Frank Langella stars as Leonard Schiller, an aging novelist who is trying to finish his last novel before he dies. He is in poor health and is focused on his writing. He had open heart surgery which "did tend to concentrate the mind," he acknowledges. While he does leave his home to attend literary events with his daughter Ariel (Lili Taylor), for the most part he leads a quiet life. Then Heather (Lauren Ambrose), a graduate student, comes into his life and his whole existence changes.
Heather is writing her thesis on Leonard, whose books are now out of print. She tries to persuade him to take time out of his life to meet with her on a weekly basis so she can get insight into his characters, his mind, and basically learn everything about him. Her argument for persuading him is that she can bring him back to the public's attention. Once Leonard learns that it will be difficult to find a publishing house after such a long time, he agrees, somewhat apprehensively, to Heather's request.
Heather is enamored with Leonard and his novels. About his novels, she tells him, "You gave me the courage to live my own life." She is an adoring fan yet at the same time she is confrontational with him and their critical banter back and forth is a literary lesson in itself. With this adoring young woman around, Leonard begins to feel awakened and their strange relationship borders on temptation as they play with each other and she teases him in an alluring way. Why does this pushy young woman want to be with this old man? He doesn't quite understand her desire for him sexually, but soon he feels that perhaps they can share something other than literature.
In the meantime, Ariel is dealing with turning 40 and wanting to have a family. Her father's relationship with Heather moves her to the realism that she needs to follow her own dreams. However the man she loves (Adrian Lester) is firm about not wanting children. Ariel puts her own desires aside for love. Leonard is not happy about her decision, wanting his daughter to have everything she dreams about, and her dreams include children.
This film is a look at aging, personal desires, and a deep look at these characters' lives. While many viewers won't get some of the literary references, the characters themselves are the story. It is a rather dark look at life and especially aging. It will make audiences think about what's most important in their own lives.
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