Mason (Coltrane) is a seven-year-old boy who lives with his divorced mother Olivia (Arquette) and sister Samantha (Linklater) in East Texas. Occasionally his dad (Hawke) shows up to take the children for the day, showering them with presents. As Mason grows up, the family moves frequently, either for Olivia’s work or to accommodate a new boyfriend. Mason’s childhood is filled with typical days, and at 18 he graduates from high school and prepares to start college.
