An aging and self-obsessed actor finds himself in a borderline farcical situation when he's besieged by the demands of his estranged wife, women who want to seduce him, and a crazed playwright.

While holding a séance for skeptical novelist Charles Condomine, self-proclaimed 'spiritualist medium' Madame Arcati inadvertently summons the spirit of his deceased first wife Elvira, leading to an increasingly complex love triangle with Ruth, his current wife of five years.

In post-WWI England, talented young composer Nicky Lancaster must deal with his aging, socialite, drug addict mother Florence.

Independent Gilda is resigned fo a life of married tedium when Otto and Leo, having gotten past their jealousy, come to America and whisk Gilda away to live an exciting polyamorous life in Paris.