A talented young actor (Stan Shaw) and his agent (Jack Carter), both try desperately to convince an influential theater critic (Samantha Eggar) to change her negative opinion of his performance in a revamped version of Othello. A man (Grant Goodeve) tries to convince his neighbor (Michael Lembeck), who intends to murder his wife out of his belief she cheated on him, not to do the deed. Following the death of their mother, her ne'er-do-well son (Henry Polic II) is upset she has left him her house and possessions and her company to his more responsible sister (Judith Chapman). When she refuses to give him part of the company, he begins tormenting her by dissipating his share of the estate and selling the things that mean the most to her.