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Every year the unconventional Stone family gather in their New England hometown to celebrate the holidays. On this occasion there will be an extra guest, as eldest son Everett (Dermot Mulroney) is bringing his girlfriend Meredith (Sarah Jessica Parker) to meet the clan. She nervously tells Everett that his family won't like her, and she's absolutely right. Having previously made a bad impression on Everett’s youngest sister Amy (Rachel McAdams), Meredith is anything but relaxed when she joins Everett on his annual trip back home. Amy criticises Meredith to anyone who’ll listen, including her father Kelly (Craig T. Nelson), big sister Susannah (Elizabeth Reaser), deaf brother Thad (Tyrone Giordano) and his partner Patrick (Brian White). Upon arriving, Meredith tries her best to impress the family, including an increasingly hostile Amy. Unfortunately, Meredith couldn’t be more of an outsider with the Stone family. She’s pinched, guarded and tries too hard to please, whereas they are loose, outspoken and unapologetically liberal. Only Everett's laid-back brother Ben (Luke Wilson) seems willing to give her a break. When Everett’s mom Sybil (Diane Keaton) suspects he may propose to Meredith, things get even more problematic – she even goes as far as to refuse to hand over "the family stone", an engagement ring previously promised to Everett. As the situation becomes increasingly unbearable for Meredith, she calls on her younger sister Julie (Claire Danes) to join her at the Stones’ for moral support. Unfortunately for Meredith, they take an instant shine to Julie, who is beautiful, witty and outgoing. After Julie arrives, romantic complications develop rather quickly. Before the holidays are done, relationships will unravel while new ones are formed, secrets will be revealed and the Stone family will come together through its extraordinary capacity for love...
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