Set in a privileged East Hampton beach community, the film chronicles one pivotal summer in the lives of famous children’s author Ted Cole (Bridges) and his beautiful wife Marion (Basinger). Their once-great marriage has been strained by tragedy. Her resulting despondency and his subsequent infidelities have prevented the couple from confronting a much-needed change in their relationship. Eddie O’Hara, the young man Ted hires to work as a summer assistant, is the couple’s unwitting yet willing pawn – and, ultimately, the catalyst in the transformation of their lives.