Paris When It Sizzles

Alexander Meyerheim hires veteran screenwriter Richard Benson to write his screenplay. Richard, deeply immersed in a playboy lifestyle, quickly demonstrates his tendency to procrastinate as the deadline approaches.

With the deadline two days away, Richard stalls and fails to make progress on the script. He remains holed up in his hotel room, avoiding the hard work of turning Meyerheim's story into a coherent screenplay.

Gabrielle Simpson, a temp secretary hired to type the script, arrives at Richard's hotel room to find little has been written. She is tasked with generating the pages that could salvage the project, and the pressure of the deadline is evident in both of them.

Richard explains that Meyerheim will be in Paris by Sunday morning, leaving them two days to complete a 138-page script. The strict timetable pushes them to brainstorm rapidly and improvise scenes.

The two begin weaving the screenplay together, imagining scenarios for The Girl Who Stole the Eiffel Tower. The romance between Richard and Gabrielle becomes the backbone of their unfolding story.

The fictional film teases Hollywood with spoofish depictions of the industry, giving tiny roles to Noël Coward, Tony Curtis, and other era stars. The script alludes to real film legends, adding meta-textual humor.

At the end of the script, Richard kills off his character, mirroring his own sense of futility. He then confesses to Gabrielle that he is an aging alcoholic and does not deserve love or a happy ending. He admits his creative peak is behind him.

Gabrielle is dismissed for her sake, and Richard, drunk, falls asleep. The moment underscores his self-destructive pattern even as the city outside pulses with possibility. The room falls silent as his ambition wavers.

Richard regains his senses and resolves to change, seeking Gabrielle to tell her he loves her. He believes they can write a new script together and reclaim his talent.

The couple runs off together, embracing a new shared project. Richard tosses the old pages into Bastille Day fireworks, signaling a break with the past.

The fireworks flare as the lovers kiss, signaling a fresh start and a new collaboration. The moment promises a future built on their partnership.

The lovers kiss as the film's ending approaches, and the screen shows the words 'kiss' and 'fade out' to signal the conclusion.