A Family 2021

As the stalwart personal assistant to Hollywood superstar Chris Cole (Zac Efron), 24-year-old Zara (Joey King) has grown weary of being taken for granted, forced to pick up the pieces after each of Chris’s high-profile breakups. The constant barrage of diamond earrings, symbolizing Chris’s fleeting affections, has left Zara feeling underappreciated and undervalued. Despite her best efforts, Zara had begun to believe that she was being groomed by Chris to take the reins of his company, only to be abruptly locked out of his life when she failed to arrive promptly at 8:30 am.

The catalyst for Zara’s departure from Chris’s orbit was her meeting with writer friend Stella (Sherry Cola), whose expertise Zara hoped would help salvage the script for the third installment of Chris’s Icarus Rush franchise. Chris, however, remained oblivious to Zara’s concerns, dismissing her contributions as irrelevant and instead choosing to lecture her on the importance of having no experience in movie production.

The consequences of Zara’s decision to quit were swift and severe. Just days later, Chris arrived at her doorstep, bearing an offer that would change the course of her life: a position as assistant producer. Unbeknownst to Zara, however, was the arrival on the scene of Brooke Harwood (Nicole Kidman), a renowned author taking a hiatus from her writing to reconnect with her creative spark.

Chris’s chance encounter with Brooke at her home would prove to be a turning point in his life. Despite being 16 years his junior, Brooke possessed a wisdom and worldliness that fascinated Chris, who found himself opening up to her in ways he never had before. As they sipped tequila and shared stories, the boundaries between their professional relationship and personal connection began to blur.

It was only a matter of time before the inevitable kiss, one that would leave Zara stunned when she stumbled upon the pair in Brooke’s bedroom mere moments later. The discovery would send shockwaves through Zara’s world, forcing her to confront the reality that she had been replaced not just as Chris’s assistant, but also as his confidante and friend.

As Zara lay unconscious in the doctor’s office, the fainting spell that had beset her was a stark reminder of the turmoil brewing within her soul. The revelation of Chris and her mother together had left her reeling, and she demanded he stay away from her family, on one condition: that she would join him as an associate producer on his film project. Though Zara thought this would mark the end of their clandestine affair, Chris and Brooke proved to be a pair unwilling to part ways.

Their passion for each other was palpable, and their dinner date quickly devolved into a romantic escapade. Brooke’s pleasure at Chris’s recitation of a line from her book only served to cement their bond. However, when she returned home, she felt compelled to share the truth with Zara - but only half-truths would suffice, lest her daughter’s judgment beclouded by the full extent of her mother’s relationship with Chris.

Brooke heeded the counsel of Leila (Kathy Bates), her former editor and now mother-in-law, and decided to take a chance on this newfound romance. Though it was meant to be fleeting, Brooke craved the experience and refused to let fear dictate her actions. As she basked in the glow of her relationship with Chris, Zara’s disapproval only served as a reminder that not everyone was pleased with their pairing.

Meanwhile, Chris’s professional endeavors took an unexpected turn when he rejected Stella as the writer for his script’s rewrite. The director and Chris opted instead for someone they deemed more qualified - little did Zara know that this individual was none other than her mother, Brooke. It wasn’t until he discovered the script on Brooke’s nightstand that the truth finally came to light.

As the news of Chris and Brooke’s relationship spread, Zara’s disapproval turned to indignation. She felt betrayed by her mother’s decision to pursue a romance with Chris behind her back - an affront to their trust and a painful reminder of the first time she’d seen her mother with someone other than her late father. The fact that this was a betrayal of her own trust only added to Zara’s distress, leaving her to grapple with the complexity of it all.

As Brooke’s daughter Zara entered adulthood, she began to shift her focus from being the ultimate caregiver to prioritizing her own happiness. Her concern was that Chris would eventually abandon her mother, and she implored Brooke to break free from the toxic relationship before it was too late. However, Brooke was smitten, and her affection for Chris only grew stronger.

Enter Leila, Zara’s voice of reason, who wisely encouraged her daughter to give Chris and her mother a chance. She helped Zara see that Brooke was more than just a mother - she was an individual with the right to fall in love and be happy. Leila extended an olive branch by inviting Chris to join them for Christmas dinner at her place.

The festive gathering proved to be a turning point for Zara, as she witnessed firsthand how happy her mother was around Chris. But when she stumbled upon the same pair of diamond earrings that Chris had given his previous girlfriends before calling it quits, her trust began to fray. Upon returning home after their Christmas celebration, Zara confronted Chris in front of Brooke, determined to get to the bottom of things.

Chris defended himself, insisting that he purchased the earrings as a thoughtful gift and not a harbinger of doom. However, when Zara mentioned his penchant for taking previous partners on romantic strolls down Hollywood Street, Brooke’s doubts were piqued. She began to question whether she was truly in love or simply infatuated.

As Zara reflected on her actions, she realized that she had been woefully considerate of her mother’s feelings and entirely self-absorbed. Her preoccupation with her own issues had led her to neglect her best friend Eugenie (Liza Koshy), who was struggling in her relationship. It seemed that Zara had a lot to learn about the importance of empathy, communication, and prioritizing the people around her.

As the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve, Zara (character name) arrived at Eugenie’s doorstep, bearing a mix of contrition and determination. Eugenie, now unburdened by secrets, revealed the true extent of Zara’s shortcomings as a friend. Zara listened intently, her apology laced with a deep-seated desire to redeem herself in the eyes of her troubled companion.

Meanwhile, Chris (actor name), still reeling from the aftermath of his breakup, turned to Zara for guidance. His concerns about Brooke’s state of mind were assuaged by Zara’s reassurances that her mother was thriving and would soon be taking up a new role at Princeton University. As Chris opened up about his fears and insecurities, Zara discovered the root cause of his hesitations: a deep-seated fear of losing something too good to hold onto. The revelation sparked a sense of urgency within Zara, driving her to take decisive action before it was too late.

Before departing for Princeton, Zara paid a visit to her mother, acknowledging the pain she had caused Brooke throughout the years. With a newfound appreciation for her mother’s sacrifices, Zara vowed to be a better daughter and find happiness in her mother’s success. As their reunion came to a close, Zara pondered whether Brooke still harbored feelings for Chris, but ultimately concluded that her mother had moved on.

Zara and Leila hatched a plan to reunite Brooke and Chris, or at the very least, facilitate an open and honest conversation between them. Under the guise of a chance encounter at the local supermarket, Zara brought Chris together with his estranged love, accompanied by Leila. The unexpected meeting sparked a renewed sense of hope and possibility for the former couple.

A year later, Brooke released her second literary masterpiece, while Zara had transcended from mere daughter to accomplished producer. As Brooke and Chris continued their journey together, Zara remained supportive, as long as they kept their romantic escapades off her radar.