“Two fish in a tank, one turns to the other: ‘Do you know how to drive this?’” So begins this quirky dark rom-com, in which semi-orphaned botany nerd Jenni leaves her crumbling life behind with the help of fast-talking hustling hottie Sam. Together, they set out on the adventure of a lifetime.

Shy, unblossomed Jenni is about to attempt suicide when Sam, a mysterious stranger in the right place at the right time, unexpectedly rescues her. With her Justin Bieber smile, switchblade, and wry life philosophy, Sam persuades Jenni to ditch her despair and embark on an odyssey in search of her father, who disappeared when she was a kid. In a not-quite-borrowed car, they set out for Los Angeles with only a faded family photo and Sam’s gutsy street smarts to guide them. Through navigating encounters with a host of wacky characters, each spurring her closer to her father—and to Sam—Jenni gets lessons on everything from driving a van to driving a vulva, and her life begins to bloom.

Director Kai Alexander, who spent part of his childhood traveling with his circus performer parents, and screenwriter Alma S. Grey, who also stars as sweet savant Jenni, infuse Broken Gardenias with an invigorating sense of wild abandon and synchronous happenstance.

— Natalie Mulford

AT&T Audience Award Text Voting Code: F110