Larry Livingston (Jeff Bridges) is a New York psychiatrist whose wife Jo (Farrah Fawcett), a model, decides to leave him, taking with her their two young children. With his confidence at low ebb, he flounders around despite the support of an understanding mother-in-law (Frances Sternhagen) and a concerned friend (Linda Lavin).

Beth Goodwin (Alice Krige) is a photographer with two children. A widow, she has found it difficult to start new relationships. When Larry and Beth fall in love and decide to get married, the greatest challenge they face is creating a viable family configuration.

See You in the Morning written and directed by Alan J. Pakula, maps out in a variety of dramatic ways what experts have called the "stepping cycle" as adults and children grapple with the new relationships, responsibilities, and possibilities of membership in a stepfamily. More than a million stepfamilies are formed every year, and current projections are that one child out of four will have a stepparent in the home during part of the child's growing-up years.

When Beth goes on a photo assignment overseas, Larry must deal with Cathy (Drew Barrymore), a teenager who is caught shoplifting, and her younger brother Petey (Lukas Haas), who has become compulsive about his music practice sessions. Both children are still working out their grief over their father's death. Larry's baptism by fire also includes dealing with the dog and accommodating the emotional needs of his own two children.

Jeff Bridges, who reached new heights as an actor in Tucker, gives a rounded and nuanced portrait of Larry as a patient, flexible man who struggles to adapt to his new role as a stepfather. Alice Krige finally has a role that displays her stature as an actress. See You in the Morning makes it clear that creating a stepfamily is a pioneer experience that involves exploration of new territory, ample discoveries, and the reward of personal fulfillment.