Malibu (film)

Stan (William Atherton) and Linda (Susan Dey) Harvey are a middle-income couple from Wisconsin who relocate to Malibu for the summer for Stan’s work. Seeing an opportunity to experience the high society of Malibu, they rent a $7,000 per month beach house from realtor Billie Farnsworth (Kim Novak), who introduces the couple to the rich elite in the neighborhood. Among them are their neighbor movie star Clint Redman (Troy Donahue), famous tennis player Art Bonnell (Chad Everett), book writer Hunnicutt Powell (Richard McKenzie), and talk show host Gail Hessian (Ann Jillian).

Gail is determined to invite Tom Wharton (James Coburn) on her talk show, the town’s wealthiest and most powerful lawyer notorious for his dirty dealings, in order to expose him as a crook. Initially, she tries to get to him through his wife Mary (Eva Marie Saint), but Mary politely rejects her offer. Gail then directly approaches Tom at the local tennis club. Even though he makes clear that he will not do an interview, he takes an interest in her and takes her out. Before long, their meetings become romantic. Mary becomes aware of this and warns Tom to keep the affair discreet. Due to Tom’s interview rejection, Gail settles for an interview with the already overexposed Hunnicutt. On air, she tries to get a scoop by questioning his sexuality, which causes a furious Hunnicutt to abruptly end the interview.

Initially, Stan and Linda settle in smoothly and enjoy the perks of a rich society. Before long, however, trouble begins when treacherous people enter their lives. Television star Rich Bradley (Steve Forrest) becomes infatuated with Linda, but she flees when he harasses her. Stan, meanwhile, meets the seductive Dee Staufer (Valerie Perrine), who shows an obvious interest in him, much to Linda’s jealousy and anger. Stan tries to assure Linda that she has nothing to worry about.

Meanwhile, an aging yet aspiring screenwriter Charlie Wigham (Richard Mulligan) tries to sell his screenplay centered around a middle-aged man to the powerful film director Wilson Mahoney (Anthony Newley), but despite many attempts is not able to impress him. At a lavish house party thrown by Dee, Wilson warns Charlie to stay away from him. At the same party, Stan spots Rich, and becomes infuriated at him for harassing his wife. Much to everyone’s surprise, Tom knocks him to the ground.

The high society life slowly drives Stan and Linda apart. Linda grows closer to Art, who gives her private tennis lessons. Stan, meanwhile, grows more and more greedy, especially when offered a business deal by Jay Pomerantz (George Hamilton). He tells Linda he intends on settling down in Malibu, but she believes their new life will come at the cost of their marriage and begs him to return to Wisconsin with her. When Stan refuses, she agrees to an affair with Art. Unbeknownst to Stan, Jay is a con artist who has conned Stan out of a large sum of money. Billie sees through his scams, but Jay pays her silence with a large money offer, assuring her that he will win big by betting on a tennis match between Art and Tom. When Linda leaves on a so-called holiday in San Francisco, Stan seizes the opportunity to develop an affair with Dee, who tips him off about Jay’s wrongdoings.

Despite their affair, Gail stays determined to reveal Tom’s practices on her talk show, and invites an old co-worker to anonymously expose him. The interview backfires, however, which Gail believes Tom is responsible for. Mary, desperate for Gail to stop her affair with Tom, offers her a dirty scoop on condition that she leaves them alone afterwards. Shortly after, she overdoses on pills but survives. Tom, now aware of her betrayal, tells Mary that she is a fraud and encourages her to leave Malibu for good.

Meanwhile, Art falls more and more in love with Linda and proposes to her. He tells her that he is finalizing a business deal with Tom that will earn him enough money to divorce his wife Laura (Bridget Hanley) and start a new life with her. Tom, however, warns Art that the deal will only go through if he lets him win at a tennis match. When Art wins the match, the deal falls through, and Linda realizes that he will not leave his wife for her. Linda admits the affair to Laura, and Laura reveals to her that Art has done this many times before. Billie visits Jay’s house to collect the money he won, but finds out that he has secretly left town and that she is the latest of his con victims.

Charlie’s girlfriend Cindy (Jenilee Harrison) pulls off an investment offer for Charlie’s screenplay, provided that the main character is a young guy and that Wilson will direct. Cindy shortly after meets Wilson in the supermarket and convinces him to give Charlie a chance. Charlie gets his big break, but Cindy leaves him during the process to be with Wilson. In the end, Linda, feeling disappointed by all people in Malibu, decides to leave town, and she convinces Stan to join her, thereby reconciling their marriage. Tom, meanwhile, is exposed as a crook in Gail’s talk show.