The film begins with a dramatic sequence of helicopters spraying for medflies, which sets the scene for the intertwining lives of various characters. Dr. Ralph Wyman and his wife, Marian](/actor/andie-macdowell), encounter another couple, Stuart and Claire Kane, at a cello concert for Zoe Trainer, which leads to a spontaneous invitation for a Sunday dinner. Complications arise with Marian's sister, Sherri, who is stuck in a tumultuous marriage with Gene, a cop known for his unfaithfulness. He concocts outrageous tales to cover up his affair with Betty Weathers, who is in the midst of divorcing Stormy, one of the helicopter pilots.
In this chaotic world, Doreen Piggot, a waitress married to an alcoholic limo driver, also plays a pivotal role. Meanwhile, Howard Finnigan and his wife Anne navigate their life alongside Zoe and her cabaret singer mother, Tess Trainer. Their pool cleaner, Jerry Kaiser, has a wife, Lois, who juggles her work as a phone sex operator while caring for their children.
As Casey, the young son of the Finnigans, approaches his ninth birthday, fate intervenes when Doreen accidentally hits him with her car. Although he appears unhurt, his status quickly changes, leading to a hospital visit that reveals the severity of his condition. Howard's anxiety grows when he struggles with his estranged past, particularly when his father surfaces at the hospital, reminiscent of a childhood accident that drove a wedge between them.
As the narrative unfolds, Stuart and his friends decide to go on a fishing trip, only to discover a dead body submerged in the water. Faced with a moral dilemma, they choose to continue fishing, planning to report the body later. This decision haunts Stuart as he eventually confesses to Claire, leading to a confrontation fueled by disgust and guilt.
Meanwhile, chaos escalates as Stormy ransacks Betty's home, and Gene struggles with his family responsibilities, even abandoning the family dog. Tensions boil over during the Wymans' dinner party, where Marian reveals her infidelity, prompting a night of heavy drinking that exacerbates their troubles.
Tragic events escalate quickly as Casey's condition deteriorates, culminating in heart-wrenching moments for Howard and Anne as they confront the reality of their son’s impending death. In an act of desperation, they confront the bakery over the birthday cake, but the revelation of Casey’s fate only leads to more harrowing developments.
Amidst these tragedies, Zoe, grappling with her mother’s alcoholism, finds herself overwhelmed, ultimately committing suicide in a haunting climax. As their stories converge in a shocking finale, Honey discovers disturbing images from a film developer, revealing the innocent yet grim realities captured during the intertwining events.
The film culminates dramatically with an earthquake, uniting all characters in a traumatic moment. As the chaos unfolds, Jerry's violent actions are tragically misinterpreted, leaving viewers questioning the true nature of responsibility and consequence.
