Gordon Hocheiser, a beleaguered New York lawyer, is struggling to balance his professional life with the demands of caring for his senile mother. Gordon's mother, Mrs. Hocheiser, is a challenging and erratic woman whose unpredictable behavior often leaves Gordon exasperated and overwhelmed. Despite hiring a series of nurses to help manage his mother's needs, none of them last long due to Mrs. Hocheiser's difficult nature. Life becomes even more complicated when Gordon meets Louise Callan, a nurse whose kindness and understanding give him a glimmer of hope for a more manageable life.

Gordon's situation comes to a breaking point as he grapples with his moral obligations to his mother and his own desire for personal happiness. Each attempt to find a feasible solution only plunges him into more chaotic and absurd situations. Complicating matters further is Gordon's brother Sidney, whose advice intertwines with Gordon’s desperate schemes. With a comedic backdrop that underscores the gravity of Gordon’s struggle, the narrative builds to an unpredictable and morally complex crescendo that tests the boundaries of family duty and personal freedom.