The leading actress Lillian Hall, Played by Jessica Lange, is having a tough time remembering her lines and eventually she is sent to a doctor by her director. We watch her fumble through a memory test and ultimately she's diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. But she's a tough old bird, and she is not interested in giving up being in the Broadway production of The Cherry Orchard.
We watch her trying to tell her daughter what her problem is, but she can't bring herself to say the words. Her daughter and family are confused that she's paying them more attention that she ever does, but they can't figure out what's up.
Her assistant, Played by Kathy Bates, has been hired by her now deceased husband to help her in every way, but she is horrified that it has come to this point.
The producer of the show wants her understudy to play the part but Lillian is wandering around Central Park when she's supposed to be at the opening of the play. I won't tell you what happens next. It's a wonderful job, a wonderful story, and an excellent movie.