The story focuses on John Whittaker (Barnes), a young Englishman who falls madly in love with Larita (Biel), a sexy and glamorous American woman. After they marry impetuously and the couple returns to the family home, his mother Mrs. Whittaker (Thomas) has an instant allergic reaction to her new daughter-in-law. Larita quickly realizes Mrs. Whittaker's game and sees that she must fight back if she's not going to lose John.

Thomas appeared earlier this season in the Broadway revival of The Seagull. She received an Oscar nomination for The English Patient and her other film credits include I've Loved You So Long, Tell No One, Gosford Park, and The Horse Whisperer.