Each of the three central characters displays insecurity, which compels them to seek validation and affirmation from others. Fitzgerald demonstrates that insecurity can impact anyone, regardless of their background, professional success, or personal confidence. He particularly underscores its frequency in Hollywood.

Joel exemplifies a contradictory mix of insecurity and youthful arrogance. On one hand, he considers himself a talented writer (“He referred to himself modestly as a hack but really did not think of it that way”) ready to ascend to the industry's upper echelons. He even feels somewhat superior because he claims to avoid alcohol, unlike many of his colleagues. Yet, he longs for others' approval, seeking validation from Miles, Stella, and party guests, constantly focusing on those he believes he can most impress. When Stella starts to show interest in him, he finds her irresistible, despite her marriage to a powerful director he knows personally. Even when he realizes she is manipulating him, he doesn't immediately cut ties. He is both disappointed and relieved when she suggests her chauffeur drive him home. His conflicting feelings stem from his insecurity, his need to feel desired, and his faint moral compass.

Stella's insecurity is evident in her pursuit of Joel, which intensifies after she discovers Miles's infidelity. Initially, she enjoys Joel's admiration and how he reminds her of her younger days, a period with less societal pressure and judgment. His comment that she looks sixteen makes her feel youthful and liberated. Upon learning about Miles's unfaithfulness, Stella turns to Joel for comfort and admiration, knowing he is captivated by her. After being rejected and experiencing self-doubt because of the affair, she seeks another man's attention to feel attractive again. Ironically, this is precisely what Joel foresaw during their first conversation.

Despite his professional success and extensive social network, Miles is deeply insecure. He repeats the pattern from his first marriage, where he had a mistress to feel desirable. He is seeing a therapist to address his personal problems, but there is little evidence of progress. In his career, Miles is confident and unconcerned about pleasing everyone, but in his personal life, he craves reassurance and affirmation.

In the cutthroat environment of Hollywood, looks are of great significance. Fitzgerald delves into this theme in "Crazy Sunday" through the character of Joel. As Joel gets ready for an evening at Miles's party, he chooses to steer clear of alcohol, knowing that Miles disapproves of writers who drink excessively. Joel wants to create a good impression and show that he fits into Miles's social circle. Even though Joel is aware of his own tendency to overindulge, he works hard to align his appearance with what Miles expects.

The narrator mentions, "Calman was audibly tired of rummies, and thought it was a pity the industry could not get along without them." Bearing this in mind, Joel hopes that Miles will overhear him declining a cocktail. However, at the party, Joel ends up drinking and soon realizes he's embarrassing himself in front of his colleagues. He worries that the damage to his reputation might be lasting, potentially putting his career at risk. Despite his embarrassment, he tries to maintain a confident front, with the narrator noting that "he clung desperately to his rule of never betraying an inferior emotion until he no longer felt it."

Later, while waiting for Stella and Miles at the theater, Joel's awareness of appearances is clear as he feels awkward in his silk hat. He begins to understand that in Hollywood, appearances often hide the truth.

"Crazy Sunday" plunges into the complex interplay between illusion and reality, exploring the blurred...

The narrative of "Crazy Sunday" delves into the intricate dance between allure and emotional turbulence, capturing the essence of Hollywood's veneer and its underlying fragility. At the heart of this story lies Miles, whose psychological disorientation and profound fatigue reflect a life consumed by both mental and physical struggles. His partner, Stella, embodies a different shade of turmoil, her insecurity so profound it manifests as utter dependency. Adding to this tapestry is Joel, whose juvenile innocence is marred by his drinking habits, painting a portrait of naiveté entwined with vice.

Beneath the opulent surface of their lives lies a grittier reality, mirrored in the crude makeup of the film extras and the washed-up writers penning scripts for the industry. These elements highlight a stark contrast between the dazzling dream world they create for audiences and the precarious existence they navigate themselves. In this microcosm of Hollywood, glamour is inseparable from instability, as those who conjure the magic on screen find themselves ensnared within its illusions, unable to escape the shadows they cast.