莱奥纳德（弗兰克·兰格拉 Frank Langella 饰）曾经是文学界的宠儿，是读者和评论家们争相追捧的对象，如今，早已经被遗忘的他选择避开世俗与人群，过起了离群索居的孤独生活。一个名叫希瑟（劳伦·艾波罗丝 Lauren Ambrose 饰）的年轻学生的拜访彻底改变了莱奥纳德的晚年生活，她深信莱奥纳德能够帮助她完成她耗费了巨大精力写就的学术论文，而希瑟的年轻活力则为莱奥纳德来到了快乐和希望。
莱奥纳德发现，无论怎样否认，只有在工作中，他才能找回曾经的激情与智慧，然而，被改变的并非只有他一人，作为莱奥纳德的女儿，艾瑞尔（莉莉·泰勒 Lili Taylor 饰）也在父亲日渐开朗的个性中找到了人生新的方向。

Max imagines running away from his mom and sailing to a far-off land where large talking beasts—Ira, Carol, Douglas, the Bull, Judith and Alexander—crown him as their king, play rumpus, build forts and discover secret hideaways.

Emilia, a law-school graduate, falls in love with her married boss, Jack. After Emilia marries Jack, her happiness turns unexpectedly to grief following the death of her infant daughter. Devastated, Emilia nonetheless carries on, attempting to forge a connection with her stepson William and to resist the interference of Jack's jealous ex-wife.