HIGH ASPIRATIONS - a synopsis

 

       HIGH ASPIRATIONS is a comedy about sexual relationships; more specifically, about two young couples who satisfy their restlessness by swapping sexual partners. It's also a comedy about the quest to achieve high aspirations, and about how these young people struggle in the hope of one day becoming successful. 

 

       We are introduced to two men and two women, all of them pushing thirty. First, we meet HERMAN FUCHS, a self-absorbed actor who imagines that he will one day be a household name. Despite his looks, Herman is a non-working actor -- stage name Lysander -- who embarks on a quest for modeling work. Regrettably, his encounter with a lecherous, shifty modeling agent by the name of GIL gets him nowhere.

      We are then introduced to DAHLIA FERRANTE, a beautiful dominatrix by trade who prefers to spend her time writing.  Domination has enabled her to vent her frustration at being regarded as something of a prostitute and at not being recognized as a writer. Dahlia's attempt to supplement her income by interviewing with a shady strip club owner by the name of MAX does nothing but offer her another chance to vent her rage.

      Next, we meet HUMPHREY FUCHS, Herman's older brother, a bartender who labors away at a job he detests while he aspires to owning a bar of his own. Humphrey attends a seminar on network marketing in the hopes of means of earning the necessary funds to finance the bar, but he suspects that the promise of wealth is nothing more than just that: a promise. He answers a page by Dahlia, his girlfriend, who needs him to pick her up from the strip club.

      Last, we meet MAGDALENE MADIGAN, a talent agent who has not had much luck venturing into the more lucrative realm of selling scripts to studios. She loses a deal, just as Herman, her boyfriend and client , arrives to argue with her. He's upset that she doesn't find him work, claiming that she has ceased to help him find work because of disappointment with their relationship.  She, however, argues that she can't find him work because he has no talent. They engage in a battle of wits which no one wins.

      The two brothers, Herman and Humphrey, meet at a Hooters-type bar for drinks. There, the two of them discuss the disappointments in their lives, and Herman reveals his concern that Magdalene won't find him work because she hates him.  He wants to move out of Magdalene's apartment and Humphrey reluctantly agrees to let him stay with him and to retrieve his personal belongings from Magdalene. Herman suggests swapping girlfriends after revealing his interest in meeting Dahlia, while Herman makes known his admiration for Magdalene when he offers to help Herman and Magdalene get on friendly terms again.

      Humphrey later meets with Dahlia, but Dahlia reveals some dissatisfaction with not only her life and but with their relationship. Humphrey has always been submissive to her, but Dahlia wants Humphrey to be more dominant. He disappoints her by refusing to change something he doesn't want changed; for her, their relationship is stagnant.

      Humphrey meets with Magdalene to pick up Herman's belongings, but Magdalene is surprised to learn of Herman's plan to leave her. She warms to Humphrey and tells him she has always liked him.  She wants to make an actor of him, even though he'd prefer working in a bar. Humphrey offers to make dinner for Herman and Magdalene at his apartment, but neither Magdalene nor Herman relish the prospect of meeting again.

      Later, Dahlia drops by Humphrey's apartment to see Humphrey but finds only Herman making himself at home there.  Herman arranges to meet with her for a  session.

      The day of the dinner, Herman doesn't show and so Humphrey finds himself alone with an amorous Magdalene who eventually makes her feelings for him known.  Meanwhile, Herman meets Dahlia for the session but  Dahlia takes a shine to Herman who turns the tables on her.  She wants to surrender herself to someone and Herman  accepts the offer quite happily.  Dahlia and Herman surprise themselves by sleeping together while Humphrey and Magdalene also surprise themselves by sleeping together.

      The following day, Herman arrives at  Humphrey's, only to discover that Magdalene spent the night with Humphrey. The three of them argue but Herman shocks Humphrey by admitting to having just slept with Dahlia.  Herman's earlier proposal to swap girlfriends has actually transpired, though entirely by accident.

      Humphrey, feeling guilty for having betrayed Dahlia, visits her, but Dahlia can't understand why he isn't angry with her. She wishes he were more jealous, but if Humphrey's jealous, he doesn't reveal it.  She suggests that they spend some time apart to reconsider if they are even compatible. Humphrey can't stand to lose her but she insists.  She needs her space and time alone to work on her new script.

      Herman meets with Magdalene and, once again, they trade insults. But Magdalene wins this hand by dropping Herman as a client and officially ending their relationship.

      Humphrey runs to Magdalene as if by default, but Magdalene prefers the ever obliging Humphrey who who supports her in everything, though he refuses to replace Herman by becoming an actor.   Unfortunately, Humphrey is miserable at work as the bar owner's son, the MANAGER, dumps everything on Humphrey.      

      Now that Herman no longer has an agent, he tries his hand at nude photography but finds no satisfaction in it. Dahlia has lost interest in her work, and takes no relish in dominating her clients.  But Dahlia and Herman are content with each other on a superficial level, and they have fun together; however, they never consider what they have a relationship.

      One evening, Dahlia leaves a copy of her new script for Humphrey to read, but Magdalene finds it first and, curious about Dahlia, decides to read it. She loves it and meets with Dahlia for the first time, offering to become her agent. Though suspicious of Magdalene's intentions, Dahlia agrees.

      Humphrey and Magdalene begin to squabble as Humphrey begins to take issue with Magdalene's lack of tenderness.  He's astonished when he learns that Magdalene stole a copy of Dahlia's new script -- Shoots and Ladders -- from his apartment.  They agree that the relationship is no longer working.

      Humphrey meets with Herman again and they decide to let bygones be bygones. Herman suggests that that they once again swap girlfriends because the alteration hasn't been enough of an improvement. Herman needs someone to argue with and Humphrey needs the comfort of Dahlia's company. 

      As Dahlia never felt anything for Herman, she's glad to have Humphrey back. They both realize that it was meant to be, especially now that Humphrey feels less inclined to accept her domination of him.

      Herman returns to Magdalene who offers to send him on an audition. There is verbal sparring but it's not long before the insults lead to reaffirming their sexual feelings for each other.

      Six months later, the two couples -- Dahlia and Humphrey, Herman and Magdalene -- meet for dinner to celebrate Humphrey's promotion to manager of the bar.  Herman has also encountered some success with an appearance in a national underwear commercial. Meanwhile, Magdalene has been able to secure a profitable deal for Dahlia. Things are picking up for everyone.

      But Herman expresses an interest in once again swapping girlfriends, for old times sake. Magdalene, still dissatisfied with her relationship with Herman, asks Dahlia if she'd consider  a shift in their sleeping arrangements. Despite their success, it would seem that these couples are doomed to playing sexual musical chairs.