Brainstorm begins with a small, safe idea, carefully contrived to spur concern for the right people. Driving home from work one night, a sober young research analyst (Jeff Hunter) comes upon a locked limousine stalled on the railroad tracks, with an irresistible blonde (Anne Francis) asleep inside. Of course, he saves her from an approaching train. Of course, she upbraids him for spoiling her attempted suicide, and of course she turns out to be the wife of his employer (Dana Andrews), the ruthless tycoon who heads Benson Industries.
Some plot surprises eventually do turn...