The World According to Garp follows the life of T.S. Garp (portrayed by Robin Williams), a writer who is struggling to find his voice. His mother, Jenny Fields (Glenn Close), is a nurse who becomes famous for her memoir detailing her decision to have a child without getting married, and for her subsequent feminist activism.
Garp marries Helen Holm (Mary Beth Hurt), with whom he has two children. However, their marriage is strained due to Helen's infidelities and Garp's paranoia. Meanwhile, Garp's writing career takes off after the publication of his first novel, and he becomes a celebrity in his own right.
As Garp and his family navigate their personal lives, the specter of violence looms over them. Garp becomes obsessed with protecting his family from harm, while Jenny becomes a target of anti-feminist violence.
The film was directed by George Roy Hill and adapted for the screen by Steve Tesich. It received critical acclaim and was nominated for two Academy Awards.