The Arrangement

Wealthy ad man Eddie Anderson drives his life to the edge and tries to end it by steering his sports car under a tractor trailer. The act exposes a deep sense of despair and a belief that his life is an arrangement he rejects.

Across the film, memory sequences reveal Eddie's contempt for his life and for his Greek father, Sam Arness. The tension centers on Sam's expectations and Eddie's decision to Anglicize his name, go to college, and refuse the family business.

Eddie returns to his advertising job and publicly insults a valued tobacco client by referring to 'the big C.' The moment shows his reckless detachment from consequences and his contempt for the façade of corporate success.

Seeking escape, Eddie buzzes Los Angeles in a small plane, drawing attention from the authorities. The stunt highlights his craving for thrill and distance from his life.

Florence discovers nude photographs of Eddie with Gwen, exposing his affair. Soon after, Eddie learns that his father is hospitalized in New York, intensifying the looming family crisis.

In New York, Eddie's brother and sister-in-law push to place Sam in a nursing home, even as Gwen arrives and reveals the complexity of her own life, including her baby Andy and uncertain paternity. Eddie and Gwen become lovers, adding another layer of tension to the family drama.

Florence tracks Eddie to New York, pressing him to return home and help reconstruct their marriage. She dismisses his wish to care for his father, deepening their conflict.

With doctors' help, Eddie smuggles Sam from the hospital to the family home on Long Island Sound, where Sam calls him Evangelos. Gwen proposes becoming Eddie's mistress after she marries George, while Eddie insists he will marry Gwen.

Eddie realizes he cannot provide the money for Sam's imaginary business and erupts with decades of pent-up anger, admitting he is ashamed of his father.

While Eddie and Gwen are out on a boat, the family moves to remove Sam by force, and Charles takes Gwen and the baby away, severing another thread of Eddie's life.

As tensions peak, Arthur arrives from L.A. and Eddie is pressed to turn over all community property to Florence. Reluctantly, he signs, using Arthur's name, surrendering control of the family's wealth.

In a private moment, Florence confesses her love and loyalty, promising to stand by Eddie, but he remains wary and laments Gwen's influence while Florence's jealousy grows.

During the commitment process, it is hinted that Eddie set fire to the family home and that Charles shot him in Gwen's apartment, bridging the personal and legal crisis. The judge notes that Eddie could release himself at any time if he can prove he has a job and a home.

Eddie finds some solace among new friends at the asylum, while he becomes reconciled with his dying father and tells Gwen that he loves her, suggesting a fragile hope for companionship beyond pain.

The final scene centers on Sam's interment; Florence gives Gwen a wry smile and Eddie smiles gently as his father's coffin is lowered into the grave, signaling an ending rooted in complicated forgiveness.