The Plot Against Harry 1990

As Harry (actor name), a seasoned Jewish mobster, is released from a nine-month prison stint, it’s clear that his icy demeanor remains as formidable as ever. His chauffeur delivers the harsh reality: Harry’s lucrative numbers racket has been largely usurped by other players in the game. Undeterred, Harry sets out to reclaim control, but it soon becomes apparent that his reign over the neighborhood streets is nothing more than a distant memory.

Seeking a new venture, Harry turns to his ex-brother-in-law, Leo, who manages a catering service and Jewish event center. Leo reveals that their business is on the verge of being bought out by a large corporation, threatening to disrupt the community’s cultural fabric. Harry concocts a plan: he’ll purchase the business and allow Leo to run it, ensuring that the neighborhood’s traditions remain intact.

The deal is sealed, and as Harry attends various Jewish ceremonies at his new establishment - from weddings to bar mitzvahs and even circumcisions - he begins to reconnect with the New York Jewish community he had long abandoned. This newfound sense of belonging is tempered by his re-entry into family life, as he’s forced to confront his ex-wife and now-grown daughter, whom he hadn’t seen in over two decades.

A chance encounter with his ex-family members takes a dramatic turn when Harry’s road rage sends their car crashing into theirs. Later, he’s introduced to an unexpected addition to his family: a previously unknown daughter, born during his wife’s departure from him all those years ago.

As Harry’s family members continue to pop in and out of his life, they’re drawn into the vibrant tapestry of Jewish gatherings and celebrations. Unexpectedly, his younger daughter asks to temporarily take up residence with him, leading to an emotional reunion. A trip to the emergency room sparks a potentially erroneous diagnosis: Harry’s heart is allegedly enlarged, threatening to cut short his life at any moment.

This dire news seems to galvanize Harry’s desire for redemption, prompting him to re-examine his past choices and seek a new path forward. However, an unexpected subpoena from a state panel probing the New York gambling underworld throws a wrench into his plans. He’s forced to admit ownership of the catering business, which had been publicly attributed to Leo out of community concerns.

The panel promptly subpoenas the financial records, leading Harry to scrutinize them with his chauffeur-turned-finance-manager, Max. The revelation that Max has meticulously documented every bribe and under-the-table payment sends Harry into a tailspin. He orders Max to leave his life, and their tumultuous relationship comes to an abrupt end.

As Max’s fervent desire to defy the state’s grasp on knowledge leads him to attempt an ill-fated book-burning stunt, the consequences are far from catastrophic. Instead, the botched operation sparks a minor hotel evacuation, inadvertently triggering a chain reaction that will have far-reaching repercussions for Harry (Denzel Washington). Initially accused of masterminding the blaze, Harry’s estranged wife becomes entrenched in her disdain for him, fueled by the revelation that she had secretly informed his parole officer about his supposed violations - clandestine meetings with former criminal associates.

A poignant moment of introspection arises when Harry’s younger daughter approaches him with an extraordinary request, prompting him to confront the humanity that has been gradually awakening within since his release from prison. As he collapses once more during a televised telethon for heart disease research, Harry is convinced that his time on this earth is drawing to a close. In a final act of defiance and generosity, he makes two increasingly substantial donations to the cause. Moments later, as he’s whisked away in an ambulance en route to the hospital, he takes full responsibility for the botched book-burning attempt, ensuring that his family witnesses his unyielding commitment to accountability.

Upon arrival at the hospital, a doctor delivers a stark diagnosis: Harry’s heart is sound, but his digestive system is the true culprit behind his distress. With his life force still strong and his bank account significantly depleted, Harry must now confront the bitter reality of returning to prison for a year, wrongly accused of arson. Yet, despite these setbacks, he stands tall, having chosen to reclaim his place in society with his dignity intact.