The Sunshine Boys

Al and Willy end their 47-year partnership in acrimonious terms about retirement versus continuing to perform. They have not spoken in 11 years, and the rift colors their every interaction.

A major network decides to air a program about the history of comedy and asks the Sunshine Boys to reunite for the show. Ben, Willy's nephew and talent agent, tries to secure their cooperation while navigating their quirks and the old feud.

Ben plans to manage the two old men's quirks and present a polished image by omitting past insults. He aims to stage the 'Doctor Sketch' for the ABC special to give the appearance of harmony.

An attempt to rehearse the Doctor Sketch starts with a reluctant reconnection, but quickly derails when Willy wants to change the scripted 'Come in' to 'Enter!' The long-standing tensions surface as they argue loudly and Al storms out.

Ben patches up the rift and convinces them to go to the ABC studio for the rehearsal and filming. He works to smooth over the tensions and secure a place in the program.

In the dressing room, the two men avoid communicating as people, and Willy carelessly dumps makeup jars on Al. The usual clumsiness with doors adds to the friction before the shoot.

The Doctor Sketch begins, but Willy fixates on Al's 'spitting' during the enunciation and chest poking, triggering a renewed confrontation. The quarrel escalates despite Ben and staff trying to restore order.

Unable to work together, both leave the set in anger, unable to salvage the performance. Their separation becomes obvious as they retreat to different spaces around the studio.

In the stairwell, Willy's ongoing temper tantrum leads to a serious heart attack. The incident marks a dramatic turning point in their relationship.

Willy recovers first in the hospital, then at home under the care of a private nurse. The health scare softens his stance and opens space for reflection on the past.

Ben visits and urges Willy toward retirement, offering his own home or a New Jersey actor's retirement home for convalescence. The discussion hints at practical realities and growing concern for their long-term friendship.

Serendipity brings Al to move into the same New Jersey retirement home, as his daughter is having a second baby and needs his room. Proximity reintroduces opportunities for reconciliation.

In Willy's apartment, the two men finally reconcile after years of feuding. They reminisce about mutual friends and find a way to move forward together.