Percy Talbot is a young woman who has been released from prison after serving five years for manslaughter. She has no place to go and no one to turn to, so she decides to respond to an advertisement for a job opening at the Spitfire Grill in Gillead, a small town in Maine. The Spitfire Grill is a struggling restaurant, owned by an elderly widow named Hannah Ferguson, who has been trying to sell the property for years. Percy convinces Hannah to hire her, promising to work hard and turn things around for the restaurant.
At first, the townsfolk are suspicious of Percy, and rumors about her past start to spread. But as Percy starts to connect with Hannah and other locals, such as the gentle sheriff Joe Sperling and the bitter, disabled Nahum Goddard, she slowly wins them over. Percy reveals her artistic talents by designing a unique menu and decorating the restaurant, and the Spitfire Grill starts to attract customers. Percy also discovers a secret about Hannah's past that helps them both heal from their respective traumas.
However, things start to unravel when Percy's past catches up with her, and she is forced to confront the consequences of her actions. The townsfolk turn on her, and the restaurant becomes a symbol of their anger and frustration. But Percy refuses to give up, and with the help of her friends, she finds a way to reconcile with the people of Gillead and create a brighter future for herself and everyone around her.
In the end, The Spitfire Grill is a heartwarming story of redemption, forgiveness, and the power of community to transform lives. The movie was directed by Lee David Zlotoff and released in 1996. It features a talented cast including Alison Elliott as Percy, Ellen Burstyn as Hannah, Marcia Gay Harden as Shelby Goddard, and Will Patton as Joe Sperling. The film received critical acclaim and won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival.