The movie stares Barbara Streisand as Rose Morgan a lonely, single, low self esteemed woman who lives with her domineering mother Hannah Morgan played by Lauren Becall in New York. Jeff Bridges who plays Gregory Larkin a math instructor at Columbia University is a man in search of the perfect woman who is not interested in sex but only companship. Greg places a personal ad in a singles paper and receives enormous response. He reviews the responses to his ad and decides on a response that featured Rose.
Greg calls the number on the response and a woman answers the phone who is Roses sister Claire. Claire explains to Greg that she responded to the ad without Roses consent and that Rose is not a women of great beauty. Greg explains that he is not in search of a woman with great beauty, just a woman for companship. Greg calls Rose on the telephone and the two decide to have dinner as friends. They adore each others companship and start to spend more and more time together as best friends. They become extremely flexibly enmeshed and are very compatible with each other. As time passes and they grow closer to each other they decide to get married by the ustice of the peace.
Roses mother who is dependent on her objects to the idea and thinks the marriage is wrong. She uses plenty of guilt trying to persuade Rose not to marry Greg. The marriage takes place and the Rose moves into Gregs apartment where their are separate twin beds for Rose and Greg. The first night of living together Greg indirectly suggests the two should have sex. Rose does not understand and falls asleep on Greg. As time passes and the two start to become flexibly connected and share their most hidden secrets with each other. Greg accepts a three month job offer over seas.
Rose agrees that he should jump at the opportunity and supports him in his decision. Rose decides that the arrangement of a no sex marriage is not going to work. She decides one night before Greg leaves for three months to seduce him into having sex with her. Greg objects to the idea after about five minuets and explains his feelings to Rose which infuriates her causing her to run back to her mothers chaotically enmeshed home. Greg leaves for work over seas calling Rose on the telephone every spare minute he has only to be greeted by her jealous and domineering mother stating she is not home or vailable unknown to Rose.
Greg concentrates on his decision and changes his mind about a no sex marriage. He returns home early in an effort to win Rose back from her mother. Late at night Greg calls Rose to the window by screaming and yelling Roses name against the wishes of the doorman to Hannahs apartment. The doorman attempts to stop Greg however his attempts dont succeed. Rose comes to the window and Greg explains that he has changed his beliefs about a no sex marriage. Rose accepts his proposal and the two are off to Gregs apartment to consummate the marriage.