Certain Women

In Livingston, Montana, attorney Laura Wells is confronted by her client Fuller, who has been visiting her for eight months. After a workplace injury left him disabled, Fuller learns he cannot pursue further legal action due to a previous settlement, leaving him frustrated and hopeless.

Following his meeting with Laura, Fuller has a heated argument with his wife while traveling home. The confrontation escalates, and Fuller is ultimately kicked out of their car, adding to his sense of isolation and despair.

In desperation after being ejected from the car, Fuller flags down Laura for a ride back to Livingston. During the ride, he expresses dark thoughts about wanting to harm those he feels are responsible for his situation, highlighting his mental state.

That evening, Laura receives a distressing phone call from the police, informing her that Fuller has taken a security guard hostage at his former workplace. This shocking event compels Laura to confront Fuller directly in an attempt to negotiate.

Laura enters the building to negotiate with Fuller, showing her commitment to help him despite the high stakes. She discovers Fuller’s employee file, which reveals how he was cheated out of his rightful settlement, deepening the complexity of his case.

As negotiations unfold, Fuller contemplates releasing the hostage but requests Laura to mislead the police about his demands. Laura chooses honesty, revealing his location to the authorities, which leads to Fuller’s eventual arrest.

In parallel, Gina and Ryan Lewis work on constructing their rural home with their teenage daughter. Tensions build as Gina feels undermined by Ryan, particularly during a pivotal encounter with an elderly man named Albert regarding sandstone.

Gina secretly records a conversation with Albert during their negotiation. This leads to a heated debate with Ryan in their car about whether to proceed with acquiring the sandstone after Albert begrudgingly agrees to their terms.

Jamie, a ranch hand, discovers an evening class on education law taught by Beth Travis and decides to attend. Despite her initial lack of interest, she finds herself intrigued and builds a connection with Beth.

As their bond deepens, Jamie brings her horse to class, but her world shatters when Beth unexpectedly quits. Feeling lost, Jamie ventures to Livingston in search of answers, only to be met with disappointment.

Overcome with exhaustion after her failed search, Jamie falls asleep at the wheel and crashes into a field. This tragic moment highlights the overwhelming toll life’s struggles have taken on her mental and physical wellbeing.

Despite the trauma surrounding Fuller’s actions, Laura continues to visit him in prison, seeking to understand his perspective. Her compassion presents a glimmer of hope in a bleak situation for both of them.

As tension simmers down, Gina enjoys a barbecue gathering with friends, where her hard work is acknowledged and celebrated. This moment of happiness contrasts sharply with the struggles faced by Fuller and Jamie.

Throughout these tumultuous events, Jamie tries to maintain her daily routine at the ranch. Her determination to navigate the harsh realities of life in Livingston further emphasizes the film's exploration of personal challenges.