Arthur Newman

Wallace Avery, once a promising professional golfer, is now trapped in a mundane FedEx job in Florida. His life is overshadowed by depression stemming from a failed marriage and a distant relationship with his teenage son, Kevin.

In a moment of desperation, Wallace concocts a plan to reinvent himself by assuming a new identity. He fabricates a persona named 'Arthur Newman' to escape the monotony of his current life.

Wallace, now Arthur, sets off for Terre Haute, Indiana with the intention of reclaiming his identity as a golf pro. He hopes that this fresh start will help him leave behind his troubled past.

During his journey, Arthur meets Charlotte Fitzgerald, a young woman with her own troubled history. She is initially disguised as her twin sister, Michaela, who suffers from paranoid schizophrenia.

Arthur and Charlotte, under the guise of Mike, embark on an unexpected adventure together. They bond over their shared desire to escape their pasts and form a peculiar alliance, impersonating various couples.

As part of their escapade, Arthur and Mike infiltrate the homes of unsuspecting couples, pretending to be them. This game reveals their creativity, but also Mike's tendency to collect mementos from each place they visit.

While navigating their complicated identities, Arthur finds himself developing deeper feelings for Mike. Their relationship evolves through intimate conversations, revealing emotional vulnerabilities they both carry.

As they approach Terre Haute, Arthur expresses his desire for a future with Mike. However, Mike reveals her fears about her family history of mental illness, worried that she might inherit the same fate.

Upon reaching the Terre Haute Country Club, Arthur's fabricated golf persona raises suspicions with Chuck Willoughby, the club's owner. Tensions rise as Chuck threatens to expose Arthur's lies, yet he ultimately finds the situation humorous.

Arthur awakens to find Mike gone and the money they shared missing. Instead of fleeing, he resolves to stay, leading to a surprising turn of events that land him at the police station.

At the police station, Arthur learns that Mike has been apprehended for stealing their funds. Surprisingly, he chooses to cover for her, claiming he willingly gave her the money, showcasing his deepening affection.

While at the police station, Arthur discovers a wallet belonging to a man he had earlier tried to help, Beauregard Tully. This painful reminder makes him realize the impact of their intertwined lives and decisions.

Despite the risk, Arthur decides to bail Mike out of jail, cementing their bond. He hides Beauregard's wallet in his pocket, unwilling to let go of the connection they share.

Arthur and Mike set off to visit Beauregard's family in Virginia, aiming to return his belongings. Their journey serves as a transformative experience, filled with whimsical role-playing to escape their troubles.

In the end, Arthur drives Charlotte back to care for her sister, Michaela, while he prepares to reconnect with his son, Kevin. Their respective journeys signal a hopeful new beginning for both Arthur and Charlotte.