Frank, a retired Irish seaman, and Walter, a retired Cuban barber, are two lonely old men trapped in the emptiness of their own lives. When they meet in a park Frank is able to start a conversation after several attempts. They begin to spend time together and become friends. But because of their different characters they often quarrel with each other and finally seperate after Frank misbehaves to Walter's friend Elaine.
丹尼(丹尼尔·戴-刘易斯 Daniel Day Lewis 饰)曾是一名热血沸腾的革命青年,因为加入了北爱尔兰共和军而遭到了逮捕,艰苦的牢狱生活一过就是十四载。终于熬过了漫长的不自由的时光,重回社会的丹尼决定洗心革面,做一个低调的普通人。 出狱后的丹尼重拾旧业成为了一名拳击教练,培养了一批和他一样热爱这项运动的年轻人。一场意外让丹尼和曾经的恋人玛姬(艾米丽·沃森 Emily Watson 饰)重逢了,此时的玛姬,独自一人抚养着十四岁的儿子林恩,日子过得十分艰辛。旧日爱情的火花在丹尼和玛姬之间死灰复燃,然而,曾经灰暗的过去亦让丹尼充满了犹疑和怯懦。