Filmdeki performansıyla en iyi erkek oyuncu dalında Oscar'a aday olan Peter O'Toole'dan son derece büyüleyici ve dokunakı güçlü bir tasvir. Maurice yaşlanmakta olan deneyimli bir aktördür. En yakın arkadaşının yeğeni Jesse ile olan ilişkisinde Maurice, taşralı genç ve sinirli kızı kendi bilgeliğiyle yumuşatmaya çalışır. Birbirleri ile yaptıkları bu kültür alışverişlerinde, hem Maurice hem Jesse hayata ve kendilerine dair farkında olmadıkları pek farklı yönlerini keşfederler.

Maurice Russell, once a great actor, is now living in London in the twilight of his life. Those of his generation remember him fondly, while those in the younger generations have no idea who he is. He spends most of his time hanging out with his friends Ian, also an actor, and Donald, or visiting with his wife Valerie for who he has great affection but with who he no longer lives. His acting career is virtually over, he only taking roles on the odd occasion when he needs the money. Ian has decided to invite his young great-niece Jessie from the provinces to come and stay with him, basically to act as his caregiver in case he falls ill, but also to be his companion. He envisions listening to Bach with her and her cooking him food to which he is accustomed. Jessie's stay is nothing as he envisions. She doesn't know how to cook, she drinks all his alcohol, and she has unrealistic visions of what she will accomplish in her life.