Businessman Richard Kennerly is married to the socialite Catherine, and they have a daughter, Beth. Richard leads a seemingly normal life in Beverly Hills with his wife and daughter, but this masks an affair he has been having for the past 8 years with an artist, Nina Simon, with whom he has a six-year-old son, Eric. Richard set Nina and their son up in a beachside home in Malibu and has been living a double life. Catherine is unaware of Nina and Richard's relationship, while Nina accepts the circumstances for what they are and continues the affair.

While at home with his wife and daughter, Beth explains to Richard that she wants to move out with her boyfriend. Richard soon becomes severely ill and dies. The double life that he once lived is exposed. Catherine discovers the extramarital relationship that he had and becomes aware of who his mistress was.

Devastated, Catherine discovers Richard's son, Eric, with Nina but realizes that he left nothing for the child. Catherine and Nina begin to feud, and Catherine refuses to acknowledge the child's existence. Nina wants her son's education to be paid for, but Catherine clashes with her. The two women get into a fist fight at Richard's funeral. However, they soon realize that they were both manipulated by him and settle their differences.

• Joanne Woodward as Catherine Kennerly
• Lindsay Wagner as Nina Simon
• Richard Crenna as Richard Kennerly
• Mason Adams as Ron Sandler
• Heather Langenkamp as Beth Kennerly
• John Considine as Jack Blaine
• R.J. Williams as Eric
• Viveca Lindfors as Lila

The film has been met with mixed reviews. Joanna Berry of Radio Times praised Woodward and Wagner's performances but described the film as "predictable".^[1] Jeff Jarvis of People said "There’s drama here and rich human interaction." and praised the direction of the film and the performances of Woodward, Wagner, Crenna, and Langenkamp.^[2]

• Passions at IMDb