Fourteen-year-old Ann August (
Natalie Portman) is dragged by her mother Adele (
Susan Sarandon) against her will to relocate in Beverly Hills where Adele, stifled by a small-town life, hopes to live out her dreams in this exciting new world. These include the dreams she has for her daughter of becoming a child star. Ann on the other hand, is furious at having to leave the life she loves behind. So begins a turbulent relationship between the two.
Over the course of two years, Ann and Adele adjust to the reality of life in Los Angeles. Adele remains on the outside looking in, always wanting more. Ann is the realist, seeing things for what they are, sometimes more the mother than the daughter.
Together, mother and daughter are on a journey of discovery - of new possibilities, of their respective dreams and of each other.