In Los Angeles, California, eight-year-old Casey Brodsky takes her divorced parents to court, suing for child emancipation so she can live with the family’s housekeeper, Maria Hernandez. During the trial, Albert Brodsky and Lucy Van Patten Brodsky take the stand to explain the tribulations of their marriage, and defend their poor parenting: The couple met one year before Casey was born, when Albert was hitchhiking cross-country to Hollywood for his new job as a film professor, and they were married after a tumultuous four-day courtship, even though Lucy was already engaged to another man. Settling into a modest home in Los Angeles, Lucy studies real estate while aspiring to be a children’s writer, and Albert’s encyclopedic knowledge of film captures the admiration of a powerful Hollywood producer named David Kessler. One night, the Brodskys are invited to private screening of David’s new movie, and he presses Albert for a critique. When Albert suggests the picture is poorly edited, David begs him to quit academia and fix the film, promising to double his salary. Lucy worries about sacrificing their modest, middle-class values for a Hollywood lifestyle of excess and infidelity, but Albert vows to prioritize their budding family and she encourages him to accept the offer. The re-cut movie is a sensation, and David tells Albert about a long-time pet project called An American Romance, which has failed to gain interest from studios. If Albert writes a suitable adaptation, he will be awarded his directorial debut. However, Albert suffers writer’s block and convinces Lucy to leave real estate school so she can collaborate on the screenplay. When An American Romance is a critical and box-office success, Albert becomes an overnight celebrity and the family moves into a larger home, but Lucy resents being outshone by her husband, and young Casey is increasingly ignored by her preoccupied, egotistical parents. As Lucy and Albert argue, Casey bonds with their housekeeper, Maria Hernandez, and refuses to speak English to her parents. Despite their marital woes, the Brodskys collaborate on a new film, Gabrielle. They struggle to find an ingénue for the title role, until Albert discovers a young waitress named Blake Chandler and casts her on the spot, inviting her to move into the family home so she can learn the part more quickly. In time, Albert begins an affair with Blake and Lucy is devastated. She takes custody of Casey and moves into a small apartment, where she gains weight and struggles to become an independent writer. Meanwhile, Gabrielle is a blockbuster, and Albert buys lavish estate for himself and Blake, satisfying her every whim. When Blake insists on starring in a musical remake of Gone with the Wind, Blake dedicates himself the $22 million production despite warnings from David Kessler, who refuses to finance the production. The film fails at the box-office, leaving Albert bankrupt and abandoned by his Hollywood associates. Blake disappears with her limousine driver, and the dejected Albert takes up residence in a dingy motel. Meanwhile, Lucy writes a thinly-veiled, fictionalized account of her failed marriage called He Said It Was Going to Be Forever, and the novel becomes a bestseller, prompting her to regain her confidence and her slim figure. Moving into Albert’s mansion, Lucy becomes egomaniacal and vengeful, and Casey takes refuge with Maria yet again. One night, Albert comes to the estate uninvited and apologizes to Lucy, but she is not receptive, until they discover Casey is missing. They find her at Maria’s home after a frantic search, and realize they have lost touch with their daughter. Albert invites Lucy to a bar and they make love. The next morning, however, the couple’s brief reconciliation devolves into a violent confrontation when Albert solicits Lucy for work, asking permission to direct the film adaptation of He Said It Was Going to Be Forever. As Lucy accuses Albert of seducing her to get the job, and Albert condemns Lucy’s emotional detachment and neglectful parenting, Casey returns home with Maria. The Brodskys grab their daughter’s arms and pull her in opposite directions, threatening to take sole possession of the girl in an effort to punish each other. Back in the courtroom, Casey ends her testimony, explaining that the incident prompted her to run away and live with Maria. The girl argues that she must “divorce” her parents because they treat her like a dog rather than a human being—they pay attention to her only when it suits their busy schedules, or when they need to boost their frail egos. Lucy and Albert cry as they listen to their daughter’s plea, and the judge sides with the girl, placng her in the custody of Maria Hernandez. One day, Lucy accidentally arrives at Maria’s house on Albert’s visiting day, but he invites her to join them for lunch. Humbled by their love for Casey, the Brodskys remember the unadulterated emotions that once brought them together, and see a glimmer of hope for the family’s future.