The core plot follows recently separated shoe salesman Richard (John Hawkes) and eccentric cab driver/artist Christine (Miranda July) as they navigate an awkward budding relationship, alongside subplots of Richard’s young sons experimenting clumsily with online chats and neighborly interactions, and other characters seeking companionship. These elements draw from classic storytelling traditions of self-discovery and relational miscommunication rather than activist framing.

The film presents themes of human connection, art, and family separation without any critiques of systemic oppression, patriarchy, or identity politics. Produced in 2005 with an original ensemble cast featuring only organic and incidental diversity and no race- or gender-swapping of established characters, the project reflects creator intent centered on personal longing and communication. Interviews from the period emphasize these intimate, non-ideological concerns rather than modern social justice messaging, resulting in a work that prioritizes universal relational dynamics over political messaging.