Looking for Hortense is a bittersweet comedie de moeurs that is French in spirit but universal in appeal. It tells the story of Damien (Jean-Pierre Bacri), a professor of Chinese civilization, and his wife, Iva (Kristin Scott Thomas). Their marriage has turned stale and the only thing they share is the care of their son No, a precocious child going through a pre-teen crisis. Damien also has a dysfunctional relationship with his father (Claude Rich), a high-ranking state judge. When Iva asks Damien to speak to his father on behalf of a woman facing deportation, he is loath to ask for help, but when Damien meets the lovely Zorica (Isabelle Carr), the legalities quickly become more personal. Through Zorica, Damien discovers a long forgotten desire and a way to finally grow up.