Washed-up writer Harry Levine (Al Pacino) wants nothing more than success and happiness. Somehow, though, he seems to always find himself straying from his grand plan. Hoping for an honest review of his work, Levine spends an hour with his friend Jake Manheim (Jerry Orbach), a man whose wisdom abounds in the twilight of his life. But can an old dog like Harry learn new and, ultimately, more life-affirming tricks?