The narrative unfolds during the Great Depression, particularly against the backdrop of the 1933 Long Beach earthquake. Arturo (Colin Farrell), a struggling writer, relocates to Bunker Hill, Los Angeles, in hopes of launching his writing career. His goal is to craft a novel centered on Los Angeles, aiming to become the first published author on the subject. However, he finds himself in dire straits, down to his last nickel and six weeks overdue on rent, which he owes to the elderly hotel owner, Mrs. Hargraves (Eileen Atkins).
Arturo’s neighbor at the hotel is Hellfrick (Donald Sutherland), who provides a contrasting character to Arturo's turbulent life. Meanwhile, Camilla (Salma Hayek), a passionate and stunning Mexican cafe waitress, dreams of building a better future for herself and her potential children. Their paths cross when Arturo visits the cafe where she works. Initially, Camilla dismisses Arturo after serving him a cup of terrible coffee, and she even curses him when he attempts to gain her attention. In a playful act of defiance, Arturo pretends to "drop dead" in response to her curse, igniting a series of interactions that push their relationship forward.
Motivated by his infatuation, Arturo gifts Camilla a copy of his newly published story, only to discover that she lies about reading it, leading him to angrily pour her beer into a vomit bucket in retaliation. This prompts a dramatic escalation when Camilla tears up his work and discards it in the same bucket, revealing that she struggles with reading English.
Fortune seems to smile on Arturo when a publisher buys another of his short stories for $175, which he promptly squanders on personal luxuries. When he returns to the cafe, Camilla attempts to impress him with her new shoes, but he mocks her, bringing her to tears with his harsh words that she'll never become a U.S. citizen without mastering English. However, he later compliments her, claiming that her shoes don’t do justice to her beauty.
Meanwhile, Sammy (Justin Kirk), the bartender and aspiring writer, further complicates matters. He advises Camilla on her interest in Arturo, suggesting that she needs to show more allure if she wants to capture his attention. The dynamic between Arturo and Camilla intensifies as they have a passionate encounter, followed by a nightmarish fight after a playful prank goes wrong.
In a twist of fate, a mysterious woman, Vera Rivkin (Idina Menzel), intrudes into Arturo’s life, professing her admiration after overhearing him speak about his vulnerabilities. She opens up about her troubled past and physical scars, which only serve to draw Arturo deeper into her world. Despite their connection, Arturo finds himself confused by Camilla's unpredictable behavior.
Arturo’s relationship with Camilla reaches a breaking point amid accusations and misunderstandings. Even as he wrestles with his feelings, complications arise when Camilla suffers an assault at work, leading them to reconnect intimately. Their romance flourishes as they escape to the coast, celebrate life with a new puppy, and while Arturo helps Camilla with her English skills, she falls ill with tuberculosis.
In a heart-wrenching finale, Camilla’s health deteriorates, leading Arturo to declare his love and pledge to marry her, only for her to succumb before they can fulfill their dreams. Grieving yet inspired, Arturo dedicates his successful novel to her, ultimately returning years later to honor her memory by scattering his book’s dedication upon her grave. The story intricately portrays love, ambition, and the indelible marks left by loss in the pursuit of dreams amidst societal challenges.
