Michael, an arrogant American who believes that to get by in life you have to be an asshole, wants to marry Lars, his long-time German partner, but for all the wrong reasons. Lars, the son of a German vintner, has never come out of the closet and denies the marriage proposal due to his fear. Lars lies to Michael saying that the only way they could ever get married would be if his family approved of the marriage which they never would. Michael assumes that Lars' family already knows about him, confused and desperate he flies to Germany to get Lars' family's approval.
Lars' grandmother, a miserable dictator of the family, agrees to the marriage only if Micahel can pass the exams at her traditional German 'Housewife School'. Michael fails miserably but learns what it means to be a single parent, to be a friend, to be caring, but mostly to be himself.