Claire Barney, portrayed by Samantha Morton, is a modest police parking attendant navigating life in Los Angeles while caring for her ailing mother, who is played by Teri Garr. After a chance encounter with an old boyfriend and his unruly family, Claire’s life takes a sudden turn when she is struck by a vehicle, resulting in multiple injuries that confine her to her home. As she grapples with her new limitations—her right ankle and wrist, along with her left arm now in casts—her mother, whose mobility is severely compromised, communicates her desires for Claire to find a partner and settle down, emphasizing the importance of companionship.
As the holidays approach, a box containing a miniature Christmas tree brings a glimmer of joy to their home, leading Claire and her mother to decorate together. However, upon her return to work three weeks later, Claire finds herself drawn to a brash parking attendant named Jay, portrayed by Jason Patric. Jay's aggressive demeanor and controversial personal life, including a penchant for webcam adult services, contrast sharply with Claire's gentle nature. Despite her best friend Wilma, played by Illeana Douglas, warning her about Jay's volatile tendencies, Claire develops a crush on him, hoping for connection.
Their interactions are tumultuous; each time Claire attempts to converse, Jay’s temper surfaces, turning even the simplest exchanges into confrontations. Yet, he keeps pursuing her, leading to a somewhat normal evening at Claire’s home, where they bond over dinner. This gives her mother hope that Claire may be on a path to happiness.
A changing tide comes when Claire is poised to attend a Christmas Eve party with Jay. However, tragedy strikes as she discovers her mother has tragically passed away in the kitchen, with her face resting in a bowl of mashed potatoes. Overwhelmed by shock and grief, Claire leaves her mother behind and heads to the party, where she remains isolated and distant, watching Jay dance with another woman. Eventually, Jay confronts her about her emotional state, prompting Claire to reveal the devastating scene at her home.
Instead of reaching out for help from proper authorities, Claire opts to inform her self-centered aunt Tilda, who promptly dismisses the urgency of the situation, merely offering to let Claire retrieve a necklace from her home. After calling an undertaker to handle her mother's remains, Jay takes it upon himself to stay the night with Claire, asserting he’ll sleep on the couch. However, in a surprising turn, he ends up in her bed, leading to a brief physical encounter that leaves Claire disillusioned.
Despite the complexity of their relationship, Jay and Claire continue to see each other. Claire's optimism about the potential for a future with Jay starkly contrasts with his focus on physical intimacy. Jay's aggressive behavior eventually catches up with him, leading to his suspension at work, an event which does not deter him from trying to win Claire over. He takes Claire on a drive to visit her aunt, although his fabrications about his work situation fray underneath an air of casual rebellion.
A nighttime outing to pick up a necklace quickly spirals into a night of indulgence and culminates with Claire finding herself in a hotel room with Jay, where his insensitive comments about her appearance compound her discomfort. Subsequently promoted at work for her conduct, Claire unexpectedly discovers evidence of Jay's connection to a prostitute at his apartment, leading her to leave in disgust.
In a bid to mend their relationship, Jay seeks Claire's forgiveness at her home; however, she steps into newfound confidence, outspokenly challenging his intentions. Despite a fleeting moment of intimacy, Claire decides against continuing their involvement, asserting her independence.
In the poignant finale, Claire returns to her job, walking her beat in solitude. As she navigates the same intersection where her accident occurred, she is almost struck again, but this time manages to find her footing, smiling with a newfound sense of relief and resilience.
