"The story alternates between [Wesley] Hardin in Santa Fe, Mexico, and New York — shooting a last-stand Western until the producer blows the whistle and shuts off the funds, generating a cinéma vérité chronicle of his own life — and A.D. and Walker writing their script on the road, so that each movement in the present is complemented by an additional piece of the past uncovered. Apart from generating a respectable amount of plot suspense, this narrative counterpoint allows Wurlitzer to pursue a satirical bent as he charts both fantasy trips, which becomes a contrast between the spiritual excesses of two generations: Yosemite Sam and Mr. Natural, each on a suicide mission."
— Jonathan Rosenbaum
Slow Fade is a portrait of Wesley Hardin, whose life has been devoted to manipulations of all kinds: cinematic images, conference-table negotiations, actors, technicians, and even (and especially) those closest to him. Nearing the end of his career, he tries to divest himself of illusions, to make peace with his demons and his past. The process is complex and at times appears to occur by committee.
After his son Walker returns from a long spell in India (where he was searching for Wesley's daughter at his father's behest), Wesley hires him to write a script about his experiences there, which Walker will not otherwise discuss.
As Wesley grapples with control over one final film project, Walker roams the American landscape with a disaffected roadie named A. D., who is desperately trying to make a new career for himself outside of his rock 'n' roll experiences.