Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) is living the American dream. He has a good job, a beautiful house, great children and a beautiful wife, named Emily (Julianne Moore) . Cal's seemingly perfect life unravels, however, when he learns that Emily has been unfaithful and wants a divorce. Now, over 40 and suddenly single, Cal is cast adrift in the vicious world of dating. Enter Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling), a self-styled player who takes Cal under his wing and teaches him how to be a hit with the ladies.