Willard (Elijah Wood), a 10-year-old who is dealing with his parents' break-up, comes to spend the summer with Lily and Ben Reed (Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson), whose own relationship is strained following the tragic death of their 3-year-old son. Their problems make it all the more difficult for Willard to acclimate to his new environment, until a young girl (Thora Birch) intervenes to become his friend and transforms all their lives.