Twice in a Lifetime 1985

In the sweltering late summer of 1984, the sun-kissed streets of Holden, Washington, a picturesque suburb nestled in Seattle’s shadow, hummed with a sense of routine. Army veteran and steelworker Harry McKenzie (Gene Hackman), now a weathered 50-year-old, trudged home from a grueling day at the mill, his worn boots a testament to a life well-lived. His neighborhood, a charming tapestry of established homes in Seattle’s Phinney Ridge, was a bastion of security and comfort.

As Harry celebrated this milestone birthday with family and friends, the surface-level tranquility of his marriage seemed to belie any underlying tensions. His wife, a beacon of calm, allowed him to slip away to the local Shamrock Tavern, where he would regale his buddies from the factory with tales of their laborious days. It was here that Harry crossed paths with Audrey Minelli (Ann-Margret), a vivacious and sensual 40-year-old barmaid who set his heart racing.

As the evening wore on, Harry’s party at the tavern spilled over into a dance-filled celebration, punctuated by an impromptu kiss from the radiant Audrey. Meanwhile, back home, Harry’s family gathered around the TV to watch All in the Family, oblivious to their patriarch’s burgeoning infatuation.

The following day, as Harry navigated the steel factory’s corridors, he was confronted with a stark reminder of the struggles faced by his son-in-law Keith (Stephen Lang), who had recently lost his job and was struggling to make ends meet. This somber reality served only to heighten Harry’s sense of disconnection from his own life.

That night, Harry found himself waiting outside Audrey’s doorstep, his uncertainty tempered by a growing desire to explore this newfound connection. With the stars shining brightly overhead, he drove her to a seaside restaurant, where they shared a meal and their deepest fears and desires. As the moon rose over the waves, Harry confided in Audrey that he had rarely experienced a day without knowing what lay ahead – a poignant admission that spoke volumes about his stagnant life.

The die was cast; the threads of fate were slowly beginning to weave together, setting the stage for a journey that would challenge Harry’s very existence and force him to confront the voids within.

As the days go by, fleeting moments of joy are savored as Harry (actor name) embarks on clandestine trysts with Audrey around Seattle, sharing tender moments with her in her cozy apartment, and the McKenzie family’s domestic life unfolds. One fateful day, Kate’s boss happens to pass Harry on the road, catching him red-handed with Audrey, locked in a passionate embrace. Word of this illicit affair reaches Kate at work.

The morning after, Harry is caught off guard by Kate’s inquiry about his relationship with Audrey while still half asleep. His attempt to downplay the situation only fuels Kate’s growing unease as she becomes increasingly suspicious of her husband’s nocturnal activities. Meanwhile, Audrey remains steadfast in her commitment to Harry, but not before they both acknowledge that their love must exist solely between them, free from the constraints of societal norms.

As tensions rise, Sunny (Amy Madigan), Harry and Kate’s daughter, is consumed by rage and despair at the thought of her father’s infidelity. Her distress becomes palpable as she confronts Audrey at the Shamrock Tavern, leaving both women feeling raw and vulnerable. The aftermath of this confrontation sees Audrey facing professional repercussions, forced to seek a new job.

In a separate plot thread, Sunny finds solace in sharing her woes with her younger sister Helen (Ally Sheedy) at an outdoor tavern. As they commiserate over their family’s tumultuous situation, Helen struggles to grasp the depth of Sunny’s emotional pain. The once idyllic family dynamic has devolved into a toxic atmosphere, exacerbated by Harry’s unemployment and his infidelity.

As Audrey seeks to make amends with Harry, she confronts him at the steel mill where he works, expressing remorse for the trouble she has caused. Harry reassures her of his love and commitment to their relationship, urging her not to worry about the consequences of his actions. However, this fragile peace is short-lived as Keith, Harry’s son-in-law, calls him out on his infidelity at the Shamrock Tavern.

In a tense standoff, Keith confronts Harry about the devastating impact his actions have had on their family and marriage. Harry feels belittled by Keith’s rebuke but ultimately shrugs it off, instead opting for a game of arm wrestling with his son-in-law as a way to diffuse the tension.

As Harry’s eldest child Jerry (Darrell Larson) descends upon the airport from San Diego, his arrival is met with a mix of emotions by Sunny, who is still reeling from the repercussions of her father’s actions. Jerry’s presence serves as a poignant reminder that their family dynamics are far more complex than they initially seem. Meanwhile, in the shadows of this unfolding drama, Harry is grappling with the weight of his own heartache.

In a candid moment, Harry confesses to Kate the bleak reality: their marriage has reached an impasse, and he can no longer recapture the passion that once defined their relationship. Kate’s love for him remains unwavering, but Harry is resolute in his decision, citing the monotony of their life together as the primary culprit.

As Harry departs from his family home, Sunny refuses to engage with him, her emotions still raw and unprocessed. Jerry, however, offers words of wisdom and understanding, acknowledging that his father’s desire to move forward is not a personal attack on any individual. With this departure, the stage is set for a new chapter in Harry’s life.

As Harry navigates his new solitary existence, he stumbles upon Audrey at his apartment, and she becomes his guide through this uncharted territory. A chance encounter with a neighbor sitting on the toilet serves as an amusing aside, offering a fleeting respite from the weight of his emotions.

In the days that follow, Kate’s despair reaches a boiling point as she struggles to come to terms with Harry’s abandonment. Sunny and Helen attempt to lift her spirits, but Kate remains mired in sorrow. As the weeks pass, Harry finds solace in his new life with Audrey, attending a Seahawks game and embracing the freedom that comes with his newfound independence.

Meanwhile, Sunny is dealing with her own set of concerns as she learns that Helen’s boyfriend Tim has proposed, sparking outrage within her. Her sister’s decision to rush into marriage without first pursuing higher education sparks a heated debate, highlighting the generational divide between the two sisters.

As Harry and Audrey stroll through downtown Seattle on payday, they are drawn to a jewelry store where Audrey hopes to treat Harry to a luxurious timepiece. Although the price tag proves too steep for her budget, she ultimately decides against purchasing it, opting instead to focus on other priorities. In contrast, Kate and Helen embark on a shopping spree to prepare for Helen’s impending nuptials, with Kate making a bold fashion statement by getting her ears pierced for the first time.

As Kate wins $100 at a bingo game, she celebrates her good fortune with a bottle of champagne at work. The next day, her coworkers surprise her with a new hairstyle, transforming her into a blonde bombshell, further solidifying her status as a beacon of hope in the face of adversity.

As Harry places the call to the McKenzie homestead, Tim (Chris Parker) answers, providing an unwitting conduit for Harry’s concerns about Helen. Although Harry is far from thrilled about the rushed marriage, Tim offers words of reassurance, painting a rosy picture of their future together. Meanwhile, Kate, Sunny, and Helen are letting loose at a male strip club, laughing and joking until the sun goes down. The next day, Kate regales her coworkers with tales of the raucous evening, but one perceptive customer senses something amiss when she reveals that she’s separated from her husband. As Kate confesses the truth, it becomes clear that their marriage has been a slow-burning ember long extinguished.

Back at the homestead, Harry and Audrey are struggling to come to terms with the impending nuptials. Harry is beside himself with worry about his youngest daughter’s hasty decision, feeling as though he’s lost control of the reins. The weight of responsibility bears down on him as he grapples with the reality that he can no longer afford to live life on his own terms.

As the wedding preparations reach a fever pitch, Kate, Sunny, and Helen are busy measuring out dimensions for Helen’s big day. Sunny waxes poetic about the perils of living at the family homestead forever, but Helen is resolute in her decision to leave the nest. She assures her friend that she’s made up her mind, and it’s no longer a question of whether Tim is right for her – it’s a certainty.

The night before the wedding, Harry returns to the homestead, where the reception is in full swing. Sunny answers the door, and Harry requests a word with Helen. She emerges, and Harry pours out his concerns about marrying young, just as he did over 30 years ago. But Helen is resolute, convinced that she’s found her perfect match in Tim.

The day of the wedding arrives, and Harry takes his place among the guests at the local church. He tries to muster a sense of belonging, despite feeling like an outsider. The ceremony unfolds, and as the newlyweds exchange their vows, Harry can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia for his own lost youth.

In the aftermath of the celebration, Harry finds himself alone, left to ponder the choices he’s made. He takes a bouquet of flowers from the wedding and makes his way back to his apartment, where Audrey awaits. The weight of reality settles upon him as he comes to terms with the life he’s built alongside her – a life that is full of love, but also tinged with the bittersweet flavor of regret.

As the last of the guests depart, Harry stands alone, the silence broken only by the soft rustling of the wedding bouquet in his hand. He takes a deep breath, and with it, the weight of his past begins to lift. The flowers, once symbols of joy and celebration, now represent the fragile beauty of life’s imperfections – a reminder that sometimes, it’s not about being perfect, but about finding acceptance in the impermanence of it all.