Ruth Patchett, portrayed by Roseanne Barr, finds herself navigating the chaotic demands of family life in the suburbs just outside New York City. Living with her husband Bob (Ed Begley Jr.) and their two children, Nicolette and Andy (Elisabeth Peters and Bryan Larkin), Ruth is a devoted homemaker. However, her earnest efforts often go unnoticed, overshadowed by her unfortunate clumsiness, lack of grace, and struggles with her self-image.
The status quo of her life is shattered during a fateful evening at a social gathering hosted at the illustrious Guggenheim Museum, a chance for Bob to "network" in his accounting profession. In a clumsy incident, Ruth spills wine all over the glamorous romance novelist Mary Fisher, played by the brilliant Meryl Streep. This faux pas only serves to increase Bob's embarrassment. As the scene unfolds, Bob quickly offers to drive Mary home, leaving Ruth to walk back alone. This detour introduces a dangerous twist in their lives.
Upon arriving at Mary's opulent mansion, Bob's intentions become questionable when he spends the night there, leading to Ruth’s growing suspicion that he is having an affair. When he eventually returns home, the tension escalates over a chaotic family dinner marked by mishaps and revelations. In a heated exchange, Bob's words cut deep when he decides to reveal that he married Ruth merely out of obligation. Disheartened and furious, Ruth vows to dismantle everything Bob holds dear, beginning her devious plan with their house.
As her revenge unfolds in spectacular and fiery fashion, Ruth adopts the name Vesta Rose and enters the employ of the Golden Twilight Nursing Home, under the management of Mrs. Trumper (Mary Louise Wilson) and Nurse Hooper (Linda Hunt). There, Ruth discovers a disturbing secret: the residents are being heavily medicated. Determined to bring joy back to their lives, she switches the sedatives with vitamins. This action sparks a wave of newfound energy among the nursing home's elderly residents, leading to whimsical soccer games played in their pajamas.
Meanwhile, life with Bob and Mary continues to spiral out of control. Ruth's mission carries her all the way to New York City, where she opens an employment agency aimed at empowering women like herself to reclaim their independence. In the hustle and bustle of their new venture, Ruth cleverly sets up Bob’s new mistress Olivia (Maria Pitillo) with a job right in Bob's office, further complicating Bob's extramarital entanglements.
In the background, Mary’s career begins to falter as her new book flops, increasing the tragic comedy of errors between these intertwined lives. As tensions peak, Ruth’s clever plotting results in Bob facing financial ruin and legal consequences, while Mary confronts the havoc reeked by her choices.
With satisfying symmetry, Ruth uncovers incriminating evidence that leads to Bob's downfall. A judge of impartiality sentences him to a lengthy prison term, marking a victorious climax for Ruth’s quest for revenge. The story finally comes full circle when Ruth visits Bob in prison, giving him a taste of the sweet vengeance she has savored.
As the narrative draws to a close, Ruth emerges transformed, a testament to resilience and empowerment. The final scene sees her confidently walking the streets of the World Trade Center area, flanked by the women in her agency who proudly wear their Vesta Rose pins. With a radiant smile, Ruth breaks the fourth wall, implying her triumph over adversity is not just about Bob or Mary, but a statement about reclaiming one’s life, charm, and agency against all odds.
