Rose Morgan, a middle-aged university professor specializing in English literature at Columbia University, leads a life filled with routine and the company of her overbearing, vain, widowed mother, Hannah. Rose recently attended her sister Claire's third wedding, which was to Claire's former crush, Alex. During the celebration, Rose confides in her best friend Doris that she’s certain she will never get married, yet she harbors a quiet desire for a partner who truly understands her. She wonders what it might feel like to share her life with someone who genuinely cares, even if she doesn't believe she will ever take that step.
Meanwhile, Gregory Larkin, also a professor at Columbia, teaches math but struggles to connect with his students and often becomes distracted by physical attraction. His personal life is marked by a sense of frustration and a series of failed romantic encounters. After giving a talk about his newest book, Gregory is interrupted by his ex-girlfriend Candace, who unexpectedly arrives, uninvited. Her presence throws him off, causing him to panic during his lecture. While recovering, Gregory pleads with his friend Henry to prevent him from going home with Candace. Despite the warning, he ends up with her, and their encounter ends almost as quickly as it begins—Candace leaves immediately after sex, seeking a boost to her self-esteem because her new boyfriend is cheating on her.
Feeling rejected and frustrated, Gregory responds by posting a personal advertisement seeking a woman with "common goals and companionship," emphasizing that physical appearance is unimportant and requiring that she have a Ph.D. and be over thirty-five. Unknown to Gregory, his sister Claire secretly responds to the ad on Rose’s behalf. One evening, after attending one of Rose’s classes, Gregory invites her to dinner. They start to date, developing a relationship based on shared interests and emotional connection rather than physical intimacy. Their bond gradually deepens, with occasional hugs replacing romantic gestures but hinting at a growing attraction.
After three months, Gregory proposes to Rose, stressing that their relationship will be built on mutual affection and shared passions rather than sex. Nevertheless, he is open to intimacy if Rose gives him advance notice. They marry in a quiet courthouse ceremony, and their relationship continues to evolve, blending emotional closeness with subtle hints of physical desire. During breakfast one morning, Gregory nervously agrees when Rose asks if she can be warned before they try to have sex that night, showcasing their ongoing communication about intimacy. That evening, as Rose attempts to seduce him, an intense making-out session ensues, until Gregory, feeling overwhelmed and uncomfortable with his own loss of control, pulls away. He criticizes her for “female manipulation," leaving Rose devastated and feeling unattractive. She breaks down in tears, locking herself in the bathroom, and later, when Gregory is asleep, she secretly sneaks out to her mother’s apartment.
While staying with Hannah, Rose begins to reflect on her childhood and her mother's influence over her self-image. She blames her mother for making her feel unattractive as a child. In a revealing moment, Hannah shows her a childhood photo, explaining how beloved she was by her father, who had always adored her and never held a baby before her arrival. This insight begins to shift Rose's perspective about her worth and appearance, inspiring her to make significant changes. She embarks on a personal transformation—altering her diet, exercising, getting a new hairstyle, and wearing more flattering clothes with carefully applied makeup.
Meanwhile, Gregory, missing Rose, cuts his European book tour short to return home. When he sees her new look, he disapproves, leading Rose to declare she no longer wishes to be married to him and moves back in with her mother. Meanwhile, a complication arises when Claire discovers her affair with her masseur, Alex; they separate, with Rose providing comfort to Alex. Despite their emotional closeness, Rose realizes that romantic fantasies are often better imagined than experienced, especially when she nearly succumbs to intimacy with him.
Gregory’s emotional turmoil deepens as he lashes out at his students, overwhelmed by doubts about his marriage and his future. He ends up spending nights on Henry's couch, a wreck both emotionally and physically, desperately insisting he loves Rose and doesn't know how to fix their relationship. Henry encourages him to fight for her.
One early morning, Gregory makes a surprise visit to Rose’s apartment. He openly confesses his love, explaining that the reason he pulled away during their previous intimate moment was because he was overwhelmed with longing and desire for her. They exchange heartfelt confessions of love, and Gregory boldly states that he wants to marry Rose—despite their recent struggles. Rose reminds him that they are still married, and as dawn approaches, they share a tender, hopeful taxi ride home together, symbolizing a new beginning for their complex relationship.
Throughout their journey, both Rose and Gregory experience emotional growth, learning to confront their insecurities, desires, and fears, ultimately finding a way to connect beyond societal expectations or personal flaws. Their story illustrates the profound complexities of love, self-awareness, and the courage needed to accept genuine intimacy and vulnerability.
