Melanie Parker (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Jack Taylor (George Clooney) are both single parents with a hectic day ahead of them. While Melanie has to give a presentation at her architectural firm, journalist Jack must attend an important press conference. Due to Jack's forgetfulness, both his daughter Maggie and Melanie's son Sammy have missed their school field trip and, although Jack and Melanie dislike each other, they agree to babysit each other's kids while they keep their respective appointments. Inevitably, a gentle romance ensues.