Edward Bloom (Albert Finney) bol odjakživa vášnivým rozprávačom neuveriteľných historiek zo svojej mladosti (Ewan McGregor), keď ho záľuba v cestovaní zaviedla na úžasnú výpravu okolo sveta. V jeho mýtických dobrodružstvách nechýbajú obri, vlkolaci, spievajúce siamske dvojčatá, ani čarodejnica so skleneným okom, ktorá dokáže nazrieť do budúcnosti. So svojimi fantastickými historkami sa Bloomovi darí očariť každého, okrem syna Willa (Billy Crudup). Keď Edward smrteľne ochorie, jeho žena Sandra (Jessica Langeová) sa pokúsi Willa donútiť, aby k svojmu otcovi znovu našiel cestu.
Dave, občasný prezidentov dvojník, je požiadaný, aby zastúpil prezidenta, ktorý dostane srdcový záchvat pri intímnom vyvádzaní s jednou zo svojich sekretárok. Náčelník štábu a jeho pobočník chcú Davea udržať v úrade čo najdlhšie, aby mohli podniknúť určitý prevrat, vďaka ktorému by sa dostali k moci. Pre istotu odošlú preč i viceprezidenta na nezmyselnú cestu do Afriky. Okrem toho, že Dave vdýchne úradu prezidenta nevídanú vitalitu, prelomí i chladný vzťah medzi prezidentom a prvou dámou, vďaka čomu komédia získa ľahký romantický nádych.
In 1969, while studying at the University of Maine, artist Alan Parker becomes obsessed with death. Believing he is losing his girlfriend, he tries to commit suicide on his birthday but his friends manage to stop him. He receives news that his mother has had a stroke and decides to hitchhike to visit her at the hospital.
Jorge is a young man whose plans for the future are put on hold when his father has a stroke. For seven years, he diligently nurses his father and works as a janitor while studying part time to get a business degree.When Natalia, his childhood crush, returns from a stint studying abroad, Jorge begins to yearn for something better. He is desperate to find a new and better job, but finds that no one will hire him because he has experience only as a janitor. Antonio, Jorge’s older brother, soon to be released from jail, is an opportunist who has never gotten along with their father. In prison, at a theater workshop, Antonio meets Paula, a beautiful young woman in jail on drug charges. Paula has a problem because she flirted with another inmate's boyfriend.
At age 50, tax inspector Emerenziano decides to settle down and aims to the three Tettamanzi sisters, who, though not young or pretty by any means, have recently inherited a large amount of money.
Disappointed with humanity, God wants to revoke his contract with humanity and wants to take back the stone tablets containing the ten commandments. To this end an angel is sent out to affect the personal lives of three humans so an appropriate child may be conceived.
At fifty, René Maugras has lost everything. This wealthy press boss fell into a coma and was rushed to hospital. He has since emerged from his worrying state of health but remains unable to move and communicate. He must also begin rehabilitation, which turns out to be particularly humiliating. Fortunately for him there is Blanche, his nurse, who surrounds him with affection. Blanche takes her case to heart.