This movie centers around a custody battle between Joanna (Meryl Streep) and Ted (Dustin Hoffman). It begins when Joanna leaves her husband and young son, Billy. She doubts her ability as a mother and is unhappy because she does not have a creative outlet. Ted struggles in the beginning with conflicts between work and home but becomes a truly wonderful and caring father. Billy longs for his mother but adjusts to life with his father. While Ted loses his job, Joanna establishes herself in a good job and tries to regain custody. Ted is determined to find a new job and to portray himself as a responsible father. The climax is a heart wrenching court scene that raises a lot of questions about what makes a good parent.