Chiara is the matriarch of an Italian-descendent family torn apart. After her youngest son moves out, she decides to go along with Alfredo, her husband, on his trips as a salesman in the bars of Serra Gaucha. Their trust in each other breaks down when Chiara finds out about Alfredo's life on the road and he realizes she hides something too. A turtle and decks of cards with put their fifty-year relationship to the test.

The story of two immigrant couples: Teresa and Angelo; Pierina and Massimo. While fighting for survival in the new world, the unexpected love of Massimo and Teresa appears. They react against family and cultural traditions and leave to a new destiny, leaving their partners. Quatrilho is the name of a card game in wich the player have to betray his partner in order to become the champion.