Life in Beverly Hills in the seventies wasn't all glamour. Sixteen year old Vivian(Natasha Lyonne) lives with her offbeat dad Murray(Alan Arkin) who is always chasing dreams, but coming up short. Murray is a used car salesman, but just can't make ends meet for his family. The family lives in ever-changing low cost apartments. When cash runs short, Uncle Mickey(Carl Reiner) always helps out with a cash infusion. When Mickey's wild adult daughter Rita(Marisa Tomei) runs away from rehab, it's decided that the best way to help her straighten her life out is to move in with Murray's family. With Mickey providing a fancy apartment for them, the family is welcome to the idea. Rita and Vivian soon become very close, despite their age difference, and in fact Vivian acts as the adult in the relationship. Vivian is the reason Rita makes it to nursing school on time,and stays out of trouble. However, despite everyone's best intentions, Rita soon spirals out of control once again and Mickey pulls the plug on his financial help.