Rob Smith is a washed-up Seattle real estate broker who pretends to be a writer. Out of financial desperation, he accepts a job writing a travel article about a small town in eastern Oregon called Elephant. When he goes there, he discovers that the townspeople are relying on him to save their town. Stacy, the young stressed-out Chamber of Commerce manager, does her best to highlight Elephant's strengths and hide its weaknesses. Eighty-four-year-old hairdresser Gladys promotes Elephant's history and pines after her high school beau, Gus, who hasn't spoken to her in 65 years. The beautiful Sarah helps run the local motel with her family and works as the town's handyman. Gay millionaire and car collector Jonas has escaped L.A. for the quiet life in Elephant, driving his classic Corvettes around town and observing the goings-on with amusement. When Rob arrives to research his article, the citizens of Elephant are up in arms over efforts to save the giant fiberglass elephant that looms over an abandoned gas station and greets visitors as they enter town. Gladys and the Historical Preservation Committee, otherwise known as the "hysterical ladies," want to make the elephant a historic landmark and preserve it, but Stacy and the younger townsfolk are ready to "blow up" the elephant and move on.