Hannah (Mia Farrow), Holly (Dianne Wiest), and Lee (Barbara Hershey) are sisters in New York City. The film shows how they deal with various interpersonal conflicts and complications involving Hannah's ex-husband Mickey (Woody Allen) and Holly; Hannah's husband Elliott (Michael Caine) and his torrid affair with Lee, whose husband Frederick (Max Von Sydow) shows her no real love; and Holly's frustrated attempts to become an actress and singer while trying to run a catering business with her sneaky friend April (Carrie Fisher). Hannah must also deal with her difficult parents (Lloyd Nolan and Maureen O'Sullivan) as well, all the while remaining unaware of her sister's affair with her husband. Eventually, Elliott finds his way back to his wife, while Holly and Mickey strike up an unintended romance and Lee leaves Frederick for good.