A Family Affair

In a bold move, 24-year-old Zara (Joey King), Chris Cole's (Zac Efron) personal assistant, has had enough of being taken for granted by the self-absorbed Hollywood star. Her frustration stems from Chris' peculiar habit of gifting diamond earrings to his fleeting conquests before dumping them, and his expectation that she cater to his whims. Zara believed she was being primed to take the reins of Chris's company, but her expectations were shattered when he locked her out of his house for not arriving at 8:30 am sharp - a time she had committed to meeting with writer friend Stella (Sherry Cola) to revamp the script of Chris's Icarus Rush movie franchise. With her patience exhausted, Zara quits, lamenting that Hollywood agents only care about exploiting Chris for their own gain. Chris retorts that Zara lacks experience in film production, further fueling his dismissive attitude towards her.

As fate would have it, a chance encounter sets the stage for a transformative meeting between Chris and Brooke Harwood (Nicole Kidman), an accomplished author on hiatus who has spent the past decade nurturing her daughter. When Chris arrives at Brooke's doorstep seeking Zara's assistance, their initial introduction sparks an undeniable connection. Gone is the self-absorbed Hollywood persona; instead, Chris finds himself drawn to Brooke's erudite nature and genuine interest in the world. As they share a few shots of tequila, the boundaries between their professional relationship and personal chemistry begin to blur.

Their momentary lapse into passion leaves Zara stunned when she returns home to find her mother sharing a intimate moment with her boss. The 16-year age gap between Chris and Brooke only adds complexity to this unexpected turn of events, as they navigate the uncharted territory of their new dynamic.

As Zara's eyes fluttered shut, a fainting spell swept over her, prompting a hasty trip to the doctor to stabilize her vitals. In the aftermath, she issued an ultimatum to Chris: stay away from her mother, or else. Chris acquiesced, but only on condition that Zara would join him as an associate producer on set. Zara naively assumed this would be the final curtain for Chris and Brooke's fleeting affair, but the star-crossed lovers proved too consumed by each other to resist.

Unbeknownst to Zara, their clandestine romance continued to blossom. Chris extended an olive branch to Brooke in the form of a dinner invitation, which morphed into a romantic evening that neither of them was prepared to abandon. The catalyst for this turn of events was Chris's impressive display of literary knowledge, as he effortlessly quoted a line from Brooke's own book.

As Brooke returned home, she chose to sanitize her story, revealing only the bare minimum to Zara - just enough to plant seeds of curiosity in her daughter's mind. With her mother-in-law Leila (Kathy Bates) offering sage advice, Brooke decided to take a chance on Chris, blurring the lines between editor and mother-in-law. This unconventional arrangement only served to further complicate matters.

As Brooke basked in the warmth of her newfound love, even the fleeting nature of their affair couldn't deter her from embracing it. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Chris had other ideas - he rejected Stella as the writer for his script's rewrite, opting instead for a more experienced candidate. Zara unwittingly stumbled upon this development when she discovered Brooke's name scribbled on the script lying on her nightstand.

The inevitable truth dawned on Zara: Chris and Brooke were an item. Her vocal disapproval was a testament to her struggle in accepting her mother's new relationship, especially given its clandestine nature and the fact that it marked the first time she'd seen her mother with someone other than her late father. Moreover, Zara felt betrayed by her mother's decision to pursue Chris without her consent - a sense of betrayal that would only continue to simmer as their complicated web of relationships continued to unfold.

As Brooke's life began to take on a new sense of purpose, free from the weight of being solely devoted to her daughter Zara, the prospect of prioritizing her own happiness became increasingly alluring. However, Zara remained steadfast in her conviction that Chris would eventually abandon Brooke, and she desperately sought to intervene, pleading with her mother to terminate the relationship before it was too late.

Enter Leila, a wise and empathetic mediator who skillfully steered Zara toward a more nuanced understanding of her mother's emotional needs. Recognizing that Brooke was an individual deserving of her own happiness, Leila gently prodded Zara to grant them a chance to flourish as a couple. Her efforts were rewarded when Zara began to see her mother in a new light, as a complex and multidimensional being capable of experiencing joy alongside Chris.

Leila's thoughtful initiative extended beyond the familial sphere, as she extended an olive branch to Chris by inviting him to join their Christmas celebration. This marked the first time he had received such an invitation in many years, a testament to his isolation from those who could offer meaningful connections.

As Zara gradually warmed up to the idea of her mother's happiness with Chris, her initial skepticism began to dissipate. However, her trust was irreparably damaged when she discovered the same pair of diamond earrings that Chris had consistently gifted to his previous girlfriends before ultimately ending their relationships. This revelation sparked a confrontation between Zara and Chris, with Brooke caught in the midst, forcing her to reevaluate her feelings.

With Zara's sudden epiphany about her mother's vulnerability, she realized that her own self-absorption had led her to neglect Eugenie (Liza Koshy), her long-time best friend, who was quietly suffering through a troubled relationship.

As the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve, Zara (character not specified) appeared at Eugenie's doorstep, bearing a contrite expression and an apology for her absence. It was only then that Eugenie unleashed a torrent of criticism, revealing the depths of Zara's disappointing behavior as a friend. The weight of Eugenie's words hung heavy in the air as Zara acknowledged her own shortcomings.

Meanwhile, Chris (actor not specified) still seethed with frustration over his breakup from Brooke. His insecurities had led him to consider leaving her, fearing that things were moving too smoothly for his taste. He confided in Zara about his doubts, revealing a deep-seated fear of being abandoned. Zara offered reassurances that Brooke was thriving and would soon be taking up a new role as a professor at Princeton University. The news brought Chris some solace, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he'd never truly intended to leave Brooke behind.

In an effort to rectify the situation before it was too late, Zara decided to bridge the gap between her mother and Chris. She paid a visit to Brooke, acknowledging that she hadn't always been the most supportive or ideal daughter. However, after reflecting on their complex relationship, Zara recognized that her mother was more than just her parental figure – she was an individual with her own desires and aspirations. This newfound understanding brought a sense of peace to their reunion.

Zara then enlisted Leila's help in engineering a chance encounter between Brooke and Chris. The plan involved bringing the two lovebirds together at a local supermarket, where they would unknowingly cross paths. As fate would have it, the pair ran into each other, and Zara seized the opportunity to apologize for her earlier meddling. She hoped that this second chance might bring them closer together.

A year later, Brooke released her highly anticipated second book, while Zara had transformed into a producer, capitalizing on her newfound success. Chris and Brooke's relationship remained strong, with only one caveat: they agreed to keep the romantic details of their rekindled love private, leaving Zara content in her role as a supportive daughter and friend.