Billy Brown is a troubled man who was recently released from prison after serving five years for a crime he did not commit. He blames his parents for his past problems and decides to confront them about it. On his way to their home in Buffalo, New York, he kidnaps a teenage girl named Layla, whom he met outside a dance studio.
Billy takes Layla to his parents' house and forces her to pose as his girlfriend and future wife, to impress his parents and make them think he has turned his life around. He also convinces Layla to go along with the charade by promising her a hefty sum of money.
Throughout the film, Billy's dark past is revealed, and it becomes clear that he is seeking redemption by confronting his parents and making amends for his mistakes. Meanwhile, Layla bonds with Billy's parents and begins to see him in a different light.
The film is a character-driven drama with strong performances by Vincent Gallo as Billy, Christina Ricci as Layla, and Anjelica Huston and Ben Gazzara as Billy's dysfunctional parents. The movie explores themes of family dysfunction, forgiveness, and redemption.