While her burned-out spouse, Dan (Bruce Davison), and indolent daughter drive Susan Freeman (Kathy Baker) to distraction, she takes solace in 15-year-old son Matt (Paul Dano), whose stellar grades land him a job tutoring fellow student Francesca (Katie Stuart). But when Matt gets her pregnant, he assumes the duties of fatherhood, putting his future at risk. Meanwhile, Susan must help Matt make a decision that will alter the family's lives.