A look at four seasons in the lives of a happily married couple and their relationships with their family and friends.
A married couple who have managed to remain blissfully happy into their autumn years is surrounded over the course of the four seasons of one average year by friends, colleagues, and family, who all seem to suffer some degree of unhappiness.—Anonymous
Tom Hepple (Jim Broadbent), a geologist, and Gerri Hepple (Ruth Sheen), a counselor, are an older married couple who have a comfortable, loving relationship. The film observes them over the course of the four seasons of a year, surrounded by family and friends who mostly suffer some degree of unhappiness. Tom and Gerri work together to plant their vegetables in the garden in spring.
Janet is Gerri's patient who has just started menopause and has returned from her annual health examination. She is taking sleeping pills to get some sleep at night and is generally irritated with her life. Janet refuses to engage with Gerri, even on topic such as the happiest day of her life (like when she got married, or she had her kids). Janet admits that she is deeply unhappy.
Tom visits construction sites all over London to collect soil samples. He uses the soil samples to create a geological map of the city.
Gerri's friend and colleague Mary (Lesley Manville) works as a receptionist at the health center. She is a middle-aged divorcee seeking a new relationship, and despite telling everyone she is happy (She is healthy, has a steady job, and is independent), appears desperate and depressed, and seems to drink too much. Mary is saving money to buy a car. Mary fancies herself as a catch as she sees a bar patron looking in her direction. But she is bitterly disappointed when the man is joined by a much younger looking girlfriend and reality hits for Mary.
The Hepples' only child, Joe (Oliver Maltman), is 30 and unmarried and works as a solicitor giving advice on housing to poor immigrants who are in danger of being evicted.Tom and Gerri cook dinner together and exchange stories about their day and the people they met. There is a comforting casualness and familiarity about their daily routine.They often invite Mary for dinner at their home, more to make sure that Mary does not feel lonely and left out than anything else. Mary hopes that Tom and Gerri would help set her up with one of Tom's friends.
Mary says that she cannot afford to buy a car and have a vacation at the same time but rationalizes her car purchase by saying that with a car she will be able to go wherever she wants. Mary gets too drunk and stays the night. She talks about how she fell in love with a 64-year-old married man and that the relationship went nowhere as the man had a family. Even in her divorce she received a measly 5000 pounds.Tom indulges Mary even though he finds her fantasies about herself mildly amusing.
In the summer, the family spreads compost over their vegetable garden. Tom and Gerri want to understand what Joe has planned for himself.The Hepples are visited by Ken (Peter Wight), Tom's old friend from his student days. Ken is overweight, eats, smokes and drinks compulsively and seems very unhappy. Tom and Gerri host a barbecue in his honor.
Mary drives her newly bought car to the party but gets lost and arrives late. Having had some wine, she flirts with Joe, whom she has known since he was little. He remains friendly but does not reciprocate. After the party, Mary reluctantly gives Ken a lift to the train station. He makes a clumsy romantic advance and Mary irritably rejects him.
Months later, in the autumn, Mary is once again at Tom and Gerri's home. Joe arrives with Katie (Karina Fernandez), a new girlfriend. Mary appears rude and hostile towards Katie, which Tom and Gerri don't appreciate, creating a rift between Gerri and Mary.
In the winter, Tom, Gerri, and Joe attend the funeral for the wife of Tom's brother Ronnie (David Bradley). Towards the end of the service, Ronnie's estranged son Carl (Martin Savage) arrives, and angrily asks why the ceremony was not delayed for him. At the reception at Ronnie's house, Carl becomes aggressive and walks out. Tom and Gerri invite Ronnie back to London to stay with them for a while and Ronnie agrees.
While Tom and Gerri are at their garden allotment, Mary arrives unannounced at their home and persuades Ronnie to let her in. Her car has just been wrecked and she is upset. They have a cup of tea and a desultory chat before Mary takes a nap on the settee. When Tom and Gerri return, they are unhappy to find Mary there.
Gerri explains to Mary that she feels let down by her earlier behavior towards Katie. Mary apologizes and weeps. Gerri gradually extends a degree of warmth to Mary, suggesting she should seek counseling and inviting her to stay for dinner, and the two women set the table. Joe and Katie arrive, their relationship still appearing strong and happy. The Hepples enjoy dinner together. Mary eats with them but appears lost and uncertain.
