Interiors

Interiors

Year: 1978

Runtime: 93 min

Language: English

Budget: $10M

Drama

Eve, a celebrated interior designer, finds her carefully constructed life unraveling when her husband leaves. The resulting family crisis forces her and her three adult daughters to re-evaluate their relationships with each other and their parents. As the daughters grapple with their individual struggles, the unexpected arrival of a new artist in their father's life further complicates the already tense family dynamics, leading to a poignant exploration of change and self-discovery.

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Interiors (1978) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Interiors (1978), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Arthur, a corporate lawyer, and Eve, an interior designer, are the parents of three grown daughters. Their eldest, Renata, is a talented poet whose husband, Frederick, struggles to find his place in the shadow of her achievements. The youngest, Flyn, is an actress frequently away shooting poorly received films, while the middle daughter, Joey, grapples with her career path and feels overlooked by their mother, whom she believes favors Renata. Meanwhile, Renata is burdened by their father’s worries over Joey’s indecision.

One fateful morning, Arthur drops a bombshell: he wants to separate from Eve and live by himself. Devastated by this revelation and battling her clinical depression, Eve attempts to take her own life in her new Manhattan apartment. This dual shock creates a fissure among the sisters, challenging their bond. Arthur’s trip to Greece marks a turning point; he returns with Pearl, a lively woman he wishes to marry, swiftly moving on from the heartbreak of Eve’s crisis. The sisters are appalled by their father’s apparent disregard for Eve and label Pearl a “vulgarian.”

At a wedding held at the family’s beach house in Long Island, the strained dynamics reach a boiling point. During the celebrations, an unfortunate incident occurs when Pearl unintentionally shatters one of Eve’s cherished vases, igniting a furious reaction from Joey. Chaos ensues later when Frederick, intoxicated, assaults Flyn in the garage, but she manages to escape. Overwhelmed by frustration, Joey confronts Eve, lamenting the sacrifices she has made and the disdain she feels from her. In a moment of despair, Eve walks into the ocean, and despite Joey’s brave attempt to save her, the situation nearly turns tragic. Fortunately, Mike, Joey’s partner, comes to her rescue, while Pearl revives Eve with quick thinking.

As they gather for Eve’s funeral, each sister places a single white rose—Eve’s favorite flower, symbolizing hope—on her wooden coffin. They share a melancholy moment reflecting on the tranquil sea from their former family beach house, feeling the weight of loss and the bond of sisterhood amidst their grief.

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 18:33

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Interiors

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Interiors

Interiors Spoiler-Free Summary

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More About Interiors

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