Steven Phillips (Albert Brooks) is the king of Hollywood screenwriting, but his hold on the throne is slipping. When a successful friend (Jeff Bridges) suggests that the services of a bona-fide Muse named Sarah (Sharon Stone) might get his career back on track, Steven's desperate enough to take a leap of faith. Despite the misgivings of his wife, Laura (Andie MacDowell), Steven accepts Sarah's extravagant demands, hoping for a good, strong dose of inspiration. But as Sarah's quirky and endearing ways charm her deeper into their lives, Steven and Laura find themselves changed in ways they never could have guessed.