Writer Alex Sheldon (Luke Wilson) has to finish his book within a thirty day period. He'll not receive money, if he does not off. And, if this happens, mad Mafia type s to whom he owes money will come looking for him personally. In order to expedite things, Alex hi res typist Emma Dinsmore (Kate Hudson) and starts compiling his novel. The publication is about a doomed relationship between a character similar to Alex and a character named Polina Delacroix (Sophie Marceau). But, as Alex drops for Emma, his work takes a different turn.