In the sun-drenched valleys of Marin County, California, writer George Dunlap (George Murdock) alongside his wife Faith (Diane Keaton) makes their home in a meticulously restored farmhouse. They are blessed with four daughters: Sherry, Jill, Marianne, and Molly. As George is set to attend an awards banquet in his honor, he receives a secretive call from Sandy, a single mother entangled in a clandestine affair with him. Unbeknownst to them, their eldest daughter, Sherry (Tracey Gold), overhears their conversation, setting off a chain of emotional events.
The next day, as the children head off to school, Faith's growing suspicions about George's infidelity begin to boil over. Despite George's efforts to ease her concerns, he ultimately chooses to leave the family home for his beachside retreat. The girls still visit him on weekends, however, their interactions with Sandy are fraught with complication, as she views them as an unwanted reminder of George's responsibilities.
In the depths of her sorrow, Faith finds companionship in Frank Henderson (Albert Finney), the contractor building a tennis court on their estate. Meanwhile, George spirals into desperation, frequently trying to return to the farmhouse to give Sherry her birthday gift: a typewriter. Tensions mount when Faith denies him entrance, prompting him to lash out violently by breaking down the door and overpowering her to regain access.
As darkness envelops the night, George's unpredictable demeanor escalates, leading to a physical confrontation with Sherry. Despite the intervention of her sisters, George stands firm until Sherry threatens him with scissors, a moment that compels Molly (Tina Yothers) to diffuse the situation, enabling Faith to comfort their troubled daughter while George retreats in shame.
Navigating the turbulent waters of divorce, George and Faith clash over joint custody of their children in court. When Faith shares the heartbreaking news of her father’s hospitalization, neither of them acknowledges the gravity of their failing marriage. However, following her father’s demise, the family is left to confront the aftermath of their choices.
After the funeral, George encounters Faith at a restaurant, and their ensuing dialogue ignites with tension; they both express their longing and resentment towards one another in a heated exchange, culminating in a passionate hook-up at the hotel where Faith and the girls are staying. Yet, following this fiery encounter, Faith's request for George to leave her room starkly contrasts with their previous vulnerability, leaving an atmosphere fraught with unresolved emotions.
As the completion of the tennis court approaches, an outdoor gathering is organized by Faith and Frank, yet Sherry finds herself grappling with her own distress about her mother's actions. In a moment of rebellion, she decides to leave the event, seeking refuge at George's beach house. There, she discovers him engaged in a game with Sandy and her son. A chance encounter leads to a heartfelt moment between George and Sherry as he gifts her the long-desired typewriter, reigniting their bond.
In subsequent days, George takes Sherry back to the farmhouse for Faith's tennis court celebration, where he feigns camaraderie with Frank while harboring a deep-seated rage. This façade quickly crumbles as George, unable to contain his fury, wrecks Frank's newly constructed tennis court in a fit of destructive rage. This reckless act provokes Frank into a brutal attack on George, leaving him battered as their children rush to console their injured father. In that despairing moment, George reaches out for Faith, embodying the tangled emotions and unresolved tensions that have built up around them.
