Steve Coogan sends himself up in this comedy, charting a film crew's attempt to bring 18th-century novel The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman to the screen. The film combines excerpts from the book with the backstage struggles of the cast and crew, while a potential sex scandal and Coogan's rivalry with co-star Rob Brydon threaten to bring the production to a halt. Also starring Gillian Anderson, Kelly Macdonald, Jeremy Northam, Dylan Moran and Stephen Fry.

Steve Coogan, an arrogant actor with low self-esteem and a complicated love life, is playing the eponymous role in an adaptation of "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman" being filmed at a stately home. He constantly spars with actor Rob Brydon, who is playing Uncle Toby and believes his role to be of equal importance to Coogan's.