Harvey Shine (DUSTIN HOFFMAN) is a divorced writer of commercial jingles whose best days are seemingly behind him, as his boss, Marvin (RICHARD SCHIFF), isn't sure of his future in the business. With that in mind, Harvey flies from New York to London for the marriage of his estranged daughter, Susan (LIANE BALABAN), to Scott (DANIEL LAPAINE).
Upon his arrival, however, Harvey finds himself the odd man out as the rest of the wedding party is staying in a house rented by his ex-wife, Jean (KATHY BAKER), and her new husband, Brian (JAMES BROLIN). Things get worse when a phone call informs him he's been fired, while Susan delivers a second whammy by telling him she's chosen Brian to give her away at the wedding rather than him.
Public Statistics Agency survey taker Kate Walker (EMMA THOMPSON) isn't having as bad of a day, but her life is also filled with despair. Single and unable to find the right man -- much to the chagrin of her coworkers Oonagh (BRONAGH GALLAGHER) and Aggie (WENDY MAE BROWN) -- Kate spends most of her time dealing with her elderly mother, Maggie (EILEEN ATKINS), both in person and constantly on the phone, especially about her neighbor of whom she's suspicious.
After a brief but terse meeting, Harvey later apologizes to Kate when they later run into each other. She initially wants nothing to do with him, but he lays on the charm and eventually breaks through her defenses. From that point on, the two hang out and commiserate, especially about his role in his daughter's marriage and life.