A seemingly successful but emotionally empty film producer and former Broadway composer is facing a potential flop without the support of his two oldest friends – a drunken and bitter woman hopelessly in love with him for whom he has never returned the feelings, and his former partner who can't forgive him for moving on to bigger and better things. However, as years go by in reverse, we see Frank's life is really just the product their manipulation and his desire to please them (and a few key others); Mary to keep a romantic relationship with him possible (Divorce? Nothing to be sad about – oh, and by the way – "Over here! Hello!" ), and Charley, who keeps Frank chained to him (and resents his success) because he knows that he's really nothing special on his own. As the years go by, we see the toll of Frank's decisions (and his friends' manipulations) gradually lifted, with his empty uncertainty replaced by (preceded by?) confidence, then youthful ambition, and finally, and poignantly, by boundless idealism, optimism and naivete, finding the most reward in seeing the future (Sputnik), and knowing he has two friends to share it with.
