Sam (Christian Bale) and his mother, Jane (Frances McDormand), discuss her past relationships. Sam cautions Jane to keep it low-key while his girlfriend, Alex, is staying at the house because Alex works in a lab, is writing her dissertation, and isn't used to being around many people.

Frances McDormand is a record producer who lives the high life in Hollywood with her rock-star boyfriend. Enter Christian Bale as her straight-laced son, back from medical school, with his equally unwrinkled girlfriend, Kate Beckinsale. Things are tense until they all learn to mellow out and enjoy the rock-and-roll life.