An old storyteller tries to convince her grandson that Death no longer exists. Her story will bring back to life the extraordinary people who, by using incredible tricks, will eliminate Death that threatens them.

影片按照加拿高文家Jane Rule创作的小说“Desert of the Heart”改编而成，布景设置于美国许多地方不准许离婚的1950年代。主人公之一是35岁的英文传授薇薇安，她为了离婚来到法令相对宽大的内华达州雷诺市，暂住在一间农场为离婚官司和流程做预备。严厉的薇薇安是以结识了农场主弗兰西丝的继女凯伊，凯伊比她年轻10岁，日常平凡在赌场打工，是…