On an autumn morning in Chicago, Illinois, thirty-eight-year-old policeman Danny Muldoon strolls through his neighborhood. He arrives home, where his mother, Rose, joins him for breakfast. Danny mentions his plans to attend a baseball game, but his mother frets that it is on the same night as the weekly Bingo game, which they always attend together. Danny has a vision of his mother walking alone to the Bingo game and meeting misfortune. Concerned, he agrees to cancel his plans and go to Bingo with her. Later that day, Danny and his partner, Sal, conduct routine police business. Over lunch, Sal describes his marital troubles, envious of Danny’s status as a bachelor. A few days later, Danny’s brother, Patrick, suggests that Danny and Rose move to Florida, but Danny insists he is happy in Chicago. Later, Danny and his mother go to O’Neill’s, a local Irish pub. They are surprised when three elderly drunks stumble in, demanding drinks. Moments later, a well-dressed man arrives, claiming that one of the men is a corpse, stolen from the funeral home by his two friends. Danny shows his police badge and helps resolve the argument. As the group leaves the bar, Danny notices an attractive young woman standing near the door. He learns that she is Theresa Luna, daughter of the funeral parlor director. The next day, Danny stops by the funeral home, startling Theresa, who is applying makeup to a corpse. Finding it difficult to ask her out on a date, the policeman presents a list of reasons why she would turn him down. Theresa is amused and agrees to go out with him. A few days later, Danny leaves the house dressed for his date, which he has planned with the help of his police connections. He and Theresa picnic on the field of an empty baseball stadium, serenaded by ballpark organ music as fireworks erupt overhead. However, a nervous Theresa does not respond to Danny’s attempts at conversation. When he drops Theresa at her door, she explains that she is introverted and struggles to open up to people. Danny is thrilled when she asks for a second date. He returns home, where he learns that his brother has invested in Florida property, planning for Danny and Rose to move there together. Danny is upset, but Patrick, a lawyer, nullifies his brother’s objections. On Halloween night, Rose fusses at Danny when she realizes he is going to the ballet with Theresa instead of staying home with her. While at the ballet, Danny envisions his mother being attacked by a trick-or-treater. He calls to check on her, before returning to his romantic evening with Theresa. A few days later, hoping to flatter Theresa with a home cooked Italian dinner, Danny arranges for his mother to spend the evening with Patrick and his family. Danny proves to be a terrible cook, but Theresa laughs at the mess and asks to see the rest of the house. In Danny’s bedroom, the two begin kissing, and Theresa spends the night. In the morning, Danny surprises her with breakfast in bed. Just then, Rose returns home, and Danny is forced to deceive his mother. Theresa manages to leave the house undetected, but not before overhearing Rose insult her Italian upbringing. Later, Danny plans to formally introduce his mother to Theresa over dinner at a hotel restaurant. However, Theresa is put off by Rose’s prejudiced remarks and storms out of the restaurant. Danny follows, apologizing for his mother’s behavior. Theresa expresses anger at Danny’s reluctance to stand up to the rude woman. Back home, Danny criticizes his mother’s outspokenness and declares his intention to marry Theresa. He leaves the house and goes to Theresa’s bedroom window, waking her with a marriage proposal, which she accepts. Sometime later, Danny and Patrick get fitted for tuxedos. Patrick thinks his brother is rushing into marriage, and urges Danny to go to Florida with their mother. Outraged at the comments, Danny punches his brother in the jaw. Later, he visits Theresa at the funeral parlor and confesses his feelings of guilt over not being able to care for his family once he gets married. On the night before their wedding, Danny and Theresa’s friends and family gather at O’Neill’s to toast the couple. After the party, while walking down the snow-covered sidewalks with Theresa, Danny has visions of his mother getting into an accident on her way home. He calls to check on her, infuriating Theresa, who thinks Danny tries too hard to please her. They argue, unable to reconcile their differences. The next day, everyone gathers at the church, but neither Danny nor Theresa shows up for the wedding. In the week that follows, Danny refuses to explain why he did not go through with the marriage. One night, Rose and Danny stop at O’Neill’s, saddened to hear that one of their drinking friends died of a heart attack. They go to the funeral parlor to pay respects, and Danny glimpses Theresa working in the back room. He is overcome with emotion, but does not speak to her. The next day, boxes line the sidewalk in front of the Muldoon residence. Danny and Rose survey their empty home, and Danny tells his mother that he will not go to Florida. He loves Theresa and intends to win her back. Rose becomes angry and accuses her son of abandoning her. Moments later, she apologizes for her selfishness and wishes Danny the best, telling him to visit her in Florida with his grandchildren. However, when Danny returns to the funeral parlor, he discovers that Theresa has left Chicago for New York City. He borrows a police cruiser and speeds away, hoping to intercept Theresa’s train. When the train stops at a small-town station, Theresa disembarks to find Danny waiting on the platform. He presents a list of reasons why she might not want to get back together with him, causing Theresa to laugh, cry, and profess her love. They embrace, and Danny has a vision of his mother’s plane being overtaken by terrorists. However, the feisty woman defeats the perpetrators and addresses her daydreaming son, telling him not to worry; she can take care of herself.