The Scam of Success
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Director: Wes Anderson
Writer: Jacob Jones
Cast: Bill Murray, Sharon Stone, Al Pacino, Tilda Swinton, Ryder Allen, Frankie Muniz
Plot: Timeframe: Mid 1960s
Pre Title Card:
A young man walks among the town, shuffling to his own beat when he comes across a man wearing a trench coat and shades. He tells the man to come closer. Curious, the man follows his voice, asking what he wants. The person merely looks at him and responds:
“Oh, it’s not what I want, it’s what you want."
Cue Title Card:
A woman named Louise (Sharon Stone) sits by the fireplace, a nondescript expression on her face when her husband, Arnold (Bill Murray) swoops in, ecstatic about having put together his one-thousandth scheme. Louise flatly congratulates him, thoroughly unimpressed. Arnold composes himself, admitting that it wasn’t much, just five dollars, but still, to have conned people with defective products for this long is an impressive feat. Louise merely stares at her husband, asking an important question:
“Don’t you think it might be time to pack it up?” Arnold asks what she means. Louise chooses her words carefully, suggesting that someone who has been doing this for so long may eventually lose trust within the people. Maybe so, but Arnold feels he hasn’t lost them yet. In a sense, he’s like a modern Alfredo Puccini (Al Pacino), a world-famous salesman who managed to sell defective products at expensive prices, someone Arnold clearly admires.
Louise calls Alfredo a unicorn, a person who you’ll never see even if they’re regalled for their actions. Louise eases up on Arnold, understanding his love to invent and sell, but she feels that they’ve had this talk every time they hit a new milestone. She asks Arnold if he remembers what happened after the 500th sale. Arnold remembers, having been arrested for counterfeit goods. One of several times it’s happen. Arnold understands, knowing that he’s been doing this for a while, and tells Louise that once the day comes, he’ll stop. He may not be the most trustworthy man, but on this case, it’s worth doing so. Louise and Arnold exchange a kiss and snuggle up by the fireplace.
The next day, Arnold steps out on the town, trenchcoat on and his tool of the day inside, he appears ready to earn a few bucks, but to his surprise, no one seems to be interested. He wonders why that is, chalking it up to a slow day. After a few hours, Arnold begins to take off when he sees a crowd forming nearby. Curious, Arnold checks in with the crowd, learning of a new figure called “The Bargain Boy” (Ryder Allen) who asks for funds so he can go to Harvard. His set up isn’t much, but the boy is so adorable that the crowd can’t help but give him their money. Deep inside, Arnold can’t help but feel a tinge of dread, but gives the boy a dollar.
That evening, Arnold is in his “laboratory”, desperately inventing something new for folks to buy when Louise checks up on him. Arnold tries to hide it as best he can, assuring Louise that everything is fine and that these are merely passion projects.
“Does passion come from sweat or from the heart?” Louise quips, only to tell Arnold that she’s teasing. He should come to bed, however, it’s growing quite late. Arnold agrees, seeing how late it’s become. That night, however, Arnold finds that he can’t sleep, the urge to finish his creation overpowering all other thoughts. He sneaks out of the bedroom, returning to work.
The next morning, a tired but satisfied Arnold tries to introduce his latest creation, only for The Bargain Boy to again one-up him with his own surprise, a toy that breaks and is put back together. For the next few days, Arnold tries to showcase various knick-knacks but nothing bites. Finally, Arnold throws all his tools in the garbage, declaring that he’s finished. Louise expresses gratitude to Arnold for being the bigger man, and that this will be good for him. Arnold briefly worries about how he’ll be able to provide for them both.
“I’ve worked 9-5 for the past four decades.” Louise states, claiming to have another one in her. Arnold agrees, admitting that now is a good time to settle down.
The next day, The Bargain Boy comes out to do his usual shtick, only to find that Arnold is not there. Confused, he wanders off in search of a “mysterious man in a trenchcoat”, having no luck until he stumbles upon a small diner, finding Arnold inside. Convinced that the man is him, he walks in, trying to play cool. Not wanting his cover to be blown, Arnold claims that the man died due to old age.
“Well, I’m sorry to hear. I have lots of experience on that subject.” The Bargain Boy claims, having lost his parents due to disease. Disturbed, Arnold leaves the diner, only to notice the kid following him, asking if the man would have accepted tips on how to make money, offering some of his own. By the time Arnold arrives at his house, he has a throbbing headache from the boy’s yammering until finally, he puts a hand on the boy’s left shoulder.
“Kid, if you’re in an orphanage, cherish it. If you’re living with siblings, love it, if you need a home, find it. But stay in your own lane.” With that, Arnold slams the door, leaving The Bargain Boy to ponder what he said.
Arnold stares at the fireplace, wondering about The Bargain Boy’s plight, his casual mentioning of his parents dying, him having an unknown living arrangement, the fact that a kid like him outdid him in his craft. Arnold lets out an angered scream, storming to his laboratory, putting his tools out of the bin and going back to work.
Louise rushes into the laboratory, seeing Arnold work. In a manic state, Arnold begs Lousie to forgive him, but he can’t let “them” win. Louise is able to calm Arnold down, asking him who this person is, only to her to receive vague at best answers. Despite this, Louise remains determined to help, asking Arnold what his idol, Alfredo, would do.
Arnold thinks back to an old documentary that interviewed Alfredo. He reminisces about watching said interview, Alfredo telling the interviewer that if something doesn’t work, they have to go and find their own secret to success.
“And if that don’t work, make a new one, all your own.”
With a newfound resolve, Arnold thanks Louise for talking him down a cliff, promising that he’ll only be a few minutes longer. As Louise leaves, Arnold looks at an old poster of Alfredo, all tattered and worn, quietly vowing to find a new secret to success.
The next day, Arnold wanders about town in search of new ideas when he comes across a small comedy club. Upon entering, he finds himself in a dreary, bleak, barely lit building home to merely a few people as they listen to a woman ramble about life. He’s stopped by security, asking if he’s got money.
Curious, Arnold hands the security man ten dollars and sneaks in, watching the standup routine of Rhonda (Tilda Swanton), a promising comedian now at the twilight of her career, her once sharp wit now cynical and blathering.
Seeing people leave the building, Arnold watches Rhonda take a cigarette and jumps onto stage, trying out his best standup. Upon seeing Arnold, Rhonda tries to jostle him off the stage. The two jockey for position when Arnold slips and falls off the stage. What’s left at the crowd laughs at Arnold’s plight.
Outside, The Bargain Boy is on the look for the man again when he spots a guy exiting the building, calling Arnold a riot. Confused, the Bargain Boy slithers inside the club and sees Arnold on the floor, writhing in pain. Feeling sympathetic, but not fully grabbing the weight do the situation, the boy rushes up the stage and shames the crowd for laughing at a frail old man.
“You should be laughing about funny things, like corpses and murderers!” The boy exclaims, recalling the day his grandparents were stabbed to death. Rhonda, having lost control of the show heads off stage, opting instead to take Arnold to a doctor.
Inside the doctor’s office, Arnold learns that he hasn’t suffered any major injuries, but that he’ll need to be careful going forward. Arnold checks if “dignity” can injured, but to no avail. As Arnold heads out, he thanks Rhonda for the assistance. Rhonda sends Arnold her number, claiming that they can do business sometime.
Dejected and alone, Arnold makes the long trudge home, only to hear guitar music. He goes in search of the sound, finding himself at the city park and seeing a young boy playing guitar. Despite his better judgment, Arnold opts to try again, asking who the boy is. He introduces himself as Nico (Frankie Muniz), a simple musician from downtown. After a light bit of banter, Arnold reveals that he used to play guitar when he was younger, asking if he can “show a young gun” how it's done.
Intrigued, Nico accepts the offer, handing Arnold one of his other guitars. As Arnold begins to play, it becomes evident that he’s quite good, even as he’s a bit rusty. A small crowd forms around the two and Arnold proceeds to up the ante. How about they give these fine people a little guitar duel? Nico takes the challenge and the two proceed to showcase their best guitar skills in front of the crowd.
While this is going on, The Bargain Boy walks by, carrying a wagon full of kazoos. Upon seeing Arnold and Nico’s duel, he becomes inspired and picks up one of his kazoos, marching up to the duo and playing a simplistic yet catchy tune. Amazingly enough, the boy is able to siphon most of the group away from Arnold and Nico, leading him to declare it a draw. Arnold watches on, beside himself, that the boy has once again bested him.
Arnold finally returns home, collapsing onto the couch and staring up at the ceiling, desperate for some sort of answer regarding his Bargain Boy plight. He drifts into sleep, the voice of Alfredo calling for him. While Arnold cannot see him, it’s clear Alfredo can hear the troubled scam artist. He makes a suggestion. Come to Italy and learn the true secret to success.
Louise awakes Arnold from his slumber, letting him know that dinner is ready. At the dinner table, Arnold asks Louise what would happen if he went away for whatever reason, listing off several explanations. Louise gives simple, plain answers. Eventually, Louise tells Arnold that regardless of the reason, she’d miss him very much and await his return.
That evening, Arnold has trouble sleeping and heads out of bed and into his laboratory, writing out a note of absence with a pen, revealing his plan to go to Italy for “business matters”, promising to return within 48 hours. With this, Arnold packs his suitcase and makes his way out of the house. As Arnold drives off, he comes across a small orphanage, his thoughts on the Bargain Boy returning. Instead the orphanage, the boy looks out the window and begins packing his own things.
In the morning, Louise is on the look for Arnold when she comes across a note on the table, revealing his departure to Italy, the secret to success in sight. Back in the orphanage, the other kids read their own message from the Bargain Boy, which reads:
“I have to go to It-of-Lee. There’s bitsness to take care of.”
At the airport, Arnold keeps a look out for the plane to Italy, gathering directions all the while. Eventually, he boards the airplane, completely unaware that the boy has followed him inside, disguised as a businessman. Eventually, the plane lands at Calibria, Italy, the home city of Alfredo. Arnold and The Bargain Boy go their separate ways, both in search of Alfredo, but while The Bargain Boy appears to have no trouble finding directions, Arnold has to slog through bad traffic, rude patrons and even bumps into a big, intimdating looking man. The Bargain Boy finds himself around the same place where Arnold is and, upon seeing him be intimidated by the big guy proceeds to jump onto him, covering his eyes so that Arnold can flee. The boy and the tough guy wrestle for a moment before the boy locks on a sort of sleeper hold that eventually causes the tough guy to collapse onto the ground. The boy then rushes off in search of Arnold, ignoring the astonished crowd of on-lookers.
Arnold meanwhile has gotten far away from the scene and is catching his breath when he captures the sights and sounds of Italy, at awe of the majestic buildings and marblecrusted roads only for his eyes to catch the mansion of Alfredo Puccini. Out loud, Arnold calls it surreal, a childish voice agreeing. When Arnold looks down, he finds The Bargain Boy standing by him. Exasperated, Arnold asks what the boy is doing here. The boy claims that he wanted to join Arnold in his “bit-ness”, prompting Arnold to ask the boy what happened to him following his own path.
“This is my own path!” The boy exclaims, claiming that he has nowhere else to go. “When your Mom and Dad are dead, your grandparents got shot to death and you’re stuck inside an orphange with a bunch of other kids, you don’t really find much direction in life!” Taken aback by the boy’s honesty, Arnold eases up slightly, but remains firm, telling the boy that he’s sorry for how his life has turned, but that this isn’t something for everyone. Arnold has lived this life of lies for five decades, six if you count childhood, and he has made many an enemy. He’s spent weeks in prison, and months out on the streets, claiming that there are some people who want him dead. Arnold admits that he was jealous of the boy at first, but now it doesn’t matter. He’s going to find the secret of success and continue his career for as long as his old body will let him. Arnold turns away, preparing to enter the mansion.
“Would it be a bad time to mention that you inspired me?” The Bargain Boy asks, putting Arnold to a halt. The boy explains that he first heard about Arnold when he was 3. His dad had bought something from him and was complaining about how he “got robbed”. Thus began his interest in “robbery” and counterfeit items. The boy admits that it’s not much, but ever since then, he’s always wanted to meet Arnold in person.
As Arnold contemplates what he’s heard, a hand touches his shoulder. It’s one of the butlers of Alfredo, proclaiming that the maestro requests his, and the boy’s, presence. Arnold and the boy soon enter the mansion, initially transfixed by its grand nature before being ushered into Alfredo’s office. There, Arnold finally comes face to face with his life-long idol. Alfredo stares back at Arnold, unimpressed, yet asking why he’s come to Italy. Arnold relays his story, wanting to learn how to create a new secret of success after all these years. The boy (being helped onto Alfredo’s desk by Arnold) takes his turn, saying that Arnold inspired him to become a con-artist.
Alfredo thinks for a moment before turning to Arnold, asking if he’s really been at it for five decades. “Six if you count my days in school,” Arnold sheepishly admits. Alfredo takes off his glasses and sighs. He makes a confession to Arnold, he was in a similar boat some time ago. The old tricks he had hadn’t panned out like they used to and he was up there in age, sort of like where Arnold is. As much as it hurt him, Alfredo made the difficult decision to retire and live a life of obscurity. Now, he isn’t saying Arnold should disappear from society, but it appears his time has come. He must step aside and let a new generation take center stage.
Crestfallen, Arnold turns to leave when Alfredo stops him, shifting his focus to the Bargain Boy, asking if he wants to know the secret to success. The boy eagerly agrees, awaiting to hear Alfredo’s response, only for him to ask what he thinks. With the boy and Arnold confused, Alfredo reveals that it’s not up to him to decide what success is. The secret comes from your own ideals. The boy ponders for a moment, saying that he wants to make money and find a sense of purpose.
“Then there you go,” Alfredo nods, calling that his secret. As for Arnold, Alfredo claims that the secret has been with him all along. To teach the next generation of your triumphs and how they can form their own legacy. He asks Arnold if he thinks that’s something he can do. Arnold glances at the boy, thinking of everything that’s happened to this point and accepts this offer, thanking Alfredo for giving him this advice.
“No, thank you, Arnold.” Alfredo says, admitting to have been inspired by this talk. He sends the two away, wishing them well in their lives.
As Arnold and the boy exit Alfredo’s office, they stare at each other, both wondering what to do next. Arnold asks the boy if he feels he has a purpose, the boy feels he does, especially now that everything has happened.
“How would you like a home to go with it?” Arnold asks. The boy can only shrug, asking if the system will allow it. Arnold claims that he works in mysterious way. The two head out of the mansion, discussing further plans.
Several Weeks Later:
It’s a beautiful day at the local park, a young man walks among the area, unsure of what to see or do when he comes across a man wearing a trenchcoat. Wary, the other guy asks the mysterious stranger what he wants.
“Oh, it’s not what I want, it’s what he wants.” The man replies, motioning him towards another, much smaller man in a trenchcoat and hat. The boy hops onto the larger man’s hands, an adorable smile on his face as he asks the man if he wants to buy this pest repellent perfume he’s made, promising that it’ll put the sting on insects and take the bite out of all creatures. Intrigued, the man buys it for the exorbuant price of ten dollars, snatching the counterfeit product and walking away.
Arnold and The Bargain Boy take off their disguises, congratulating each other on a trick well played when a couple of kids come up to them, asking if “Harris” can come and play. The boy (Harris) looks to Arnold, who merely tells him to have fun, they’ve run out of stock for today.
As Harris and the kids run off, Arnold sits on a park bench alongside Louise who asks how he feels about retirement. Arnold doesn’t consider it a retirement, more a passing of the torch. With all this in mind, Louise asks Arnold one final question. Would he have changed anything about his life if he knew this would be how it ended. Arnold smiles, confidently saying that he wouldn’t change a damn thing. The two share an embrace as the film ends on a picturesque shot of the park and all its people.
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