A proper English gentleman, Tristram Shandy strides home from his ancestral home, Shandy Hall, to introduce himself. Tristram launches into his life story at the beginning: with his birth. He is soon distracted by the sight of his Uncle Toby and his friend Corporal Trim at work on their scale model reproduction of the 1695 siege at Namur, where Toby sustained embarrassing injuries. No account of Tristram's birth would be complete without a discussion of his father, Walter, an intellectually inclined, determinedly modern man who would attend to every detail of his son's existence. After skipping forwards and backwards in time, Tristram arrives at the moment of his birth. Dr. Slop has his remarkable (if alarming) new medical instrument, the forceps, at the ready; the beautiful mother-to-be, Elizabeth Shandy, musters her remaining energy, encouraged by her devoted servant Susannah. Elizabeth's screams fill the room--and, pull back: The director, Mark, signals that he is satisfied with the scene. Steve Coogan who portrays both Walter and Tristram Shandy, consults with the director. The actor is worried that Walter's devotion to his son is not fully evident in the birth scene, but that is not his only concern. Shoes are also on Steve's mind; he believes the footwear that he and the actor Rob Brydon have been given does not properly reflect the interpersonal dynamics of their respective characters, Walter and his deferential younger brother, Toby. Steve's girlfriend Jenny has arrived with their six-month old son for a much-anticipated reunion. But the couple's every private moment is interrupted by a professional demand. On top of that, a journalist is chasing the actor about a scandalous story, and his agent has arrived with a load of scripts for him to read. The film's critical battle sequence looks rather anemic, and the financiers are getting snippy. Meanwhile, Steve's insecurities are growing by the minute. When a romance involving Rob Brydon's character is restored to the script--and enthusiastic Gillian Anderson immediately signs on as the love interest--it looks like Steve's worst fears about losing screen time are about to come true. A nightmare sends the actor roaming the grounds of the hotel, where a wild party is in full swing. Liquor is flowing and extras in historically accurate battle dress are cavorting with fireworks. In the midst of it all is Jennie, the beautiful production runner who has been taking care of Steve during filming.