Skin Deep

Writer Zach Hutton is caught by his girlfriend Angie having an affair with her hairdresser. In a fit of rage, Angie grabs a pistol from Zach's nightstand and tries to shoot him, but he manages to prevent the gun from firing.

Following the confrontation with Angie, Zach returns home only to find that his wife Alex has kicked him out. In a bar, he confides in his friend Barney that he wants a loving marriage but struggles with fidelity.

Zach visits his lawyer, Jake, who informs him of Alex's divorce demands which include the house, cars, and a substantial alimony payment. This revelation leaves Zach feeling hopeless and defeated.

Zach seeks help from therapist Dr. Westford, who encourages him to stop pursuing younger women. Instead, he immediately crashes his car while distracted by real estate broker Molly's attractiveness.

In an attempt to find stability, Zach buys a house from Molly and invites her to move in. He believes that living with her will help him settle down and overcome his infidelity.

After six months of continued cheating, Molly is fed up. In a moment of anger, she sets Zach's piano on fire while he is playing, leading to the entire house going up in flames.

At the bar, Zach meets Lonnie, a formidable bodybuilder. Despite feeling intimidated by her, Zach manages to overcome his impotence and experiences a brief romantic connection.

Zach learns of a friend's suicide, causing him to reflect deeply on his life choices. As he tries to flirt with a new woman at the bar, he is met with immediate complications when her boyfriend arrives.

After hearing a fight from the hotel room above, Zach meets Amy, who defends him against her boyfriend Rick. Their encounter leads to a series of comedic and awkward situations involving glow-in-the-dark condoms.

In a bizarre turn of events, Zach is exposed while hiding in the closet as Amy's boyfriend, Rick, presses for reconciliation. A physical altercation ensues, revealing the absurdity of the situation.

During Sparky's funeral, Zach runs into Alex, who reluctantly invites him to dinner. It becomes clear to Zach that he is still deeply in love with her, but she bluntly points out his fear of commitment.

Desperate to reconnect with Alex, Zach discovers her location in Santa Barbara while packing with her mother. However, when he drives there, he faces traffic issues that land him another night in jail.

Zach arrives at a hotel only to find Alex about to marry another man. He opens his mouth to object, but his mother-in-law stops him, leading to a heartfelt discussion about independence and love between Zach and Alex.

After hearing Dr. Westford's advice about personal change and self-salvation, Zach reflects on his life while meditating on the beach. With new determination, he begins to make significant changes.

Months later, at the launch of his new book, Zach encounters Alex again, informing her of his transformation. He expresses that he has not only quit drinking but also remained celibate, suggesting he is ready for a new start with her.