Marvin Landisman was an aspiring screenwriter and director, but his career derailed when his leading man, Warren Zell, committed suicide. Years later, Marvin directs instructional home videos. His wife, Rachel, convinces him to move to New York City, where she plans to open a restaurant. As she searches for a location, she telephones Marvin, excited that she also found a potential position for him in the drama department of a New York city college. Meanwhile, Jack Roth, an older, down-on-his-luck producer, searches through piles of old screenplays and finds Marvin’s script The Darkness and the Light, about a painter who commits suicide. Jack contacts Marvin, who is surprised, but insists he must direct the film. Jack agrees, and they arrange to meet at Shelby’s diner to discuss the deal. Jack also invites Stuart Stratland, the twenty-four-year-old son of an award winning screenwriter. Jack claims Stuart has interesting ideas about Marvin’ script, but Marvin declares that not one word can be changed. Jack has an investor, George Lieberhoff, who wants his mistress to be in the film. When they meet with the elderly George and his young girl friend, Peggy Pauline, she wants to perform the lead role of the painter’s girl friend, but Marvin suggests she play the prostitute. Stuart, who is clearly smitten with Peggy, convinces them the script is not finished and can be adjusted to make the prostitute’s role more prominent. Afterward, Marvin is furious with Stuart, but Jack calms him, and notes that George liked the young screenwriter. After Peggy’s dismal audition, Marvin meets Jack and Stuart at the diner and insists he cannot hire her. However, he learns that she is no longer interested because she auditioned for a horror film, and is insulted that she prioritized another project. Jack has already lined up another investor, Carmine Rasso, who also wants a role for his girl friend, Patricia Riley, so she will be distracted from her pursuit of marriage. Carmine confides that he is so upset about the possibility of wedlock that he is having an affair. Carmine’s only concern is that the script must have humor, and Stuart convinces them that the painter’s death is not too depressing. Marvin does not like the suggested changes, but grudgingly agrees. Patricia’s audition for Marvin is awkward, and she admits to participating in the film to make Carmine happy. Jack claims they need more money to finance the project and must turn to Carmine’s friend, Evan M. Wright, who also has a mistress requiring a role in the film. Evan is a wealthy, no-nonsense businessman who declares the script needs changes in order to guarantee a profit. He wants the painter changed to a photographer and demands to participate in the editing process. Evan’s mistress, Beverly Dumont, is a smart, talented, African-American beauty, and Marvin is impressed with her audition. She informs Marvin that she is also having an affair with Carmine, so if Marvin disappoints her, he is in trouble with both of his investors. Marvin’s wife telephones and wonders why he has not come to New York to interview at the college. He professes to be busy at work and does not tell her about the film. In time, Peggy changes her mind about the horror film, and, George becomes an investor in Marvin’s project. Stuart suggests the lead character be changed to a gigolo, so he can handle all of the mistresses. Marvin is upset, but Stuart insists he is trying to make the script work for everyone. He also declares his love for Peggy and wants to borrow Marvin’s apartment for their romantic trysts. Marvin hopes George will not learn of the affair, but agrees to Stuart’s request. Rachel returns and encourages Marvin to join her in New York. He finally reveals the truth about the project. Rachel is upset because they spent seven years trying to make the film, but no one wanted to participate in such a depressing project. She is finally happy in New York and wishes he would resolve his guilt over Warren Zell’s suicide. He admits the film might not be made, but he must try. Marvin asks her to leave, and Rachel returns to New York alone. Marvin wants to return to his original screenplay, but Stuart believes Marvin is self-destructive. Marvin reveals that he wrote the screenplay to find meaning in Warren Zell’s suicide, but Stuart claims the investors are only interested in making the film for their mistresses. Realizing this, Marvin wants to eliminate the suicide, but Stuart declares it is the only element that everyone agrees on. They meet to close the deal at a birthday party George is hosting for Peggy’s vocal coach. Evan is angry that he has been unable to reach Beverly, and Patricia becomes upset when she realizes Carmine is having an affair with her. Stuart brought the latest version of the script. Although Marvin wants to read it, Beverly takes it from him. Stuart becomes jealous when Peggy dances with a fellow acting student and ignores him. Meanwhile, Jack meets with George, Carmine, and Evan to sign the contracts. The investors quickly realize Jack is attempting to sneak an extra profit point for himself into the contract. Jack declares it is legal and refuses to give up any points. Although Marvin agrees to give up a point, the men continue to argue, and Carmine leaves to find Patricia and propose marriage. Evan walks out, and George declares Marvin and Jack should have more integrity. Beverly finishes the script and is furious to learn that Peggy’s role is central while she has been relegated to a prostitute who gets murdered. She confronts Marvin, who admits he has not read the final script. She does not believe him, accuses him of being a sell-out, and leaves with Evan. Furious, Marvin hunts for Stuart and finds him arguing with Peggy. Stuart storms out before George arrives. George believes Peggy is having an affair with Marvin and orders him to leave with Jack. Outside, Jack and Martin catch up with Stuart. He realizes he was blinded by his love for Peggy and altered the script to accommodate her. Jack berates the three investors, and claims he still believes in the picture. Marvin declares he is not interested and drives away. Later, Jack finds another rich man who wants to get into the film business, and Martin agrees to meet them at Shelby’s diner.