Following the tragic loss of her mother due to a drug overdose, 18-year-old Purslane (Pursy) Hominy Will (Scarlett Johansson) decides to leave the confines of a Florida trailer park — where she was stuck with an abusive boyfriend who withheld the heartbreaking news of her mother’s death and made her miss her funeral. Pursy returns to her roots in New Orleans, a city tied to memories of her jazz singer mother, Lorraine, who Pursy always felt prioritized her career over their relationship. After dropping out of high school and leaving the city behind, she is met with an unexpected surprise upon returning: strangers residing in her mother's run-down home.
In this new and chaotic environment, she encounters Bobby Long (John Travolta), a former literature professor, and his former protégé, Lawson Pines (Gabriel Macht), who is struggling to find his footing as a writer. Both men are depicted as heavy drinkers and smokers, spending their days engaging in poetic musings, chess matches, and lazy conversations — Bobby even sings country-folk songs as a form of passing time. They create a fictional narrative suggesting that Lorraine left the house to the trio, but unbeknownst to them, Pursy is actually the sole heir, and their stay is contingent upon her mother’s will.
Initially torn about moving back to Florida, Pursy finds solace in her mother's book that Lawson gives her, which she reads through the night at a bus station. The next morning, she decides to reclaim her childhood home while Bobby and Lawson are off at breakfast. Quickly taking on the role of the most responsible (and possibly the only functional) member of this unusual household, Pursy faces challenges from the men as they try to push her away through inappropriate advances and crude remarks. Despite believing her mother to be a mere shadow of a parent who sacrificed their relationship for her career, Pursy gradually starts to bond with Bobby and Lawson, who paradoxically grow more attached to her.
Interacting with local neighbors, including Georgianna (Deborah Kara Unger), who operates a bar where her mother used to perform, and Lee (Clayne Crawford), who had a close connection with Lorraine, Pursy discovers layers about her family and her mother’s past. Tensions rise as Bobby insists Pursy must earn her keep, nudging her toward responsibilities despite her efforts around the house — an ongoing battle that leads to emotionally charged confrontations, especially regarding respect for her mother.
However, Bobby, also dealing with his health issues, attempts to support Pursy’s ambitions by encouraging her to return to school and even fabricates her academic progress to help her graduate. Lawson, who harbors feelings for Pursy yet struggles with commitment, becomes an ally in her journey. Amidst the three becoming a makeshift family, they delve into shared memories of Lorraine, unveiling a complex and often painful past that Pursy had initially misunderstood.
As Bobby contemplates moving in with Georgianna to concentrate on his writing, emotional currents stir within the group, signaling a potential end to their unusual arrangement. An alarming health crisis leads to an urgent visit to the doctor — a moment that brings Bobby's vulnerabilities to the forefront. Meanwhile, as Pursy grows increasingly weary of waiting on Lawson, she begins dating again, signaling her desire for independence.
The plot thickens when her abusive boyfriend delivers a letter from her lawyer confirming that Pursy has the clear title to Lorraine’s property. As she stands up for herself, Pursy pushes the men out of her life, even putting the house up for sale as they earnestly try to win her over with renovations to the exterior.
However, the discovery of a cache of letters from Lorraine — never sent to Pursy — transforms her understanding of their relationship, revealing her mother’s deep affection and the shocking revelation of Bobby being her biological father. This news recontextualizes their shared living situation, showing Lorraine had hoped for them to reconnect.
In the end, reconciliations occur: Pursy graduates and removes the house from the market, while Bobby meets a poignant end, leaving Lawson to conclude his long-awaited novel. The journey culminates in the bittersweet understanding of family ties, love, and loss, marking a profound evolution from a past filled with pain to a future filled with potential.
