Jimmie Shannon (played by Chris O’Donnell) is a commitment-phobic bachelor who enjoys his carefree life as a successful young man in San Francisco. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when his grandfather, the wealthy Gus (played by Peter Ustinov), passes away.
At Gus’s will reading, Jimmie learns that he stands to inherit $100 million on one condition: he must marry by 6:05 p.m. on his 30th birthday, which is just 27 hours away. If he fails to marry by that time, the entire fortune will go to Gus’s loyal assistant, Anne (played by Hal Holbrook).
Desperate to claim his inheritance, Jimmie embarks on a frantic quest to find a wife within the short time frame. He approaches numerous women, including his ex-girlfriend Anne, who is now engaged to another man. Despite his efforts, Jimmie struggles to find a suitable bride willing to marry him on such short notice.
As the deadline approaches, Jimmie becomes increasingly desperate and resorts to drastic measures to find a wife. He proposes to random women on the street, crashes weddings, and even considers marrying a stranger he meets in a bar.
Meanwhile, Anne begins to have doubts about her impending marriage to another man and realizes that she may still have feelings for Jimmie. She confronts him about his hasty marriage plans, urging him to reconsider his priorities and think about what truly matters to him.
In the end, Jimmie realizes that his pursuit of money and inheritance has blinded him to what is truly important in life: love and genuine relationships. He confesses his true feelings to Anne, declaring his love for her and admitting that he doesn’t want to marry anyone else.
Moved by Jimmie’s sincerity, Anne reciprocates his feelings and agrees to marry him, even though it means forfeiting her own chance at inheriting Gus’s fortune. Jimmie and Anne exchange vows in a spontaneous wedding ceremony just moments before the deadline, sealing their love for each other and beginning their new life together.
“The Bachelor” is a heartwarming romantic comedy that explores themes of love, commitment, and the importance of following one’s heart. Through its charming characters, witty humor, and heartfelt moments, the film delivers an entertaining and uplifting story about finding true love in unexpected places.