Margaret Tate, portrayed by Sandra Bullock, is a Canadian editor-in-chief at a prestigious book publishing company in New York City. Regarded as a demanding and often disliked figure among her staff due to her assertive nature, she finds herself in hot water after firing a fellow editor named Bob for allegedly failing to secure a crucial interview with Oprah. However, Bob confronts her publicly, accusing her of being a "poisonous personality" and suggesting that her isolationist tendencies will lead to her ultimate loneliness.
Everything takes a turn when Margaret faces the possibility of deportation back to Canada because she's violated her visa regulations by traveling to Frankfurt during her application process. Complicating matters further, she neglected to submit important paperwork on time, which means she cannot work from the United States or reapply for another visa for one year. Her boss, Bergen, the chairman of the board, considers rehiring Bob, the very individual Margaret dismissed, should she be forced to leave.
Desperate to maintain her career and lifestyle, Margaret coerces her beleaguered assistant, Andrew Paxton, played by Ryan Reynolds, into a marriage of convenience to secure a green card. Andrew, who dreams of becoming an editor himself, reluctantly agrees to the scheme, especially after Margaret promises to help him achieve his career goals. In stark contrast to Margaret's regimented life, Andrew exudes a more easy-going attitude, which creates tension between them. He often navigates a rigid work environment under her well-defined expectations, which includes making her morning coffee.
As the plot unfolds, they encounter a U.S. immigration agent, Mr. Gilbertson, who raises suspicions about their arrangement, warning them that they must convincingly simulate a genuine marriage. To solidify their narrative, they travel to Sitka, Alaska, Andrew's hometown, where Margaret meets his affluent family, including his mother Grace and grandmother, affectionately known as "Gammy." This trip proves to be eye-opening for Margaret, as she discovers Andrew’s family ties go deeper than she anticipated, with a legacy of wealth and strong familial connections.
During a lively welcome home party, tensions between Andrew and his father, Joe, surface, particularly over Andrew's choice in marrying his boss. Nevertheless, under pressure from his family, Andrew announces their engagement. However, the dynamics shift as Margaret connects with Andrew’s mother and grandmother, who express a keen interest in her future with Andrew. After realizing how close-knit Andrew's family is, Margaret becomes overwhelmed and confides in him about her own troubled past, having lost her parents at a young age and long feeling isolated from familial love.
As their sham engagement progresses, Gilbertson offers them a way out, suggesting they confess their marriage is a setup to avoid legal consequences. However, they both stand firm in their decision to pretend their love is real. Eventually, they are persuaded to marry during their visit, and in the heat of the moment, Margaret's emotional struggles come to light when she nearly falls overboard during a boat ride. Luckily, Andrew saves her, solidifying their bond even further.
In an unexpected twist, during the wedding ceremony, Margaret brutally honest about the nature of their relationship, only for Gilbertson to remind her that she has only a day left in the States before facing deportation. After a heartfelt farewell filled with words of encouragement and praise for Andrew’s manuscript, she departs, leaving behind a promise of her support in his future endeavors.
In a climactic series of events, Andrew races to find Margaret, navigating familial conflicts and his own feelings. Ultimately, he makes a bold move by professing his love for her publicly at her workplace, solidifying their commitment to each other. Their story wraps up at Gilbertson's office, where they provide proof of their love, fully committed to each other after all the trials and tribulations. Andrew and Margaret leave behind the doubts, embracing a future built not on convenience, but on genuine affection.
