The film stars Bacri, Jaoui, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Catherine Frot, Wladimir Yordanoff, Claire Maurier and Zinedine Soualem.

In one evening and during one meal, family history, tensions, collective and separate grudges, delights, and memories both clash and coalesce.

Henri (Bacri) runs a saloon that he inherited from his father called "The Even Tempered Dad," and in the near-empty bar, he plays host to several members of the family as they mark the 35th birthday of his sister-in-law, Yolande (Frot).

It's not been a good day for most of them: Philippe is anxious that his boss might not have liked the tie he wore on television; Betty is depressed about the sad state of her current relationship; Henri has just learned that his wife is leaving him; and Mother is tossing caustic barbs at everyone left and right.

Henri's bartender Denis (Darroussin) is the one neutral party on hand, and he provides the voice of reason in the midst of the bickering.