It's all about appearance for the highly regimented Arpels. They live in an ultra modern house, equipped with all the latest automated conveniences. They've decorated the property in a minimalist theme. And the fish fountain in the yard has to be turned on before anyone of importance is allowed on the property. The house is not very child friendly. Hence, their son, Gerard, prefers to spend time with his uncle, M. Hulot, who lives a more lackadaisical lifestyle in a smallish flat in an old building in a older established neighborhood. M. Arpel in particular doesn't like the influence his brother-in-law has on his son. The Arpels try to make M. Hulot more of a person in their own mold. M. Arpel gets his brother-in-law a job at his factory, and Mme. Arpel hosts a garden party, hoping to match her brother with her equally style conscious neighbor. As both the work and social situation are contrary to M. Hulot's general bumbling nature, neither turns out quite the way the Arpels plan. But M. Hulot may have more of a positive effect on the Arpels than they realize.