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Café Society

Café Society 2016

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Café Society Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Café Society (2016). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.


Set against the backdrop of 1930s Hollywood, we follow the story of Phil Stern, the brilliant agent portrayed by Steve Carell, who stands as a titan in the entertainment industry. Our narrative kicks off at a lively party, where Phil unexpectedly receives a call he assumes is from the iconic Ginger Rogers. However, the truth unfolds when it’s his sister, Rose Dorfman (played by Jeannie Berlin), informing him that her son will be moving to Los Angeles to work with him.

Bobby Dorfman, played by Jesse Eisenberg, is a young man who shares a home with his mother Rose and father Marty (Ken Stott), a jeweler. Bobby’s family is rounded out with two siblings: the schoolteacher Evelyn (Sari Lennick), who is married to Leonard (Stephen Kunken) and has a daughter, and Ben (Corey Stoll), a notorious gangster known for his violent dealings and numerous murders in the area.

As Bobby embarks on his journey to Hollywood, he faces an uphill battle. His attempt to meet Phil at his office results in a long wait, only to discover Phil has jetted off to Mexico with his wife. Feeling disheartened one night, Bobby orders a woman, Candy (Anna Camp), to his apartment. Mistakenly, she arrives at the wrong room, and after a confrontation that leads to her tears, Bobby reluctantly shares the intimate moment before sending her away.

Finally gaining Phil’s attention, Bobby’s dreams seem to align when Phil agrees to take him under his wing. He’s introduced to Vonnie (Kristen Stewart), a kind-hearted secretary who shows him around the glitz of Hollywood, including celebrity homes like Joan Crawford’s. Bobby becomes infatuated with Vonnie’s charming personality, but soon discovers she is entangled with a journalist named Doug—who is revealed as Phil himself. Caught in a web of love and deception, Vonnie struggles with her feelings for Phil while trying to maintain her dignity.

As Bobby’s relationship with Vonnie blossoms following her split with Phil, complications arise when Phil’s jealousy bubbles over. Phil, unable to cope with losing Vonnie, confides in Bobby about his affair without revealing the identity of his partner. One fateful day, Phil proposes to Vonnie, leaving Bobby heartbroken when he discovers she chooses Phil over him.

Resigning himself, Bobby heads back to New York City to help his gangster brother Ben run a nightclub, where he soon gets acquainted with the high society of the era. During this time, he meets Veronica Hayes (Blake Lively), a recent divorcee, and their whirlwind romance leads to a hurried marriage after an unexpected pregnancy.

Amid family drama sparked by neighborly disputes involving Ben’s violent tendencies—culminating in a murder that lands him in the electric chair—Bobby finds himself navigating through grief and moral dilemmas. As the club gains notoriety after Ben’s execution, Bobby’s past resurfaces when Phil and Vonnie visit New York, rekindling unresolved feelings during a nostalgic day out.

The story culminates on New Year’s Eve, as both Bobby and Vonnie, now in different lives, reflect on lost opportunities and unfulfilled desires. Each of them, surrounded by festivities, find themselves engulfed in sadness and regret as the countdown to midnight echoes in their hearts.

Café Society Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Café Society (2016) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.


Phil receives a surprising call

At a lively party in 1930s Hollywood, agent Phil Stern receives a call he initially believes is from Ginger Rogers. To his surprise, it’s actually his sister, Rose Dorfman, informing him that her son Bobby is moving to Los Angeles to work with him.

1930s Hollywood

Bobby travels to Hollywood

Bobby Dorfman leaves his family in New York to pursue his dreams in Hollywood. This move marks the beginning of his journey through the glamorous yet challenging entertainment industry.

New York to Los Angeles

Bobby's tough introduction

Upon arriving in Hollywood, Bobby attempts to meet with Phil at his office. However, he discovers that Phil has flown to Mexico for a getaway, leaving him feeling disheartened and alone.

Phil's office

A fateful encounter with Candy

In an attempt to cope with his loneliness, Bobby invites a woman named Candy to his apartment. After a mix-up leads to her arriving at the wrong room, their confrontation brings tears, resulting in an unexpected intimate moment.

Bobby's apartment

Phil takes Bobby under his wing

Eventually, Phil notices Bobby and agrees to mentor him in Hollywood. This new relationship opens doors for Bobby, introducing him to the lavish life and the people that make up this elite world.

Phil's office

Bobby meets Vonnie

During his time with Phil, Bobby is introduced to Vonnie, Phil's kind-hearted secretary. Captivated by her charm, Bobby quickly falls for her, unaware of the complicated web of relationships surrounding them.

Hollywood

The revelation about Phil

As Bobby pursues a romance with Vonnie, he learns that she is involved with Phil, who has been disguising himself as a journalist, Doug. This revelation complicates Bobby’s feelings and the dynamic between the three.

Hollywood

Phil proposes to Vonnie

In a shocking turn of events, Phil proposes to Vonnie, leaving Bobby devastated. This proposal marks the end of Bobby’s hopes for a future with her and sets off a cascade of heartache.

Hollywood

Bobby returns to New York

Heartbroken, Bobby decides to return to New York City to rejoin his family and assist his gangster brother Ben in running a nightclub. This move signifies his departure from Hollywood and its shattered dreams.

New York City

Bobby's whirlwind romance

While in New York, Bobby meets Veronica Hayes, a recent divorcee. Their romance accelerates quickly, culminating in a hasty marriage after Veronica becomes pregnant, showing how life can change unexpectedly.

New York City

Confronting family tensions

Bobby's life is intricately tied to family drama, especially with his brother Ben’s violent actions leading to fatal consequences. The tension escalates when Ben’s murderous dealings land him in the electric chair.

New York City

Bobby's club gains notoriety

Following Ben's execution, Bobby's nightclub begins to rise in fame. However, the shadows of his past start to resurface, reminding him of the dreams he left behind in Hollywood.

New York City

A rekindled past

Phil and Vonnie's visit to New York offers Bobby a chance to face unresolved feelings. During a nostalgic outing, the trio reflects on the choices that have led them to their current, separate lives.

New York City

A somber New Year's Eve

On New Year’s Eve, both Bobby and Vonnie find themselves grappling with lost opportunities and unfulfilled desires. As the countdown to midnight approaches, they ponder their respective journeys filled with sadness and regret.

New Year's Eve New York City

Café Society Characters

Explore all characters from Café Society (2016). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.


Phil Stern (Steve Carell)

Phil Stern is a charismatic Hollywood agent who plays a pivotal role in Bobby's ambitions. He exudes confidence and charm, but beneath his polished exterior lies a deep personal conflict regarding love and jealousy. Phil's relationship with Vonnie exposes his vulnerabilities and ultimately shrouds him in heartbreak when faced with loss.

🎭 Charismatic 💔 Jealousy

Bobby Dorfman (Jesse Eisenberg)

Bobby Dorfman is a young dreamer eager to make a mark in Hollywood. His innocence and deep yearning for love drive the narrative, as he navigates through romance and heartbreak. Bobby's growth is evident as he confronts harsh realities, shifting from an aspiring screenwriter to managing his family's nightclub amidst moral dilemmas.

🌟 Aspiring 💔 Heartbroken

Café Society Settings

Learn where and when Café Society (2016) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.


Time period

1930s

The 1930s marked a transformative era in America, characterized by both the Great Depression and the rise of Hollywood as a cultural powerhouse. This decade saw the emergence of significant changes in social norms, including the exploration of relationships and identities in a dynamic entertainment landscape. The time setting plays a crucial role in shaping the characters' aspirations and conflicts.

Location

Hollywood, New York City

Hollywood serves as the glamorous backdrop for the film, representing the epitome of the entertainment industry in the 1930s. Known for its iconic stars and bustling parties, Hollywood is depicted as a place of both dreams and disillusionment. In contrast, New York City is portrayed as a hub of family ties and gritty realities, showcasing a different yet vibrant atmosphere filled with nightlife and moral complexities.

🎬 Hollywood 🏙️ New York

Café Society Themes

Discover the main themes in Café Society (2016). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.


❤️

Love and Deception

The movie explores the intricate web of love and betrayal among its characters, particularly focusing on the romantic entanglements between Bobby, Vonnie, and Phil. Their interwoven relationships highlight the themes of unfulfilled desires and the emotional turmoil that comes with competing affections. Deception not only affects personal relationships but also leads to heartbreak and tough choices.

⚖️

Morality and Consequences

Bobby's journey reflects the moral dilemmas he faces in navigating family loyalty against the backdrop of his brother's criminal behavior. The consequences of choices made by him and his family illuminate the stark realities of life in a gangster-infused New York City. The blending of high society with grim life decisions leads to a deeper exploration of what morality means in a world driven by ambition and survival.

🎉

Nostalgia and Regret

As the story concludes on New Year's Eve, themes of nostalgia and regret permeate the atmosphere, as characters reflect on missed opportunities and choices that led to sorrow. This sentiment is compounded by the festive setting, contrasting the joy of celebrations with the weight of past decisions. The countdown to midnight symbolizes both closure and the lingering hope for a better future.

Café Society Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of Café Society (2016). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.


In the glittering swirl of 1930s Hollywood, a world where fame and fortune mingle with hidden undercurrents, a young man fresh from the polished avenues of Beverly Hills steps into a realm far more intricate than the glossy headlines suggest. The film paints the era with a lush palette of art‑deco glamour, neon‑lit studios, and soirées that sparkle with both promise and mystery, setting a tone that balances sharp wit with a lingering emotional ache.

At the heart of this tapestry lies the tight‑knit Dorfman family. Rose Dorfman—a determined mother—reaches out to her brother, the formidable talent‑maker Phil Stern, hoping to carve a path for her son. Bobby Dorfman, the naive yet eager heir to his family’s comfortable legacy, arrives in Los Angeles bearing the weight of expectations and the curiosity of a soul untested by the industry’s relentless pace. He shares a home with his pragmatic jeweler father Marty and a sister whose ambitions echo the family’s drive, while his other siblings each embody different facets of the era’s social ladder.

Navigating the glossy corridors of studios, Bobby soon encounters Vonnie, a poised secretary whose charm and insight offer a glimpse into the delicate dance of power and affection that underpins Hollywood’s inner circles. Their burgeoning connection, set against back‑stage whispers and the ever‑watchful eye of Phil, hints at the subtle tug‑of‑war between personal desire and professional ambition. The interplay of these relationships weaves a narrative rich in intrigue, where each smile may conceal a deeper truth.

Through its elegant visual style and resonant dialogue, the story explores the complexities of wealth, family loyalty, and the quiet deceptions that lie beneath the surface of a seemingly perfect existence. The film invites viewers to linger in the spaces between laughter and longing, offering a poignant portrait of a generation caught between the dazzling allure of fame and the fragile realities of their own hearts.

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