How They Smiled

Bestselling New York novelist Henry Jenkins (Richard Burgi) is not a man of many words. He drinks his tea and enjoys his toast, and walks no more than four blocks to seventh street to Lizzy's coffee shop, where he sits three seats away from the door. Henry has finished the final draft in his penultimate novel in the "Blood Asp" series, which have won him multiple awards over the years. Lizzy Garland (Heather Snell), on the other hand, is a woman of many words. She keeps her customers coming back with her warm spirit and inviting conversation. Henry stays for the tea, and because it takes his mind off certain things.... But he has a plan, and a machine, which if things go well, he will get them back, and will remember how they smiled...

Directed by Nicolas Wendl, How They Smiled leans on a strong ensemble — Richard Burgi, Heather Snell, Erica Vogelvang — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about mystery titles of 2011.