Carolina Mirabeau was raised 'free-spirited' with two sisters by eccentric, domineering grandma Millicent in the country. Carolina's city neighbor, talented and witty Jewish author Albert Morris, is her best friend, confident and the wacky family's favorite guest. Yet she begins dating Heath Pierson, an 'all too perfect' upper class brilliant Britton, whom she met in the TV studio where she's fired as dating show candidates-screener. But the past and some truths catch up with all of them.

影片改编自美籍俄裔作家弗拉基米尔·纳博科夫1964年的小说《卢金的防守》，讲述了一个因为从小受到老师的虐待而变得孤僻的国际象棋冠军亚历山大·卢金和一个意志坚强的上流社会女性娜塔莉亚之间的爱情故事。

在斯大林的恐怖统治下，一名文学教授被送往至西伯利亚集中营苦役十年。她失去了一切，不再愿意活着，直到她遇到了营地医生，才开始有了生活的希望。