The Family Stone

Everett Stone takes Meredith, his anxious, bumbling and tightly wound girlfriend, to spend the Christmas holiday with his bohemian family in New England. The two arrive at Everett's family home, where they join his parents, Kelly, an English professor, and his wife, Sybil, as well as his four younger siblings, Ben, Susannah, Thad, and Amy.

Everett's tight-knit family responds awkwardly, and soon sternly, to Meredith's stiffness, making her feel like an outsider. In particular, Sybil and Amy treat Meredith with aloofness and believe her to be a poor match for Everett. While Kelly is gracious toward Meredith, Ben is the only one who seems to genuinely like her.

After a series of embarrassing moments, Meredith opts to stay at the local inn and convinces her sister Julie to join her for support. Everett finds himself drawn to the friendly, more outgoing Julie. His family also immediately receives her very warmly after she has a fall while getting off the bus.

Meredith desperately tries to fit in with the Stones, but her strained attempts prove disastrous. Meanwhile, Kelly confides in Ben that Sybil's breast cancer has recurred and is terminal. During Christmas Eve dinner, Everett's gay, deaf brother Thad and his partner Patrick express their plans to adopt a child, prompting a discussion about nature versus nurture and sexual orientation.