In 1950s Connecticut, a housewife faces a marital crisis and mounting racial tensions in the outside world.

Cathy Whitaker: That was the day I stopped believing in the wild ardor of things. Perhaps in love, as well. That kind of love. The love in books and films. The love that tells us to abandon our lives and plans, all for one brief touch of Venus. So often we fail at that kind of love. The world just seems too fragile a place for it. And of every other kind, life remains full. Perhaps it's just we who are too fragile.
[Studying a Miró painting]
Raymond Deagan: So, what's your opinion on modern art?
Cathy Whitaker: It's hard to put into words, really. I just know what I care for and what I don't. Like this... I don't know how to pronounce it... Mira?
Raymond Deagan: Miró.
Cathy Whitaker: Miró. I don't know why, but I just adore it. The feeling it gives. I know that sounds terribly vague.
Raymond Deagan: No. No, actually, it confirms something I've always wondered about modern art. Abstract art.
Cathy Whitaker: What's that?
Raymond Deagan: That perhaps it's just picking up where religious art left off, somehow trying to show you divinity. The modern artist just pares it down to the basic elements of shape and color. But when you look at that Miró, you feel it just the same.
Raymond: I've learned my lesson about mixing in other worlds. I've seen the sparks fly. All kinds.
David Whitaker: Aw, geez!
Cathy Whitaker: We don't use language like that in this house.
Frank Whitaker: I just want to get this fucking thing over with!
Cathy Whitaker: You're all man to me! All man...
Cathy Whitaker: Oh, Raymond, Mrs. Whitaker sounds so formal! Won't you please... ask me to dance?
[Frank is drunk at the cocktail party]
Stan Fine: Frank is the luckiest guy in town!
Frank Whitaker: It's all smoke and mirrors, fellas. That's all it is. You should see her without her face on.
Doreen: Frank!
Cathy Whitaker: No, he's absolutely right. We ladies are never what we appear, and every girl has her secrets.
Frank Whitaker: How about this girl getting her husband another drink?
Cathy Whitaker: Don't you think you've had enough, dear?
Frank Whitaker: No, honey, I don't think I've had enough!
Eleanor Fine: Call me old fashioned, I just like all the men I'm around to be all men.
Frank Whitaker: I know it's wrong because it makes me feel despicable.
Raymond: Here is to being the only one.