Year: 1959
Runtime: 105 mins
Language: English
Director: Joseph Anthony
James Lee adapts his off‑Broadway play for film, directed by Joseph Anthony. Aspiring actor Sam (Anthony Franciosa) will sacrifice family and take any job to become a Broadway star. Director Maury (Dean Martin) refuses to cast him, prompting Sam to marry Maury's girlfriend (Shirley MacLaine). After a failed deal, Maury backs out again, and Sam is drafted into the army.
Get a spoiler-free look at Career (1959) 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 gritty glow of post‑war New York, an off‑Broadway troupe fights to keep its rebellious spirit alive against dwindling funds and a restless city that promises fame on the Broadway stage. The atmosphere hums with cheap coffee, cramped rehearsal rooms, and the restless chatter of actors who see the stage as both salvation and battlefield. Within this world, a determined playwright is reshaping his modest work for the silver screen, a venture that promises to blur the line between gritty theater and Hollywood gloss.
Sam arrives from the Midwest with a single, stubborn conviction: he will do whatever it takes to become a Broadway star, even if it means sacrificing the comforts of family life. His raw talent is matched only by his willingness to swallow pride, take any job, and endure endless auditions, painting a portrait of an artist whose drive borders on obsession. The tone is intimate yet edged with the pressure of an industry that measures worth by applause and contracts.
Enter Maury, a charismatic director whose own ambitions have carried him from the cramped stages of Greenwich Village to the promise of a Hollywood career. He recognizes talent but also guards his creative vision jealously, setting up a fraught dynamic with the eager newcomer. Complicating matters further, Sharon—the charismatic yet troubled daughter of a powerful producer— becomes entangled in a marriage of convenience that blurs professional and personal loyalties, hinting at the sacrifices artists make to stay in the game.
Against this backdrop, the looming prospect of a military draft adds an urgent, unpredictable shadow, reminding each character that the world beyond the footlights can intervene at any moment. The film swims in a tone that is both gritty realism and wistful yearning, inviting the audience to feel the magnetic pull of ambition, the weight of compromise, and the fragile line between opportunity and loss.
Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 09:18
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Characters who sacrifice everything for their creative passion.If you enjoyed Career's portrayal of an actor's obsession, you'll find similar stories here. This list features movies about the driven, often difficult journey of creative professionals who stop at nothing to achieve their dreams.
These narratives follow a protagonist on a single-minded quest for creative validation. The central conflict arises from the tension between their ambition and the real-world demands of relationships, financial stability, and personal well-being, often leading to significant sacrifices.
They are grouped by their shared focus on the psychology of the dedicated artist, a steady pacing that builds the pressure of ambition, and a tone that balances the bitterness of struggle with the hope of potential success.
Where victory feels satisfying because the struggle was real.Fans of Career's satisfying conclusion will appreciate these films. They feature protagonists who overcome significant obstacles, making their final triumph feel genuinely earned and emotionally resonant.
The narrative arc is defined by a prolonged and challenging struggle against external forces like industry rejection, political persecution, or systemic barriers. The resolution is a clear, positive outcome that directly results from the protagonist's unwavering resilience.
They share a specific emotional recipe: a medium-to-high level of sustained tension and sadness throughout the journey, culminating in a genuinely happy ending that provides a powerful, cathartic release after the emotional grind.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Career in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Career is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of Career, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
Track the full timeline of Career with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Career. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Career: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like Career that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
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