Dan Burns is a local newspaper advice columnist, a father of three, and a widower. He brings the family to his parent's house for a family gathering. After meeting Marie at a local bookstore, he finds out that she is dating his brother, Mitch. Meanwhile, Dan's mother announces that she has set up a date between Dan and an old friend of his named Ruthie. Dan refuses to go. Mitch suggests that they could make it a double date, Dan agrees, but things...

Lawrence Wetherhold is a widowed professor who rebuffs his students, ignores his teenage children, James and Vanessa, and spurns his brother, Chuck. Janet is a physician and former student of Lawrence who remembers her disappointment in him as a teacher and role model. When Janet and Lawrence become romantically involved, Chuck and Vanessa try to prove that the Wetherhold clan has become far too insular and self-referential.