As Constance (Natasha Richardson) and Nina (Toni Collette) gather at the deathbed of their mother, Ann (Vanessa Redgrave), they learn for the first time that their mother lived an entire other lifetime during one evening 50 years ago. In vivid flashbacks, the young Ann (Claire Daines) spends one night with a man named Harris (Patrick Wilson), who was the love of her life.

With its high murder rate, the town of Gastonia, N.C., has earned itself the nickname "Little Chicago." Cal returns home to Gastonia after college to find his childhood best friend Andre in deep with a local drug dealer.