The Man with One Red Shoe

The Man with One Red Shoe 1985

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Plot Summary


As a stark reminder of the CIA’s tarnished reputation, a high-ranking official named Burton Cooper masterminds a secretive drug-smuggling operation in Morocco. This operation ultimately leads to the arrest of a U.S. agent, and Cooper has sinister plans to take advantage of the fallout from this scandal to oust CIA Director Ross and claim the coveted position for himself. However, Cooper is unaware that Ross is already familiar with his underhanded tactics. When Ross is questioned by a special Senate committee regarding the arrest, he skillfully downplays the depth of his knowledge.

In response, Ross devises a plan to expose Cooper’s deceitful scheme. After discovering that his own home has been infiltrated with surveillance tools, he strategically leaks false information about a mysterious individual arriving at the airport who could clear his name. Ross instructs his trusted assistant Brown to intercept this enigmatic figure and gather crucial information.

Desperate to uncover the truth about this mystery man, Cooper sends his agents to shadow Brown. As Brown scans the crowd at the airport, he spots an unusual individual wearing mismatched shoes descending the escalator and mistakenly identifies him as their unwitting target.

This unsuspecting individual is Richard Drew, a talented concert violinist whose life is consumed by personal troubles stemming from his past infidelity with Paula, the wife of his friend Morris. Their entangled relationships are fraught with tension: what began as playful jests from Morris toward Richard has turned into a maelstrom of betrayal and emotional strife.

While moving through the airport, Richard remains blissfully unaware of the corporate espionage unraveling around him; he is preoccupied with the repercussions of his personal life. A chance encounter with Maddy, a covert operative working for Cooper, escalates when she stealthily lifts his wallet, propelling Richard into a larger and more dangerous game than he ever anticipated.

As Richard’s dental appointment approaches, he unwittingly ignites a series of events through an innocent phone call with Morris, which Cooper interprets as a cue to surveil Richard’s apartment. Controlled by Cooper, Maddy and her fellow agents begin to search for incriminating evidence and bug the premises to monitor any damning conversations. Meanwhile, at the dentist’s office, a naive Richard remains oblivious to Cooper’s sinister intentions, believing that his tooth possibly harbors vital secrets.

Flashing back to memories of his exotic travels, Cooper grows convinced that Richard is the ideal cover for a sophisticated spy. In a misguided plan, he instructs Maddy to seduce Richard and coax information out of him. Ironically, Maddy soon finds herself genuinely captivated by Richard’s enchanting violin performances.

Morris, entangled in a surreal spiral of paranoia, begins to suspect something is profoundly amiss due to the suspicious behaviors of Cooper’s agents. Meanwhile, Ross remains distanced from the ethical dilemmas at hand, putting his career above the increasing unease Brown feels towards the threats to Richard’s safety. As Cooper’s attempts to extract secrets from Richard falter, he turns to more extreme measures, even considering an order for Richard’s elimination, planning to execute the act himself.

Oblivious to the lurking danger, Richard continues his daily life, and it is Maddy’s timely intervention that ultimately shields him from Cooper’s grasp. In a dramatic climax, Maddy bravely testifies before the Senate, uncovering the conspiracy that leads to Cooper’s arrest, Ross’s demotion, and Brown’s rise to CIA Director. Morris finds himself institutionalized, Paula reevaluates her relationship and realizes her husband needs her support, while Maddy gains her freedom and reunites with her cherished Richard.

Timeline


Burton Cooper's Operation

A high-ranking CIA official, Burton Cooper, orchestrates a secret drug-smuggling operation in Morocco. This unethical venture ultimately leads to the arrest of a U.S. agent, setting the stage for a deeper conspiracy within the agency.

Morocco

The Senate Committee Inquiry

CIA Director Ross faces questioning from a special Senate committee regarding the scandalous arrest of the agent. Demonstrating his cunning nature, he downplays his knowledge of the events, showcasing his ability to navigate political scrutiny.

Ross’s Strategic Deception

In response to Cooper's machinations, Ross concocts a plan to expose Cooper’s deceit. He leaks false information about a mysterious arrival at the airport, hoping to manipulate the agents tracking him.

Brown’s Surveillance Task

Ross instructs his assistant, Brown, to intercept the enigmatic figure from the airport tip. Brown is on a mission to glean critical information regarding the ongoing conspiracy, unaware of the dangers lurking around.

Airport

Richard Drew's Arrival

Richard Drew, a skilled concert violinist, enters the scene, unknowing of the espionage surrounding him. He grapples with personal issues stemming from an affair with his friend Morris’s wife, Paula.

Airport

Maddy's Coincidental Encounter

While at the airport, Richard encounters Maddy, a covert operative for Cooper. In a cunning move, Maddy lifts Richard's wallet, unaware that this incident pulls him deeper into the dangerous world of espionage.

Airport

The Dental Appointment

Richard has an innocent phone conversation with Morris that attracts Cooper's attention. This prompts Cooper's agents to surveil Richard's apartment, initiating a series of tense events fueled by deception.

Richard's Apartment

Cooper's Obsession with Richard

Burton Cooper begins to believe that Richard is the perfect cover for his espionage activities. He orders Maddy to seduce Richard for information, but Maddy finds herself genuinely drawn to him instead.

Morris's Growing Paranoia

Morris becomes increasingly paranoid due to the strange behavior of Cooper's agents. As he suspects something sinister is occurring, he struggles with feelings of betrayal and confusion about his relationships.

Escalation of Danger

As Cooper’s plans to extract secrets from Richard face opposition, he contemplates extreme measures, including an order for Richard's elimination. The stakes rise significantly for Richard, who remains blissfully unaware.

Maddy's Intervention

In a crucial turn of events, Maddy steps in to safeguard Richard from Cooper's impending threats. Her decisive actions lead to a dramatic change in the unfolding conspiracy, showcasing her courage and resourcefulness.

Senate Testimony

Maddy bravely testifies before the Senate about the conspiracy that ties Cooper to the drug-smuggling operation. Her revelations ultimately lead to the arrest of Cooper, exposing the internal corruption within the CIA.

Senate

Consequences of the Expose

Following Maddy's testimony, significant repercussions unfold, including Ross’s demotion and Brown’s ascension as CIA Director. The scandal reshapes the leadership and integrity of the agency.

Morris's Downward Spiral

Morris faces mental health challenges as his paranoia escalates, leading to his institutionalization. This situation highlights the personal toll that the surrounding chaos has taken on his life.

Institution

Resolution of Relationships

In the aftermath, Paula reevaluates her relationship with Morris and decides to support him, while Maddy finds freedom. Meanwhile, she reconnects with Richard, bringing closure to the chaos they endured.

Characters


Burton Cooper (Dabney Coleman)

Burton Cooper is a high-ranking CIA official driven by ambition and deceit. His willingness to orchestrate illegal operations showcases his corrupt nature and relentless pursuit of power, leading to a web of conspiracy that threatens to unravel. His manipulative tactics highlight the darker side of espionage.

👤 Main Antagonist 🎭 Deceitful

Richard Drew (Lori Singer)

Richard Drew is an unwitting pawn in a dangerous game of espionage, oblivious to the schemes surrounding him. A talented concert violinist, he grapples with personal issues affecting his relationships. His innocence juxtaposed with the chaotic world of surveillance brings a tragic depth to his character.

🎻 Musician 🧑‍🎤 Innocent

Maddy (Carrie Fisher)

Maddy is a covert operative tasked with seducing Richard to extract information but finds herself genuinely attracted to him. Her character depicts the conflict between duty and personal emotion, showcasing a transformation from manipulator to protector throughout the narrative.

🕵️‍♀️ Covert Operative ❤️ Romantic Interest

Brown (James Belushi)

Brown is Ross's trusted assistant who navigates the complexities of the covert operation. Caught between loyalty to his boss and a growing sense of unease regarding Richard's safety, Brown adds a layer of moral conflict to the unfolding drama.

👨‍💼 Assistant ⚖️ Moral Conflict

Ross (Edward Herrmann)

Ross is the CIA Director who balances his own ambitions against the ethical dilemmas of espionage. Demonstrating cunning and political skill, he orchestrates a plan to expose Cooper's wrongdoings, reflecting the complexities of power within secretive organizations.

🕴️ Director 🎩 Cunning

Setting


Time period

The movie reflects a contemporary setting, showcasing the modern world of government agencies and espionage. During this time period, various geopolitical tensions likely influenced the behaviors and ethical dilemmas faced by characters in the narrative.

Location

Morocco, Airport

Morocco serves as a backdrop for the illicit operations masterminded by Burton Cooper, adding an exotic flair to the serious themes of espionage and betrayal. The airport becomes a critical setting where mistaken identities unfold amidst corporate espionage, highlighting the chaos that ensues when personal lives intersect with government secrets.

🌍 Location 🏢 Airport

Themes


🔍

Espionage

The theme of espionage permeates the film as characters maneuver through layers of deceit and surveillance. Cooper's covert operations highlight the blurred lines between loyalty and betrayal within the CIA. Meanwhile, Richard's unintended involvement in this world raises questions about innocence in the face of calculated schemes.

💔

Betrayal

Betrayal is central to the relationships depicted in the movie, particularly in the dynamics between Richard, Morris, and Paula. Personal conflicts, rooted in past infidelities and emotional strife, culminate in dramatic revelations that impact all characters involved. This theme underscores the personal costs of betrayal against the larger backdrop of political maneuvering.

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