Set in 1950s Ireland, the story revolves around the lives of Bernadette "Benny" Hogan (Minnie Driver) and her two close friends, Eve Malone and Nan Mahon (played by Saffron Burrows). The film opens with a glimpse into their childhood during their first Communion; Benny is portrayed as the cherished only child, Eve an orphan brought up by nuns, and Nan, though poor, is set to be recognized for her beauty. As they navigate life in the quaint town of Knockglen, six years slip by, and Nan has already advanced to university a year ahead, while Benny and Eve prepare to join her.
Eve's tuition is covered by the affluent Westward Protestant family, former employers of her late father, who also bequeathed her a cottage on their estate. With Eve boarding at a convent, Benny faces daily treks to Dublin, as her parents are hesitant to let her go, preferring she choose the undesirable Sean Walsh, her father’s trusted employee, as a husband.
Once they reunite in Dublin, the girls meet a more sophisticated Nan who knows she captivates the men around her. Benny, meanwhile, finds herself smitten with Jack Foley, a charming rugby player and aspiring doctor, who grapples with his career path. Their hometown visits see Nan entangled with the wealthy Simon Westward, an older aristocrat, while Benny resists the temptation of a physical relationship. After the shocking passing of Benny's father, she leaves her studies to assist her mother with their family business, amidst the ongoing advances of Sean Walsh and a troubling issue regarding the firm’s finances.
The secluded cottage on the Westward estate becomes a frequent gathering spot for the trio and their friends. Behind closed doors, Nan and Simon’s liaison leads to an unexpected pregnancy, prompting Simon to offer Nan money for an abortion in England. Tormented by this dilemma, she resorts to seducing Jack at a rugby party to coerce him into marriage, leading to a heart-wrenching confrontation. When Jack proposes, believing he is acting honorably, it shatters Benny’s heart.
Eve, smelling a rat, uncovers the truth and confronts Nan amidst a party, unveiling her betrayal. An intense moment culminates when Nan accidentally injures herself, and in the aftermath, Jack discovers his true calling in medicine while Nan realizes she is unfit to raise a child under false pretenses, ultimately breaking off her engagement.
As she departs for England to face her future, Benny, stirred by curiosity, snoops in Sean’s quarters and stumbles upon his embezzlement scheme. In a confrontation that turns violent, she fends off his advances and forces him out of her life, all while he claims she is destined to remain a spinster.
As the story unfolds, Jack makes a sincere attempt to reconnect with Benny, who, though wary, recognizes his genuine commitment. After initially resisting, she ultimately accepts his heartfelt proposal, marking a new chapter in their lives.
