David Spritz (Nicolas Cage) is a Chicago weatherman who, despite success at his job, is deeply unhappy. Eclipsed by his father, Robert (Michael Caine), a celebrated author, and licking his wounds after his marriage to Noreen (Hope Davis) collapses, David resolves to get his life in order by applying for a high-profile job on a New York City talk show. But with his personal life a shambles, David must decide between fast-tracking his career and repairing his rapidly deteriorating family life.