The narrative unfolds in Jackson, Kentucky, during the year 1997, centering on a young man named J.D., who is reflecting on the tumultuous years of his adolescence. At this point, J.D. is visiting his family alongside his grandparents and his mother, Bev. Eventually, they make their way back home to Ohio.
Fast forward fourteen years, and J.D. is now a student at Yale University, balancing the pressures of academia with the demands of three part-time jobs. He is in a relationship with a young woman named Usha, who has secured a summer internship in Washington D.C. Driven by ambition, J.D. also aspires to obtain an internship at the same location. To this end, he participates in a networking event with high hopes of achieving his goal.
However, his plans are jeopardized when he receives a distressing phone call from his sister, Lindsay. She informs him that their mother is hospitalized due to a heroin overdose. Overwhelmed and struggling to cope with the escalating crisis while juggling her own job and the responsibilities of raising three children, Lindsay implores J.D. to return home. This request leaves J.D. in a state of inner turmoil, recognizing that it coincides with his critical interview week at Yale.
As he contemplates the request, memories of his tumultuous childhood flood back. He recalls the ongoing conflicts with his mother, who struggled with mental health issues. A notable memory is his youthful fandom for Joe Montana, where he would collect his trading cards. One vivid incident from his past reveals a drive with Bev that escalates into chaos as she attempts to steer the car recklessly and ultimately assaults J.D. in the vehicle. In a moment of desperation, he flees to a nearby house to call the police, resulting in Bev's arrest.
Jumping back to 2011, J.D. finds himself grappling with the reality of driving back to Ohio. In a flashback to 1997, during the police intervention, his grandparents come to his aid, and J.D. deceives the authorities by downplaying the abuse, leading them to release his mother. Upon arriving at the hospital in 2011, he witnesses his mother's tumultuous behavior as she lashes out at a nurse, highlighting their strained relationship. With mounting pressure, J.D. is offered an important job interview scheduled for the next morning.
Throughout 1997, the plot thickens as J.D.'s grandfather passes away, prompting the family to confront the realities of loss through a funeral. Meanwhile, Bev's struggles escalate as she engages in thievery while working as a nurse, succumbs to addiction, and ultimately loses her job. Devastated by her father's death, her behavior spirals out of control. In 2011, J.D. and Lindsay seek treatment for their mother, securing her a spot in a rehabilitation facility. Yet, their hopes are dashed when Bev, despite J.D.'s financial sacrifice, adamantly refuses to participate in the program.
As the story swings back to 1997, J.D., Lindsay, and Bev find themselves living in the home of Bev's boss and new husband, Ken. Despite their efforts, Bev's drug addiction remains unyielding. Compounded by the challenges of life, J.D.’s grandmother is hospitalized with pneumonia. In an act of rebellion, he begins to act out with his step-brother Travis and friends, leading to reckless vandalism. In 2011, we see the grim reality of Bev's life when her boyfriend discards her belongings onto the street.
However, amidst the chaos, J.D.'s grandmother, a positive influence, takes him in to live with her, offering him guidance to steer clear of trouble and achieve academic success. As time passes, J.D. grows up, enlists in the Marines, and returns home upon his grandmother's death. Utilizing the G.I. Bill, he develops a path towards higher education.
In a moment that captures the struggle of balancing familial responsibilities with personal aspirations, J.D. finds a temporary motel for his mother in 2011 as he prepares to return to Yale for his pivotal interview, showcasing the complex interplay of family loyalty and personal ambition.
