In the vibrant city of Tacoma, Washington, Joey Boca, portrayed by Kevin Kline, epitomizes the conflict of a man who projects an image of loyalty while grappling with the shadows of his infidelity. Within the confined space of a confessional, he opens up to a priest about his betrayals, confessing to unfaithfulness toward his wife Rosalie, a character brought to life by Tracey Ullman, on at least seven occasions over the past two weeks. The burden of his sins weighs heavily on him, his mind racing to recall the intricate details of each affair. Despite his yearnings for forgiveness, there is a poignant lack of genuine remorse that permeates his confessions.
As the owner of a bustling pizzeria alongside Rosalie, their marriage has weathered the test of time while raising two children. The Bocas also manage an apartment building, which conveniently serves as a cover for Joey's clandestine liaisons. His position as the building's manager allows him to provide more than just plumbing repairs, enabling him to engage in secretive actions that lie far beyond the realm of maintenance.
At the same time, Devo, a young and hopeful employee at the pizzeria, finds himself infatuated with Rosalie, who is considerably older. Driven by his desires, Devo tries to awaken her to the reality of Joey’s unfaithfulness, pleading with her to reassess her unwavering loyalty and acknowledge the futility of her devotion. Unbeknownst to her, Rosalie remains steadfastly trusting in Joey, convinced that his nightly outings are merely well-earned breaks from their hectic family life.
Adding to the complexity, Rosalie's mother, Nadja, harbors a deep animosity towards Joey's assertive demeanor, resenting the expectations he places upon her daughter. She is distraught at the pressures Rosalie faces, navigating her responsibilities at the pizzeria while also tending to household duties and child-rearing.
As the story unfolds, Rosalie stumbles upon Joey in an unsavory situation within the local library, a shocking epiphany that ignites a storm of feelings within her and ultimately breeds a deep-seated animosity towards her husband. In a dramatic twist, she seeks guidance from her mother, and they devise a scheme to exact revenge on Joey.
Their initial attempts to eliminate Joey are met with failure, leaving them perplexed. Nadja first hires an enigmatic figure to deal with Joey with a baseball bat, yet his quick reflexes thwart any harm. Unfazed, she then resorts to her ingenious craftsmanship in an attempt to rig his car with explosives, but the bomb fails to trigger, leaving Joey blissfully unaware of the danger he narrowly escaped. Later, the mother-daughter duo concocts a more insidious scheme to lace Joey's spaghetti with sedatives in hopes of incapacitating him. However, despite indulging in several oversized servings, Joey attributes his discomfort to a virus rather than the effects of the drugs.
With their plans failing to manifest the desired outcome, Nadja and Rosalie determine that only a decisive action can end Joey's reign. However, confronted by their conscience, they struggle to follow through with this plan and ultimately turn to Devo. They plead with him to take action for Rosalie’s sake, but Devo, despite his affection, finds himself unable to pull the trigger, resulting in a mere grazing wound behind Joey’s ear during a botched attempt.
Refusing to try again, Devo hires two inept acquaintances, the James cousins—Harlan and Marlon—to finish the job for a bargain of $500. When cowardice gets the better of Marlon, Harlan takes aim at Joey and shoots him through the chest, only for Joey to rise moments later, appearing oblivious to the severity of his condition. A medical examiner later reveals that the sedatives have slowed his metabolism, preventing him from bleeding out.
Meanwhile, a convict at the bar where the assassination was planned spills the secrets of their conspiracy. When the police arrive, they discover an unsuspecting Joey, wounded yet unaware of his injuries. Consequently, Rosalie, Nadja, Devo, and the James cousins are arrested. In an intriguing twist, Joey opts not to pursue charges against them, choosing instead to bail them out. Awaiting Rosalie with a bouquet of flowers and chocolates, he encounters the James cousins and finds a way to reconcile.
When Joey finally meets Rosalie again, he implores her for another chance, but her anger drives her to flee. Eventually, he tracks her down in a janitor's closet, where they rekindle their passion, much to Devo's disappointment and Rosalie’s mother’s astonishment.
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