Collateral Beauty 2016

Here’s my rephrased version:

As a successful advertising executive, Howard Inlet (Howard) was once the epitome of drive and ambition. However, following the devastating loss of his young daughter, he became mired in a profound sense of despair, unable to find solace even in his usual pursuits. His days blend together in a haze of isolation, as he constructs intricate domino chains and structures at home and at the office, his behavior an eerie reflection of the fragility of life.

Concerned for both Howard’s well-being and the future of their company, his estranged friends and business partners, Whit Yardsham (Whit), Claire Wilson, and Simon Scott, fear that his mental state will irreparably damage their reputation. The trio’s anxiety is compounded by the fact that Howard’s erratic behavior has already led to the loss of several high-profile clients, leaving them on the brink of financial ruin.

In a desperate bid to regain control of the company, Whit, Claire, and Simon turn to private investigator Sally Price, tasking her with gathering evidence that suggests Howard is mentally unfit to lead. Their plan hinges on Sally intercepting letters written by Howard, which he had anonymously mailed to the abstract concepts of Love, Time, and Death.

To further their scheme, Whit, Claire, and Simon hire a trio of struggling actors – Amy, Raffi, and Brigitte – to pose as the very embodiment of those abstracts. Their ruse is designed to ensnare Howard in conversations that will ultimately be used to discredit him. The actors spend time with Simon, Claire, and Whit, who are grappling with their own personal demons: Simon’s secret battle with cancer; Whit’s struggle to reconnect with his pre-teen daughter Allison after betraying her mother; and Claire’s quest for a sperm donor to conceive a child.

As Howard navigates his surreal encounters with “Love”, “Time”, and “Death”, he begins to attend a grief support group, where he meets Madeleine, a woman who has suffered a similar loss. Her poignant words resonate deeply with Howard, as she shares her own experience of learning to recognize the collateral beauty that often follows tragedy.

As the group’s discussion on the actors’ performances reaches a fever pitch, Amy’s guilt over manipulating Howard becomes too much to bear, and she storms out of the room. Whit, sensing an opportunity, sets off to persuade her to return, declaring his romantic intentions in the process. Though initially rebuffed, Amy agrees to recommit to their plan if Whit will make amends with his troubled daughter. Meanwhile, Simon confides in Brigitte about his mortality and his fear of leaving behind a lasting legacy, prompting her empathetic encouragement to share the burden with those who matter most.

The specters of Love, Time, and Death return to confront Howard once more, only for him to lash out at them, particularly Love, as he struggles to reconcile the pain of losing his daughter. Love offers Howard a poignant reminder that his daughter’s existence owes its meaning to love itself, urging him to find solace in this profound truth. The next day, Howard faces his company’s board of directors, where footage of the group’s experiences, sans actors, is presented. As he absorbs the gravity of his mental state and its impact on the agency, Howard expresses his gratitude for the unwavering support of his friends, vowing to be there for them in their times of need. With a heavy heart, he signs the documents facilitating the sale of the agency.

Simon shares his health struggles with his wife, finding comfort in her loving presence. Claire meets with Raffi, who offers words of wisdom and optimism, assuring her that she will make a wonderful mother someday. As time continues to march on, Claire acknowledges its relentless pace, only for Raffi to remind her that her battle against it is far from over – a battle fueled by the positive influences that have shaped his life.

Whit pays a visit to Allison at school, where he faces resistance and anger initially. However, he persists in expressing his love for her, vowing to return each day until she deigns to speak with him. Eventually, Allison’s defenses begin to crumble, and she hints that tomorrow will be only half a day of school – a subtle reminder of the promise of new beginnings.

On Christmas Eve, Howard visits Madeleine, who persuades him to watch a poignant video featuring his late wife playing dominoes with their beloved daughter Olivia. The revelation is too much for Howard to bear, and he finally breaks down, acknowledging his daughter’s name and cause of death as tears stream down his face. As he hugs Madeleine, Brigitte is revealed to be the individual who first introduced her to the concept of collateral beauty – a profound reminder that even in darkness, there exists a glimmer of hope.

As the holiday season wears on, Howard and Madeleine stroll hand-in-hand through Central Park, their love now freely acknowledged. However, as they turn to gaze upon Amy, Raffi, and Brigitte watching from afar, the trio vanishes into thin air, leaving the couple to cherish the beauty of their newfound connection.