Fielder's Choice

Philip Fielder is a workaholic advertising executive in the middle of a high-stakes competition for a promotion to Creative Director. He spends his time listening to 'The Dockery Way' motivational tapes, which preach a ruthless 'sell yourself first' philosophy. His life is interrupted when his sister Jill, an artist, drops off her eight-year-old son Zach for a weekend so she can attend an art show in San Diego. Zach is a unique child who is obsessed with 'checking the gravity' of rooms to ensure he doesn't float away, a quirk Philip finds difficult to manage. Shortly after Jill leaves, Philip receives the devastating news from her friend Roy that Jill has died in a car accident. Philip is named Zach's legal guardian, a role he feels completely unqualified for as he prepares for a massive pitch to 'Cowboy Bob,' the owner of a major taco chain. Philip attempts to balance his corporate responsibilities with Zach's needs, but the two worlds clash constantly. He hires a dog walker, Bernadette, to babysit, leading to a chaotic incident where Zach and a pack of dogs chase a cat. When Philip brings Zach to the office, the boy accidentally ruins a presentation board with markers, though he also provides an unexpected spark of creativity. Philip's boss, J.D., and his rival, Lou, pressure him to stay focused on the account, suggesting that Zach's presence is a distraction. Overwhelmed and grieving, Philip takes Zach to the airport to explain that his mother is never coming back. Zach has a heartbreaking breakdown on the tarmac, screaming for his mother's plane. Convinced he is failing the boy, Philip decides to send Zach to live with their Cousin Rose in Fresno, a strict woman who is 'deathly allergic' to Zach's dog and insists on a rigid routine. After dropping Zach off, Philip returns to the city to deliver his final pitch to Cowboy Bob. While reviewing his work, he finds a recording of Zach playing with his dog, Caesar, where the boy says, 'Eat up! There's plenty to share.' This simple, heartfelt moment inspires Philip to scrap his 'extreme' marketing campaign. During the pitch, he tells Cowboy Bob that his restaurants aren't about fast food, but about the time spent together with loved ones. Cowboy Bob is moved and awards Philip's agency the account. J.D. offers Philip the promotion and a life of luxury, but Philip realizes that J.D. is a lonely man with no family. Rejecting the promotion's lifestyle, Philip drives to Fresno, interrupts Rose's dinner, and asks Zach for a second chance. The film ends with Philip and Zach reuniting as a family, finally understanding that they are 'a lot alike' and belong together.