In the wake of a tragic car accident that claims his wife's life, a grieving American professor named Joe (played by Colin Firth) relocates his two young daughters to the sun-drenched Italian port city of Genoa, hoping to escape the memories that haunt them in Chicago. The film, directed by Michael Winterbottom, delicately explores the family's fragile adjustment to their new surroundings, where the vibrant, labyrinthine streets and shimmering coastline offer a stark contrast to their internal turmoil. Joe's eldest daughter, Kelly (portrayed by Willa Holland), is a rebellious teenager grappling with her loss through anger and risky behavior, while the younger, Mary (played by Perla Haney-Jardine), becomes increasingly convinced that her mother's ghost is following her through the ancient city. As Joe attempts to reconnect with his daughters and forge a new life, he finds himself drawn into a tentative romance with a former classmate (played by Catherine Keener), adding another layer of complexity to his efforts to heal a fractured family. This poignant drama is a deeply atmospheric meditation on grief, memory, and the slow, painful process of moving forward, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of Genoa's historic beauty.