In the sweltering summer of 1958 Los Angeles, we follow Frank Forbes, who works as a driver for the enigmatic Howard Hughes. His journey often brings him to the door of Marla Mabrey, a breathtaking Baptist beauty queen signed with RKO Pictures, enjoying a lavish lifestyle funded by Hughes' generosity. As her main chauffeur, Frank becomes intimately acquainted with Marla’s life, driving her to singing and dance classes as she prepares for her moment in the limelight.
Marla's existence seems like a highly choreographed performance directed by Hughes, with his loyal assistant Levar Mathis having warned Frank that "the starlets cannot have close contact with men." Frank grapples with his own faith and desires, having previously crossed boundaries with his fiancée Sarah. As Marla eagerly anticipates her screen test for the cherished role of Stella Starlight, her mother Lucy returns to Virginia, leaving Marla poised at a crucial juncture in her life.
With her mother no longer supervising her, a bond forms between Frank and Marla as they share conversations that flow as smoothly as the LA freeways they navigate. Marla opens up to Frank about her worries of succumbing to Hollywood’s rigid norms regarding talent, beauty, and presentation. Frank, ever the reassuring figure, emphasizes her capability to break free from those constraints. Just before her pivotal meeting with Hughes, Frank’s initial encounter with the mogul proves life-altering, granting him access to Hughes’ inner sanctum.
As time goes on, Hughes grows more withdrawn, consumed by paranoia regarding possible harassment by minority shareholders of TWA. His confidant Noah Dietrich unwittingly exacerbates Hughes’ fears by recommending seeking psychological assistance and proposing marriage to avoid legal troubles. Meanwhile, Marla's screen test turns out to be a mere formality, yet she delivers a private musical performance for Frank, leading to an emotional kiss that leaves both reeling with guilt.
The repercussions of that fleeting intimacy are significant. After a late-night engagement with Hughes, Marla, feeling bold from her first taste of cocktails, pours out her feelings, leading to an emotional encounter where Hughes, overwhelmed, proposes, marking a pivotal turn in their lives. The next morning, confusion reigns when Marla reveals her secret engagement to Hughes, sending Frank into emotional turmoil as she dismisses him from her life.
As Hughes’ empire teeters on edge, he hastily marries Jean Peters to protect himself legally, distancing himself from Noah and appointing Robert Maheu as the CEO of his conglomerate. Maheu sternly warns of impending court action from TWA shareholders over potent mismanagement allegations.
Meanwhile, Marla is engulfed in distress upon discovering she is pregnant with Hughes' child. Her revelation is met with disbelief and scorn from Hughes, who insinuates her pregnancy is an attempt at financial manipulation. Shattered by his reaction, Marla retreats to Virginia, leaving behind a whirlwind of emotional consequences.
As tensions elevate, Hughes further isolates himself, with his loyal circle dwindling. The legal confrontation ultimately goes against Hughes, imposing a staggering $645 million judgment against him. To salvage his crumbling empire, he must part with his cherished Hughes Tool Company.
Fast-forward to 1964, where Frank, Levar, and Nadine await crucial updates regarding a scandalous exposé on Hughes, which suggests he is spiraling into dementia. Marla enters with Matt, their five-year-old son, bearing uplifting news about the exposé’s credibility, bolstered by testimony from a former girlfriend of the author, claiming she never met Hughes. Empowered by parental love, Hughes finds the strength to describe his current and past encounters in vivid detail, fortifying the belief in his mental sharpness.
Seizing this moment of clarity and feeling liberated, Frank resigns from his job and embarks on a journey to reunite with Marla and Matt, ultimately striving to create a unique family unit amidst the chaos of their lives.
