Cindy, played by Mila Kunis, finds herself in a guitar store searching for the perfect instrument for her father's birthday. The two employees in the store are so captivated by her presence that they neglect other customers. Although Cindy seems somewhat clueless about guitars, the employees pretend to be experts to impress her. After requesting a different color, the employees leave her momentarily unattended. In a spur-of-the-moment decision, she takes a guitar and makes her escape.
Meanwhile, we are introduced to Joel, portrayed by Jason Bateman, the manager of Reynold's Extract. Inside the bustling factory, he greets his staff before a phone conversation with his friend Dean, played by Ben Affleck, reveals some personal struggles—Joel admits he hasn't been intimate with his wife in over a month. As tensions rise in the factory due to inefficiencies and complaints, Joel attempts to balance the chaos while grappling with his unsatisfactory home life.
At one point, Step, a co-worker played by Clifton Collins Jr., boasts about his work performance, unaware that his ego is hindering productivity. Meanwhile, as employees argue over work ethics, an accident occurs, culminating in a medical emergency and escalating the stakes for Joel's already shaky grasp on his position.
Determined to avoid the approaching 8 PM “sex deadline” at home, Joel navigates a series of encounters, including an awkward confrontation with his neighbor Nathan, who tries to rope Joel and his wife into a charity dinner.
Back at the bar where Dean works, Joel voices his frustrations, lamenting that no one appreciates his efforts in the extract business. Parallel to this, Cindy attempts to capitalize on her stolen guitar by pawning it off, all while scheming to reclaim her own sense of control amid her chaotic life.
As Joel’s professional and personal lives intertwine with Cindy's, the tension builds, leading to unexpected complications. His relationships deteriorate, pushing him into a corner where he must confront not only a delicate workplace situation involving potential litigation but also the unanticipated dynamics at home with his wife Suzie.
In an ultimately twisted series of events involving jealousy, theft, and mistaken identities, this film explores the lengths people will go to reclaim what they believe is rightfully theirs. As Joel becomes entangled with Cindy in a way he never expected, the story unfolds through humor, awkward moments, and some serious introspection on love and loyalty.
Their lives collide with disastrous consequences, forcing Joel to confront his own expectations and the ramifications of his decisions, all while attempting to salvage both his marriage and his company. The twists and turns in this narrative make for a gripping reflection on the fragility of human relationships and the complexities of personal ambition.
