Charlie Bubbles (Albert Finney), a fabulously rich but unhappy writer who's bored with his great success, lives in a large London townhouse where he wastes away the hours drunk and debauched with his secretary (Liza Minnelli) and servants. Reminded that he promised to spend some time with his son, Charlie drives to Manchester where his angry ex-wife (Billie Whitelaw) and the eight-year-old boy live on a farm. Hoping to rekindle the human emotions that burned out long ago, Charlie must decide which of his two worlds suits him the best.