GlennandSuzannearetheatreprofessorsataUniversity.Theyenjoyaplayful,tempestuousmarriagesurroundedbystudentsandfamily.TheirtwosonsNicholasandChrishavegrownupandleftthenest,makinghomesinNewYork.WhenGlennbecomesillwithcancer,thefamilywaitsouthislastsummerdaystogether,andhiseventualdeathpromptscurious,contradictoryreactions.Unableandillequippedtoattendtotheirmountingemotionalneeds,thefamilyimplodes,findingreleaseinalternativelyabhorrentandcomicways.