In The Etruscan Smile, Rory MacNeil is gruff and independent, living alone on his small island off the coast of Scotland. When he falls ill, he finally agrees to leave his island home and seek medical treatment in San Francisco, where his estranged son Ian (played by JJ Feild) lives.
Ian, an urban professional, is not thrilled about his father's arrival. They have been estranged for years, with Rory disapproving of Ian's choices in life and Ian resenting his father's absence and criticism. However, when Rory meets Ian's baby son Jamie, he is immediately smitten and begins to bond with his grandson.
As Rory's health improves, he becomes more involved in Ian's life, attending meetings at Ian's architecture firm and even attending a party with his son's coworkers. However, his stubborn pride and Scottish stoicism continue to rub Ian and his friends the wrong way.
Meanwhile, Rory also develops a relationship with a fellow patient at the medical center, a beautiful and vivacious woman named Claudia (played by Rosanna Arquette). Claudia helps Rory to explore San Francisco and see the world beyond his small island home, but she also has her own secrets and struggles.
As Rory's health improves and his relationships with Ian and Jamie deepen, he must grapple with the question of whether to return to his isolated island paradise or embrace the new beginnings that await him in San Francisco.
The Etruscan Smile is a heartwarming and emotional drama about family, friendship, and the power of love and connection to transform our lives. Brian Cox delivers a standout performance as the gruff yet endearing Rory, and the supporting cast, including Feild, Arquette, and Thora Birch as Ian's colleague Emily, add depth and nuance to the story.