Author! Author!

Author! Author!

Year: 1982

Runtime: 110 min

Language: English

Director: Arthur Hiller

DramaComedyRomanceFamily

A struggling playwright finds his life spiraling out of control when his wife departs, leaving him with four children and a failing marriage. Simultaneously, he's determined to cast the popular movie star Alice Detroit in his new Broadway production. Faced with these challenges, he must redefine his roles as a father, partner, and artist, while also managing a group of spirited children who constantly test his patience and creativity.

Author! Author! (1982) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Author! Author! (1982) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the bustling heart of New York’s theater district, the world of Broadway glitters with ambition and desperation in equal measure. A seasoned playwright finds himself at a crossroads, his latest project teetering between artistic breakthrough and financial ruin. The city’s relentless pace mirrors his own internal storm, where every rehearsal, script note, and investor meeting feels like a high‑wire act performed without a safety net.

Ivan Travalian is a man whose identity is tangled up in the words he writes and the family he suddenly must shoulder. After his wife walks away, he is left to navigate the chaotic rhythm of single parenthood, caring for a lively brood of stepchildren whose energy is as unpredictable as the city that surrounds them. The pressure to revive his career collides with the everyday demands of cooking meals, soothing tantrums, and keeping a roof over heads that feel more like a circus troupe than a conventional family.

Enter the charismatic movie star Alice Detroit, whose reputation for both brilliance on screen and an unquenchable curiosity about theater draws her into Ivan’s orbit. Her presence promises a burst of glamour and the tantalizing possibility of a breakout Broadway debut, but also introduces a fresh set of challenges as the world of flashing cameras meets the gritty reality of crowded apartments and school pickups. A tentative partnership begins to form, hinting at both professional synergy and an emotional connection that could reshape both of their lives.

The film balances sharp wit with earnest drama, painting a portrait of a man striving to reconcile his creative dreams with the messy realities of love, responsibility, and identity. Its tone is simultaneously hopeful and weary, inviting the audience to wonder whether the stage can become a sanctuary for a fractured family—or whether the very spotlight that promises redemption will illuminate truths they are not ready to face.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 14:11

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