William Henry Devereaux, Jr. is the reluctant chairman of the English department at an underfunded college in the Pennsylvania rust belt. A born anarchist, he is trying to come to terms with his philandering father and the dereliction of his youthful promise during a time when just about everything in his life is going wrong.

His unflappable wife Lily Devereaux is the Vice Principal of the local high school where they live. As Hank's life begins unravelling, Lily questions the path she's on and the choices she's made.

Based on the 1997 novel 'Straight Man' by Richard Russo.