Duane Hopwood 2005

Duane Hopwood, a floor manager at Atlantic City’s renowned Caesars Palace casino, finds himself grappling with the harsh realities of his life’s collapse. His marriage to Linda has deteriorated largely due to his debilitating alcoholism, now leaving him with only visitation rights to their two young daughters, Mary and Katie. One pivotal night, while intoxicated, Duane is pulled over for erratic driving, exposing the heartbreaking truth that Katie is in the backseat. This incident leads to the loss of his driving privileges, compelling him to depend on Linda for rides, which often results in him riding a bike instead.

As Duane continues to navigate his duties on the casino floor, he encounters a particularly demanding customer, Mr. Alonso, who unexpectedly benefits from Duane’s unwarranted kindness. This poor judgment on Duane’s part ultimately allows Alonso to win the jackpot, setting off an unexpected series of consequences. Back at home, Linda shares gut-wrenching news, mentioning that their lawyer is recommending she revoke Duane’s visitation rights following his recent DUI. She also expresses her hope that he can refrain from drinking around their children, a plea that pierces deeply into Duane’s already fragile state of mind.

When Duane returns to the casino, he is called to Carl’s office to justify the chaos involving Alonso and a combative elderly patron, Mrs. Fillipi, who insists Duane was responsible for Alonso’s windfall. In a desperate attempt to save face, Duane fabricates a story suggesting that Alonso had funded his jackpot. This deception proves successful, much to Mrs. Fillipi’s dismay, as she feels robbed of her rightful winnings. Exiting Carl’s office, Duane is left pondering whether this marks just the beginning of his arduous journey toward redemption.

In a touching scene at Mary’s home, she reveals her yearning to escape her current life and begin anew with Duane, a decision clouded by the hurtful words from Katie and the relentless bullying by Linda’s boyfriend, Bob, regarding her weight. This revelation ignites a fiery discussion among Duane, Linda, and Bob that escalates into a confrontation as Duane, in a moment of rage, approaches Bob wielding a baseball bat. However, he ultimately restrains himself, recognizing the high stakes and the witnessing children’s presence.

Seeking solace later that night in a local bar, Duane meets Gina, a compassionate bartender who lends him an ear. Though his romantic overtures are rebuffed due to his inebriation, their connection deepens further when she offers him a ride home after her car won’t start. As the evening unfolds, a subtle yet undeniable chemistry develops between them, complicated by Duane’s lingering affections for Linda.

The following day, a visit from Carl brings shocking news: a tape that incriminates Duane shows Alonso receiving casino quarters from him directly. Under pressure, Carl is forced to let Duane go, leading him to a deep despair. He drowns his sorrows in alcohol and finds himself at Gina’s place, where a brief intimate moment occurs. Still, when Duane professes his love for Linda, Gina walks away, leaving him once again alone.

Battling his addiction, Duane courageously attends an AA meeting but succumbs to overwhelming emotions, causing him to exit prematurely. At the subsequent court hearing regarding his visitation rights, Duane passionately appeals to the judge, emphasizing that his daughters are his reason for living. Tragedy strikes when Linda’s lawyer presents the baseball bat from their earlier confrontation, undermining Duane’s plea and further darkening his prospects.

As Duane’s life spirals downward, he receives a sober visit from his lawyer Steve, who somberly discusses their next steps. Overwhelmed, Duane drives to Linda’s home, only to discover it empty. In despair, he disrupts Anthony’s comedy routine at the casino, leading to his ejection by security.

The following day, with the sun rising anew, Duane attempts to reconcile with Anthony for sabotaging his performance. However, Linda appears unexpectedly, announcing that she, Bob, and their daughters are preparing to move to South Carolina, where Bob has landed a job co-managing a gym. Duane takes full accountability for their impending separation, and Linda extends an olive branch, inviting him to say goodbye, assuring him of future visits with the children. Yet, the next day, Duane fails to meet Linda as promised; she departs with her new family, only for Duane to appear on his bike clad in a turkey costume, a whimsical nod to Anthony’s comedy skit. With a heavy heart but a sense of closure, Duane watches as they vanish into the horizon.

In the aftermath of this poignant goodbye, Duane begins to heal from his past with Linda and rekindles his relationship with Gina. Together, they join Anthony for a Thanksgiving celebration, where the warm camaraderie reminds them of the bonds of friendship. As the film draws to a close, a heartfelt toast rings out, and while others enjoy glasses of wine, Duane chooses a simple glass of water, signifying his commitment to a new path forward.