Life as We Know It 2010

In a charming Atlanta setting, Holly Berenson (Katherine Heigl) runs a quaint bakery, while Eric Messer (Josh Duhamel), a rising star in television sports direction, brings excitement as the technical director for the Atlanta Hawks. Despite their initial animosity towards each other, they find common ground in their shared goddaughter, Sophie Christina Novak, who is the precious child of their dear friends Peter and Alison. Tragedy strikes when Peter and Alison’s untimely passing leaves Holly and Messer as Sophie’s sole legal guardians. As they navigate this unexpected responsibility, they are advised to cohabitate under one roof to minimize Sophie’s disruption.

Initially, their differences in approach and values create tension as they learn to care for Sophie and coexist with each other. Their struggles come to a head when Holly leaves Sophie in Messer’s care while she attends an important catering job, only for him to be distracted from his big basketball game by Sophie’s incessant crying. This leads to a heated argument upon his return home, but ultimately, Messer makes amends with Holly.

In the midst of their challenges, Holly finds herself on a date with Dr. Sam (Josh Lucas), Sophie’s pediatrician and a charming figure whom Messer affectionately dubs “Doctor Love.” However, this budding romance is cut short when Messer calls to inform Holly that Sophie has fallen ill with a fever, requiring his attention at the hospital. Later, Holly discovers Messer watching her share a tender moment with Dr. Sam.

As time passes and the reality of their financial situation sets in, Holly confesses to Messer that she cannot afford to extend her catering business due to mounting expenses at home. Moved by her sincerity, Messer offers to provide the necessary funds, marking a turning point in their relationship as they begin to find common ground and work together for Sophie’s sake.

As the initial sparks die down, Messer proposes an unconventional arrangement to Holly, pitching their budding romance as a lucrative investment. With an air of cautious optimism, she agrees, and they seal their agreement with a celebratory night out. The evening’s culmination sees them surrendering to their desires, forging a deeper emotional connection that neither can ignore. However, the arrival of their Child Protective Services caseworker serves as a stern reminder of the perils of intermingling, issuing a stark warning: mixing personal and professional lives is a recipe for disaster.

Meanwhile, Messer’s long-held dream of becoming the director of the Phoenix Suns comes to fruition, offering him the opportunity to relocate to Arizona. Though he struggles with the decision, his inner compass points towards this career-defining move. Yet, he fails to confide in Holly about his deliberations, leaving her oblivious to the seismic shift that’s on the horizon.

The unsuspecting blow comes when Holly discovers Messer’s potential departure at a neighborhood block party. Her emotions swiftly turn to anger as she orders him to seize the opportunity in Phoenix. With the distance between them growing palpable, their relationship hangs precariously in the balance.

As Thanksgiving approaches, Messer returns to Atlanta with hopes of mending fences and rekindling the love they once shared. However, he’s met with a sobering reality: Holly has already moved on, her heart now belonging to “Doctor Love,” a charming suitor with a dubious moniker. The tense atmosphere erupts into a heated exchange between Messer and Holly, with each utterance piercing the air like daggers.

In the aftermath of their bitter confrontation, Messer departs for the airport, his heart heavy with the weight of unspoken words and unresolved emotions. As he waits for his flight, he’s transported back to cherished moments with Holly by revisiting their cherished home videos, including Sophie’s first steps – a tender reminder of the family they once were. The woman sitting beside him on the plane, struck by the beauty of this imperfect yet endearing family, offers a poignant observation: Messer has been blessed with a loving family that will forever be etched in his memory.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Sam’s parting words to Holly hung in the air like a gentle reminder of the fragility of relationships. His sudden departure left her reeling, and it wasn’t until the Child Protective Services caseworker arrived for their final appointment that Holly’s desperation to hold onto Messer and Sophie became palpable. As she frantically scoured the airport for any sign of her ex-husband, the reality of their situation began to sink in: without him, she was powerless to provide the love and care Sophie so desperately needed.

Crushed by the thought of raising their daughter alone, Holly reluctantly returned home, only to be surprised by Messer’s unannounced visit. As they sat together on the couch, the air was thick with emotion as he revealed Peter and Alison’s intention: they had chosen them as co-parents because they were a family, a revelation that filled Holly’s heart with renewed purpose.

The days that followed saw Sophie’s first birthday celebration come and go, but it was the approaching milestone of her second birthday that brought Holly to life. With Messer by her side, she crafted an exquisite cupcake cake for their little princess, as well as another bearing the number 1, a poignant reminder of their journey thus far.

As the party unfolded, friends and family gathered around Sophie’s beaming face, showering her with love and gifts. The camera pans out to capture the joyous scene, before returning to Messer, ever the documentarian, capturing the moment on film as everyone sang “Happy Birthday” in sweet harmony. And so, the film concludes, a tender tribute to the power of love and family to heal even the deepest wounds.