Year: 1992
Runtime: 90 mins
Language: English
Director: Jay Sandrich
The father, a self‑made millionaire, is fed up with his freshly‑graduated son’s idle days lounging on the family estate. He concocts a fake bankruptcy, planning to relinquish his fortune in hopes the crisis will force the son to find work and learn to earn his own keep. He hopes the shock will finally motivate the young man to leave the mansion’s comfort, take a real job, and prove himself.
Get a spoiler-free look at For Richer, for Poorer (1992) 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 a sleek, sun‑drenched suburb where marble façades and manicured lawns speak of generations of earned wealth, the world of the Katourian family feels both expansive and strangely confined. The house itself is less a home than a symbol of achievement, its polished corridors echoing with the quiet expectations of a legacy that never seems to rest. A tone of restrained elegance tinged with underlying anxiety colors every interaction, suggesting that the most valuable assets may be intangible.
Aram Katourian is the patriarch who built a retail empire from the ground up, his ambition evident in the twelve stores that bear his imprint. Though he commands respect in boardrooms and charity events, he carries a private complexity—a discreet affair with Irene that quietly gnaws at his sense of purpose. His marriage to Millie Katourian, a partner whose own aspirations once mirrored his own, has weathered the shifting sands of success, leaving a partnership that balances affection with unspoken weariness.
Their son, Michael Katourian, has grown up amid the comforts of the estate, his days marked more by leisurely indulgence than by the hustle that once defined his father. While his mother adapts by taking on modest work, Michael drifts in a haze of entitlement, his future seemingly scripted by the wealth that surrounds him. Observing this, Aram devises an unorthodox strategy: he will stage a financial collapse, hoping that the shock will jolt his son into responsibility and force a reckoning with the value of effort.
The film moves through this affluent backdrop with a bittersweet rhythm, blending moments of quiet introspection with the occasional burst of sharp humor. A chance encounter on a windy bridge with Billie, a streetwise woman whose perspective is far removed from the Katourians’ polished world, hints at the possibility that unexpected connections can illuminate hidden truths. The story invites viewers to contemplate how far one will go to reshape family dynamics and whether the pursuit of purpose can emerge from the ruins of an illusion.
Last Updated: November 29, 2025 at 04:44
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.
Families navigating manufactured crises that lead to strained but hopeful reconciliations.Movies like 'For Richer, for Poorer' where a family faces a fabricated crisis designed to teach a lesson. These character-driven stories blend interpersonal drama with hopeful reconciliation, perfect if you enjoy bittersweet tales about love, deception, and personal growth.
A parent, often a father, orchestrates a deceptive scenario—like a fake bankruptcy—to force a spoiled or drifting child to mature. The narrative follows the emotional consequences of this lie, straining relationships but ultimately pushing characters toward self-reliance and a more honest, if bittersweet, family dynamic.
They share a specific dramatic structure: a parental deception ignites the plot, leading to medium-intensity emotional conflict, a steady pacing that allows for character reflection, and a conclusion that values earned growth over a perfectly happy ending.
Stories of privileged characters humbled by loss, finding purpose through struggle.If you liked the personal growth journey in 'For Richer, for Poorer', you'll enjoy these movies about privileged characters forced to confront reality. These sagas explore themes of financial ruin, class, and finding redemption through hardship in a thoughtful, steady-paced narrative.
A character accustomed to wealth and comfort is abruptly stripped of their safety net, often through deception or misfortune. The story charts their journey from entitled idleness to finding value in hard work and authentic relationships, culminating in a matured but emotionally complex sense of self.
They are united by a core character arc of humbling and redemption, a moderate complexity that allows for personal reflection, and a bittersweet tone that acknowledges the scars of growth. The pacing is steady, letting the emotional transformation feel earned.
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Read a complete plot summary of For Richer, for Poorer, 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.
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Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape For Richer, for Poorer. 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 For Richer, for Poorer: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.