A creative writing professor is dejected by the news that his girlfriend is pregnant, and harassed by his editor, students and friends alike. However, he is given fresh inspiration to complete his latest novel by a youngster who shows him a new perspective on life. Drama, starring Michael Douglas, Tobey Maguire, Frances McDormand, Robert Downey Jr, Katie Holmes and Rip Torn.

Grady is a 50-ish English professor who hasn't had a thing published in years—not since he wrote his award winning 'Great American Novel' 7 years ago. This weekend proves even worse than he could imagine as he finds himself reeling from one misadventure to another in the company of a new wonder boy author.