Surrender

Surrender

Year: 1987

Runtime: 105 mins

Language: English

Director: Jerry Belson

Comedy

A witty romantic comedy follows a wealthy novelist scarred by money‑hungry ex‑wives and girlfriends. To discover whether the woman he truly loves cares for him or his fortune, he masquerades as a destitute, struggling writer, leading both of them into a chaotic, hilarious pursuit of genuine affection.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Surrender (1987)

Trace every key event in Surrender (1987) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Charity ball chaos and a nude bind

Armed thieves crash a charity ball and force guests to strip. Sean is bound nude to Daisy Morgan, a commercial artist, in a moment that is equal parts humiliating and oddly intimate. The shared danger sparks an immediate, unlikely attraction between them.

Evening Charity ball, Beverly Hills
2

Sean pretends to be a poor, unsuccessful writer

With the help of his lawyer Jay Bass, Sean pretends to be penniless and unaccomplished to see if Daisy will love him for who he is. Daisy remains unaware of the ruse as their relationship develops and deepens under the disguise.

After the ball Los Angeles
3

Daisy's rocky romance with Marty

Daisy is in a difficult relationship with Marty, a whiny, unstable lawyer afraid to commit. She also has a wealthy boyfriend in Sean, which complicates her decisions and fuels Sean's confidence in his deception.

Pre-ball / early stages Los Angeles
4

Sean plans to reveal his true self

Sean resolves to tell Daisy his real identity, hoping honesty will win her over. On the day he plans to disclose, Marty persuades Daisy to move in with him, leaving Sean heartbroken and uncertain about the plan.

Moving day Daisy's home
5

Newspaper clipping exposes Sean

A newspaper clipping reveals Sean's true identity and success, prompting Daisy to demand an explanation. She initially tells him she realizes he is the man she loves, but she secretly lies about when she decided, planting seeds of doubt.

Moving day Daisy's home
6

Daisy and Sean elope to Lake Tahoe

Daisy and Sean elope to Lake Tahoe to be married, signaling a shift toward genuine commitment. Along the way, Sean pushes for a prenuptial agreement, which unsettles Daisy and tests the romance.

Travel to Tahoe Lake Tahoe
7

Prenup signs in Nevada

In Nevada, Daisy signs a prenuptial agreement after Sean's insistence, trying to balance romance with financial protection. The legal hedge threatens to overshadow their budding love.

En route to Tahoe Nevada (on the way to Tahoe)
8

Daisy hits a two-million jackpot

During the trip, Daisy gambles alone in a Nevada casino and miraculously wins two million dollars. The windfall complicates the couple's dynamic, adding new leverage and tension to their relationship.

Trip to Tahoe Nevada casino
9

Sean reconsiders the prenup; Marty returns

Sean returns to declare he has had a change of heart and wants no prenup. Daisy questions exactly when he decided this, while Marty arrives and begs her to return to him, injecting old loyalties into the new situation.

After casino win Tahoe / Los Angeles
10

Sean relinquishes Daisy to Marty

Sean concedes Daisy's choice and tells her, 'You can have her,' stepping back as they head toward Los Angeles. The moment marks a cooling of his disruptive plan as real feelings begin to surface.

Post-Tahoe Los Angeles
11

Daisy rejects marriage and pays Marty

Back in Los Angeles, Daisy rejects a marriage proposal from Marty and uses part of her casino winnings to pay him off. This act signals her determination to define her own future rather than play along with old patterns.

After Tahoe Los Angeles
12

Sean's revenge plan and the reveal

A disturbed Sean spots a prostitute who robbed him and brings her to his home to enact a final act of revenge on women. He turns out to be a transvestite, a reveal that unsettles the scene and unsettles Daisy further.

Evening Sean's home
13

Daisy interrupts and wants to remarry

Daisy bursts into Sean's home and declares she wants to marry him again, tossing her remaining casino winnings at him in a bold gesture. The moment reignites their emotional pull, though the outcome remains unresolved.

Evening Sean's home
14

Prostitute's mercy caps the clash

The prostitute notices Sean's pile of cash and, instead of exploiting the moment, says she’ll only take cab fare. The gesture adds a strange mercy to the chaotic aftermath and leaves the final fate of Sean and Daisy open to interpretation.

Evening Sean's home

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:36

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Surrender Summary

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Surrender Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Surrender

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Surrender

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