This rags-to-riches tale follows the life of Robert Harlan (Rob Lowe), a family man who has just been laid-off from his company, and, upon reflecting on his life, decides to pursue his dream of becoming a writer. With the help of his wife (Paget Brewster), Robert writes about her emotional experience of losing her father, which, to his surprise, becomes a bestseller. But when the success goes to Robert's head and he begins to alienate friends, family, and even his devoted wife and daughter, he is visitedby a mysterious stranger (Christopher Lloyd), who delivers some profound and life-changing advice.