Campbell Babbitt (Steve Coogan), a morally challenged and emotionally distraught New York reporter sent to cover the New Hampshire hometown hoopla surrounding Christa McAuliffe, the first civilian astronaut. Upon arriving in the small New Hampshire town, Babbitt decides to call an old college friend, only to discover an apparent suicide. As another teacher attempts to keep a looming scandal and celebration spoiler out of the newspaper, Babbitt gravitates toward his friend’s students in hopes of finding an unsung hero story. Instead, he discovers a group of dysfunctional high school students led by a narcissistic seductress (Hilary Duff). In a gradual reversal of roles, the students teach Babbitt that he may need a “hero” more than students need him to replace their “hero.” And, in learning he is not so different than the students, he begins to relate to them in unexpected ways, including an infatuation with the same student rumored to have had an affair with his dead friend.