In 1995, Joanna, an aspiring writer and poet, leaves her boyfriend Karl and her home in Berkeley, California to visit her friend in New York City.

Upset, Joanna unthinkingly blurts out that it is Margaret's fault she lost the chance to publish Judy Blume's first book in years.

Joanna's period at the agency coincides with Salinger's proposed publication of the short story "Hapworth 16, 1924", which had previously been published in The New Yorker.

Joanna submits poems to The New Yorker, and finally meets Jerry Salinger- The film is based on Rakoff's 2014 memoir depicting her time working at literary agency Harold Ober Associates, which represented Salinger.

[5] In February 2019, Margaret Qualley and Sigourney Weaver joined the cast of the film, with Philippe Falardeau directing from a screenplay he wrote.

Kim McCraw, Susan Mullen, Luc Déry and Ruth Coady served as producers under their micro_scope and Parallel Films banner, respectively.

[6] In May 2019, Colm Feore, Seána Kerslake and Théodore Pellerin joined the cast of the film, with Mongrel Media and Thunderbird Releasing distributing in Canada and Ireland; principal photography began that month[7] in Montreal.

[16] Gary Goldstein of the Los Angeles Times gave the film a positive review, writing: "Joanna's journey of creative and emotional enlightenment, is managed with grace, tenderness and touching credibility by a wonderfully winning Qualley in concert with Philippe Falardeau's smart, engaging direction and screenplay.

"[17] Kevin Maher of The Sunday Times also gave the film a positive review writing: "But really it's a movie, essentially familiar in structure and tone, that owes everything to a pair of knockout performances.