Matt King, portrayed by George Clooney, is a Honolulu lawyer who serves as the sole trustee of a family trust overseeing a stunning 25,000 acres of land on the beautiful island of Kaua'i. The clock is ticking on this trust, which has only seven years left before it lapses due to the rule against perpetuities. With this in mind, the King family is poised to sell the land to local resident Don Holitzer for development. Just as they prepare to finalize the deal, a tragic turn of events occurs: Matt's wife, Elizabeth, becomes comatose following a boating accident near Waikiki.
As Matt navigates this crisis, he is also tasked with caring for their two daughters—10-year-old Scottie, played by Amara Miller, and 17-year-old Alex, portrayed by Shailene Woodley. Struggling with his role as a father, Matt sees himself as the "back-up parent," and now, with Elizabeth incapacitated in Queen's Hospital, he must confront the challenges presented by both his daughters’ misguided behaviors.
After learning that Elizabeth will never awaken from her coma—truly a heart-wrenching revelation—Matt is faced with the decision to honor her living will, which will lead to her disconnection from life support. He shares this devastating news with Alex but decides to shield Scottie from the harsh truth. Rather shockingly, Alex informs Matt that Elizabeth had been having an affair prior to the accident, a discovery that sends him on a quest for answers.
Determined to uncover the truth, Matt engages with family friends Kai and Mark and learns the identity of Elizabeth's lover: Brian Speer, played by Matthew Lillard, a realtor who stands to gain from the Kings’ land sale. In a gesture that combines grief and closure, Matt decides to inform Brian of Elizabeth's imminent passing, hoping to afford him the chance to say his goodbyes.
The journey takes Matt along with his daughters and Alex's friend Sid, played by Nick Krause, back to Kaua'i in search of Brian. A jog along the beach leads to an unexpected encounter with Brian, whom Matt identifies thanks to his face on real estate signs. Introducing himself as Elizabeth's husband, Matt reveals her condition and offers Brian the chance to visit her one last time. Brian shares that while he had feelings for Elizabeth, the affair was merely a fleeting moment, and he professes his love for his own family.
As Matt consults with his cousins about the future of the family land, they overwhelmingly support selling it to Don Holitzer. However, inspired by a newfound clarity, Matt decides to retain the land and explore alternative solutions, much to the dismay of his relatives, including his cousin Hugh, played by Beau Bridges, who suggests they might pursue legal action.
The emotional weight of the situation culminates in a heart-wrenching moment at Queen's Hospital when Elizabeth is taken off life support. During a visit, her father confronts Matt about not being the loving husband Elizabeth deserved. Matt, grappling with regret, chooses not to divulge the truth about Elizabeth’s infidelity to her father. Later, he faces Julie Speer, played by Judy Greer, who reveals she knows about the affair. Yet, in a remarkable display of grace, she forgives Elizabeth, even as anger simmers within her.
In the solemnity of their final goodbyes, Alex and Scottie bid farewell, leaving Matt alone with Elizabeth. He ultimately embraces the complicated emotions surrounding her betrayal and whispers a tender goodbye, kissing her lovingly. The film reaches a poignant conclusion as Matt, Alex, and Scottie scatter Elizabeth's ashes into the ocean at Waikiki. The closing scene finds the trio curled up together on the couch, wrapped in Elizabeth's hospital blanket, sharing ice cream and watching "March of the Penguins," a bittersweet reflection of their journey toward healing amidst the pain.
