The Humbling 2015

Simon Axler, a celebrated stage actor now facing the twilight of his career, experiences a devastating loss of his artistic gift. Once recognized for his outstanding portrayals, he finds himself in a tailspin after unremarkable performances of Prospero and Macbeth at the esteemed Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The harsh critiques shatter his confidence, plunging him into a deep depression that leads him to abandon his craft altogether. As he grapples with his despair, the painful reality pushes Victoria, his wife, a former ballerina, to seek solace in California with their son.

Amidst the ruins of his life, Simon admits himself into a psychiatric hospital following his physician’s advice. There, he endures a rigorous 26-day therapy regimen that becomes a transformative experience. It is within these stark walls that he crosses paths with Sybil Van Buren, a fellow patient who bravely shares the painful story of her second husband’s vile mistreatment of their young daughter. Sybil’s articulate expression of guilt over her inaction and her own suicidal tendencies resonate deeply with Simon, who, despite her urging, hesitates to take matters into his own hands.

As time goes by, his agent, Jerry Oppenheim, arrives at Simon’s retreat in upstate New York, bringing tentative hope with an offer to portray James Tyrone in Long Day’s Journey into Night. However, weighted by self-doubt, Simon cannot envision the possibility of success. Among the letters from fans that Jerry delivers, one poignant note from Sybil catches Simon’s attention. In it, she conveys her gratitude for his sympathy during their shared hospital stay and admits she did not recognize him until she saw one of his classic films aired on television.

His solitude is shattered when he encounters Pegeen Mike Stapleford, the daughter of two esteemed actors he once shared the stage with. Now a professor at a women’s college in Vermont, Pegeen seeks to escape the shadows of a six-year relationship with a woman transitioning into a man. This newfound freedom comes at a cost; she initiates a clandestine romance with Simon. However, this relationship is fraught with turmoil as Pegeen’s past—her 17-year history as a lesbian—now complicates her connections and triggers jealousy from Louise Renner, the school’s dean, who embarks on a relentless campaign against Pegeen after discovering their affair.

Richardly woven into Pegeen’s familial tension is Simon’s involvement in the aftermath of Sybil’s traumatic experience, which culminates in the shooting of her estranged husband. In his eagerness to aid Sybil during this distressing time, Simon seeks a distraction from his own chaotic home life, attempting to take back control of his narrative.

As their relationship grows, Pegeen attempts to reinvigorate their intimacy by introducing Lara, a 19-year-old college student, into their lives for a sexual role-playing exercise. This unsettling decision does little to mend their bond and instead fractures Simon’s already tenuous sense of identity. Simon’s attraction then shifts to Tracy, a young woman who embodies the reckless abandon that is mirrored in his own despair.

The climax of Simon’s downward spiral is marked by a disastrous dinner that devolves into a drunken threesome with Tracy. Her remark about recognizing him as a renowned actor amplifies his insecurities, propelling him deeper into despair. Driven by a desperate need to feel alive, Simon visits a fertility specialist in hopes of starting a family with Pegeen, seeking a lifeline in this precarious relationship.

However, two weeks later, their affair unravels as Pegeen ends it, expressing remorse for her past decisions. Simon’s confrontation with her parents, fueled by his feelings of injustice, signals the imminent collapse of their bond. In a tragic culmination of his struggles, Simon tragically takes his own life with his shotgun, forever intertwining his legacy with the consuming darkness that overtook him.