Harlan (Edward Norton) is a charismatic cowboy stuck in suburban San Fernando Valley, who by a twist of fate, rides into the life of a rebellious young girl Tobe (Evan Rachel Wood). Their chance encounter explodes into a passionate romance - despite evidence that a more sinister truth might be lurking beneath his country charm. Wanting to protect his teenage daughter and young son from the man that is clearly not who he is, Tobe's father (David Morse) prohibits the lovers to ever see each other again. More alienated than ever down in the valley, Harlan gallops full speed into a breakdown resulting in a desperate attempt to hold onto whatever, or whomever, he can.