When Sparks Fly

The film opens with Amy Peterson working as a journalist for 'The Chicago Post,' feeling pressured by her editor to find a 'spark' in her writing. Her boyfriend, Phil, is a wealthy businessman who enjoys high-end French cuisine like octopus and pomegranate appetizers, which contrasts with Amy's down-to-earth nature. When her editor assigns her a first-person story about her family's fireworks business in Lakeside, Amy heads home. Before leaving, she learns from her best friend Sammie that Sammie is getting married on July 4th to Hank Lyons—Amy's high school sweetheart whom she left behind seven years ago to pursue her career. Amy agrees to be the maid of honor, despite the awkwardness. Upon arriving in Lakeside, Amy is thrust into wedding planning. Sammie’s vision for the wedding is an over-the-top 'patriotic' theme with red, white, and blue everything, including dyed blue roses. Amy spends significant time with Hank while scouting locations for the rehearsal dinner, eventually settling on 'Lew’s BBQ,' a place they both loved when they were dating. During these outings, it becomes clear that their chemistry remains strong. Meanwhile, a subplot involves Amy’s parents, Charlie and Gloria, whose fireworks business is struggling. A town crisis occurs when a water main break forces the city council to reallocate the fireworks budget to repairs. Amy uses her journalistic skills and social media savvy to launch a crowdfunding campaign, successfully raising the money to save the show. The emotional climax occurs at the rehearsal dinner at Lew's. After a nostalgic dance with Hank, Amy learns that Hank had intended to propose to her years ago before she left for Chicago. Overwhelmed, Amy confesses her love to Hank in a private moment that is overheard by Sammie. A confrontation ensues, and Sammie calls off the wedding in front of all the guests, accusing Amy of trying to steal her fiancé. In the aftermath, Phil and Amy have a mature conversation where they realize they aren't 'the one' for each other and break up. Sammie eventually forgives Amy, admitting she was more in love with the idea of the wedding than Hank himself. The film concludes on the Fourth of July; Amy decides to quit her job in Chicago to stay in Lakeside and work for the family business. During the fireworks display she helped save, Hank finds her and proposes, and she happily accepts. In a final twist, Phil is seen hitting it off with Sammie, suggesting a new match.