- Description
Acclaimed philosophy professor Abe Lucas (Joaquin Phoenix) has been emotionally low for over a year. He can't write, can't breathe, can't remember the meaning of life, can't enjoy anything. Anything he's ever tried doesn't bring him satisfaction. His only reliable friend is alcohol.
Abe comes to teach college in a small town. He soon becomes involved with two women. Lonely professor Rita (Parker Posey) expects him to rescue her from her unhappy marriage. His best student, Jill (Emma Stone), becomes his closest friend. Jill finds Abe's torn artistic soul and exotic past downright irresistible.
She is fascinated and drawn to his lability. Yet when Jill tries to turn their friendship into a romantic relationship, Abe brusquely rejects her. At one lunch, Abe and Jill overhear a strange conversation between strangers at the next table. This moment changes Abe and he begins to enjoy life to the fullest. His decision to change sets off a chain of events that will affect him, Rita and Jill forever...
