Jackie (Susan Sarandon) and Luke (Ed Harris) are a divorced couple struggling to keep their children Anna (Jena Malone) and Ben (Liam Aiken) happy with this sudden change of lifestyle. This task is far from easy, as Luke for some time has been dating and is living with his new girlfriend Isabel (Julia Roberts) who is a successful photographer and several years his junior. Isabel tries very hard to make Anna and Ben feel comfortable and happy around her but the kids are very rude to her.