A Simple Twist of Fate

Michael McCann, a high school music teacher, discovers his wife is pregnant by his best friend. He divorces her and withdraws to rural Virginia, taking up a solitary life as a furniture maker. His world settles around his craft and a valuable collection of gold coins.

Weeks after the divorce, Tanny Newland crashes his brother John's car in the woods surrounding Michael's house, injuring the woman with him. Afraid of arrest for drunk driving, he steals Michael's coins and vanishes into the night. The theft marks a new, destabilizing threat to Michael's quiet life.

During a winter storm, a toddler wanders into Michael's home while he gathers wood. He discovers the dead body of the child's mother nearby, a heroin addict who had run out of gas. Unbeknownst to Michael, the child is Mathilda, John Newland's daughter, who participates in the investigation secretly to protect his career.

Michael is permitted to adopt the girl and christens her Mathilda. The newborn bond transforms the solitary maker into a devoted father figure. He begins to build a life for her around their rural home, with the community’s help.

Mathilda proves to be bright, personable, and precocious as she grows under Michael's care. Her presence softens Michael's isolation and brings warmth back into his life. The community, including April Simon, plays a part in shaping her.

As Mathilda ages, John Newland invites her into his world and arranges riding lessons, even giving her a pony. He hopes to nurture a bond while maintaining his political image. Mathilda's closeness to John becomes a focal point in the looming custody question.

Nancy Newland presses for adoption as she and John desire a child of their own. John reveals Mathilda's true identity, triggering a courtroom struggle over who should raise her. The case centers on loyalty, legitimacy, and the best future for Mathilda.

John's lawyer attempts to manipulate the system and Mathilda’s fate in favor of the Newlands. Mathilda herself remains attached to Michael, complicating the legal battle. The courtroom weighs not only wealth and status but the child's own preferences.

The remains of Tanny Newland, surrounded by the gold coins he stole from Michael, are found at the bottom of the quarry his brother planned to drain for a lake. The discovery links the earlier theft to a possible foul play and unsettles the ongoing trial. Investigators begin to piece together what happened to Tanny.

Michael’s sudden return to wealth becomes a pivotal turning point in the case, influencing the judge’s perspective. The judge suspects that Tanny was killed by his own brother, a revelation that weakens the Newlands’ custody position. The truth about Tanny’s death begins to tilt the scales toward Michael and Mathilda.

The judge rules that Mathilda should remain with Michael, prioritizing the child’s attachment and well-being over the Newlands’ wealth. The decision affirms Michael’s role as Mathilda’s guardian and marks a shift away from the Newlands' ambitions. The family’s future becomes centered on their bond.

The film closes with Michael taking Mathilda to visit her late mother's grave in a remote potter's cemetery. The quiet visit underscores the new family’s foundation and perseverance. It seals a peaceful, reflective ending to their journey.