Uma esperança olímpica na equipe de natação feminina dos Estados Unidos sofre uma lesão que a obriga a colocar de lado seus sonhos e ajudar a equipe de natação masculina australiana a se preparar para a competição.

Early in her life, Josephine Malone learned the hard way that there was only one person she could love and trust: her grandmother, Lydia Malone. Out of necessity, unconsciously and very successfully, Josephine donned a disguise to keep all others at bay. She led a globetrotting lifestyle on the fringes of the fashion and music elite, but she kept herself distant. While Josephine was trotting the globe, retired boxer Jake Spear was living in the same small town as Lydia. There was nothing disguised about Jake. Including the fact he made a habit of making very bad decisions about who to give his love. But for Josephine and Jake, there was one person who adored them. One person who knew how to lead them to happiness. And one person who was intent on doing it. Even if she had to do it as her final wish on this earth.

O casal Catherine (Nicole Kidman) e Matt (Joseph Fiennes) acaba de se mudar para o deserto australiano de Nathgari com os dois filhos adolescentes. Esta família é reservada e mantém pouco contato com as pessoas ao redor, até um dia em que uma grande tempestade de areia atinge a região, e os filhos do casal desaparecem. Com a ajuda de um policial, os pais procuram desesperadamente, sabendo que a alta temperatura e a falta de comida ou água pode causar a morte rápida de ambos. Enquanto isso, rumores começam a correr na vizinhança de que a culpa seria de Catherine e Matt, fazendo com que todos ao redor fiquem contra eles.