How do you learn to love again when the pain of the past won't let you go? When you're 32 with a troubled history and a doubtful future, it's a question that isn't so easy to answer. And for Tracy Heart (Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett), it's a question she can no longer ignore.

After four years of treading water and redeeming herself in the eyes of her hard-working single mother, she has set herself the humble goal of owning her own business.

But the unexpected return of her ex-boyfriend Jonny, the criminal aspirations of her brother Ray and the emotional draw of troubled family friend and ex-football star Lionel Dawson (Hugo Weaving) creates friction for Tracy. Her dream of a better life is threatened further by gangland boss, Bradley "The Jockey" Thompson (Sam Neill) whose entanglement in their plans has shattering consequences.