When Do We Eat? (2006) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A dysfunctional family gathers for Passover, exposing old resentments, failed reconciliation attempts, and competing ideas of responsibility.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Holiday Under Pressure

Zeke is pulled toward the family Passover gathering while Peggy manages preparations. Ira remains preoccupied with his Christmas business, establishing the household's competing priorities.

Key Events

• Zeke Buys Drugs — Zeke buys drugs before receiving a call about the family Passover gathering. Characters: Zeke Location: Street
• Peggy Demands Matzo — Peggy orders Zeke to bring matzo home for Passover. Characters: Zeke, Peggy Stuckman Location: Street
• Zeke Hides Skipping Class — Zeke complains about the holiday and conceals that he is skipping class. Characters: Zeke Location: Street
• Peggy Prepares Seder — Peggy struggles to organize the family's Passover Seder. Characters: Peggy Stuckman Location: Stuckman home
• Ira Designs Santa Costume — Ira remains focused on designing an updated chubby Santa costume. Characters: Ira Stuckman, Santa Designer Location: Ira's work area
• Christmas Business Delays — Ira insists that business delays are costing him money despite Passover not beginning. Characters: Ira Stuckman Location: Stuckman home

The Family Arrives

The family gathers for the Seder, but Ethan's resentment toward Ira quickly becomes visible. Rafi's arrival and Vanessa's flirtation with Ethan add further discomfort.

Key Events

• Family Gathers — The family assembles for the Seder while unresolved tensions surface. Characters: Ira Stuckman, Peggy Stuckman, Jennifer, Nikki, Vanessa, Zeke, Ethan Location: Stuckman home
• Ethan Rejects Family Job — Ethan refuses a job connected to the family business and resents Ira. Characters: Ira Stuckman, Ethan Location: Stuckman home
• Seder Plate Shattered — The father-son argument escalates into insults, and Ira smashes the Seder plate. Characters: Ira Stuckman, Ethan, Peggy Stuckman Location: Stuckman home
• Rafi Arrives — Rafi arrives to prepare a tent, and Peggy invites him to stay. Characters: Rafi, Peggy Stuckman, Ira Stuckman Location: Stuckman home
• Ira Rejects Rafi — Ira's hostility toward Rafi makes the guest's presence another source of tension. Characters: Ira Stuckman, Rafi, Peggy Stuckman Location: Stuckman home
• Vanessa Enters — Vanessa appears in an attractive outfit and exchanges flirtatious remarks with Ethan. Characters: Vanessa, Ethan Location: Stuckman home
• Cousin Tension Surfaces — Their flirtation becomes uncomfortable because Vanessa and Ethan are cousins. Characters: Vanessa, Ethan Location: Stuckman home

Confessions at the Seder

Nikki defends her professional ambitions while Ethan attacks her work and Ira's involvement. Ira then attempts to apologize to Jennifer, but she refuses to trust the gesture.

Key Events

• Nikki Defends Her Work — Nikki defends her sex-surrogate work and describes a remotely controlled cybersexual device. Characters: Nikki, Ethan, Ira Stuckman Location: Seder area
• Nikki Claims Entrepreneurship — Nikki argues that the device could help her become an entrepreneur. Characters: Nikki, Ethan Location: Seder area
• Ethan Accuses Ira — Ethan mocks Nikki's profession and accuses Ira of becoming her pimp. Characters: Ethan, Ira Stuckman, Nikki Location: Seder area
• Ira Apologizes to Jennifer — Ira reads the Haggadah and apologizes to Jennifer for failing her while she was growing up. Characters: Ira Stuckman, Jennifer Location: Seder area
• Jennifer Rejects Reconciliation — Jennifer rejects Ira's sudden reconciliation and questions whether drugs caused his promises. Characters: Jennifer, Ira Stuckman Location: Seder area

Zeke's Dangerous Revelation

Zeke reveals that he hacked credit-card systems and obtained a large sum of money. His plan to donate it to the Autism Society conflicts with the family's business expectations.

Key Events

• Zeke Reveals Hacking — Zeke admits to hacking credit-card authorization systems and obtaining about one and a half million dollars. Characters: Zeke, Ira Stuckman, Peggy Stuckman, Ethan, Jennifer, Nikki Location: Seder area
• Zeke Announces Donation — Zeke says the money will go to the Autism Society instead of the family business. Characters: Zeke, Ira Stuckman, Peggy Stuckman, Ethan Location: Seder area

A Broken Exodus

Water enters the tent, the Afikomen is forgotten, and Ira continues acting as a leader of the Exodus. The family remains together without resolving its resentments.

Key Events

• Tent Takes On Water — The tent begins taking on water as the family celebration descends into disorder. Characters: Rafi, Ira Stuckman, Peggy Stuckman, Zeke, Ethan, Jennifer, Nikki Location: Seder tent
• Afikomen Forgotten — The Afikomen is forgotten while Ira continues acting as though he is leading the Exodus. Characters: Ira Stuckman, Peggy Stuckman, Jennifer, Nikki, Vanessa, Zeke, Ethan Location: Seder tent
• Ira Leads the Exodus — Ira continues behaving as though he is directing the Exodus despite the family's growing disorder. Characters: Ira Stuckman, Peggy Stuckman, Jennifer, Nikki, Vanessa, Zeke, Ethan Location: Seder tent
• Family Remains Together — The family stays together, but its resentments and broken relationships remain unresolved. Characters: Ira Stuckman, Peggy Stuckman, Jennifer, Nikki, Vanessa, Zeke, Ethan Location: Seder tent

Story Breakdown

• Holiday Preparations — The Passover gathering begins amid practical demands and conflicting priorities.
  • Matzo Demand — Peggy tells Zeke to bring matzo home for Passover.
  • Business Distraction — Ira focuses on his Christmas costume business instead of the approaching Seder.
• Family Gathering — The relatives assemble, bringing unresolved personal tensions into the celebration.
  • Ethan's Resentment — Ethan rejects a job connected to Ira's family business.
  • Rafi's Arrival — Rafi prepares the tent and is invited to remain despite Ira's hostility.
• Escalating Tensions — Arguments and uncomfortable interactions disrupt the family's attempt to celebrate together.
  • Broken Seder Plate — Ira smashes the Seder plate after arguing with Ethan.
  • Cousin Flirtation — Vanessa's flirtatious exchanges with Ethan create discomfort because they are cousins.
• Personal Confessions — The Seder forces family members to defend their choices and confront past failures.
  • Nikki's Enterprise — Nikki presents her cybersexual device plans as a path toward entrepreneurship.
  • Jennifer's Rejection — Jennifer refuses Ira's apology and questions its sincerity.
• Zeke's Revelation — Zeke reveals a major criminal act and an unexpected plan for the money.
  • Credit Card Hack — Zeke admits to hacking credit-card authorization systems.
  • Autism Donation — He says the money will be donated to the Autism Society.
• Chaotic Resolution — The celebration physically and symbolically breaks down while the family remains together.
  • Flooded Tent — The tent begins taking on water during the disordered Seder.
  • Unresolved Family — The Afikomen is forgotten and the family's resentments remain unresolved.

Directed by

Salvador Litvak

Key Cast

• Michael Lerner — Ira Stuckman
• Lesley Ann Warren — Peggy Stuckman
• Jack Klugman — Artur
• Meredith Scott Lynn — Jennifer
• Shiri Appleby — Nikki