What Is Here and Now About?
The premise of Here and Now in 314 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the restless rhythm of New York City, Vivienne commands the stage as a celebrated singer‑songwriter, her voice echoing through intimate clubs and glossy studio sessions alike. The city’s neon glow and its ceaseless bustle serve as both muse and backdrop for a career built on relentless rehearsals, high‑stakes interviews, and the ever‑present pressure to stay ahead of the next hit. Her world is one of polished performances and private moments, a place where the line between public acclaim and personal solitude blurs with each applause.
Around her, a tightly knit circle offers both grounding and tension. Ben, her sharp‑tongued manager, navigates the business’s mercurial demands while keeping a wry humor that steadies the ship. At home, Jeanne, her mother, brings a blend of wit and affection that can feel both comforting and overwhelming, especially as Vivienne balances the demands of fame with the quieter responsibilities of motherhood. Friendships with fellow musicians, hinted at through lingering glances and shared coffee, add layers of intimacy and unspoken history, while past romances linger like unfinished verses in her mind.
When an unexpected piece of news arrives—one that does not merely shift a schedule but upends the very foundations of her carefully curated life—Vivienne is forced to pause the endless cycle of gigs and press junkets. The revelation presses her to confront what truly matters beyond the stage lights, prompting a re‑examination of priorities that have long been set to the beat of her own making.
The film swells with a tone that is both tender and urgent, capturing the glittering allure of a city that never sleeps alongside the fragile, human moments that pulse beneath its surface. As Vivienne navigates this crossroads, the story invites viewers to feel the weight of choices made in the spotlight and the quiet strength found when loved ones—whether sharp‑tongued managers, witty mothers, or lingering friends—steadily hold a space for reflection.
What Happens in Here and Now?
The complete story of Here and Now, from the first scene to the last, in 818 words (about 4 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 10 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
The film opens with a close-up of Vivienne’s trembling blue eyes, setting a tone of fragility and urgency. A voice from behind the camera soon informs her that she’s late for a rehearsal, delivered by Ben, her manager who appears again as the film threads through a high-pressure day. The news is heavy: a visit with Dr. Marianna Holt reveals a terminal brain tumor, a diagnosis that joltsVivienne into a restless spell of wandering through the streets of New York City. The city, bustling and indifferent, becomes a backdrop to her shifting moods—parting from the outward polish of fame and stepping toward a raw, intimate reckoning with mortality.
Her mother, Jeanne, calls repeatedly as Vivienne navigates a blurred path between work obligations and personal truth. She arrives at the rehearsal studio where her band awaits; she apologizes for the tardiness and is enveloped in a chorus of hugs from the group, though she keeps a wary distance from the drummer, Jordan. As the rehearsal ends, the air thick with unspoken tension, Jordan asks Vivienne out for coffee, only to be rebuffed due to an upcoming interview. The moment hints at something deeper, a fragile connection that might offer solace amid looming decisions, and their fingers linger on the drum set, suggesting a closeness that transcends professional boundaries. Later, on the second floor, their budding tension becomes unmistakable as they share a charged kiss.
Her day spirals into aimless wandering as she heads toward the interview. Along the way she buys an expensive dress, a small—yet telling—gesture of seeking control over a life suddenly felt to be out of reach. The interview itself with Oona feels half-hearted, leaving Vivienne disengaged, almost detached from the dialogue around her. Afterward she reconnects with Ray, their conversation drifting without resolution as she rushes to her Lyft. En route, the ride turns tense when the driver, Sami, becomes distracted by a heated phone call, adding to the already uneasy atmosphere that follows her from the car back into the city’s crowded rooms.
Back home, Vivienne meets her mother in a familiar, unsatisfying tug-of-war. The exchange is charged, and Vivienne responds with bruising bluntness before retreating to her room. A photograph of her daughter Lucie looms large in her mind, provoking a surge of remorse as she realizes how much she has put distance between her career and the people who matter most. A quick call to retrieve her dress from Sami ends in a stubborn refusal to let him drive her; he departs with a quiet finality, and Vivienne remains, staring at the ceiling as if listening for guidance she won’t receive.
The next phase of the night takes Vivienne to her ex’s home, Nick. He invites her to dinner but she declines gracefully, leaving with a lingering sense of unfinished business. A chance encounter with an old friend, Tessa, briefly reconnects Vivienne with a past that once felt more certain, only to watch Tessa drift away to her own birthday party. Vivienne then attends a performance where Jordan is on drums, and she is invited to sing on stage. She performs Rufus Wainwright’s Unfollow the Rules, a moment that crystallizes a desire to reclaim agency in a life suddenly complicated by illness.
That night she and Jordan share an intimate moment at his apartment, a rare spark of normalcy amid the mounting stakes. A second Lyft ride with Sami brings her back toward Nick’s house, where she again confronts the gravity of her condition and the responsibility she bears to Lucie. Nick shows his care and fear, asking for honesty about how things will be disclosed to Lucie, and for a moment the two share a vulnerable, quiet closeness. The scene ends with Vivienne spending the night in Lucie’s presence, watching her daughter sleep as the house settles into a tense, hopeful quiet.
Morning light finds Vivienne stepping away from Nick’s home to prepare for the surgery ahead. A final Lyft with Sami takes her toward the hospital, the hum of uneasy conversations fading into the background as coffee and distance offer small comfort along the ride. They pause outside the hospital for a quick moment of connection, a fleeting attempt at normalcy before the most daunting part of the journey begins. Inside the hospital, Vivienne makes a personal, symbolic gesture—she removes her jewelry—as if shedding the weight of appearances and public perception to face what comes next with bare truth.
In a story about fame, love, and the unyielding truth of mortality, the film threads the intimate details of one artist’s last chapters with a grounded, emotionally resonant realism. It asks how to balance a life lived in the spotlight with the raw, imperfect realities of family, friendship, and the fragile time we do have. The film’s quiet, steadfast commitment to truth—paired with moments of tenderness, longing, and forgiveness—renders a portrait that stays with you long after the final credits roll.
Here and Now Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
14 key events in the order they happen, from “Diagnosis revealed: terminal brain tumor” to “Hospital arrival and jewelry removal”. 14 events name a place, across 14 locations.
- 1
Diagnosis revealed: terminal brain tumor
The film opens with Vivienne's eyes as she learns from Dr. Marianne Holt that she has a terminal brain tumor. She processes the diagnosis with a mix of fear and resolve, which casts a weighty context over everything that follows. The moment marks a turning point from ambition to fragile mortality.
When:Day 1 Where:New York City – medical clinic
- 2
Wandering through New York after the diagnosis
Vivienne walks aimlessly through the city, trying to digest her prognosis and what the future might hold. She takes several phone calls from her mother Jeanne, who pushes for answers and reassurance. The urban landscape mirrors her unsettled state of mind.
When:Day 1 Where:New York City
- 3
Rehearsal and manager's reminder
She arrives late to the rehearsal and apologizes to her bandmates. Ben, her manager, informs her that she has an interview scheduled right after the rehearsal. The clash between a life-threatening diagnosis and professional obligation adds tension to the scene.
When:Day Where:Studio
- 4
Connection with Jordan and budding romance
During the rehearsal, she hugs most of the group but keeps distance from drummer Jordan, hinting at hidden feelings. After rehearsal, he asks her to coffee, which she declines because of the interview. Later, they share a lingering moment on the second floor and begin kissing.
When:Evening Where:Studio / Jordan's space
- 5
Dress purchase and interview
Before the interview, she buys an expensive dress, signaling an attempt to control her image amid uncertainty. She attends the interview with interviewer Oona, but her distraction is evident and colors the conversation. The encounter underscores how illness shapes her engagements with others.
When:Evening Where:Clothing store; interview location (NYC)
- 6
Lyft ride and mother's questions
Returning home, Vivienne confronts an intrusive session with her mother Jeanne, who bombards her with questions. She drinks wine, crying over a photo of her daughter Lucie, and reveals the strain of balancing care and career. The emotional tension exposes the vulnerability beneath her public facade.
When:Night Where:Home
- 7
Dress left in Lyft; Sami returns it
After a tense moment, she recalls she left her dress in the Lyft and calls Sami to retrieve it. Sami arrives outside the house to deliver the garment, but Vivienne stops him and asks for a ride, leading to a polite but firm rejection. The moment underscores isolation and unresolved longing for connection.
When:Night Where:Lyft ride; outside Vivienne's house
- 8
Unannounced visit to ex Nick and daughter Lucie
Vivienne arrives unannounced at Nick's house and is invited to dinner, which she declines. She leaves, continuing to wander, and has a quiet exchange with an older neighbor about life. The encounter intensifies the sense of unfinished business with her family.
When:Evening Where:Nick's house
- 9
Chance reunion with Tessa
She encounters her old friend Tessa and they discuss their lives before Tessa returns to her birthday party. The brief reunion offers a reminder of past choices and alternate paths. Vivienne continues on her way, carrying the weight of her circumstances.
When:Evening Where:Street
- 10
Stage performance and singing on stage
Vivienne attends a concert where Jordan plays drums and is invited to sing on stage. She delivers a rendition of a song, and the moment becomes a poignant assertion of living boldly despite illness. The performance deepens her connection to the music and to Jordan.
When:Evening Where:Stage / Venue
Show the other 4 events of Here and Now Hide the last 4 events
- 11
Intimate night with Jordan
After the performance, she and Jordan share a tender and intense night at his apartment. The encounter embodies a search for normalcy and companionship amid looming mortality. Their connection adds a fragile warmth to her chaotic journey.
When:Night Where:Jordan's apartment
- 12
Return to Nick and Lucie; regrets
She rides a Lyft to Nick's house where Lucie appears briefly, and Nick tries to support her while respecting boundaries. Vivienne spends the night in Lucie’s room, haunted by regrets about not being there for her daughter. Nick's tenderness contrasts with Vivienne's internal turmoil.
When:Night Where:Nick's house; Lucie's room
- 13
Morning after and imminent surgery
In the morning, she leaves Nick's house to prepare for surgery. She and Sami share a quiet Lyft ride and a coffee stop on her way to the hospital. The routine of travel turns into a countdown toward a life-altering procedure.
When:Morning Where:City; Lyft ride; hospital vicinity
- 14
Hospital arrival and jewelry removal
Arriving at the hospital for surgery, she asks Sami to accompany her for coffee outside before the procedure. Once on the hospital bed, she removes her jewelry, signaling a surrender to the gravity of what lies ahead. The scene marks a solemn preparation for surgery and a final pause before the next chapter.
When:Morning / Pre-surgery Where:Hospital
Who Are the Main Characters in Here and Now?
10 characters, among them Vivienne (Sarah Jessica Parker), Ben (Common) and Jordan (Taylor Kinney): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Vivienne (Sarah Jessica Parker)
Played by Sarah Jessica Parker
Vivienne is a world-famous singer confronting a terminal brain tumor. Her illness intensifies her impulsive behavior and longing for connection, while her fame complicates how she treats those closest to her. Across the story she seeks forgiveness from her mother and daughter, balancing performances with the urgency to repair broken bonds.
- 🎤 Fame
- 💔 Relationships
- 👩👧 Family
-
Ben (Common)
Played by Common
Vivienne's manager, a steady, career-focused presence who must navigate personal boundaries with a star who is increasingly unpredictable. He bridges the gap between the music world and the reality of her illness, offering support while protecting the business side.
- 🎯 Career
- 💬 Communication
- J(
Jordan (Taylor Kinney)
Played by Taylor Kinney
Vivienne's romantic interest who shares a complicated, physical connection with her. His closeness highlights the tension between desire and the demands of a public life affected by her illness.
- 💖 Romance
-
Nick (Simon Baker)
Played by Simon Baker
Vivienne's ex-husband and Lucie's father, who shows care but also frustration as he confronts Vivienne's absence and the impact of her choices on their family. He embodies a grounded, protective influence amidst the chaos.
- 💔 Relationships
-
Lucie (Gus Birney)
Played by Gus Birney
Vivienne's daughter, whose closeness with her mother reveals both warmth and pain. Lucie represents the innocent, long-suffering beneficiary of Vivienne's career and illness, desiring presence and guidance.
- 👩👧 Family
-
Jeanne (Jacqueline Bisset)
Played by Jacqueline Bisset
Vivienne's mother, whose questions and presence underscore the generational and emotional gaps between generations. She embodies enduring care, sometimes clashing with the star's chaotic lifestyle.
- 👪 Family
-
Sami (Waleed Zuaiter)
Played by Waleed Zuaiter
The Lyft driver who becomes a recurring figure in Vivienne's day-to-day, offering space for encounters and conversations amid a city that never stops.
- 🚗 Transportation
-
Tessa (Renée Zellweger)
Played by Renée Zellweger
Vivienne's old friend who reappears during the story, prompting reflections on past lives and the choices that shape their futures.
- 🤝 Friendship
-
Oona (Phillipa Soo)
Played by Phillipa Soo
The interviewer who frames Vivienne's public image during the interview, highlighting the media's role in shaping celebrity narratives.
- 🎤 Media
- DM
Dr. Marianna Holt (Mary Beth Peil)
Played by Mary Beth Peil
Vivienne's doctor, the medical perspective on the tumor and prognosis, catalyzing conversations about treatment and life choices.
- 🏥 Medicine
Where and When Is Here and Now Set?
Here and Now is set in New York City, Recording studio and Hospital (Present day). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Present day
Set in contemporary times, the story relies on smartphones, ride-shares, and media interviews to move the plot. The immediacy of the era amplifies the urgency of decisions about family, fame, and mortality. The narrative unfolds across a tight, emotionally charged period surrounding a medical diagnosis and its aftermath.
Where
New York City, Recording studio, Hospital
The film unfolds across New York City's theaters, rehearsal rooms, and intimate apartments, using the urban landscape to mirror Vivienne's turbulent life. Hospital scenes anchor the narrative around her terminal diagnosis, granting weight to personal choices. The city's relentless pace—cabs, crowds, and late-night venues—frames a tale of love, regret, and resilience.
- 🎭 Urban backdrop
- 🏙 City life
- 🚑 Hospital setting
What Are the Themes of Here and Now?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Mortality, Romance and Family.
-
01
Mortality
Vivienne's terminal brain tumor casts a shadow over every choice, forcing confrontations with loved ones and a reexamination of priorities. The illness exposes fragility in relationships and a longing for forgiveness. The theme explores how mortality alters ambition, love, and identity.
-
02
Romance
Romantic entanglements with Jordan are intensified by the knowledge of time slipping away, blurring lines between desire and responsibility. The film examines vulnerability, trust, and the tension between career demands and intimate connection. Relationships become a measure of what remains important when life could end soon.
-
03
Family
The mother-daughter bond with Lucie sits at the story's emotional core, highlighting absence, apology, and reconciliation. Interactions with Vivienne's mother, Jeanne, reveal generational gaps and the cost of missed moments. The narrative uses family ties to ground the drama in humanity beyond fame.
What Kind of Film Is Here and Now?
Melancholic in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Melancholic
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Ambiguous
A steady-paced, melancholic character study set in New York City that follows a woman confronting her mortality and life choices with a heavy atmosphere of introspection and regret.
- introspective
- melancholic
- contemplative
- urban loneliness
- urgent
- somber
- terminal illness
- facing mortality
- career vs family
- parental regret
Content notes: terminal illness.
Quiz
How well do you remember Here and Now? Test yourself on the story.
