very funny drama about friendship, memory, and regret. Two lifelong friends, Stan and Daniel, hear a rumor that childhood buddy Richie has lost his mind and is now homeless and living somewhere near the fabled amusement park. In a search for meaning in their own lives, they set off on a day-long quest to find him, encountering a cast of oddball characters including a philosophical skee-ball attendant, a most unlikely pair of lovers, and a less than freaky Freak show. In the process, we discover that Stan and Daniel have their own demons to deal with; Stan's drinking is bringing him to the brink of losing everything he loves, while Daniel harbors the memory of a betrayal that may have been more important than he could have ever imagined. When they actually find Richie, the revelations come fast and furious; the real reason for Richie's disappearance, the true impact of Daniel's treachery, and the extent of Stan's descent into alcoholism. When the dust settles they are faced with the dilemma: what do they do now?
Based on a true story, the award-winning Went to Coney Island on a Mission from God… Be Back by Five is a journey that goes from the hilarious to the heart-rending. It is about the limits of friendship, and the meaning of love.