Newland Archer is going to marry May Welland. It is an excellent match. His fiancee is sweet, pretty - and very conventional. The rest of Newlands life has been mapped out for him. But when Mays beautiful and exotic cousin arrives in New York after a disastrous marriage, Newland is thrown into confusion by his feelings for her. Will he play it safe? Or will he risk everything - his marriage, his place in society, his future - for this mysterious woman?