A Family Affair

24-year-old Zara (Joey King) is fed up with her role as the personal assistant to the narcissistic Hollywood star Chris Cole (Zac Efron). Chris has a notorious habit of giving diamond earrings to his romantic partners just before he breaks things off, and he often forces Zara to retrieve his belongings post-breakup. Zara had once thought that she was being prepared for a more significant role in Chris’s empire.

Things take a turn when Chris becomes furious after Zara misses his 8:30 AM request because she was busy meeting her friend Stella (Sherry Cola)—a writer—pleading for her to revise the script of the third installment of Chris’s movie franchise, Icarus Rush. In a fit of anger, Chris locks Zara out and she quits, expressing her frustration that she is the only one invested in his career, while agents only want him for profit. Chris insists she’s inexperienced in film production.

Shortly after Zara’s resignation, Chris arrives at her home with an offer for an assistant producer position. Meanwhile, Brooke Harwood (Nicole Kidman), an author on a break from her career, is attempting to regain her footing after dedicating a decade to raising her daughter. The moment Chris walks into Brooke’s life searching for Zara, everything shifts dramatically. He and Brooke share an immediate connection; amidst a conversation, they touch upon various topics, and Chris finds solace in her understanding—something he struggles to find with his fans.

Their undeniable chemistry culminates in a kiss after indulging in a few shots of tequila, rekindling a passion within Brooke that she thought she had lost. The encounter takes a turn when Zara unexpectedly returns home to find her mother and boss in a compromising position, leading to her fainting spell and a necessary trip to the doctor. Zara demands Chris steer clear of her mother, to which he agrees, but only under the condition that Zara would assist him on set.

Despite Zara’s hopes that her mother’s affair with Chris would fizzle out, they can’t seem to keep their distance. Subsequently, Chris invites Brooke to dinner—a casual affair that turns into something more romantic, deepening their bond. Brooke is flattered when Chris quotes her book, and while she tries to shield the truth from Zara, she ultimately confides in her about the dinner, omitting some details to avoid judgment. Encouraged by her mother-in-law Leila Ford (Kathy Bates), who was also her editor, Brooke decides to pursue her budding romance with Chris.

Meanwhile, complications arise when Chris rejects Stella for a script rewrite, opting for a different writer. Zara later discovers that the new writer is, in fact, her mother. As Zara learns of Chris and Brooke’s relationship, her disapproval surfaces. It is hard for her to accept seeing her mother move on after her father’s death, making her feel betrayed.

Brooke, having always prioritized Zara’s feelings, now yearns for her happiness, feeling guilty yet drawn to Chris. Zara, sensing Chris’s lack of commitment and fearing her mother’s heartbreak, begs Brooke to reconsider. Leila intervenes, insisting that Zara attend Christmas at her house, inviting both Brooke and Chris, encouraging Zara to give them a chance. During the gathering, Chris shares that this will be his first family Christmas in years.

As time passes, Zara begins to warm up to Chris after witnessing her mother’s joy. However, her doubts resurface upon finding diamond earrings identical to those Chris had previously gifted to other women. The tension escalates when Zara confronts Chris, who insists that the earrings were meant for Christmas and not a sign of impending heartbreak. This revelation makes Brooke question her relationship with Chris, leading her to rediscover her feelings.

Moreover, Zara acknowledges her shortcomings as a daughter and reflects on how absorbed she has been in her own issues while neglecting her friend Eugenie (Liza Koshy), who had been suffering in silence. On New Year’s Eve, Zara makes amends with Eugenie, realizing the importance of their friendship.

As Zara prepares to leave her job, she confronts Chris one last time. He confesses his reluctance to commit, fearing things are going too perfectly for him. Determined to fix things, Zara reaches out to her mother before she heads off to Princeton, affirming her support for Brooke’s pursuit of happiness.

Eventually, Zara devises a plan alongside Leila to reunite Brooke and Chris. They orchestrate a chance meeting at the supermarket, where they express their desire to rekindle their romance. A year later, Zara finds herself thriving as a producer, while Brooke enjoys success with her second book. Chris and Brooke’s relationship flourishes, and Zara feels content as long as they keep their romantic escapades under wraps.

Last Updated: October 24, 2024 at 08:30