Beth is a successful memoirist and
creative writing teacher in New York City who has recently written her first novel. She is in a loving marriage with Don, a therapist, and they have a 23-year-old son, Elliot, who works at a
cannabis store. Don is self-conscious about aging and struggles with his patients, many of whose problems he is not engaged with. Beth's agent tells her the novel needs multiple revisions, causing Beth to doubt her work. She is reassured by Don, who reads a draft of the book and suggests looking for another agent who is more enthusiastic about it. While shopping for socks, Don confesses to his brother-in-law and actor Mark that he does not like Beth's novel but feels he cannot be honest with her. Beth accidentally overhears their conversation when entering the shop with her sister Sarah, and Beth's faith in their relationship is shaken. In an attempt to reassure her, Sarah tells Beth she occasionally lies to her husband about his acting performances, but this does not comfort Beth. Mark later gets publicly fired from a play and considers quitting his acting career, but Sarah convinces him to continue as it is only his first time getting fired. Beth continues to struggle and grows increasingly annoyed with Don. At Mark's birthday dinner, Beth finally tells Don she overheard what he said. Though Don tries to tell Beth she is missing context, he eventually reveals that he does not like her book but did not want to discourage her. When Elliot accuses Beth of putting pressure on him to be extraordinary, Don and Beth finally discuss their differences. They talk about white lies they have told each other, and Beth realizes the way she reacts is partly due to her controlling father's verbal abuse from her childhood. She eventually finds a new, more enthusiastic agent. One year later, Beth's novel is published. Don and Beth, now reconciled, celebrate their anniversary together. Mark achieves success in another play, and Elliot finishes the first draft of a play he is writing and gives copies to his parents. Don undergoes cosmetic surgery to treat his
eye bags, and Beth tells him that he is going to look great. The two go to bed and begin reading Elliot's draft. == Cast ==