After the ultra sophisticated couple, Bob (a filmmaker) and wife, Carol attend a secluded therapy group (only to observe) they become modernized in their sexual thinking and behavior. Can Bob and Carol's new thinking rub off onto best friends, Ted and Alice?Documentary film-maker Bob Saunders and his wife Carol attend a group therapy session that serves as the backdrop for the opening scenes of the film. Returning to their Los Angeles home, the newly "enlightened" couple chastise their closest friends, Ted and Alice, for not coming to grips with their true feelings. Bob insists that everyone "feel" rather than intellectualize their emotions, and Carol pronounces "that's beautiful" after anyone says anything even remotely personal. Ted and Alice humor their friends, but it is obvious that there is a good-natured sexual tension at work within the foursome.

《河岸》是關於兩個倖存下來的女孩的故事，一個哥哥去世才有了出生的機會，這是自然的選擇；一個在被親生父母拋棄時得到拯救而活下來，這是人為的結果。但無論以哪一種原因倖存下來，她們都為自我的存在而自卑。兩個女孩惺惺相惜，友誼給了她們生存的力量。

本片是约翰．休斯与莫利．林沃德继《少女十五十六时》之后，再度合作的一部中学生喜剧，描写五位个性反叛的男女同学，在假期被罚留校温习功课。五人的家庭背景和性格各异，但在他们诚恳交谈之后，逐渐放开了彼此的戒心和敌意，变成了心意相通的好友。全片对年轻人的心态有相当深入细腻的描写，手法轻松幽默而具启发性，容易获得年轻观众共鸣，一群新秀演员也有贴切的演出。

阿西（贾宏声 饰）和李欣（马晓晴 饰）是一对感情十分要好的情侣，周末父母不在家的日子是两人最快活的时光。可是，很快，他们甜蜜的秘密便曝光了，阿西找到了告密的罪魁祸首，没想到却在愤怒之中失手将其打死，等待着阿西的，将会是漫长的牢狱之灾。阿西的入狱让李欣的情感备受伤害，就在这个节骨眼上，她遇见了名为拉拉（王志文 饰）的男子，拉拉温柔的陪伴逐渐治愈了李欣心中的伤口，两人之间的距离越来越近。阿西出狱了，自觉感情遭到了背叛的他用暴力赶跑了拉拉，之后，拉拉经朋友介绍成为了乐队的主唱，在乐队中，他看到了当时年轻人们空虚又消极的一面。一日乐队演出，心中郁结难消的阿西想要去砸场子，被李欣制止，而此时李欣的精神已经濒临崩溃的边缘。