Harry (Paul Newman), a retired private eye, lives in an apartment on the grounds of the estate owned by his old friends Catherine (Susan Sarandon) and Jack (Gene Hackman), movie stars at the end of their careers. Shot by the couple's runaway daughter, Mel (Reese Witherspoon), some years ago, Harry subsists on their guilt and good will as he wrestles with a lifetime of regret. While delivering a mysterious package, Harry is drawn into a blackmail scheme that threatens to shatter all their lives.