At the funeral of his lover Stuart (David Coffey), Nick (Tom Hollander) feels very uncomfortable around people. He would much rather be elsewhere submerged in silence and solitude. Dan (Bill Nighy), the bedraggled husband of Stuart's sister Judy (Ellie Haddington), also feels out of sorts at the funeral. Corinne (Clementine Celarie), a friendly French woman, strikes up a conversation with him but instead of making small talk, she zeroes in on his state of depression and unhappiness. He doesn't reveal that he is married. Just before leaving the gathering he says hello to Tim (Douglas Henshall), a hippie who has been away from the small Essex coastal town for eight years.

When Dan bumps into Corinne at the grocery store, he is so flustered that he accepts an invitation to dinner at her place. Then he learns that Judy plans to give Stuart's money to Nick instead of using it for their farm. Angered by what he sees as a betrayal by his wife of their hard work together, Dan tries to muster the courage to meet Corinne but is unable to do so. Instead, he accepts a sexual favor from a promiscuous woman.

Meanwhile, Nick is surprised when Tim agrees to stay at his place for a while. But he soon finds his hedonism and irresponsible ways to be bothersome. Trying to retreat to his room during a party, Nick discovers a woman sleeping in his bed. In the morning, he makes breakfast for Charlie (Sukie Smith), who has been unlucky in love. The two of them hit it off and become friends. He even gets her a job working at the restaurant he runs. Both of them are unprepared for what happens to them in a beach hut.

Tim falls in love with Leah (Josephine Butler), a local shopkeeper. Unbeknownst to him, she had an affair with his adopted brother, David (Stuart Lang), who is now divorced and quite lonely. When Tim learns about their history, he realizes that she is still in love with David. A chance to open a bar with some friends in London convinces him that it is time to move on again. But he needs money for his stake in the new business.

Neil Hunter and Tom Hunsinger are the writers and directors of this romantic drama that probes the emotional spins and turns in the lives of the three men we first meet at the funeral. One of the most interesting dimensions of the storyline is that Stuart's free spirit and his go-for-it philosophy seems to have subtly influenced Nick, Dan, and Tim. Each man has a chance to change the direction of his life by taking a leap into the dark. But it takes courage and a discerning heart.

Hats off to Hunter and Hunsinger for their robust and rounded treatment of the emotional education of three vulnerable men who are not used to dealing with their deepest yearnings. And we can't resist mentioning the melodic musical score by Adrian Johnston that adds immeasurably to the drama.

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